The Economic Times

Apollo Micro Systems has reported an impressive rise in Q2 earnings, with net profit soaring by 56% compared to last year. Revenues spiked 72%, hitting a milestone of Rs 388 crore for the September quarter. The notable increase in EBITDA showcases solid operational efficiency in the defence sector. The company is dedicated to enhancing its capabilities and expanding into global markets, demonstrating a strategic focus on its future objectives.

Indian benchmark indices staged a sharp recovery from early losses, supported by gains in metal, pharmaceutical and select banking stocks. Despite improving market breadth, analysts remained cautious amid elevated crude oil prices, rising volatility and continued weakness in the broader market.

Infosys shares fell sharply on Monday after the IT major cut its FY27 revenue growth guidance to 1-2% from 1.5-3%, citing pricing pressure and a challenging demand environment. While Nomura remains bullish, Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, Citi and Choice Institutional Equities flag growth concerns, with differing ratings and target prices.

Kotak Mahindra Bank reported strong Q2FY27 earnings, with consolidated profit rising 26% year-on-year. Jefferies, Goldman Sachs, Motilal Oswal and Nuvama maintained Buy ratings, citing growth prospects and improving earnings outlook.

Ipca Laboratories, Shree Cement, JSW Cement and Oil & Natural Gas Corporation featured in StockEdges RSI Trending Up scan on October 23, signalling improving price momentum across four stocks.

Indian equities could face another leg of weakness unless the Nifty reclaims 22,800 early next week, with the index strategist Anand James warning that a break below the 22,00022,070 support zone could open the way towards 21,500. He also sees HDFC Banks long-term bullish structure as broken, with the stock vulnerable to 640, while the recent IT rebound appears more like a relief rally than a durable sector rotation.

Sterlite Technologies, Cemindia Projects, Prime Focus and Gabriel India featured in StockEdges VWAP scan on October 23, with closing prices more than 2% above their respective volume-weighted average prices.

The IPO allotment is expected to be finalised today, allowing applicants to check whether they have been allotted shares through the registrar

CreditAccess Grameen, Sagility, Zensar Technologies and Atul featured in StockEdges VWAP scan on October 23, with closing prices more than 2% below their respective volume-weighted average prices.

US crude futures declined $1.82, or 2%, to $101.48 a barrel, while Brent crude futures dropped $1.50, or 1.72%, to $115 a barrel. Both benchmarks had settled nearly $3 higher on Friday following Houthi attacks in Saudi Arabia that heightened concerns over energy supplies. Brent gained 6% over the week, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) rose 2.3%.

As the week kicks off, major currencies hover in narrow trading bands amidst pivotal central bank meetings. Oil prices experienced a decline after hitting a six-month high, affecting the strength of the dollar. Meanwhile, US Treasury yields remain elevated due to lingering inflation worries connected to the rising oil costs. With five significant central banks likely to hold rates steady, market watchers are keen to decipher forward guidance.

Foreign investors may return to Indian equities only if crude oil prices cool, according to Ashutosh Tiwari, managing director and chief investment officerpublic equities at Equirus Asset Management. While valuations have corrected and earnings growth is expected to improve, rising oil prices have emerged as the key trigger behind renewed FII selling and remain the biggest hurdle to a sharper market re-rating.

The 200 DMA is a widely used technical indicator that helps traders assess the overall trend of a stock.

Gold prices dipped close to a three-month low, reflecting worries from investors as the Federal Reserve meeting approaches. While an interest rate hike appears more likely for December, this weeks chances remain low. In the oil market, prices fell back after a prior rise, amid ongoing supply worries linked to conflicts.

Oil prices took a dip on Monday after peaking at six-month highs due to rising supply concerns stemming from ongoing militant attacks. US crude futures tumbled sharply, with Brent crude following suit. The heightened fears arose from the recent Houthi attacks in Saudi Arabia, especially after a notable price spike last Friday.

The US Federal Reserve's upcoming meeting is expected to result in steady interest rates. High inflation continues to challenge economic policies, with rates anticipated to rise later this year. The Federal Open Market Committee will analyze data amidst political considerations ahead of the midterm elections. Analysts believe that while inflation remains a concern, a cautious approach will likely be taken.

