MUMBAI: A trading combination involving Nifty options is gaining prominence among savvy trading desks of institutional investors. The strategy, known as calendar spread, where traders simultaneously sell options contracts in the current month and purchase in the next month, is being recommended by brokers to institutional clients, who see sharp moves in Nifty options’ implied volatility — a key component of options pricing — in September.

“There is scope for money to be made by selling current month vols (implied volatility) and buying September vols,” said Girish Patil, manager-derivatives, Antique Stockbroking. In this spread strategy, traders use the premium they receive by selling the current series to part-finance the cost of buying options in the next month. “With only a few more days for the August series expiry, vols are unlikely to jump in this series,” Patil said.

Futures and options contracts for the August series will expire on 26th while the September series will expire on 30th next month.

Options sellers, who pocket the premium from the buyer, prefer fewer trading days in a trading month because of time value — another key aspect of options pricing. Time value of options decays closer to expiry of contracts, resulting in limited movements in options prices.

Selling Nifty 5500 calls options in the August series and buying the same contract in the September series is a good strategy in this kind of a market, said Shailesh Kadam, AVP-derivatives, PINC Research.

“This strategy bets that the Nifty will be range-bound and will not move above 5500 in the August series, while the undertone is positive next month,” Kadam said.
In the past one month, the Nifty has largely moved in a tight band between 5350 and 5450, resulting in the volatility index — a measure of traders’ expectations of near-term risks in the market — moving in the 15-20% band, the lowest range since January 2008. This indicates traders are comfortable about the market levels in the near-term.

Brokers said that options traders have struggled to make money, of late, in the absence of sharp index movements. “Vol buyers (buyers of options) have lost their money, while sellers don’t have the courage to sell vols at such low levels,” said the head of derivatives at an institutional broking house. “So, unless there is a sharp move, calendar spread appears to be the best strategy,” he said.

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Krabi Province saw a significant rise in staycation bookings on Traveloka, doubling compared to last year. This growth highlights traveler confidence and showcases Krabi’s appeal for short getaways, enhanced by coordinated efforts for improved tourism standards and safety.

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Key Points

• Krabi Province saw a significant rise in staycation accommodation bookings on Traveloka, more than doubling from last year, indicating strong traveler confidence in the region’s appeal as a destination for short getaways.
• The area’s popularity is attributed to its stunning beaches, islands, natural attractions, quality accommodations, and unique dining options, attracting travelers who desire relaxation, exploration, and wellness experiences.
• Governor Angkoon Silathewakul acknowledged the collaborative efforts of government, private sectors, and local communities in enhancing service standards and safety, reinforcing Krabi’s commitment to high-quality, sustainable tourism experiences.

Krabi Province recorded Thailand’s highest growth in staycation accommodation bookings on Traveloka, with bookings more than doubling compared to the same period last year. This increase demonstrates strong traveler confidence in Krabi as a leading destination for short-term getaways.

​The booking data confirms Krabi’s ongoing popularity, supported by its renowned beaches, islands, natural attractions, quality accommodations, and distinctive dining options. These features appeal to travelers seeking experiences that combine relaxation, exploration, and wellness.

​Krabi Governor Angkoon Silathewakul credited this growth to the joint efforts of government agencies, the private sector, tourism operators, and local communities. He noted that these groups have consistently worked to raise service standards, enhance public facilities, and promote tourism activities.

​The governor emphasized the administration’s commitment to visitor safety, maintaining tourist site quality, and ensuring convenient travel. He highlighted that Krabi offers both natural beauty and a safe, welcoming environment for all visitors. Authorities remain dedicated to enhancing local tourism to provide memorable and secure experiences.

​The increase in staycation travel reflects a shift in traveler preferences toward short two- to three-day trips for relaxation. This trend strengthens Krabi’s position as a leading destination for experiential travel in Thailand and supports its goal of becoming a sustainable, high-quality tourism hub.

Source : Krabi Leads Thailand in Staycation Booking Growth on Traveloka

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Seeking Alpha’s Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.

Amelia Lee
Head of Investor Relations & Corporate Communications

Good morning, everyone. Thank you for joining us at Seatrium’s First Half 2026 Results Briefing. My name is Amelia, and I take care of Investor Relations for Seatrium. This morning, we have with us our CEO, Mr. Chris Ong; our CFO, Dr. Stephen Liu.

