Business
Demat account additions hit 7-month high in August as IPO boom draws investors
NSDL and CDSL together added nearly 3.27 million demat accounts in August, the highest monthly addition since January 2026. The total number of demat accounts stood at 237.7 million at the end of the month.
ET BureauThe figure does not represent the number of unique investors, as individuals can hold multiple demat accounts. The number of unique investors is estimated at around 135 million.
“Buoyancy in IPO markets is one of the reasons for the sharp jump in new demat accounts. Strong small- and midcaps have also raised investor return expectations from IPO debuts,” said Sriram Velayudhan, senior VP, IIFL Capital Services.
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The pickup came amid weakness in the benchmark indices, with the Sensex falling 1.5% and the Nifty declining 1.2% in August. However, segments of the market that tend to see stronger retail participation remained buoyant. The BSE MidCap 150 gained 1.6%, the BSE SmallCap 250 rose 2.4% and the BSE Microcap 250 jumped 6.2% during the month.
Robust primary market activity was a key factor driving new account additions, experts said. August was the busiest month for IPO and offer-for-sale (OFS) activity in 2026, with 23 IPOs raising ₹22,448 crore and two OFS transactions raising ₹31,660 crore.
With Jio and NSE expected to launch their IPOs in the coming months, market participants expect the pace of demat additions to pick up further.
Business
CAS effect: Pre-open session rules to change from today. What changes for investors?
From 9:05 am to 9:10 am, the exchange will accept only limit orders. Any market order placed during this period will be rejected.
The change is important for traders who usually place orders closer to the end of the pre-open session. Under the new system, they will no longer be able to put in market orders after 9:05 am and will have to specify a price through a limit order.
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How the new pre-open session will work
The first phase will run from 9 am to 9:05 am. During this period, investors can enter, modify or cancel both market and limit orders. The second phase will run from 9:05 am to 9:10 am. Only limit orders will be allowed during this period. NSE has also provided for random closure during the final two minutes of this phase.
Order matching will take place between 9:10 am and 9:12 am. The next three minutes, from 9:12 am to 9:15 am, will be used as a transition period before the normal market session begins.
This means regular trading will still start at 9:15 am, as usual. The change is only in the order-entry rules during the pre-open auction.Read more : Stocks in news: Tata Motors, RVNL, Eicher Motors, Mazagon Dock and Lupin
What changes for traders
A market order is an order to buy or sell at the best available price. It is simple to place, but the final execution price can be uncertain, especially on days when the market opens with a large gap or when a stock is volatile.
A limit order is different. It allows a buyer to set the maximum price they are willing to pay, and a seller to set the minimum price they are willing to accept. This gives traders more control over the execution price.
Under the new framework, anyone placing an order between 9:05 am and 9:10 am will have to use a limit order. This may reduce the chance of sudden price distortions caused by late market orders in the pre-open window.
Read more : NSE IPO set to deliver massive gains of Rs 7,200 crore to state-run insurance firms
Execution priority
NSE has also laid out how orders will be matched in the revised session. Market orders matched with other market orders will get the highest priority, based on time priority. After that, any remaining market orders will be matched with limit orders using price-time priority.
In the final stage, remaining limit orders will be matched against other limit orders, again using price-time priority.
The revised process brings the pre-open session closer to the auction structure used in the Closing Auction Session, or CAS. NSE said the move is aimed at aligning the market-opening mechanism with the closing auction framework.
(Disclaimer: Recommendations, suggestions, views and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of Economic Times)
Business
Quick exit for Black Cat boss James Bruce
Black Cat Syndicate managing director James Bruce has been ousted, less than seven months after joining the board of the West Perth-based gold miner.
Business
Invesco Global Core Equity Fund Q2 2026 Commentary
Invesco Global Core Equity Fund Q2 2026 Commentary
Business
Bassett Furniture Industries: Cheap, But Economic Risks Weigh
Bassett Furniture Industries: Cheap, But Economic Risks Weigh
Business
Conagra: Conservative Guidance, Turnaround Initiatives, And Low Valuations Create An Attractive Setup
Conagra: Conservative Guidance, Turnaround Initiatives, And Low Valuations Create An Attractive Setup
Business
Hang Seng trapped in 24,950-26,200 range: Hourly levels