Chinese stocks are experiencing a significant selloff resulting in a loss of $3.5 trillion since May. Increased competition and declining demand have negatively impacted corporate profits across various industries. Many companies, including major technology firms, are under financial pressure, prompting them to seek additional funding. The third-quarter earnings reports have shown disappointing results, highlighting ongoing profitability concerns. Analysts remain cautious about the potential for

India's benchmark 10-year government bond yield is expected to reach 7.75% by December. This increase is influenced by high crude oil prices and tight liquidity conditions. Persistent bond supply and expectations of further monetary tightening are driving the yield higher. Foreign portfolio investors have sold significant amounts of Indian debt, contributing to market instability. Economic concerns are spreading across emerging markets due to the interplay of oil prices and yields.

September quarter earnings exhibited significant revenue and profit growth for various companies in key sectors. Revenue rose by 22.1% with net profit increasing by 27.5%, surpassing the previous quarter. However, banking, IT, and pharmaceuticals sectors experienced a slow down in growth rates. Excluding lending, operating margins improved, indicating stronger performance in non-banking sectors. Analysts expect 13 out of 18 sectors to deliver double-digit sales growth in the coming quarters.

MSCI Inc.

India's equity valuations have reached their lowest levels in six years after a recent market decline. Factors contributing to this decline include foreign selling, a weaker rupee, and rising crude prices. Despite lower valuations, overseas investors remain hesitant to invest in Indian equities due to comparative valuations. The MSCI India Index trades at a premium compared to other emerging markets, influencing foreign investor sentiment.

Benchmark indices experienced a decline on Friday due to high Brent crude oil prices and global market weakness. Nifty was noted to face immediate resistance at 22,850 levels, with previous week's high acting as a hurdle. The rupee fell against the dollar for the second consecutive day, impacted by rising crude prices. Foreign portfolio investors were net buyers, while domestic institutional investors also increased their holdings.

Indian equity markets have faced a decline for four consecutive sessions, with the Nifty falling significantly. Various factors, including selling by foreign investors and rising crude oil prices, have contributed to this downturn. Notable stocks such as Infosys and Kotak Mahindra Bank have attracted investor attention due to their quarterly earnings. Upcoming developments may influence market sentiment further as investors remain watchful.

BlackRock Investment Institute has not yet adopted a bullish stance on Indian equities due to ongoing uncertainties. The firm anticipates greater clarity on corporate earnings and energy prices before changing its outlook. Despite elevated energy costs, India's economic resilience remains noteworthy amidst geopolitical tensions. Foreign investors have been net sellers of Indian equities for several months, impacting market performance.

In the upcoming week, the market gears up for an exciting round of initial public offerings, featuring five mainboard IPOs and four small and medium enterprise (SME) IPOs, with a target of raising

The Nifty index fell over 2% amid sustained selling pressures with technical indicators signaling support levels. Analysts have identified crucial resistance levels and potential near-term recovery points for the index. Several stocks have shown strength and recommendations have been made for buying opportunities. Additionally, bearish momentum remains evident in specific sectors while futures strategies are advised. Overall, investors are encouraged to adopt a cautious approach during this vola

Dr Reddy's domestic formulations business grew in the September quarter, while Revlimid sales declined in North America. A relaunch of generic semaglutide and the US launch of abatacept biosimilar are anticipated for future growth. The company aims to sell millions of pens for semaglutide with a focus on international markets. Furthermore, an expanding biosimilars portfolio aims to strengthen its position beyond traditional generics.

The industry body of NBFCs has told the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) that the proposed commission caps of 2% for credit life and 5% for credit health insurance would make credit-linked insurance distribution unviable, given distribution costs are about 32% of the premium.

The regulator is engaging with different stakeholder groups and has not reached a conclusion on the proposals, IRDAI chairman Ajay Seth had said recently. The objective is to move towards a more efficient regime without disrupting existing businesses or livelihoods. Some stakeholders have sought a longer transition period, while others have raised concerns about low-ticket policies, Seth had said. Larger insurers, smaller companies and new entrants have different concerns, as do various categori

Long-term capital-gains tax is a big factor on the equity side. On direct investment, the trade agreements are going to be a big positive. Trade agreements create potentially important UK-India and EU-India corridors. We have been doing a lot of work identifying companies that could benefit and engage with clients. For Citi, that opportunity can flow through services and markets and potentially through investment-banking transactions as multinational companies raise capital in India, says K Bala

Peter Lynchs investing advice centres on understanding a company before buying its stock. The legendary Fidelity Magellan Fund manager stresses researching business fundamentals, growth prospects and financials rather than investing based on popularity or hearsay.

Recently, the market witnessed a downturn, with eight of the leading firms in India suffering major valuation losses. The declines of HDFC Bank and Bajaj Finance were particularly striking. The BSE Sensex plummeted by 1,605.44 points, indicating a bearish atmosphere across equities. While Tata Consultancy Services and Larsen & Toubro showed some gains, the overall trend remained negative.

