Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway saw a significant 17% profit jump, fueled by a robust insurance sector and strong investment returns. Despite the legendary investor's upcoming transition to Vice Chair Greg Abel in January, the conglomerate's operating profit soared. This impressive performance, even with a dip in utilities, highlights Berkshire's continued financial strength.

China has partially eased tensions with European businesses by exempting certain Nexperia semiconductor products from an export ban. This move follows a dispute with Dutch authorities and anxieties over potential chip shortages, with Beijing signaling a willingness to grant exemptions for qualifying exports. The announcement came as Chinese and EU officials held talks on export controls and supply chain issues.

Eastern Coalfields Ltd (ECL) has reopened two previously closed mines, Gopinathpur and Chinakuri, under the Mine Developer and Operator (MDO) revenue-sharing model. This strategic move aims to revive loss-making assets and enhance operational efficiency. The initiative is expected to boost coal output and attract private investment, marking a significant step in ECL's restructuring efforts.

Retired central government employees await the 8th Pay Commission's impact on their pensions, with the fitment factor being a key determinant of any increase. Pensioners also seek improvements in commutation periods and medical benefits, alongside potential hikes in Dearness Relief and family pensions.

Coal India Limited experienced a nearly 10% drop in production during October, reaching 56.4 million tonnes, as operations faced a slump due to weak demand and post-monsoon issues. Coal offtake also saw a decline of 5.9%. For the April-October period, output fell 4.5% year-on-year. Sanoj Kumar Jha has taken over as interim Chairman-cum-Managing Director.

The Reserve Bank of India reported that Rs 5,817 crore worth of Rs 2,000 denomination notes are still in circulation. This figure represents a significant decrease from the Rs 3.56 lakh crore in circulation when the notes were withdrawn on May 19, 2023. The RBI confirmed that 98.37% of these notes have been returned.

India's power consumption saw a 6% drop in October, reaching 132 billion units, primarily due to unseasonal rains and an early winter. This cooler weather significantly reduced the demand for cooling appliances. Experts anticipate this downward trend in energy usage to persist through November as temperatures continue to fall, impacting overall electricity needs.

India's GST collections reached approximately Rs 1.96 lakh crore in October, a 4.6% year-on-year increase driven by strong festive demand and pent-up consumption. This growth occurred despite recent GST rate cuts, indicating robust consumer spending and effective business adaptation to the new tax structure.

Small and low-risk businesses can now obtain GST registration in just three working days starting Saturday. This simplified route, approved by the GST Council, is designed for businesses with monthly output tax liability not exceeding Rs 2.5 lakh. The finance minister emphasized smooth operationalization and a dedicated help desk for applicants.

US and China have reached a provisional trade deal, easing tariffs and pausing export curbs. While hailed as a success, the agreement may be too late for American soybean farmers and does little to address deeper economic woes in both nations.

The National Highways Authority of India has simplified the FASTag Know Your Vehicle (KYV) process, ensuring services remain active during pending verification. Motorists now only need a front vehicle photo, and the system automatically retrieves RC details via Vahan. Issuing banks will proactively assist users, and the helpline is available for support.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent criticized China's rare earth export restrictions as a mistake that weaponized the vital minerals. Beijing's move alerted the world to the danger, prompting global backlash and a one-year suspension of certain limits following a US-China summit. Washington has prepared countermeasures against future controls.

A three-step strategy from GTRI aims to protect India's trade interests with the US. It proposes halting Russian oil imports under sanctions, seeking the removal of punitive tariffs, and resuming negotiations on fair, balanced terms for improved export competitiveness.

Russia has become India's largest sunflower oil supplier, surpassing Ukraine due to the latter's Black Sea port disruptions. Shipments from Russia have surged twelvefold, now accounting for 56% of India's imports. Despite a projected overall import decline due to price hikes, Russia's significant market share is expected to persist.

America faces its longest federal government shutdown. Economists warn this impasse is hurting the economy. Millions of federal workers are not getting paid. Small businesses are at risk of losing billions. Healthcare and early education programs are also impacted. The economic damage is mounting daily. This situation is creating significant hardship for many Americans.

