BlackRock on Tuesday announced the launch of the iShares Nasdaq 100 ETF, aiming to capitalize on strong investor demand for exposure to the AI-led rally in U.S. technology stocks, according to a Reuters report.

The exchange-traded fund (ETF), which tracks the Nasdaq-100 Index, will begin trading on Thursday. Its launch comes just months after Nasdaq updated its index inclusion rules to speed up the entry of newly listed companies such as SpaceX.

The new fund will compete with Invesco’s well-established Nasdaq-100 ETF lineup, including the popular QQQ Trust Series 1, which has long dominated the segment. State Street also entered the space last month with its own Nasdaq-100 ETF.

“IQQ enhances our ability to provide investors with access to the Nasdaq-100 through iShares ETFs, offering complementary strategies that help align portfolios with individual investment objectives,” said Elise Terry, U.S. Head of iShares at BlackRock.

The launch follows a strong quarter for the Nasdaq-100, which posted its best quarterly performance since April 2020 in the three months ended June, driven by continued investor interest in large-cap technology companies benefiting from the AI boom. The index comprises the 100 largest non-financial companies listed on the Nasdaq exchange.

The iShares Nasdaq 100 ETF will debut with an initial net asset value (NAV) of $24 per share, compared with approximately $722 and $297 for Invesco’s comparable Nasdaq-100 ETFs.
BlackRock already manages more than $41 billion in assets across other Nasdaq-100-linked products, including the iShares Nasdaq Top 30 Stocks ETF and the iShares Nasdaq Premium Income Active ETF.

Budget Energy is the latest energy provider to increase its prices, with a 9.5% hike announced for some customers next month.

The increase will apply to to its residential electricity unit rates and standing charges for customers on variable tariffs, effective from 4 August.

Customers on fixed-price tariffs will not be affected.

The company said that the rise is due to the “continued volatility” in wholesale energy markets along with geopolitical tensions and sustained pressures across the energy market.

Budget Energy NI’s Managing Director Ken O’Byrne said they will monitor the market conditions closely.

“We understand this is unwelcome news, especially at a time when many households are facing pressure on everyday costs,” he said.

“We encourage our customers to review their tariff options to make sure they are on the plan best suited to their needs.”

Budget Energy said they will notify all affected customers directly in advance of the change, providing full details of the updated tariffs.

Last week, SSE Airtricity said household bills will increase by 6.2% from 1 August – about 20p a day, or £71.57 extra a year.

It follows an earlier increase by Power NI, whose electricity unit price increased by 6.2%, effective from 1 July.

The shares of Ola Electric Mobility slipped over 2% on Tuesday to extend a 9% fall over the past three consecutive sessions, as media reports around vendors filing fresh insolvency pleas against its subsidiary over alleged dues worth Rs 40 crore spooked investors.

The shares of the company dropped to Rs 41.41 per share on the NSE on Tuesday morning, the lowest level seen by the stock this month so far. The recent sharp drop in Ola Electric’s share price follows multiple media reports that two suppliers of its operating arm approached the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT), seeking insolvency proceedings over alleged unpaid dues exceeding Rs 40 crore.

Ola Electric subsidiary faces insolvency pleas

Sterling E-Mobility Solutions, the EV components arm of Sterling Tools, and Anevolve Mando eMobility, part of the Anand Group, have sought the initiation of the Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process (CIRP) against the EV scooter-maker’s wholly owned subsidiary, Ola Electric Technologies.

The Economic Times couldn’t independently verify the reports.

Last year, Ola Electric’s vendor, Rosmerta Digital Services, filed an insolvency petition against the subsidiary, which is responsible for manufacturing the company’s electric scooters at its factory in Tamil Nadu. The company had denied the claims in an exchange filing.

Also read: Ola Electric’s vendor moves NCLT over unpaid dues, seeks insolvency action

Ola Electric Q1 registrations

Earlier this month, Ola Electric said it registered 43,719 vehicles in the first quarter of FY27, nearly doubling from 22,252 vehicles in the previous quarter. Citing VAHAN data, Ola Electric said that the quarter concluded with 16,144 registrations in June 2026, reflecting sustained business momentum and the company’s strongest monthly performance in recent quarters.
“Q1 FY27 marks a significant milestone in our growth journey, with registrations doubling sequentially and June registering 16,144 vehicles – our strongest monthly performance in recent quarters. The sustained momentum reflects the success of our operational improvements, strong product portfolio and continued customer preference for Ola Electric. We remain focused on accelerating EV adoption through technology leadership, manufacturing scale and delivering a differentiated ownership experience,” said a spokesperson for Ola Electric.Also read: Ola Electric’s Q1 FY27 registrations nearly double sequentially

The EV scooter-maker further said that India’s electric two-wheeler market continues to witness strong structural growth, driven by increasing consumer preference for electric mobility, favourable economics compared to ICE vehicles, and growing awareness around energy security and sustainability. As EV adoption accelerates across the country, Ola Electric said that it remains well-positioned to lead the transition through its vertically integrated technology and manufacturing platform. “The company continues to expand EV penetration through innovative products, advanced battery technology, manufacturing scale and a robust direct-to-customer distribution network across India,” it added.

