The Economic Times
Elections 2026Company / The Economic Times
Hunter Biden Laptop case: The case was filed less than two weeks before the November 3 elections via criminal complaint, which means prosecutors have not yet presented the allegations to a grand jury for an indictment.
Congress has approached Samajwadi Party regarding contesting a significant number of seats in Uttar Pradesh. While Congress has proposed 175 to 200 seats, Samajwadi Party considers this demand excessive for the party's strength. Currently, Congress holds only two seats in the UP assembly of 403 members. The leadership of both parties will meet for discussions on seat-sharing arrangements.
Tata Sons is currently observing the situation involving its majority owners, Tata Trusts, regarding governance issues. The annual general meeting (AGM) deadlines are approaching and require shareholder majority for resolutions. Important changes in trustee roles could affect voting dynamics significantly. Legal experts suggest focusing on regulatory clarity to facilitate successful AGM execution. Clear representation and consensus among the trusts are critical for passing necessary resolutions.
Tata Motors Ltd achieved a standalone net profit of 2,138 crore for the September quarter, reversing last year's loss. Revenue from operations rose significantly to 23,930 crore, up 42% from the previous year. Improved demand was driven by higher fleet utilization and industrial activity, according to managing director Girish Wagh. Consolidated profit also increased to 1,257 crore, aided by a drop in mark-to-market losses.
The US Justice Department is seeking to invalidate Alaska's Senate election results if the Republican incumbent loses next month, in a rare legal move that raises questions about the Trump administration's willingness to accept defeat in the midterms. Democrats have accused the Trump administration of seeking to influence the November vote by expanding federal control over state-run elections and by repeatedly questioning the integrity of election results.
In Trappes and La Verriere, a Paris suburban area, a gunman opened fire, killing one person and injuring several others. Authorities suspect the attack to be racially motivated, leading them to classify it as a terrorist crime. A twelve-year-old girl was among the seriously injured, reflecting the attack's random targeting of passersby. The suspect was arrested shortly after the shootings, which happened in under fifteen minutes.
EAAA India Alternatives has successfully raised approximately Rs 360 crore from anchor investors prior to its IPO. This IPO is set to open for public subscription on October 26. The company will not receive any proceeds from the issue as it is an offer for sale. Prominent institutional investors and major domestic mutual fund houses participated in the anchor allocation.
Shriram Finance reported a 59.4% year-on-year rise in Q2 FY27 standalone profit to Rs 3,677 crore, driven by higher net interest income and lower funding costs. Assets under management grew 17%, while the board declared an interim dividend of Rs 6.50 per share.
Shree Cements September-quarter net profit fell over 15% year-on-year to Rs 263 crore for the third consecutive quarterly decline. Revenue rose 24% and sales volumes increased 14%, but soaring fuel costs pressured profitability despite stronger premium product sales.
Jana Small Finance Bank reported a 127% year-on-year rise in Q2 profit to Rs 170 crore, supported by business growth, higher margins and improved gross asset quality. The bank raised its annual profit growth guidance to 100%, while loans and deposits expanded.
The DIPAM secretary's assurance comes as IDBI Bank employees oppose the governments divestment plan and have called for a strike across the lenders branches in early November. The United Forum of Bank Unions has also extended support to the proposed strike.
RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra highlighted concerns regarding emerging cyber threats from artificial intelligence in banking systems. Measures are being implemented by banks and the RBI to secure IT infrastructure against these risks. The State Bank of India acknowledged potential data exposure, prompting increased vigilance for customer protection. Malhotra expressed confidence in India's robust forex reserves and external sector resilience amid these challenges.
Jindal Steels Q2 FY26 profit rose 21% year-on-year to Rs 771 crore, while revenue surged 44% to a record Rs 19,448 crore. Higher steel production and sales boosted earnings, while adjusted EBITDA grew 33% and net debt declined sequentially.
BPCL reported a 21.45% year-on-year decline in Q2 FY27 profit to Rs 4,863.05 crore, despite 29.78% revenue growth. Sequential performance rebounded sharply from a quarterly loss, while the company approved a subsidiary for its proposed Andhra Pradesh refinery.
India's central bank governor said on Friday non-bank finance companies classified in the upper layer are required to list on the stock market, reiterating the Reserve Bank of India's stance on the listing of Tata Sons without commenting directly on the company.
Mukesh Ambanis Jio Platforms IPO attracted bids exceeding Rs 4.5 lakh crore, setting 12 records, including over 1.25 crore applications. Institutional and retail participation surged, making it Indias largest public offering, with allotment expected October 26 and listing October 28.
