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The Indian market ended lower on Friday, halting a six-day winning run, as investors turned cautious ahead of Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell’s remarks at the Jackson Hole symposium and braced for fresh U.S. tariffs on Indian goods, amid other headwinds weighing on sentiment.The BSE Sensex fell 693.86 points, or 0.85%, to close at 81,306.85, while the NSE Nifty shed 213.65 points, or 0.85%, to close at 24,870.10.Here's how analysts read the market pulse:The Indian equity market closed in the red today, ending a six-session winning streak and erasing gains accumulated over the past three days, said Vinod Nair, Head of Research at Geojit Investments, adding that the investor sentiment turned cautious ahead of the U.S. Fed Chair’s speech at the Jackson Hole symposium, which is expected to provide critical insights into the global liquidity outlook and future interest rate trajectory.“The U.S. using trade tariffs on India as a strategic tool in its stance against Russia has raised near-term concerns among institutional investors. However, strong domestic indicators offer support: the PMI has hit a record high and recently proposed indirect tax reliefs are expected to boost consumption, underscoring India’s economic resilience," said Nair.Also read | 5 Wall Street moguls who dismissed Bitcoin as a fad — Guess what they’re saying now!US marketsWall Street closed sharply higher on Friday, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average finishing at a record high after Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell signaled that an interest-rate cut could be on the horizon in his speech at the Jackson Hole Symposium.The Dow jumped 846.24 points, or 1.9%, to 45,631.74, eclipsing its previous record close set on December 4, 2024. The S&P 500 advanced 96.74 points, or 1.5%, to 6,466.91, while the Nasdaq Composite climbed 396.22 points, or 1.9%, to 21,496.54.European MarketsEuropean stocks ended Friday at their highest level in more than five months, buoyed by signals from Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell that a U.S. interest-rate cut could come as soon as September.The pan-European STOXX 600 rose 0.4%, finishing less than 1% below its all-time high and notching a third straight week of gains. Most major regional indexes also closed in positive territory.Tech ViewThe Nifty paused on Friday after a steady run-up, suggesting a brief consolidation before the next leg higher, said Rupak De, Senior Technical Analyst at LKP Securities, adding that the index continues to hold above the 50 EMA, reinforcing the short-term uptrend."On the downside, support lies at 24,800; staying above this level keeps the trend intact with scope for an advance towards 25,000–25,250," said De.Also read | Warren Buffett’s biggest investment isn’t Apple, BofA or Coca-Cola — it’s a stock hidden in plain sightMost active stocks in terms of turnover HDFC Bank (Rs 1,952 crore), Netweb Technologies (Rs 1,570 crore), BSE (Rs 1,377 crore), Ola Electric Mobility (Rs 1,297 crore), Vodafone Idea (Rs 1,160 crore), ICICI Bank (Rs 956 crore) and Mahindra & Mahindra (Rs 853 crore) were among the most active stocks on BSE in value terms. Higher activity in a counter in value terms can help identify the counters with highest trading turnovers in the day.Most active stocks in volume termsVodafone Idea (Traded shares: 166 crore), Ola Electric Mobility (Traded shares: 26.82 crore), Sagility India (Traded shares: 10.59 crore), Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail (Traded shares: 8.74 crore), Suzlon Energy (Traded shares: 6.74 crore), Zee Entertainment (Traded shares: 4.26 crore) and YES Bank (Traded shares: 3.80 crore) were among the most actively traded stocks in volume terms on NSE.Stocks showing buying interestShares of Netweb Technologies, Vodafone Idea, Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail, Godawari Power & Ispat, Zee Entertainment, Poly Medicure and Zen Technologies were among the stocks that witnessed strong buying interest from market participants.Also read | Reliance Jio, NSE IPOs coming soon? Sebi clears roadblock for mega multi-billion dollar listings52 Week highOver 151 stocks hit their 52 week highs today while 53 stocks slipped to their 52-week lows. Among the ones which hit their 52 week highs on the NSE included Paytm, HDFC AMC, among others.Stocks seeing selling pressureStocks which witnessed significant selling pressure were Godfrey Philips, JK Cement, India Cements, Ramco Cements, LT Foods, Hyundai Motor India and Ola Electric Mobility.Sentiment meter neutralThe market sentiments were neutral. Out of the 4,240 stocks that traded on the BSE on Thursday, 2,322 stocks witnessed declines, 1,757 saw advances, while 161 stocks remained unchanged.Also read | Bajaj Finance shares up 30% in 2025 so far. Can GST reform tailwinds push the stock past Rs 1,000?(Disclaimer: Recommendations, suggestions, views and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of the Economic Times)

