The Economic Times

In India, commodities are steadily gaining traction as a crucial component of investment strategies. As investors diversify beyond conventional assets, they are discovering opportunities in gold, copper, and energy markets. Innovative financial products make it easy to engage in these commodities without the need for physical possession. Success demands a strong grasp of specific commodities and diligence in choosing regulated trading platforms.

More than 54 percent of urban households believe that economic conditions have worsened over the past year. Concerns regarding employment and rising prices are significantly impacting consumer confidence among respondents. The Reserve Bank of India noted a decline in both the Current Situation Index and Future Expectations Index this September. Despite the economic concerns, household sentiment regarding income and spending remains optimistic.

At least 46 companies are expected to report double-digit profit declines in Q2, despite Motilal Oswal projecting 22% earnings growth for its coverage universe. Autos, cement, healthcare, consumer and capital goods are among sectors facing pressure, highlighting the uneven nature of the September-quarter earnings recovery.

Vedanta has announced its first interim dividend of Rs 5 per share for FY27, with a total payout of Rs 1,955 crore. The dividend comes after the companys mega demerger earlier this year. Investors will need to hold Vedanta shares by October 14 to qualify, with October 13 being the last buying day.

India and Cte dIvoire discussed strengthening cooperation in defence and anti-terrorism, including training, capacity building and institutional exchanges, during External Affairs Minister S Jaishankars visit to Abidjan.

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari announced the approval of Rs 993.64 crore for the NH-10 development project. This project aims to upgrade the Rangpo to Ranipool section into a two-lane highway. It will include construction of tunnels, viaducts, and safety measures for vulnerable zones. The upgrade is expected to enhance connectivity for tourists and goods in Sikkim. It also holds strategic importance for defense personnel and supplies in the region.

Nine smallcap stocks that fell over 40% in 2025 have more than doubled in 2026, highlighting sharp turnarounds in investor sentiment and emerging as some of the years biggest multibagger stories.

Nifty 50 approaches its 52-week low as the index breaches key technical support levels amid RBI policy tightening, persistent FII selling, rising oil prices and weak global cues.

Adani Enterprises outlook is improving as several incubated businesses reach commercial scale. CARE Ratings upgraded AEL to AA, citing stronger financial flexibility after its 15,000-crore QIP and Adani Airports monetisation. Airports, Kutch Copper and roads are expected to drive FY27 earnings, while data centres, new energy, defence and aluminium offer longer-term growth.

Indias first RBI rate hike in four years may not stop record capital outflows or ease pressure on the rupee, which has fallen 7% this year. Foreign investors have withdrawn $30 billion from Indian equities, while rising hedging costs and narrowing India-US rate differentials threaten the appeal of Indian stocks and bonds amid higher global yields, oil prices and inflation.

Jefferies has reiterated a Buy rating on Kalyan Jewellers, setting a base target of Rs 830 and a bull-case target of Rs 1,000, implying a 76% upside. The brokerage highlighted market-share gains, store additions, and structural shifts to organised retail as primary long-term growth triggers for the stock.

European government bond markets face renewed volatility as investors pull funds from fiscally vulnerable nations like France and Italy. Germany has re-emerged as a primary safe haven, benefiting from capital inflows alongside Dutch, Swiss, and Swedish debt amid rising fiscal and political concerns across the euro zone.

Mastek shares witnessed an uptick on Thursday despite weak market sentiment after its UK subsidiary was selected by Staffordshire County Council for an AI-enabled Oracle Cloud transformation programme. The engagement will cover finance, procurement, human resources and payroll, with Mastek deploying its ADOPT AI platform as the councils integrated cloud platform.

8th Pay Commission news: The 8th Pay Commission has begun discussions regarding the salary, allowances, and pension of central government employees. Their meetings in Bengaluru will address various aspects of employee compensation, including work conditions. Once the Commission finalizes its report, salary revisions will be implemented for affected central government employees. The calculation of dearness allowance will also be based on the new salaries after revisions.

TSMC reports record third-quarter revenue, beating estimates as surging AI demand drives strong growth in advanced chips, while the chipmaker prepares to provide a detailed outlook on earnings, capital spending and AI demand.

El Nino is forecasted to intensify and peak by December, lasting through February 2027. Sea surface temperatures are expected to reach unprecedented levels during this phenomenon, affecting global weather patterns. It could be one of the strongest El Ninos since at least 1950, according to the World Meteorological Organization. India may experience economic repercussions, including increased food prices and disrupted agricultural practices.

CUET-UG 2027 could see major changes, with the Ministry of Education, UGC and NTA considering fewer subjects, shorter exam papers and a new subject-grouping system. The proposed format could allow students to complete their entrance test in a single day, reducing examination days and travel. The final changes will depend on consultations with universities and the testing agency.

