In this week’s wrapup, we discuss rubber supply and why its shortage could become the next strategic squeeze point like oil or semiconductors, the Urban Company IPO, the business of tempered glass, why foreign banks are exiting their retail businesses in India and why India wants to host the Commonwealth Games even though it might be a loss-making proposition.

And in this week’s Markets edition, we dive into why media company Prime Focus’ stock has been on a roll lately, and whether it can sustain this high. Click here to read the full story.

But before we begin, here’s a quick side note. Don’t buy insurance just yet. From 22nd September, GST will no longer apply to insurance premiums. That means you can save money if you wait.

In the meantime, why not get prepared? We’ve put together an exclusive 2-day masterclass series that breaks down the complexities of health and life insurance in simple terms. One registration gets you access to both sessions.

👉🏽 Click here to grab your spot and be ready to act smart once GST is gone.

⚡Hurry — limited seats available!

With that out of the way, let’s recap what we wrote this week.

The world’s running out of natural rubber. How can India solve this?

Every time you zip down the road on a scooter or see a surgeon wear gloves, there’s one silent hero holding it all together — natural rubber.

But here’s the thing. The world is running short of it. Southeast Asia, which supplies three-fourths of global demand, is battling crop diseases and climate shocks. Prices are rising, risks are piling up, and India, which imports nearly 40% of its needs, is right in the middle of this squeeze.

Could this crisis actually turn into an opportunity for India? Read Monday’s newsletter to find out.

The Urban Company IPO explained

Moving into a new home usually means battling dust and cobwebs before you can even unpack. But for me, a quick tap on the Urban Company (UC) app sorted it all.

That’s the beauty of UC. It’s a one-stop shop for everything from cleaning and pest control to grooming and appliance repair.

And now, the company behind this convenience is hitting the stock market with a ₹1,900 crore IPO.

But is UC really as strong as it looks, or are there cracks beneath the polish? We broke it down for you in Tuesday’s newsletter.

Could tempered glass be India’s next billion-dollar market?

A teardrop of glass that could take hammer blows at one end, but shatter with a flick of its tail — that’s where the tempered glass story began in the 1600s. Centuries later, it became the invisible armour on your phone screen.

But here’s the catch. In India, this ₹20,000 crore market is still dominated by imports and grey kiosks, while global players have turned it into a premium, branded business.

And now, with new standards and even a Corning-backed factory in Noida, things are shifting. Does that mean India could finally crack the tempered glass game? We explored this in Wednesday’s newsletter.

Why foreign banks are selling their retail business in India

On paper, India looks like a banker’s paradise — a young population eager to swipe cards, take loans, and invest.

Yet, one by one, the world’s biggest foreign banks are quietly packing up. Citi sold its retail arm to Axis Bank, Standard Chartered trimmed its loan book, and Deutsche Bank is now inviting bids. Meanwhile, Indian banks like SBI and HDFC are raking in record profits.

Clearly, retail banking works here. So why couldn’t foreign giants crack the code? Click here to unpack the answers in Thursday’s newsletter.

India’s Commonwealth Games gamble

India has just officially submitted its bid to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games (CwG). And the only other contender is Nigeria.

On the surface, that sounds exciting. But here’s the catch. Hosting these mega sporting events is almost always a money-losing deal. Budgets balloon, taxpayers foot the bill and the promised economic windfalls rarely materialise. In fact, recent hosts like Australia and Canada have walked away after crunching the numbers.

So why is India still eager to host the CwG again? We answered that in Friday’s newsletter.

Finshots Weekly Quiz 🧠

Hey folks, we’re hitting pause on the weekly quiz for a bit as we’re looking to experiment with a new format. But don’t worry, we’ll announce last week’s winner in tomorrow’s Sunny Side Up edition.

Until then... don’t forget to share this wrapup on WhatsApp, LinkedIn and X.