Latest Stock Market News

ITC shares face scrutiny as the GST Council maintains a 28% GST on tobacco, increasing compensation cess up to 40%. Effective September 22, 2025, taxes will be based on Retail Sale Price, potentially impacting ITC s profits. While other FMCG sectors gain tax relief, tobacco remains highly taxed due to fiscal prudence.

Global debt markets are uneasy due to increasing fiscal deficits. Japan s super-long government bond auction is the latest test. Thirty-year bonds are a pain point for Japan, the US, and Europe. Investors demand higher yields for holding longer debt. Japan s Ministry of Finance aims to sell 30-year paper. Political uncertainty and global yield increases affect the JGB market.

Citibank has appointed Kaustubh Kulkarni as co-head of investment banking. He will oversee operations in Japan, North Asia, Australia, and South Asia. Kulkarni will join from JPMorgan. He will be based in Singapore. Vikram Chavali and Deepak Dangayach have also been appointed to key roles. Citi s investment banking revenues increased by 15% in the second quarter.

In a letter to the Prime Minister dated August 26, a copy reviewed by ET, Jain claimed that he uncovered serious issues in treasury operations that had persisted for more than a decade. Jain said he was the only executive to detect the lapses and had fought a “lone battle” to highlight them.

An ETIG analysis reveals that small and mid-cap firms underperformed large caps in the June quarter, with profit growth hitting multi-quarter lows. Large caps saw improved profit and sales growth, maintaining stable profit margins, while smaller firms experienced declines.

Despite substantial inflows into mid- and small-cap funds this year, these segments are underperforming compared to the Nifty 50. Significant share sales by promoters, private equity investors, and increased IPO activity are absorbing much of the investment. This supply, coupled with cautious institutional allocation, is pressuring mid- and small-cap stock performance.

Jane Street has approached the Securities Appellate Tribunal against the Securities and Exchange Board of India. The firm alleges Sebi denied access to crucial documents. These documents are related to manipulation allegations. Jane Street claims the documents contain correspondence between NSE and Sebi. This correspondence could prove no manipulation occurred. The tribunal is likely to hear the matter soon.

Sebi chief Tuhin Kanta Pandey emphasized that banks management holds a moral responsibility for insider trading compliance, urging stronger internal controls. His remarks follow Sebi s action against IndusInd Bank s former CEO and executives for alleged insider trading related to accounting discrepancies. Sebi places responsibility on the board of directors, MDs, and compliance officers to ensure compliance with PIT regulations.

Agro-pesticide stocks have surged recently due to rural demand, stable pricing, and strong earnings. While NACL Industries led gains, analysts caution that this rapid growth may not be sustainable. Factors like favorable monsoons and higher MSPs have boosted demand, but investors should monitor rainfall, China s policies, and raw material costs. Rallis India and Sharda Cropchem are considered safer long-term investments.

Banks want fewer long-term bonds issued in the second half of fiscal year 2026. They prefer more short-term bonds. Demand for long bonds from insurers and pension funds is weak. State bond supply is high. This mismatch pushes borrowing costs up. The 10-year yield recently increased. Concerns about GST revenue shortfalls also contribute.