The rupee extended its losing run on Wednesday to hit an all-time low as ‌persistent outflows on ⁠account ⁠of overseas debt repayments and importer hedging demand wiped the modest comfort the currency drew from a hike in ⁠duties on ‌precious metal imports.

The rupee declined 0.1% ⁠to 95.7450 per dollar, edging past its previous all-time low of 95.7375 hit on Tuesday. A sustained spike in energy prices due ‌to the U.S.-Iran war has clouded India’s macroeconomic outlook by ⁠stressing India’s external sector. Economists have marked down growth forecasts for the economy, lifted inflation projections and are forecasting persistent pressure on the rupee.

More to come…

NEW YORK — Oracle Corp. shares closed down 3.62 percent at $186.83 on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, extending recent weakness as investors continued to scrutinize the software giant’s aggressive capital spending on artificial intelligence infrastructure and cloud expansion. The decline of $7.01 per share came despite a modest pre-market rebound, reflecting ongoing unease about profitability, execution risks and broader tech sector rotation.

The move erased additional market value from the company, which has faced significant pressure throughout 2026 amid questions over the returns on its massive AI-related investments. Oracle, long a leader in enterprise databases and now a major player in cloud infrastructure, has poured billions into data centers and GPU capacity to capitalize on surging demand for AI services, but high costs and uncertain near-term margins have unsettled Wall Street.

Volume remained elevated as traders reacted to broader market signals, including mixed performance in big tech and persistent concerns about capital intensity in the AI boom. Pre-market trading Thursday showed a slight recovery to around $188, up about 0.63 percent, as some bargain hunters stepped in.

Key Factors Behind the Decline

Analysts point to several interconnected issues pressuring Oracle stock. First, ongoing skepticism about the company’s heavy capital expenditures persists. Oracle has committed tens of billions to expand its Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) to support large AI workloads, including high-profile partnerships. While cloud revenues have grown strongly, the scale of spending has raised fears of margin compression and elevated debt levels.

Second, earlier reports of Oracle canceling a major server order from Super Micro Computer — valued between $1 billion and $1.4 billion — continued to reverberate. The decision, linked to supply chain adjustments and risk management, fueled perceptions that AI infrastructure buildouts may face delays or cost overruns. This news, combined with analyst notes questioning the profitability of GPU-as-a-service offerings, has weighed on sentiment.

Third, broader market dynamics played a role. Tech stocks faced headwinds amid rotation toward other sectors and caution over valuation multiples in the AI space. Oracle’s premium positioning left it vulnerable to any signs of slowing momentum, even as the company reports robust remaining performance obligations in the hundreds of billions.

Oracle’s AI and Cloud Momentum

Despite the share price pressure, Oracle’s fundamentals show strength in key growth areas. Cloud revenues have accelerated significantly in recent quarters, with strong demand for multicloud and AI services. The company’s database business remains a cash cow, while new offerings in generative AI and enterprise applications gain traction.

Oracle has highlighted wins with major clients and raised long-term guidance in prior reports, pointing to a massive backlog. However, investors appear focused on the “show me” phase, demanding clearer evidence that heavy upfront investments will translate into sustainable profit growth and free cash flow.

Analyst Perspectives and Valuation

Wall Street reactions have been mixed. Some firms have trimmed price targets citing execution risks and financing needs, while others see the pullback as a buying opportunity in a company with durable competitive advantages. Oracle’s forward earnings multiples, while elevated historically, appear more reasonable after the year-to-date decline.

Longer-term bulls argue that Oracle’s integrated stack — combining databases, cloud infrastructure and applications — positions it uniquely for enterprise AI adoption. CEO Safra Catz and founder Larry Ellison have emphasized disciplined growth and shareholder returns, including dividends and buybacks.

Broader Implications for Tech Investors

Oracle’s performance reflects wider tensions in the AI trade. While enthusiasm for artificial intelligence remains high, questions about capital efficiency, power demands and actual monetization timelines have created volatility. Companies heavily exposed to infrastructure buildouts face particular scrutiny compared to software pure-plays with lighter balance sheets.

