The Economic Times

In a significant move, AceVector, the owner of Snapdeal, has successfully garnered Rs 189 crore from anchor investors for its upcoming IPO, scheduled to open on September 25 with a set price range of Rs 30-32 per share. Major allocations were made to funds like Negen Undiscovered Value Fund and Singularity Growth Opportunities Fund II.

The collection is built around Macca the Gator, a fictional TV show that exists within GTA 6s Leonida universe. References to Macca run throughout the collection, with the character featured on several of the items included in the box.

National Payments Corporation of India plans to introduce a 0.4% merchant discount rate for UPI transactions. This could help recover about 13,000-15,000 crore of annual costs while most transactions remain free. According to CEO Dilip Asbe, 80% of the MDR would come from large businesses already accepting credit cards. He noted that reintroducing charges after six years of zero MDR is necessary due to slowed investments.

Canada CPP and OAS payments, including the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS), are scheduled for September 25, 2026. Find out who qualifies for the latest Canada government payment, how much eligible seniors and CPP recipients could receive, the maximum CPP, OAS and GIS amounts for 2026, and the remaining CPP and OAS payment dates this year.

Researchers at Singapore's Centre for Quantum Technologies have developed a highly accurate lutetium-based atomic clock. This clock has a reported frequency uncertainty of 1 10, making it one of the most precise clocks available. The team successfully demonstrated the clocks sensitivity to minute differences in gravitational potential. Future plans involve creating a transportable version of the clock for various scientific applications.

Axis Bank is set to launch an extensive outreach program across India, spotlighting tourism and hospitality sectors in Goa. The initiative plans to engage over 5,000 customers and honour approximately 1,000 entrepreneurs.

Sebi has widened the definition of accredited investors by introducing new asset criteria for individuals and corporates. The board approved a common advertisement code that allows celebrity endorsements for brand promotions while restricting specific product advertisements. Furthermore, the agency introduced a new settlement scheme for non-genuine trades in illiquid stock options. Changes aim to simplify accreditation procedures and encourage listing of non-convertible debt securities.

The GST Council will meet on October 7 to discuss GST levy on UPI merchant fees exceeding Rs 2,000. The government has proposed a 0.4 percent merchant discount rate that will apply from October 15. This merchant discount rate will be capped at Rs 300 and is considered a taxable service under GST. Merchants will be able to claim Input Tax Credit on the GST paid on the merchant fees.

HDFC Mutual Fund bought 25 lakh PB Fintech shares worth about Rs 321 crore at Rs 1,282.30 each, even as the stock plunged 36% after IRDAI proposed renewed insurance commission caps, raising concerns over the companys general insurance revenues.

Government sources clarified that the proposed merchant fee on UPI transactions above Rs 2,000 will not affect consumers. National Payments Corporation of India noted that a small portion of UPI transactions might be impacted. The amount collected will be shared among banks and stakeholders within the UPI ecosystem. The Indian Banks' Association plans to address misunderstandings about the charges soon.

Indian equities suffered a sharp selloff, with Sensex plunging 1,248 points and Nifty falling 1.6% as US Treasury yields hit 19-year highs, crude stayed above $100 and geopolitical concerns intensified. Financial stocks led losses, while market breadth remained heavily negative.

Sebi expanded its vault managers framework beyond Electronic Gold Receipts to cover bullion underlying specified ETFs and derivatives, while raising vault managers net-worth requirement to Rs 75 crore and strengthening security, segregation, compliance and governance requirements.

Under the proposed framework, distributors could be rewarded for the quality of sales and servicing, while commissions could be clawed back in cases of mis-selling. The regulator has also proposed greater accountability for individual sales staff by tagging their identity to policies sold and putting information on mis-selling incidents in the public domain.

Nadir Burjor Godrej and Adi Godrej's heirs recently acquired a 1 percent stake in Godrej Consumer Products, purchasing 1,02,30,000 shares at Rs 880 each, totaling over Rs 900 crore. This transaction occurred via block deals from two entities within the promoter group. Notably, despite this shift in shareholding, the overall ownership percentage among the promoters remained unchanged.

India's markets regulator has received about 3,500 responses to proposed changes in the closing auction session framework, its chairman Tuhin Kanta Pandey said on Thursday. A short

Proposed commission caps from the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India could severely impact PB Fintech's revenue. The company anticipates a potential reduction in income from general insurance to 33-40% of current levels. As a response, PB Fintech plans to enhance cost control measures and shift its focus toward profitability.

Indian equities ended higher as investors focused on domestic growth momentum despite crude volatility and geopolitical risks. For Friday, analysts recommended Texmaco Rail, South Indian Bank and Allied Blenders.

Zerodha co-founder Nithin Kamath said regulatory risk is the biggest threat for regulated financial businesses, citing IRDAIs proposed insurance commission changes. He warned that regulatory shifts affecting broking, F&O, client float and MTF can rapidly alter business economics and valuations.

