The Economic Times

The India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement will come into effect on October 20, enhancing trade for both nations. New Zealand expects increased demand for its agricultural products, particularly kiwifruit, honey, and apples, in India. The agreement includes provisions to ensure tariff-free access for Indian goods in New Zealand's market. Both countries aim to strengthen economic ties and improve productivity in agricultural sectors.

Indian tax officials are investigating Pernod Ricard and Diageo for how they classified bulk Scotch imports. These companies may have improperly benefitted from reduced tariffs under a recent trade agreement. Tax inspectors made surprising visits to both companies' offices to gather information about their practices. The investigations are part of a broader scrutiny faced by foreign investors in India.

Titan Company Ltd has successfully fulfilled its obligation by redeeming commercial papers worth Rs 1,000 crore, originally issued on July 21, 2026. As the maturity date has arrived, all investors have duly received their returns. This action adheres to the regulations established by the Securities and Exchange Board of India. As part of the Tata Group and functioning under the Tamil Nadu government, Titan encompasses various lifestyle brands.

Piramal Finances assets under management grew 24% to Rs 1.13 lakh crore, led by a 30% rise in retail AUM. Net interest income increased 35%, while its net interest margin expanded 35 basis points to 6.5%.

The Sensex plunged 876 points to close at 73,852, even as eight BSE 1000 stocks touched fresh 52-week highs. PC Jeweller led monthly gains at 42%, followed by Sky Gold and Diamonds at 31%, highlighting divergent stock performance.

US stocks open higher as AI-related shares rebound from last weeks sharp selloff. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq gain at the open, supported by lower oil prices ahead of a busy earnings week. The Dow slips marginally, while investors track technology stocks and upcoming corporate results.

Taking to Instagram, Aman Vaishnav, a senior AI engineer, revealed how being trusted by his manager and authorities in his job brought out the best in him and made him feel like he had already won the corporate game. He revealed that a high-trust work culture with a healthy work-life balance is the biggest perk an employee can experience.

Mumbai Police arrested three individuals for allegedly shooting at actor Tiger Shroff's car in Andheri. Two of the arrested suspects are from Haryana, while the third is from Bihar, with no minors involved. Investigators are questioning the suspects to uncover the motive behind the attack. The motorcycle used in the incident has been located, but no weapons have been recovered.

Beijing has announced new export controls on essential machinery, which will impact India's infrastructure development. These restrictions will take effect on November 18 and apply to tunnel boring machines and related items. Additionally, the export controls include walking excavators and specific dredger-related items, complicating several Indian projects. Exporters must obtain licenses and provide detailed technical information under the new regulations.

Peter Jackson has revealed that 'The Shadow of the Past' is in the scriptwriting stage. This film brings to life six chapters from 'The Fellowship of the Ring' that were omitted in previous adaptations, chronicling the adventure of the Hobbits as they journey beyond the Shire. Set fourteen years post Frodo's departure, it woven together Sam's daughter's tale. Currently, no specifics about the release date or cast have been provided.

Elon Musk has announced plans to gift one share of SpaceX to each child in America next year. This announcement came shortly after Anthropic pledged 5% of its shares to a benefit fund. The new fund will potentially increase in value as shares grow. Recent surveys show many Americans are concerned about the rapid development of artificial intelligence technology.

Indian government bonds ended lower as inflation concerns increased due to rising crude oil prices. The benchmark 10-year bond yield has been rising for nine consecutive weeks, causing worries about further rate hikes. Economists predict consumer inflation might exceed the upper tolerance band of the Reserve Bank of India. Additionally, the Reserve Bank has taken measures to curb currency speculation and stabilize the financial market.

A London-based lawyer who started to learn AI to future-proof his career found himself exhausted by the constant release of new models and the pressure to keep up with them. His experience highlights AI brain fry, a form of mental fatigue linked to intensive AI use, monitoring multiple tools and checking their output. Research suggests the strain can affect concentration, decision-making and work accuracy.

