The Economic Times

In India, elderly companionship services face hurdles in building a dependable market, primarily due to the stigma linked to purchasing social connections. Numerous programs have emerged to facilitate interactions among seniors through conversation and activities aimed at enhancing emotional health. Entrepreneurs grapple with the challenge of making companionship a sustainable expense, even as the senior population rises.

Companies are shifting towards offering travel vouchers as a preferred gifting option for employees. This change allows for more personalised experiences with loved ones during holidays. Many firms are also providing flexibility in travel options, catering to individual preferences and interests.

Karnataka's Congress government has approved an increase in Nandini milk prices, raising it from 46 to 54 per litre. The government claims this hike will enhance farmers' income and address financial pressures. However, the Opposition BJP argues that this will add to the cost of living for citizens. The government's five guarantees are estimated to cost 51,000 crore this year, creating further financial strain.

The Indian men's team defeated Sri Lanka 54-20 to clinch the inaugural men's crown, while the women beat Uganda 35-15 earlier in the evening to seal the women's title. The triumphs capped an unbeaten campaign for both Indian teams at the nine-day competition.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah emphasized the importance of recognizing Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's contributions to India. During the 'Run for Unity', he condemned efforts by the Opposition to diminish Patels legacy. Shah highlighted India's diverse linguistic and cultural heritage as a source of strength rather than weakness. He recalled Patel's role in unifying princely states and shaping India's geography.

The Uttar Pradesh Chief Electoral Officer's (CEO) office apologised after its official X handle posted a sarcastic response to AAP leader Sanjay Singh's allegation of caste bias over a voter's name being mistranslated. The exchange triggered criticism from Opposition leaders, prompting the office to promise more polite and formal communication.

Seismic activity is on the rise around the Pacific Ring of Fire, prompting countries to issue emergency preparedness warnings. Within the last week, close to 200 earthquakes measuring 4.5 or greater have been reported. Authorities are advising households to gather essential supplies in anticipation of potential natural disasters. Although guidance is being updated, no direct correlation has been established between these advisories and recent seismic events.

In a satirical first-person account, a dafli narrates its brief detention at a police station after being confiscated during the Gen Z protests. Separated from its student activist owner, the percussion instrument encounters whistles, placards and bewildered policemen before using its own rhythm to help its owner escape and return to the protest.

Quad foreign ministers meeting in Atlanta reaffirmed their commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific, focusing on economic security, resilient supply chains and trusted infrastructure. They announced plans to provide over $85 million in technical and financial assistance for access to trusted super intelligence (SI), while pledging action against cyber scams and transnational criminal networks.

Azam Khan, a senior leader of the Samajwadi Party, was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate shortly after his bail. His bail was granted by the Allahabad High Court in an alleged dual PAN card case. The Enforcement Directorate is investigating financial irregularities linked to the Maulana Mohammad Ali Jauhar Trust and Mohammad Ali Jauhar University. Khan's land and buildings were provisionally attached under anti-money laundering laws by the agency.

Binay Kumar Das expressed the crucial importance for students studying abroad to keep their cultural roots and identity alive. At the Open House event held at the Indian Institute of Technology, he motivated students to return to India and make meaningful contributions.

Muthoot Finance reported a 36% year-on-year rise in consolidated net profit to Rs 3,278 crore in Q2, while assets under management grew 42% to Rs 2.09 lakh crore. However, standalone gross NPA ratio rose to 3.87% from 2.28% in the previous quarter, indicating a deterioration in asset quality

Sebi is likely to release a consultation paper on foreign investor compliance requirements within weeks, chairman Tuhin Kanta Pandey said. The proposed document will explore aligning Indian norms with global standards amid heavy FII outflows. The regulator is also planning a capacity-building network to strengthen independent directors effectiveness.

NTPC has showcased a strong performance in the second quarter of FY27, with a significant 14% increase in standalone net profit year-on-year. The operational revenue saw a notable rise of 16.8% from the same quarter last year, reflecting solid financial health. An interim dividend of Rs 3 per share was announced for shareholders. In a move to bolster growth, NTPC is also increasing its capital expenditure on pumped storage initiatives.

The Nifty gained 2% last week, recovering above the crucial 200-week moving average at 22,700. While easing volatility and buying at lower levels support the rebound, bearish momentum indicators suggest caution. Analysts identify 23,300

Central Depository Services (India) Limited (CDSL), a market infrastructure institution, on Saturday reported a 24% year-on-year increase in net profit to Rs 173 crore in the second quarter, compared with Rs 140.2 crore in the corresponding quarter last year.Revenue grew 23.7% to Rs 395 crore from Rs 319 crore in the year-ago period. EBITDA increased to Rs 229 crore, while EBITDA margin expanded to 58% from 56% a year earlier.For the quarter under review, CDSL opened around 75 lakh new demat acc

S Naren of ICICI Prudential Mutual Fund highlights how only six companies from the 1990 Sensex remain in the benchmark today. At ET Wealth Expo, he explained why beaten-down stocks may never recover and urged investors to distinguish between asset allocation and stock selection, while cautioning against chasing strong past returns.

