Financial Summary: Tuesday, August 18, 2026

Iran adopts offensive posture as ceasefire expires, oil jumps 5%

Oil prices surged 5% as Iran adopted an offensive military stance following the expiration of the U.S.-Iran ceasefire, prompting a global market sell-off. Brent crude traded above $91 per barrel, adding to U.S. Treasury yield pressures.

US Envoy Sergio Gor Urges Predictable Tax Rules to Hit $500B Trade

US envoy Sergio Gor calls for predictable tax and regulatory frameworks to support doubling of US-India bilateral trade to $500 billion by 2030, addressing areas of friction that could constrain business and investment.

Nifty falls for sixth day, slips below 24,200 as IT stocks slide

Indian equity benchmarks declined for the sixth consecutive session, with the Nifty closing at 24,154.90, down 0.55%. The Nifty IT index fell by 1.93%, contributing to broader market weakness.

GIFT Nifty points to 0.2% lower open as crude tops $91

GIFT Nifty August 2026 futures suggest a flat start for the Nifty 50 today, amid US-Iran tensions pushing crude prices above $91 per barrel and heightened inflation concerns. Foreign portfolio investors sold shares worth Rs 2,535.10 crore on August 17, 2026.

Bond yields surge 20 bps, squeezing household borrowing as Warsh waits

U.S. government bond yields rose 20 basis points, reaching their highest level since the early 21st century, amid concerns over budget deficits and inflation. The increase is pressuring borrowing costs for consumers.

Vijay Shekhar Sharma's Resilient Asset to sell 4.98% Paytm stake worth ₹2,950 crore

Vijay Shekhar Sharma's Resilient Asset is selling a 4.98% stake in Paytm parent One97 Communications for approximately ₹2,950 crore as part of strategic shifts toward free cash flow targets and lending market optimization.

Indo-MIM shares hit 10% upper circuit as Q1 profit jumps 32%

Indo-MIM shares rose 10% to touch the upper circuit following a 32% year-on-year jump in Q1 consolidated net profit to Rs 240 crore.

Milky Mist lists at ₹165, jumps 30% on debut

Milky Mist Dairy Food made a strong market debut, listing at ₹165 per share, an 18% premium over its IPO price of ₹140, and quickly traded up to 30% higher. The stock's robust opening reflects strong investor demand for the dairy company's shares.

Telangana directs CCI to ensure smooth cotton procurement amid arrivals

Telangana has instructed the Cotton Corporation of India to ensure smooth cotton procurement as market arrivals commence, amid firm prices similar to those seen in moong arrivals in Karnataka.

RBI's Murmu says cash remains crucial despite digital boom

RBI Deputy Governor Murmu highlights the 'cash paradox' where currency circulation grows alongside expanding digital payments, underscoring cash's ongoing importance. The Reserve Bank of India cites trust in cash as crucial for monetary sovereignty and is piloting polymer banknotes set for potential introduction by 2027-28.

Vizhinjam Port launches full EXIM operations, opens Kerala trade gateway

Vizhinjam Port has commenced full EXIM operations, marking a key milestone for Kerala's trade infrastructure with the inaugural cargo comprising value-added food products. The port positions Vizhinjam as a gateway for diverse goods, potentially boosting regional economic activity.

Indian IT leaders pivot to AI intelligence services, targeting 30% revenue shift

Indian IT firms are accelerating their transition from traditional manpower outsourcing to AI-driven intelligence services, with leaders urging a strategic overhaul to remain competitive. Two new analyses from CNBC TV18 highlight the sector's push to make AI practical for business outcomes, emphasizing that the next growth wave depends on delivering measurable value rather than just headcount. The industry is positioning itself as a partner in AI implementation, but faces challenges in upskilling talent and proving ROI.

Razorpay unveils Vulcan, India's first AI payments model trained on 4B transactions

Razorpay is launching Vulcan, India's first AI payments model trained on 3 trillion data points from 4 billion transactions, aimed at boosting payment success rates by 8-10% and enhancing fraud detection.