Markets / The Economic Times
President Trump announced a deal where the U.S. would acquire a 10% stake in Intel, following a meeting with CEO Lip-Bu Tan. This move comes after Trump demanded Tan's resignation over ties to Chinese firms, resulting in a $10 billion investment. The federal backing aims to revive Intel's struggling foundry business amidst turnaround efforts.
Jerome Powell's recent speech at Jackson Hole hinted at potential adjustments to monetary policy, sparking market optimism for interest rate cuts. However, the speech balanced concerns about both labor market wobbles and persistent inflation. The Fed faces a tricky task navigating its dual mandate amid economic uncertainties and external pressures, suggesting a cautious approach to future policy easing.
The dollar weakened following Jerome Powell's suggestion of a potential rate cut. The euro and other currencies strengthened against the dollar. Market participants are now anticipating further easing by the Federal Reserve. Traders increased bets on a September rate cut. Concerns about Fed independence also weighed on the dollar. Bitcoin saw gains amidst the currency movements.
Suneetha Reddy, promoter of Apollo Hospitals Enterprise, sold stake worth Rs 1,489 crore. The sale received positive response from foreign and domestic investors. Abu Dhabi Investment Authority and T. Rowe Price were among the buyers. Kotak Mahindra Life Insurance and Axis Mutual Fund also purchased shares. Apollo Hospitals reported a net profit of Rs 433 crore in Q1.
Rate-sensitive stocks rallied on Friday after U.S. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell hinted that an interest-rate cut could be on the table in September, citing a shifting balance of risks.
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell on Friday pointed to a possible interest rate cut at the U.S. central bank's meeting next month, but stopped short of committing to it, in remarks acknowledging both the growing risks to the job market and ongoing threat of higher inflation.
US stocks extended gains Friday after Fed Chair Jerome Powell hinted at a possible September rate cut during his Jackson Hole speech, citing job market risks. Dow surged 870 points, S&P 500 rose 1.6%, Nasdaq led gains.
India's markets regulator on Friday proposed changes to the country's block deal framework, including raising the minimum order size for such trades.
India's National Stock Exchange (NSE) said on Friday it will add hospital-chain operator Max Healthcare and Indigo-parent InterGlobe Aviation to its benchmark Nifty 50 index effective September 30.
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell on Friday opened the door ever so slightly to lowering a key interest rate in the coming months but gave no hint on the timing of a move and suggested the central bank will proceed cautiously as it continues to evaluate the impact of tariffs and other policies on the economy.
Nodding toward significant changes in the economic landscape over the last five years, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell on Friday announced an updated operating framework for the U.S. central bank that reflects the return of higher inflation pressures and reduced prospect of near zero short-term interest rates.
India's markets regulator plans to propose additional financial incentives for distributors and fund houses to enroll first-time women investors, its chairperson said on Friday, in its latest bid to increase penetration of mutual fund products.
Wall Street indexes rebounded on Friday as investors awaited Jerome Powell's Jackson Hole speech for interest-rate clues. Anticipation of potential rate cuts in September influenced market activity, though expectations have slightly decreased. Gains were broad-based across sectors, while individual stocks reacted to company-specific news, including deals and earnings forecasts.
US Federal Reserve chief Jerome Powell is expected to walk a fine line while delivering a closely watched speech at a central banking conference on Friday, as he faces down attacks from President Donald Trump alongside mixed economic data.
Sebi issued an advisory cautioning investors against fraudulent claims on social media, WhatsApp, and Telegram about stock market access via FPIs or FIIs. The regulator urged verifying registrations and using only Sebi-approved intermediaries for safe investments.
Indian markets snapped a six-day winning streak as Sensex fell 694 points and Nifty slipped 214. Banks, FMCG, and IT dragged indices, while select smallcaps like Consolidated Construction and Netweb Technologies saw sharp gains.
Sensex dropped 693 points to 81,306 on Friday, but five BSE Midcap stocks One97 Communications, UNO Minda, Cummins India, Aditya Birla Capital, and L&T Finance touched fresh 52-week highs, signaling strong individual stock momentum.
Vikran Engineerings IPO, priced at Rs 9297 per share, opens on August 26 and closes on August 29. The Rs 772 crore issue includes a fresh issue and OFS. With strong EPC presence, robust order book, and government clients, the company plans to fund working capital and corporate needs.
