Stories from earlier this week and beyond.
Mutual funds boosted exposure to 82 midcap stocks in the March 2026 quarter, reflecting growing confidence in the segment. Even as broader markets stayed weak, a select set of midcaps delivered up to 85% returns in just four months. The move comes alongside rising institutional inflows into these outperformers, pointing to continued appetite for faster-growing pockets.
IIFL Finance plans to raise up to $400 million via external commercial borrowings, with Standard Chartered, JPMorgan, and HSBC arranging the deal. The company’s earlier March attempt did not go through, but improving investor sentiment and strong momentum in its gold loan business have strengthened its funding outlook.
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A new report finds Americans are increasingly anxious about retirement, with many more worried about exhausting their savings than about dying. Inflation, higher day to day costs, and unpredictable markets are fueling stress, while many lack clear financial plans. Experts warn that money alone doesn’t buy peace of mind—stable income, solid planning, and cash buffers matter most.
Sun Pharma’s acquisition of Organon in a record $11.75 billion deal propels the company into the world’s top 25 pharma players. While chairman Dilip Shanghvi is excited by the leap in scale and ambition, the moment also carries anxiety—highlighting how even “winning” mergers demand careful execution.
Iran’s top negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf warned the US that the Hormuz standoff is only beginning, saying Iran has “not even started yet.” He argued that US and allied actions are jeopardizing shipping security, while insisting their “malign presence will diminish.” The comments underline rising maritime risk in one of the world’s key chokepoints.
The Jabalpur District Court has ordered an FIR against the cruise boat pilot and others after a river tragedy in Madhya Pradesh killed 13 people. The court, acting on its own notice, pointed to negligence and specifically highlighted the operator’s failure to stay with and manage passengers during the incident. Authorities are now expected to investigate and prevent similar lapses.
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The rupee slid to 95.28 per US dollar, crossing the key 95 mark and sparking expectations of fresh RBI action. Market watchers say new measures could include curbs on certain FX positions and initiatives aimed at drawing dollar inflows, potentially by encouraging Non-Resident Indians to park more deposits. The goal: strengthen reserves and stabilize the currency.
Sebi has updated mutual fund reporting rules by requiring trading-related costs to be included in the Total Expense Ratio. That means brokerage and transaction fees are now part of the headline TER, which can make expense ratios appear higher than before. The shift aims to improve transparency by capturing a fuller picture of scheme costs that were previously left out.
Gulf tensions are surging after missile attacks, naval clashes in the Strait of Hormuz, and a reported strike on the Fujairah oil terminal. A UAE official has warned of a possible US or Israeli strike on Iran within 24 hours, suggesting a fast-moving confrontation. The risk to shipping and energy supplies is already rattling global markets and oil prices.
Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar has ordered continuous patrolling across West Bengal and warned of stringent action against anyone linked to violence or vandalism. The directive has been sent to top state and police officials, including the Chief Secretary, DGP, Kolkata Police Commissioner, CAPF leadership, and all district magistrates and SPs, as tensions reportedly rise ahead of elections.
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Mahindra & Mahindra shares surged after better-than-expected March quarter results, helped by gains in the automotive business and stronger farm equipment market share. However, the outlook has a caveat: tractor volume growth could slow due to a high base and a potentially weaker monsoon. Even with price hikes, rising input costs squeezed EBITDA margins sequentially.
India’s auto sector is expected to sustain strong demand for the next 2–3 quarters, with growth likely to remain elevated through CY26. Improving affordability and a firmer rural sentiment are supporting volume gains across passenger vehicles, commercial vehicles, and two-wheelers. At the same time, rising global risks could weigh on exports and margins, even as EV adoption accelerates.
Indian markets ended higher on Monday despite volatile trade and mixed signals, with pressure in banking and IT and crude oil staying elevated, hinting at continued consolidation. Tata Technologies disclosed a sharp net loss for the March quarter. Meanwhile, L&T, M&M and other prominent firms are scheduled to report Q4 results today, setting up fresh volatility.
Oil prices fell on Tuesday after a sharp earlier surge, as the U.S. Navy began efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. A U.S.-flagged vessel transited successfully, easing near-term supply fears. But Iran’s retaliatory threats and reported attacks are still disrupting shipping and affecting an UAE oil port, keeping crude above $110.
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Amazon is pushing deeper into logistics by offering its storage and shipping network to other businesses, aiming to use the company’s scale across all sales channels. The move targets the lucrative B2B shipping market and puts pressure on established freight and parcel leaders like UPS and FedEx, as Amazon tries to make logistics an infrastructure-like service.
Twelve Indian companies announced more than $1.1 billion in new investment plans in the United States, spanning aerospace, defense, energy, and AI. The commitments are expected to generate around 1,500 jobs, with Abhyuday Group and Sterlite Technologies Limited among the biggest contributors. The announcements were made at the SelectUSA Investment Summit.
