The Economic Times

On Wednesday, gold prices surged by 3%, reaching impressive new levels following the midterm elections, during which Democrats secured control of both the Senate and House. This political transformation, combined with a weaker dollar, heightened gold and precious metals demand. Investors are keenly watching for the upcoming US non-farm payrolls report, as rising interest rates and ongoing fiscal risk concerns continue to influence market sentiment.

Indian government bonds experienced a significant rally influenced by falling oil prices after the US midterm elections. The benchmark bond yield dropped notably, reflecting a three-day decline in yields. Brent crude oil prices decreased, easing inflation and fiscal pressures on India. The Reserve Bank of India anticipates inflation will peak this quarter, supporting future bond market performance.

Aptus Value Housing Finance India achieved a remarkable net profit of Rs 267 crore in the second quarter, signifying strong financial growth. The total income surged to Rs 634 crore, up from Rs 554 crore the year prior. Additionally, interest income climbed to Rs 551 crore from Rs 472 crore.

Keystone Realtors has announced a ten-fold increase in consolidated net profit for the quarter ended September. The net profit rose to Rs 100.75 crore, attributed to significant profit share from joint ventures. Total income for the quarter, however, saw a decline from the previous year. The company's pre-sales reached record levels, reflecting strong demand for luxury housing projects.

Europe's leading corporate landlord Vonovia said Wednesday it was concerned at plans by Berlin's possible incoming far-left led city administration to expropriate apartments to tackle the city's housing crisis. Of course, we are concerned about plans to nationalise housing owned by private companies, Vonovia CEO Luka Mucic told reporters Wednesday during a conference call on the company's third-quarter results.

Sunday PropTech Ltd marks a significant milestone with its inaugural acquisition of an 89-room hotel in Rajarhat. This venue will be included in its emerging mid-premium Clubhouse brand, bolstering its footprint in eastern India. Given its advantageous proximity to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport, it appeals to business travelers. The company plans to revamp and reposition the hotel, while also identifying additional investment prospects in West Bengal.

Abdul El-Sayed, a Democratic Senate candidate from Michigan, is gearing up for a showdown against Mike Rogers this November. With roots tracing back to Egypt through his father, Mohamed El-Sayed, and a background in public health initiatives in Detroit, he brings valuable experience to the table. Living in Ann Arbor with his wife and two daughters, he adeptly juggles his family life while pursuing his political dreams.

The Union Cabinet has approved a revised Agnipath scheme offering all Agniveers a pathway to regular military service. The top 25% will be absorbed after four years based on merit, while the remaining 75% can opt for a two-year extension with higher pay, enhanced Seva Nidhi and seniority benefits before enrolment.

International airlines currently operating from Mumbai airport are given options to temporarily suspend operations or relocate. Discussions are ongoing with various international carriers regarding this transition. Indian airlines such as IndiGo and Air India have agreed to shift certain operations.

US stocks opened higher on Wednesday as investors bet a divided Washington after the Democrats' midterm sweep could limit sharp policy shifts, though data center-related stocks were

Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal has set March 31, 2027, as the deadline for complete digitisation of DGFT services, including licence, permit and SCOMET approvals. From April 1, businesses will no longer need physical visits to government offices for these services. The move also includes digitising historical records and simplifying procedures.

Ravi Uppal, linked to the Mahadev online betting app, was arrested in the UAE on an Interpol Red Notice. His associate Saurabh Chandrakar was extradited from Oman in relation to a money laundering case. Both individuals are being investigated by Indian enforcement agencies, including the CBI and ED. The Mahadev app reportedly generated Rs 80,000 crore in crime proceeds since its launch in 2019.

Nitin Gadkari highlighted the need for better project preparation and accountability in urban road development initiatives. He expressed concern over the lack of proper signage on Indian highways and its role in accidents. Gadkari mentioned nearly 5 lakh road accidents each year, causing 1.8 lakh deaths in India. He proposed that urban planning requires integrated approaches among various transport agencies to optimize public resources.

Washington: The US trade deficit contracted slightly in September, government data showed on Wednesday, hovering close to its widest since March 2025, driven by capital and consumer goods imports and strong exports.The trade gap in the world's largest economy decreased by 0.6 percent to $105.0 billion, according to Commerce Department data.Track US Senate Elections Result 2026 Live Updates hereThis was below the $107.7 billion projected in a consensus forecast released on Marketwatch.US trade fl

The Sensex gained 384 points to close at 77,301, while 15 BSE 500 stocks touched fresh 52-week highs. Ather Energy, PVR Inox, Marico and Indian Hotels featured among notable gainers, reflecting broad market momentum.

