The Economic Times

LIC said the governments 31,552-crore offer for sale reflects investor confidence and helped achieve 10% public shareholding. The insurer will focus on growth, margins and distribution, while the government must raise public shareholding to 25% by 2032.

The Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority has approved four new pension funds. This expansion aims to increase non-government NPS subscribers significantly over five years. Digital initiatives are expected to attract millions of new subscribers annually. PFRDA emphasises accessibility and simplified onboarding for broader pension coverage. Conservative schemes have delivered strong annual returns, building on past successes.

Non-banking finance company credit grew 14.4 percent year-on-year in June. Retail loans saw the fastest expansion, increasing by 20.3 percent. Housing and vehicle loans, and gold jewellery loans showed robust growth. Credit to industry expanded by 6.7 percent, while services sector credit grew 17.6 percent. Agriculture and allied activities credit increased significantly by 17.9 percent.

The weak job report for July has tempered expectations surrounding a Federal Reserve rate increase. Consequently, futures markets now indicate a diminished probability of a rise in interest rates next month. Despite calls from several Fed officials for tighter monetary policy to counteract inflation, the economic community remains split on what lies ahead in rate decisions. The Federal Reserve is actively tracking inflation trends to shape its future policies.

The US dollar weakened against major currencies on Friday. Unexpected job losses in July fueled economic concerns and clouded Fed rate outlook. The unemployment rate declined, but labor force participation hit a multi-year low.

Raymond Realty experienced a 19% drop in profit for the quarter that ended in June, primarily due to increased operational costs that affected net earnings. Despite this, the total income rose to Rs 535.71 crore year-on-year. Moreover, the company reported impressive sales bookings of Rs 700 crore in the first quarter of FY27, representing a substantial increase from Rs 306 crore during the same period last year.

Gold prices reached a seven-week high on Friday owing to surprising job losses in the United States that lowered the likelihood of upcoming rate hikes. This trend puts gold on track for its best weekly gain in seven months, as reduced interest rates boost its allure over yield-producing investments. Additionally, silver and platinum prices witnessed notable rises.

Pension funds collect and invest money contributed by employees and employers to build a large financial pool with an endeavour to pay regular income streams to workers after they retire.

The Reserve Bank of India has proposed new leverage ratio requirements for banks. Globally systemic important banks will face a minimum 3.5% ratio plus a buffer. Domestic systemically important banks will continue with their 4% ratio mandate. Other commercial banks will maintain the existing 3.5% leverage ratio. These proposals align with the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision's framework.

Airbnb shares surged nearly 15% after the company raised its annual revenue growth forecast, citing resilient global travel demand and AI-driven efficiency. Better-than-expected quarterly revenue and lower customer-support costs reinforced investor confidence despite ongoing Middle East tensions.

Doximity shares surged after the healthcare platform highlighted the strong performance of its clinical AI, overshadowing an earnings miss. Investors cheered its AI capabilities, positioning the company as a specialised healthcare AI player despite mixed quarterly financial results.

The Reserve Bank of India has announced an exemption for loans against specific foreign currency deposits, particularly fresh FCNR(B) and NRE term deposits. This strategic shift ensures these loans will not factor into the mandatory priority sector lending requirements. Such measures have notably enhanced foreign exchange inflows. Additionally, there is a special facility available for banks to swap these deposits with the RBI.

Sebi has approved IPOs of nine companies spanning engineering, travel technology, gaming, drones, paper, renewable energy and digital platforms. The approvals strengthen Indias IPO pipeline, with firms including Laxyo, Garuda Aerospace, PlaySimple Games, Rediff.com and Jakson Green preparing to list.

Non-Banking Financial Company gold loans surged significantly by June 2026. Retail credit remained the primary driver for NBFC lending growth. Housing and vehicle loans also showed robust expansion during this period. Agriculture credit accelerated sharply, while industrial sector growth slowed down. Services sector lending moderated as trade and transport operators expanded credit slower.

State Bank of India reported a strong first quarter with net profit rising over ten percent. Gross advances surpassed fifty lakh crore rupees, marking significant growth for the bank. Asset quality indicators showed marked improvement year-on-year, with GNPA declining. The bank maintained its full-year credit growth guidance at fourteen to fifteen percent. SBI is deploying Responsible AI Policy to enhance cybersecurity and operational efficiency.

Sebi has overhauled its inspection framework, reducing FY27 inspections to about one-third of last years level. The regulator will prioritise risk-based, joint inspections using alerts, complaints and market intelligence while easing compliance burdens for well-governed market intermediaries.

SBI reported a 10% rise in Q1 net profit to Rs 21,121 crore, beating estimates on robust loan growth and higher net interest income. Improved asset quality, lower bad-loan provisions and strong credit demand offset weaker treasury income and slightly lower margins.

