📰 India Business Brief: Top Headlines for February 18, 2026

Business Standard

• AI Impact Summit 2026 Day 2: The summit continues to be the focal point for policy and tech discussions, with a heavy focus on AI's role in healthcare and news media.
• Stocks to Watch: Bharti Airtel is in focus after its subsidiary, Airtel Money, received RBI registration to operate as an NBFC; BHEL also gained attention following a new captive power plant contract from SAIL.
• Dividend Payouts: Today marks the ex-dividend date for 22 companies, with Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL) leading the pack with a high interim dividend of ₹35 per share.
• Banking Sector Picks: Centrum has named Axis Bank as its preferred pick within the banking space, setting a target price of ₹1,460 as margins are expected to remain stable.
• IPO Market: The Clean Max Enviro Energy IPO has officially opened for subscription, signaling continued momentum in the renewable energy financing space.

Economic Times

• Adani’s AI Ambition: Gautam Adani announced a staggering $100 billion investment in AI-ready data centers by 2035, asserting that India will "shape the AI century."
• Space-Tech Funding: Hyderabad-based Skyroot Aerospace is reportedly in talks to raise up to $200 million to fuel its business expansion amid a "gold rush" in the global space economy.
• Global Business Summit 2026: At the ET Now Global Business Summit, experts highlighted that the global space market is set to double to over $1.2 trillion in the next five years.
• Reliance’s Global Footprint: Reliance Consumer Products has entered a joint venture with TGI Group to tap into the Nigerian market, marking a significant expansion of its FMCG arm into Africa.
• India-Brazil Partnership: President Lula’s visit to India marks a "step change" in strategic convergence, focusing on trade deals and mutual economic interests between the two middle powers.

Mint

• Indo-French Innovation: PM Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron have officially launched the 'Year of Innovation' during Macron's state visit, strengthening ties in defense and commerce.
• Aviation Alliance: Air India and Lufthansa Group have signed a comprehensive joint business agreement to enhance connectivity and service standards on routes between India and Europe.
• AI Ecosystem Moat: New data reveals that investment commitments by top Indian conglomerates like Adani and Reliance into the AI ecosystem have reached a combined $125 billion.
• Private Equity in Sports: Global PE giants including KKR and Blackstone are reportedly exploring direct investment opportunities in the Indian Premier League (IPL) as its valuation continues to soar.
• Market Trends: Prop brokers' share in the index options market has jumped significantly in FY26, now accounting for nearly half of the gross turnover on the NSE.

TAGS: Headlines, Business News, Economic Times, Business Standard, Mint, Top News

Tags: Headlines Business News Economic Times Business Standard Mint Top News