For Oracle specifically, the coming quarters will be critical. Investors will watch for updates on data center timelines, cloud revenue acceleration and margin trends. Any positive surprises on cost control or major new customer wins could catalyze a rebound, while further delays or spending overruns might extend the pressure.

Retail and institutional holders have felt the impact, with the stock well off its 2025 highs. Yet many long-term observers view current levels as potentially attractive for a company with strong secular tailwinds in cloud and AI. Diversification, careful position sizing and attention to upcoming earnings remain key themes for those navigating the name.

As markets digest Wednesday’s close, attention turns to any fresh corporate updates or sector catalysts. Oracle’s next earnings report will likely provide more color on progress and outlook, potentially shifting the narrative. For now, the 3.62 percent drop underscores persistent caution even as the company executes on its ambitious AI strategy.

The tech heavyweight’s path forward will hinge on balancing growth investments with shareholder returns in an environment where AI hype meets financial reality. Investors remain watchful as Oracle navigates this pivotal chapter in its evolution from database leader to AI infrastructure powerhouse.

Pharma major Cipla Ltd on Wednesday reported 55% year-on-year (YoY) decline in its consolidated net profit at Rs 555 crore in the fourth quarter, compared with Rs 1,222 crore in the last year quarter.

The Board has also recommended a final dividend of Rs 13 per share for the financial year ended March 2026. The record date for the purpose of payment of final dividend is June 5.

Revenue from operations in the reporting period decreased 3% YoY to Rs 6,541 crore.

EBITDA fell 35% to Rs 997 crore from Rs 1,538 crore in the year-ago period, while EBITDA margin contracted sharply to 15.2% from 22.8%.

For the full financial year FY26, Cipla reported revenue of Rs 28,163 crore, up 2% YoY, while annual PAT declined 26% to Rs 3,879 crore from Rs 5,273 crore in FY25. EBITDA for the year fell 17% to Rs 5,925 crore, with margin narrowing to 21% from 25.9% last year.

Cipla said its India business remained a key growth driver during the quarter. The One India business, which includes prescription, trade generics and consumer health operations, grew 15% year-on-year to Rs 3,007 crore in Q4 FY26 from Rs 2,622 crore a year ago.
The company said branded prescription therapies including respiratory, urology, anti-diabetes and cardiac segments continued to post strong growth, while consumer health brands such as Nicotex, Omnigel and Cipladine maintained leadership positions. However, the North America business remained under pressure. Quarterly revenue from the region dropped 26% year-on-year to Rs 1,414 crore from Rs 1,919 crore. Despite the decline, the company highlighted regulatory approval for the first AB-rated generic version of gVentolin manufactured from its US facility.

The One Africa business continued to deliver strong growth momentum, with quarterly revenue rising 21% year-on-year to Rs 1,236 crore. South Africa revenue jumped 33% to Rs 984 crore.

Emerging Markets and Europe revenue declined 9% YoY to Rs 819 crore during the quarter amid geopolitical uncertainties, while API and other business revenue fell sharply by 77% to Rs 64 crore.

MD and Global CEO Achin Gupta said Cipla recorded its highest-ever annual revenue during FY26 despite near-term challenges in certain markets. He added that the company would continue focusing on flagship brands, pipeline investments and regulatory resolutions going forward.

On Wednesday, following the results announcement, Cipla shares were last trading 4% higher at Rs 1,344.9 on NSE.

NEW YORK — Julia Louis-Dreyfus turned a farewell appearance on “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” into a masterclass in comedic savagery Tuesday night, channeling her “Veep” character Selina Meyer for a blistering, backhanded tribute that left host Stephen Colbert in stitches just nine days before the show’s final episode. The 11-time Emmy winner’s surprise roast, written by former “Veep” scribes, perfectly captured the show’s bittersweet final stretch as Colbert prepares to sign off on May 21.

Louis-Dreyfus, appearing alongside Pedro Pascal, surprised even Colbert — a longtime “Veep” superfan — by announcing she had recruited writers from the HBO political satire to craft Selina Meyer-style dedications. “He does not know what I’m about to do,” she told the audience before slipping into character. What followed was a torrent of oblivious insults, backhanded compliments and signature “Veep”-esque awkwardness that had Colbert snorting with laughter.

