The Economic Times

Corporate debt issuances have seen significant growth as many companies seek to capitalize on favorable borrowing conditions. The aggregate debt proposed to be raised this week surpasses Rs 17,000 crore. Experts suggest that current bond yields below 7.30% may not remain stable for long. The outcome of upcoming US midterm elections may influence future market conditions significantly.

Contracts for the S&P 500 Index dropped 0.3%, erasing an initial gain of 0.5%, while those for the Nasdaq 100 declined 0.6%. The dollar dropped against most of its Group-of-10 peers and the yield on the benchmark 10-year Treasury note fell four basis points to 4.92%. The MSCI Asia Pacific Index dropped 0.2% even as South Koreas Kospi Index jumped 1%.

On Monday, the Indian rupee strengthened to close at 94.74, following a decrease in oil prices. Oil prices fell from six month peaks, contributing to the rupee's gains, which were significant during the trading day. The currency fluctuated between 94.88 and 94.60 amidst the market movements. Brent crude oil futures were priced at $104 per barrel during Asia trading hours.

Tokyo: Japan Investment Corp (JIC), a state-backed fund, plans to sell chipmaking materials maker JSR to Mitsui Chemicals in a deal that could exceed 1.3 trillion yen ($8.20 billion), two people familiar with the matter said.A decision could come as soon as within the month, one of the people said. Both people declined to be identified as the information is not public.JIC, JSR and Mitsui Chemicals did not reply to a request for comment.Reuters, which previously reported JIC is considering sellin

Indian benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty closed at their highest levels in nearly two months. Foreign investors have been net buying Indian equities, contributing to market gains over the past sessions. HDFC Bank was a significant contributor to the Nifty's gains, along with other major stocks like ICICI Bank. Decreasing crude oil prices have improved market sentiment among investors recently.

NYC election results: Kathy Hochul seeks re-election, facing off against Republican Bruce Blakeman in the New York gubernatorial race. With a significant 14-point lead in recent polls amongst likely voters, Hochul's victory isn't guaranteed yet, as vote counting has not commenced. Blakeman's campaign highlights affordability and taxation, while Hochul aims to deliver economic relief, attributing rising costs to the prior administration's policies.

Securities and Exchange Board of India has imposed penalties on two stockbroking firms over regulatory violations. Woodstock Broking and Marfatia Stock Broking allowed unauthorized access to their trading terminals. This access facilitated front-running trades by Prijesh Kurani, who operated from Dubai. The investigation revealed insider information was shared regarding Axis Mutual Fund's trades. The regulatory body emphasized the importance of stringent controls over terminal access and trading

The Indian stock market continues its upward momentum, with the Nifty 50 showing a robust rally and hitting significant resistance levels. Major players like NSE and SBI have posted remarkable quarterly results, illustrating their strong profitability and revenue growth. Firms such as Happiest Minds Technologies and the Multi Commodity Exchange of India contributed positively to the market's performance.

Sebi has directed mutual fund houses to make direct plans the default option on digital platforms. This change will take effect from November 1, when investors will see direct plans pre-selected for investment. Direct plans have lower expense ratios compared to regular plans, benefiting long-term investors through compounded returns. These changes aim to reduce conflicts of interest associated with higher commission payments in regular plans.

The upcoming US mid-term elections will potentially influence global markets and trade policies. Investors are closely watching whether the outcomes will ease uncertainties regarding tariffs and immigration. The results could shape the policy direction and affect the sentiment of global investors. Analysts suggest that the focus should remain on domestic earnings growth and financial flows.

Tesla has misled tens of thousands of South Korean customers by marketing driver-assistance software that the company knows cannot be legally used in most of its vehicles in the country, according to a complaint an advocacy group plans to file with a consumer protection agency on Thursday.Tesla has marketed Full Self-Driving (Supervised) software to prospective buyers in South Korea for years, often collecting lump-sum payments of 9.043 million won ($6,726).FSD can be used on about 20% of Tesla

On November 3, polling stations across the United States will have varied closing times. The first to shut down will be in certain regions of Indiana and Kentucky at 6 pm ET, followed by many states, including Georgia and Virginia, closing at 7 pm ET. Although election results might start rolling in shortly after, final counts could be delayed, particularly in close races where state vote-counting procedures vary.

The 2026 US midterm election results could determine whether Donald Trump retains Republican control of Congress or faces a Democratic majority in the House or Senate. While some winners may be declared on election night, close races could take days to resolve. Here's when results are expected and what could happen to Trump's legislative agenda if Republicans lose control of either chamber.

NASCAR driver Carson Hocevar has been suspended by Spire Motorsports for the Homestead-Miami season finale after repeatedly brake-checking Austin Cindric during the Martinsville race, causing heavy damage to Cindric's car. Hocevar has admitted that he crossed the line with his on-track actions and apologised to his team, sponsors and fans.

