The Economic Times

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

The Nifty 50 declined in all four sessions of the holiday-shortened week, hitting an intraweek low of 22,372 on Friday before closing 2.4% lower at 22,600. The Bank Nifty fell 2.8%, while the Nifty Midcap 100 and Nifty Smallcap 100 plunged 5.6% and 7.3%, respectively, as selling pressure intensified beyond frontline stocks.

Investor confidence in small and mid-cap stocks is strong, with rising valuations when compared to large caps. Last month, small and mid-cap funds garnered Rs 16,873 crore, accounting for 44% of the total equity fund inflows. Despite a drop in equity fund assets, overall inflows have seen a 31% uptick, indicating healthy market dynamics.

In recent developments, Bitcoin has dropped to roughly $80,685, while Ethereum hovers around $2,370 due to various market influences. Major altcoins such as XRP and Dogecoin have also experienced dips, some decreasing by 2.2%. A noticeable decline in institutional interest is evident, with substantial outflows from Bitcoin and Ether ETFs. Both Bitcoin and Ethereum are facing challenges sustaining their momentum amidst the market's volatility.

Value-focused retail formats are growing, while premium categories experience challenges due to stock availability issues. Recent demand fluctuated with a dip noted in September and October, with expectations for improvement in mid-October. Beauty products significantly influence sales, contributing to the overall trends in the market. Rural incomes may pose risks to discretionary spending as festive season approaches. Companies with effective inventory management and store-level traction are be

The issue set records across fundraising, anchor investor demand and applications, while attracting the highest qualified institutional buyer (QIB) subscription among Indias five largest IPOs. It was fully subscribed within 100 minutes of opening and received nearly 1.4 crore applications, according to figures compiled for the issue.

The Securities and Exchange Board of India has directed Avadhut Sathe Trading Academy to refund 546.18 crore to investors. Avadhut Sathe and his academy provided unregistered investment advisory services under the pretext of education. The regulator found that misleading testimonials were circulated while concealing overall trading losses. A penalty of 11.5 crore was imposed on Sathe and the academy for their actions.

Anthropic is on track for an IPO expected in mid-November, reporting impressive revenues of $16.3 billion. However, the company faces a staggering net loss of over $80 billion for the year. Valuation expert Aswath Damodaran warns that IPO investor metrics can be erratic and heavily influenced by market sentiment. As Anthropic navigates an evolving business model, investors are advised to look beyond venture capital evaluations for a clearer understanding.

Five equity mutual funds have offered over 18% annualised return on SIP investments in 10 years, as reported by ETWealth. (As of October 14, 2026)

Five mid cap mutual funds have offered upto 21% return in the last three years. Here is a detailed breakup, as reported by ETWealth. (As of October 14, 2026)

With uncertainty clouding equity markets, investors looking to deploy a lumpsum face the challenge of allocating their money across asset classes. Four wealth management experts recommend a mix of equities, debt and gold, with the allocation depending on an investor

Rolling returns serve as a valuable tool for investors to assess mutual fund performance by averaging annualized returns over several timeframes. Unlike trailing returns that might reflect a distorted perspective, rolling returns utilize daily NAV data to provide a holistic view. By applying a CAGR formula, investors can evaluate consistency and adaptability of funds across diverse market conditions, making informed decisions easier and more precise.

S&P Dow Jones Indices will soon change its rules for classifying growth and value shares. The new criteria will incorporate intangible assets, forward earnings, and free cash flow instead of relying on 12-month price momentum. These changes are expected to affect approximately $375 billion of passive funds linked to the index. FTSE Russell is also considering adjustments due to the dominance of technology companies.

Damanis other top stock holdings in terms of holding value are United Breweries, TSF Investments, Horizon Industrial Parks, Blue Dart Express and Bhagiradha Chemicals.

Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) has reported a 21.45% decline in consolidated net profit for Q2 FY27. The decline is attributed to losses from the sale of petrol, diesel, and LPG, which affected marketing margins. Consolidated revenue from operations increased by 29.7% compared to the previous fiscal year. As of September 30, 2026, BPCL's cumulative under recoveries on LPG reached 17,334.40 crore.

In the second quarter of FY2027, Dr. Reddy's Labs experienced a downturn in both revenue and profit. However, the company supports new trade margin regulations that aim to improve access to vital medicines. With a commitment to boosting its core business performance, management is also dedicated to exploring growth avenues.

