• Bilkul Bazaar
• 9:00 PM |  30 Aug – 01 Sept 2026

 National Business News Highlights

1. India’s economy grows 7.8% in Q1 FY27
India’s GDP expanded 7.8% in April–June 2026, beating expectations. Manufacturing, investment and services were major contributors, strengthening expectations of continued economic momentum.

2. Private investment emerges as a stronger growth engine
Private-sector capital expenditure rose 11.9% in the June quarter, while gross fixed capital formation reached 34.3% of GDP. Investments are increasingly flowing into infrastructure, data centres, semiconductors and advanced manufacturing.

3. India’s manufacturing growth hits five-year low
India’s manufacturing PMI fell to 52.8 in August from 53.5 in July, marking the sector’s weakest expansion in five years. Softer demand also resulted in the first employment decline in more than two years.

4. GST collections remain close to ₹2 lakh crore
Gross GST collections in August rose nearly 15% year-on-year, staying around the ₹2-lakh-crore mark for the second consecutive month. UPI transactions also crossed 24 billion for the first time.

5. Auto sales rise sharply in August
Indian automobile sales to dealers increased strongly year-on-year. Maruti Suzuki reported a 21.3% rise, while Mahindra & Mahindra, Hyundai and Tata Motors also recorded substantial annual growth.

6. India announces ₹1.27 lakh crore Semicon 2.0 programme
The Centre formally notified Semicon 2.0, with an outlay of ₹1.27 lakh crore aimed at expanding domestic semiconductor manufacturing and strengthening India’s electronics ecosystem.

7. GRT Jewellers moves to take control of TBZ
GRT Jewellers is set to acquire a controlling stake in Tribhovandas Bhimji Zaveri (TBZ) in a transaction valued at up to $109 million, marking a significant development in India’s organised jewellery sector.

8. Happiest Minds to merge with ITC Infotech
Happiest Minds Technologies announced a merger with ITC Infotech. Founder Ashok Soota’s promoter group is also set to sell a 22.1% stake for more than ₹1,300 crore, reshaping the Indian IT-services landscape.

9. India’s infrastructure fund secures $2 billion commitments
India’s state-backed infrastructure fund has secured $2 billion from global and domestic investors, adding fresh capital for infrastructure investment and development.

10. Oracle may cut thousands more jobs in India
Oracle could undertake another round of layoffs potentially affecting thousands of employees in India, as technology companies continue to restructure workforce requirements amid changing AI-driven business models.

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International Business News Highlights

1. UK gains full access to $13-trillion CPTPP trade bloc
From September 1, UK businesses gained full access to the CPTPP, a major Pacific trade bloc representing an economy valued at about £13 trillion. The move is expected to expand British exporters’ access to Asian and Pacific markets.

2. SB Energy files for US IPO amid AI infrastructure boom
SoftBank-backed SB Energy has filed for a US IPO as demand for AI data-centre infrastructure accelerates. The company reported first-half revenue of $138.7 million and has an enormous project backlog, although it remains loss-making.

3. IKEA announces €1.2 billion European price-cut programme
IKEA plans to invest €1.2 billion in price reductions across Europe as it seeks to attract cautious consumers and revive demand in a challenging retail environment.

4. SK On signs 9-GWh battery supply deal in US
South Korean battery maker SK On has agreed to supply US energy-storage company NeoVolta Power with 9 GWh of batteries, highlighting the rapid expansion of the grid-storage market.

5. Global factory activity gets boost from AI demand
Global manufacturing activity strengthened in August, with AI-related hardware demand helping Asian factories while new orders in Europe improved. However, geopolitical tensions and higher energy costs remain risks to the outlook.

Busienss Quote

“Success is a team sport.”
— Simon Sinek

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