Picks

Two advisers have links to a venture fund co-investing in US defense companies that benefit from federal spendingPete Hegseth’s appointments to a key Pentagon advisory body include two men with ties to the venture capital fund where Donald Trump Jr is a partner, which has lucrative investments in military and space technology.Defense Policy Board appointee Marc Andreessen’s firm, Andreessen Horowitz, one of Silicon Valley’s largest venture capital firms and known by the name “a16z”, co-invests alongside the Trump partnership 1789 Capital in three defense contractors. Fellow DPB appointee Blake Masters also sits on the boards of three ventures tied to 1789 Capital. Continue reading...

• Market analysts have identified nine top banking stocks to buy, citing strong fundamentals and positive earnings momentum across the sector. • Axis Bank is the top pick among the list, with analysts projecting a significant upside potential of 27.46%. • Other recommended stocks include major institutions such as ICICI Bank, State Bank of India (SBI), and Canara Bank.

Factories in upbeat mood despite fears over economic impact of US war on Iran, poll findsBusiness live – latest updatesUK manufacturers ramped up production last month for the fourth consecutive month and at the fastest pace in almost two years, according to a leading survey of the industry.The S&P Global poll of manufacturers found them in upbeat mood in July, though anxious about the prospect of a long war in the Middle East that would block supplies of oil and gas, and raise the cost of production. Continue reading...

• Amazon Prime Video has signed a multi-year deal with CJ ENM to bring over 100 Korean dramas to the Indian market. • This agreement extends a 2025 global licensing pact and includes 26 new series, featuring titles such as 'Yumi's Cells Season 3', 'Filing for Love', and 'The Legend of Kitchen Soldier'. • The move highlights the surging popularity of K-content in India and Prime Video's strategy to capture a larger share of the regional streaming audience.

• Brokerages have identified several top stock picks for today's trade, including SBI Life, SBI Cards, Adani Energy, Tata Consumer, and Shriram Finance. • ACC is undergoing a merger with Ambuja Cements, where ACC shareholders will receive 328 Ambuja shares for every 100 ACC shares held. • Financial forecasts for an unspecified entity show a significant earnings trim of 28% for FY27E and 2% for FY28E, with the target price lowered to Rs310.

• Global economic trends show mixed signals, with US unemployment claims hitting a near 60-year low, indicating a highly stable labor market. • South Korea's economy experienced faster-than-expected growth, primarily fueled by a continuing boom in artificial intelligence chips. • Central bank policies diverged as the European Central Bank deferred rate hikes until September, while Russia and Hungary cut rates and Indonesia and South Africa held them steady.

Judit Polgár to discuss role with prime minister, who says Hungary needs someone the whole nation is proud ofHungary’s prime minister, Péter Magyar, has announced plans to ask Judit Polgár, widely considered the greatest female chess player of all time, to take on the largely ceremonial role of president.Magyar said he would meet Polgár on Monday to discuss the matter. “Our country needs unity, peace and a president that all Hungarians can be proud of,” he wrote on social media. “Judit Polgár’s name has been synonymous with talent and perseverance for decades.” Continue reading...

• Morningstar is reviewing market trends and sector stock picks as the second-quarter earnings season intensifies. • Analyst Austin Taggart reports that recent financial results from the nation's largest banks indicate a positive outlook for the broader economy. • Investors are now shifting focus toward upcoming earnings reports from major tech players, specifically Tesla and Alphabet.

• Investment expert Gaurang Shah has identified Indian Bank, State Bank of India (SBI), ICICI Bank, and Federal Bank as his preferred banking stocks for long-term investment. • Within the public sector banking segment, Shah specifically highlighted Indian Bank Ltd and State Bank of India Ltd as top picks. • These recommendations serve as a guide for investors seeking stability and growth within the Indian financial sector over a prolonged horizon.

• Rime announced on Wednesday that it has raised $24 million in a Series A funding round led by M13 Ventures, with participation from Twilio Ventures, Corazon Capital, and Unusual Ventures. • The company currently manages over 100 million monthly customer calls for various enterprises, focusing on improving automated voice interactions. • The funding aims to address a gap in the market where enterprises still rely on legacy IVR systems because current AI voice technology often lacks the necessary effectiveness.

• ASML has increased its financial guidance due to surging global demand for AI chips, signaling continued growth in semiconductor investments. • OpenAI is reportedly exploring the launch of a screen-free AI speaker, potentially expanding the company's reach into consumer hardware. • New reports have highlighted the highest-paying degrees and the rise of "founder factories" in Europe designed to accelerate startup growth.

• Morningstar has identified four Asia equity funds from Wellington Management, Allianz GI, Barings, and iShares as top picks for investors seeking AI exposure. • One highlighted strategy focuses on Korean equities, utilizing a bottom-up analysis and a "growth-at-a-reasonable-price" investment style. • Managed by Singapore-based Eunice Hong and co-manager Julie Lee, the fund aims for a 3% gross outperformance against the MSCI Korea Index.

• Morningstar analysts have released their top stock picks for Q3, focusing on undervalued opportunities across various market sectors. • Analyst Sean Dunlop identifies the financial sector as particularly attractive, arguing that current market fears regarding AI disruption and private credit cracks are indiscriminate. • Specifically, Morningstar recommends Charles Schwab (SCHW) and Bank of America (BAC) as favored stocks to buy amidst this volatility.

