The Economic Times

Union Minister Rajnath Singh accused the Congress and its allies of inciting unrest and seeking regime change. He stated that the youth are being exploited for political confrontation rather than constructive initiatives. Singh emphasized the importance of respecting democratic institutions and maintaining law and order. He urged political leaders to focus on dialogue and nation-building instead of destructive politics.

An 18-month-old girl died after allegedly being pushed down a stairwell by a 10-year-old neighbor. CCTV footage reportedly showed the older child lifting the toddler before the incident occurred. The toddler was found by her brother after their mother could not locate her. The 10-year-old has been presented to the Child Welfare Committee for further inquiries. Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the tragic death of the toddler.

Jewellery stocks, including Shanti Gold International, PC Jeweller and Sky Gold and Diamonds, rose sharply on Friday as mutual fund houses temporarily restricted fresh subscriptions to gold ETF Fund of Funds. With the festive and wedding season approaching, analysts expect resilient gold demand, while organised retailers could benefit from market share gains.

Persistent Systems shares fell 5% despite 7.8% sequential constant-currency revenue growth in Q2FY27, as margin contraction and a sharp decline in profit weighed on sentiment. Brokerages remained divided on the stock amid valuation concerns and acquisition-related costs.

On Friday morning, benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty made a remarkable recovery after a short dip into negative territory. The IT sector continued its upward trend for the fourth consecutive session, with significant contributions from industry leaders such as Tech Mahindra and Infosys, which surged, boosting the sectoral index. While a few companies faced declines, the general market outlook remained optimistic, following a notable rise earlier in the week.

Sebi has revised the Closing Auction Session (CAS) framework after receiving more than 20,000 comments from stakeholders. The updated rules introduce a 10-minute closing auction, restore the VWAP method for F&O expiry settlement prices and clarify order transfers. Most changes will take effect on December 7, 2026.

Karur Vysya Bank shares rose sharply after the private sector lender reported a 37% year-on-year rise in Q2FY27 net profit to Rs 788 crore. Net interest income grew 19% to Rs 1,497.3 crore, while total business increased nearly 18% to Rs 2.40 lakh crore.

HDFC Bank is set to unveil its Q2 results on October 17, 2026, showcasing key financial indicators. Analysts predict a year-on-year rise in net interest income of about 8%, driven by an increase in loans. Profit after tax forecasts vary among brokerages, reflecting a range of expectations regarding the bank's financial health.

As the festive season approaches, India's gems and jewellery sector braces itself for an influx of consumer demand. Analysts believe that sustained purchases tied to weddings could boost sales, even amid rising gold prices. While Titan Company and Kalyan Jewellers remain prominent, Senco Gold and Lalithaa Jewellery Mart are capturing investor interest.

Persistent Systems, Ujjivan Small Finance Bank, Siemens Energy India, and Nestle India recorded futures open interest increases exceeding 11% on October 15, indicating heightened derivatives market activity.

Wipro reported a 9.1% year-on-year rise in Q2FY27 revenue to Rs 24,752.7 crore, while net profit fell 1.9% to Rs 3,201 crore. The IT major expects Q3 revenue growth of -1.5% to 0.5% sequentially in constant currency terms. Nomura retained its Buy rating with a Rs 200 target, citing a slight revenue beat and confidence in delayed large deals closing.

Reliance Jio is set to roll out an ambitious Rs 30,213 crore IPO featuring solely new equity shares, not existing ones. In light of mixed results from recent Indian IPOs, this move aims to cut down Jio's debt while bolstering its financial standing. The company's IPO, valued at Rs 10.

HD Fire Protect IPO allotment status is expected today following a massive 131.70 times subscription. The Rs 712.31-crore public issue commands a 30% grey market premium. Investors can check allotment status online via the registrar MUFG Intime India, BSE, and NSE websites ahead of its scheduled October 21 listing.

Meta Platforms and Google are poised to realize significant gains from their Jio investment made in 2020. To bolster its growth, Jio Platforms is moving forward with an initial public offering planned to raise around 30,213 crore, achieving a valuation of 10.3 lakh crore. Neither Meta nor Google plans to divest shares in this round as existing backers maintain their stakes.

Zetwerk Manufacturing Business IPO entered its second day of bidding on October 16 after garnering 23% subscription on Day 1. The retail category was subscribed 22%. The IPOs grey market premium stood at 9%, suggesting potential listing gains, though GMP is unofficial and does not guarantee listing performance.

Yes Bank faced a setback as India's Supreme Court overturned its write-off of 84 billion rupees in bonds. S&P Global Ratings stated the ruling would not impact its credit rating of the bank. The decision highlights procedural errors in the 2020 write-down process, which regulators had supported. Despite this ruling, Yes Bank is expected to maintain adequate capitalization in the future.

Tonbo Imaging Indias Rs 852.18 crore IPO received four times subscription on Day 1, supported by strong institutional demand and a 71% grey market premium. The defence technology companys offer-for-sale coincides with declining FY26 revenue and profits, despite its specialised imaging systems and international defence presence.

