Financial Summary: Thursday, August 21, 2025

The Reserve Bank of India has proposed new Counterparty Credit Risk norms for banks in derivatives trading to align with global standards.

The RBI is shifting towards outcome-based regulations to enhance operational flexibility while ensuring consumer protection.

Minutes from the RBI's monetary policy committee suggest a potential rate cut in August due to external growth challenges.

India's ICAI is set to introduce new audit standards specifically tailored for start-ups and fintech companies to enhance compliance and transparency.

Indian equity markets continued to rise, with the Sensex up over 300 points and Nifty surpassing 25,100, driven by optimism over GST cuts.

Japanese stocks hit a record high as foreign investments surged, bolstered by expectations of a U.S. rate cut.

U.S. stocks opened lower ahead of the Federal Reserve meeting, with Walmart's disappointing earnings raising concerns.

Bajaj Finserv shares rose 2% after Jefferies initiated coverage with a 'buy' rating, highlighting strong growth prospects.

The IPO of ARC Insulation & Insulators opened today, aiming to raise ₹41.19 crore amid strong grey market premiums.

The S&P 500 index has declined for five consecutive days, now sitting 1.5% below its record high, with Walmart shares also slipping.

Fed Chair Jerome Powell is expected to deliver a significant speech at the Jackson Hole conference, potentially his last as Fed Chair.

July home sales increased as the inventory of existing homes reached its highest level since May 2020, easing pressure on prices.

Kansas City Fed's Schmid expressed skepticism about the market's expectations for a rate cut in September, indicating a cautious stance.

A Gallup poll shows that only 54% of Americans drink alcohol, influencing their travel preferences.

Students can now pay college tuition with credit cards, but should be cautious of associated fees and interest rates.

Microsoft is eliminating enterprise discounts on select products, potentially increasing costs for clients.

Alibaba's smart car spinoff, Banma, is gearing up for a share listing on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.

Sony has announced a price hike for PlayStation 5 consoles in the U.S. due to rising tariffs.

Claire's is divesting most of its North American business after filing for bankruptcy protection.

Swiggy's shares increased by 5.5% following positive forecasts for its food delivery and quick commerce sectors.

Walmart raised its sales and earnings outlook despite facing increased tariff costs.

Target Corp. shares fell below $100 after a weak outlook and a change in CEO.

Salesforce has signed an agreement to acquire Regrello, enhancing its service offerings.

Cracker Barrel's shares dropped over 12% following backlash against its new logo and brand refresh.

Tesla is under investigation by U.S. regulators for allegedly faulty crash reporting related to its Autopilot system.

House Democrats are investigating the merger between Paramount and Skydance due to concerns over Trump's legal dealings.

The UK government has reported a significant increase in planning approvals for renewable energy projects, reinforcing its commitment to clean energy.

China is implementing regulatory measures against Nvidia's AI chips, escalating tech tensions with the US.

Russia has launched its largest missile attack on Ukrainian cities in weeks, targeting civilian infrastructure amid ongoing conflict.

UK asylum applications have surged to a record 111,000, driven by a significant increase in small boat arrivals.

The U.S. and EU have finalized details of their trade agreement, maintaining high tariffs on European cars until Brussels reduces its levies.

Ukrainian drone strikes have disrupted Russian petrol supplies, leading to a ban on exports and rising prices in the region.

Prime Minister Modi's upcoming visit to China suggests a potential strategic shift to strengthen economic ties with China and Russia.

The UK government summoned the Israeli ambassador following the approval of a controversial settlement project in the E1 area by the Netanyahu administration.

Google has unveiled its AI-powered Pixel 10 smartphone series, featuring the new Gemini assistant for improved user experience.

OpenAI has reported its first $1 billion month, marking a significant milestone in its growth since launching ChatGPT.

The market for erasing personal data from discarded devices is growing as data privacy awareness increases.

Investors are reevaluating the sustainability of recent AI-driven market gains, indicating potential challenges ahead for the tech sector.

Pacifico Energy has launched a sustainable off-grid project aimed at powering AI data centers.