Apple has agreed to a $250 million settlement after a lawsuit accused the company of misleading customers about Siri’s artificial intelligence capabilities. The case claimed iPhone users were unaware of key limitations compared with what was advertised, raising questions about how smart assistant features are presented and managed in practice.
Donald Trump’s allies faced a jolt in Indiana as one Republican senator he backed lost, while another survived a tight contest. The outcome follows months of White House pressure on seven Indiana state senators who voted against mid-decade redistricting meant to strengthen Republican prospects for upcoming midterms.
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Oil prices fell for a second straight day, with Brent crude slipping to $108.35 a barrel and U.S. West Texas Intermediate dropping to $100.77. The decline follows a sharp drop in the prior session and comes after remarks by Donald Trump that could point to a possible Iran peace deal, easing supply fears.
The Supreme Court has agreed to hear Christian Michel James’ plea seeking release from jail in the AgustaWestland scam case. James argues that under the India-UAE extradition treaty, he has already served the maximum sentence for the offenses covered. The court has issued notices to the Centre, CBI, and ED, asking for responses within four weeks.
Freshworks has announced an 11% workforce reduction, cutting roughly 500 jobs, blaming industry disruption from rapid advances in artificial intelligence. The company says AI is changing how products are developed and is increasingly automating routine tasks, reducing demand for certain roles. The move highlights how software firms are restructuring to adapt to AI-driven workflows.
Marico MD and CEO Saugata Gupta says large consumer goods firms are better equipped to ride out current market volatility, while smaller rivals face steeper pressure. He expects supply shocks and inflation cycles to further widen this competitive gap, even if overall demand stays steady. Premiumisation, he adds, should help sustain strong volume and revenue growth.
India will testify before the US Trade Representative on May 8, pushing back against US allegations of excess manufacturing capacity. Trade officials and industry representatives will address claims tied to petrochemicals, steel, and solar modules. India argues that trade surpluses are driven by broader macroeconomic factors, not unfair overcapacity. The hearing forms part of a wider US review of trade practices.
A UK military statement says a bulk carrier near the Strait of Hormuz reported an attack by small craft. In parallel, Iran has sent a new proposal to the United States seeking to resolve bilateral issues within 30 days and end the ongoing war. President Trump is reviewing the plan, while Iran says it controls the waterway.
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Majhi is set for a three day visit to Gujarat to attract investments and convert interest into signed MoUs. The outreach targets textiles, chemicals, metals, and pharmaceuticals, with an investor roadshow in Ahmedabad plus a visit to Mundra port, aiming to strengthen business linkages and momentum for new projects.
Advanced Micro Devices shares jumped after the company’s earnings call forecast second-quarter revenue above Wall Street expectations. The upbeat guidance signaled stronger demand and confidence in upcoming performance, driving investors to reprice the stock quickly. The move underscores how sensitive markets remain to forward-looking revenue targets, not just past results.
The Indian rupee has hit fresh record lows, crossing 95 per dollar, as oil prices staying above $110 raise inflation and balance-of-payments concerns. Despite Reserve Bank of India intervention to support the currency, weaker inflows and rising risk aversion are still weighing on the rupee.
Delhi authorities have kicked off Census 2027 self-enumeration across Municipal Corporation wards, urging residents including tenants and migrants to register their households online. The process is voluntary and began with the Lieutenant Governor taking part. Officials also warned people about fraud calls asking for sensitive details, noting participants will receive an ID for later door-to-door verification.
Seven OPEC+ nations are meeting to set oil production quotas for the first time after the UAE exited the group. With the Middle East conflict already lifting prices, markets expect only a small supply increase. But actual production is reportedly running below limits because blockades are constraining output.
Kumar Mangalam Birla has resumed his role as non-executive chairman of Vodafone Idea as the telecom firm attempts a turnaround. With government relief and planned $5 billion capex, Vi is looking to secure debt funding and target sharp growth in revenues and EBITDA, positioning itself for India’s digital future.
The US plans to withdraw about 5,000 troops from Germany within 6 to 12 months, ending a Trump-era threat. The move affects roughly 14% of American forces stationed there and is linked to ongoing disagreements over the Iran conflict. Democrats and security think tanks warn it could weaken US posture in Europe and inadvertently benefit Russia.
Bengaluru property owners now have until May 31, 2026 to pay property tax in full and claim a 5% rebate, after the due date was extended. The Greater Bengaluru Authority has also rolled out online e-Khata downloads using the SAS Property Tax ID, making it easier for citizens to access records without visits or paperwork.
India approved $33 billion in support for BSNL, yet the telecom turnaround still lacks a full-time leadership mandate. The Ken points to the mismatch between immediate funding and governance, raising questions about accountability, decision speed, and whether reforms can actually accelerate without stable top-level direction. The result is a hesitant restart rather than a decisive restructuring.
Mahindra & Mahindra delivered a 42% jump in fiscal fourth-quarter net profit, with revenue rising and strength across automotive, farm equipment, and services. While supply chain disruptions persisted, the company’s diversified model helped it outperform. The EV arm stands out, leading the eSUV market by revenue, even as auto margins remain flat.