Sebi has announced relaxed KYC requirements for Non-Resident Indians, Overseas Citizens of India, and foreign nationals. These changes will allow them to complete digital onboarding from FATF-compliant countries effectively. Intermediaries can accept KYC submissions without requiring physical presence in India. Video In-Person Verification is now permitted where in-person verification isn't feasible, enhancing compliance capabilities. The revised framework, effective from December 3, is aimed at

Democrats are set to take control of the House and Senate after the 2026 midterm elections. President Donald Trump still has the power to veto their bills. This could be a test for Democats on how they handle that power and bring policies which could shape their pitch to voters in 2028.

Xavier Becerra was born in Sacramento, California. His father was born in Sacramento and raised in Mexico, while his mother was born in Mexico. He attended Stanford University, where he earned an undergraduate degree and later a law degree. His political journey started in California. In 1992, he was elected to the US House of Representatives.

Elon Musk's nearly $500 million campaign to support Republicans failed as Democrats reclaimed both chambers of Congress and flipped Texas' governorship. The results could expose his businesses, including SpaceX and Tesla, to greater congressional scrutiny, tighter data-centre regulations and potential hurdles for expansion plans under incoming Texas Governor Gina Hinojosa.

Investors are watching the implications of the recent Democratic win in the US midterm elections. Geopolitical tensions, particularly the Iran war, continue to elevate oil prices and market risks. Regulatory scrutiny on the rapidly growing AI sector is expected following the election outcomes. Market volatility is anticipated to persist due to fiscal policy debates and increasing debt concerns. The market response so far has shown modest gains despite heightened uncertainties.

Investing in gold and silver has shown different returns over various periods. Gold delivered approximately 190% returns over five years, while silver reached 178%. Silver has outperformed gold in the last three years, showing faster price increases.

Rahul Gandhi renewed his challenge to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a face-to-face debate. He claimed he could prove Modi is a traitor within five minutes. Gandhi stated that Modi avoids discussions, despite the Prime Minister's accusations against Congress leaders. In response, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman suggested Gandhi should be prepared to hear the government's side.

An investment portfolio should be customised to ones own needs, because there tends to be no one-size-fits-all portfolio. The idea is to ensure financial goals are realised across timelines and not just a decade or twenty years later. Jiraaf founder, Saurav Ghosh, talked about the customisation, profit margins, risk management and more when it comes to allocating a part of ones portfolio to bonds. Read on!

Dabur India Ltd. on Wednesday said Mohit Malhotra has resigned as Global Chief Executive Officer and Whole-time Director of the company, effective November 13, 2026, citing personal interests.Malhotra, who has been with Dabur for more than three decades, has accepted a leadership role overseas, according to his resignation letter dated November 3.The companys board accepted his resignation at a meeting held on Wednesday.In his resignation letter, Malhotra said he had joined Dabur as a management

Voters are showing signs of exhaustion towards Donald Trump, affecting Republican candidates' performances in recent elections. Many voters are dissatisfied with the Republican Party's handling of inflation and government corruption issues. Trump's endorsements of candidates perceived as flawed also contributed to the Republican losses during the elections. Voters are demanding more accountability and oversight from Congress, seeking necessary changes in representation.

Nykaa reported a 207% year-on-year profit surge to Rs 101 crore in Q2FY27, with revenue rising 28% to Rs 3,006 crore. Beauty and fashion businesses accelerated growth, while quick commerce, owned brands and strategic acquisitions strengthened expansion.

Auto sales growth is expected to moderate in the second half of FY27 after strong festive demand, while tractor sales may remain weak. Monarch Networth Capital prefers diversified ancillary players Minda Corporation, RK Forgings and Sundram Fasteners, with potential upside of up to 44%.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog has accepted the certified election results and will start consultations with party representatives. Neither Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu nor opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot achieved a parliamentary majority in the recent vote, requiring negotiations. Smaller parties are being approached for potential alliances to form a government.

