The gold-loan focussed non-bank lender is in talks with existing investors as well as banks from Singapore and Taiwan, Nirmal Jain, managing director, told ET.

“We are planning to raise $500-750 million by external commercial borrowing/dollar bonds in March to diversify our funding sources, reduce reliance on banks, and support business growth,” said Jain. He said the exercise is likely to be completed by the third week of March.

“The fundraising will be done through a combination of dollar-denominated loans and foreign currency social bonds,” said Jain. “Global banks which are our existing lenders as well as investors from countries like Singapore and Taiwan are showing interest.”
Deutsche Bank, Mizuho Bank, Export Development Canada, British International Investment (BII), and the US government’s development finance institution DFC are among global entities who took part in IIFL Finance’s global debt issues previously.

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Incidentally, the Reserve Bank of India earlier this month raised limits under external borrowing, relaxed maturity norms, and removed cost caps. Eligible entities can now raise ECBs up to $1 billion in outstanding borrowings or 300% of net worth, based on the latest audited standalone balance sheets. The earlier borrowing cap was $750 million.
Indian companies raised a record $61 billion through ECBs in FY25, up from $48 billion in FY24. Besides dollar-denominated fundraising, IIFL Finance is also looking to grow the share of bond issuance in its liability profile. The lender launched a ₹2,000 crore retail bond issue on February 17 and is in the process of raising another ₹1,000 crore from institutional investors through private placement.

As search engines evolve with AI-driven features like Google’s AI Overviews and increased emphasis on user experience, online marketers in 2026 rely on sophisticated SEO tools to stay competitive. These platforms handle keyword research, content optimization, technical audits, backlink analysis, and AI visibility tracking, helping teams adapt to algorithm shifts and deliver measurable organic growth.

From comprehensive suites to specialized AI-powered solutions, the landscape has expanded rapidly. Marketers tested dozens of options in early 2026, with data from industry reviews, user feedback, and performance benchmarks highlighting the most effective tools. Here are the 10 best SEO tools marketers need this year, based on current capabilities, pricing, and real-world results as of February 2026.

1. **Semrush** — The all-in-one powerhouse remains dominant for marketers managing multiple channels. With over 55 tools covering keyword research, site audits, competitor analysis, PPC, and social media, Semrush excels in depth. Its AI Visibility Toolkit tracks performance in generative search platforms like ChatGPT and Google’s AI summaries, a critical feature in 2026. Pros include massive databases (27 billion keywords) and excellent learning resources via Semrush Academy. Pricing starts around $139/month for Pro plans, with enterprise options scaling higher.

2. **Ahrefs** — Known for its unmatched backlink index (over 35 trillion live links) and aggressive crawling, Ahrefs leads in competitor research, link-building opportunities, and content gap analysis. Marketers praise its Content Explorer for discovering high-performing topics and Site Explorer for strategic planning. The tool’s reliability and data accuracy make it essential for off-page SEO. Plans begin at approximately $99/month, with higher tiers unlocking advanced features.

3. **Surfer SEO** — Content optimization specialists favor Surfer for its data-driven approach to on-page SEO. It analyzes top-ranking pages to provide ideal word counts, keyword usage, structure, and semantic recommendations. In 2026, its AI enhancements streamline briefs and real-time editing. Widely used by agencies and content teams, Surfer delivers measurable ranking improvements. Pricing starts around $59/month.

4. **SE Ranking** — This versatile platform offers strong value with rank tracking, keyword research, site audits, and AI-powered insights. Its AI Overview Tracker monitors visibility in generative results, while automation features handle reporting and alerts. Trusted by over 1.5 million professionals, SE Ranking combines affordability with precision. Plans start at about $65/month.

5. **Screaming Frog SEO Spider** — The go-to desktop crawler for technical SEO audits. It identifies broken links, duplicate content, crawl errors, and on-page issues across large sites. Marketers use it for pre-launch checks, migration troubleshooting, and JavaScript rendering analysis. Affordable at around $259/year for paid licenses, with a free version for smaller sites.

6. **Google Search Console** — Free and indispensable for every marketer. It provides direct insights from Google on indexing, performance, mobile usability, Core Web Vitals, and AI Overview citations. Paired with Google Analytics 4, it forms the foundation for data-driven decisions. No cost makes it a must-have despite limited third-party features.

7. **Rank Math** — WordPress users rely on this plugin for on-page optimization, schema markup, XML sitemaps, and AI content suggestions. Its free version covers core needs, while Pro unlocks advanced analytics and automation. Highly rated for ease of use and integration.

8. **Nightwatch** — Focused on accurate rank tracking across traditional and AI search, Nightwatch offers location-specific monitoring, competitor visualization, and white-labeled reports. Ideal for agencies tracking multi-site performance.

9. **Clearscope** — Content optimization tool emphasizing semantic relevance and top-ranking page analysis. It generates detailed briefs and scores content for alignment with search intent, helping marketers create high-quality, competitive pieces.

10. **Gumloop** — Emerging for SEO automation workflows. It automates repetitive tasks like keyword clustering, report generation, and data pulls, saving time for strategic work. Popular among marketers building custom processes.

These tools address 2026’s key priorities: adapting to AI search visibility, optimizing for user experience, and scaling content efficiently. All-in-one platforms like Semrush and Ahrefs suit full-funnel teams, while specialized options like Surfer and Screaming Frog excel in targeted areas. Free tools from Google provide essential baselines.

Marketers should combine tools for maximum impact—using Search Console for raw data, Ahrefs or Semrush for competitive insights, and Surfer for content refinement. Testing and stacking solutions based on specific goals remains key to ROI in a dynamic landscape.

Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates admitted during a private town hall meeting with Gates Foundation staff on February 24, 2026, that he had two extramarital affairs with Russian women while married to ex-wife Melinda French Gates, describing the relationships as personal mistakes but insisting they did not involve victims of Jeffrey Epstein’s sex trafficking network.

Gates, 70, expressed deep regret over his association with the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, calling the meetings a “huge mistake” that negatively impacted the foundation’s reputation and work. He apologized to employees for drawing them into scrutiny and reaffirmed that he “did nothing illicit” and “saw nothing illicit” during his interactions with Epstein.

“I did have affairs, one with a Russian bridge player who met me at bridge events, and one with a Russian nuclear physicist who I met through business activities,” Gates said, according to a recording reviewed by The Wall Street Journal and corroborated by multiple outlets including Reuters, AFP, and Forbes. He emphasized that Epstein later learned of the relationships but maintained the women were not connected to Epstein’s alleged abuse of underage girls.

The admissions came amid renewed attention following recent document releases by the U.S. Department of Justice related to Epstein’s case. Draft emails from Epstein in 2013 alleged Gates engaged in extramarital affairs and referenced other unsubstantiated claims, which Gates’ representatives have repeatedly called “absolutely absurd and completely false,” attributing them to Epstein’s attempts at leverage or extortion.

Gates told staff he met Epstein several times primarily to discuss philanthropy, never stayed overnight at Epstein’s properties, never visited his private island, and never spent time with Epstein’s victims. He described regretting every minute spent with Epstein and bringing foundation executives to some meetings.

A Gates Foundation spokesperson confirmed in a statement to Reuters on February 24 that Gates “took responsibility for his actions” during the town hall and addressed the Epstein ties directly. The spokesperson declined further comment beyond the apology and regret expressed.

The revelations follow Gates’ 2021 divorce from Melinda French Gates, who cited his Epstein meetings among factors contributing to the marriage’s breakdown. Melinda had warned Bill against continued contact as early as 2013, according to prior reports. Epstein died by suicide in a New York jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges.

Gates has long maintained his Epstein interactions were limited to fundraising discussions for global health initiatives. He previously described the association as a “huge mistake” in interviews but had not publicly detailed the personal affairs until the town hall. The admissions align with 2023 reports that Epstein attempted to extort Gates over an alleged affair with a Russian bridge player, Mila Antonova, whom Gates met in 2010.

No criminal charges have been filed against Gates related to Epstein, and he has not been accused of participating in Epstein’s crimes. The U.S. Department of Justice documents released in early 2026, including photos with redacted faces and draft emails, renewed public speculation but contained no new evidence implicating Gates in wrongdoing.

Reactions to the town hall comments were swift. Philanthropy observers noted the foundation’s need to protect its mission-focused reputation amid donor scrutiny. Some critics questioned the timing of the disclosures, while supporters viewed Gates’ candor as accountability. The Gates Foundation, focused on global health, poverty reduction, and education, continues operations unaffected, with billions committed to initiatives like vaccine development and climate efforts.

Gates has stepped back from day-to-day Microsoft involvement since 2020 but remains one of the world’s wealthiest individuals and most influential philanthropists. His foundation has distributed hundreds of billions in grants since its inception.

The latest statements underscore Gates’ efforts to address lingering Epstein-related questions head-on while separating personal failings from any criminal conduct. As the foundation navigates its post-divorce structure and Gates continues public appearances, the admissions may close one chapter of scrutiny but highlight the lasting impact of his Epstein association.

British luxury automaker Aston Martin said on Wednesday that it will cut up to 20% of its workforce as tariff and regulatory headwinds along with a challenging market backdrop weigh on the business.

The company said the cuts will result in an annualized savings of about 40 million pounds ($54 million), most of which will occur this year. The company employs about 3,000 workers.

Aston Martin didn’t specify when the cuts would occur this year, and they include the 5% workforce reduction the company announced last year.

The company also announced that it would trim its five-year capital spending plan to 1.7 billion pounds from 2 billion pounds by delaying investment in electric vehicle technology.

JANUARY LAYOFFS ROSE TO THE HIGHEST LEVEL FOR THE MONTH SINCE 2009

Aston Martin announced plans to cut up to 20% of its workforce in a cost-cutting push. (Chris Ratcliffe/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Best known as the car brand driven by James Bond, the company has struggled to generate cash and manage its debt of 1.38 billion pounds.

Aston Martin has received injections of capital from Canadian billionaire and Chairman Lawrence Stroll and through deals.

UPS TO CUT 30,000 MORE JOBS AMID TURNAROUND PLAN

Aston Martin said that tariffs have been particularly disruptive to the auto industry. (Martyn Lucy/Getty Images)

The company said U.S. tariffs had been “extremely disruptive” and demand had also been “extremely subdued” in China, the world’s biggest auto market.

Aston Martin said it expected further cash outflows in 2026, but also predicted “material improvement” in its financial performance.

It has a target for gross margins in the high 30% range and adjusted earnings before interest and taxes near breakeven, helped by around 500 deliveries of its new Valhalla hybrid supercar.

AMAZON TO CUT 16,000 ROLES AS IT LOOKS TO INVEST IN AI, REMOVE ‘BUREAUCRACY’

Aston Martin is working to improve its financial performance. (John Keeble/Getty Images)

The company made an operating loss of 259.2 million pounds in 2025.

As part of its efforts to improve its finances, it struck a 50-million-pound deal to sell the perpetual branding rights to its Formula One team last week.

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Reuters contributed to this report.