The Cabinet has approved ECLGS 5.0, an Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme aimed at shielding airlines and MSMEs from mounting economic strain amid Gulf war-related uncertainty. The package is set to unlock significant additional credit. In parallel, the government has also cleared plans for two semiconductor units, railway infrastructure, and a ship repair facility to spur industrial capacity and jobs.
US markets ended mixed as the S&P 500 and Nasdaq rose, but the Dow Jones slipped, underscoring a widening performance split. Analysts point to support from technology stocks, ongoing earnings momentum, shifting oil prices, and persistent geopolitical risks. With inflation still a key concern and global uncertainty rising, they expect continued wild swings in coming months, pushing investors to stay nimble.
Reliance Industries is preparing a multi-billion dollar investment in low Earth orbit satellites, pushing into satellite communications with a bid to rival Starlink and Amazon LEO. The company has six teams working across the project, signaling a fast-moving push toward a domestic satcom presence as India seeks homegrown connectivity infrastructure.
The US is reportedly preparing to close a military-run Gaza coordination centre that monitors the Israel Hamas ceasefire and supports aid delivery. Critics say the Civil Military Coordination Centre failed to meet its goals, with its tasks expected to shift to a planned international security force. The Board of Peace denies any closure is underway.
Donald Trump announced Washington has paused efforts to guide stranded vessels out of the Strait of Hormuz as US-Iran tensions simmer. The White House did not immediately clarify what led to the shift or the current status of any negotiations Trump referenced. The move raises fresh concerns over maritime safety in one of the world’s most critical chokepoints.
The Nifty Smallcap 100 jumped 18.4% in April, marking its third-biggest monthly gain since launch. Market history hints that this momentum can extend over the next 12 months, but analysts warn upside may be limited by richer valuations. Still, many experts expect small-cap outperformance over 18-24 months, despite the current valuation gap versus past cycles.
Premji Invest is reportedly in talks to invest in Emergent’s upcoming $250 million funding round, with the deal potentially valuing the coding platform at $1.5 billion. If it materializes, it would follow a recent $70 million raise only three months earlier, signaling rapid investor confidence and a fast-changing startup valuation.
Krutrim, the AI venture backed by Ola founder Bhavish Aggarwal, is scaling back sharply after funding constraints triggered a leadership exodus and workforce cuts. Key AI and semiconductor leaders, along with more than 60 linguistics staff, have exited. The move has reportedly paused its agentic AI platform and shelved its Bodhi 1 chip, while Krutrim pivots toward AI cloud services.
Silicon Valley autonomous vehicle startup Nuro has received approval to begin driverless testing, positioning it ahead of Uber’s planned robotaxi launch. But the catch is stark: Nuro hasn’t actually started driverless testing yet. The permit signals regulatory progress and heightened competition in robotaxi timelines, even as real-world deployment remains pending.
Indian cybersecurity firms are rolling out in-house AI agents powered by large language models to speed up vulnerability detection and remediation, shrinking timelines from days to hours. With attackers already operating at machine speed, the margin for human intervention is collapsing toward near zero, making rapid automated response increasingly critical.
In the NHL Draft Lottery 2026, the Toronto Maple Leafs won the coveted first pick despite having only 8.5% odds, the fifth-highest in the pool. Vancouver, which entered with the top 18.5% odds, did not secure the top spot and has never previously received the first overall pick. The result reshuffles expectations for upcoming prospects.
Financial services secretary M Nagaraju reviewed progress on financial inclusion schemes with public sector and major private banks, urging them to expand digital infrastructure for stronger last-mile reach. The focus is to improve access for underserved communities, moving services beyond physical branch networks by widening connectivity and adoption of digital financial tools.
OpenAI and Anthropic are partnering with private equity firms through large joint ventures, deploying billions to speed up enterprise AI adoption. The strategy thrusts them into direct competition with traditional IT services providers, including major tech giants, as they move beyond models into high-value strategy and transformation work that enterprises spend on first.
SAP is reportedly set to acquire German AI startup Prior Labs and pour significant funding into the young company. At the same time, SAP is tightening controls on how customers deploy AI agents, allowing only a limited set of options—reportedly including Nvidia’s NemoClaw—while restricting broader use. The move signals a new, more selective approach to enterprise AI rollout.
As US and Iran talks fail to reach a consensus on ending the conflict, President Trump says Iran’s proposal falls short and leadership appears “confused and disjointed.” Despite some improvements noted, he declines any threat of military escalation. Meanwhile, Tehran announces new maritime measures, while a report cites Pentagon estimates that the US blockade in the Gulf of Oman has cost Iran nearly $4.8 billion.
Lieutenant General Balbir Singh assumed charge of the Chinar Corps in Srinagar, bringing over 34 years of service and deep experience in counter-terrorism operations. He paid tribute to fallen soldiers and promised close coordination with the civil administration and people of Kashmir to strengthen peace and stability. He also called for broad societal cooperation to tackle persistent regional challenges.
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