Trump says North Korea's Kim has responded to his overtures after move to scale back Seoul drills - The Business Times

• The Indian stock market experienced a downturn on August 18, 2026, with the Sensex falling 493 points. • The Nifty 50 index continued its downward trend, marking its sixth consecutive session of declines.

• A series of key economic indicators are scheduled for release today, including Eurozone Consumer Price Index and ZEW Economic Sentiment at 10:00 BST, and U.S. housing and industrial data at 13:30 BST. • Market analysis highlights that Taiwanese equities currently carry a geopolitical discount, warning that any escalation could trigger rapid volatility in semiconductors, global tech valuations, and Asian currencies.

• Indonesia's composite index (IHSG) rose by 1.26% on Monday, driven by strong net buying from foreign investors. • Key stocks attracting foreign capital included Bank Central Asia (BBCA), Aneka Tambang (ANTM), and Bumi Resources (BUMI).

• The SEC mandates that companies implement internal controls and maintain independent audit committees to prevent fraud and ensure accurate financial reporting. • These regulatory requirements are designed to increase corporate transparency and accountability across the financial sector.

• The Indian stock market continued its downward trend on Monday, with the Sensex falling for a second straight session and the Nifty declining for the fifth consecutive day. • Sectoral losses were widespread, with significant selling pressure impacting IT, FMCG, financial services, and PSU banks, though indices recovered sharply from intraday lows.

• UniCredit is pursuing a controlling stake in Commerzbank, with the German government showing signs of openness regarding its 12.7% ownership stake. • Berlin previously labeled UniCredit's hostile approach "unacceptable," citing concerns over job security, the stability of small and medium-sized enterprises, and Frankfurt's status as a financial hub.

• Global yields surged to multi-decade highs on August 17, 2026, driven by escalating geopolitical tensions and fiscal concerns. • Market instability was specifically linked to "fiscal woes" surrounding corporate issuance within the AI sector, impacting fixed income and equities.

• Indian equities declined on Tuesday, with the Sensex falling 493 points and the Nifty dropping 133 points due to intensified risk-off sentiment. • The market downturn was driven by fading hopes for peace in the Middle East, elevated crude oil prices, rising US yields, and weak global cues.

• The UK labour market is cooling, with youth unemployment dropping to 16.2%, though it remains high, potentially reducing the need for further Bank of England interest rate hikes. • Grocery inflation has slowed to a two-year low, while Brent crude oil prices have climbed above $91 a barrel following the end of the US-Iran ceasefire.

• Major indices including the Dow, S&P 500, and Nasdaq declined as oil prices rose due to escalating tensions between the US and Iran. • Treasury yields climbed amid national debt concerns, with the 30-year yield rising 5 basis points to 5.31%, marking its highest level since June 2007.

• The Indian stock market closed lower on August 17, 2026, with the Sensex dropping 280 points and the Nifty 50 falling 80 points to end at 24,287.65. • IT giants Infosys and HCL Tech were among the top losers of the session, contributing to the overall market decline.