Business / The Economic Times
European shares dipped to a two-week low on Wednesday, mirroring global investor nervousness over elevated equity valuations. Technology stocks led the decline, while Novo Nordisk slipped after issuing a cautious profit forecast. However, Vestas shares surged on better-than-expected earnings.
Japan's Nikkei share average fell 2.5% on Wednesday, mirroring Wall Street's overnight declines, with technology stocks leading the losses. The index dropped as much as 4.65% before recovering slightly, as investors eyed potential buying opportunities below the 50,000 mark. Despite the dip, analysts anticipate a slow but steady rise for the Nikkei in the future.
Grasim Industries announced strong financial results for the second quarter of fiscal year 2026. The company's net profit saw a significant 76 percent increase year-on-year. Revenue from operations also climbed by 16.6 percent compared to the same period last year. These figures highlight a period of robust growth for the Aditya Birla Group flagship.
India's rapeseed planting is set for a record high, driven by robust Chinese demand for rapeseed meal and favorable rainfall. This surge in production is expected to help the world's largest edible oil importer reduce costly overseas purchases. Farmers are planting more due to profitable returns from last year's crop.
Indian bond traders have urged the Reserve Bank of India to intervene by purchasing government debt and adjusting auction rules to alleviate market pressure. They specifically requested open market operations and a shift to uniform pricing at auctions to lower borrowing costs and boost investor confidence amid elevated yields and tight liquidity.
DIIs raised stakes in nine NSE midcap stocks, signalling growing institutional confidence in Indias equity market.
Edtech firm PhysicsWallah will open its Rs 3,480 crore IPO on 11 November. Backed by WestBridge Capital, the company reported strong revenue growth and narrowing losses in FY25.
India and New Zealand are strengthening trade ties. Both nations aim for mutual respect and long-term growth. Discussions focus on win-win solutions. Key sectors for collaboration include agriculture and aerospace. Direct flights are planned by 2028. This partnership looks towards the next 20 years.
Warren Buffett ends his six-decade tenure at Berkshire Hathaway as a cautious investor, selling more stocks and amassing a record Rs 382 billion cash pile. With Greg Abel set to take over, Buffett leaves behind a disciplined legacy marked by patience, prudence, and one final deal with Occidental Petroleum.
Chalet Hotels reported a significant surge in revenue to Rs 735 crore and a net profit of Rs 154 crore in Q2 FY26, a substantial improvement from the previous year. The company also launched its premium lifestyle brand, ATHIVA Hotels & Resorts, with the rebranding of The Dukes Retreat.
Nifty extended its decline amid weakness in IT, auto, and metal stocks, nearing key support at 25,525. Analysts see bearish momentum below 25,590 but stability above 25,700. Stock recommendations for Thursday include Kalpataru Projects, Minda Corp, Siyaram Silk Mills, Asahi India Glass, and CCL Products with bullish technical setups.
Lenskart IPO: Lenskart Solutions Rs 7,278 crore IPO closed on November 4 with strong demand, being subscribed 28.2 times after receiving bids for 281.9 crore shares against 9.97 crore on offer. The basis of allotment will be finalized on November 6, and investors can check their allotment status on the BSE or MUFG Intime India websites.
The National Stock Exchange (NSE) has set aside Rs 1,300 crore to settle pending Sebi cases, signalling progress toward its long-awaited IPO. The move clears a major regulatory hurdle, even as Q2 profits declined due to lower trading volumes and a one-time settlement provision.
LIC is set to announce its September quarter results on Thursday, with brokerages expecting up to a 10% year-on-year drop in its Annual Premium Equivalent (APE) to Rs 14,84016,380 crore. Estimates for Value of New Business (VNB) range between Rs 2,374 crore and Rs 3,018 crore.
Imports of Chinese seamless pipes and tubes into India have surged dramatically. Domestic manufacturers report a more than two-fold increase in FY25. Concerns are mounting over alleged dumping and tax evasion practices by Chinese suppliers. This trend threatens Indian industry capacity and employment. Furthermore, there are serious security implications for critical sectors.
The Niftys FY26 EPS has been revised upward to Rs 1,101 from the earlier estimate of Rs 1,096.
Global semiconductor stocks experienced a significant selloff, driven by concerns over inflated valuations for AI boom beneficiaries. Major Asian chipmakers, including Samsung Electronics and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., saw substantial declines. This pullback signals growing unease about the sector's earnings potential and high stock prices amid persistent interest rate concerns.
Sunil Singhanias Abakkus Asset Manager saw 9 portfolio stocks rise up to 80% in FY26, while six new stocks including Suven Life Sciences and Indogulf Cropsciences were added in Q2.