Satin Creditcare Network raised Rs 100 crore through non-convertible debentures in two tranches to strengthen its asset-liability position, bolster CRAR, and expand lending in income-generating and WASH-focused loans for clients.
Nine midcap stocks saw rising insurance shareholding in Q1FY26, signaling growing confidence among institutional investors. The trend reflects positive market sentiment and a strategic shift toward long-term equity investments in fundamentally strong midcaps.
Morgan Stanley's Chetan Ahya anticipates India's economic recovery by late 2025, driven by government initiatives and RBI rate cuts. While GST rationalization may ease inflation, managing low inflation remains a key focus. The RBI is expected to cut rates further, while the Fed's decision hinges on upcoming jobs data, influencing global financial flows.
The Indian rupee weakened further on Friday against a stronger dollar ahead of a speech by Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, capping a volatile week for the Asian currency that has been pressured by U.S. tariff-related uncertainties.
Vodafone Idea shares jumped 9.3% after reports of a potential government relief package for AGR dues. The proposed measures include extended moratoriums, flexible repayment terms, and possible waivers on penalties. With Rs 83,400 crore in AGR liabilities, the company seeks funding support for financial stability.
WestBridge Capital will invest 450 crore for a 15% stake in Edelweiss Mutual Fund, valuing it at about 3,000 crore. The deal, subject to regulatory approvals, aims to fuel growth as Edelweiss MFs AUM hit 1.52 lakh crore with strong profit momentum.
SEBI raided finfluencer Avadhut Sathes Karjat-based trading academy on August 20, seizing devices and data amid allegations of penny stock promotion. The action is part of SEBIs broader crackdown on unregistered market educators.
Rajiv Batra addresses global investors' concerns about India's growth and policy, emphasizing the need for double-digit earnings and nominal GDP growth to reignite foreign investor interest. He suggests profit-taking in pharma due to US generic concerns and underwhelming earnings. Batra remains positive on financials and monitors the Jackson Hole Symposium for its impact on rate cuts.
British two-year government bond yields - which are sensitive to speculation about Bank of England interest rates - rose to their highest level in more than two months on Friday.
CA Rudramurthy BV of Vachana Investments remains optimistic about the market, suggesting a uy on every dip strategy. He highlights the positive impact of the GST initiative and potential RBI rate cuts. While acknowledging geopolitical tensions and other external factors, he anticipates the market reaching all-time highs if these issues subside and earnings improve.
Japanese 30-year government bond yields climbed to a fresh all-time peak on Friday, tracking a rise in U.S. Treasury yields as investors braced for a speech by Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell at the U.S. central bank's Jackson Hole symposium.
European shares edged lower on Friday as cautious traders awaited Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell's speech for clues on the policy outlook.
Rahul Shah of MOFSL suggests a stock-specific market approach, highlighting cement, banks, and metals as promising sectors. He anticipates continued growth in these areas, driven by domestic demand and government initiatives. While global events may cause volatility, strong domestic macros and earnings momentum are expected to support market resilience, with key focus on sectors like power, consumption, and retail finance.
An Indian market regulator panel has suggested capping intraday equity index derivatives net positions at 15 billion rupees, prompted by concerns over manipulative trading strategies and retail investor losses. This recommendation, aimed at curbing excessive intraday trading, follows a previous proposal and seeks to clarify monitoring thresholds for stock exchanges.
European bonds remained stable as investors anticipated Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell's address. Traders sought insights into the U.S. central bank's future monetary policy. The German 10-year bond yield remained steady. The market is closely watching for potential rate cuts by the Federal Reserve in September. Changes in U.S. rate expectations often impact global bond markets.
UBS Securities picked Ambuja Cement, UltraTech, and Dalmia Bharat as top buys, citing demand recovery, lower costs, and reforms. Despite Q1 volumes missing estimates with just 3% growth, UBS expects strong EBITDA in Q2 and maintains a 78% FY26 growth outlook.
Morgan Stanley Asia (Singapore) has invested Rs 26.3 crore in Goldiam International as part of a Rs 202 crore QIP to fuel the expansion of its lab-grown diamond brand ORIGEM. Goldiam, which has delivered 188% returns in two years, plans to open 7090 stores in India within 1824 months to capture the fast-growing LGD retail market.
