Listen. Top Business & Market Headlines Today — BL Morning Report, May 20, 2026

BL Morning Report May 20, 2026: Get today’s top business news, market headlines about the Stock Market, Sensex & Nifty trends, key market insights, economic highlights, and the latest updates from India and global markets.

India’s peak power demand hits record high of 257.37 GW

India’s peak power demand touched a record 260.45 gigawatts on Tuesday as heat waves and soaring summer temperatures increased cooling demand across the country, surpassing the previous day’s high of 257.37 gigawatts.

Coal-based thermal plants supplied 69 per cent of the electricity needed to meet the surge, while Delhi also recorded its highest power demand of the year at 7,776 megawatts.

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RBI set to pay government record dividend to cushion war shock

The Reserve Bank of India is expected to transfer a record surplus of nearly ₹3 trillion to the government this week, providing support to public finances as rising crude oil prices increase pressure on the economy and the rupee.

Economists said the higher payout has been driven by gains from foreign-exchange operations, elevated global interest rates and rising gold prices, with estimates ranging up to ₹3.4 trillion.

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Jewellers latch on to PM’s call for recycling, curb imports of gold

Leading jewellers are stepping up gold exchange and recycling programmes as Prime Minister Narendra Modi pushes to curb gold imports, with consumers increasingly trading old jewellery for new purchases amid rising prices.

Companies including Kalyan Jewellers, Tanishq and Malabar Gold & Diamonds are expanding exchange initiatives to bring dormant household gold back into circulation and reduce dependence on imported gold.

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Standard Chartered to cut over 15 per cent corporate function roles globally

Standard Chartered said it plans to cut more than 15 per cent of its corporate function roles globally by 2030 as part of a long-term restructuring and productivity drive focused on automation, reskilling and redeployment.

The bank, which employs around 28,000 people in India, said the changes are aimed at improving efficiency and returns while continuing to invest in growth areas including cross-border and affluent banking.

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Script & VO: Shakthi H

Published on May 20, 2026