Welcome to Markets Desk, here's what's moving.
India's government is accelerating stake sales in state-owned enterprises, using divestiture proceeds to plug fiscal gaps while keeping public investment flowing. With growth ambitions running up against tighter budget constraints, New Delhi is leaning on its corporate holdings as a financial pressure valve — a strategy that signals both urgency and pragmatism from policymakers in the world's fastest-growing major economy.
Turning to earnings, Curtiss-Wright delivered a stronger second quarter, with profits rising year over year — a solid result for the defense and industrial technology firm as demand for aerospace and defense systems remains elevated. That contrasts sharply with Valaris, the offshore drilling contractor, which reported a year-over-year decline in second-quarter profit, a reminder that the offshore energy sector continues to navigate uneven demand and cost pressures despite broader strength in oil markets.
And in sports media, the NHL is stepping into the production chair itself, taking over local broadcast operations for four teams following the collapse of regional sports networks. It's a significant structural shift — leagues are no longer waiting for media partners to fill the gap, they're building the infrastructure themselves, which has real implications for rights valuations and direct-to-consumer strategy going forward.
That's the tape. Markets Desk, signing off the floor.
