Financial Summary: Friday, July 18, 2025

HDFC and ICICI Banks report limited profit growth due to margin compression, prompting Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to encourage government banks to boost lending.

India is on track to finalize a mini trade deal with the US by July 31, with tariffs expected to remain below 20%.

The Reserve Bank of India is expected to cut the repo rate by 25 basis points in August, potentially lowering it to 5.25% amid strong rural demand.

The European Union has imposed sanctions on the Russian Nayara refinery located in India, affecting its operations.

Reliance Industries has announced the return of the Kelvinator brand to the Indian market, reviving a popular home appliance line.

Neuralink registers as a 'small disadvantaged business' ahead of its anticipated $9 billion valuation.

LTIMindtree reports an 11% profit increase and 8% revenue growth for Q1FY26.

Reliance Industries achieves a record quarterly net profit of ₹26,994 crore for Q1FY26, driven by strong sector performance.

Torrent Pharmaceuticals seeks CCI approval for a ₹19,500 crore acquisition of a majority stake in JB Chemicals.

Jio Financial Services reports a 3.8% profit rise and a 47% revenue surge in Q1.

Wipro exceeds Q1 expectations with nearly $5 billion in contracts but projects cautious revenue for the next quarter.

Adani Group fully divests from AWL Agri Business, selling its remaining stake in a block deal worth Rs 3,733 crore.

Netflix reports Q2 revenue of $11.08 billion, exceeding estimates, driven by the success of Squid Game season 3.

JSW Steel reports a 158% YoY increase in Q1FY26 net profit to Rs 2,184 crore, driven by higher volumes and reduced costs.

Indian Overseas Bank's Q1 profit rose 76% YoY to Rs 1,111 crore, supported by improved asset quality and lower provisions.

Meta has announced it will not sign the European AI agreement, criticizing it as an overreach that could hinder growth in the sector.

Calls for transparency increase as Attorney General Pam Bondi faces pressure to release grand jury transcripts from the Jeffrey Epstein case.

Car insurance policies may cover hail damage, but coverage specifics vary widely among providers and policy types.

Global insured losses have reached $84 billion in the first half of the year, marking the highest costs since 2011.

An opinion piece reflects on President Reagan's economic strategies and his relationship with Fed Chairman Volcker.

The Indian stock market faced a significant decline, with the Sensex dropping over 500 points amid weak earnings and global concerns.

Axis Bank shares fell 6% following a disappointing Q1 earnings report, raising concerns about asset quality.

Indian defence stocks, including HAL and BDL, saw declines of up to 5% as profit booking continued for the third day.

The India VIX fell to a 15-month low, indicating reduced market volatility amid overall weak sentiment.

Reliance Industries' stock surged 22% this year, positively impacting the Nifty's performance.

US stocks opened higher despite mixed economic signals, while Netflix's disappointing earnings affected its stock.

Sebi chief announced high margin requirements in the new electricity futures market to curb speculation.

Several stocks, including Guj Mineral Dev. and Jubilant Agri & Cons, reached 52-week highs on the NSE today.

The Dow Jones Index dipped as inflation expectations fell, reflecting a shift in consumer sentiment.

Ether gained attention in the crypto market as Congress passed a historic stablecoin bill, with Ether ETFs on track for a record-setting week.

US drillers added oil and gas rigs for the first time in 12 weeks, indicating a potential shift in the energy sector.

Yield curves are steepening, signaling changing economic conditions that could impact market strategies.

Strong corporate earnings have propelled stock markets to record highs, despite ongoing trade tensions.

Tensions rise between the White House and the Federal Reserve, impacting consumer confidence and market stability.

Japan's core inflation rate has decreased to 3.3% in June, indicating stabilization in rice prices amid economic challenges.

Travelers to the U.S. will soon face a new $250 'visa integrity fee', with more details to be announced.

President Trump is advocating for a minimum 20% tariff on imports from the European Union as trade negotiations progress.

International inbound travel to the U.S. shows a mixed recovery, particularly with a notable decline in Canadian travelers in early 2025.

UK ministers are set to acknowledge that the cost of the Sizewell C nuclear plant has risen to £38 billion due to increased construction costs.