Indian benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty experienced a significant slump in early trade, mirroring weak global trends, as escalating tensions in West Asia, particularly a drone attack on the UAE's Barakah nuclear facility, pushed crude oil prices higher. Track Sensex, Nifty50 movement and key market drivers for May 18, 2026.
Wipro reported Q4FY26 IT services revenue of $2.6 billion, a modest 0.2 per cent Q-o-Q constant currency growth, with adjusted operating profit margin beating estimates at 17.2 per cent. The company announced a significant share buyback of ~15,000 crore, but faces near-term growth challenges, particularly in the BFSI segment, and has issued a soft Q1FY27 revenue guidance.
The West Bengal cabinet has decided to discontinue assistance-oriented schemes based on religious categorisation for Imams, muezzins and purohits from June. The cabinet also approved the 'Annapurna' scheme of Rs 3,000 monthly support to women from June 1, and granted in-principle consent for their free travel in state-run buses.
Jio Financial Services, a unit of Mukesh Ambani's Reliance Industries (RIL), got valued at Rs 1.66 trillion ($20 billion) following an hour-long special trading session conducted by stock exchanges on Thursday. Shares of RIL's unit got priced at Rs 261.85 apiece - higher than analysts' expectations of Rs 134-224 per share. The price was arrived at after calculating the difference between RIL's Wednesday (July 19) close of Rs 2,840 and Rs 2,580, the price discovered during the first-of-its-kind pre-trade session.
Major Indian banks, including Axis Bank, HDFC Bank, and RBL Bank, have reported a decline in employee headcount in FY26, attributing the reductions to significant investments in technology and automation yielding productivity gains across operations.
The Special Operations Group (SOG) has uncovered a major fraud in the Rajasthan Government Health Scheme, involving doctors and a lab operator allegedly causing financial losses worth crores to the state exchequer.
The Haryana government has dismissed an official from the Development and Panchayat Department in connection with a Rs 590 crore fraud case involving IDFC First Bank. The decision follows a detailed investigation that revealed a criminal conspiracy and substantial evidence against the official.
If TVK MLAs and ministers are perceived as clean, or demonstrably cleaner than their predecessors, the credibility dividend will be enormous. The voter will feel rewarded, points out Ramesh Menon.
After spending 31 months in Chennai's Puzhal prison, Ahmed Buhari is finally breathing free, as courts across the country quashed proceedings linked to his group company Coastal Energy.
UK Health Secretary Wes Streeting resigned from the Cabinet, citing a loss of confidence in Prime Minister Keir Starmer's leadership, potentially triggering a Labour leadership contest.
IT services major LTM is set to introduce a new pricing framework, 'Blueverse Credit', in the first quarter of FY27, aiming to align monetisation with the growing adoption of agentic artificial intelligence.
Indian investors have seen their wealth erode by a staggering Rs 16.77 lakh crore over four trading sessions, as the markets faced deep losses driven by elevated crude oil prices, geopolitical tensions, persistent foreign fund outflows, and a record-low rupee.
The Haryana government has authorised the CBI to investigate the alleged involvement of five IAS officers in a Rs 590-crore fraud case involving IDFC First Bank. The CBI can now summon the officers for questioning.
'The next phase of India's IPO cycle will be defined by quality, pricing discipline and investor selectivity.'
Indian stock markets rallied in early trade after US President Donald Trump announced a halt to planned military strikes on Iran, citing requests from Gulf leaders and ongoing "very big discussions" that could lead to a deal. This de-escalation, coupled with foreign fund inflows and gains in IT and Adani group stocks, contributed to the positive market sentiment. Track Sensex and Nifty on May 19, 2026.
Foreign investors have withdrawn over Rs 88,000 crore from Indian equities this month, driven by geopolitical tensions, a weak rupee, and concerns about rising crude oil prices.
From the financial year 2025-2026, the government has introduced a new column in the tax return form for presumptive taxpayers, requiring them to disclose their year-end investments. This requirement was not present last year.
Brokerage firm Jefferies maintains a 'Buy' rating for Paytm, citing its dominant merchant payments platform and projected revenue growth.