The central government has appointed Anish Dayal Singh, a retired IPS officer and former Director General of the CRPF, as Deputy National Security Advisor (NSA) to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In his new role, 60-year-old Singh will report directly to NSA Ajit Doval. Who Is Anish Dayal Singh?Anish Dayal Singh is a 1988-batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer from the Manipur cadre. He was serving as the Director General of the CRPF since January 1, 2024. Singh was born in 1964 in Uttar Pradesh's Prayagraj. After being selected for the Indian Police Service in 1988, he completed training as a police officer at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy located in Hyderabad.Singh's career milestonesSingh, an IPS officer of 1988 batch from the Manipur cadre, led the Central Reserve Police Force, CRPF during a critical year in which the world's largest paramilitary force made significant strides in the government's campaign to combat Naxalism.ALSO READ: Former CRPF chief Anish Dayal Singh named Deputy National Security AdviserUnder his leadership, the CRPF established over three dozen forward operating bases (FOBs) in areas affected by Left-Wing Extremism (LWE) and introduced four new battalions, adding more than 4,000 personnel dedicated to anti-Naxal operations in Chhattisgarh.Singh's tenure also coincided with the successful conduct of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections and the first assembly elections in the Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir, as the CRPF played a vital role in ensuring security across the nation.After beginning his career from Manipur, Singh transitioned to central deputation in the early 2000s, where he held various key roles within the Intelligence Bureau.He later headed the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), a paramilitary force responsible for guarding the India-China border, before taking charge of the CRPF in December last year.One of Singh's notable initiatives during his tenure was a comprehensive realignment of over 130 battalions within the CRPF to enhance operational efficiency.This major restructuring, approved by the Union home ministry after an eight-year period, aimed to provide troops with better "family time" while reducing the average distance between units and their parent group centres (GCs) from 1,200 km to 500 km. The realignment also streamlined reporting and supply processes.In a bid to address the challenges faced by the force, Singh initiated 'samvaad' (dialogue) sessions with company commanders and assistant commandants to gather insights on their needs, a move that garnered widespread appreciation.

In today’s fast-paced startup world, where founders are often caught in the chase for growth, Ankit Agarwal, Founder & CEO of InsuranceDekho, finds his anchor in mindfulness.From early morning gratitude rituals to timeless lessons from the Bhagavad Gita, Agarwal shares how these practices shape his clarity, resilience, and leadership style, helping him scale with both intent and purpose. Edited excerpts –Q) Your mornings seem like a sacred space. How has your gratitude practice shaped your mindset as a founder and leader?A) I’ve always believed in the saying, “The early bird catches the worm,” both literally and figuratively. My mornings start early, often by 4:30 or 5 AM, and that quiet time is sacred. It’s the one part of my day that’s completely mine.I begin with gratitude for around 10 to 15 minutes, sitting still and saying thanks. It’s a simple habit, but deeply grounding.As a founder, you’re constantly on the move, solving problems, chasing outcomes. Gratitude slows you down, in a good way. It helps me step into the day with clarity and empathy, and acts as a quiet reminder that no matter how fast we’re growing or how intense things get, there’s always something to be thankful for.It really sets the tone not just for my day, but for how I lead—with clarity, perspective, and an anchor to what really matters.Q) You mention the Bhagavad Gita has helped you through dark periods. Can you share a verse or teaching that particularly resonates with you?A) One line that deeply resonates with me is: “Karmanye vadhikaraste, ma phaleshou kadachana, ma karma phala he tur bhuh, ma te sangvasta karmani.” For me, this essentially means: you have the right to work, but not to the fruits of your actions.As a founder, this verse is both liberating and grounding. It reminds me to focus on doing the right thing with full intent and effort, while letting go of what’s beyond my control, especially during moments of loss or setbacks.Q) How do your yoga and