• Bilkul Bazaar
• 9:00 PM |  17 Aug – 18 Aug 2026

 National Business News Highlights

1. Markets Slide as Sensex Falls 493 Points, Nifty Slips Below 24,200

Indian equity markets ended Tuesday under pressure as selling hit IT, realty, metal and FMCG stocks. The Sensex fell 492.70 points to 77,235.46, while the Nifty declined 132.75 points to 24,154.90 amid concerns over crude prices and global geopolitical risks.

2. Milky Mist Makes Strong Dalal Street Debut, Lists at 18% Premium

Milky Mist Dairy Food made an impressive stock-market debut, with its shares listing at ₹165 on both NSE and BSE against an IPO price of ₹140. The 18% premium signals strong investor appetite for the dairy and consumer-food segment.

3. Two IPOs Open for Subscription as Primary Market Stays Busy

Shankesh Jewellers and Sunshine Pictures opened their IPOs for subscription on Tuesday, adding to an already active primary market. Shankesh Jewellers’ issue runs through August 20, while Sunshine Pictures is also attracting investor attention with a strong grey-market indication.

4. Indo-MIM Profit Jumps 32% in Q1; Shares Surge

Indo-MIM reported a 31.63% year-on-year rise in consolidated net profit to ₹240.12 crore for the June quarter. Revenue grew 9% to ₹1,218.74 crore, while EBITDA increased 24%, sending the stock sharply higher during Tuesday’s trade.

5. Bosch Hits Record High Despite Weak Market

Bosch shares touched a fresh 52-week high of ₹48,450 on Tuesday, rising about 3% even as the broader market declined. The auto-components company has gained around 18% so far in August, reflecting investor confidence in its business outlook.

6. Private Banks Race to Attract FCNR Deposits Before August 31

Private-sector banks are stepping up efforts to attract foreign-currency deposits from non-resident Indians before the RBI’s temporary FCNR(B) deposit incentive window closes at the end of August. Banks are offering higher rates and using overseas funding channels to strengthen their foreign-currency resources.

7. Tata Sons AGM Focuses on Chandrasekaran’s Reappointment

Tata Sons held its Annual General Meeting on Tuesday, with Chairman N Chandrasekaran’s reappointment among the key matters before shareholders. The meeting comes after Tata Sons reported strong group-level financial performance, even as Air India continued to face substantial losses.

8. I Squared-Veolia Consortium Leads Race for Re Sustainability

A consortium led by US private-equity firm I Squared Capital and French environmental-services major Veolia has emerged as the leading contender to acquire KKR-backed Re Sustainability. The development highlights rising investor interest in India’s waste-management and sustainability infrastructure sector.

9. Maharashtra Transmission Utility Plans Landmark Power-Sector IPO

Maharashtra State Electricity Transmission Company has begun the process of appointing merchant bankers for a proposed IPO. The issue could become a landmark listing for India’s state-owned power-transmission sector and is expected to bring the utility into the public capital markets.

10. Lenskart Expands Chinese Operations Through New Subsidiary

Lenskart shares gained attention after the company announced the creation of a new step-down subsidiary in China under its existing Chinese joint venture. The move strengthens the eyewear company’s operational footprint in one of the world’s largest consumer markets.

 International Business News Highlights

1. Oil Climbs Above $91 as Hopes of US-Iran Deal Fade

Crude prices extended their gains as markets became increasingly concerned that efforts to resolve the US-Iran standoff would not quickly restore normal conditions around the Strait of Hormuz. Higher oil prices are renewing fears of inflation and putting pressure on global markets.

2. Global Bond Markets Face Fresh Sell-Off

Government bond yields climbed sharply across major economies as investors worried about high public debt, persistent inflation and rising energy costs. US 30-year yields touched their highest level since 2007, while Japan’s 10-year yield approached a multi-decade high.

3. Wall Street Slides as Oil and AI Concerns Weigh on Investors

US stocks came under pressure on Tuesday, with the Nasdaq falling 1.06%, the S&P 500 declining 0.49% and the Dow slipping 0.12%. Rising yields, expensive AI-related investments and renewed Middle East tensions combined to weaken investor sentiment.

4. Canada Races to Avoid New 50% US Tariffs

Canada and the United States remained locked in last-minute trade negotiations ahead of a threatened new 50% US tariff on selected Canadian goods. The dispute is raising concerns for businesses and supply chains on both sides of the border.

5. UK Labour Market Cools as Wage Growth Slows

UK wage growth eased to 4.1%, while job vacancies fell to a five-year low, providing fresh evidence that the labour market is cooling. The developments could influence the Bank of England’s approach to interest rates, even as higher energy costs threaten to push inflation upward again.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

“The best way to predict the future is to create it.”
— Peter Drucker

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