*Financial News*
Source: Leading Newspapers
*Compiled by RUDRA SHARES* 
Vande Mataram
Tuesday, 19 May 2026

*Banking, Finance & Markets*
• ICICI Bank to retain majority stake in ICICI Prudential Life Insurance
• RBI likely to pay a big dividend to the Centre
• Credit card transactions jump 2.6 times in four years: RBI report
• Margin trading funding soars in April as traders return to markets
• FII/FPIs net bought Indian equities worth Rs 2,814 crore while DIIs bought Rs 4,703 crore on May 18
• Tax cut alone may not revive foreign bond inflows into India, say experts
• Bharti Airtel overtakes HDFC Bank to become India’s second most valued company

*Energy, Power & Utilities*
• Tata Power and Druk Green ink pact for Bhutan’s clean energy framework
• Govt working on plan to roll out water metro transport system in 18 cities
• Mukesh Ambani’s battery empire dream still appears dependent on China’s supply chain

*Metals & Mining*
• Supreme Court to hear tax department plea against Vedanta relief in TDS dispute
• Tata Steel says Europe’s steel challenges could become India’s competitive advantage in future

*Telecom & Technology*
• Vodafone Idea says “worst is behind us” and FY27 will begin with a clear execution plan
• IT index extends gains, rises nearly 4% in two days as rupee depreciates; Persistent and Coforge among top gainers

*Consumer, FMCG & Retail*
• United Breweries announces closure of Ludhiana brewery unit from June 30
• TCPL sees strong growth runway in India, says Chairman N Chandrasekaran
• Prudential’s India growth strategy faces distribution and expansion challenges

*Healthcare & Biotechnology*
• Vikas Khemani-backed Q-Line Biotech, the biggest SME IPO of the year, to open on May 21

*Economy & Policy*
• Current account deficit likely to widen to 2.3% of GDP in FY27 from 0.9% in FY26: Report
• Oil and remittance risks could widen India’s external deficit sharply in FY27: HSBC
• India should increase investment in R&D to 2% of GDP, says NITI Aayog
• India locks in massive $198.2 billion US defence deal

*Commodities*
• Silver stood at Rs 2,68,129 spot on May 18
• Gold stood at Rs 1,57,392 spot on May 18
• Oil slips, stocks in Asia rise on Iran optimism
• Fuel price hike: Petrol price increased by 87 paise, diesel by 91 paise
• Gold industry body meets with Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal to discuss formation of a Bullion Bank

*Politics & Governance*
• West Bengal Cabinet approves 7th Pay Commission and welfare schemes including Rs 3,000 support for women
• Bengal CM announces revival of scholarships for economically weak students and withdrawal of religious allowances
• UP Cabinet allocation signals status quo in state BJP leadership setup
• Suvendu Adhikari alleges “infiltrators” may face deportation after Bengal voter list concerns

*Global News*
• Donald Trump says there is a “very positive development” in Iran talks

Jai Hind
Rudra Hai to Mudra Hai
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