Chris and Stephen will bring us through a short presentation before we open the floor to questions. Chris, please?

Leng Yeow Ong
CEO & Executive Director

Thank you, Amelia. Good morning, and thank you for joining us today for Seatrium’s First Half 2026 Results Briefing. Today’s results center on 3 key themes. First, despite macroeconomic uncertainties, we continue to deliver strong progress. While revenue maintained healthy momentum, our primary focus is driving margin efficiencies. Our cost optimization and divestments are delivering real sustainable benefits.

Second, we remain well positioned to capture opportunities from a global pipeline of over $32 billion. Although the market was relatively quiet in the first half, we are actively engaged across all major energy markets and expect FID momentum to accelerate in the coming quarters. Our net order book remains healthy at $13.3 billion, providing clear near-term earning visibility with a higher quality project mix.

Third, we are shifting from recovery to value creation. This means growing earnings, generating cash and building resilience by scaling our series built and adjacent services

A second ransom note connected to the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of “Today” show co-anchor Savannah Guthrie, claims that Guthrie died shortly after being abducted from her Tucson, Arizona, home in early February, though authorities say they have not been able to verify that claim and continue to treat the case as an active missing-person investigation.

The message, dated Feb. 6, states that Guthrie “perished shortly after she was taken” and says she is “buried in nature.” The note’s author apologizes to the Guthrie family, describing her death as unintentional and attributing it to a “heart related” cause. The note continues, “We did not fully grasp the seriousness of her physical condition. We never intended to hurt her, that was not our intention. She perished shortly after she was taken. We believe it was heart related.” It concludes, “Nothing you could have done could have changed the outcome,” followed by an apology to the family.

Guthrie was last seen on the evening of Jan. 31 at her home in Tucson’s Catalina Foothills neighborhood. Family members reported her missing the following day after she failed to attend church, prompting an investigation that authorities have consistently treated as a suspected abduction from the outset.

An earlier ransom note, received Feb. 2, demanded $4 million in bitcoin by 5 p.m. on Feb. 5, with the demand increasing to $6 million if payment was delayed until Feb. 9. That first note included details investigators say suggested the author may have had direct knowledge of the crime scene, including references to a white smartwatch found on the floor beside Guthrie’s bed and a damaged floodlight outside the home. Investigators have said those details are significant but have not confirmed the note’s authenticity.

In late July, the Pima County Sheriff’s Department publicly released both ransom notes, saying it hoped members of the public might recognize the wording, writing style or other distinctive linguistic characteristics that could help identify the sender. Investigators believe both notes were sent from the same IP address, though the sender has not been publicly identified.

Savannah Guthrie has previously said she believes the two released notes may be authentic, distinguishing them from other messages the family received that she believes were fraudulent. “I tend to believe those are real,” she said in March, adding that the family had responded to the notes. In February, she also posted a public appeal on Instagram directed at whoever sent the messages. “We received your message and we understand,” she wrote. “We beg you now to return our mother to us so that we can celebrate with her.” She later told fellow “Today” host Hoda Kotb that the family could not find peace without knowing what had happened to her mother, urging anyone with information to contact investigators.

More than six months after Guthrie’s disappearance, the investigation remains active, with the FBI and the Pima County Sheriff’s Department continuing to pursue the case jointly. No arrests have been made and no suspect has been publicly identified. Authorities have reviewed hundreds of hours of surveillance footage, including video showing a masked individual outside Guthrie’s home on the night she disappeared, though investigators have not publicly identified that person or confirmed whether they were involved in the abduction.

A combined reward remains available for information leading to Guthrie’s location or the identification of those responsible, including a $1 million reward from the family and a separate $100,000 reward from the FBI. Investigators have pursued numerous leads throughout the case, including a volunteer search near Nogales, Mexico, prompted by an anonymous tip. Mexican authorities later said they found no evidence Guthrie had crossed into Sonora, and the Pima County Sheriff’s Department said it had not coordinated that particular search effort.

In June, deputies arrested Alexander Zabel Jr., 54, outside Guthrie’s home following repeated complaints about his behavior in the area. Authorities have not publicly linked Zabel to Guthrie’s disappearance.

The sheriff’s office continues asking the public to review the released ransom notes for any details that might help identify their author. While investigators regard the notes as significant pieces of evidence, they have not confirmed whether the person or people who wrote them were directly involved in Guthrie’s abduction, leaving open the possibility that the messages could have come from someone unconnected to the actual crime.