Protests by sugarcane farmers took place at the Hittinahalli toll gate in Vijayapura district. They demanded a price of Rs 5,500 per tonne for their sugarcane amidst a statewide bandh. Farmers expressed their dissatisfaction with both state and central governments regarding the support price dispute. Meanwhile, responses to the bandh varied in Belagavi city, where most services remained operational.

Bank lending witnessed a significant surge during April-August FY27, contributing to financial resources for businesses. Non-food bank credit rose to Rs 9.8 lakh crore, indicating strong lending activity across major sectors. In contrast, corporate bond issuances fell sharply amid rising bond yields, highlighting a shift in funding trends. Overall bank credit growth registered an increase of 21.6 percent, supported by strong demand across various industries.

In 1906, Rawhide, Nevada saw a surge in population, swelling to 7,000 residents after gold was discovered. However, by 1910, it faced a steep decline to about 500 inhabitants, driven by disasters like a severe fire in 1908 and flooding. Although the town was rich in gold and silver, scandals marred its image. Today, Rawhide is a sobering reminder of the fleeting glory of boomtowns.

Sudhanshu Trivedi criticized the Congress party for organizing a mock Parliament after their recent failures. He emphasized the significant reduction in poverty in India under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership from 2011 to 2023. Trivedi referenced the World Bank's report claiming only 2.6 percent of the population remains in extreme poverty today. The Gini Index results also showed that India ranks among the most economically equal countries globally.

Elon Musk reacted with a one-word comment, Gross, after the New York Post reported on cockroach milk and its potential as a future superfood. Produced by female Pacific beetle cockroaches to nourish their young, the protein-rich secretion has attracted scientific interest, although its extraction remains complex and its use in food products is still being studied.

A Turnaround Story YoY indicates that a company has moved from reporting a net loss in the corresponding quarter last year to posting a net profit in the latest quarter, signalling a significant improvement in its financial performance. Within the Nifty 500 universe, we have highlighted eight stocks that reported a return to profitability in the September 2026 quarter, compared with losses in the year-ago quarter, based on StockEdge's profitability scan data.

Salesforce has stated no vulnerabilities were found concerning a suspected data leak at AU Small Finance Bank. The bank is investigating claims of a breach by hackers, affecting sensitive customer data. Reportedly compromised information includes KYC records and personal identification documents, while the bank assures its core systems are unaffected. Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently warned of increasing cyberattack threats to the economy.

The United Forum of IDBI Officers and Employees has opposed the planned sale of IDBI Bank's majority stake. They have requested an immediate suspension of the sale process due to market volatility. The forum argues that the decision lacks adequate justification and transparency. They are calling for a comprehensive review under parliamentary scrutiny, emphasizing the need for caution.

SEBI Chairman Tuhin Kanta Pandey emphasized the importance of accessible and efficient capital markets at a recent forum. He highlighted the growth in market capitalisation with significant annual fundraising through equity and debt. The number of investors in West Bengal has dramatically increased, indicating regional market participation. Additionally, various steps have been taken to streamline compliance and fundraising processes for issuers.

In India, investors are increasingly embracing thematic investing as they explore cryptocurrency and other sectors. This innovative investment style allows individuals to focus on specific trends and ideas rather than sticking to conventional categories. To support this, ZebPay has launched CryptoPacks, offering users curated portfolios that resonate with various themes. These packs simplify investment management and signify a shift toward future-focused digital asset strategies.

Over the five trading sessions ended October 30, the Sensex advanced 1.8%, or 1,336 points, to close at 74,459, posting gains in four of the five sessions. Amid the broader market rally, around 18 stocks from the BSE 500 index rose in each of the five consecutive trading sessions between October 26 and 30. Of these, we identified eight stocks that gained on all five days, delivering cumulative returns ranging from 10% to 21% during the period. (Data Source: ACE Equity)

ICICI Prudential MF's S Naren warns investors against chasing assets after spectacular rallies, highlighting how silver's 216% surge drew record ETF inflows before a 27% correction. At the ET Wealth Expo, he explained why genuine asset allocation means buying unpopular assets and why gold still deserves a place in portfolios.

