The Economic Times

Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland President Beth Hammack warned that persistently high inflation could entrench elevated price expectations among US households and businesses. She said monetary policy may not yet be sufficiently restrictive, citing resilient demand, strong business investment and a stable labour market. Hammack also noted that rising US bond yields reflect higher real interest rates and a solid economic outlook.

Economic experts predict that the Reserve Bank of India will increase interest rates at its upcoming meeting. This anticipated rate hike is largely due to rising inflation, which has exceeded the RBI's targets consistently. As central banks globally address inflationary pressures, India is under similar pressures regarding its currency. Nearly 60% of surveyed economists expect this action will occur in October.

Eurozone government bond yields rose as higher oil prices and uncertainty over the US-Iran conflict heightened inflation and interest-rate concerns. Germanys 10-year yield reached its highest level since 2009, while markets awaited eurozone inflation data. Investors expect September inflation to accelerate, potentially reinforcing expectations of further European Central Bank rate increases.

Transformations are on the horizon for India's insurance industry, with new proposals from the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India aiming to streamline product distribution and limit commissions. These changes could lead to lower insurance premiums, but distributors heavily reliant on commissions might struggle. Insurers like SBI Life, known for their efficient low commission rates, may adapt more easily.

US President Trump's recent meeting with Xi Jinping aimed to strengthen their personal relationship, but limited progress was achieved. Both leaders agreed on lowering tariffs on certain goods, with no specific timeline provided for implementation. The absence of a Chinese CEO delegation highlighted ongoing investment challenges amid mutual suspicions. China's trade has thrived despite US tariff threats, giving it leverage in negotiations.

LPU Protest Reason: LPU protests erupted on September 27 after a rape allegation involving a female student at Lovely Professional University in Punjab. Students are demanding justice, stronger hostel security and accountability. Police have registered a case and formed an SIT to investigate. The university has suspended classes for 10 days and postponed mid-term exams.

AICC general secretary K C Venugopal made serious allegations regarding the integrity of the Election Commission. He claimed a conspiracy involving CEC Gyanesh Kumar, PM Narendra Modi, and Home Minister Amit Shah. Venugopal pointed out that illegal acts were committed to benefit the ruling party. He announced a Congress working committee meeting to discuss the situation in detail. The alliance of opposition parties is also expected to coordinate their response.

Navigating overseas property purchases for NRI/OCI children can be complex for Indian parents, entangled in regulations like FEMA and RBI's Liberalised Remittance Scheme. From understanding allowable remittance limits to distinguishing between gifts and loans, families must carefully plan to avoid potential tax and compliance issues. Learn the critical steps to streamline the funding process.

The RBI is under growing pressure to raise rates in October as inflation broadens across the economy, growth remains strong and global central banks tighten policy. A Reuters poll shows most economists expect a 25-basis-point hike to 5.50%, while markets are already pricing in further increases over the next year.

Great Eastern Shipping shares rose nearly 3% after Nomura retained its Buy rating and set a Rs 1,965 target, implying 28% upside. The brokerage sees the companys Rs 8,000 crore net cash position as a key advantage, allowing it to expand its fleet and capitalise on lower vessel prices during a downturn.

Ruchir Sharma says India remains a middling investment story rather than a clear outperformer, with strengths in demographics, inflation and currency stability offset by weak private and foreign investment, high valuations, regulatory intervention and concentrated billionaire wealth. His broader view is that India consistently disappoints the optimist and the pessimist, making a simple bullish or bearish narrative difficult.

European shares edged higher, with the STOXX 600 gaining 0.3%, led by a sharp rally in British housebuilders. Gains were capped by rising oil prices and elevated bond yields, as investors assessed inflation and interest-rate risks. Energy stocks advanced, while miners declined, with markets awaiting central-bank officials comments on monetary policy.

Anand Mahindra's Monday Motivation is Nikhil Paralikar, a Vellore Institute of Technology graduate who chose a career in tabla over a corporate job. From drumming on boxes as a child to performing thousands of times, Paralikar has built a musical career blending Indian classical traditions with techno, EDM and folk music.

Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan expressed concern over the drought situation in Maharashtra and Karnataka, saying the Centre will send teams to assess the situation on the ground.

