💹 *Daily Business Briefs | Tuesday, 18 Aug 2026*

_Markets open — regular Tuesday session_

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📊 *ECONOMY & POLICY*

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🔥 *Crude Crosses $91 As US-Iran Peace Hopes Fade*

Brent surged past $91/barrel as US-Iran talks stalled and Hormuz shipping disruptions persisted.

Goldman and JPMorgan warn Brent could hit $114-120 if supply risks escalate — a direct hit to India’s import bill and CAD.

📎 _Read: Economic Times_

https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/markets/commodities/news/oil-price-today-august-18-crude-oil-crosses-91/barrel-amid-fading-us-iran-peace-hopes-what-lies-ahead/articleshow/133310278.cms

🌧️ *El Niño Deepens Rainfall Deficit, Kharif Sowing Lags*

IMD data shows June-July rainfall 13% below normal, with Punjab, Haryana and UP hit hardest; kharif sowing area is down versus last year.

Persistent deficits keep food-inflation and rural-demand risk alive into the September policy window.

📎 _Read: International News & Views_

El Niño Hits India Hard: Punjab Records 38% Rainfall Deficit, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh Face Severe Monsoon Shortfall

💡 *Industry Seeks GST ITC Relief For Data Centres, GCCs*

Industry bodies want input tax credit unlocked on construction and employee-related spends under Section 17(5), citing UK/Canada/Singapore precedent.

A favourable call would lower build costs for data-centre and GCC investors and sharpen India’s competitiveness as a hosting hub.

📎 _Read: Business Standard_

https://www.business-standard.com/economy/news/industry-seeks-gst-itc-relief-for-data-centres-gccs-and-other-businesses-126081701142_1.html

🏦 *Sebi Chief Rules Out CAS Rollback*

Chairman Tuhin Kanta Pandey says the Closing Auction Session stays despite trader pushback over F&O losses, with refinements planned.

Removes near-term uncertainty for options traders but signals no quick relief on CAS-related costs.

📎 _Read: Economic Times_

https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/markets/stocks/news/sebi-chair-rules-out-cas-rollback-assures-commitment-to-resolving-ongoing-financial-issues/articleshow/133308903.cms

💻 *AI Drives Nearly Half Of Indian IT M&A Deals: Crisil*

Over 70% of AI-capability acquisitions by top Indian IT firms in two fiscals targeted US/Europe assets — TCS, Coforge, Infosys, Wipro all named.

Signals IT majors are buying AI capability rather than building it, a theme to watch heading into Q2 earnings.

📎 _Read: ANI_

https://aninews.in/news/business/ai-capabilities-drive-nearly-half-of-indian-it-sector-mampa-deals-in-past-two-fiscals-crisil20260817153627

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🏢 *COMPANIES*

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💰 *Aegis Logistics In Talks For $1.5-Billion Tristar Buy*

Aegis is in advanced, exclusive talks to acquire UAE’s Tristar and is lining up acquisition financing.

Would be one of the sector’s largest consolidation deals, expanding Aegis’s global logistics footprint.

📎 _Read: Economic Times_

https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/markets/stocks/news/aegis-logistics-in-talks-to-acquire-uaes-tristar-for-1-5-billion/articleshow/133308925.cms

💻 *IT Outsourcing Revenue Grows, Hiring Doesn’t*

Nasscom data shows FY26 sector revenue up 6.1% to $315bn even as headcount growth lagged at 2.3%, with TCS and Infosys workforces shrinking.

AI now handles enough billable work that clients are pushing back on rates — a margin lever, but a headcount risk for the sector.

📎 _Read: Economic Times_

https://finance.yahoo.com/technology/ai/articles/indias-outsourcing-industry-feels-ais-152111368.html

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🌍 *GLOBAL & WORLD*

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🔋 *Copper Hits Six-Month High On LME Supply Concerns*

Falling London Metal Exchange inventories and a weaker dollar lifted copper and other industrial metals.

A tailwind for India’s metal producers and a read-through for global manufacturing demand.

📎 _Read: Economic Times_

https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/markets/us-stocks/wall-street-guide/copper-hits-over-six-month-high-as-lme-supply-concerns-mount/articleshow/133301659.cms

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_Compiled by InvestoScope · 18 Aug 2026_