US stocks ended mixed as the Nasdaq rebounded on gains in chipmakers and AI linked heavyweights ahead of the midterm election results. Nvidia and Micron advanced, while Apple slipped over concerns about rising memory chip costs and holiday quarter margins. Investors also assessed AI spending concerns and the outlook for technology stocks.

Republican candidate Tony Ada is poised to become Guams next governor after taking an early lead in the November 3 gubernatorial election alongside his running mate, E.J. Calvo. A former US Army serviceman who served from 1986 to 1993, Ada has also held several positions in Guams government, including serving in the territorys legislature.

During the festive season, India's import of tree nuts and chocolates rose significantly, reflecting a 10-12% annual demand increase. The reduction in goods and services tax has made these gourmet products more accessible to consumers. In 2025, dry fruit imports during this period accounted for a substantial share of annual purchases.

Mumbai: Tata Motors and Iveco Group are aiming to build a global commercial vehicle business focused on growth rather than consolidation, N Chandrasekaran, chairman, Tata Sons, said on Tuesday, outlining the rationale behind the transatlantic deal.The $4.32 billion acquisition of the Italian truck and bus maker marked the biggest overseas deal for Tata Motors in the CV segment and the largest by a Tata Group automotive entity since the 2008 acquisition of Jaguar Land Rover from Ford Motor Compan

The changes form part of the Foreign Exchange Management (Export and Import of Goods and Services) which came into effect from October 1, 2026. Under the amended regulations, a resident individual exporting services will be deemed to have submitted the Export Declaration Form, or EDF, once the individual provides the authorised dealer bank with the information required to credit the payment to the exporter's account. No transaction-value threshold has been prescribed for resident individuals.

Florida voting results: Heavy flooding and rain have disrupted Election Day voting in Florida, forcing polling locations to change across seven counties. The Florida Department of State has published an updated list of relocated polling places on its Emergency and Disaster Election Resources page. Voters can also contact their local county Supervisor of Elections office for confirmation.

US Treasury yields climbed as stronger than expected September jobs data pointed to a resilient labour market, while investors awaited the midterm election results. Falling oil prices briefly eased pressure on bonds, but the move reversed as economic data reinforced growth expectations and uncertainty over future US fiscal policy kept investors cautious.

SK Hynix is awaiting approval from US officials for equipment necessary for expanding production in China. The company aims to increase its Dalian plant's output to support its US expansion plans. Meetings between SK Hynix's subsidiary, Solidigm, and the Commerce Department have been ongoing in search of approval. Solidigm is also exploring potential locations worldwide for a new NAND memory facility.

Yum Brands faced a setback in the third quarter as Taco Bell reported declining sales, primarily due to a cyclosporiasis outbreak that sparked customer concerns. While the outbreak severely impacted customer traffic, there was a notable recovery in sales during September and October. Although same-store sales remained flat, falling short of analysts' predictions, the company surpassed profit expectations, boosting investor trust in Yum Brands.

Pistachio have been the game spoiler this year. The prices of pistachio from all origins including Iran, Afghanistan and California have increased, said Ravindra Mehta, member of central governing council at Nuts and Dry Fruits Council of India (NDFC-I). The current pistachio crop in California is expected to be only about 40% of last year, which has led to an increase of 50% in pista prices in the wholesale markets and even more in retail, he added.

A combination of these factors offer Indian refiners an opportunity to capitalise on stronger diesel, gasoline and aviation turbine fuel (ATF) cracks. Reliance Industries (RIL), Bharat Petroleum Corporation (BPCL), Indian Oil Corporation and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation (HPCL) reported record refining performances in the September quarter (Q2) and expect the run to continue.

Election Day 2026 results so far: Michigan's closely watched 2026 Senate race pits Democrat Abdul El-Sayed against Republican Mike Rogers, with both candidates competing for a crucial seat. Most polls predict that Abdul El-Sayed might win. As voters head to the polls, here's what to know about El-Sayed's career, political background and wife, psychiatrist Sarah Jukaku.

The NLMC, which is working under the aegis of the Department of Public Enterprises under the finance ministry, also has land assets worth another Rs 4,000-5,000 crore belonging to public sector undertakings (PSUs) in the pipeline. These are at various stages of processing, providing an additional pipeline of potential transactions.

Polymarket has received approval from the National Futures Association for PM Derivatives LLC to act as a broker. This approval allows the company to expand its operations if it obtains further approval from the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. The firm is actively under investigation by the CFTC regarding its marketing practices. Currently, Polymarket serves as a popular platform for betting on various events and elections.

India is stepping up efforts to tap its estimated 10.6 GW geothermal energy potential, with its first two geothermal wells commissioned in Ladakh's Puga Valley in July 2026. The government is also supporting pilot projects across Gujarat, Arunachal Pradesh and Telangana, while its 2025 National Geothermal Energy Policy aims to promote research, technology development and private investment in the sector.