gym sessions influence your performance and decision-making as a CEO?A) Yoga and exercise are two non-negotiable anchors of my day, for which I consciously make time. Morning yoga helps me mentally reset—it clears the noise, centers my thoughts, and allows me to breathe before the day begins. In the evenings, no matter how long or intense the day has been, I make it a point to hit the gym. I use this time to decompress, recharge, and refocus before diving into late-night meetings.For me, these aren’t just fitness routines, they’re performance tools. They directly impact how I think, lead, and make decisions.When you’re building at scale, mental clarity and resilience are competitive advantages. The energy and focus I gain from these practices translate into better decisions, deeper presence, and a more balanced mindset—at work and outside of it.Q) You often talk about building with intent. What does ‘intent’ look like when scaling a business like InsuranceDekho?A) To me, intent means solving real problems, not chasing vanity metrics. It’s easy to get caught up in big announcements, flashy campaigns, or growth hacks and get distracted. But when you plan to challenge the status quo of an industry, intent becomes a core driver.Whether it’s expanding access for partners beyond metros or building an omnichannel experience that blends AI with a human touch, our focus is on addressing real gaps.We’re not just creating features; we’re creating impact. We’re building solutions that add real value to people’s everyday lives—whether that means securing their health, protecting their livelihood, or enabling financial stability in moments that matter.Intent, to me, is about staying true to the problem you set out to solve and building solutions that genuinely improve lives at scale and with purpose.Q) What’s on your workout playlist right now? Any go-to pump-up song for early mornings?A) My workout playlist is high-energy—just the right kind of jive to kick off the day or power through a workout.Q) You’ve built a business grounded in humility and purpose. How do you instill that culture across teams and new hires?A) Culture starts with how you lead every single day—it is rooted in action. For me, I try to be accessible, honest, and consistent, especially during tough phases. I think people respect transparency more than anything else.From Day 1, our teams are made aware of our purpose. During onboarding, we don’t just talk about goals, we talk about the “whys”: why insurance matters, why trust is our currency, and why we must treat every user—whether in a metro or a small town—with empathy and respect.We’re not just building a company; we’re trying to build trust in a category that’s historically been misunderstood. If our people believe in that purpose, everything else follows.(Disclaimer: Recommendations, suggestions, views and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of the Economic Times)

India’s ambition to create a world-class financial hub is taking shape in GIFT City (Gujarat International Finance Tec-City), and Alchemy Capital Management has been at the forefront of this transformation.Speaking on the sidelines of the GIFT City Fund Conclave 2025, organised by PMSBazaar, Hiren Ved, Co-Founder, Director & CIO of Alchemy Capital Management and Partner at Alchemy Investment Management LLP, said that the transition from offshore jurisdictions like Mauritius to GIFTCity represents not only a milestone for Alchemy but also a turning point for India’s financial ecosystem.A bold first stepAlchemy became the first fund house to migrate from Mauritius to GIFTCity. Ved acknowledged that the move invited internal debate, given how smoothly global investors had operated through Mauritius and Singapore structures for decades. But the conviction was clear: India-focused strategies deserved to be managed from India.“Many wondered if we were becoming the bali ka bakra,” Ved remarked. “But our belief was simple—an India-dedicated inbound strategy is best managed from India, by managers with feet on the ground.”Alchemy India Long Term Fund – Anchoring GIFTCity presenceOne of the flagship strategies housed at GIFTCity is the Alchemy India Long Term Fund, which embodies the firm’s philosophy of investing in India’s structural growth story.The fund focuses on high-conviction, India-dedicated equity opportunities, aiming to capture value across market cycles by backing companies with strong fundamentals and scalable business models.According to Hiren Ved, the fund reflects Alchemy’s belief that long-term wealth creation lies in staying invested through India’s growth phases rather than chasing short-term market trends. “GIFTCity provides the right platform to scale such strategies for global investors who want to participate in India’s transformation,” he said.