New Delhi: RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra on Friday justified the classification of Tata Sons as an upper-layer NBFC, saying that any large NBFCs or core investment companies that handle public funds or leverage a group's balance sheet need to be registered with the central bank and follow the requisite listing norms.Large NBFCs and core investment companies (CIC) like Tata Sons and others are required to be registered with the RBI because of the systemic risks, because they sit on top of group co
SBI Cards reported a 75% year-on-year profit increase to Rs 778 crore in Q2 FY27, driven by lower credit costs and improved asset quality. However, corporate card spending declined, receivables contracted, and net interest margins narrowed.
Four Sensex stocks, including Bharat Electronics, NTPC, Power Grid Corporation and Hindustan Unilever, touched fresh 52-week lows on Friday as the benchmark index declined. The four stocks have fallen between about 6% and 9% over the past month, reflecting continued weakness in their share prices.
Dr Reddys Laboratories reported a 36% year-on-year profit decline to Rs 913.4 crore in Q2 FY27, while revenue slipped 1.5%. North America weakness pressured performance, offset partly by growth in India and emerging markets, alongside biosimilar approvals and strategic partnerships.
Kolkata's banking sector faced a Rs 5.19 lakh crore withdrawal of deposits in the fortnight ending October 15. Credit outstanding also contracted by Rs 2.52 lakh crore during the same period. Consequently, credit growth decreased to 18.2% from 19.4% in the prior fortnight. Meanwhile, deposit growth recorded a decline to 16.7% compared to 17.8%. The overall outstanding deposits reached Rs 278.76 lakh crore and outstanding credit was Rs 227.
JM Financial warns midcap and smallcap leadership may weaken as market breadth deteriorates sharply. Largecaps show early recovery signals, but investors should remain cautious. Nifty holding 22,000 could trigger a rebound; breaking below risks a fall towards 20,500.
The RBI has tightened how banks calculate leverage by widening the measurement of derivatives, repo transactions and off-balance-sheet exposures, while retaining the minimum ratios at 4% for systemically important banks and 3.5% for others. The norms, effective April 1, 2027, also strengthen disclosure requirements and restrict the use of collateral and netting to reduce reported exposures.
Infosys has lowered its FY27 revenue growth forecast to 1-2%, indicating challenges in recovering technology spending. Chief executive Salil Parekh noted uneven market conditions, with some sectors yet to experience improvement. Despite growing AI-related revenue, traditional services are facing productivity compressions as clients aim to cut costs. The company achieved large deal wins worth $3.6 billion, with most being net new business.
Indian equity markets fell for a fourth consecutive session, with the Nifty 50 closing at 22,600 and Sensex at 73,123.83. Small-cap, mid-cap and metal stocks slumped as bearish technical signals heightened concerns about further selling pressure.
Jio Platforms has achieved a remarkable milestone, garnering over one crore applications for its upcoming initial public offering. This surge signifies a burgeoning interest from India's retail investors in technology sectors. With the IPO set to debut on October 28, maintaining this enthusiasm is crucial. The communication strategies employed mirror those found in consumer marketing, urging potential investors to evaluate their financial objectives carefully before engaging with the IPO.
Real-time payments allow money to move between bank accounts within seconds, making transactions faster and more convenient for consumers and businesses. In India, systems such as UPI and IMPS enable instant transfers, while RTGS processes high-value payments in real time. Here is how these systems work, the technology that powers them, their benefits for businesses and customers, and the security challenges.
The ET HR Excellence Awards 2027 celebrates the pivotal contribution of talent acquisition leaders to organizational success. By implementing efficient hiring strategies, these professionals not only enhance their credibility but also demonstrate their significant influence on refining recruitment practices, workforce planning, and developing sustainable talent pipelines that align with long-term business objectives.
Infosys has declared an interim dividend of Rs 26 per equity share for its shareholders. The record date for this dividend is set for November 3, with payment scheduled for November 11. This announcement follows a final dividend of Rs 25 per share declared in June.
Infosys Q2 Results: IT services major Infosys Ltd on Friday reported 6% year-on-year (YoY) growth in its consolidated net profit at Rs 7,823 crore in the second quarter. The same stood at Rs 7,364 crore in the year-ago period. The company has trimmed its revenue growth guidance to 1-2% in constant currency for FY27 as against 1.5-3% given earlier.
In the second quarter of this fiscal year, IndusInd Bank reported a standalone net profit of Rs 1,176 crore, showcasing a remarkable turnaround from a loss of Rs 445 crore in the same quarter last year. The bank's net interest income increased by 4% year-on-year to Rs 4,569 crore, driven by enhanced asset quality, while gross non-performing assets decreased to 2.73% of gross advances, indicating robust profitability and growth momentum.
Tata Motors CV Q2 Results: The improvement in profitability was driven by lower mark-to-market losses on investments in Tata Capital Ltd. The company reported a strong net cash position of Rs 15,900 crore as of September 30, 2026.
