The Economic Times

Panasonic has recently appointed Japanese executives to senior roles in its Indian operations. The company is restructuring its leadership back to an expat-led model after focusing on Indian leadership. Former executives, such as Manish Sharma and Sandeep Sehgal, have left the company, leading to significant changes in strategy. Panasonic has downsized its operations and streamlined its product offerings to focus on air-conditioners.

HSBC has deployed more than half of its $1 billion loan commitment to Indian startups within a year of launching its innovation banking platform. The British lender has reported strong demand across consumer technology, e-commerce and enterprise software, and is open to increasing its funding allocation. HSBC Global Head of Innovation Banking David Sabow said the bank expects to add at least 500 clients in India over the next year.

In responses to the regulator's consultation paper on insurance distribution reforms, some industry participants said automobile manufacturers and dealers influence commissions, discounting and repair costs, which could blunt the impact of the proposed curbs on intermediary remuneration, according to people aware of the matter.

Theodoros Kokkalas, chief operating officer of ERGO International said greater predictability would help insurers make long-term business plans. We make plans, and today making long-term plans is like science fiction in the dynamic environment that we live in, he said. While India's general insurance industry is struggling to bring its combined ratio below 100%, with the industry average at 110-115% and ERGO is targeting a ratio of 80-85%, Kokkalas said there was no standard timeline for a marke

The Supreme Court has mandated the central government to provide details on the implementation of menstrual hygiene rights. This ruling emphasises that menstrual hygiene is crucial for Article 21 of the Constitution. The court is apprehensive about the effective execution of this directive in remote areas. Chief secretaries from non-complying states may face contempt proceedings for failing to respond.

The US budget deficit for fiscal 2026 rose to $1.99 trillion, driven by increased tariff refunds and spending. Total spending for the year reached a record $7.40 trillion, while total receipts were $5.40 trillion. Net tariff receipts fell significantly, contributing to the deficit increase as refunds reached $145 billion. The debt-service outlays recorded a new high of $1.36 trillion during this fiscal year.

The total valuation of businesses run by individuals under 35 in India rose significantly this year. The number of young business leaders increased from 155 to 180, showing notable growth. A total of 37 companies on the list are valued at over $1 billion, employing more than 5.88 lakh people. Meanwhile, the emergence of founders in the artificial intelligence sector has quadrupled.

At just 12 years old, Evan LaBelle discovered his passion for 3D printing, which ultimately led him to establish Autotiv Manufacturing. His company currently boasts an expansive production facility equipped with over 200 3D printers, catering to the aerospace and robotics sectors. Honored as Young Entrepreneur of the Year, LaBelle is celebrated for his innovative contributions and dedication to community.

Karur Vysya Bank (KVB) aims for 18-20 percent growth in total advances for the fiscal year 2027. The bank focuses on retail, agriculture, and MSME lending, which constitutes 86 percent of its advances. Though corporate lending will be increased, high-value loans will be capped at 20 percent going forward. Gold loans are expected to see significant growth supported by lower borrowing costs.

Yes Bank is examining the Supreme Court ruling regarding the write-down of Additional Tier-1 bonds. The Supreme Court upheld a prior Bombay High Court decision that quashed the bank's March 2020 action. Following the judgment, the bank is considering its legal options and future steps. The Reserve Bank of India and Yes Bank had previously appealed the High Court's ruling.

Crompton Greaves Consumer Electricals reported a 65 percent increase in consolidated net profit for the September quarter. The company's revenue from operations also jumped by 18.15 percent compared to the previous year. Significant revenue growth was achieved in the electric consumer durable segment, especially in fans and appliances. Overall, the company's total income surged by 18.24 percent in the same period.

Inside the Bharat D2C Conclave 2026, which brought founders, investors and policymakers together to discuss the business decisions shaping Indias direct-to-consumer (D2C) ecosystem, from scaling revenues and expanding distribution to using customer data and navigating regulatory requirements.

Cult.fit has received Sebi observations for its proposed IPO, comprising a fresh issue of up to Rs 950 crore and an offer for sale. Revenue rose 36.26% in FY26, while adjusted EBITDA margin improved significantly as fitness operations expanded nationwide.