“We've delivered since inception 11% net dollar returns compounded versus the BSE 500 in dollar index, which has given about 6.6% over the same period, and we've been able to deliver a very handsome 400-plus basis points of alpha compounded over 17 years,” Ved highlighted.Why GIFTCity mattersAccording to Ved, GIFTCity has delivered on multiple fronts that make it a globally competitive platform:Regulatory & tax clarity: No GST on management fees, exemptions on certain trades, and simplified compliance compared to offshore treaty-driven structures.Growing ecosystem: A strengthening network of custodians, fund administrators, legal firms, and service providers.Proactive regulation: The International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA) has adopted a consultative, adaptive approach. “This is a refreshing change from the rigid regulatory environment India has traditionally been known for,” Ved observed.These advantages, he added, are persuading global investors to increasingly trust India-based managers over those located in New York, London, or Singapore.Expanding strategiesAlchemy’s plans at GIFTCity include rolling out a long-short fund and a hybrid strategy that offers exposure to both listed equities and private equity opportunities in India.Ved also pointed out that GIFTCity can play a key role in helping Indian high-net-worth individuals (HNIs) diversify globally, adding another dimension to its relevance.India as a competing marketPositioning India in a global context, Ved stressed that the country is no longer just another emerging market. “With structural reforms, resilient domestic demand, and policy stability, India stands out as one of the very few markets capable of competing with the S&P 500 over the long run,” he said.From Mauritius to GIFTCity, Alchemy’s journey is emblematic of India’s broader financial evolution—where homegrown expertise and global capital converge.As Ved highlighted at the GIFTCity Fund Conclave 2025, the rise of GIFTCity is not just about infrastructure but about confidence—confidence that India can manage and lead its own destiny in global capital markets.“I think I see a day and time, 10 years from today, or even five years from today, when the amount of investments that will come into India, funneled through GIFTCity, will move into billions of dollars and eventually into trillions of dollars,” he added.(Disclaimer: Recommendations, suggestions, views and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of the Economic Times)

The usage of 20 per cent ethanol-blended petrol in vehicles could lead to a 2-5 per cent drop in fuel efficiency, depending on the type of cars, according to automotive industry experts.In the midst of social media debate over the impact of E20 fuel on vehicles, automotive engineers working with some of the major automakers, whom PTI spoke to, said that in older vehicles, which are not E20 compliant, there could be erosion of gaskets, fuel rubber hoses and pipes in the long term, but not immediately."There can be a drop in mileage ranging from 2-5 per cent, depending on the type of vehicle. This is purely because of the lower calorific value of ethanol compared to petrol," said an expert requesting anonymity.Earlier this month, the Oil Ministry clarified that "the critiques suggest that E20 causes a 'drastic' reduction in fuel efficiency are misplaced". However, it did not state the percentage drop in fuel efficiency."The efficiency drop (if any) in E10 vehicles has been marginal. For some manufacturers, vehicles have been E20 compatible from as far back as 2009. The question of any drop in fuel efficiency in such vehicles does not arise," the ministry had said.The ministry also stated that "vehicles tuned for E20 deliver better acceleration, which is a very important factor in city driving conditions. Additionally, ethanol's higher heat of vaporisation reduces intake manifold temperatures, increasing air-fuel mixture density and boosting volumetric efficiency".On August 4, the ministry, in a post on X, said: "Ethanol, being lower in energy density than petrol, results in a marginal decrease in mileage, estimated at 1-2 per cent for four-wheelers designed for E10 and calibrated for E20, and around 3-6 per cent in others".When contacted for comments, leading automakers Maruti Suzuki and Hyundai Motor India declined to comment.A Tata Motors spokesperson said, "Our vehicles are E20 compliant".Another expert said, "E20 usage will not have any impact on engines of compliant vehicles, as the materials are tuned for it. However, in vehicles, which are not E20 compatible, there could be erosion of gaskets and fuel rubber hoses and pipes in the long term, but not immediately".The government has taken steps to blend petrol with 20 per cent ethanol extracted from sugarcane or maize as a national programme, aimed at cutting emissions and raising the income of farmers.