West Bengal minister Agnimitra Paul announced the BJP government's commitment to women's empowerment and the continuation of welfare schemes. The 'Annapurna Bhandar' scheme will be accessible through an online portal, ensuring ease of application for all women in Bengal. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has directed officials to implement the scheme and free bus travel for women, while also assuring that existing social welfare schemes will continue.
Lenders and shareholders of Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) will meet on May 2 to demerge the firm's financial services business. This is expected to create a big player in segments including the NBFC (non-banking financial company) space with net worth of Rs 25,851 crore as of March 2022. According to the plan, RIL shareholders will get a share in the demerged entity for each one held in the company.
Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) announced a 12.22 per cent increase in its net profit for the March quarter, reaching Rs 13,718 crore, alongside a 9.64 per cent rise in revenue from operations.
The Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) has proposed a new framework for calculating the networth requirement for stock brokers, moving away from the current method linked to client cash balances. The revised approach will factor in both client funds handled and the number of active clients serviced, aiming to strengthen brokers' financial buffers.
The Delhi Police's Economic Offences Wing (EOW) has dismantled a GST fraud cartel, arresting six individuals involved in swindling Rs 128 crore through shell companies and fake invoicing.
ITC reported a 6.1 per cent year-on-year growth in its consolidated adjusted net profit from continuing operations, reaching ~5,469.74 crore in the January-March quarter (Q4FY26), primarily fuelled by strong performances in its cigarettes and non-cigarette fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) businesses.
Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav has demanded a CBI inquiry into the murder of a girl in Hardoi, Uttar Pradesh, alleging that the state has become unsafe for women under the BJP government. He visited the victim's family, offered financial assistance, and criticised the state administration for failing to protect her despite her repeated appeals to the police.
Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav has demanded a CBI inquiry into the killing of a girl in Hardoi's Bilgram area, asserting that Uttar Pradesh has become 'number one' in crimes against women under the BJP rule.
As Prime Minister Narendra Modi urges Indians to travel less, rising fuel prices are already changing driving habits.
As temperatures soar, booking queries have surged by double digits -- going up to 125 per cent -- for destinations like Kashmir, Shillong, Gangtok, Munnar, Leh, Rishikesh, Guwahati, Imphal, Kodaikanal and the Andamans.
Ask rediffGURU and PF, MF and insurance expert Purshotam Lal your mutual fund, insurance and personal finance-related questions.
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'India's security challenges are no longer confined to the Line of Control or the Line of Actual Control.'
'They also span cyber networks, economic systems, information warfare, technology ecosystems, maritime routes, and internal social cohesion.'
Jharkhand police have uncovered an interstate cyber fraud network and arrested four individuals involved in fraudulent transactions across 24 states. The investigation was initiated following inputs from the Union Home Ministry's 'Samanvaya portal', leading to the discovery of a bank account in Ramgarh district used for the illicit activities.
Rising stressed debt and past exposures like Reliance Capital, Yes Bank push EPFO to frame exit rules for its portfolio.
The Uttarakhand High Court has ruled that a father cannot avoid his responsibility to provide maintenance for his minor child by claiming the mother's income or his own financial obligations.
Ola Electric is making a renewed push into the electric motorcycle market with aggressive pricing and in-house battery manufacturing, aiming to replicate its earlier success in electric scooters while addressing past quality and service issues.
Wipro has launched its AI-Data Centre solution, integrating NVIDIA's AI Enterprise platform, to accelerate enterprise-scale AI adoption and modernise data centre environments.
The Samajwadi Party has ended its association with the Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC) due to a lack of funds, according to party president Akhilesh Yadav.
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has announced mandatory face authentication for all candidates at examination centers and introduced stricter eligibility criteria for the Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2026.
Godrej Industries Group announces Pirojsha Godrej as the new chairperson, succeeding Nadir Godrej in August, marking a significant leadership transition within the conglomerate.
India's like-for-like gross Goods and Services Tax (GST) revenue growth slowed to a five-year low of 5.57 per cent in FY26, reaching Rs 23.32 trillion, primarily driven by a significant surge in import revenues.
