Latest Stock Market News

Indian indices ended flat; Muthoot Finance, Pfizer, Prime Focus gained on strong Q1 results, while JSW Cement, NMDC, Vodafone Idea fell amid mixed earnings and debut performance.

Retail shareholding in several NSE large-cap stocks surged in Q1 FY25, led by Samvardhana Motherson, Siemens Energy India, and Hindustan Zinc. The trend signals growing individual investor interest and confidence in these companies’ prospects compared to the March 2025 quarter.

BlackRock’s crypto holdings hit $104 billion as of August 14, 2025, with Bitcoin dominating and Ethereum surging 309% in value this year, reflecting its expanding digital asset investment strategy.

European shares edged higher to touch a two-week high on Thursday, as investors assessed corporate earnings and economic data.

Japan s Nikkei share average fell on Thursday, pulling back from a record high scaled in the previous session on concerns over a potential shift in Bank of Japan policy and a stronger yen.

India s long-duration bond rally is losing steam as demand from key institutional investors wanes, compounded by fiscal concerns stemming from slowing tax revenues and GDP growth. The Reserve Bank of India s shift to a neutral stance and limited prospects for further rate cuts have further dampened sentiment.

Prime Focus shares hit their 10% upper circuit on Thursday after the company returned to profit, reporting ₹110.47 crore net profit in Q1FY26 versus a ₹158.07 crore loss a year ago. Revenue rose 22.8% YoY to ₹976.82 crore, and it also swung to profit from a ₹251.62 crore loss in the previous quarter.

JSW Cement debuted on the bourses at a 4% premium but quickly slid over 5% from its opening price, despite strong IPO demand and higher-than-expected grey market premiums. Analysts cite rich valuations and recent losses as near-term headwinds, though long-term prospects remain supported by capacity expansion and infrastructure growth.

For risk-averse investors seeking short-term options, bond SIPs through the RBI Retail Direct platform offer near-guaranteed returns backed by the Indian government. These investments, with maturities ranging from three months to a year and a minimum investment of Rs 25,000, are ideal for parking funds intended for short-term needs, providing a safe alternative to traditional options.

Gold October futures on MCX traded firm above Rs 1 lakh per 10 grams on Thursday, supported by US tariff uncertainty. Analysts expect prices to stay volatile amid Fed rate cut hopes, key US data, and geopolitical developments this week.