SBI Securities Sudeep Shah expects continued weakness in Indian equities as FII positioning, rising volatility and technical indicators point to further pressure. He identifies key Nifty support and resistance levels and flags IT as a relatively stronger sector.

Warren Buffetts retirement advice focuses on low-cost index investing, paying off high-interest debt, maintaining cash reserves, staying within ones circle of competence and living frugally. His long-standing principles offer lessons on building wealth, managing risk and making sound financial decisions.

Eleven low-priced stocks with market caps below Rs 1,000 crore and share prices under Rs 20 have gained up to 181% over three months. Kapil Raj Finance and Tuni Textile Mills led the list, according to ACE Equity data.

Foreign investors withdrew significant funds from Indian equities in October amid concerns over inflation and crude oil prices. Despite this, there were signs of moderation in selling with two days of net buying. The overall FPI outflows from equities in 2026 have reached notable levels compared to previous years. Market participants are closely monitoring upcoming macroeconomic developments including US GDP data.

Shabari Naturals, an initiative from Maharashtra, has received the G-Mark Global Design Award for its packaging. The packaging is inspired by traditional tribal art forms and cultural elements. Prime Minister Narendra Modi acknowledged the honor for promoting tribal products globally. Shabari Naturals aims to empower tribal communities by marketing their natural and organic products.

LKP Securities Vatsal Bhuva sees continued downside risks for Nifty and Bank Nifty, while identifying potential rebounds in Swiggy and HDFC Bank. He also recommends Oriental Hotels and Apollo Hospitals, citing improving technical indicators and favourable chart setups.

As many as 24 companies will turn ex-record date for dividends, stock splits and rights issues during the week starting October 26. Key names include Shriram Finance, CRISIL, Cyient, Chennai Petroleum and L&T Technology Services.

Jio Platforms will list on October 28, with a grey market premium of Rs 247 indicating a potential 22.07% listing gain. The Rs 30,213-crore IPO was subscribed over 22 times, led by strong institutional demand.

In a bustling week for the IPO market, five mainboard offerings are set to debut between October 26 and 30, aiming to amass an impressive Rs 2,581 crore. EAAA India Alternatives spearheads the launches, while Jio Platforms makes its entrance on October 28. Other notable entries include SFC Environmental Technologies and BLS Polymers on October 27, with MK Sons Fine Jewels and Bombay Coated and Special Steels following closely.

Sebi is reviewing short-selling and securities lending rules to improve liquidity and price discovery. The regulator is also planning reforms in clearing, broker compliance, custodial services and corporate bond market-making to deepen capital markets and reduce compliance costs.

In a communication dated October 22, AIHPGDA President Rajendra B said the assurance came during a bipartite meeting held on October 21 at IOCL's head office in Mumbai, attended by marketing directors, executive directors and senior officials of the three OMCs, along with representatives of LPG distributor associations.

Indian stock markets faced a setback as crude oil prices soared, triggered by increasing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. Despite some defensive buying from domestic institutions, foreign investors pulled back. The forthcoming US Federal Reserve meeting is poised to impact global market moods. Investors will be keenly watching industrial production metrics and second-quarter earnings for insights on corporate health, as macroeconomic stability remains crucial for market trends.

AU's gross non-performing assets ratio fell 42 basis points (bps) to 1.99% at the end of September. This helped in 25% lower provision at Rs 359 crore against Rs 481 crore. Net NPA ratio improved by 7 bps to 0.81%. Annualised credit cost improved by 45 bps to 0.8% from 1.2% over the year.

Amid the AI trade and ongoing geopolitical tensions, several US-listed stocks have come under pressure in 2026. Here are the top 10 stocks with market capitalisations above $5 billion that have fallen between 49% and 66% year to date, according to Vested Finance data.

The Supreme Court has emphasized the importance of protecting water bodies as a vital resource for drinking water. It directed all states and authorities to undertake physical ground-truthing of wetlands, ensuring compliance and detail in their methods. After acknowledging concerns about the time-consuming nature of this task, the court has granted four months for completion.

In terms of stock performance, around 14 stocks in the portfolio have delivered positive returns so far in FY27, while nearly half have posted negative returns.

Kotak Mahindra Bank has announced an impressive 26% year-on-year increase in consolidated profit after tax for the second quarter, highlighting strong financial performance. Their standalone profit after tax surged by 29% compared to last year