The US midterm elections could threaten the crypto friendly regulatory environment created under President Donald Trump. A potential Democratic takeover of Congress may bring tighter oversight of digital assets and prediction markets, putting companies such as Coinbase, Strategy and Bullish under pressure as investors reassess the sector's regulatory outlook.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman responded to Rahul Gandhi's challenge for a debate by emphasizing the role of Parliament. She criticized Gandhi for not raising issues in the House and instead making them on social media. Sitharaman highlighted the frequent walkouts of Congress during discussions, questioning Gandhi's commitment to a real debate. The Finance Minister also noted a recent mock Parliament event, calling it a mockery of genuine parliamentary procedures.

IDBI Bank Strike: A two-day nationwide strike by IDBI Bank employees and officers against the proposed sale of a majority stake to Canada's Fairfax Financial Holdings ended on Tuesday. The union will decide its next course of action at a meeting on November 10 and may seek support from other bank unions for a nationwide protest. Meanwhile, the Congress has also raised concerns over the proposed Rs 53,000 crore deal.

Election results 2026 so far: Americans are voting in the 2026 US midterm elections, with key races in Georgia, Pennsylvania, Texas and other states set to shape control of Congress. The first results are expected after polling stations begin closing at 6 pm Eastern Time on Tuesday. Heres when the first results are expected and which states could take longer to declare winners.

CleanMax has surpassed analyst estimates for the third consecutive quarter, driven by portfolio expansion and strong business performance. The company reported a 58% rise in H1 EBITDA and a six-fold increase in profit after tax (PAT), highlighting its robust growth momentum and improving financial performance.

Bagmane Prime Office REIT announced a distribution of Rs 527 crore to unitholders for the September quarter. The company leased 1.2 million square feet during this period, achieving a committed occupancy rate of 99 percent. Most of the leasing activity was directed towards Global Capability Centres in Bengaluru, which highlights their preference for quality assets. The average rent achieved was slightly above the prevailing market rates, reflecting strong demand.

Binance reported a cyberattack attributed to North Korea that compromised $6.34 billion in digital assets. Approximately $2.85 billion of the affected assets have since been frozen or intercepted. The attackers utilized fake job interviews and advanced malware to breach Binance's security systems. Subsequently, the company took steps to replenish the lost assets and mitigate the damage caused.

Securities and Exchange Board of India has imposed a total penalty of Rs 40 lakh on four entities. This penalty includes fines on Woodstock Broking and Marfatia Stock Broking for front-running trades. The investigation spanned from April 1, 2021, to March 31, 2022, involving these entities. Evidence indicated that brokers facilitated these trades by providing necessary infrastructure and assistance.

In September, the US saw a notable increase in job openings, showing a rise of 333,000. Layoffs fell to 1.641 million, providing evidence of a resilient labor market. Hiring activities also increased, reflecting a hires rate rise from previous months. However, concerns regarding the ongoing US-Israeli conflict with Iran may be impacting hiring decisions. Economists maintain that the labor market remains characterized by stable demand and low layoffs.

Utkarsh Small Finance Bank experienced a loss of Rs 70 crore in the second quarter, marking six consecutive quarters of decline. The lenders operating profit was Rs 85 crore, but provisions of Rs 166 crore led to the net loss. Its gross non-performing asset ratio improved slightly, standing at 5.96% at the end of September. The bank's gross loan portfolio saw a year-on-year growth of 7.5%, reaching Rs 20,062 crore.

The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) is likely to double parking charges at around 400 surface parking lots from Wednesday under GRAP-II pollution-control measures. The proposal is awaiting clearance from the civic body's law department and the competent authority. Currently, MCD charges Rs 20 per hour for four-wheelers and Rs 10 for two-wheelers.

Nexus Select Trust reported an 8% year-on-year increase in net operating income for the second quarter. The company's retail assets experienced a 13% rise in consumption compared to the previous year. Nexus declared a distribution of Rs 359 crore, maintaining a 100% payout to unitholders for 13 consecutive quarters. The firm is expanding its portfolio with plans to develop a Grade-A mall and hotel in Guwahati.

State Bank of India reported a 14% year-on-year rise in Q2 FY27 net profit to Rs 23,038 crore, driven by 18% loan growth, higher net interest income, lower deposit costs and reduced loan loss provisions.

Gaurav Moda, Partner and Energy Industry Leader at EY India said the increase in crude oil prices from an average of $60-65 per barrel to $90-95 has significantly raised India's energy import costs, even as the country continues to prioritise securing supplies amid geopolitical uncertainties.

Indian equities rallied nearly 2%, with Sensex gaining 1,225 points and Nifty rising 370 points. Falling crude prices, renewed FII buying, resilient earnings and expectations of LTCG tax changes boosted sentiment, adding nearly Rs 4 lakh crore to market capitalisation.