US stock markets today (May 22, 2026): Wall Street gains as bond market pressure eases, S&P eyes eighth straight winning week

US stocks moved higher on Friday, putting Wall Street on course for an eighth consecutive weekly gain as easing pressure from the bond market lifted investor sentiment, AP reported.The S&P 500 rose 0.6 per cent and moved closer to the all-time high it touched last week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 307 points, or…

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Will the US Federal Reserve hike rates again? Governor Chris Waller joins hawkish camp

US Federal Reserve Governor Chris Waller has joined a growing group of policymakers calling for the central bank to signal that its next move may not necessarily be an interest rate cut as inflation pressures remain elevated, AFP reported.The comments come as the US economy continues to grapple with stubborn price pressures, with consumer inflation…

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India blocks China’s WTO panel bid over solar support measures, dispute set for next stage

India has blocked China’s request to establish a dispute settlement panel at the World Trade Organization (WTO) in a case challenging New Delhi’s support measures for the solar cells, modules and information technology sectors, PTI reported.China had earlier this month approached the WTO’s dispute settlement body seeking the formation of a panel after bilateral consultations…

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AIIB launches $10 billion support facility for countries hit by Middle East conflict, India among key shareholders

The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) has launched a $10 billion fund facility to support member countries affected by the economic fallout of the ongoing Middle East conflict, PTI reported. India is the second-largest shareholder in the China-led multilateral lender after China.The Beijing-headquartered bank said the newly launched Energy, Food Security and Economic Resilience Facility…

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RBI announces record Rs 2.87 lakh crore dividend payout to Centre, surplus transfer rises again

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Friday announced a record dividend payout of Rs 2.87 lakh crore to the government for FY26, providing additional fiscal space amid evolving global and geopolitical challenges, PTI reported. The decision on the surplus transfer was taken at the 623rd meeting of the RBI Central Board of Directors chaired…

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SBI Mutual Fund raises Bandhan Bank bet, stake crosses 5% mark after fresh share purchase

SBI Mutual Fund has increased its holding in private sector lender Bandhan Bank, with its stake crossing the 5 per cent threshold following an additional purchase of shares from the open market, PTI reported.In a regulatory filing, Bandhan Bank said the final holding of SBI Mutual Fund, through its various schemes, stood at 8,12,46,734 shares…

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Hormuz crisis: Venezuela becomes India’s third-largest crude oil supplier in May

Venezuela has emerged as India’s third-largest crude oil supplier so far in May, overtaking Saudi Arabia and the United States, as Indian refiners increased purchases of cheaper heavy crude amid disruptions linked to the ongoing West Asia conflict.The South American nation supplied around 417,000 barrels per day (bpd) to India this month, sharply higher than…

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ITC sees 5% Y-o-Y net profit rise at over Rs 5k cr despite West Asia conflict | Kolkata News

Kolkata: ITC Ltd has reported a 5% year-on-year rise in standalone net profit from continuing operations for the fourth quarter of the last fiscal, at Rs 5,113.3 crore. The growth came despite a higher GST rate and a steep increase in excise duties, while West Asia conflict weighed on profitability.The Kolkata-headquartered company had seen a…

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Bankers pitch RBI-backed FX hedge

MUMBAI: Banks have made a host of suggestions on how govt could attract $30–$50bn foreign exchange, most of them involving the central bank subsidising the hedging cost of the foreign exchange.While the interest rate differential between India and the US is far less than the 4–5% in 2013, bankers say that the macroeconomic fundamentals are…

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