The Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) launched its Closing Auction Session (CAS) on August 3 to refine how closing prices are formed. The process began at 15:15, started taking orders at 15:20, ended at a random time between 15:28 and 15:30, and published the final closing reference price at 15:32. On its first day, more than 400 trading members took part across over 200 stocks, while the SENSEX slipped just 0.048%. The smooth rollout suggests the new mechanism has been implemented successfully and structurally improves index closing-price formation.

Shares of Piccadily Agro Industries Ltd rose 2.47% to ₹752 on Monday on volumes of 2.99 lakh shares. The company said its flagship whisky brand, Indri, took the top three positions in both the Best Indian Whisky and Best Single Malt Indian Whisky categories at the International Whisky Competition (IWC) 2026. Indri Diwali Collector’s Edition 2025 topped the rankings with 93.53 points, with two other expressions also posting high scores. The company’s total market capitalisation is around ₹7,393 crore.

Apple lowered its fiscal fourth-quarter 2025 revenue growth outlook to 9%–11%, below analysts’ expectations of more than 12%. China sales came in at $18.8 billion versus an expected $19.6 billion, while services revenue of $30.7 billion missed a $31.4 billion forecast. Although total revenue of $109.4 billion beat estimates, the weaker guidance raised concerns about demand for new iPhone models and momentum in Greater China, sending the stock down 7.4% in its biggest one-day drop in nearly two years.

India will sharply raise taxes on cigarettes and other tobacco products in February 2026, lifting GST to a flat 40% and adding a tiered additional excise duty of ₹2,100–8,500 per 1,000 sticks. Market leader ITC reported cigarette business revenue of ₹16,596.67 crore in the June quarter of FY27, up 73.71% year on year, and said the increase reflected staggered price hikes in response to the tax jump. The shift is adding fundamental pressure on traditional tobacco stocks that rely on volume growth.

India’s Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) said exchanges will adopt a new Closing Auction Session (CAS) from Aug. 3, 2026, replacing the current 30-minute VWAP-based closing mechanism. The 20-minute CAS will run from 15:15 to 15:35 and is designed to produce a single equilibrium closing price to improve fairness and price discovery. The change is intended to curb “marking the close” and strengthen settlement protection for retail and passive investors. The rule will apply to constituents of domestic equity indices and related derivatives contracts.

India’s seven largest listed FMCG companies reported combined June-quarter revenue of ₹43,779 crore, up 13.9% year on year, while EBITDA rose 13.9% to ₹9,953 crore. Growth was driven by a recovery in rural demand, premiumisation and rapid expansion of quick commerce, signalling a shift toward volume-led gains alongside pricing. Tata Consumer Products stood out, while margin pressure in personal care from palm oil costs weighed on profitability. The results offer fundamental support for Indian consumer stocks.

The International Grains Council (IGC) forecasts global wheat production will fall by 23 million tonnes to 821 mt in the 2026-27 season, as higher input costs linked to the Iran conflict and El Niño-related weather risks weigh on planting decisions. Wheat acreage is being cut or shifted to other crops in the US, the EU, the UK and Australia, with Australian sowing at a seven-year low. Chicago wheat futures are trading at $6.54 a bushel, near a two-year high.

On July 31, 2026, several listed Indian companies reported Q1 FY27 earnings, with net profit rising sharply at Sun Pharma, Glenmark, Bajaj Finserv and Aether Industries. Maruti Suzuki, ITC and IOC, however, reported profit declines for the quarter. Market sentiment improved on the day, with HYUNDAI shares rising more than 8% and ranking among the top gainers.

SEBI has agreed in principle to accept the National Stock Exchange of India’s settlement applications in the colocation (colo) and dark-fibre cases, with the total settlement amount set at Rs 1491.21 crore. NSE has provided Rs 1391.21 crore in FY2025–26, with a previously imposed Rs 100 crore SAT penalty already adjusted against amounts deposited, and its revenue fell 8% sequentially. The regulatory outcome directly affects NSE’s financials and compliance standing as it prepares for its IPO.