The National Stock Exchange recently celebrated a milestone with its highly anticipated IPO, entering the stock market with shares opening at Rs 1,800, surpassing the issue price of Rs 1,785. The chairperson and CEO expressed a commitment to prioritizing public interest while driving growth, as the IPO drew impressive institutional interest, reflecting strong investor belief in the exchange's promising future.

India has officially permitted foreign investors to trade in physically settled contracts for non-farm commodities, aiming to enhance liquidity in the market and align with international standards. Concurrently, portfolio managers are now authorized to manage overseas assets and invest in foreign securities. Strict regulations will ensure that these foreign investors do not partake in the actual delivery of commodities.

Sebi has revoked the registrations of Religare Capital Markets and 11 other entities due to their failure to pay required renewal fees for research analyst registrations. The fees were due between May 2024 and November 2025. Although these entities responded to show-cause notices, they could not substantiate their claims of non-payment, prompting Sebi to take measures to protect investors from potential misuses of expired registrations.

Seven BSE 500 stocks hit fresh 52-week highs despite a sharp 1,247-point Sensex decline on Thursday. Allied Blenders, Carborundum Universal, Caplin Point Laboratories, Laurus Labs, Shyam Metalics, Aurobindo Pharma and GNFC recorded notable monthly gains.

Reserve Bank Deputy Governor Rohit Jain stated that banks are expected to deploy additional liquidity from FCNR(B) deposits. This deployment is likely driven by anticipated strong credit demand during the festive season. The RBI will not direct banks towards specific sectors for fund utilization, allowing for discretion based on credit proposals. Jain emphasized that credit demand is broad-based across different sectors, indicating a healthy economic environment.

Tata Sons has affirmed the validity of N Chandrasekaran's reappointment as chairman following a board majority resolution. Noel Tata raised objections regarding the adherence to the Articles of Association for this reappointment. However, Tata Sons clarified that the special process outlined applies only for a new chairman's first appointment. The company also addressed issues surrounding a recently adjourned annual general meeting and its quorum requirements.

Indian equities ended sharply lower, with the Nifty falling 1.64% and Sensex 1.67%, as rising bond yields and crude prices pressured sentiment. Broader indices declined, India VIX surged 22%, financial stocks led losses, and market breadth remained firmly negative.

Youth Congress president Uday Bhanu Chib demanded the arrest of IIT Bombay director Shireesh Kedare and professor Suryanarayana Doolla over the alleged suicide of student Sahil Wakode. Chib sought an impartial probe, alleging caste-based and mental harassment, while IIT Bombay has disputed the charges. Wakodes parents have also alleged discrimination.

Vishva Hindu Parishad has responded to Mahmood Madani's allegations regarding the treatment of Muslims in India. Madani expressed concerns over targeted actions and judicial system effectiveness, prompting VHP's criticism. VHP spokesperson Vinod Bansal claimed Madani's comments threaten Indian sovereignty and questioned his commitment to India's Constitution. The Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, founded in 1919, remains a significant Muslim organization in India.

Saudi Arabias civil defence authorities on Thursday issued alerts warning of potential danger in Mecca, Jeddah, Yanbu and Tabuk, advising residents to exercise caution and follow official instructions. The nature and extent of the potential danger were not immediately clear.

Dr. Arun Naik, a neurosurgeon, has voiced his serious concerns about the neck cracking trend prevalent in salons. He highlighted alarming cases where individuals have endured grave injuries, such as paralysis and long-term reliance on ventilators. Although neck cracking is a common practice in Indian salons, its associated health risks are significant. Dr. Naik strongly advised clients to consider their safety and refrain from this risky procedure during hair appointments.

Huawei Watch D3 launch: Huawei has introduced the Watch D3, a smartwatch designed to measure blood pressure accurately at the wrist. This device features an inflatable airbag cuff for direct blood pressure measurements over 24 hours. Users can monitor their blood pressure before and after exercise, evaluating their fitness levels effectively. The watch also provides insights into health metrics like stress and sleep quality for improved well-being. Available for 399.

The NSE listed its own shares on the BSE on Thursday, 34 years after its incorporation, marking an ironic milestone for the exchange created to challenge the BSEs dominance. The story of NSE began with Manohar J. Pherwani, who proposed a national, computerised exchange after the 1991 economic reforms.

CII said Indias manufacturing sector is shifting from simply expanding capacity to building domestic supply chains, developing technology and integrating deeper with global markets as Make in India completes 12 years.

Shares of Info Edge dropped 7% after a massive 32% crash in PB Fintech reduced the value of its 6.5% stake by Rs 1,809 crore in a single session. The sell-off follows IRDAI's proposed overhaul of insurance distributor commission structures and crackdown on digital dark patterns.

