Economy news

• Airtel Q1 profit jumps 37% to Rs 8,167 crore

  04-08-2026 20:01 via timesofindia.indiatimes.com
  
  Bharti Airtel reported a significant profit increase of 37.3% in the first quarter. This growth was fueled by higher mobile tariffs and strong customer additions across businesses. Revenue also saw a substantial rise of 18.4% during the same period. The company's average revenue per user increased to Rs 264 from Rs 250 a year ago. Airtel Africa's stake increased to over 79% reflecting growth potential.
  
  Read more

• ONGC Q1 results: Oil giant's profit doubles to Rs 17,034 crore amid rising crude prices

  04-08-2026 18:04 via timesofindia.indiatimes.com
  
  ONGC's profit more than doubled in the April-June quarter. Higher crude oil prices and improved realisations significantly boosted earnings. Total income rose substantially compared to the previous year. Oil and gas production remained broadly stable with marginal declines. Strategic projects are expected to improve future production levels.
  
  Read more

• 54 bank fraud accused fled India, ED seizes assets worth over Rs 35,000 crore

  04-08-2026 17:41 via timesofindia.indiatimes.com
  
  The Enforcement Directorate is investigating 32 bank fraud cases with 54 absconding accused.Proceedings under the Fugitive Economic Offenders Act have been launched against 27 individuals.Assets worth over Rs 840 crore have been confiscated after nine were declared offenders.Unclaimed bank deposits transferred to the RBI fund total Rs 62,683.19 crore.India's foreign exchange reserves remain comfortable, covering 10.3 months of goods imports.
  
  Read more

• US stock market today: Wall Street near new record high as earnings drive rally; crude prices slip

  04-08-2026 16:10 via timesofindia.indiatimes.com
  
  Despite persistent concerns over elevated inflation, the Iran conflict and the possibility of an AI-driven stock market bubble, Wall Street has continued to scale new highs, supported by robust corporate earnings.
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• Will Nifty & Sensex continue to diverge? What new stock market timings, closing auction session mean

  04-08-2026 16:05 via timesofindia.indiatimes.com
  
  As per SEBI guidelines, a new Closing Auction Session has been introduced for eligible stocks, where continuous trading will halt at 3:15 PM instead of 3:30 PM. This has altered the final closing price calculation methodology for several stocks.
  
  Read more

• Merchant Discount Rate on UPI transactions? Amendments to payments act may pave way - what it means

  04-08-2026 15:23 via timesofindia.indiatimes.com
  
  Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) is the fee merchants pay to banks and payment service providers for processing digital transactions. In India, credit card payments generally attract an MDR of around 1.5%.
  
  Read more

• 'Over 2000 samples tested': Oil ministry dismisses fuel adulteration claims, says only 2 cases detected

  04-08-2026 14:16 via timesofindia.indiatimes.com
  
  The Ministry of Petroleum has rolled out enhanced fuel quality measures, implementing water ingress testing that occurs multiple times a day at various fuel stations. In a comprehensive assessment, more than two thousand samples were analyzed for contaminants, revealing minimal problems. Sales were promptly halted at locations with verified contamination. The Ministry warns that stringent penalties will be enforced against any future instances of adulteration.
  
  Read more

• LIC OFS off to a strong start as institutional investors subscribe 66% by noon

  04-08-2026 13:03 via timesofindia.indiatimes.com
  
  Institutional investors subscribed nearly two-thirds of LIC shares offered by noon Tuesday.The government aims to divest up to 6.5% of its stake through this offer.This stake sale is expected to raise approximately Rs 31,000 crore for the government.The transaction also helps LIC meet Sebi's minimum public shareholding requirements.This follows the government's previous dilution in May 2022.
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• Income tax refund: How soon after filing ITR can you expect your refund to be issued?

  04-08-2026 10:18 via timesofindia.indiatimes.com
  
  With the filing window now closed for most salaried taxpayers, attention has shifted to income tax refunds. Taxpayers who have filed and successfully e-verified their returns are now awaiting the refund process.
  
  Read more

• Indian refiners maximise: Fuel exports hit 1-yr high as robust margins, Russia diesel export ban help

  04-08-2026 09:05 via timesofindia.indiatimes.com
  
  According to shipping data from analytics firm Kpler, India exported 1.53 million barrels per day (bpd) of refined fuels during July. This is about 27% higher than the average monthly volume over the previous 12 months.
  
  Read more

• Friendship with benefits: Why Trump is helping Japan rescue the yen

  04-08-2026 08:42 via timesofindia.indiatimes.com
  
  The United States and Japan have jointly intervened to support the Japanese yen's value. This unprecedented action aims to stabilize the currency after its significant decline. Washington's involvement signals broader economic and financial system concerns beyond Japan. The intervention seeks to protect US Treasury markets and American exporters from negative impacts.
  
  Read more

• Gold price prediction today: Will gold prices stay range-bound in the current scenario? Check August 4, 2026 outlook

  04-08-2026 08:10 via timesofindia.indiatimes.com
  
  Gold price prediction today: Gold prices will continue to be influenced by US-Iran talks and macroeconomic data in America which would likely provide direction to the Federal Reserve on its rate decisions, says Praveen Singh, Head Currencies and Commodities, Mirae Asset ShareKhan.
  