A large volume of pre-listing shareholder lock-ins is set to expire over the next quarter, potentially influencing stock market activity. According to a report by Nuvama Institutional Equities, between August 25 and November 27, 2025, as many as 57 companies will see their lock-ins lifted. The total value of these shares stands at nearly USD 20 billion.Nuvama noted that this figure represents the total lock-up opening shares but clarified that not all of these shares may hit the secondary market, as a sizable portion is held by promoters and groups who may not sell immediately.The brokerage stated that its analysis covers both promoter and non-promoter holdings for businesses listed up to August 20, 2025.The upcoming unlocks span multiple sectors, marking a busy period for IPO lock-in expiries. Below is a summary of the key unlocks scheduled in the coming quarter, along with the shares available for trading and their percentage of total outstanding shares.1-Month Lock-in ExpiriesSeveral companies will see their shareholder lock-ins lifted in the one-month window ending mid-September. Key names include:GNG Electronics (Aug 28 | 3 mn shares | 3%)Brigade Hotel Ventures (Aug 28 | 18 mn shares | 5%)Aditya Infotech (Sep 1 | 4 mn shares | 4%)Sri Lotus Developers (Sep 3 | 8 mn shares | 2%)Highway Infrastructure (Sep 8 | 2 mn shares | 2%)All Time Plastics (Sep 11 | 2 mn shares | 3%)Regaal Resources (Sep 17 | 4 mn shares | 4%)Indiqube Spaces (Aug 28 | 7 mn shares | 3%)Shanti Gold International (Aug 29 | 3 mn shares | 4%)Laxmi India Finance (Sep 1 | 2 mn shares | 5%)M & B Engineering (Sep 3 | 4 mn shares | 7%)JSW Cement (Sep 11 | 37 mn shares | 3%)BlueStone Jewellery (Sep 15 | 7 mn shares | 4%)3-Month Lock-in ExpiriesA larger tranche of unlocks will occur between late August and mid-November under the three-month schedule. Major stocks include:Belrise Industries (Aug 25 | 36 mn shares | 4%)Prostarm Info Systems (Aug 28 | 2 mn shares | 4%)Aegis Vopak Terminals (Aug 28 | 27 mn shares | 2%)Schloss Bangalore (Aug 28 | 18 mn shares | 5%)Scoda Tubes (Sep 1 | 2 mn shares | 4%)Arisinfra Solutions (Sep 22 | 5 mn shares | 6%)Kalpataru (Sep 25 | 9 mn shares | 4%)HDB Financial Services (Sep 29 | 23 mn shares | 3%)Indogulf Cropsciences (Sep 30 | 3 mn shares | 4%)Oswal Pumps (Sep 16 | 3 mn shares | 3%)Ellenbarrier Industrial Gases (Sep 25 | 3 mn shares | 2%)Globe Civil Projects (Sep 25 | 3 mn shares | 4%)Sambhv Steel Tubes (Sep 29 | 10 mn shares | 3%)Travel Food Services (Oct 8 | 3 mn shares | 2%)Anthem Biosciences (Oct 15 | 9 mn shares | 2%)GNG Electronics (Oct 27 | 3 mn shares | 3%)Brigade Hotel Ventures (Oct 27 | 18 mn shares | 5%)Aditya Infotech (Oct 30 | 4 mn shares | 4%)Shanti Gold International (Oct 28 | 3 mn shares | 4%)Laxmi India Finance (Oct 30 | 2 mn shares | 5%)M & B Engineering (Nov 3 | 4 mn shares | 7%)JSW Cement (Nov 10 | 37 mn shares | 3%)BlueStone Jewellery (Nov 12 | 7 mn shares | 4%)Sri Lotus Developers (Nov 3 | 8 mn shares | 2%)Highway Infrastructure (Nov 6 | 2 mn shares | 2%)All Time Plastics (Nov 10 | 2 mn shares | 3%)Regaal Resources (Nov 17 | 4 mn shares | 4%)6-Month Lock-in ExpiriesTwo significant unlocks are scheduled under the six-month period:Ather Energy (Nov 6 | 162 mn shares | 44%)Borana Weaves (Nov 27 | 3 mn shares | 10%)(Disclaimer: Recommendations, suggestions, views and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of the Economic Times)

Mutual fund industry body Amfi on Friday signed a pact with the Department of Posts to train one lakh postmen across India, enabling them to distribute mutual funds in remote areas.An MoU in this regard was signed between Amfi and the postal department at an event here to mark Amfi's 30th foundation day.On this occasion, Amfi also announced a host of other initiatives to deepen financial literacy and expand reach of mutual fund products across the country.The event was attended by Sebi chief Tuhin Kanta Pandey, Sebi whole-time member Amarjeet Singh, Association of Mutual Fund in India (Amfi) CEO Venkat Chalasani, Amfi chairman Navneet Munot and other industry stalwarts.