• Bank of America analysts are identifying three top stock picks for the third quarter as Wall Street strategists reassess market directions. • The outlook is currently shaped by strong corporate earnings reports, resilient economic data, and ongoing geopolitical developments. • In a separate development, TipRanks has launched a new ETF trading on the NYSE under the ticker RANK, utilizing the company's unique data to power its index.

• Disney+ and Hulu have announced their content lineup for July 2026, featuring a variety of new releases and returning series. • Key highlights include the return of X-Men '97 and a new project starring Tom Hiddleston exploring the city of Pompeii. • The Twilight film series will also be added to the Hulu library, expanding the platform's available movie catalog.

• Several major stocks, including HDFC Bank, Pidilite, Mahindra, UPL, and Prestige, have been identified as top picks by brokerage firms for today's trading session. • These recommendations are based on current market analysis and brokerage radar, though NDTV Profit clarifies that these views belong to independent investment advisers. • This selection matters for investors seeking short-term opportunities or portfolio adjustments based on professional brokerage sentiment.

Caroline Simpson worked closely with Burnham when he was Greater Manchester mayorUK politics live – latest updatesAndy Burnham has asked the current chief executive of the Greater Manchester combined authority to be his deputy chief of staff, leading the new No 10 North, if as expected he becomes prime minister in three weeks’ time.Caroline Simpson, who worked closely with Burnham when he was mayor, will be based in Manchester to oversee the devolution of power and resources across the UK that he promised would transform the country. Continue reading...

• Global companies are investing billions of dollars into India's AI infrastructure, cloud computing, and data centers, reflecting strong confidence in the nation's digital expansion. • Despite this trend, HSBC Private Bank's latest Asia investment roadmap prioritizes high-conviction bets on China, Japan, South Korea, and Singapore over India. • This divergence highlights a gap between long-term infrastructure growth in India and the immediate strategic investment preferences of major global financial institutions.

• ESPN draft insiders analyzed the outcomes of the 2026 NBA draft's first round following the events of Tuesday's selection process. • The analysis focuses on the top 30 picks, identifying which teams successfully navigated the draft and highlighting the most impactful player selections. • The breakdown examines the "twists, turns and trades" that occurred, providing a critical look at the biggest questions remaining for the teams involved.

Decision is one of Makerfield MP’s most significant since his Westminster return as he builds his team for governmentAndy Burnham has chosen his Blairite former colleague James Purnell as his chief of staff, the Guardian understands, as he begins to finalise his team for government.The Makerfield MP has picked his former cabinet colleague to be his right-hand man in Downing Street, in one of the most significant decisions he has made since returning to Westminster. Continue reading...

• Market analysts Ansh Jogendra Bhilwar and Pooja Tripathi have released a watchlist of recommended stocks, including Wipro, L&T, and HAL, focusing on cash and derivatives. • The suggestions cover a variety of investment horizons, ranging from short-term trades to long-term themes across multiple sectors. • Specifically, Tripathi recommends buying Asian Paints futures with a target price of Rs 2,810 and a stop loss set at Rs 2,710.

• Market strategist Anand James of Geojit Investments has recommended Aurionpro Solutions as a top stock pick for June 16. • James suggests a "Buy" view for the stock with a target price of ₹950 and a stop-loss set at ₹814. • The recommendation is based on a constructive technical setup and a decisive break above the Supertrend resistance, signaling a shift from a bearish to a bullish short-term trend.

• European Sports Commissioner Glenn Micallef met with POLITICO in Brussels last week to discuss his perspectives on the upcoming World Cup. • During the conversation, Micallef shared his personal sports predictions and discussed the tradition of collecting Panini stickers. • The exchange provides a rare personal glimpse into the interests of the EU's top sports official outside of his formal policy duties.

• A powerful 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck the southern Philippine island of Mindanao, resulting in at least 55 confirmed deaths. • The quake caused widespread destruction across the region, leaving a trail of collapsed buildings and damaged infrastructure. • This event marks the strongest earthquake to hit the Philippines in several decades, highlighting the country's extreme vulnerability to seismic activity.

• Indian startups are increasing their focus on AI, deeptech, healthcare, and enterprise technology as funding momentum recovers across the ecosystem. • Bengaluru-based Exponent Energy secured ₹200 crore in fresh funding to boost India's electric mobility infrastructure, co-led by 360 ONE Asset and TDK Ventures. • This trend highlights a strategic shift toward building critical technology infrastructure domestically to support accelerating AI adoption and enterprise digitalization.

• Simply Wall St has identified three top Asian dividend stocks as attractive options for investors seeking a balance of stability and returns. • The recommendations come as global markets face a complex landscape of economic resilience and ongoing inflationary pressures. • These equities are highlighted for their potential to provide both growth and consistent income within the dynamic Asian market.

• The BCCI has selected a full-strength 15-member squad for the 2026 Asian Games, featuring star players like Jasprit Bumrah and Shreyas Iyer. • In a significant roster change, the captain who led India to a gold medal at the 2022 Asian Games has been excluded from the team. • This selection signals India's intent to prioritize a gold medal by fielding its top-tier talent rather than a developmental side.

• The article identifies 10 top AI stocks to watch for 2026, featuring industry leaders such as Nvidia, Alphabet, Palantir, and CoreWeave. • Microsoft is highlighted for its aggressive investment in the sector, including the late 2024 launch of Azure AI Foundry to help customers build AI applications. • CEO Satya Nadella views AI as the next major computing platform, a strategy supported by Microsoft's significant equity stake in OpenAI.