Ola Electric share price

Ola Electric shares have fallen over 4% in one week and around 7% in one month. The stock has, however, gained around 12% in 2026 so far and nearly 1% in one year.

The company currently has a market capitalisation of more than Rs 19,462 crore.

(Disclaimer: Recommendations, suggestions, views and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of The Economic Times)

East Yorkshire Hydraulics, founded nearly 50 years ago, has been acquired by the son of one of its founders

A family-run business in Hull established nearly half a century ago is eyeing future growth after being acquired by the son of one of its founders. East Yorkshire Hydraulics, which has its head office on Harpings Road, was set up in 1979 to specialise in the design, installation and repair of hydraulic units across a range of industries.

Over the decades, the firm has expanded its client base to encompass sectors spanning steelmaking and aerospace through to power generation, and it also operates as a service centre for accumulator inspection and certification. Now the company, which currently has a workforce of 18, has secured a six-figure loan from NPIF II – Mercia Debt Finance, managed by Mercia as part of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II (NPIF II), to drive expansion following a buyout.

The deal sees Andrew Kirby take control of the company, having first got involved with the company more than 35 years ago, lending a hand during his school holidays. His father, Barrie Kirby, and fellow engineer John Williams co-founded the firm in the 1970s, and the transaction allows Mr Williams to step down and retire.

Barrie Kirby, meanwhile, will continue in a part-time capacity. The funding will also strengthen the company’s working capital and facilitate investment in new equipment.

Andrew Kirby, managing director, said: “East Yorkshire Hydraulics has built a track record for expertise and reliability. It’s an honour to be taking over the business and I hope one day to pass on the legacy to my own sons.”, reports Hull Live.

“Demand for hydraulic systems has increased in recent years as high energy costs encourage businesses to improve efficiency by replacing older hydraulic systems. We have also won new work after Brexit as companies have sought out UK suppliers.

“The business is now well placed across all sectors and the loan will help us to move forward and target new areas such as renewable energy.”

Rebecca Pickering of Mercia Debt added: “Barrie and John have built a respected and profitable business over the years and Andrew, who himself has years of experience with the company, is ideally placed to take over the reins. We are pleased to support it as it enters an exciting new chapter in its history.”

Sarah Newbould, Senior Investment Manager at the British Business Bank, said: “Through NPIF II, we’re pleased to support the next stage of East Yorkshire Hydraulics’ journey, helping to preserve a successful heritage family business while enabling continued investment in its people and long-term growth.

“Advanced manufacturing plays a vital role in driving innovation and regional economic prosperity, and this investment reflects NPIF II’s commitment to supporting businesses that contribute to the UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy and strengthen the country’s industrial base.”

Gamblers who spend more than £1,000 online in a 24-hour window will have to undergo a financial risk assessment, the industry regulator has announced.

The Gambling Commission said this would also apply to anyone spending over £3,000 in a rolling 90-day period. Under-25s will have lower thresholds.

The assessments will be based on data held by credit reference agencies, but the commission has insisted they are not “affordability checks”.

Operators will use the information to help them identify gamblers at risk of financial harm or in financial difficulty.

The commission has not set a timeline for the changes saying they will be introduced in a “very careful, staged way”.

The checks will start with over-25s who gamble more than £5,000 in a rolling 24-hour period. The watchdog says this will affect less than 0.5% of customers. It will begin following engagement companies and other stakeholders over the summer.

The threshold will eventually be lowered to £1,000 in 24 hours.

In 2023, a white paper on gambling recommended enhanced checks on customers experiencing very high losses.

On Tuesday, the commission said high-spending gamblers were between two and four times more likely to have a debt management plan, and between two and five times more likely to have a default in the previous 12 months than consumers in the wider population.

The commission has been looking into whether gambling companies can use credit reference data to spot customers at risk of financial harm.

The acting chief executive of the Gambling Commission, Sarah Gardner, said the vast majority of customers would “never, ever” require an assessment.

Those who do would have a frictionless, document-free assessment provided by credit reference agencies, with no impact on their credit score.

The commission has insisted that the assessments are not the same as affordability checks, which Gardner said were “deeply unpopular” with gamblers.

She added that stakeholders had expressed concerns that more regulation could push problem gamblers onto the black market.

