• Bilkul Bazaar | Sunday Special
• The Week It Was |  Aug 01 – Aug 08 2026

🔶⚪🟢 National News Highlights

1. SBI posts 10% rise in quarterly profit
State Bank of India reported a 10.2% year-on-year rise in Q1 FY27 net profit to ₹21,121 crore, beating analysts’ expectations. Strong loan growth and improved asset quality supported the country’s largest lender.

2. Tata Sons listing debate returns to centre stage
The RBI retained Tata Sons in its Upper Layer NBFC category, keeping the question of a possible mandatory stock-market listing alive. The RBI is still considering Tata Sons’ request to surrender its NBFC registration.

3. RBI proposes tighter bank leverage norms
The Reserve Bank sought comments on proposed changes to bank leverage requirements. The move is aimed at strengthening banks’ capital buffers and resilience as credit growth remains strong.

4. RBI seeks to boost NRI deposits
The central bank introduced measures aimed at making foreign-currency deposits more attractive to non-resident Indians, helping banks mobilise overseas funds and strengthen foreign-exchange inflows.

5. LEAP India launches ₹2,480-crore IPO
KKR-backed supply-chain and logistics company LEAP India opened its ₹2,480-crore IPO on August 7. The company is seeking a valuation of around ₹7,000 crore, with strong FY26 revenue and profit growth.

6. Ardee Industries IPO attracts investor attention
The ₹500-crore Ardee Industries IPO opened on August 5 and closed on August 7. The issue price band was fixed at ₹50–53 per share as investors continued to closely track India’s busy primary market.

7. India’s IPO market faces a reality check
Despite a large pipeline of new issues, India’s IPO fundraising has slowed. Companies had raised about $5.78 billion in 2026, compared with $7.32 billion during the corresponding period last year, reflecting more cautious market conditions.

8. Zepto strengthens balance sheet ahead of listing
Quick-commerce company Zepto reached an agreement with major shareholders for a pre-IPO private placement. The additional capital is intended to strengthen its balance sheet ahead of its planned public-market debut.

9. Milky Mist cuts IPO size to ₹1,553 crore
Dairy company Milky Mist Dairy Food reduced the size of its proposed IPO to ₹1,553 crore following a pre-IPO transaction involving Temasek’s investment arm. The issue remains part of India’s crowded August IPO calendar.

10. India moves towards global standards for gas pipelines
India is set to adopt global standards for gas-pipeline coating, a move expected to improve durability and safety in the country’s expanding natural-gas infrastructure.

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🌍 Weekly International Business News Highlights

1. China’s exports surge nearly 24%
China’s exports jumped 23.9% year-on-year in July, helped by strong global demand for artificial-intelligence-related technology. Semiconductor exports nearly doubled, while high-tech exports rose 40.7%.

2. Alibaba unveils its biggest AI model yet
Alibaba launched Qwen3.8-Max, its largest AI model to date, triggering a sharp rise in its Hong Kong-listed shares. The development underlines intensifying competition among Chinese AI companies.

3. Berkshire Hathaway reports strong Q2 performance
Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway reported a 16% rise in second-quarter operating profit to $12.98 billion. The conglomerate also bought nearly $20 billion more stocks than it sold and resumed substantial share buybacks.

4. Caterpillar raises 2026 sales-growth forecast
US industrial giant Caterpillar raised its annual revenue-growth forecast after reporting stronger-than-expected second-quarter results. The company said demand linked to infrastructure and AI-related construction was supporting its business.

5. Oil prices jump amid Strait of Hormuz concerns
Global oil prices rose sharply during the week as concerns over possible restrictions on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz increased. Brent crude climbed above $82 a barrel, raising concerns over inflation and business costs worldwide.

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💬 Quote of the Week

“The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing.”
— Walt Disney

For Bilkul Bazaar: A week shaped by strong banking performance, a busy IPO pipeline, renewed focus on Tata Sons’ listing, and growing global business uncertainty around AI, trade and energy.

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