India Pushes AI Growth as DeepSeek Disrupts Global Tech

Lenskart, the omnichannel eyewear giant, is set to file its IPO draft through the standard route, diverging from the confidential filing trend of its peers like Swiggy and Meesho. This bold move reflects Lenskart's confidence, as it aims for a $1 billion IPO at a valuation of $10 billion. Founded by Peyush and Neha Bansal, the company is a leader in the eyewear market, despite facing recent losses during its expansion. With strong backing from major investors and plans to go public soon, Lenskart is gearing up for significant growth in the Indian eyewear sector.

Shubman Gill's captaincy on Day 5 of the India vs England Test received criticism as England successfully chased down 371 runs, marking their second-highest run chase. Former cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar pointed out that Gill's overly defensive tactics, including too many boundary riders, allowed England to build momentum. Despite the challenges, England showcased a mature blend of aggression and discipline, with Duckett and Crawley setting a solid foundation. Ultimately, Joe Root and Jamie Smith led England to victory, highlighting their refined approach under coach Brendon McCullum.

US President Donald Trump strongly dismissed media reports claiming that recent airstrikes on Iran's nuclear facilities were ineffective, labeling them as “fake news.” Despite a classified assessment suggesting that the strikes did not significantly damage Iran’s nuclear program, Trump insisted the operations were a monumental success. White House officials echoed this sentiment, contending that the assessment was inaccurate and leaked to undermine Trump. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu hailed the airstrikes as a critical step in removing nuclear threats from Iran. Meanwhile, Iranian officials celebrated what they termed a "great victory" in the ongoing conflict.

Indian public sector enterprises (PSUs) are experiencing a remarkable revival post-COVID-19, showcasing impressive profit growth. The PSUs achieved a staggering 36% profit after tax CAGR from FY20-25, significantly enhancing shareholder value. Despite a slight moderation in FY25 earnings, the outlook remains positive, especially for sectors such as BFSI and O&G, with a projected 10% PAT CAGR for FY25-27. Key players like State Bank of India and Hindustan Aeronautics are expected to thrive in this landscape. Investing in PSUs with strong growth potential is advised for long-term gains.

Nithin Kamath, co-founder of Zerodha, humorously shared that his credit score is 747, just shy of the 750 threshold for CRED. His playful post on social media attracted attention, with CRED's founder Kunal Shah offering to help him improve it. Many users chimed in, boasting higher scores and questioning the credit rating system's fairness. While some supported Kamath for raising awareness, others criticized the complexity of fixing credit score errors. This lighthearted exchange highlights the importance of credit awareness in India.

The Strait of Hormuz, vital for global oil trade, may face closure amid rising tensions between Israel and Iran. This strait is crucial for India, supplying 40% of its oil imports from the Middle East. While experts warn of significant market impacts, India may not feel the brunt as it sources oil from Russia and LNG from Qatar, which don't rely on this route. However, imports from Iraq and Saudi Arabia could be affected. Iran's potential closure of the strait aims to assert control, but it risks harming its own economy too, as major oil buyers like China depend on it.

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has announced a significant change for Class 10 students: they will now be able to take board exams twice a year starting in 2026. This decision aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, aiming to ease pressure on students. The first exam phase will be mandatory in February, while the second, in May, will be optional for those wanting to improve their scores. The move is designed to promote holistic education and reduce the need for coaching, allowing students to choose subjects based on their interests.

Mukesh Ambani, Chairman of Reliance Industries, shares a guiding principle he’s upheld for over 40 years: the importance of eye contact. In a recent interview, he emphasized that this simple act symbolizes sincerity and builds trust among employees. He believes it’s crucial for leaders to express openness and honesty. Ambani also discussed his bold move back into the telecom sector with Reliance Jio in 2016, which he described as his biggest risk. Despite skepticism, he viewed it as a way to digitize India and enhance lives, showcasing how vision and sincerity drive true transformation.

Indian insurance sellers anticipate a significant rise in airline coverage costs, potentially increasing by 30% following a tragic aviation accident. The Air India crash, which claimed 241 lives, has led experts to predict premium hikes of 10% to 30% for various insurance categories. This increase surpasses past incidents, indicating the severity of the situation. As global aviation claims continue to rise, airlines worldwide will feel the impact, potentially leading to unprecedented insurance rates. With claims expected to reach $475 million, the aviation industry braces for financial adjustments ahead.