Bajaj Finance Q2 Results: Bajaj Finance reported a 29% year-on-year increase in net profit to Rs 6,367 crore in the September quarter, compared with Rs 4,948 crore a year earlier. Net interest income rose 24% to Rs 13,335 crore from Rs 10,785 crore in the year-ago quarter. Net total income increased 23% to Rs 15,974 crore from Rs 12,982 crore.

In a groundbreaking move, Elon Musk revealed his intention to distribute one share of SpaceX to every child in America. This announcement comes on the heels of Anthropic's commitment to allocate 5 percent of its shares to a public benefit fund aimed at harmonizing financial success with social impacts. With SpaceX recently hitting the stock market, Musk has also claimed the title of the world's first trillionaire.

NABVENTURES aims to invest 30-70 crore per company in agriculture, rural financial services, and climate solutions. The venture capital arm plans to focus on technology-driven businesses and growth-stage companies with established traction. Larger initial checks will be adapted for follow-on funding in high-performing portfolio companies. The emphasis will be on sustainable scaling in large markets, improving productivity, and raising farmers' incomes.

Jio vs Airtel vs Voda Idea: Comparing ARPU, Margins, Subscribers & More

CME Group on Monday said it will launch tungsten futures to meet rising demand for its metals complex, which registered record volume this year. * The contracts are expected to

US President Donald Trump waived key Russian sanctions which may enhance trade relations with India. This decision is expected to provide negotiating space for a potential trade deal. India, one of the largest importers of Russian oil, faces challenges due to declining imports. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is visiting India to discuss cooperation on this matter. The waiver could help India secure more favorable tariffs while stabilizing energy policies.

Copper prices have dipped due to rising inventories culminating from a resolution of a major strike at a Chilean mine. With available copper stocks hitting a two-month peak following substantial inflows, expert analyst Daniel Ghali pointed to US tariffs impacting global supply chains and shipping costs. In contrast, China exhibits signs of economic growth, notwithstanding ongoing struggles in its property sector.

Sterling hit a fresh 17-month high against the euro on Monday as street riots in France and elevated energy prices weighed on the single currency while recent

The Chinese economy grew 4.5% in the third quarter of 2026. The growth is fuelled by global demand for artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure, helping the economy offset weak domestic consumption and a deepening property market crisis. The development comes after a weak second quarter, which saw its growth shrink to 4.3%. However, sluggish domestic household spending and investment bring doubt about the sustainability of the trend.

Jio Platforms Rs 30,188 crore IPO has attracted institutional bids worth around Rs 2.5 lakh crore, more than 30 times the size of its anchor book. Over 70 investors, including global asset managers, sovereign wealth funds, domestic mutual funds and insurers, have expressed interest ahead of the October 21 opening.

Israels October 27 election will test Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus leadership following the October 7, 2023, attack and subsequent wars. Likud and its right-wing allies face centrist and left-wing challengers, while smaller factions and Arab-led parties could prove decisive in coalition negotiations to secure a majority in the 120-member Knesset.

Delhis draft e-rickshaw policy proposes a four-passenger limit, a 25 kmph speed cap, mandatory driving licences and PSV badges, and stricter action against unregistered vehicles. The government has invited public suggestions within 30 days.

SpaceX and Tesla are expected to report third-quarter results on consecutive days this week. This reporting will provide investors insight into both companies amidst merger speculation. Analysts are particularly focused on Starlink's revenue growth and Tesla's profits from car sales. Both companies are investing significantly in AI, influencing their financial outlooks. The upcoming results are anticipated to clarify the potential for a merger between them.

The BCCI has appointed former India cricketer Ramesh Powar to its men's selection committee following Ajit Agarkar's exit as chief selector. Pragyan Ojha will chair the five-member panel based on seniority. Powar brings international playing and coaching experience, including an Asia Cup title and Commonwealth Games silver medal with India's women's team.

Hindustan Zinc reported a 142% year-on-year rise in Q2 FY27 net profit to Rs 6,412 crore, while revenue surged 76.5% to Rs 15,093 crore. EBITDA doubled to Rs 9,285 crore, with margins expanding to 62% on higher prices and production.