Months after settling a $16 million lawsuit with CBS News, Donald Trump is set to appear on 60 Minutes this Sunday. Norah O'Donnell conducted the interview at Mar-a-Lago, marking his first appearance since the settlement and signaling improved relations with the broadcaster.

Plans to drive in 10 new models, including 7 SUVs; India among 3 key growth pillars: CEO

Markets regulator Sebi is investigating a four-and-a-half-hour trading disruption on MCX, India's largest commodities exchange. The incident, caused by a system parameter limit for Unique Client Codes exceeding its threshold, delayed operations. If found at fault, MCX could face financial penalties up to 20% of its average profit over the last two years.

Lenskart Solutions' Rs 7,278 crore IPO saw full subscription on its first day. Institutional and retail investors showed strong interest. The employee portion was also fully subscribed. High networth investors' portion was undersubscribed. The company had already raised Rs 3,268 crore via the anchor route before the IPO opened. The offer closes on November 4.

India possesses ample domestic savings to foster its own venture capital, according to Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal. He urged greater utilization of local funds, including pension and insurance, to fuel the startup ecosystem's next growth phase.

Sebi will not ban weekly derivatives contracts, instead opting for calibrated changes to the F&O segment. The regulator is analyzing trading data to inform these adjustments, aiming to strengthen the equity derivatives framework and manage risks, particularly around expiry days. These measures are designed to ensure market stability.

Apple has achieved an all-time revenue record in India, mirroring its global growth fueled by strong iPhone 17 and 16 sales. CEO Tim Cook highlighted India's stellar performance, both in production and revenue, with expansion plans in the country unaffected by geopolitical tensions. The company anticipates a further sales surge during the festive season.

Narayana Health has entered the UK market by acquiring Practice Plus Group Hospitals for Rs 2,200 crore. This strategic move expands its global presence and positions it among India's top healthcare providers. The acquisition aims to leverage Narayana Health's expertise in high-volume, accessible healthcare and technology to enhance services in the growing UK private sector.

UIDAI has formed a high-level expert committee to future-proof Aadhaar technology, focusing on scalability, data security, and cybersecurity resilience. Chaired by Neelkanth Mishra, the committee will draft the 'Aadhaar Vision 2032' framework, leveraging advanced technologies to ensure Aadhaar's continued role as a secure, inclusive digital identity aligned with India's DPDP Act and global standards.

Apple has achieved an all-time revenue record in India, contributing to its global revenue surge. The company credits strong iPhone 17 and 16 sales, alongside expanding retail presence in emerging markets like India, for this stellar performance. Apple plans further expansion in India, undeterred by geopolitical challenges.

The Reserve Bank of India has launched three key surveys, including one on inflation expectations, to inform its monetary policy. These surveys will gather insights from urban and rural households on economic conditions, employment, income, and price trends. The findings will be crucial for the upcoming Monetary Policy Committee meeting.

India's IPO market is experiencing a significant boom, driven by strong domestic investor participation. Companies like LG Electronics India and Lenskart Solutions Ltd. have seen rapid oversubscriptions, positioning India as a leading global IPO destination. This surge reflects deep local liquidity and a fundamental shift towards a self-sufficient equity ecosystem.

Bank credit to industry slowed in September 2025. Non-food bank credit also saw a lower year-on-year increase. Lending to micro and small industries remained strong. Credit to agriculture and allied activities expanded, but at a slower pace. Services sector credit grew, driven by tourism and real estate. NBFC and personal loan growth moderated.

India and the US are in advanced trade deal talks, with Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal hinting at an imminent agreement. This follows US President Trump's positive remarks. The proposed deal could significantly slash US tariffs on Indian exports, potentially from 50% to 15%.

Wall Street advanced Friday, with Amazon's significant surge propelling the S&P 500 near record highs and positioning it for a strong week and month. The index is on track for its third consecutive weekly gain and sixth straight winning month. Tech giants like Apple also contributed to the positive market sentiment.