Hang Seng trapped in 24,950-26,200 range: Hourly levels
Business
Can Prasol Chemicals IPO deliver long-term growth for high-risk investors?
ET BureauBusiness
Incorporated in 1992, Prasol Chemicals is focused on manufacturing acetone-based and phosphorus-based derivatives, catering to diverse end-use industries such as performance chemicals (including lubricant additives and mining chemicals), pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, paints, inks, construction & adhesives (PICA), and home and personal care. Its product portfolio includes 21 acetone-based chemicals, 53 phosphorous-based chemicals, and 76 other specialty chemicals. In FY26, acetone-based specialty chemicals contributed 42.8% of revenue, phosphorus-based specialty chemicals 38.3%, and other specialty chemicals 18.3%.
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Financials
Revenue from operations grew 18.6% annually to ₹1,232.6 crore and net profit surged 114.1% annually to ₹83.1 crore between FY24 and FY26. Operating profit before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) jumped 51.7% to ₹139.3 crore during the same period. EBITDA margin improved to 11.3% in FY26 from 6.9% in FY24. Cash flow from operations dropped to ₹49.5 crore in FY26 from ₹115.6 crore in FY24, largely due to working-capital swings, rising receivables and inventory as the company scaled up operations and expanded sales. Working capital days increased to 49 days in FY26 from 35 days in FY24.
Valuation
Considering the post-IPO equity and net profit for FY26, the company demands a price-earnings (P/E) multiple of 48, compared with 27-197 for its peers such as Aarti Industries, Atul, Laxmi Organic Industries, Vinati Organics, Privi Specialty Chemicals, Yasho Industries and Excel Industries.
Business
Chinese steelmaker Baowu eyes stake in BHP's Jimblebar iron ore mine
The world’s largest steelmaker is mulling a stake in one of the world’s largest mining companies’ Pilbara mines.
Business
Japan’s August foreign reserves post largest-ever drop after record intervention

Japan’s August foreign reserves post largest-ever drop after record intervention
Business
Amazon responds after cargo plane crash kills 5 at Miami airport
Officials say at least five people are dead and five others injured after an Amazon cargo plane overran the runway, struck multiple vehicles and caught fire at Miami International Airport.
Amazon said it is cooperating with authorities after a cargo plane operating on behalf of Amazon Air crashed while attempting to land at Miami International Airport on Sunday, killing at least five people and injuring five others.
The company confirmed to FOX Business that the aircraft involved in the crash was operated by cargo carrier 21 Air, which flies for Amazon Air.
Amazon Air is Amazon’s air cargo network, helping move packages between the company’s facilities, according to its website.
“We’re heartbroken to learn that five people lost their lives in today’s incident at Miami International Airport. Our deepest sympathies go out to the families, loved ones, and all those affected by this devastating loss,” an Amazon spokesperson said.
RYANAIR PASSENGER RECOUNTS BEING PARTLY SUCKED OUT AIRPLANE WINDOW: ‘I AM LUCKY’

An Amazon cargo plane is seen after it crashed at Miami International Airport on September 6, 2026, in Miami, Florida. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
“The airplane, which was operated by 21 Air, was attempting to land when this incident occurred. We’re working closely with local authorities and officials to learn more and will cooperate fully with any investigation,” the spokesperson added.
Prime Air Flight 7598 — a Boeing 767-300 operated by 21 Air — overran the runway while attempting to land at Miami International Airport around 2 p.m. local time after departing San Juan, Puerto Rico, according to authorities.
Miami-Dade officials said the aircraft struck multiple vehicles and caught fire.
At least five people were killed, and five others were injured. Three victims were transported to a trauma center in critical condition, while two others were taken to a local hospital, authorities said.

Prime Air Flight 7598 overran the runway while attempting to land at Miami International Airport around 2 p.m. local time after departing San Juan, Puerto Rico. (CHANDAN KHANNA / AFP via Getty Images)
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are investigating the crash.
Boeing told Fox News that the aircraft was first delivered as a passenger plane in 1994 before later being converted to a freighter.
“Boeing extends our deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives in the accident in Miami,” the company said.
“Our hearts go out to those injured and affected by this tragedy. Boeing is supporting the investigation led by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board.”
It was not immediately clear whether the crash would affect Amazon Air operations or package deliveries.
MAJOR US AIRPORT GETTING NEW TECH TO PREVENT RUNWAY INCIDENTS

It was not immediately clear whether the crash would affect Amazon Air operations or package deliveries. (KAZUHIRO NOGI/AFP via Getty Images)
Previous cargo aircraft accidents have prompted heightened regulatory scrutiny and, in certain cases, resulted in temporary operational disruptions.
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The last fatal crash involving Amazon’s air cargo network occurred in 2019, when an Atlas Air Boeing 767 operating for Amazon Air crashed in Texas, killing all three people aboard, officials said at the time.
21 Air could not immediately be reached by FOX Business for comment.
Fox News Digital’s Bonny Chu contributed to this report.
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