Anupam Kher shared an old rehearsal video with Amitabh Bachchan from the Jumma Chumma show in London, recalling the camaraderie and fun of the 1980s and 1990s Hindi film industry.

Signature Global and Manasum Senior Living are collaborating to create a housing project for senior citizens. The project, titled Manasum Varishta, is located on Dwarka Expressway and will comprise 164 homes. Signature Global will handle the construction and development, while Manasum manages sales and operations after completion. The project is expected to generate approximately Rs 575 crore in revenue.

BSE has announced the schedule for Diwali Muhurat Trading 2026, set for Sunday, November 8, on the occasion of Laxmi Pujan. The special session will run from 2:20 pm to 3:30 pm, with separate timings for pre-open trading, block deals, IPOs, call auctions and closing procedures.

An engineering graduate decided to ditch corporate career . Today, he earns eight more than he did as a techie by becoming a full-time cab driver. Taking to LinkedIn, marketing professional Yash Patel revealed how he met a driver who was an engineering graduate and was earning Rs 25,000 per month in a tech job. Today, he is earning over Rs 2 lakh per month and has four cars.

New Delhi: State-run miner NMDC has put its planned foray into nickel on hold partly because of global oversupply concerns in Indonesia, a country that accounts for more than 60% of global output of the metal, two company officials with direct knowledge of the matter told Reuters.Reuters had earlier reported that India's state-owned Steel Authority of India (SAIL) and NMDC were looking at boosting nickel supplies from Russia and acquiring coking coal assets.India classified nickel as a critical

The Indian rupee held steady even as it initially surged, influenced by rising dollar demand from importers. However, the local stock markets, particularly the Nifty 50, suffered a decline of more than 1% due to underwhelming results in the technology and financial sectors. Meanwhile, Brent crude oil prices dipped about 2% after the US administration's sanction waivers.

The firing at Tiger Shroffs car in Mumbai has brought renewed attention to Lawrence Bishnois long-running hostility towards Salman Khan. The feud traces back to the 1998 blackbuck poaching case, in which Khan was convicted in 2018. Threats against the actor later escalated to gunfire outside his home, while three suspects have now been arrested in the Tiger Shroff firing case.

The textiles ministry has identified over 4,000 textile-based startups for support to scale up and become export-ready over the next three to four years. Consultations with registered startups and small businesses are expected to begin in late November or early December, followed by a national startup conclave in December to assess their needs.

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India issued a notice to Zepto regarding a consumer complaint. The complaint involved the delivery of two packs of expired besan. The packages were marked with a use-by date of September 12, 2026. The regulator has requested details about the delivery and affected stock. Zepto must confirm corrective actions and customer notifications to prevent similar issues.

Despite a sharp market downturn in 2026, all 10 top-performing equity PMS strategies delivered positive returns in September, ranging from 3.55% to 5.67%. Amaltas Asset Managements Keystone Fund led the rankings, while Cupid and Sterlite Technologies featured among the prominent holdings across multiple portfolio management strategies.

Global container freight rates have surged by 130 percent since February 2026 due to Middle East tensions. India's container-based export-import trade has shown strong growth with a 23 percent increase in September. Exports to the United States grew significantly, while those to the UAE and Saudi Arabia faced declines. Port traffic data revealed mixed trends for major and non-major ports across the country.

Aaron Sorkins latest film focuses on Facebook's past controversies and the implications of its business model. The story centers around whistleblower Frances Haugen and her allegations regarding Facebook's internal practices. Meta, formerly Facebook, is navigating ongoing concerns about safety and user engagement. The film, while offering a dramatic retelling, critiques the effectiveness of Metas strategies. This cinematic exploration aims to provoke discussions on corporate accountability in th

Fairfax Financial Holdings is preparing to acquire a majority stake in IDBI Bank in India. The Canadian investor's acquisition aims to enhance its presence in the growing Indian financial market. Fairfax plans to fund the transaction through various means, ensuring a stable financial position during the process. IDBI Bank has shown improved profitability since 2021, reflecting successful management changes.