The Reserve Bank of India has approved the merger of Emirates NBD Bank's Indian branches with RBL Bank. This amalgamation will officially take effect on December 1, 2026, according to the central bank's announcement. Emirates NBD Bank initially opened its first Indian branch in Mumbai in 2017, expanding later to Gurugram and Chennai. The Finance Ministry had previously approved Emirates NBD's acquisition of a significant stake in RBL Bank.

DLF reported a 11% year-on-year increase in July-September net profit to Rs 1,301 crore, with sales bookings reaching Rs 3,800 crore. Its Aureva luxury retirement project in Gurugram sold out, while the company maintained a strong net cash position.

Ujjivan Small Finance Bank plans to raise Rs 409 crore through a preferential share allotment to IFC and three insurers at Rs 64.73 per share. The bank also reported a 200% year-on-year jump in Q2 net profit to Rs 365 crore.

Gold rate, silver price were up on Friday but both precious metals were jolted by weekly losses.

Federal Bank posted record Q2 profit of Rs 1,386 crore, up 45% year-on-year, as net interest income climbed 26%. Advances grew 22% and deposits 19%, while asset quality improved, with gross NPAs declining to 1.32% during the September quarter.

Five BSE 500 stocksShyam Metalics, PVR Inox, Kotak Mahindra Bank, Indian Hotels and Laurus Labshit fresh 52-week highs as the Sensex gained 413 points. All five stocks posted monthly gains of around 8% to 15%, signalling positive momentum.

LTM reported a marginal 0.1% decline in Q2 FY27 profit to Rs 1,379.9 crore, while revenue rose 13.6% to Rs 11,807.6 crore. Enterprise AI and Business AI revenue grew 47%, and the company declared an interim dividend of Rs 25.

Bajaj Housing Finance reported an 18% year-on-year rise in Q2 FY27 profit to Rs 757 crore, while net interest income increased 10%. Assets under management grew 25% to Rs 1.58 lakh crore, with asset quality remaining largely stable.

Federal Bank has appointed Rajesh Varrier as a non-executive independent director on its board. This decision follows the announcement of the bank's impressive financial results for the September quarter. Varrier previously served as president of global operations at Cognizant and brings extensive management experience. The bank reported a significant rise in net profit and net interest income in comparison to last year.

Urban Company reported a net loss of Rs 182 crore in Q2FY27 as investments in its quick services business, InstaHelp, weighed on profitability. Revenue rose 41% year-on-year to Rs 537 crore, while orders grew 103%. The company also approved a fresh capital raise of up to Rs 2,500 crore, subject to shareholder approval.

Indian equities extended gains as strong IT earnings lifted sentiment, with the Nifty rising 149 points to 23,146 and Sensex gaining 413 points. Tech Mahindra led advances, while broader markets slipped. Analysts flagged 23,000 as crucial for further upside.

Swiggy Limited has completed the sale of its shareholding in Lynks Logistics Limited to Trustroot Internet Private Limited. The transaction was executed through its subsidiary, Swiggy Networks Limited, and concluded on October 15, 2026. This sale follows previous communication from Swiggy on September 7, 2026, about the intended transaction. Consequently, Lynks Logistics is no longer a subsidiary of either Swiggy Networks or Swiggy Limited.

The strategic sale of IDBI Bank to Canadas Fairfax Financial Holdings is expected to be completed by the end of FY27, subject to RBI approval, DIPAM Secretary Arunish Chawla said. Fairfax will acquire a 60.72% stake from the government and LIC for about Rs 53,000 crore, in what the government described as a major step in the banks long-delayed privatisation.

Yes Bank is expected to post a 48% YoY jump in Q2 net profit to Rs 969 crore, driven by robust loan growth and higher NII. However, investor focus remains on the Supreme Court ruling invalidating its Rs 8,415 crore AT-1 bond write-off, which has pressured the stock.

Nuvama Institutional Equities has initiated coverage on Laurus Labs with a Buy rating and a target price of Rs 2,520, implying a 24% upside from the current market price. The brokerage expects the drugmakers shift from its traditional anti-retroviral (ARV) business towards contract development and manufacturing (CDMO) to drive its next phase of growth.

DP World is ready to increase its investment in India between USD 3 billion and USD 5 billion in the coming years. The company urges for faster infrastructure development and quicker project approvals to unlock trade potential. Despite challenges, Narayan believes that India remains attractive due to its growing economic scale. Enhanced logistics capacity is critical for supporting India's manufacturing and export growth.