Businesses with pending GST returns for three years or more will face a filing ban from November 2025. The GST Network announced this restriction, implementing a 2023 amendment to the GST law aimed at enhancing compliance. This means returns with due dates three years prior and unfiled will be permanently barred.

India's foreign exchange reserves experienced a significant decline of $6.93 billion, falling to $695.35 billion in the week ending October 24. This drop was primarily driven by a decrease in foreign currency assets and a notable reduction in gold reserves. The overall reserves had previously seen an increase in the preceding week.

The Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister's Chairman, S Mahendra Dev, urged India to accelerate free trade agreement negotiations and expand export markets beyond traditional partners. He emphasized maintaining dialogue with the US for a Bilateral Trade Agreement, despite recent trade friction.

The Centre's fiscal deficit reached 36.5% of its full-year target by the end of the first half of FY26, a notable increase from 29% in the previous year. This gap, representing the difference between expenditure and receipts, amounted to Rs 5.73 lakh crore. Total receipts for the period stood at Rs 16.95 lakh crore, covering 49.6% of the annual budget.

Lenskart's Rs 7,278-crore IPO was fully subscribed on its first day, attracting significant interest from institutional and retail investors. The company has already raised Rs 3,268 crore from anchor investors and plans to utilize the IPO proceeds for store expansion, technology investments, and potential acquisitions. Lenskart is scheduled to list on stock exchanges on November 10.

Maruti Suzuki reported an 8% rise in consolidated net profit to Rs 3,349 crore for the September quarter, driven by record export growth. Despite a 5.1% dip in domestic sales, overall sales volume increased by 1.7%, with exports surging 42.2% to a new quarterly high. The company also achieved its highest-ever quarterly net sales.

Gen Z has now become the leading force in India's crypto investments, surpassing millennials for the first time. A CoinSwitch report reveals that investors aged 18-25 now constitute 37.6% of the platform's user base, indicating a maturing crypto market with growing financial empowerment beyond major cities.

Despite US pressure, Indian Oil Corporation has ordered five Russian crude oil shipments for December delivery from non-sanctioned entities. While some Indian refiners have suspended purchases due to sanctions, IOC plans to continue procuring Russian crude as long as it complies with regulations.

China has resumed shipments of heavy rare earth magnets to India, providing relief to key manufacturing sectors. However, these crucial supplies come with a strict condition: the cargo cannot be re-exported to the United States, amidst ongoing trade tensions between the two global powers.

Ford Motor Company is set to restart manufacturing in India. The automaker will invest Rs 3,250 crore in its Chennai facility. This move marks a significant return after exiting vehicle production in 2021. The plant will focus on engine manufacturing for export. Production is scheduled to begin in 2029. This project is expected to create over 600 jobs.

US soybean trade with China is set to resume after months of halted purchases due to tariff tensions. China has agreed to buy 12 million metric tonnes this season and 25 million tonnes annually for three years, a significant step towards restoring normalcy for American farmers.

Gold prices experienced a dip in domestic futures trade on Friday, influenced by the Federal Reserve's stance on interest rate cuts and a temporary truce in US-China relations. Despite this, global gold prices saw a slight increase. The article also provides a city-wise breakdown of gold rates for both 24K and 22K purity.

Asian markets showed a mixed performance Friday, with Japan's Nikkei surging while Chinese stocks dipped following Wall Street's retreat from record highs. Despite positive remarks from President Trump on US-China trade talks, lingering disputes and disappointing Big Tech earnings weighed on investor sentiment. Oil prices also saw a slight decline.

Gold price prediction today: Gold prices are expected to trade within a defined range with a neutral outlook, according to LKP Securities. Analysts suggest a 'buy on dips' strategy for investors, targeting specific price levels. The market is currently consolidating, awaiting key economic data and US dollar movements for direction.

Eyewear giant Lenskart is launching its IPO on Friday, aiming to raise Rs 2,150 crore to fund store expansion, technology, and marketing. With a price band of Rs 382-Rs 402, analysts recommend subscribing for the long term, citing its strong business model and market leadership. The company's robust financial growth and international expansion plans are key highlights.