  Read more

• 'Likely to mislead': FSSAI bars Dabur from selling products with '100%' guarantee claims

  04-08-2026 06:17 via timesofindia.indiatimes.com
  
  India's food regulator has prohibited Dabur India from selling certain food products. These products carried "100 per cent" claims which are considered misleading. The FSSAI stated these labels are ambiguous and unverifiable for consumers. Dabur India is now reviewing the notice issued by the food regulator. This action is part of a broader crackdown on deceptive food labelling.
  
  Read more

• BSE Sensex trades in green, Nifty50 slips in red: Why benchmark indices moved opposite?

  04-08-2026 06:17 via timesofindia.indiatimes.com
  
  Indian stock market indices Nifty50 and BSE Sensex diverged due to a new closing auction session. This new mechanism replaced the volume-weighted average price for price discovery. The exchange clarified that this divergence was not an anomaly but a result of the new process. The closing price is now determined by an equilibrium price mechanism which maximizes trading volume. Market participants showed encouraging participation in the inaugural closing auction session.
  
  Read more

• Top stocks to buy today: Stock market recommendations for August 4, 2026 - check list

  04-08-2026 05:29 via timesofindia.indiatimes.com
  
  Stock market recommendations: Honasa Consumer, Gland Pharma, Bata India, and Siemens - these are the top stocks to buy picked by Somil Mehta, Head of Retail Research, Mirae Asset ShareKhan for August 4, 2026:
  
  Read more

• Trump slams Exxon Mobil, Chevron for 'making too much money'; asks to give it back

  04-08-2026 05:11 via timesofindia.indiatimes.com
  
  President Donald Trump criticized major oil companies for excessive profits.He urged Exxon Mobil and Chevron to lower consumer fuel prices.The companies reported strong quarterly earnings due to higher crude prices.Industry representatives stated prices reflect global market pressures and uncertainty.Global oil markets remain volatile amid Middle East tensions.
  
  Read more

• Oil rebounds from three-week low as Hormuz tensions keep supply fears alive

  04-08-2026 04:01 via timesofindia.indiatimes.com
  
  Oil prices saw a modest recovery on Tuesday after a significant decline. Benchmark Brent crude climbed to $84.26 and WTI crude reached $80.75. This rebound followed a sharp slide after US President Donald Trump paused military action against Iran. Shipping patterns are changing, and concerns about energy supply risks persist. Oil prices remain below their earlier peak of $126 per barrel.
  
  Read more

• Lower min age for MD, directors to 18: Parliamentary panel

  04-08-2026 01:52 via timesofindia.indiatimes.com
  
  A parliamentary panel suggests lowering the minimum director age to eighteen years.The committee also backs raising the maximum director age to seventy-five years.Special NCLT benches for insolvency matters are recommended for efficient asset resolution.The panel proposes retaining the ten crore net profit threshold for CSR applicability.New provisions will enable seamless re-domiciliation of foreign companies to IFSC.
  
  Read more

• Changes to boost electronics, investment

  04-08-2026 01:49 via timesofindia.indiatimes.com
  
  New tax law amendments are proposed by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. These changes aim to offer concessions to overseas investors and boost electronics manufacturing. The government plans to extend tax exemptions for specified electronic goods by ten years. It also introduces new exemptions for storing and selling electronic components. These reforms signal a shift towards long-term competitiveness and attracting global capital.
  
  Read more

• AI fraud is hitting India’s new net users hardest: Amazon

  04-08-2026 01:47 via timesofindia.indiatimes.com
  
  Protecting new online shoppers from AI scams is India's next e-commerce challenge.Amazon's trust chief highlights consumer awareness as critical for digital fraud.Generative AI creates sophisticated scams, but also aids detection efforts.Behavioral data helps distinguish genuine sellers from bad actors effectively.Amazon acts against fraud proactively, not waiting for regulatory mandates.
  
  Read more

• Government to sell up to 6.5% stake in LIC, may mop up Rs 31k cr

  04-08-2026 01:36 via timesofindia.indiatimes.com
  
  The government is selling up to 6.5% of LIC shares through an offer for sale. This divestment aims to meet minimum public shareholding norms ahead of schedule. The offer begins Tuesday and closes Wednesday with a base price of Rs 382. Successful sale will raise approximately Rs 31,400 crore for the government. This move contributes significantly to the government's annual disinvestment target.
  
  Read more

• Low-cost Asean imports worry medical device companies

  04-08-2026 01:33 via timesofindia.indiatimes.com
  
  Low-priced medical device imports from China and Malaysia are impacting India's domestic manufacturing capabilities.Imports from Asean countries have increased significantly, affecting local players.Chinese products often enter India through Asean nations, exploiting free trade agreements.Domestic companies are finding it difficult to compete, despite government incentives.Urgent renegotiation of trade agreements is needed to protect local industries.
  
  Read more

• Sensex jumps 544 pts on hopes of Gulf peace talks

  04-08-2026 01:27 via timesofindia.indiatimes.com
  
  Nifty also saw a significant rise in the last twenty minutes of trading. The Indian rupee remained nearly unchanged against the US dollar. Dollar demand from importers and state-run banks increased during the session.
  
  Read more

Follow @India_Economy_ on Twitter!