NSE shares gained up to 5% on debut day, lifting the value of stakes held by ace investors including Radhakishan Damani, Dolly Khanna, Raamdeo Agrawal and Motilal Oswal. Damanis 1.58% stake was worth over Rs 7,340 crore at the days high, while brokerages retained a positive outlook on NSE.

Ten public sector entities, led by SBI and New India Assurance, unlocked a combined profit of nearly Rs 12,802 crore through the Rs 22,562 crore NSE IPO offer for sale. Listed at Rs 1,800, NSE became India's ninth-largest listed firm with a Rs 4.63 lakh crore valuation.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced the extension of the Busan Agreement until January 10, 2027. This extension allows both sides more time to negotiate without facing immediate tariff threats. The Busan Agreement was initially established to ease trade tensions between the US and China last year. Key areas of focus include agriculture and non-tariff barriers that require further discussion.

Anahat Singh has reached the quarterfinals in the women's singles squash competition at the Asian Games. Alongside Anahat, Tanvi Khanna has also advanced after defeating another player in a competitive match. Additionally, the mixed doubles pairing of Joshna Chinappa and Velavan Senthilkumar progressed to the quarterfinals by winning their match. In wushu, Roshibina Devi secured her second consecutive silver medal after a losing final.

The Los Angeles Lakers mourn the loss of Lawrence Tanter, their beloved public address announcer who passed away at 76. With over four decades of service, Tanter's voice was synonymous with Lakers games. Following his retirement in June, fans and players alike expressed profound sorrow and shared cherished memories, illustrating his incredible impact on the Lakers legacy. Tanter will always be remembered as a cornerstone of Lakers history.

Gold may have pushed silver into the spotlight, but the shift is not just about price. Younger Indians, in particular, are looking at silver differently, seeking jewellery they can experiment with and wear more often something that is harder to do with gold at current prices.

India's men's hockey team achieved an impressive 8-2 victory over Korea in their latest match. Dilpreet Singh scored an exceptional hat-trick, contributing significantly to the team's success. Other goals came from Abhishek, Shilanand Lakra, Harmanpreet Singh, and Rajinder Singh. Despite the strong lead, India missed several penalty corner opportunities that could have extended their advantage. The team will next face hosts Japan in their continued pursuit of a gold medal.

Eight new emperor penguin colonies have been identified in Antarctica, increasing the total to 61 active populations. The British Antarctic Survey made this discovery using satellite imagery to detect guano stains on sea ice. This finding raises the estimated population to over 500,000 birds, but the new colonies are small and vulnerable. Most colonies are located in areas predicted to lose ice early due to climate change.

Reliance Industries plans to raise around Rs 10,000 crore ($1.04 billion) via 10-year rupee-denominated bonds at a 7.90% annual coupon. Following a recent Rs 12,000 crore 5-year debt issuance, the oil-to-telecom major aims to secure funding ahead of the RBIs October 7 monetary policy meeting amid favourable local yields.

Despite the Nifty Midcap 150 trading near peak levels, several individual constituents have suffered deep corrections. Data from ACE Equity reveals 10 prominent midcap stocks, including KPIT Technologies, RVNL, Tata Elxsi, and Swiggy, that have fallen between 37% and 59% from their 52-week highs.

After a decade-long hiatus, HSBC is gearing up to re-enter the Indian equity broking sector, responding to the increasing demands from wealthy clients and an active share sale market. The bank is set to introduce retail broking services shortly, leveraging its existing broking license. With this move, HSBC aims to enhance its equities platform and tap into the growing retail investor segment in Indias wealth management landscape.

PB Fintech shares plunged 26%, wiping out nearly Rs 22,703 crore from its market capitalisation after IRDAI proposed changes to insurance commission structures. Jefferies flagged risks to distributor earnings, while Citi warned of a potential sharp compression in distribution economics across several high-margin insurance categories.

Sebi's upcoming board meeting aims to discuss significant changes to portfolio management services and settlement regulations. Proposed revisions could allow discretionary portfolio managers to make new types of investments, including overseas assets. The meeting is expected to review widening the accredited investor framework to increase market participation. Another key focus is enhancing foreign portfolio investor access in commodity derivatives to improve liquidity.

In 2025, numerous stocks saw remarkable growth, but the following year revealed a stark contrast in their trajectories. While Cupid enjoyed impressive gains, Blue Pearl Agriventures suffered considerable losses. This shift indicates a more cautious market with heightened selectivity in stock performance, driven by varying global economic factors that heavily impact investor choices and market predictions.

NSE shares rallied after a muted listing at Rs 1,800, pushing the exchange into Indias ninth-most valued company with a market cap of Rs 4.63 lakh crore. The post-listing surge came as three major brokerages initiated coverage on Day 1 with positive ratings. Macquarie called NSE The Dominator and assigned an Outperform rating with a Rs 1,965 target price.