Zenith Health Care reported a net profit of ₹13.62 lakh in the first quarter of FY27, reversing a net loss of ₹34.20 lakh in the previous quarter and a marginal loss a year earlier. Revenue from operations rose 5.6% year on year to ₹350.12 lakh. Profit before tax turned positive at ₹18.12 lakh, compared with a loss in the immediately preceding quarter.

Moderna and Merck said their jointly developed melanoma vaccine succeeded in a large trial enrolling 1,137 high-risk post-surgery patients. Earlier mid-stage data showed the therapy cut the five-year risk of recurrence or death by 49%. Barclays analysts have said they expect the treatment could generate about $3 billion in melanoma sales by 2035. Moderna shares surged in premarket trading, while Merck rose 7.5%.

Global stock markets were mixed, with concerns around the AI sector weighing on technology shares. Losses were pronounced across Asia, led by South Korea’s Kospi, which fell 5.8%, while Japan’s Nikkei 225 slid 3.2% as heavyweight semiconductor names including Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix declined. Japan’s 10-year government bond yield rose to a three-decade high near 2.9%, adding to worries about tighter monetary policy.

Bitcoin saw what was described as a coordinated short-selling move in the futures market. Against a risk-off backdrop tied to U.S.-Iran tensions and a 30% jump in crude oil prices in July, two entities executed 181 synchronized trades within 1.3 seconds. On Aug. 17, they added 585.3 BTC in short exposure at an average price of about $62,935, taking total short exposure to 2,675 BTC worth around $169 million. The operation was characterized as a planned whale attack intended to exploit macro-driven fear by creating the appearance of a short squeeze.

India’s gold market is showing renewed momentum ahead of the festive season, with jewellery demand and inventory restocking picking up, according to the World Gold Council. In the first half of August, international gold prices rose 9% to USD 4,391 per ounce. Domestic prices climbed almost 7% over the same period. Gold futures trading has also become more active.

European stocks were largely flat on Thursday as investors stayed cautious amid Middle East geopolitical risks ahead of the release of the Federal Reserve’s meeting minutes. Basic resources stocks rose 0.6%, supported by stronger gold prices. Technology shares fell 0.4% as a selloff in government bonds pushed yields higher. Semiconductor names including Soitec, Nordic Semiconductor and Scout24 lagged after a muted market reaction to Anthropic’s latest revenue figures.

U.S. natural gas futures ended higher as prolonged extreme heat in Texas drove a surge in air-conditioning demand. The hotter weather is increasing stress on gas-fired power generation and the state’s electricity grid. In Houston, highs from Aug. 20-23 are expected to reach 100F, about 5F above the seasonal norm. Peak demand on the ERCOT grid could set a new record this week, especially as wind output eases, according to AccuWeather.

Mumbai’s retail sugar price jumped Rs 8 per kilogram this week, rising from Rs 50 around Aug 10 to a record Rs 58. Traders at the APMC said prices are expected to climb further to Rs 61. They attributed the increase to tighter domestic availability, stronger demand ahead of the festival season and diversion of supply for ethanol fuel blending.