Indian equity benchmarks ended a seven-session losing streak on Thursday, August 20, with the NSE Nifty50 closing 153.55 points, or 0.64%, higher at 24,231.85, as buying emerged across sectors. The rebound came after the recent decline, with the market finding support at lower levels. From a technical perspective, the Nifty reclaimed its 50-day exponential moving average (50-EMA), while the hourly RSI saw a bullish crossover, according to Rupak De, Senior Technical Analyst at LKP Securities. "Overall, the short-term sentiment looks positive," De said. Resistance for the index is seen at 24,350-24,500, while support is placed at 24,150. The domestic equity benchmarks had extended their losing streak to the seventh consecutive session in the previous trading session, with the Nifty 50 closing below the 24,100 mark.
BSE Ltd has entered into an agreement with MSCI for a number of their indexes, with the exchange exploring the launch of futures and options contracts in India linked to these indexes, subject to regulatory approvals. This strategic step anchors BSE's role to further developing the Indian capital market and could broaden the exchange's derivatives offerings, strengthen index-based investing and provide investors additional tools to hedge India exposure. Meanwhile, the Reserve Bank of India has given approval to Life Insurance Corp (LIC) to raise its stake in HDFC Bank to up to 9.99%, with the insurance major currently holding 4.11% stake in HDFC Bank. Additionally, HDFC Life Insurance Company has received approval from IRDAI for the reappointment of Vibha Padalkar as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer for another five-year term, effective September 12, 2026.
Aditya Infotech has approved an equity capital raise of up to ₹1,500 crore to fund its ongoing expansion and fortify its balance sheet. The company said the fundraise may be undertaken through one or more permissible modes, including a public issue, Qualified Institutional Placement (QIP) or a combination of these methods, subject to approval from shareholders and other regulatory authorities. NIS Management Limited has been awarded a work order worth ₹14.65 crore by Office of Chief Engineer (Patna) for housekeeping services, and also received a separate work order worth ₹19.57 crore from the same institution. Escorts Kubota has announced a ₹2,000 crore investment to set up a new manufacturing plant in YEIDA industrial area, Uttar Pradesh, across 154 acres at Sector 10, Gautam Buddha Nagar. IDFC First Bank has raised USD 500 million in debt with global investors like BlackRock, Capital Group, and Alliancebernstein anchoring its maiden international bond issuance, with bonds having a tenure of three years and a fixed coupon of 5.625%.
Krystal Integrated Services has secured a ₹134 crore order from the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC). Titagarh Rail Systems Limited has been included in the Approved Vendor category of Indian Railways for supply of 3-phase asynchronous traction motor type 6FRA-6068 for 3-phase locomotives, with an approved capacity of 1,200 numbers per annum. The government has approved four major railway multitracking projects involving an investment of around ₹9,450 crore for adding nearly 410 km to the Indian Railways network, covering eight districts across West Bengal, Odisha, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh and scheduled for completion by 2030-31. Ceigall India Ltd has secured five Letters of Acceptance from the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways worth a combined bid cost of ₹2,423.70 crore for road construction on NH-913 in Arunachal Pradesh, with projects carrying a 48-month construction period. RailTel Corporation of India has received a work order worth ₹164.79 crore from Western Coalfields Ltd, while Walchandnagar Industries secured an order from Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre for fabrication and supply of HS200 motorcase segments for the Gaganyaan programme.
Gravita India Ltd announced plans to add 59,200 Tonnes Per Annum of copper recycling capacity at its Mundra, Gujarat facility, expected to be commissioned in phases by March 31, 2029. Ramco Systems Corporation announced that Pem-Air has selected Ramco Aviation Software as the technological foundation for its engine MRO operations, with the company adding support for larger engine platforms such as the GE90 and Trent 700. Dr Lal PathLabs informed exchanges that its Dubai-based subsidiary incorporated a new company in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, with a 70% stake subscription. Astra Space Technologies, a wholly owned subsidiary of Astra Microwave Products, has secured approval from the Registrar of Companies under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs to convert its status from a private limited company into a public limited company. Samvardhana Motherson International announced that a new joint venture company, MHSCL JVC Holding Ltd, was incorporated in Dubai on August 19, following the joint venture agreement signed with Hellmann Worldwide Logistics (MESA) Holding Ltd in March 2026.
Strides Pharma Science announced that its Bengaluru manufacturing facility received the Establishment Inspection Report from USFDA, successfully closing the inspection conducted from May 12-20, 2026. EMS Limited secured Lowest Bidder status for a water supply augmentation project worth approximately ₹190.86 crore under the AMRUT 2.0 scheme. Autoline Industries secured a new business award from Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles for supply of four critical components, expected to generate annual incremental revenue of approximately ₹80 crore. Hyundai Motor India will raise vehicle prices by up to 1% across its product portfolio, effective September 2026, to partially offset cost pressures. Oil India has set September 4, 2026, as the record date for the final dividend for FY26, which was recommended by its board at its meeting on May 13, 2026, with the dividend to be paid within 30 days post shareholder approval. Niva Bupa Health Insurance Company received ICRA reaffirmation of its issuer rating at [ICRA]AAA (Stable), with the rating agency also assigning an [ICRA]AA+ (Stable) rating to proposed subordinated debt of up to ₹500 crore.