“I’ve been on this show multiple times, and I always thought you were Rachel Maddow. Are you not?” Louis-Dreyfus began as Selina. She continued with zingers including: “You’re as relevant as the Bill of Rights,” and “Your cancellation gave Donald Trump so much pleasure, I always think of you as the Stormy Daniels of late night.”

The actress saved some of her sharpest lines for Colbert’s impending end. “When my people said I should come and say farewell to you, I was hoping it would be more of a hospice situation,” she deadpanned, drawing one of the biggest laughs of the night. She also took a jab at network executives, calling them “corporate ji**-guzzler[s]” in a line that required a broadcast bleep.

Playful Kissing Segment Adds to the Fun

The evening wasn’t all roasts. Building on Monday’s memorable moment when Colbert kissed Jimmy Fallon during a late-night hosts reunion, Louis-Dreyfus playfully referenced the clip and hinted she wanted in on the action. “No one’s watching. It’s just between us,” she said. After a quick on-air smooch that drew cheers from the audience, Colbert joked, “Well, the interview’s going great so far. Why don’t we do another take?”

Pedro Pascal later joined the lip-locking trend, telling Colbert he felt “jealous” and planting a kiss of his own. “No need! Anytime. These lips will soon be free,” Colbert quipped, nodding to the show’s approaching end.

Bittersweet Context of Colbert’s Final Weeks

The appearance comes as “The Late Show” winds down its 11-season run amid CBS’s decision to end the program due to financial pressures despite solid ratings. Colbert has used the final stretch to reunite with friends and collaborators, including a star-studded late-night hosts gathering Monday featuring Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel, Seth Meyers and John Oliver.

Louis-Dreyfus, who has appeared on the show multiple times, used the platform to pay genuine tribute beneath the barbs. Her “Veep” connection runs deep — Colbert has long cited the series as one of his favorites, and the pair share a history of sharp political satire. The segment highlighted the warm friendship between the two comedy veterans while leaning into the absurdity of the show’s looming cancellation.

Additional zingers targeted Colbert’s aging on camera (“your jowls look like the scrotum of… well, a canceled old late-night host”) and warned him against viewing unemployment as material for “Death of a Salesman.” She reassured him that the outpouring of support for Jimmy Kimmel was only because “he’s more popular.”

Louis-Dreyfus’ Enduring Legacy and Current Projects

The moment underscored Louis-Dreyfus’ status as one of television’s sharpest comedic voices. Fresh off her “Veep” run and continued work in projects like her podcast “Wiser Than Me,” she remains a go-to guest for major late-night appearances. Her ability to blend affection with ruthless humor made the tribute both hilarious and touching.

Colbert, for his part, appeared genuinely moved and entertained throughout. The segment fit perfectly into the reflective, celebratory tone of the show’s final episodes, which have featured high-profile guests including Barack Obama and Tom Hanks in coming days.

Fan and Industry Reactions

Social media lit up immediately after the episode aired, with clips of the Selina Meyer roast circulating widely. Fans praised Louis-Dreyfus for capturing the spirit of “Veep” while giving Colbert a memorable send-off. Many noted the timing, coming amid broader conversations about the future of late-night television in a shifting media landscape.

Industry insiders view the final weeks as a victory lap for Colbert, who transformed “The Late Show” into a platform known for sharp political commentary, celebrity interviews and viral moments. Louis-Dreyfus’ appearance added another highlight to a memorable farewell tour.

As “The Late Show” counts down to its May 21 finale, moments like Tuesday’s roast remind viewers why the program resonated for over a decade. Julia Louis-Dreyfus delivered not just laughs but a fitting, affectionate farewell to a fellow comedy icon — wrapped in the perfect “Veep”-style packaging of awkward sincerity and brutal honesty.

The episode, which also featured Pascal, balanced humor, nostalgia and genuine warmth as Colbert prepares to step away from the desk. For fans of both stars, it was a night that showcased why their chemistry has always been appointment television.

On the morning of 11 March, employees at Stryker, one of the world’s largest medical device companies, watched their phones and laptops go blank.