Ahead of Jerome Powell's speech at the Jackson Hole symposium, MCX gold futures dipped by Rs 200 to Rs 99,235 per 10 grams, while silver fell to Rs 1,13,515 per kg. Market participants anticipate Powell's address will provide clarity on future monetary policy.
Indian stock markets experienced a downturn on Friday, halting a six-day rally. The Sensex and Nifty both declined, influenced by investor caution ahead of Jerome Powell's Jackson Hole speech and concerns over impending U.S. tariffs on Indian goods. Profit-taking after the recent surge and continued selling pressure from foreign institutional investors also contributed to the market's decline.
JPMorgan's Rajiv Batra suggests India's focus should be on domestic demand amidst global slowdown. Despite tariff uncertainty, GST rationalization offers a tailwind, though markets are currently hesitant. Batra's strategy favors consumption-oriented sectors like financials, consumer staples, healthcare, power, defence and real estate, while remaining cautious on IT, pharma, and auto.
Bitcoin experienced a nearly 8% drop, settling at $112,932 on Friday, following a peak of $124,000 last Wednesday. Analysts attribute this pullback to investors awaiting Fed Chair Powell's Jackson Hole speech. Despite macro caution fueled by hawkish Fed comments, institutional interest in Bitcoin persists, particularly in Hong Kong and Singapore.
Market expert Gurmeet Chadha predicts systematic withdrawal plans (SWPs) will become a major trend in India's mutual fund industry, surpassing SIPs in financial planning power. He highlights SWPs' flexibility, tax efficiency, and suitability for retirement and cash flow management. Chadha anticipates the SWP market could exceed Rs 20,000 crore monthly within 3-5 years.
A total of 151 small-cap companies maintained RoE above 15% for three straight years till FY25. Of these, 78 stocks posted double-digit gains in FY26. Eleven stood out with 50100% rallies, led by Lumax Auto and Gabriel India, both turning multibaggers.
Apollo Micro Systems shares saw a significant rise. The company secured orders worth Rs 25.12 crores from DRDO and Defence PSUs. This news boosted investor confidence. The defence sector is gaining prominence. Government support and indigenous manufacturing are key factors. Defence stocks are attracting attention. The Indian Air Force will acquire 97 LCA Tejas Mark 1A fighter jets.
Finfluencer Avadhut Sathe, known for his unconventional trading lessons, has come under SEBIs scanner after a search-and-seizure operation at his Karjat academy on August 20, as part of the regulators crackdown on unlicensed financial influencers.
Defence PSUs like HAL and BEL reported strong Q1 results driven by robust order inflows. HALs order book is set to hit 2.5 lakh crore, boosted by Tejas jet orders. Analysts see multi-year growth for defence electronics, shipbuilders, and mid-sized players despite high valuations.
The selloff followed the Union Cabinets approval of the Online Gaming Bill, 2025, which is set to be introduced in Parliament. The proposed legislation aims to regulate gaming platforms offering monetary rewards, citing risks related to mental health, money laundering, and fraud.
Markets have comfortably crossed the 25,000 mark, supported by steady domestic inflows despite FII selling. Jitendra Gohil of ET Now sees festive demand, a strong monsoon, rising rural consumption, and GST-related reforms as major triggers for growth.
Rajeev Agrawal highlights the escalating tensions between the US and India over tariffs and Russian oil imports, emphasizing the need for cooperation. He notes the potential impact of Jerome Powell's upcoming speech on interest rates amid rising inflation. Agrawal suggests investors monitor corporate earnings and favors BFSI and select auto segments, while cautioning on FMCG valuations.
Sunny Agrawal anticipates GST rationalization to significantly boost consumption, benefiting sectors like auto, real estate, and new-age businesses such as food delivery services. While the pharma sector faces potential US tariff headwinds, CDMO companies and select large players like Lupin and Cipla show promise. The Indian pharma's cost-effectiveness makes significant US tariff impact unlikely.
Indian government bonds experienced a decline early Friday. The benchmark 10-year bond yield increased. This drop is attributed to concerns about potential fiscal slippage. Traders are also anticipating a substantial debt auction this week. The government plans to sell bonds worth 360 billion rupees. Market sentiment was affected by goods and services tax reforms.