Congress workers staged protests across India against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar for his handling of electoral roll revisions. The protests took place in multiple states, including Delhi, Telangana, and West Bengal. Demonstrators called for greater accountability and transparency in the electoral process during these protests. Police intervened by detaining several protesters and using water cannons in some locations.

The UAE is set to invest an additional $25 billion in India, strengthening energy cooperation between the nations. India and the UAE are exploring strategic petroleum reserves and subsea pipelines for gas transportation and storage. Bilateral trade between the countries has doubled to $100 billion, with a target of $200 billion by 2032. Local currency settlement in trade is on the rise, currently in double digits.

India's leading recyclers' body has asked the federal foreign trade directorate to replace existing scrap import rules based on overseas certification with local inspection at Indian ports, according to a letter reviewed by Reuters on Monday.

The rabi season in India is expected to encounter difficulties due to the El Nino weather pattern. Agriculture Secretary Atish Chandra highlighted the challenges faced during the kharif season in rainfed regions. Crop diversification is needed for self-sufficiency despite research and income hurdles. Infrastructure modernization is crucial to prevent farm losses and ensure market access. A robust digital agriculture system is essential for accurate data utilization in crop production planning.

Around $4.3 trillion of US corporate bonds are set to mature between 2027 and 2031, increasing refinancing pressure as borrowing costs remain elevated. Lower-rated companies face greater risks, while major technology firms are also expected to raise substantial debt for AI infrastructure, potentially intensifying corporate credit supply and financing costs.

Michael Burry has taken full positions in five beaten-down stocks: QXO, Sprouts Farmers Market, Build-A-Bear, Birkenstock and MercadoLibre, citing attractive valuations. The investor remains bearish on AI-driven market exuberance, warning about stretched valuations, rising AI debt and potential market risks, while drawing parallels with previous periods of excessive optimism.

Western automakers are increasingly looking at defense contracts as a way to boost revenues and utilize excess capacity. Companies like Ford, GM, and Jaguar Land Rover are bidding for military vehicle contracts. Despite these efforts, executives express skepticism about the financial impact on overall revenues. Automakers are offloading surplus factories to defense manufacturers due to the growing demand for military production.

Ace investor Madhuri Madhusudan Kela holds an 8.99% share of the total capital contribution in Abakkus Expert Professionals LLP, the holding company and promoter of Abakkus Asset Manager. The Sunil Singhania-led asset manager has filed its DRHP with Sebi for an IPO comprising an offer for sale of 15 million shares.

India's GDP growth in the second quarter of FY26 surpassed the Reserve Bank of India's forecast of 7 percent. The growth prompted forecasts of gradual rate hikes, with expectations of a 25 basis points increase twice in FY27. Additionally, inflation is projected to hover above 5 percent due to various economic pressures. Rising oil prices are expected to widen the current account deficit to 1.3 percent of GDP in FY27.

Jefferies has moved Max Financial Services to the top of its life insurance picks, retaining a Buy rating despite cutting its target price. The brokerage expects regulatory changes to have a manageable impact on growth and sees further opportunities through Axis Bank.

Indias potential mainboard IPO pipeline is estimated at around Rs 3.86 lakh crore in the second of 2026, nearly 3.5 times the Rs 1.10 lakh crore raised so far in the year, according to AIBI. Of this, potential IPOs worth Rs 2.43 lakh crore have received the Sebi approval, while another Rs 1.44 lakh crore is awaiting clearance, the report said.

Tonbo Imaging has received SEBI approval for its proposed IPO, comprising an offer for sale of up to 18.09 million shares. The defence electronics maker has a global footprint, with more than 28,000 systems deployed across 24 countries.

Kharif cultivation this season has fallen from last year, but exceeded the five-year average despite lower rainfall. The number coming above five-year average is noteworthy, because monsoon rainfall between June 1 and September 26 was 12% below normal.

The Supreme Court of India has declined to interfere with Bhupesh Baghel's challenge regarding an election petition. This petition was filed by BJP leader Vijay Baghel against Baghel's election from Patan constituency. Senior advocates argued that the petition was barred by the 45-day limitation under the Representation of the People Act.

Michael Burry, the investor known as the Big Short investor, said the Trump administration cannot afford to let the AI boom falter as AI infrastructure has become a key support for the US economy. Burry, who has warned of excessive AI optimism, questioned how Washington could prevent a potential downturn.