India's bond market is shifting. Long-duration bonds saw a rally due to fiscal consolidation and global index inclusions. Now, demand-supply dynamics are changing, and rate cuts are ending. Investors should combine short- to medium-duration corporate bonds with long-duration government securities. This strategy balances yield and volatility. Accrual-based strategies are key for the coming months.
Ace investor Mukul Mahavir Agrawal reshuffled his portfolio in Q2FY26, adding 10 new stocks worth Rs 400 crore across sectors like consumer durables, healthcare, technology, and renewables. The diversification highlights his confidence in Indias growth themes, with notable investments in IFB Industries, Osel Devices, Coforge, and Zelio E-Mobility.
India's leading dividend-paying PSU stocks have disappointed investors. Many have seen substantial price drops over the past year, failing to match market gains. Despite high dividend yields, earnings challenges and market caution have impacted these companies. Experts suggest a shift towards stocks with growth potential. Some PSU banks show promise due to improved fundamentals and attractive valuations.
Indias IT services sector showed stabilisation in Q2, with improved execution, resilient margins, and supportive currency effects. AI adoption is shifting from trials to implementation, opening medium-term opportunities. Stocks like HCL Technologies and Coforge offer healthy growth visibility and valuation comfort.
Abolishing GST on health and life insurance has immediately reduced premiums by 18%, making financial protection more accessible for millions, especially the 'missing middle'. This reform, coupled with reduced GST on medical devices and medicines, aims to lower treatment costs and make quality healthcare truly inclusive and affordable for all Indians.
Groww has surpassed Zerodha in active user count, capturing a significant market share by targeting first-time investors and underserved cities. Despite this user base advantage, Zerodha maintains a lead in profitability and revenue per user. Both platforms face headwinds from regulatory scrutiny on derivatives trading and increased competition.
Bitcoin has erased its summer rally, dropping over 20% from last months record and falling below $100,000 for the first time since June. A steep wave of October liquidations drained bullish positions, leaving traders sidelined and futures open interest depressed. Ether and altcoins also tumbled sharply, with many tokens down over 50% this year, as Bitcoin underperforms equities and loses its hedge appeal.
On a mission to strengthen economic ties, Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal is visiting New Zealand to negotiate a transformative free trade agreement. His agenda includes key talks with Minister Todd McClay aimed at expediting a comprehensive economic framework.
Indian markets have pulled back over 2% from record highs due to trade deal uncertainty and fading rate cut hopes. Analysts see this as healthy consolidation within an uptrend, with key support at 25,400-25,600. Investors are advised to buy quality stocks on dips, with fresh longs considered above 26,100.
Japan's Nikkei share average plunged 4% on Wednesday, its worst session in seven months, mirroring Wall Street's sharp overnight declines. High-flying technology stocks like SoftBank Group and Advantest led the fall, though analysts suggest it's a reaction to recent gains rather than a market exit. Nintendo, however, jumped on an improved sales forecast.
Global markets are experiencing a risk-off sentiment. The Japanese yen and U.S. dollar are in demand. Asian stock markets saw significant drops. The Australian and New Zealand dollars weakened considerably. Sterling also declined. Investors are closely watching U.S. economic data and Federal Reserve policy.
Japan's crypto market is experiencing a surge driven by investor enthusiasm and potential regulatory easing, with digital asset holdings reaching record highs. Exchanges are launching new products and services, anticipating tax cuts and relaxed trading rules. This renewed interest signals a significant opportunity for growth, attracting both seasoned and new investors seeking higher returns.
Oil prices dropped on Wednesday. Global markets saw a broad selloff. Concerns about economic and fuel demand growth grew. A stronger U.S. dollar also impacted prices. U.S. crude stockpiles reportedly increased. These factors contributed to the decline in oil prices. OPEC+ agreed to a modest output increase for December.
Indian investors, take note: US stocks plunged Tuesday as banking titans warned of a potential market drawdown, fueled by stretched valuations and AI boom exuberance. Major indexes saw significant drops, with tech shares leading the decline. Concerns over high valuations and profit-taking are mounting, prompting a cautious outlook.
ChrysCapital has secured a record $2.2 billion for its latest fund, ChrysCapital X. This marks a significant achievement for the Indian private equity firm. The fund saw strong participation from both global and domestic investors. ChrysCapital's strategy focuses on key sectors like consumer, healthcare, and technology. The firm has a proven track record of delivering substantial returns to its investors.