Adani Power has reported a 142% increase in net profit for the July-September quarter. This profit was driven by strong electricity demand and exceptional prior-period income. Operating revenue for the company saw a nearly 30% increase compared to the previous year. The company also recognized significant revenue due to adjustments in historic energy charges under its power purchase agreements.

JSW Steel achieved an impressive three-fold rise in its consolidated net profit for the September quarter, highlighted by a record-breaking 13% increase in sales volumes compared to last year. The company has received approval for ambitious expansion projects, aiming to add 5 million tonnes at the Utkal site in Odisha.

In October, consumer sentiment in the U.S. plummeted to a concerning 48.0, driven by rising prices and economic worries amid the ongoing Middle East conflict. Survey results suggest that independents show the steepest drop in confidence, approaching historical lows. Additionally, inflation expectations have risen, marking a continuation of trends from earlier this year. Federal Reserve officials are attentively observing these shifts as they plan future interest rate adjustments.

US stock investors are on the edge of their seats as they anticipate quarterly earnings from tech giants like Alphabet, Microsoft, and Amazon. This week is pivotal, with the Federal Reserve meeting also in sight, likely to shape how investors feel about the AI sector. After disappointing earnings from firms such as Meta and Lam Research, mixed sentiment looms over the market, especially with the midterm elections on the horizon.

Outward remittances under the Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS) stood at $2.7 billion, with travel accounting for the largest chunk. Indians spent $1.6 billion on travel in August, from $1.7 billion in July, while $275 million were spent on maintenan-ce of relatives. Indian citizen spent $321 million on investments in equity and debt, while $191 million on studies abroad.

Gross foreign direct investment (FDI) to India decreased to $11 billion in August, from $14 billion a month ago. Net FDI to India slows $3 billion in August, from $7 billion in July. Financial services, communication services, computer services and manufacturing accounted for around 73% of total FDI equity inflows during April-August 2026.

Shares of Swiggy fell by 16.4% to 176.70, marking a record low for the company. This decline raises concerns over cash burn and achieving profitability in its quick-commerce business. Analysts are questioning Swiggy's strategic choices and execution following its market debut. The widening losses in the quick-commerce segment have drawn attention to the company's overall performance.

BSE has initiated the search for its next managing director and chief executive officer. Sundararaman Ramamurthy is scheduled to retire in June 2027 after reaching the age limit. The exchange is looking for candidates with at least 20 years of experience, which includes senior leadership roles. Applicants need to be under 62 years old as of July 1, 2027.

IndusInd Bank reported an impressive consolidated net profit of

Piyush Goyal emphasized the importance of collaboration between Indian and German research institutes during his visit. He highlighted the potential for co-development and co-innovation under the India-EU free trade agreement. Goyal encouraged the institutes to connect research with industry in order to support manufacturing in India. The minister also mentioned India's extensive trade agreements that will boost global market access.

Infosys released its quarterly results, showing good revenue growth and stable operating margins. However, the management reduced the annual revenue guidance due to competitive pressures. The company secured a significant $2 billion deal, boosting its total contract value to $5.2 billion. Despite positive performance from some sectors, weaknesses in others contributed to the cautious outlook. The market response led to a rise in the stock price, affecting valuation metrics.

Jio Platforms has experienced a surge in demand for its initial public offering, garnering roughly

Mid-cap and small-cap stocks in India have faced major declines, indicating a shift in market sentiment. The Nifty MidCap 150 and Small-cap 250 indices reported their worst weekly falls in two years. Domestic retail investors initially supported these segments by increasing mutual fund contributions. However, concerns over rising oil prices and fiscal deficits are adding to market uncertainties.

The Reserve Bank of India recorded a net purchase of $43.26 billion in August's foreign exchange market. This was done to manage significant dollar inflows from the FCNR(B) scheme and overseas borrowings. Despite the net purchase, foreign exchange reserves did not increase due to large forex sell/buy swaps. By August 31, measures attracted over $127 billion, aiding the RBI's operations.

Sangeeta Kumari Singh Deo reaffirmed India's dedication to safe nuclear practices during her address at the UN. She highlighted the IAEA's significant contributions to member states in developing nuclear capabilities for peaceful use. Several nations expressed gratitude towards India's developmental assistance at the India-UN Development Partnership Fund Event. Ambassadors from various countries acknowledged India's role in promoting South-South cooperation and supporting national priorities.

Users have begun reporting instances of broken inner displays in the new iPhone Duo model. Cracks are appearing near the hinge, causing concern about the device's durability. Some owners experienced damage after minimal use, with one individual reporting a crack after just six hours. Apple is currently analyzing reported cases to determine whether there is a manufacturing issue involved.