US stock markets opened higher on Friday after unexpected job losses. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq saw gains at the opening bell. This economic data raised doubts about a September interest rate hike. The Dow Jones Industrial Average experienced a slight decline at the open. Markets reacted to the latest employment figures released by the government.

Oil prices declined as investors weighed prospects of reopening the Strait of Hormuz against persistent geopolitical risks. Markets also awaited US payrolls data, while uncertainty over Iran-related negotiations, shipping arrangements and regional security kept crude prices volatile despite easing supply concerns.

The Kochi-based microfinance company received sanction letters from overseas investors in January and it has time till September to draw down the funds.

Hitachi Energy India has displayed remarkable financial growth with a net profit soaring over 100% in the June quarter. The company reported a substantial increase in operational revenue compared to the previous year. With first-quarter orders reaching Rs 5,096.5 crore for FY27, the firm has achieved a record order backlog totaling Rs 32,222.1 crore, fueled by robust progress in energy transition and security sectors.

Sebi is introducing joint inspections by stock exchanges and depositories, along with a notable reduction in its inspection target for FY27. This strategy intends to enhance oversight while facilitating operations for intermediaries. Moreover, the practice of conducting repetitive annual inspections on compliant entities will cease, shifting focus to alert mechanisms, complaints, and market intelligence for more effective monitoring.

Indian government bonds finished the week with little change on Friday, yet celebrated their first gain in five weeks. A decline in oil prices and a calming tone from the central bank helped elevate demand for these bonds. The Reserve Bank of India opted to keep its repo rate steady, alleviating concerns over potential rate hikes in the near future.

Wealth manager Aarti Gupta urged women to diversify beyond physical gold by building goal-based, multi-asset portfolios with SIPs, index funds and ETFs. She also advocated financial independence through personal bank accounts, emergency savings and shared household financial planning.

BSE Index Services has launched the BSE REITs Index to track the performance of listed Real Estate Investment Trusts in India. The index comprises six REITs and has delivered an 18.54% one-year return on a total-return basis. Embassy Office Parks REIT has the highest weight at 32.18%.

Indian equities ended lower as the Closing Auction Session continued creating divergence between Sensex and Nifty. Banking and financial stocks dragged benchmarks, while auto and IT outperformed. Analysts said Niftys 24,500 support remains crucial despite easing momentum and continued profit booking.

Ola Electric reported a narrower Q1 loss of Rs 336 crore as deliveries nearly doubled sequentially and revenue rebounded 72% from Q4. Improved market share, lower operating costs and progress in battery manufacturing supported the company's operational turnaround despite year-on-year revenue decline.

Eight stocks from the BSE 200 index hit fresh 52-week highs, reaching their highest price levels in the past year, indicating strong investor interest, and potential upward momentum in the share price.

Unclaimed mutual fund assets rose nearly 10% to Rs 3,811 crore in FY26, led by higher unclaimed dividends, Sebi said. Despite this, mutual fund assets, SIP contributions and investor participation expanded strongly, reflecting sustained retail interest and industry growth.

A bipartisan proposal for cryptocurrency legislation could grant President Trump a tax advantage by allowing the deferral of capital gains taxes on his digital asset portfolio. This bill stipulates that the president must separate from crypto-related enterprises. Democrats emphasize ethical standards to secure their backing, while the Clarity Act seeks to clarify regulatory oversight of the cryptocurrency industry.

Fossil Group Inc. is exploring an initial public offering for its India business. This potential listing could raise as much as $300 million. The US-based company may sell up to a 25% stake in Fossil India. This move follows other multinationals seeking value from their Indian operations. The offering is anticipated to occur early in the coming year.

Vikram Solar experienced an astonishing 85 percent drop in profits for the June quarter, primarily attributable to increased expenses. On a positive note, the company's revenue from operations showed a healthy uptick during this period. In a strategic move, Vikram Solar has also greenlit the expansion of its wafer and ingot manufacturing facility, expected to be operational by fiscal year 2029.

Lupin Ltd has reported a remarkable sixteen percent surge in profit after tax for the first quarter, showcasing their continued success. The firm experienced considerable growth in consolidated total revenue from operations, largely driven by a staggering forty-two percent increase in sales in the US market. Moreover, sales in India rose nearly fourteen percent, reflecting strong domestic demand.

Premier Energies reported remarkable growth, with profits soaring more than 53% in the latest quarter. The uptick in revenue can be attributed to robust demand across vital business sectors. The company has made significant strides in enhancing manufacturing, particularly in solar cells and modules. Moreover, plans are underway for new facilities to further elevate production capacities, as Premier Energies invests in expanding its solar initiatives and diversifying into new markets.