An Iran-linked hacking group called Handala quickly claimed responsibility, saying the cyber-attack was retaliation for US military strikes on Iran.

The fact that the devices of a major conglomerate with over 50,000 employees can be wiped back to factory settings demonstrates just how easily an attack like this can happen.

It also shows that cyber security must become a priority for businesses and governments alike, as threats can come from anywhere, at any time.

The Stryker cyber-attack is just one recent example. By 2031, ransomware attacks on governments, businesses, consumers, and devices will occur every two seconds.

Worryingly, according to the former US Deputy National Security Advisor for cyber and emerging technologies, the annual average cost of cybercrime will cross $23 trillion in 2027.

The numbers are astounding yet many think that it is just big tech and conglomerates that are targeted by cybercriminals. They could not be more wrong.

Cyber intelligence to respond to the growing threat

In 2025, nearly half of businesses and three-in-ten charities in the UK reported having experienced some kind of cyber security breach or attack. Financial losses can be significant, but businesses also lose customer trust because of breaches, impacting their reputation.

Governments too are targets. In August 2025 an attack on Canada’s House of Commons exposed employee data and details of government devices.

Organizations must embrace cyber intelligence to protect themselves. But what exactly is cyber intelligence?

At its core, it is the collection, analysis and management of information related to digital threats. Instead of reacting when something goes wrong, cyber intelligence helps organizations anticipate attacks and build stronger cyber defenses.

In practice, this means organizations will be more likely to detect cyber threats before they become major incidents, minimizing any potential damage.

And as AI continues to develop at record speed, cyber intelligence is becoming more important.

“AI is supercharging the cyberthreat landscape”: Rotem Farkash

AI tools are both a powerful defense and a dangerous weapon for the industry. Cyber intelligence and AI expert Rotem Farkash argues that “AI-powered tools can help organizations identify, prevent, and respond to cyber threats, but criminals are wholeheartedly embracing AI too, leveraging it to launch attacks like phishing and social engineering.”

What makes this particularly worrying, Farkash added, “is that if cybercriminals invest more in their AI attack tools than organizations do in their protection, they will be even more vulnerable than they have been in the past. AI is supercharging the cyber threat landscape.”

Rotem Farkash’s concern is well-founded. By early 2025, over 80 per cent of social engineering attacks, where attackers trick individuals into sharing sensitive information, spreading malware, or breaking security procedures, leveraged AI.

Defending critical national infrastructure from hackers

Concerningly, national critical infrastructure is on the line all over the world. According to Industrial Cyber, in the EU in 2025 public administration was the most targeted sector by cyber-attacks, with transport emerging as a rising high-value target.

In March 2025, Cyber Energia revealed that UK renewables companies faced up to 1,000 attempted cyberattacks per day and that only 1 per cent of wind energy firms have adequate cyber protection.

What better way to cause disruption than shutting off a country’s water supply or switching off its lights? No need to drop expensive bombs, simply send off a line of code from anywhere in the world.

Cybercrime is state sponsored: Iran, China, and North Korea

Cybercrime is not solely the domain of individual hackers or organized ransomware groups. Nation states are active and the most well-resourced participants.

North Korean government hackers are attributed to large-scale cryptocurrency theft used to fund the regime, while Chinese state-sponsored actors have proven particularly dangerous through the campaign known as Salt Typhoon.

Since at least 2021, this operation has targeted organizations in critical sectors including government, telecommunications, transportation, hospitality, and military infrastructure globally, particularly in the US and UK.

Cause for concern: lack of cybersecurity preparation across society

Even more concerning is that organizations are badly prepared. Only three per cent globally have the ‘mature’ level of readiness needed to be resilient against today’s cybersecurity risks and it took an average of 277 days for businesses to identify and report a data breach.

Action to respond to the global cyberthreat

Cybersecurity can no longer be ignored. Cyber-attacks are targeting business and governments of every size every day. Organizations are not prepared, AI is causing threats to evolve rapidly, and the cost to a breach is enormous.

To avoid becoming the next victim of a cyber-attack, embrace cyber intelligence. The time to act is now.