Recent trends show Indian government bonds plummeting, thus elevating benchmark yields to a two-year high. The government aims to secure substantial funds through bond sales projected at 7.86 trillion rupees by March. However, a pivot toward longer-dated bonds has intensified trader apprehension over looming rate hikes, compounded by global yield fluctuations and rising crude oil prices that influence local financial conditions.

Five men were detained by police in Fairford after reports of suspicious activity near an air base. Authorities are investigating a potential Iranian-linked motive behind the incident, which included the presence of explosives. Security measures have been heightened, and residents were evacuated from nearby homes for safety reasons. The UK government continues to monitor the situation closely as US military operations are involved.

Three mainboard IPOs: AceVector, Runwal Enterprises and German Green Steel & Power, entered their second bidding day with strong investor interest. German Green Steels issue was subscribed 3.14 times, while AceVector and Runwal Enterprises were each 37% subscribed. Meanwhile, 20 IPOs are scheduled to launch next week, targeting combined proceeds of Rs 1,292 crore.

Housing sales in India's major cities rose by 3 percent during the July to September quarter of 2026. Overall sales in value terms increased by 2 percent compared to the previous year. Notably, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region and Bengaluru showed significant growth in sales. However, declines were observed in Delhi-NCR, Pune, Chennai, and Kolkata during the same period.

Bank of Japan officials are actively acknowledging the pressing concerns regarding rising inflation. A faction within the bank advocates for a quicker adjustment in interest rates to align with their inflation target. They caution that a delay in these rate hikes could detrimentally affect the economy. Recent actions from the BOJ suggest a careful transition to tighter monetary policies, emphasizing ongoing vigilance in monitoring inflation trends.

To combat rising pollution, the Delhi government has declared a ban on all dust-causing demolition and civil construction work starting November 1, 2026. This ban will persist until January 31, 2027, tightening restrictions significantly from December 10, 2026, when a complete stoppage of activities will be enforced until January 20, 2027. This initiative aims to enhance air quality across the city.

The Indian rupee experienced a slight dip as surging oil prices emerged from stalled diplomacy between the US and Iran. With escalating tensions across the Middle East, Brent crude oil rose considerably. To counteract further declines, the Reserve Bank of India stepped in to ensure the rupee remained above the 96 per dollar threshold. Consequently, India's foreign exchange reserves fell, reflecting these currency stabilization efforts.

Travelers could be stuck paying high airfares even if oil and jet fuel prices fall, major U.S. airlines and industry analysts say.The price of jet fuel shot up after the Iran war began and retreated sharply in the spring before surging again as the summer went on. Such fluctuations make it harder for airlines to plan ahead and give them a reason to be cautious about lowering ticket prices, according to Brett House, an economist who teaches at Columbia Business School.Jet fuel has risen even fast

IPO allotments for Elevate Campuses, Swastika Infra and ArMee Infotech are expected on September 28, following subscription between September 23 and 25. Investors can check status through NSE, BSE and respective registrars. The three companies are scheduled to list on September 30, with refunds expected by September 29 for unsuccessful applicants.

The university has suspended regular classes for 10 days from Monday and postponed mid-term examinations until further notice, prompting a large number of students to leave for their hometowns.

Tamil Nadu's Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay has unveiled the Maternal Uncle Gold Ring Scheme, granting a one-gram gold ring to babies born on or after June 22, 2026. This innovative program, part of Vijay's electoral commitment, is backed by an allocation of 755.83 crore. The launch ceremony held in Madurai highlights the government's dedication to welfare initiatives.

Data center operator DayOne is preparing for a potential US IPO in November, targeting a valuation near $20 billion. The company plans to file with the SEC in October amid heightened investor scrutiny of AI infrastructure, financing costs, customer concentration, secured power capacity and contracted revenues as IPO markets become more selective.

The Supreme Court expressed confidence in the West Bengal Assembly Speaker regarding disqualification petitions. This comes in the context of ten rebel Trinamool Congress MLAs facing disqualification proceedings. These proceedings involve responses to notices issued by the Assembly Secretariat earlier this month. The rebel camp is led by Ritabrata Banerjee, who is among the MLAs affected. The court emphasized the need for timely action on these petitions.