Cupid shares rose 3.76% to hit a high of Rs 356.90 on Thursday, extending their rally since the September 30 business update to around 16%. The stock has gained 238.78% in 2026 so far, sharply outperforming the Nifty 50, which is down 14% over the same period.

Paytm shares crashed on Wednesday after reports suggested a possible delay in the rollout of UPI MDR. Analysts said the stock faces immediate support at Rs 1,560-1,550, while a decisive break below could trigger further selling.

Nana Patekars last wish: Nana Patekar's 2023 interview has resurfaced following his death at 75, highlighting his candid views on mortality, possessions and his final rites. The veteran actor had spoken about needing 12 maunds of wood for his funeral, keeping dry wood for cremation and not putting up his picture after his death. He also shared his belief that death would reunite him with his late mother and siblings.

India's space journey illustrates a significant evolution in rocket technology from Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle to Launch Vehicle Mark-3. PSLV played a crucial role in launching various satellites and missions including Chandrayaan-1. LVM3 facilitated the launch of Chandrayaan-2 and the successful soft-landing of Chandrayaan-3 near the Moons south pole. This progression demonstrates India's growing capabilities in launching heavier payloads and future missions.

Nilesh Shah from Kotak Mutual Fund highlights the advantage of bear markets in uncovering robust investment opportunities. He points out that India's growth potential surpasses that of South Korea due to its remarkable talent pool and infrastructure. Shah advises diversifying portfolios with alternative investments like SIFs, credit AIFs, and global funds, suggesting that 15% to 20% be dedicated to international assets.

The Reserve Bank of India has increased its key policy rate by 25 basis points, raising it to 5.50%. This adjustment signifies a strategic step towards cautious monetary tightening shaped by global economic developments. Traders are exercising caution due to heightened global yields and soaring crude oil prices impacting the bond market.

The 57th GST Council meeting is set to consider major GST 2.0 reforms, including wider input tax credit eligibility, protection for genuine buyers from supplier defaults, faster refunds, simpler GST registration and MSME compliance relief. Proposed changes also include removing GST arrest provisions, raising the prosecution threshold, easing export rules and targeted rate tweaks across sectors.

Chinese stocks fell after the holiday break amid renewed US-China tensions, higher US Treasury yields and concerns over elevated technology valuations. The CSI300 and Shanghai Composite declined, while the STAR 50 suffered sharper losses. Investors are reassessing high-valued chip and technology stocks, with trade tensions, earnings expectations and global yields weighing on sentiment.

IT stocks rose on Thursday as investors turned their attention to TCS, which is set to kick off the Q2 earnings season. Analysts expect modest sequential revenue growth, while a favourable base and margin support could aid year-on-year growth. Currency tailwinds may also support margins across Indian IT services companies.

Applied Digital posts a sharp revenue surge in fiscal Q1 2027 as AI data-centre demand drives growth, while expanding US capacity, long-term contracts and a planned Finland campus strengthen its growth pipeline.

Jefferies has cut target prices for BSE, Turtlemint and several other non-lending financial stocks ahead of Q2 earnings, while retaining Buy ratings on most stocks in its coverage.

Foreign investors pulled $26.3 billion from emerging-market stocks and bonds in September, marking the first monthly outflow since June, according to the IIF. Fixed-income assets saw $7 billion of outflows, their first net withdrawal since March. The selling was driven by a hawkish US Fed stance, which pushed Treasury yields and the dollar higher, reducing the appeal of emerging-market assets.

ITC shares witnessed a drop on Thursday amid reports of likely block deals, with nearly 39 crore shares changing hands across the NSE and BSE. The identities of the buyers and sellers involved in the reported transactions were not immediately known.

Fino Payments Bank shares surged 13.34% to Rs 145.80 after its September 2026 business update. CASA, deposits, renewal income, digital customers, CMS throughput and loan referrals recorded strong growth, though transaction throughput and new deposit accounts declined. Despite the rally, the stock remains significantly below its 52-week high and trades below four of eight SMAs.

At ET Alpha Wealth Summit 2.0, Kotak Mutual Funds Nilesh Shah highlighted the uncertain payoff from massive investments in artificial intelligence. Shah said the global economy has faced repeated disruptions over the past six years, while shifting capital flows, AI and emerging economic powerhouses are reshaping investment opportunities and the next phase of wealth creation.

Indian equities remain under pressure as the RBIs calibrated tightening stance, continued FII selling and rising oil prices weigh on sentiment, while IT stocks outperform and analysts expect largecaps to face further pressure.