Key Highlights: Stocks in News, Economic & Global Updates 18th August 2026 by GEPL Capital Ltd
Stocks in News
* CEIGALL INDIA: Delhi PWD has cancelled the Rs 330.84 crore roadstrengthening tender for which the company had emerged as the lowest (L1) bidder.
* LLOYDS ENGINEERING WORKS: Subsidiary LADS has partnered with Italy -based Alpar Ingegneria for the development of defence products, technology transfer, and licensed manufacturing in India.
* MAN INFRACONSTRUCTION: Acquired an additional 16% partnership interest in MICL Properties LLP for Rs 16,000, increasing its total stake in the LLP to 50%.
*NETWEB TECHNOLOGIES: Launched a Qualified Institutional Placement (QIP) with a floor price of Rs 4,885.90 per share, with an option to offer a discount of up to 5%.
*MANIPAL HEALTH ENTERPRISES: Entered into an agreement to acquire the Bengaluru business of Kinder Women’s Hospital & Fertility Centre for Rs 130 crore.
*OBEROI REALTY: DTCP Haryana has upheld the approvals for the Three Sixty North Gurugram project and rejected AIPL’s plea for cancellation. Restrictions on fresh allotments and creation of third-party rights have also been lifted.
*SEDEMAC MECHATRONICS: India Ratings has upgraded the company’s bank loan facilities rating to IND A/Stable from IND A-/Stable, while affirming its short-term rating at IND A1.
* SIGMA ADVANCED SYSTEMS: Partnered with Indrajaal Autonomous Defense Systems to secure anti-drone patrol vehicle orders worth Rs 155 crore from the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Economic News
* India’s Unemployment Rate Falls to 5.1% in July: India’s unemployment rate for people aged 15 years and above fell to 5.1% in July, down from 5.5% in June and below the 5.4% market estimate, according to government data. Rural unemployment declined to 4.5%, while urban unemployment edged up to 6.7%. The labour force participation rate rose to 55.4% from 54.4%, while the worker population ratio increased to 52.5% from 51.4%. Female labourforce participation also improved sharply to 34.4%, supported by higher rural participation, indicating a broad-based improvement in labour market participation.
Global News
* Nasdaq Plans Nearly 23-Hour Trading Day: Nasdaq plans to extend trading hours on its US stock market to nearly 23 hours a day, five days a week, amid growing global demand for US equities. Subject to SEC approval, the exchange will add a new 9 p.m. to 4 a.m. ET session, alongside existing extended hours, enabling trading from 9 p.m. Sunday to 8 p.m. Friday, with a one-hour daily break. The new schedule is expected to take effect on December 6, 2026, subject to regulatory and industry readiness. Trades executed between 9 p.m. and midnight will carry the next calendar day’s trade date, while those from midnight to 8 p.m. will retain the current day’s trade date.
Technical Snapshot
Government Security Market:
* The Inter-bank call money rate traded in the range of 4.00%- 5.25% on Monday ended at 4.85%.
* The 10 year benchmark (6.94% GS 2036) closed at 6.8071% on Monday Vs at 6.7578% on Friday
Global Debt Market:
US Treasury yields moved lower on Monday as traders looked ahead to the latest FOMC minutes due later in the week. The 10-year Treasury note yield the main benchmark for mortgages, auto loans and credit card debt was more than 2 basis points lower at 4.6743%. The yield on the 2-year Treasury note, which typically reacts in line with short-term Federal Reserve interest rate decisions, dropped more than 1 basis point to 4.1542%. The 30-year Treasury yield, which is typically sensitive to geopolitical events, was more than 2 basis points lower at 5.2445%. Bond yields rose during Friday’s session after retail sales fell by a surprise 0.6% last month, which came after a flat producer price index print month-on-month in July. Monday’s reversal comes as investors await July’s FOMC meeting minutes, due Wednesday, for further insights into the Federal Reserve’s latest monetary policy decisions and potential future rates trajectory. The Fed voted 9-3 to hold rates steady at between 3.50% and 3.75% for the fifth consecutive meeting on July 29. The three dissenting committee members Beth Hammack of Cleveland, Neel Kashkari of Minneapolis and Lorie Logan of Dallas instead called for a 25 basis points hike.
10 Year Benchmark Technical View :
The 10 year Benchmark (6.94% GS 2036) yield likely to move in the range of 6.79% to 6.81% level on Tuesday
SEBI Registration number is INH000000081.
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