BILKUL BAZAAR— The Weekly News Wrap
- Bilkul Bazaar | Sunday Special
- The Week It Was | Aug 15 – Aug 22 2026
National News Highlights
1. RBI Forex Swap Facility Attracts $72.85 Billion
The RBI said its special dollar-rupee swap facility had attracted $72.85 billion in forex inflows by August 21. FCNR(B) deposits accounted for $65.40 billion, helping strengthen dollar liquidity amid pressure on the rupee.
2. Indian Banks Raise $12 Billion Overseas
Indian lenders accelerated overseas fundraising this week, with banks including ICICI Bank, Kotak Mahindra Bank, IDFC First Bank, HDFC Bank and Bank of Baroda raising billions of dollars. The RBI’s forex swap facility has encouraged banks to tap international debt markets.
3. RBI Intervenes to Support the Rupee
The Reserve Bank stepped into the spot, futures and non-deliverable forward markets as the rupee came under pressure from higher crude prices and rising US Treasury yields. The rupee traded around ₹95.68 to the dollar on August 18.
4. India’s Private Sector Growth Shows Signs of Recovery
India’s private-sector business activity recovered slightly in August after falling to a more than four-year low, according to the latest PMI data. The improvement offered some reassurance about underlying domestic economic activity.
5. Tata Motors to Raise Vehicle Prices by Up to ₹25,000
Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles announced a price increase of up to ₹25,000 across its ICE and electric vehicle portfolio from September 1. The company cited rising input costs and sustained inflationary pressure.
6. Swiggy Moves Instamart Towards Inventory-Led Model
Swiggy plans to shift Instamart from a marketplace structure to an inventory-led model, following shareholder approval for changes related to foreign ownership. The move is aimed at improving margins and strengthening Instamart’s competitiveness in quick commerce.
7. Coal India Plans Singapore Trading Hub
Coal India is preparing to establish its first overseas trading office in Singapore as it looks to acquire critical mineral assets and diversify beyond coal. The company is exploring opportunities involving lithium, bauxite, iron ore and rare earths.
8. Navi to Raise $100 Million Ahead of IPO Plans
Indian fintech company Navi announced plans to raise $100 million from Prosus, strengthening its capital base as it prepares for a potential public listing. The transaction highlights continued investor interest in India’s digital financial-services sector.
9. KKR to Acquire Around 6% of BookMyShow
Global investment firm KKR is set to acquire about a 6% stake in India’s BookMyShow for up to $50 million, according to Reuters. The investment comes as India’s live entertainment and ticketing market continues to expand.
10. Tata Succession Debate Raises Corporate Governance Questions
The leadership transition at Tata Sons has renewed discussion around succession planning and governance in India’s large business groups. The Tata Trusts, which hold a controlling stake in Tata Sons, are expected to play a key role in selecting the next chairman.
Weekly International News Highlights
1. US Imposes 50% Tariffs on Selected Canadian Goods
The United States began imposing 50% tariffs on around $20 billion of Canadian goods after trade negotiations failed. Canada has announced dollar-for-dollar retaliatory tariffs beginning September 8, escalating tensions between the two trading partners.
2. Global Bond Markets Face Fresh Pressure
Bond markets in the US, Germany and Japan came under pressure as investors reassessed inflation and government borrowing risks. Long-term borrowing costs reached multi-year highs, raising concerns about financing costs for governments and businesses.
3. Oil Market Prices in Prolonged Energy Disruption
Global oil markets increasingly began pricing in the possibility of prolonged disruption to Middle East energy supplies. The Iran conflict has put additional pressure on refining capacity and fuel markets worldwide.
4. US Services Sector Records Strong Growth
US business activity accelerated sharply in August, driven by the services sector recording its strongest growth in nearly two years. The data provided a positive signal about the world’s largest economy while keeping attention on inflation and interest-rate policy.
5. German Investment in US Falls to Three-Year Low
German companies sharply reduced new investment in the United States during the first half of 2026. Direct investment fell nearly two-thirds year-on-year to €4.3 billion, with trade-policy uncertainty cited as a major factor.
💡 BUSINESS QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“The secret of business is to know something that nobody else knows.”
— Aristotle Onassis
WEEK IN BUSINESS
India’s financial sector dominated the week, with strong forex inflows, aggressive overseas fundraising by banks and RBI action to support the rupee. At the corporate level, Tata Motors’ price hike, Swiggy’s Instamart strategy, Coal India’s critical-minerals push and fresh investments in BookMyShow and Navi stood out. Globally, tariffs, oil-market uncertainty and rising borrowing costs remained the major themes.
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