Mukesh Ambani is mobilising Reliance Industries workforce to boost interest in Jio Platforms record IPO. The conglomerate has encouraged employees to consider investing, released October salaries early and set aside shares for eligible employees and Reliance shareholders.

Yami Gautam has dismissed reports that she received a hefty cheque for her cameo in Dhurandhar: The Revenge. On Madhuri Dixit's Kon Honaar Crorepati, she said working with director Aditya Dhar was priceless.

Anxiety cant be controlled before the starting line. Breaking your preparation into small tasks can help you reduce it and prepare you for D-Day.

In 2017, Big Sean purchased a mansion in Beverly Hills previously owned by Slash for $8.7 million. After four years of renovations, he sold the property for $11.1 million in 2021, achieving a profit. The renovations included updating the design to reflect a more contemporary style and enhancing the home studio. The property featured seven bedrooms, 7.5 bathrooms, and also included entertainment areas.

Jemimah Rodrigues has been named the Friendship Ambassador by Switzerland Tourism to reach Indian travellers. As a prominent cricket player, she expresses excitement about her new role and connecting with people. Switzerland Tourism's CEO noted that Rodrigues embodies the spirit of today's curious and confident Indian traveller. Their partnership aims to promote authentic experiences for those visiting Switzerland. Rodrigues looks forward to sharing her experiences with her followers in India.

Ten stocks held by over 100 mutual fund schemes gained 75% to 205% in CY26 through September. Six of these stocks more than doubled, led by Welspun Corp and MTAR Technologies.

Designed for senior executives, the ET x LSE High-Performance Leadership & Strategic Decision-Making programme provides an enriching learning experience in leadership and strategic choices. Participants become LSE Executive Education Associates, enabling them to engage with a supportive professional community that enhances their expertise. This program's benefits extend well beyond its completion, proving to be an excellent long-term investment.

Indian IT stocks staged a sharp comeback this week, adding Rs 2.6 lakh crore in market value as the sector gained 12% to become the best-performing index. Better-than-expected Q2 earnings, positive management commentary and a selloff in AI-linked stocks helped revive sentiment, even as concerns over AI adoption and earnings growth persist.

Indian Bank gained Rs 1,388 crore from the NSE listing, boosting second-quarter non-interest income by 50% to Rs 3,953 crore. The one-time gain offset pressure from rising bond yields, despite Rs 123 crore in mark-to-market losses. Meanwhile, Canara Bank and UCO Bank reported declines in other income, reflecting weaker treasury earnings.

Jio Platforms Rs 30,200 crore IPO has a grey market premium of Rs 220 ahead of its October 21 opening. Emkay Global and SBI Securities highlight its telecom leadership, earnings growth and digital expansion, while flagging valuation, regulatory and capital expenditure risks.

Nuvama has initiated coverage on HFCL with a

Union Minister Rajnath Singh accused the Congress and its allies of inciting unrest and seeking regime change. He stated that the youth are being exploited for political confrontation rather than constructive initiatives. Singh emphasized the importance of respecting democratic institutions and maintaining law and order. He urged political leaders to focus on dialogue and nation-building instead of destructive politics.

An 18-month-old girl died after allegedly being pushed down a stairwell by a 10-year-old neighbor. CCTV footage reportedly showed the older child lifting the toddler before the incident occurred. The toddler was found by her brother after their mother could not locate her. The 10-year-old has been presented to the Child Welfare Committee for further inquiries. Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the tragic death of the toddler.

Indonesias $1.5 trillion stock market plunged after MSCI warned that its emerging-market classification may no longer be appropriate, raising fears of billions of dollars in foreign outflows. Concerns over market transparency, opaque shareholding structures and policy credibility have intensified investor anxiety, with Indonesian equities down nearly 40% in 2026.

Jewellery stocks, including Shanti Gold International, PC Jeweller and Sky Gold and Diamonds, rose sharply on Friday as mutual fund houses temporarily restricted fresh subscriptions to gold ETF Fund of Funds. With the festive and wedding season approaching, analysts expect resilient gold demand, while organised retailers could benefit from market share gains.

Persistent Systems shares fell 5% despite 7.8% sequential constant-currency revenue growth in Q2FY27, as margin contraction and a sharp decline in profit weighed on sentiment. Brokerages remained divided on the stock amid valuation concerns and acquisition-related costs.