The Economic Times

Motor third-party insurance premiums exhibited a sluggish growth rate of 9 percent year-on-year in September 2026. Insurers have reportedly reduced focus on this segment due to a Supreme Court ruling on compensation for homemakers. The overall motor insurance premiums saw a rise of 13 percent during the same month. SBI General Insurance demonstrated stronger performance compared to other private insurers in the third-party segment.

Indian markets extended losses for a second session on Wednesday, with the Nifty falling 0.34% to 22,811 and the Sensex slipping 0.19% to 73,710. IT stocks led sectoral gains, with Infosys and HCL Tech topping the gainers, while Bajaj Finance, BSE and Eternal featured among the biggest losers.

Zerodha Fund House has launched the BSE Top 10 Banks ETF, tracking Indias largest listed banks. The NFO runs from October 12 to October 26, 2026, with a minimum investment of Rs 1,000, offering focused banking exposure.

The Indian stock market experienced notable volatility during the closing auction, marked by a steep selloff that wiped out more than Rs 8 lakh crore in market capitalization. Despite Sensex and Nifty ending higher than pre-CAS levels, investor sentiment remained cautious due to escalating bond yields and ongoing selling by foreign institutional investors.

The Election Commission has deployed a team of senior officials to Manipur to review preparations for assembly elections expected early next year in five states. Teams have also visited Uttarakhand, with Punjab scheduled for a review on October 28. The commission will conduct further assessments before announcing the election schedule.

Ten BSE 500 stocks have rallied between 59% and 129% in FY27 so far as mutual funds increased their shareholding in the September 2026 quarter. Cemindia Projects, Aditya Infotech and Aegis Logistics lead the list of gainers.

Texas Senate race has become one of the most expensive in US history, with more than $500 million spent as Republican groups, backed by major donors including Elon Musk, seek to help Ken Paxton defeat Democrat James Talarico. With early voting underway, analysts say the focus has shifted from persuading undecided voters to mobilising supporters, while both parties battle over inflation, the Iran war and culture-war issues.

Maryland has repurposed over 300,000 bushels of used oyster shells since 2010, creating essential habitats for the growth of young oysters into thriving reefs. This project aims to restore the dwindling oyster population in Chesapeake Bay while enhancing critical underwater environments. To ensure the sustainability of these efforts, ongoing monitoring and protection of these habitats are paramount within the larger context of regional restoration actions.

Dilip Gavit secured the gold medal in the men's 100m T46/47 event at the Asian Para Games. Mohammed Morssinganakath Basil achieved a silver medal in the same event with a Games record time. Gavit finished with a time of 10.69 seconds while Basil clocked 10.72 seconds. In the men's 100m T64 event, Pranav Desai won a bronze medal, further showcasing India's athletic talent.

The ET HR Excellence Awards 2027 honors exemplary HR teams who significantly contribute to business growth through innovative talent management, robust employee engagement, and retention tactics. By acknowledging their tangible achievements, these awards provide organizations a stage to present their HR efforts and demonstrate their role in fostering improved workplace environments while achieving strategic objectives.

Michigan's Senate race 2026 is drawing national attention as Democratic candidate Abdul El-Sayed seeks to become the first Muslim elected to the US Senate. The physician and former Detroit health official is running on healthcare, workers rights, higher taxes on billionaires and changes to immigration policy against Republican Mike Rogers in a closely watched contest.

The Commission for Air Quality Management has invoked Stage-I of GRAP across Delhi-NCR after Delhis AQI rose sharply from 179 on October 20 to 244 by 2 pm on October 21. With forecasts predicting poor air quality over the coming days, agencies have been directed to intensify anti-pollution measures.

The ownership dispute at GreatWhite Global Pvt. Ltd. has concluded with a stake acquisition by Mehul Shah's family. Hemang Shah's family received approximately Rs 862 crore for their 50% share. This acquisition marks the end of a 15-year partnership between the two brothers. Disputes over management escalated into legal challenges before this resolution. The company is now under single ownership and continues to report significant revenues.

Eternal Q2 Results: Eternal, the parent company of Zomato and Blinkit, reported a 92.3% year-on-year (YoY) jump in net profit to Rs 125 crore in the second quarter of FY27 (Q2FY27), compared with Rs 65 crore in the corresponding quarter of the previous fiscal year.

Jio Platforms IPO is putting the Ambani familys relationship with Indias retail investors on a new footing, almost five decades after Dhirubhai Ambani took Reliance Textile Industries public in 1977. The Rs 30,213-crore issue was fully subscribed within two hours of opening, but Jios long-term success as a listed company will depend on whether it can turn its massive telecom and digital reach into sustained earnings growth and investor returns.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met Adani Group chairman Gautam Adani and Tata Sons chairman N Chandrasekaran in Mumbai before travelling to Jamnagar to visit Reliance Industries' oil refinery, Vantara and its planned clean-energy manufacturing complex. The visit comes as India and the US explore deeper cooperation in energy, manufacturing and technology.

