Author: Aruna Kaim

Shares of memory chipmaker SanDisk (SNDK) tumbled 12.6% in a sharp single-session selloff, extending its recent pullback from late-June highs. The slide comes amid a broader retreat across the semiconductor and artificial intelligence sectors. Despite this double-digit plunge, Wall Street analysts remain highly optimistic, viewing the drop as a classic “buy the dip” opportunity. What Triggered the Plunge? The sudden drop was driven primarily by external, sector-wide factors rather than any trouble inside SanDisk’s business: Broad Profit-Booking: Following a massive year-to-date rally that made SanDisk one of the top performers of 2026, traders moved aggressively to lock in profits. Global…

Britain’s government bond yields jumped on Monday as escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East sparked fresh fears of persistent inflation, prompting investors to brace for higher-for-longer interest rates. The yield on the UK’s two-year gilt—which is highly sensitive to changes in Bank of England (BoE) policy—climbed 11 basis points to 4.349%, reaching its highest point since June 11. What is Driving the Surge? The primary driver behind the sudden move is a sharp flare-up in geopolitical conflict: Gulf Hostilities: Recent military exchanges between U.S. and Iranian forces in the Gulf, alongside Iran’s announcement that the strategic Strait of Hormuz…

Airtel has announced that its Wi-Fi + TV (IPTV or DTH) customers can watch the upcoming FIFA World Cup Final without purchasing a separate streaming or television subscription. Eligible subscribers can instead activate the required sports channels directly through their existing plans. Cost and Channel Activation For customers already on eligible plans, access to the match can be unlocked by adding the Unite8 Sports channels for ₹24 per month. The broadcast will feature multi-language audio options, including English, Hindi, Bengali, and Malayalam. Plan Details and Upgrades Base Pricing: Airtel’s bundled Wi-Fi + TV plans start at ₹599 per month, consolidating…

LG Electronics has introduced its new Professional Laundry lineup, expanding its business-to-business (B2B) portfolio with commercial washers, dryers, and combination units. Engineered for high-volume environments like hotels, hospitals, laundromats, and industrial facilities, the lineup will debut in Europe before expanding to Asia and North America. High-Volume Performance and Efficiency The cornerstone of the new range is the Professional Washer-Dryer, an all-in-one, ductless machine capable of completing a full wash-and-dry cycle in approximately one hour (based on a standard 7kg load). Key efficiency features include: AI Weight Detection: Automatically calculates load size to optimize water and energy consumption. Dual Inverter HeatPump…

OpenAI has launched ChatGPT Work, a new AI agent designed to automate complex workflows, manage daily correspondence, and handle time-consuming business tasks. Powered by the new GPT 5.6 model family, the agent can operate independently for hours, breaking down massive projects into smaller steps and executing them without constant user prompting. Unlike standard conversational AI, ChatGPT Work is built to take direct action across different environments. It connects with tools across Google Workspace, Microsoft 360, and Slack to compile data and generate finished business materials, including spreadsheets, slide decks, documents, and web apps. Under the hood, ChatGPT Work integrates OpenAI’s…

Tata Capital has officially signed an agreement to acquire an 88.6% controlling stake in Kerala-based NBFC Yogakshemam Loans Ltd (Yogloans). The tactical buyout marks the Tata Group’s financial services arm’s maiden foray into the gold loan sector. Funding the Deal and Regulatory Milestones The acquisition, which was cleared by Tata Capital’s board, values the regional lender’s equity on a cash-free basis. To support its ongoing expansion and fund its strategic entry into this high-growth asset class, Tata Capital is concurrently planning a $300 million overseas bond issuance. The capital injection will provide the liquidity necessary to rapidly scale up the…

In a major consolidation move within Indian retail finance, Tata Capital has acquired an 88.6% stake in Kerala-based Yogakshemam Loans Ltd (Yogloans). The transaction marks Tata Capital’s official entry into the rapidly expanding gold loan segment, highlighting a broader institutional shift toward asset-backed lending as regulators tighten oversight on unsecured consumer credit. Rather than building a gold franchise from the ground up, the acquisition hands Tata Capital an immediate, fully functional operating footprint in a highly specialized sector. The Yogloans Portfolio at a Glance Yogloans provides Tata Capital with a solid foundation in the southern Indian market, where gold-backed borrowing…

EAAA Alternatives, the alternative asset management arm of Edelweiss, has won the concession rights for the National Highways Authority of India’s (NHAI) Toll, Operate, and Transfer (TOT) Bundle 19. Executed through its portfolio company, Epic Concessions 2 Private Limited, the deal is valued at an aggregate upfront payment of ₹2,259 crore. Long-Term Toll and Operation Rights Under the terms of the newly signed concession agreement, the Edelweiss platform secures the rights to collect toll revenue and manage operations on two critical highway stretches in Tamil Nadu for a fixed block period of 20 years: The Stretches: The bundle covers the…

The competitive race to acquire Polaris Smart Metering has advanced significantly, with global asset manager I Squared Capital shortlisting four to five infrastructure majors for the next round of negotiations. Strategic giants Adani Energy Solutions, Apraava Energy, and UK-based private equity fund Actis are among the frontrunners who have progressed to the second round. The suitors have commenced deep financial and operational due diligence, with binding bids expected by early August. The transaction is projected to value Polaris at approximately ₹1,500 crore (over $150 million). I Squared Capital Eyes a Clean Exit The sale process marks a definitive exit strategy…

Tokyo-listed Nippon Paint Holdings has launched an unsolicited, multi-billion-dollar acquisition campaign to purchase the decorative paints division of Dutch rival AkzoNobel NV. The latest proposal values the business at €7.5 billion ($8.6 billion), representing approximately 12 times the unit’s projected 2026 EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization). Instant Rejection from Amsterdam AkzoNobel’s board firmly rejected the offer on Monday, stating that the proposal “significantly undervalues” its decorative paints business. Rather than engaging with Nippon Paint, the Dutch firm’s management and supervisory boards reaffirmed their unanimous commitment to a pre-existing merger with US coatings manufacturer Axalta Coating Systems. The…