📣 “Investors are not walking away from the AI story, but they are asking whether a sector priced for perfection can keep delivering perfection into earnings season.”

LOS ANGELES — Shohei Ohtani moved to the doorstep of another career milestone Monday night, blasting his 19th home run of the season, and the 299th of his career, to help power the Los Angeles Dodgers to an 8-7 win over the Colorado Rockies at Dodger Stadium.

Ohtani’s two-run shot in the third inning put the Dodgers ahead in a back-and-forth contest that ultimately went their way. The home run came off Rockies left-hander Kyle Freeland, with Ohtani jumping on a first-pitch cutter and driving it out to left-center field at 105.9 mph off the bat. The blast followed an earlier at-bat in the game in which Ohtani laced a 111.8 mph lineout to center field in the first inning, a sign that his timing at the plate remained sharp even before he connected for the milestone-adjacent home run two innings later.

The performance also offered reassurance for the Dodgers regarding Ohtani’s health. The two-way superstar had sat out Saturday’s game due to right biceps tightness, a development that had drawn attention given his dual role as both a starting pitcher and one of the game’s most dangerous hitters. Ohtani’s authoritative swing against Freeland went a long way toward easing any lingering concern about the injury, at least for the time being.

Of Ohtani’s 299 career home runs, 128 have come during his three seasons with the Dodgers since signing with the club, a stretch that has included an MVP-caliber run of production at the plate alongside his continued development as a frontline starting pitcher. Ohtani has built his career total across stints with the Los Angeles Angels, where he broke into the majors and established himself as one of the sport’s most unique two-way talents, and now with the Dodgers, where he has continued to add to his home run tally while also contributing on the mound.

Ohtani’s home run total this season now stands at 19, keeping him on a productive pace at the plate as the Dodgers navigate the middle stretch of their schedule. According to Baseball Savant data, Ohtani has posted an average exit velocity of 93.6 mph this season, along with a hard-hit rate of 52.4 percent, a weighted on-base average of .394, and a barrel rate of 15.9 percent, numbers that reflect the kind of consistent offensive production that has made him one of the sport’s most feared hitters in recent years.

Ohtani’s push toward 300 career home runs adds to an already extensive list of milestones and records he has accumulated throughout his career. He became the first player in Major League Baseball history to qualify for the league leaders as both a hitter and a pitcher in the same season, and he remains the only player in the sport’s history to post a season with at least 10 pitching wins and at least 30 home runs, a feat previously matched only by Babe Ruth in 1918 under different statistical benchmarks. Ohtani has also won multiple American League Most Valuable Player awards, including a unanimous selection in 2023, cementing his status as one of the most decorated two-way players the sport has ever produced.

Monday’s game also featured contributions from other Dodgers hitters as the team worked to hold off a persistent Rockies offense. The 8-7 final score reflected a competitive contest between the two clubs, with Colorado continuing to push the Dodgers throughout the game before Los Angeles ultimately secured the win at Dodger Stadium.

Ohtani’s recent form on both sides of the ball has continued to draw attention throughout the season. In a start earlier this year against the Rockies, Ohtani turned in a dominant pitching performance, tossing six hitless innings while also hitting a leadoff home run, extending a rare feat in which he became the only pitcher in Major League history to hit a leadoff home run in a game he also started on the mound, a feat he has now accomplished on multiple occasions, including during a two-way masterpiece in Game 4 of the 2025 National League Championship Series. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has previously praised Ohtani’s rare blend of pitching dominance and offensive production, noting the exceptionally high standards to which the two-way star holds himself even after strong outings on the mound.

With Ohtani sitting at 299 career home runs, attention now turns to when he will connect for the 300th of his career, a milestone that would place him among a relatively small group of players in franchise and league history to reach that career total. Given his current home run pace of 19 through the portion of the season completed so far, Ohtani appears well positioned to continue climbing the sport’s career home run leaderboards in the years ahead, particularly as he continues to split his workload between hitting and pitching for a Dodgers team built around his unique two-way talents.

Ohtani was also named to the National League All-Star roster for this year’s All-Star Game, scheduled for July 14 in Philadelphia, continuing his streak of All-Star selections as both a pitcher and position player, a distinction that remains unique to his career among modern Major League players. His continued excellence at the plate and on the mound has kept him at the center of MLB’s national conversation throughout the season, with Monday’s home run against the Rockies serving as the latest example of the sustained production that has defined his time with the Dodgers.

As the Dodgers continue their pursuit of another deep postseason run, Ohtani’s steady march toward 300 career home runs adds another storyline to a season already defined by his continued dominance as one of the sport’s most singular talents, with fans and teammates alike now watching closely for the moment he reaches the milestone in the games ahead.