On Wednesday, the Indian stock market saw a significant decline after an initial rise in the morning. Sensex and Nifty both climbed nearly 1% early on, reaching highs of 74,682 and 23,121 respectively. However, the market reversed course in the afternoon session, with selling pressure mounting. By the end of the day, Sensex dropped around 1,400 points from day's high, while Nifty fell below the 22,700 level.

Adani Green Energy reported a 15% year-on-year rise in consolidated net profit to Rs 673 crore in Q2, while revenue grew 39% to Rs 4,520 crore. Power supply revenue rose 45% to Rs 4,019 crore, and energy sales increased 33% to 12,090 million units, reflecting expanding operational capacity.

Vishal Mega Mart shares fell sharply on Wednesday after the retailer reported a 110-basis-point year-on-year contraction in EBITDA margin to 12.1% in Q2FY27. Net profit rose 3.7% to Rs 157.9 crore, while revenue increased 14% to Rs 3,398.5 crore. The company attributed margin pressure to a shift in festival timing.

PC Jeweller shares hit a fresh 52-week high of Rs 19.13, rising over 100% in 2026 and gaining 44% in a month. The rally follows the companys repayment of outstanding dues to all 14 consortium banks, achieving debt-free status ahead of schedule and strengthening its balance sheet.

Cockroach Janta Party co-conveners Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka withdrew their Delhi High Court plea challenging the extension of their judicial custody by a Special Executive Magistrate. The court asked them to await the outcome of a hearing before the magistrate and approach the appellate court if their grievance persists.

HD Fire Protect shares listed at a 23% premium over the IPO issue price of Rs 271, debuting at Rs 334.40 on the BSE and Rs 335 on the NSE. Experts say future performance will depend on customer expansion, margin stability, operating cash flows and demand for fire protection equipment.

HDFC Bank conducted an internal investigation after concerns about confidential information being leaked surfaced among executives. The probe discovered that two senior executives disclosed sensitive business strategies to outsiders, prompting further examination. This investigation is ongoing, and the involved executives have already been informed of the findings. The bank is committed to upholding ethical standards and will take appropriate action based on the investigation's results.

Zerodha CEO Nithin Kamath has credited Reliance Jio and Airtel with helping build Indias digital ecosystem and expand capital markets. Reflecting on Jios decade-long journey, Kamath said affordable data, along with Aadhaar and UPI, enabled online-first businesses like Zerodha to grow and helped drive a surge in retail investing.

Carlsberg is preparing to publicly file for a potential $700 million IPO of its Indian business, with investor roadshows expected next week and a possible December launch. The proposed offering would involve a secondary share sale, as Indias IPO market gains momentum. Carlsberg India holds approximately 22% market share.

Reliance Industries Jio Platforms has set new IPO records, with its Rs 30,213 crore issue becoming Indias largest-ever public offering and getting fully subscribed within 100 minutes of opening. The IPO surpasses Hyundai Motor Indias Rs 27,870 crore issue in 2024. At the upper end of its Rs 1,0651,119 price band, Jio Platforms is valued at around Rs 10.3 lakh crore. The issue closes on October 23.

Reliance Industries shares rose on Wednesday as Jio Platforms Rs 30,213 crore IPO was fully subscribed within an hour of opening. was fully subscribed within an hour of opening. With strong investor demand for the issue, attention is turning to Jios valuation, RILs diverse business portfolio and the potential value-unlocking opportunities for investors following the much-awaited listing.

Bonfiglioli Transmissions Rs 2,533.66 crore IPO was subscribed 46.05 times, with allotment expected to be finalised today. Shares are scheduled to list on the BSE and NSE on October 23, while a grey market premium of around 23% points to potential listing gains.

Piramal Finance shares rose nearly 4% after Q2 FY27 net profit surged 67% year-on-year to Rs 545 crore. Assets under management grew 24%, while retail disbursements increased 34%. The company strengthened its capital base, expanded AI adoption, improved operational efficiency, and appointed former SBI Chairman Dinesh Kumar Khara as Independent Director.

EAAA India Alternatives has set a price band of Rs 1,5851,665 for its Rs 1,200-crore IPO, opening October 26. The offer is entirely an offer for sale, with the company reporting higher income and profit in FY26.

The ET Product of the Year Awards 2026 celebrate India's top smartphone brands that skillfully convert features into commercial success. Evaluating factors such as sales figures, consumer feedback, and overall market influence, the awards prioritize performance rather than mere specifications. Companies are invited to nominate phones released from January 2025 through September 2026 for accolades.

State Bank of India is investigating a suspected data breach involving approximately 3.75 lakh records found online. The bank has engaged cybersecurity experts to assess the extent and risks related to the exposed data. Preliminary analysis has identified nearly 3,900 customer records, which include personally identifiable information. Previously, Central Bank of India experienced a technical glitch affecting its systems but reported no financial losses.