Congress leader Mohammad Waliullah Sameer has openly criticized Asaduddin Owaisi's political assertions in Uttar Pradesh. He highlighted the AIMIM president's failure to nurture new Muslim leaders within Telangana, pointing out that AIMIM contested a mere nine constituencies out of 119 in the latest elections. Sameer argues that political dominance remains unchallenged, with many Muslims still facing significant difficulties in representation.
Mallika Sherawat's Los Angeles bungalow is a stunning blend of rustic charm and contemporary luxury. It features a beautifully designed kitchen with European accents, an open-plan living space, and multiple swimming pools set amidst lush greenery, creating a serene retreat. Vintage-inspired furniture adds character, while a dedicated gym supports her fitness goals. For socializing, a quaint cottage in the backyard offers a comfortable setting for gatherings with friends.
American passenger-only ferries play a crucial role in alleviating traffic congestion and offering a unique commuting option in urban areas. Despite their popularity, many ferry services, like NYC Ferry, face significant financial hurdles, requiring substantial subsidies to stay afloat. This raises ongoing discussions about the balance between providing essential transport alternatives for the public and the sustainability of municipal funding in the face of high operational expenses.
McKinsey Asia chairman Gautam Kumra discusses why owner-led businesses have outperformed professionally managed and state-owned peers, accounting for $7 trillion of the $14 trillion in market value created by Asias top 300 companies over 25 years. He explains the leadership traits that distinguish founders, succession challenges, AI adoption and why Indian businesses must look beyond domestic markets to build global franchises.
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has proposed colour-coded driving licences for Indian and foreign nationals, mandatory blood group and emergency contact details, and stricter safe-driving assessments. Draft amendments to the Central Motor Vehicles Rules also propose a 75% passing threshold, free changes to personal details, Aadhaar-based fee waivers for select online services, and a 15-day deadline for licence updates.
The ET Product of the Year Awards 2026 honor exceptional HR and WorkTech solutions that drive organizational success and transform the marketplace. To be considered, nominees are required to have been launched or significantly enhanced between January 1, 2025, and September 30, 2026. Evaluation criteria will focus on innovation, user adoption, quality of execution, and overall market influence.
The National Housing Bank (NHB) has appointed ASA & Associates LLP to conduct a forensic audit of SRG Housing Finance amid allegations of fictitious loan accounts worth 300400 crore, repayment record manipulation and possible fund diversion. The investigation will examine loan disbursements, borrower identities, asset classifications and fund usage, with findings potentially shaping regulatory action and the lenders financial outlook.
Bajaj General Insurance has appointed Deepak Reddy as CEO designate from January 1, 2027. He will take over as managing director and CEO on April 1, 2027, subject to approval from the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI).
The Madras High Court has quashed criminal proceedings against protestors from Theni who advocated for Tamil. The protest occurred on February 11, 2024, where they demanded Tamil's official recognition in the High Court. Although accused of unlawful assembly and threatening police, the court deemed the proceedings an abuse of legal processes. The court noted the allegations were primarily based on police testimony without other witness support.
Anilkumar Bolla UAE lottery winner: Indian expat Anilkumar Bolla won the UAE Lotterys Dh100 million jackpot in October 2025. A year later, he has bought property in India and the UAE, gifted gold jewellery to his mother and farmland to his father, and begun exploring business opportunities. He says spending quality time with family is now his biggest reward.
Purdue University researchers have been examining how solar panels affect crop production since 2019, particularly focusing on corn and soybeans, two key crops in America. Their experiments show that significant crop yields are still possible despite shading from solar arrays. The study aims to refine solar panel designs that provide energy while also benefiting agriculture, paving the way for solar energy to support irrigation and farming operations.
JSW Steel Q2 Results: The metal majors revenue from operations increased nearly 21% YoY to Rs 54,486 crore during the quarter under review, from Rs 45,152 crore reported in the same period last year.
A bomb threat note was found at Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport on Friday morning. The note was discovered in a women's toilet by a cleaning staff member, who alerted authorities promptly. Security personnel, including the bomb squad and CISF, conducted extensive searches around boarding gate number 30. There was no disruption to flight operations during this incident, which raised security concerns.
India aims to improve their bowling performance in the second T20 International against New Zealand on Saturday. The absence of Hardik Pandya has left a gap in the all-rounder department, leading to concerns. India's batters had previously saved the team with a record chase, highlighting ongoing bowling issues. New Zealand will try to contain India's strong top-order to challenge them during the match.
Adani Power has reported an impressive consolidated net profit of Rs 6,919 crore for the second quarter of FY27, which marks a striking 134% increase from last year's profit of Rs 2,953 crore during the same period. Additionally, their operational revenue surged to Rs 19,439 crore, representing a 45% growth from Rs 13,457 crore the previous year.

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