Financial Summary: Monday, February 16, 2026

Indian equity markets rebounded strongly, with the Sensex gaining 650 points, led by the financial and healthcare sectors.

Gold prices have decreased, with 22-carat gold now priced at ₹1,44,590 per 10 grams as investors adjust their positions.

The BSE has received approval to launch new derivative contracts on its Focused Midcap Index, enhancing trading options.

U.S. stocks closed mixed as easing inflation and falling Treasury yields raised hopes for rate cuts amid global market concerns.

NABARD successfully raised ₹6,779 crore through a three-year bond at a 7.01% yield, indicating strong demand for AAA-rated paper.

Nasdaq futures declined as U.S. markets prepare for a busy week with upcoming GDP and inflation data.

The CFTC supports Crypto.com in a lawsuit appeal regarding prediction markets, highlighting regulatory tensions in the financial sector.

The fallout from the Jeffrey Epstein case continues as high-profile individuals face job losses linked to their past associations with him.

The Reserve Bank of India has reinstated default loss guarantees for non-banking finance companies to enhance their loan loss buffers.

India is merging Power Finance Corp. and REC Ltd. to strengthen its credit market and support large-scale power projects.

Corporate revenues in India have seen their largest growth in six quarters, driven by GST reforms and strong sector performance.

Prime Minister Modi inaugurated the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi, emphasizing AI's potential for inclusive development.

India's unemployment rate has slightly increased to 5% in January 2026, with a Labour Force Participation Rate of 55.9%.

India's wholesale price inflation rose to 1.81% in January, indicating rising price pressures in the economy.

The Reserve Bank of India has tightened lending norms for capital market entities, increasing collateral requirements for brokers and traders.

The UK government is implementing stricter online safety regulations to tackle challenges from AI chatbots and deepfake technology.

Japan's economy grew by 0.1% in Q4 2025, narrowly avoiding recession but not meeting growth expectations.

Ecuador's shrimp sales are expected to recover in 2025, potentially surpassing oil exports, according to industry forecasts.

The European Commission has proposed legislation mandating that 70% of electric vehicles be produced in the EU to qualify for state support.

NATO and EU leaders are presenting differing visions for Europe's security strategy, emphasizing the need for a more independent defense posture.

Warner Bros. is reopening sale discussions with Paramount, which could influence Netflix's content strategy.

Ola Electric Mobility reports a narrower Q3 net loss of Rs 487 crore despite a significant revenue drop.

Ashoka Buildcon secures a $45.28 million international road project in Liberia, enhancing its global footprint.

Kwality Wall's shares are set to list today after demerging from Hindustan Unilever, changing India's ice-cream market landscape.

KKR plans to invest $20 billion in India over the next decade to bolster small and medium-sized enterprises.

Qube Holdings' shares reached a record high following an $8.3 billion takeover offer from Macquarie.

Natco Pharma's shares surged 11.24% after receiving approval for its diabetes drug Semaglutide.

Torrent Pharma reports a 26.2% increase in Q3 net profit, surpassing market expectations.

Fabtech Technologies secures a $7.05 million order from West Africa, marking a significant international expansion.

CarTrade Tech's stock surged 5.44% after announcing a new multi-agent AI ecosystem to enhance customer experience.

TCS expands its partnership with AMD to co-develop AI infrastructure based on the AMD Helios platform.

Hapag-Lloyd announced its acquisition of Israeli rival Zim for $4.2 billion, representing a significant consolidation in the shipping industry.

Peter Steinberger, the creator of OpenClaw, has joined OpenAI to enhance their AI capabilities.

Digital wallet X Money has launched its internal beta phase, moving closer to a public release.

Vitalik Buterin suggests that prediction markets could act as a hedge against fiat currency, hinting at a shift in financial systems.

Apple announced a new integrated video podcasting feature for Apple Podcasts, set to launch this spring.