The Economic Times

The BJP criticized the INDIA bloc's upcoming 'Save Democracy' campaign, referring to it as a 'Save Dynasty' initiative. Union minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan accused the opposition of lacking a unified agenda and suggested their efforts were an excuse for electoral failures, emphasizing their focus on attacking constitutional institutions instead of self-reflection.

The October Horoscope 2026 points to one especially lucky day for each zodiac sign. For some signs, the best days of the month could open the door to a fresh start.

The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR) has been named among Lonely Planets 50 Best in Travel 2027 destinations, with Darjeeling recognised as a top destination for a toy-train journey.

HMD organized the ET Business Excellence & Leadership Summit 2026 at the Radisson Hotel in Delhi. The summit brought together leaders to discuss brand development, innovation, and sustainability. Panel discussions featured prominent voices discussing resilience and leadership in uncertain times. A felicitation ceremony honored individuals and organizations for their contributions across various sectors. Key insights emphasized the importance of collaboration and strategic thinking in driving fut

Avalon Technologies saw an Rs 870.6 crore bulk deal as three promoter entities sold 40.08 lakh shares, representing 6% equity. Kotak Mahindra Mutual Fund bought 24.02 lakh shares, while Nomura retained its Buy rating and raised its target price.

Indian equities declined for a third straight session, with Sensex losing 49 points and Nifty falling 96 points as rising bond yields weighed on sentiment. Broader markets gained, while analysts highlighted crude prices, inflation and monetary policy uncertainty.

Sudhir Kumar Jha has retired from HDFC Bank effective September 30, 2026, concluding his 22-year tenure. Following his retirement, Jha will no longer hold a senior management position at the bank. HDFC Bank recognized Jha's significant contributions to its legal and compliance framework over the years. Jigar Shah is set to succeed Jha as General Counsel starting October 1, 2026. The transition marks another leadership change within the HDFC Group.

Foreign institutional investors sold over Rs 26,000 crore of Indian shares in three sessions, intensifying Septembers market correction. High crude prices, elevated US bond yields and a weaker rupee pressured equities, while analysts said selective opportunities are emerging across largecaps.

Jio Financial Services and Allianz Europe B.V. have each invested Rs 320.05 crore in Jio Allianz General Insurance through a rights issue, collectively infusing Rs 640.1 crore into their 50:50 joint venture. The insurer will use the funds for business operations, while Jio Financials total investment has reached Rs 375 crore.

Analysts recommend five stocks for ThursdayJM Financial, IDFC First Bank, Clean Science, City Union Bank and BEMLciting technical signals and support levels. Cautious sentiment persists amid higher oil prices, elevated bond yields, inflation concerns and uncertainty over global monetary policy.

Avalon Technologies saw three of its promoter entities divest a collective 6% stake for a substantial Rs 871 crore via bulk deals, bringing their ownership down from 44.39% to 38.4%. In this strategic move, Kotak Mahindra Mutual Fund bought 24.01 lakh shares priced around Rs 2,171. The deal was struck with share prices fluctuating between Rs 2,171.03 and Rs 2,173.35, while Avalon Technologies closed slightly lower at Rs 2,294.

RBL Bank said it received a showcause notice from Maharashtra GST authorities proposing a demand of over Rs 173.08 crore, including interest and penalty, over alleged wrongful input tax credit availment in FY23. The bank said it will respond and expects no material financial impact, citing favourable orders on an identical issue.

The Insurance Brokers Association of India (IBAI) has warned that IRDAIs proposed changes to insurance distribution could shrink distribution, increase job losses and slow insurance growth. IBAI supports measures such as banning compulsory insurance bundling with loans, suitability checks and claw-backs for proven mis-selling.

Indias external financial position improved marginally in Q1 FY27, RBI data showed. External debt rose $15.4 billion to $778.2 billion, while the debt-to-GDP ratio eased to 20.8%. Net international liabilities increased to $220.3 billion but remained below year-ago levels.

Gandhi Jayanti 2026 Theme, History: October 2 marks the 157th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, whose leadership, Satyagraha and commitment to non-violence played a major role in Indias freedom struggle. The day is observed as a national holiday in India and is also recognised by the United Nations as the International Day of Non-Violence, highlighting Gandhis enduring global legacy.

Geojit Financial Services will transition leadership on October 1, 2026, with founder C.J. George becoming Executive Chairman and Jones George taking over as Managing Director. The move forms part of the companys succession plan and technology-led growth strategy.