Global warming is now projected to exceed previous estimates, with average temperatures expected to rise significantly. Urgent and stringent cuts in greenhouse gas emissions are crucial to achieve best-case outcomes by mid-century. Current national emissions reduction plans fall far short of the necessary targets outlined in the recent UN report. As countries prepare for COP31 in Turkey, the need for decisive action becomes increasingly urgent.

Jefferies sees further valuation upside in Indian IT stocks despite a muted sector growth outlook. Infosys and TCS offer over 20% rerating potential, while Sagility could deliver more than 50% in a best-case scenario. The brokerage raised target prices for Infosys and TCS, citing scope for growth expectations to stabilise.

Bajaj Finance shares dropped on Wednesday after the NBFC reported a 29% year-on-year rise in Q2FY27 net profit to Rs 6,367 crore. Nomura and Jefferies retained Buy ratings, with Jefferies cutting its target price, while 360 One WAM upgraded the stock to Buy, citing improving risk-reward and strong growth.

Transrail Lighting shares rose nearly 9% after the company secured fresh orders worth Rs 927 crore, taking its financial year order intake to Rs 3,356 crore. However, foreign institutional investors trimmed their stake in the company during the September 2026 quarter.

Mukesh Ambani-led Jio Platforms IPO saw strong demand on Day 1. The IPO commanded a grey market premium (GMP) of around 25%, while brokerages remained optimistic, citing Jios telecom leadership, improving profitability and growth opportunities in broadband and artificial intelligence (AI).

L&T Technology Services shares rose sharply past Rs 4,000 after Q2 results beat expectations, driven by margin expansion, AI-led deal wins and strong sustainability business growth. Management expects a stronger second half of FY27, while Motilal Oswal, Nuvama and Nomura raised their target prices but maintained cautious ratings.

Jio Platforms is eyeing a staggering valuation of Rs 10 lakh crore for its upcoming IPO, sparking heated debates among analysts on whether to pursue Jio or Reliance Industries shares. The IPO holds the potential for investors to capitalize on India's booming digital economy, focusing specifically on Jio's telecommunications prowess, while Reliance offers broader sector diversification.

Hindustan Zinc reported a 142% year-on-year jump in Q2FY27 net profit to Rs 6,412 crore, while revenue rose 77% to Rs 15,093 crore. Despite strong earnings, Jefferies cut its target price to Rs 650 from Rs 750, citing silver price volatility and lower price assumptions for the coming years.

Infosys, UltraTech Cement, TCS, HCLTech, Reliance Industries, Tech Mahindra and Bharti Airtel shares gained 2-3% to lead gains on Sensex. Bucking the trend, Bajaj Finance shares dropped more than 2% to lead losses on the benchmark index.

Vaibhav Vyapaar shares are scheduled to list on the NSE SME platform on October 21, with the IPO commanding a grey market premium of around 6%. The Rs 42.10 crore issue was subscribed 2.27 times. The NBFC plans to use Rs 32 crore from the proceeds to strengthen its capital base.

UltraTech Cements Q2FY27 results prompted Nomura, Citi and Jefferies to revise their target prices for the stock. While Nomura and Citi cut their targets, Jefferies raised its estimate, with all three brokerages retaining Buy ratings. UltraTech reported a 21% year-on-year rise in quarterly profit to Rs 1,494 crore.

Jio Platforms 30,213 crore IPO marks a significant shift toward technology-driven digital services. With a focus on leveraging its connectivity through AI and cloud technologies, the company is also highlighting its extensive patent holdings. While Reliance Jio Infocomm continues to generate substantial revenue, the company aspires to broaden its reach into enterprise solutions and diverse digital products.

Five NSE F&O stocks recorded significant increases in futures open interest on October 19, reflecting heightened trading activity and growing participation across wealth management, industrial, energy, and real estate sectors.

Paras Healthcares Rs 1,450 crore IPO opens for subscription on October 21 and closes on October 23, with a grey market premium (GMP) of around 7%. The issue comprises a fresh issue of Rs 500 crore and an offer for sale (OFS) of Rs 950 crore.

HD Fire Protect is set to debut on the BSE and NSE on October 21, with a grey market premium of around 26%, signalling expectations of strong listing gains. The Rs 712 crore IPO was priced at Rs 271 per share and comprised entirely an offer for sale (OFS) of 2.63 crore shares by promoters Harish Narshi Dharamshi and Kusum Harish Dharamshi. Since it was an OFS, the company will receive no proceeds from the issue.

State Bank of India has flagged the suspected exposure of 3,897 customer records containing personally identifiable information on the dark web. The data reportedly includes names, mobile numbers, dates of birth and residential addresses. SBI has initiated incident response measures and engaged an independent cybersecurity agency to investigate the alleged compromise.

Three Nifty 500 stocks experienced notable price weakness on October 19, closing significantly below their volume-weighted average prices amid subdued trading performance and downward price pressure.