In the first quarter of FY27, JK Tyre & Industries reported a staggering 73 percent decline in profits, primarily due to soaring raw material prices linked to the West Asia crisis. Their consolidated net profit plummeted to Rs 44.09 crore from Rs 163.35 crore year-on-year, even as revenue rose to Rs 3,946.24 crore. Notably, domestic volumes surged by 25 percent in both replacement and OE segments.

In the June quarter, Arvind SmartSpaces achieved remarkable results with an eight-fold rise in net profit. The company's total income surged to Rs 322.02 crore, while sales bookings more than doubled to Rs 432 crore. This exceptional performance stemmed from robust pre-sales and overall income growth, solidifying the firm's position as a leading player under the Lalbhai Group from Ahmedabad.

In the June quarter, Mrs Bectors Food Specialities reported a notable 25.53 percent increase in net profit. Their operating revenue surged by sixteen percent to reach Rs 548.75 crore, bolstered by a 19 percent growth in the biscuit sector and a remarkable 40 percent rise in the bakery segment. Additionally, the EBITDA margin saw an improvement of eighty basis points, reaching 13.1 percent.

India's residential property sector remains robust, driven by consistent demand and advancements in infrastructure. The Reserve Bank of India's choice to hold the repo rate steady bolsters this positive trend, allowing homebuyers and property developers to make informed, future-focused decisions. With favorable financing conditions, developers can efficiently organize their project timelines and pricing, reinforcing a thriving residential market.

Mumbai's luxury housing market recorded its highest-ever half-yearly sales of Rs 18,512 crore during the first half of 2026, but the pace of growth is likely to moderate in the coming quarters due to the exceptionally high base and a more cautious economic and equity market outlook, according to a joint report by India Sotheby's International Realty and CRE Matrix.

ICICI Bank and Axis Bank have returned to the U.S. dollar debt market, each looking to raise $300 million through upcoming bond issues, set to close for subscription next week. Notably, last month saw ICICI Bank raise a substantial $1 billion while Axis Bank secured $800 million. This bond issuance utilizes the Reserve Bank of India's hedging facility to facilitate smoother transactions.

Titan Q1 Results: Consumer discretionary major Titan Ltd on Friday reported 63% year-on-year (YoY) growth in its consolidated net profit at Rs 1,777 crore in the first quarter, compared with Rs 1,091 crore in the last year quarter. Total income in the reporting period rose 40% YoY to Rs 20,753 crore.

State Bank of India expects credit growth to remain broad-based across segments. The bank retained its loan growth guidance at fourteen to fifteen percent. It also anticipates mobilising around ten billion dollars in foreign-currency deposits. Net interest margin guidance remains at three percent for the financial year. Asset quality is not currently a concern due to El Nino conditions.

Hindalco Industries reported a record 75% year-on-year jump in June-quarter consolidated net profit to Rs 7,013 crore, driven by strong India aluminium and copper operations and a recovery at Novelis. Revenue rose 32% to an all-time high of Rs 84,825 crore, while EBITDA surged 73% to Rs 14,989 crore, reflecting robust operational performance despite exceptional expenses.

The Indian rupee maintained stability on Friday, showing a small improvement over the week. The central bank's intervention helped alleviate the impact of higher oil prices and market hesitance. Significant inflows from balance of payments strategies fortified the Reserve Bank of Indias defenses. Investors are now keenly awaiting essential U.S. labor market statistics, especially the non-farm payrolls data from the last month, for insights on future economic trends.

Thirty-four BSE stocks doubled in six months, with 12 delivering returns of 169% to 923%. Retail investors raised stakes in several multibaggers while booking profits in others during June 2026 quarter.

SK Hynix approved investments of 54.3 trillion won through 2031 to expand semiconductor production, targeting rising AI-driven demand. Funds will support new DRAM facilities in Yongin and NAND flash capacity in Cheongju. The company also plans additional shareholder return measures, with details expected during the third quarter, strengthening growth prospects.

Multi-asset funds are gaining popularity by diversifying across equity, debt, precious metals and other assets. Strong gold and silver gains boosted one-year returns, while active allocation and tax treatment vary by equity exposure.

European stock markets edged higher on Friday, supported by gains in healthcare stocks, while rising oil prices and renewed Middle East tensions kept investors cautious ahead of the closely watched U.S. non-farm payrolls report.

Global equity funds extended their inflow streak to 11 weeks, attracting $21.15 billion in the week ended August 5. Strong corporate earnings and easing crude prices boosted risk appetite. European and Asian equity funds led regional inflows, while emerging market equities saw their strongest weekly inflows in over five months.