Bajaj General Insurance's MD highlights the need to focus on claim ratios instead of distributor commissions. The insurance regulator recently proposed expense caps for better customer protection. Industry discussions are ongoing to gather insights before formal representations are made. Swiss Re Corporate Solutions will collaborate with Bajaj General to provide tailored insurance solutions for globalizing Indian corporates.

Eight BSE 100 stocks hit fresh 52-week lows as the Sensex fell 49 points to 72,480. PB Fintech, Havells India, Wipro, Britannia Industries, Tata Consumer Products, Godrej Consumer Products, Hindustan Unilever and ONGC recorded new annual lows.

Zerodha founder Nithin Kamath says nearly all of the brokerages leaders have risen internally, with many joining early in their careers. He also discussed Zerodhas long-term approach to social impact, questioning whether mandatory CSR spending delivers meaningful outcomes.

Bank credit growth strengthened across major sectors in August, with personal loans rising 16.9% year-on-year to 72.9 lakh crore, up from 11.9% a year earlier, RBI data showed.

In August, banks lowered the weighted average rate on fresh rupee term deposits to 5.67%. At the same time, the average lending rate on new loans increased to 8.61%. Public sector banks experienced a decrease in deposit rates, while private banks faced a similar trend. Lending rates varied based on loan types, with personal loans seeing a significant increase.

Transport Corporation of India will buy back up to 15.63 lakh shares for Rs 150 crore at Rs 960 each. The tender offer has October 9, 2026 as its record date, with 15% reserved for eligible small shareholders.

Kotak AMCs Nilesh Shah says public markets can offer opportunities after asset bubbles burst, as distressed valuations emerge. Multiples Renuka Ramnath highlights private markets greater control, while both stress diversification, liquidity and risk management across investment portfolios.

BofA Securities initiated coverage on Trent with a Buy rating and Rs 3,075 price target, citing its differentiated retail model, Zudio and Westside growth, integrated technology, supply chain capabilities and long-term market share opportunities.

HDFC Bank has appointed V.N. Srivatsan as its Chief Compliance Officer for a three-year term, effective from his joining date on January 4, 2027. Srivatsan, currently Head Compliance: Overseas Banking and Subsidiaries & Data Privacy Officer at ICICI Bank, has around 34 years of professional experience, including 25 years in BFSI.

India's women's hockey team secured a significant victory against South Korea with a score of 2-0. Ishika Chaudhary and Salima Tete scored the goals to ensure their place in the final. The team's next challenge is a match against defending champions China. India dominated possession throughout the match and earned numerous penalty corners. South Korea attempted a late comeback, but India's defense remained strong to secure the win.

Indias economy is set to grow 7% in FY27, according to S&P Global, which sees domestic demand, private investment, manufacturing, trade, energy security, renewable power, digital infrastructure and technology shaping Indias next phase of economic growth.

Predictions for the 2026 Nobel Prizes in science highlight significant contributions in areas like GLP-1 research and cancer therapies. Carl June is mentioned for his role in developing CAR-T cell therapy for cancer treatment. Researchers Emmanuel Mignot and Masashi Yanagisawa are noted for their work on orexin related to sleep regulation. Optical coherence tomography and lipid nanoparticle technology are also strong candidates for recognition.

Narendra Bhooshan has been appointed as Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. Previously, he was the Secretary for the Department of Land Resources. His appointment follows the retirement of Tanmay Kumar from the position. Dilip Kumar is also set to be reassigned from his role as Director General in the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship.

Motivational Quote of the Day by Audrey Hepburn: The inspiring quote defines happiness and beauty. The timeless quote features that real happiness has a positive way of improving an individual's beauty than physical appearance alone.

The US military has finished withdrawing all troops from Iraq, marking the end of a 12-year mission. This withdrawal culminated in the handover of an air base in northern Iraq to local authorities. Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi described the event as the beginning of a new sovereign phase for Iraq. However, concerns arise regarding the future of Iranian-backed militias in the region.

Virat Kohli scored an unbeaten 139 in the first ODI against the West Indies, achieving his 55th ODI century. This performance led him to climb to second place in the ICC ODI batting rankings. Shubman Gill remains at the top after also scoring a century in the same match. Additionally, several players like Temba Bavuma and Kusal Mendis made notable advancements in the rankings.

Indian companies' credit profiles showed resilience during the first half of fiscal year 2026-27. Despite the energy shock from the West Asia conflict, rating actions remained limited to a few issuers. The supportive domestic environment contributed to sustaining household purchasing power and controlling inflation. Strong revenue growth was noted across various sectors, with significant upgrades in investment-linked domains.