Tech Mahindra shares rose after Q2FY27 net profit increased 32.7% year-on-year to Rs 1,586 crore. Nomura retained its Neutral rating, seeing limited upside despite expectations of above-peer growth in FY27, driven by large telecom deals and expansion across other verticals.

SEBI has revised the Closing Auction Session framework, changing market timings, order transfer rules and settlement price calculations for derivatives. The updated rules will take effect from December 7, 2026, with provisions for transferring unexecuted limit and iceberg orders kicking in on February 8, 2027.

India's Balance of Payments (BoP) is turning positive, but it is likely to remain lower than earlier expectations as elevated oil prices and an expanding non-oil, non-gold deficit weigh on the external trade position, according to a research report by ICICI Bank Global Markets.

Fusion CXs Rs 702 crore IPO entered its final bidding day, with 1.10 times subscription on Day 2 and an 8% grey market premium. Brokerages highlight growth potential, improving profitability, AI-driven demand and reasonable valuations, while proceeds will primarily reduce debt and fund technology upgrades.

Sahajanand Medical Technologies IPO entered Day 2 on October 16, 2026, with a 12% GMP and 34% subscription on Day 1. The Rs 475.48-crore offer for sale is priced at Rs 327-344 per share. PAT surged 175% to Rs 69 crore in FY26 amid steady revenue growth.

Zen Technologies, HDFC Asset Management Company, and Signatureglobal recorded closing prices above their volume-weighted average prices on October 15, reflecting intraday trading strength across these three Nifty 500 stocks.

Bonfiglioli Transmissions IPO entered Day 2 with a 24% GMP and 48% overall subscription on Day 1. The Rs 2,533.66-crore offer for sale is priced at Rs 558-586 per share. Anand Rathi assigned a Subscribe for Long Term rating, citing growth in automation despite fully valued pricing metrics.

HPCL, HDFC AMC and Nuvoco Vistas featured in StockEdges White Marubozu scan on October 15, reflecting strong upward price momentum.

Tata Communications, RITES and Cemindia Projects featured in StockEdges RSI Trending Up scan on October 15 after gaining over 6%.

Jio Platforms has set an IPO price band of 1,065 to 1,119 per share. The company plans to raise around 30,000 crore during its initial public offering. Isha Ambani emphasized pricing the IPO accessibly for ensuring long-term shareholder value. Funds from the IPO will be used to reduce debt and support future growth initiatives. Jio's listing is expected to make RIL Group India's largest conglomerate by market capitalization.

The Securities and Exchange Board of India has implemented an updated framework for closing auction sessions and derivatives settlement. Under the new guidelines, volume-weighted average prices will be used during the last half-hour of normal trading. Trading for stocks will now last until 3:30 pm, while closing auction sessions will continue until 3:40 pm.

Indias tech landscape is witnessing an influx of investments from family offices and wealthy individuals. Key players like Premji Invest and Claypond Capital are funding promising AI startups. With at least six companies achieving unicorn status, the environment for AI is becoming increasingly supportive. This shift highlights the need for sustained investment in Indias AI ecosystem. The growth potential is significant, despite challenges in funding and competition.

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has approved Fairfax Financial Holdings' acquisition of a majority stake in IDBI Bank. The next steps include obtaining necessary regulatory clearance from the Reserve Bank of India. Employee service conditions and pensions will be protected under the new ownership. Future strategic restructuring plans for public enterprises are also in progress. Additional asset monetisation initiatives involving infrastructure are being developed for efficient capital

Indian Computer Emergency Response Team reported that AI agents attacked local organizations for unauthorized access and financial gain. These breaches were undetected for several days and exploited security weaknesses in ICT systems. Cybercriminals also used open-source AI tools to enhance their attacks during the same time. Concerns about cyber threats have grown globally, leading to a state of emergency in Japan.

Wipro has reported a decline in revenue for the second quarter in a row, contrasting with larger rivals that experienced growth. The total value of new contracts has dropped significantly, indicating delays in project closures. Despite this, management is optimistic about future improvements in deal momentum and operating margins. Slight enhancements were noted in operating margins, attributed to increased efficiency and favorable currency fluctuations.

Alpha Alternatives has garnered over 6,000 crore for its initial infrastructure fund, which is set to focus on key projects such as roads and renewable energy frameworks. The Build India Infrastructure Fund's goal is to improve operational efficiencies and eventually monetize assets through investment trusts. Meanwhile, Bajaj Alternate Investment Management is initiating fundraising for its first real estate venture centered on commercial office properties.

On Thursday, market indices Nifty and Sensex experienced notable advances, illustrating a surge in local investor confidence. The Nifty surpassed the 23,000 mark, buoyed by strong domestic demand and robust tax revenue. Experts predict that the market may undergo a period of consolidation amid recovery efforts and selling pressures. While foreign portfolio investors engaged in net selling, domestic institutions stepped up as net buyers.