Asian markets are in a tailspin, echoing the dip witnessed on Wall Street as investor hesitation grows over inflated stock prices. This market tumble is echoing alerts from top financiers about looming corrections. The current buzz around generative AI is stirring memories of the dot-com bubble. Major Asian indices, particularly in Japan, are experiencing steep declines.
China's central bank, the People's Bank of China, resumed its government bond purchase program in October for the first time this year, injecting 20 billion yuan to support the economy. This move aims to maintain ample liquidity and contain borrowing costs, as market conditions have improved and the yuan has strengthened against the dollar.
NSE Holidays 2025: Indian stock markets are shut today, November 5, 2025, for Guru Nanak Jayanti. Trading on NSE and BSE is suspended across all segments. This is the second market holiday in November. The festival commemorates the 556th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji. MCX trading is also suspended. Markets reopen tomorrow, November 6.
Adani Ports reported a significant 29% year-on-year increase in net profit to 3,120 crore for the September quarter, driven by robust growth in its logistics and marine businesses. Revenue surged 30% to 9,167 crore, with cargo volumes rising 12% and market share reaching 28.1%.
The Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) plans to update stock broker regulations by December 2025 to enhance risk management and data protection. This review follows a discussion paper on rationalizing existing rules, some of which are over 30 years old.
Reserve Bank of India officials met with primary dealers to address bond market challenges. Elevated yields and tight liquidity were key discussion points. Meanwhile, the Indian rupee saw gains, closing stronger against the dollar. This strengthening was attributed to state-run bank dollar sales and central bank intervention in offshore markets. Foreign investors continued to sell Indian equities.
Lenskart's 7,278-crore IPO saw a robust subscription of 28.26 times on its final day, attracting significant investor interest despite concerns over its valuation. Anchor investors and marquee names like Radhakishan Damani boosted sentiment, leading to strong demand across all investor categories.
Adani Enterprises plans to raise up to 25,000 crore via a rights issue to fund debt repayment and capital expenditure, primarily in its airport business. The company reported an 84% year-on-year net profit increase to 3,199 crore for the September quarter, boosted by an exceptional gain from a stake sale in Adani Wilmar.
State Bank of India reported a significant 10% year-on-year profit increase to 20,160 crore in the second quarter. This performance surpassed market expectations, driven by robust growth in retail, agriculture, and MSME advances. The bank also benefited from a profitable sale of its Yes Bank stake.
India's GIFT City is considering allowing banks to transact in offshore renminbi. This move follows a suggestion from banks to broaden services. Previously, four other currencies were approved. The government is now reviewing the renminbi proposal due to improving India-China relations. This could boost trade and currency liquidity.
Expatriates working in India must now join the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation. The Delhi High Court upheld this rule for international workers of Indian firms. They can withdraw the full amount only upon retirement at 58 or due to total incapacity. This ruling impacts expatriates with shorter work durations in India.
The finance ministry has rejected a proposal to increase the food subsidy outlay, citing a need for prudent spending. Instead, the Department of Expenditure suggested liquidating surplus grains in the open market and cleaning up beneficiary databases to reduce costs and curb leakages.
India's wealthiest 1% saw their wealth share surge by 62% from 2000 to 2023. This trend mirrors global patterns where wealth concentration is increasing. A new report highlights extreme inequality as a choice, not an inevitability. It calls for global coordination and proposes an International Panel on Inequality to guide policy.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman encouraged Indians to embrace economic optimism. She highlighted the nation's significant progress over the last decade, moving from the tenth largest economy to the fifth. Sitharaman urged a focus on India-centric research to benefit the Global South. She emphasized the importance of data-driven studies and technological advancements in driving economic growth and policy-making.
SBICAP Securities has appointed Bhuvaneshwari A. as its new Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer. She brings over three decades of experience from SBI. Bhuvaneshwari aims to make SBICAP Securities a digitally driven, customer-centric, and innovation-led investment services company. The focus will be on strengthening technology, expanding products, and deepening customer engagement.
Paytm Q2 Results: Fintech firm Paytm reported a significant 98% drop in net profit to Rs 21 crore for Q2, despite a 24% rise in revenue to Rs 2061 crore. The company attributes revenue growth to increased subscription merchants and financial services distribution. Paytm plans to expand merchant offerings, grow financial services, and leverage AI for product innovation and market expansion.
Nuvama Wealth Management has announced a 1:5 stock split and a Rs 70 interim dividend. The company reported its Q2 earnings, showing a marginal decrease in consolidated net profit. Revenue from operations saw an increase compared to the previous year. The stock split will divide each Rs 10 share into five Rs 2 shares.

29 C