Ratnadeep Retail has received Sebi approval to launch an IPO comprising a fresh issue of up to Rs 400 crore and an offer for sale of 1.49 crore shares. The Hyderabad-based retailer plans to use part of the proceeds to repay borrowings and expand its store network across India.

S Jaishankar met with Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand to discuss diplomatic relations between India and Canada. They agreed that Prime Minister Modi's visit in December will strengthen their ties further. Previous tensions arose after allegations against India regarding a separatist's killing earlier this year. Relations have improved since Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney's election and visit to India.

Delhi Police have arrested Shivam, a member of the Hashim Baba gang, for a murder that occurred recently. A 30-year-old man was fatally stabbed in northeast Delhi on October 24 and later died at a hospital. In a separate incident, Seema Rishi was killed while trying to protect her son from attackers on October 15. The woman's husband described how they were attacked during a confrontation.

Auqib Nabi has been added to India's ODI squad for the first three matches against New Zealand. This change comes after Prasidh Krishna was ruled out of the series due to a hamstring injury. The ODI series is scheduled to begin on November 4, 2026, at Eden Park in Auckland. India will also have several key players in their updated lineup for the matches.

As India prepares to celebrate Diwali next week, investors will welcome Samvat 2083 after a challenging year for equities.SBI Securities expects a gradual recovery after two years of consolidation. The primary catalyst for this recovery, according to the brokerage, will be a pullback in crude oil prices below $90 per barrel.

LIC Housing Finance experienced a 12% year-on-year increase in consolidated net profit, reaching

New India Assurance Company has revealed a concerning net loss of

In a remarkable financial performance, Bank of Baroda reported a staggering 36% rise in net profit for the second quarter, reaching

Reliance Retail Ventures reported a significant drop in net profit, down 24.5% year-on-year to

Wealthy Indian investors are holding liquidity and planning phased investments across diverse market segments. The focus is on both domestic and international markets, including the US, China, and South Korea. Private markets and credit opportunities are also gaining traction among ultra-high-net-worth individuals. Real estate investments are evolving with increased interest in Alternative Investment Funds, which have doubled over the last year.

Jio Platforms has unveiled an impressive 14% net profit growth to

Indian Oil experienced a remarkable surge in its net profit, which soared to 21,630 crore for the second quarter. This growth can be attributed to elevated pump prices and government subsidies for LPG sales. In contrast, the same quarter last year showcased a profit of only 7,610 crore. Moreover, operational revenue increased by 29%, reaching 2,62,935 crore, with the firm's operating profit from petroleum product sales more than doubling.

GAIL (India) has reported a remarkable increase in net profit, reaching 4,650 crore for the September quarter, more than double from the previous year. This growth is attributed to heightened gas marketing margins amid global energy supply disruptions. Revenue also surged by 31% to 45,924 crore. Furthermore, GAIL has moved forward with plans to list its subsidiary GAIL Gas, enhancing its stock value by 1.7% to 168 per share.

Zee Entertainment Enterprises faced a sharp drop in consolidated net profit for the quarter ending September 30, 2026, despite a 13% rise in operating revenue to 2,225 crore, spurred by FIFA World Cup-related subscriptions. Total costs surged by 18%, largely due to inflated programming and promotional expenses. In a bright spot, ZEE5's revenue surged over twofold, showcasing a successful digital approach.

Lodha has announced a remarkable 63% surge in net profit, reaching 2,386 crore for the first half of FY27. This growth is driven by impressive operational performance, with net profit for the September quarter rising by 28% to 1,013 crore and revenue climbing 18% to 4,468 crore. The companys pre-sales also saw a 10% increase to 5,037 crore, alongside plans for expansion in NCR and Bengaluru.

Sun Pharmaceutical has seen a notable 36% drop in net profit, juxtaposed with an 11.8% rise in consolidated revenue. The uplift in revenue can be attributed largely to strong sales growth in India and emerging markets, particularly in domestic formulations. Conversely, US formulation sales faced a significant downturn. The company also marked progress in its integration planning for the acquisition of Organon, following the successful completion of regulatory approvals.

Varun Beverages recorded a substantial net profit increase of 13.5% for the quarter ending September 2026. Although there was strong revenue growth attributed to both local and international sales, the company's shares dropped because of shrinking operating margins. Challenges arose from heightened packaging costs and sugar price surges affecting gross margins. Additionally, Varun Beverages solidified its partnership with PepsiCo, extending their licensing agreement through 2049.

US oil companies are enhancing refinery capacities and reopening closed plants due to global supply disruptions. ExxonMobil and Chevron reported record profits, attributed to soaring commodity prices and refinery margins. Additionally, ongoing conflicts have severely impacted refining output, particularly in Russia and Iran. Analysts suggest that it may take until next year for supply chains to stabilize.