Anyone with information related to the case is urged to contact 911, the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI, or the Pima County Sheriff’s Department directly at 520-351-4900. Authorities have emphasized that the investigation remains ongoing and that no aspect of Guthrie’s fate, including the claims made in the second ransom note, has been independently confirmed as of the most recent public updates on the case.

LONDON/MUMBAI: Shares of NRI billionaire Anil Agarwal-led Vedanta Resources on Friday plunged 5.59 per cent on the London Stock Exchange amid talk that it may acquire a majority stake in the Indian arm of Cairn Energy.

In the late afternoon session, the scrip was being traded at 20.61 pounds, down by 5.50 per cent on the LSE. Vedanta opened on a positive note, but soon swung into the red.

The broader market was also weak and the benchmark FTSE 100 was trading at 5,248.95, down 0.32 per cent in the late afternoon session.

On the other hand, Cairn Energy Plc climbed 1.41 per cent and was being quoted at 4.59 pounds on the LSE.

In India too, Vedanta Group firm Sterlite Industries sank by over 4 per cent to close at Rs 160.70 on the Bombay Stock Exchange. Sterlite was the biggest loser in the Sensex pack today.

In contrast, Cairn Energy Plc’s Indian arm, Cairn India, surged by over 5 per cent to hit its highest-ever level of Rs 358 on the BSE. The scrip ended with a gain of 355.45, up 4.36 per cent.
Vedanta Resources Plc is in talks to acquire a majority 51 per cent stake in Cairn India for about USD 8-8.5 billion (nearly Rs 40,000 crore) and a deal may be announced on Sunday evening or Monday.Scottish explorer Cairn Energy Plc, which holds a 62.37 per cent stake in India-listed Cairn India, is seeking up to a 20 per cent premium for passing on the controlling stake, two persons in-the-know of the development said.

Agarwal “is meeting Cairn Energy Plc Chief Executive Bill Gammell in London today and the deal is likely to be announced as early as Sunday evening or on Monday,” one of them said.

The deal will be contingent on government approval, as Cairn’s three producing oil and gas assets, including the giant Rajasthan fields, and seven exploration blocks either have explicit provisions for seeking prior approval before the transfer of interest or gives pre-emption, or the right of first refusal, on any shares being sold to partners like ONGC.

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Seeking Alpha’s Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.

Get ahead of the market by subscribing to Seeking Alpha’s Wall Street Week Ahead, a preview of key events scheduled for the coming week. The newsletter keeps you informed of the biggest stories set to make headlines, including upcoming IPOs, investor days, earnings reports, and conference presentations.

Wall Street’s major market averages drifted lower on Friday despite a rally from Amazon’s strong quarterly results. Shares of Amazon (AMZN) are +13.3% after the e-commerce giant reported second-quarter revenue of $200.6B, topping analysts’ estimates of $197B, driven by strong growth in its North America business.

The coming week will see a slew of economic data releases, beginning with S&P Global manufacturing PMI data for July, ISM manufacturing PMI, and prices for July on Monday. JOLTS job openings data will be released on Tuesday, followed by S&P Global services PMI, ISM non-manufacturing PMI, and ISM non-manufacturing prices for July on Wednesday. Initial jobless claims data is due on Thursday, while nonfarm payrolls and the unemployment rate for July will be out on Friday.

SpaceX (SPCX) will report its first earnings as a public company next week. Other companies reporting during the week are AMD (AMD), Merck (MRK), Pfizer (PFE), and Eli Lilly (LLY).

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Earnings spotlight: Monday: Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A) (BRK.B), Palantir (PLTR), Snap (SNAP). See the full earnings calendar.

Earnings spotlight: Tuesday: SpaceX (SPCX), AMD, Merck, Pfizer. See the full earnings calendar.

Earnings spotlight: Wednesday: Eli Lilly, Novo Nordisk (NVO), Uber (UBER). See the full earnings calendar.

Earnings spotlight: Thursday: ConocoPhillips (COP), Airbnb (ABNB). See the full earnings calendar.

Earnings spotlight: Friday: Take-Two Interactive Software (TTWO), Oklo (OKLO). See the full earnings calendar.

Volatility watch: Sandisk (SNDK) and Amylyx Pharmaceuticals (AMLX) have seen options volatility increase over the last week. The most overbought stocks per their 14-day relative strength index