Ravi Shankar Prasad criticised Rahul Gandhi during a BJP conclave regarding the alleged electoral irregularities. He questioned whether Gandhi and his party members would resign following these claims. Prasad emphasised that the Congress government in Himachal Pradesh should also consider resignation if he persisted with these accusations. The conclave aimed to address the anti-Sikh riots and the struggles faced by victims and survivors.

Virat Kohli recorded a significant milestone by surpassing Sachin Tendulkar for the most ODI chase runs. He scored 74 runs in a rain-affected match against New Zealand, helping India win easily. Kohli also levelled with Ricky Ponting for the most runs against New Zealand in ODIs, marking his dominance in the format. Additionally, he became the first player to reach 13,000 runs batting at number three.

European shares advanced after Democrats secured both chambers of the US Congress, lifting investor sentiment. Banks and clean-energy stocks led the rally, while Novo Nordisk gained after raising its full-year sales and profit forecasts.

Bitcoin traded near $78,000 as institutional outflows and macroeconomic uncertainty kept sentiment cautious across the cryptocurrency market. Investors tracked US midterm election results, potential changes in crypto regulation, Federal Reserve rate expectations, and ETF flows for cues on the market's next move.

Emomee, a children's entertainment company, emphasises the need for better regulation of digital content for young viewers. The company's founders, motivated by their children's viewing experiences, focus on creating quality educational programming. Recently, Emomee launched a series on Netflix and is exploring global partnerships for distribution. They are also developing physical products and considering live events to engage audiences.

India secured a comfortable victory over New Zealand in the first ODI held in Auckland. Virat Kohli played a key role by scoring 74 runs, which paved the way for the win. A young Indian pace attack excelled, dismissing New Zealand for just 185 runs in 40.2 overs. Kohli's performance included several boundaries, showcasing his skill and control throughout the innings.

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has changed his display name on X to Ram Altman after facing online criticism over his remarks about the use of Random Access Memory (RAM) in personal computers. The controversy started after his appearance on the Cheeky Pint podcast, where he questioned whether allocating large amounts of memory to individual desktop and laptop users was an efficient use of limited global supplies.

Valuation expert Aswath Damodaran believes an AI bubble is inevitable and investors cannot avoid its impact entirely. In a recent podcast, he traced the AI frenzy to ChatGPT's 2022 launch, which brought artificial intelligence into public consciousness. He explained how advances in computing power and access to vast amounts of data have transformed AI and fuelled today's enthusiasm.

Lenskart Solutions achieved a net profit of Rs 227.08 crore in Q2FY27, reflecting a 122.1% YoY increase. Revenue from operations rose to Rs 2,845.03 crore, marking a 35.7% YoY growth. Product margin improved to 64% compared to 63.4% in the same quarter last year. The company added 165 new stores in Q2FY27, enhancing its active store count to 3,624.

The Supreme Court has scheduled a hearing on November 19 regarding concerns over voter enrollment in Delhi. Petitioners argue that the Election Commission's clarification allows unjust requirements for previously registered voters. The court had previously questioned the need for voters to re-register using Form 6. Advocates suggested that those previously enrolled should have alternative options for reinstating their voting rights.

Abdul El-Sayed has been elected as the first Muslim to the US Senate, marking a historic milestone. His wife, Dr. Sarah Jukaku, has roots in Bhatkal, Karnataka, connecting their family to Indian heritage. Sarah's grandfather was a deputy minister for finance in Mysore State, contributing to local development. The couple met at the University of Michigan, where they became active in the Muslim Students' Association.

Eurozone government bond yields were steady as investors awaited October inflation data, while US Treasury yields declined after Democrats gained control of both chambers of Congress. Markets also assessed the likelihood of further European Central Bank rate hikes in December.

Dr Lal PathLabs announced a 27% increase in its second-quarter profit, with net earnings rising to 1.92 billion rupees. The company experienced a near 20% increase in consolidated revenue from operations during this period. A rise in healthcare awareness has fueled the demand for preventive health check-ups, contributing to these earnings. Dr Lal tested 13.6% more samples this quarter compared to the previous year.

Allcargo Logistics Ltd reported a positive shift in financial performance during the September quarter of FY27, achieving a consolidated profit after tax of Rs 19 crore. This demonstrates a year-on-year growth alongside a 3.4 percent increase in operational revenue. With the festive season on the horizon, the company anticipates further demand, focusing on enhancing capacity utilization and reinstating volume growth in the upcoming months.