With heavy rains sweeping across India, the preparation for the semifinal clash against Sri Lanka has faced challenges. The team has focused on indoor training sessions while maintaining high spirits. Players are eager to hit the field and recognize the stakes involved in this semifinal. Their optimism about adapting to Nagoya's playing conditions underscores India's cricketing strength and versatility, as they can field several teams at once.

Baliga has set a target price of Rs 3,420 for Endurance Technologies, compared with its current market price of Rs 2,688, implying an upside of nearly 27%.

Hospital stocks came under pressure after the Supreme Court raised concerns over steep mark-ups on medicines sold through corporate hospitals.

Coca-Cola Co. plans to submit a draft prospectus by December for the anticipated IPO of Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages Pvt. This offering, projected to garner about $1 billion, is expected to attract existing investors. With a valuation close to $10 billion, the deal highlights India's thriving investment landscape. The company has teamed up with various banks to streamline the process, riding the wave of recent IPO successes in the region.

MRPL shares fell over 5% after an explosion was reported at its Mangaluru refinery, with thick smoke seen emerging from the facility. Fire brigades and ambulances rushed to the site, while the cause remained unknown.

While the Nifty 50 fell nearly 5% in three months, several small-cap stocks bucked the trend. Fourteen Nifty Smallcap 500 stocks rallied 50-105%, led by Raymond and Welspun Corp.

Tejas Mk1A accounts for 43% of HALs order book and could emerge as a key re-rating trigger as deliveries gain visibility, Jefferies said. HAL CMD Ravi Kota expects to deliver 10 aircraft this year, ahead of Jefferies earlier estimate of five. The brokerage retained its Buy rating with a Rs 6,800 target.

Sebi Chairman Tuhin Kanta Pandey said the regulator is not currently considering self-listing or self-trading of exchange shares, days after NSE CEO Ashish Kumar Chauhan suggested exploring the possibility. Pandey said no Sebi panel is discussing the proposal at present, while Chauhan had cited conflict-of-interest concerns but said the idea could be revisited as the market ecosystem matures.

Niftys September derivatives series was the worst in 25 years, with the index falling 6.7% as foreign investors sharply increased bearish bets. FII index shorts hit a six-month high, while stock-futures exposure remained net long. With Nifty near key long-term support and market breadth weakening, analysts advise caution.

Sebi Chairman Tuhin Kanta Pandey said Indian markets remain resilient despite once-in-a-decade global headwinds, including elevated oil prices and bond yields, citing the countrys strong macroeconomic foundation.

AAP MP Sanjay Singh said on Wednesday that the party will not attend the INDIA bloc meeting on Election Commission-related issues, reiterating that AAP is no longer part of the opposition alliance. Singh said the party supports the impeachment motion against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and raised allegations concerning the Special Intensive Revision (SIR), voter deletions and changes to electoral roll procedures.

The last US troops are scheduled to depart Iraq under a 2024 agreement between Baghdad and Washington. This withdrawal is celebrated by Iran-backed groups but raises concerns among others, particularly in the Kurdish region. The Kurdish government fears increased vulnerability after the removal of US air defense systems. Iran-aligned militias have celebrated the end of US military presence, claiming it signals full sovereignty for Iraq.

Axiscades Technologies shares rose on Wednesday after Abakkus Asset Manager bought a 3.03% stake for around Rs 235 crore through a block deal. Kotak Mahindra Mutual Fund also picked up a 4.89% stake. Promoter Jupiter Capital sold a 10.69% stake for Rs 829.72 crore in the transaction.

JSW Cement has decided to merge with its subsidiary Shiva Cement to form a unified cement platform. This merger aims to unlock operational and financial synergies, enhancing backward integration and reducing external procurement. Additionally, it is expected to streamline the corporate structure and improve management efficiency while eliminating inter-company guarantees.

India Inc is likely to see a dip in earnings performance for Q2 in comparison to Q1, with analysts forecasting a growth slowdown of roughly 13-14%. Rising costs and margin pressures are key contributors to this trend. As base effects normalize, sectors such as lending financials, manufacturing, and capital goods are projected to bolster earnings, highlighting the importance of monitoring business improvements amidst fluctuating costs.

Bank shares have endured steep declines as investors brace for imminent interest rate hikes from the RBI. Some analysts suggest that the recent selloff may be excessive, presenting an opportunity to pick up quality stocks at lower prices. The forthcoming Monetary Policy Committee meeting will clarify the scope of any rate changes. Although there are immediate margin concerns, the overall asset quality in the banking sector remains stable.