Meta is transforming WhatsApp, which boasts 1.5 billion daily users, by introducing ads and subscription options for businesses. This marks a significant shift from its founders’ original vision against advertising. The new Channels feature allows businesses to post content behind a subscription wall, and ads will appear in the Status section. Importantly, personal chats remain unaffected, ensuring users can still enjoy a private messaging experience. As Meta aims to boost its revenue, the effectiveness of these changes will be assessed in future financial reports.

President Trump's announcement of a major press conference by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth aimed to clarify the U.S. stance on recent military strikes against Iran. Trump refuted initial intelligence reports suggesting only minor impacts on Iran's nuclear program, claiming the strikes were devastating. He insisted that American forces delivered a significant blow to Iran's capabilities, despite reports indicating that much of the nuclear infrastructure remains intact. This tension escalated from the ongoing conflict between Iran and Israel, raising concerns about regional stability and the implications for global security.

Gold and silver prices have remained stable amid global tensions, making them appealing safe havens for investors. Over the past two decades, gold prices have soared by 1,200%, reaching over ₹1,00,000 in 2025, with a 31% increase in 2023 alone. Silver has also shown resilience, holding above ₹1 lakh/kg. As of June 26, gold and silver rates across major Indian cities like Mumbai and Delhi reflect these trends, making it essential for investors to stay informed. However, keep in mind potential making charges and taxes when purchasing.

State Bank of India (SBI) is gearing up to raise ₹25,000 crore through a qualified institutional placement, its first equity offering in eight years. Meanwhile, JSW Energy has signed a significant Power Purchase Agreement for a 300 MW solar-wind hybrid project. Nestle India is considering a bonus share issue and plans to issue ₹1,000 crore in non-convertible debentures. Reliance Defence has secured a ₹600 crore export order, while CDSL collaborates with IIM Mumbai for advanced analytics. As competition heats up, a telecom operator seeks ₹250 billion to improve its network.

Oil and gas stocks experienced a surge in investor interest after easing tensions in the Middle East led to a drop in crude prices. U.S. President Trump hinted at a ceasefire between Israel and Iran, raising hopes for stability. Indian oil marketing companies like Indian Oil, Bharat Petroleum, and Hindustan Petroleum faced selling pressure due to rising crude prices, while upstream companies like ONGC and Oil India saw their stock values climb. Analysts suggest that higher crude prices benefit exploration companies, making them a favorable investment option for better earnings.

Masayoshi Son, founder of SoftBank, is planning a massive $1 trillion industrial complex in Arizona focused on robotics and AI, potentially reshaping U.S. manufacturing. Inspired by China's Shenzhen, this project, named "Project Crystal Land," aims to bring high-tech manufacturing back to America. Key collaborators might include Taiwan's TSMC, known for its advanced AI chips. The initiative shows Son's commitment to accelerating AI development, with talks of tax incentives and partnerships with tech giants like Samsung. If successful, it could lead to more high-tech hubs across the U.S.

Gold prices in India have recently seen fluctuations, dropping to ₹99,280 per 10 grams. Following Israel's strikes on Iran, prices soared from ₹98,110 to a peak of ₹1,00,314. However, a slight decline occurred, with August 2025 futures down by 1.44%. Current silver rates also reflect a minor decrease, priced at ₹1,06,788 per kg. Major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolkata show varying gold rates, highlighting the dynamic nature of the market. Investors should stay alert as geopolitical events continue to influence gold prices.

The Dow Jones, Nasdaq, and S&P 500 indices all ended on a positive note, reflecting a mix of growth trends. The Dow Jones rose by 0.89%, closing at 42,581.78, showing a notable monthly increase of 2.38%. The Nasdaq gained 0.94% to finish at 19,630.97, with a monthly rise of 4.77%. The S&P 500 saw a 0.96% increase, closing at 6,025.17, marking a monthly growth of 3.83%. While the Nasdaq faced a slight weekly decline, all indices demonstrated overall strength in the long term, appealing to investors' optimism.

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