💹 *Daily Business Briefs | Saturday, 08 Aug 2026*

_Markets closed today — Saturday_

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📊 *ECONOMY & POLICY*

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🏦 *Forex reserves jump $10.5 bn to $692.87 bn*

RBI data shows the sharpest weekly reserve build in over six months.

A bigger external buffer cushions the rupee just as crude and tariff risks rise.

📎 _Read: Business Standard_

https://www.business-standard.com/economy/news/india-s-forex-reserves-rise-10-51-billion-to-692-87-billion-rbi-data-126080701893_1.html

🤝 *India rules out a separate BRICS currency*

Commerce Minister Goyal told the Jaipur BRICS meet India opposes any move away from the dollar system.

Keeps India aligned with the West on de-dollarisation even as Russia and China push alternatives.

📎 _Read: Business Standard_

https://www.business-standard.com/economy/news/india-not-in-favour-of-separate-brics-currency-commerce-min-goyal-126080701754_1.html

💰 *Railways clears ₹1.93 trn debt in five years*

Vaishnaw flagged the deleveraging as a sign of fiscal discipline at the ministry.

Frees up headroom for the railway capex cycle without adding to the debt pile.

📎 _Read: Business Standard_

https://www.business-standard.com/india-news/indian-railways-repays-1-93-trillion-debt-in-five-years-says-vaishnaw-126080701950_1.html

⚡ *Cabinet clears ₹23,731 cr GOBARdhan biogas scheme*

A 10-year plan to scale compressed biogas 10x, with assured offtake and a fixed ₹2,110/MMBTU price.

Opens a bankable pipeline for CBG plant investors and city-gas distributors; approved Aug 6.

📎 _Read: Business Standard_

https://www.business-standard.com/economy/news/cabinet-approves-23-731-crore-gobardhan-scheme-for-compressed-biogas-126080601762_1.html

🛣️ *Cabinet approves ₹8,970 cr Guwahati-Tezpur highway*

A 135-km BOT-toll expressway in Assam, cleared Aug 6, includes an IAF emergency landing strip.

Positive read-through for road-EPC and toll-operator order books in the Northeast.

📎 _Read: Business Standard_

https://www.business-standard.com/economy/news/cabinet-approves-8-970-crore-guwahati-tezpur-highway-project-in-assam-126080601989_1.html

⚡ *₹81,287 cr allocated to NPCIL over five years*

Govt told Parliament nuclear PSU NPCIL has near-fully utilised the outlay toward the 100 GW-by-2047 target.

Signals sustained capex visibility for nuclear-equipment and EPC suppliers; disclosed Aug 6.

📎 _Read: Business Standard_

https://www.business-standard.com/economy/news/govt-allocated-81-287-crore-to-npcil-in-five-years-jitendra-singh-126080602103_1.html

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🏢 *COMPANIES*

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📈 *SBI Q1 profit rises 10.2% to ₹21,121 cr*

Standalone net profit beat estimates on higher income and lower NPA provisions; gross NPA improved to 1.47%.

Shares gained 3.5% Friday — a strong print from the bellwether PSU lender.

📎 _Read: Business Standard_

https://www.business-standard.com/companies/quarterly-results/sbi-q1-result-net-profit-rises-10-2-to-21-121-cr-income-at-1-43-trn-126080700991_1.html

📈 *Hindalco Q1 profit surges 75% to ₹7,013 cr*

Strong metals pricing drove the beat; the company is committing ₹50,000 cr to new projects.

Net debt climbs to ₹80,000 cr on the expansion — a leverage metric worth tracking against the capex payoff.

📎 _Read: Business Standard_

https://www.business-standard.com/companies/news/hindalco-bets-on-50k-crore-projects-as-debt-peaks-to-80-000-crore-126080701949_1.html

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🌍 *GLOBAL & WORLD*

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🔥 *US Senate clears bill for 100% tariffs on India, China*

The Graham-Blumenthal Russia/Iran sanctions bill passed 86-11, letting Trump slap 100% tariffs on top buyers of Russian oil — India is on that list.

Heads to the House on Aug 31; a major tail-risk for India’s US-bound exports and the rupee if enacted.

📎 _Read: Business Standard_

https://www.business-standard.com/economy/news/us-senate-clears-russia-sanctions-bill-with-100-tariffs-on-india-china-126080800051_1.html

🔥 *Iran talks will be “messy,” take time: US VP Vance*

Vance tempered hopes for a quick nuclear deal, keeping West Asia risk elevated.

Sustains the crude risk premium that’s already pressuring India’s import bill.

📎 _Read: Business Standard_

https://www.business-standard.com/world-news/iran-talks-going-to-be-messy-will-take-time-us-vice-president-jd-vance-126080600300_1.html

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_Compiled by InvestoScope · 08 Aug 2026_