Asian markets traded higher on Friday after US President Donald Trump signed an executive order formalizing a lower Japanese auto import tariff of 15%.

US stock market ended higher on Thursday, with the S&P 500 posting a closing record high.

Here's a table showing how US stocks performed on Thursday:

Source: Equitymaster

At present, the BSE Sensex is trading 190 points higher, and the NSE Nifty is trading 63 points higher.

M&M, Tata Motors, and  Trent are among the top gainers today.

ITC, NTPC, and HDFC Bank, on the other hand, are among the top losers today.

The BSE Midcap index is trading 0.5% higher and the BSE Smallcap index is trading 0.5% higher.

Sectoral indices are trading mixed today, with stocks in the auto sector and realty sector witnessing buying. Meanwhile, stocks in the metal sector and the oil & gas sector are witnessing selling pressure.

The rupee is trading at Rs 88.0 against the US dollar.
 

Bharat Forge Expands Defence Manufacturing

The forging and precision engineering company Bharat Forge Limited announced that Agneyastra Energetics Limited, its step-down subsidiary, had entered a contract with Andhra Pradesh Industrial Infrastructure Corporation Ltd. for the purchase of a parcel of land in Madakasira, Anantapur district, that is approximately 949.65 acres in size.

The land will be used to build a defence manufacturing complex that will produce explosives, ammunition, and gun propellants. It will also have space for future expansion to make energetics for rockets, missiles, and space vehicles.

Kalyani Strategic Systems Limited, a fully owned subsidiary of Bharat Forge, was used to incorporate Agneyastra Energetics.

The land purchase, according to the company, is in line with its growth goals and will allow it to increase its footprint in the defence industry.
 

Torrent Pharma Makes Big Acquisition Move

An open offer to purchase a Rs 68.4 billion (bn) stake in JB Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals Ltd. was announced by Torrent Pharmaceutical Ltd.

The action follows the company's announcement earlier this year that it would fully dilute and purchase a controlling stake in JB Chemicals from international investment firm KKR for Rs 256.8 bn.

According to the exchange filing on Thursday, the Ahmedabad-based company will pay Rs 1,639.18 per share to acquire a 26% stake in the business.

On 18 July 2025, Ahmedabad-based Torrent Pharmaceuticals requested approval from the CCI, the fair-trade regulator, to purchase the majority of JB Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals for Rs 195 bn.

To get the required approval, the company also applied to the Competition Commission of South Africa on 10 August 2025.

After the transaction is completed, Torrent Pharmaceuticals will rank as the second-most valuable pharmaceutical company in India.

According to the company, Torrent will use a scheme of arrangement to integrate JB Pharma into its operations after acquiring the stake. JB Pharma shareholders who currently own 100 shares of Torrent will receive 51 shares of Torrent following the merger.
 

HDFC Life Shares Await GST Impact

Following the company's announcement that it will implement the updated GST structure for all insurance products beginning September 22, 2025, HDFC Life Insurance shares are in focus today.

The insurance company welcomes the government's decision to reduce GST on life insurance products, making it more affordable for customers to buy life insurance and protect their families.

The company expects the GST cut to boost demand for life insurance over time, benefiting its business. It also sees this change as positive for the industry, driving growth and increasing insurance penetration.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced tax relief for insurance in the 56th GST Council meeting, exempting individual life and health insurance policies from the 18% GST rate.

The GST exemption applies to various insurance products like term life, ULIPs, endowment plans, and health insurance policies. The new rules will start from 22 September 2025.

More By This Author: