Asian stocks rose Friday as a planned meeting between US President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping eased trade tensions. Oil prices dipped ahead of US inflation data, with investors anticipating a Federal Reserve rate cut next week despite sticky inflation. Resilient earnings and potential positive US-China news support continued equity market optimism.

S&P Global has lowered its outlook for Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles to negative. This is due to a slow recovery for its Jaguar Land Rover unit after a cyberattack caused production pauses and hurt sales. The impact is more pronounced after the company split. Recovery path remains uncertain, with potential for bigger implications from the attack.

Sebi is proposing to make it easier for Non-Resident Indian clients to complete their KYC. The markets watchdog wants to remove the requirement for NRIs to be physically present in India for digital onboarding or video identification. This change aims to simplify compliance for overseas investors. Public comments are invited on the draft proposal.

Sebi has proposed a uniform process for mutual fund folio creation and first investment to tackle KYC compliance issues. The regulator seeks public feedback by November 14, aiming to reduce delays and unclaimed investor amounts caused by verification mismatches.

Indias capital markets rallied, with Nifty 50 near record highs. BSE, Angel One surged as FIIs reversed outflows. Optimism fueled by trade talks, festive demand, policy support, and strong fundamentals.

Decide your investment horizon before starting. For example, a long-term plan of 25 years can help harness the power of compounding.

Gold has surged 54% in 2025, driven by Western investors, speculation, and geopolitical tensions. Despite volatility, bullish sentiment persists, with central banks, FOMO buying, and supply-demand shifts influencing 2026 trends.

Five equity mutual funds delivered over 15% returns in the last nine months, out of 279 funds, according to ETMutualFunds data. ICICI Pru Focused Equity Fund led with 16.59%, followed by Kotak Focused Fund at 15.81%. Other strong performers included Invesco India Midcap Fund, Helios Large & Mid Cap Fund, and Invesco India Large & Mid Cap Fund, highlighting robust gains across focused, midcap, and large-cap segments.

Epack Prefab Technologies shares are in focus after a strong Q2FY26 performance, with net profit surging 104.2% YoY to Rs 29.5 crore and revenue from operations up 61.9% YoY to Rs 433.9 crore. For H1FY26, total income reached Rs 734.6 crore, EBITDA rose 45.6%, and PAT jumped 64.4%, highlighting operational efficiency and robust growth across its business segments.

Fixed-income mutual funds witnessed a massive net outflow of Rs 1.02 lakh crore in September following modest redemptions of Rs 7,980 crore in the preceding month, primarily driven by large institutional withdrawals from liquid and money market funds.

As Samvat 2082 begins this Diwali, experts advise mutual fund investors to maintain a balanced portfolio across equity, debt, hybrid, and international funds, using SIPs or staggered investments, while keeping 1020% in precious metals and aligning allocations with risk appetite and long-term goals.

Three experts share how conservative investors can smartly allocate Rs 10 lakh this Diwali across equities, debt, and gold for balanced, stable returns.

Income-plus-arbitrage fund of funds are gaining traction among fixed-income investors for their tax efficiency. These schemes invest under 65% in debt, with the remainder in arbitrage strategies, allowing gains to be taxed at a favorable 12.5% if held for over 24 months.

Seven mutual funds trimmed exposure in around 20 small-cap stocks in September, including HDFC, SBI, Kotak, Axis, Nippon, Quant, and ICICI Prudential, reflecting active portfolio management to optimize returns and reduce risk.

Retail investors faced a turbulent year: gold surged 68%, Nifty 50 returned 5%. Experts suggest a balanced Rs 10 lakh allocation across equities, debt, and gold to optimize risk-adjusted returns.

Indias mutual fund industry faces a rare downturn, with one-year rolling equity returns turning negative for the first time since 2018. Investor inflows are moderating, cash holdings shrinking, and concentrated stock flows raise potential risks amid cautious sentiment.

Since last Diwali, nearly 10 equity mutual funds delivered over 20% XIRR on SIP investments. Groww Multicap Fund topped with 25.97% XIRR, while most funds gave positive returns, highlighting robust equity performance.

Ahead of Diwali 2025, brokerages highlight seven financial sector stocks including SBI, HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank and Max Financial poised for strong upside as easing global headwinds and robust domestic fundamentals fuel bullish market sentiment.

First time retail investors keen on both gold and silver - two metals topping price charts this past year - should consider the Gold and Silver ETFs Fund of Funds (FoFs) to de-risk exposure.

Seven top fund managers share their Diwali 2025 investment strategies, offering insights on building a balanced portfolio through smart asset allocation across equities, debt, gold, and more.

Financial expert Mrin Agarwal advises using the Diwali bonus wiselysplit 30% for expenses, 30% for EMIs, and 40% for savings and investmentsto balance enjoyment with long-term financial goals.

Seven mutual funds reduced exposure in 19 midcap stocks in September, actively managing portfolios to optimise returns. Key fund houses include HDFC, SBI, Kotak, Axis, Nippon India, Quant, and ICICI Prudential.

Retail investors navigate a roller-coaster year, with gold surging 68% and equities at 5%. Experts suggest balanced allocations across large, mid, small caps, debt, hybrid, and precious metals for 202526.

Zerodha Fund House has launched a new investment opportunity, the Zerodha BSE SENSEX Index Fund. This fund will mirror the performance of India's top 30 companies listed on the BSE Sensex. The New Fund Offer is currently open for investors. This provides a straightforward way to invest in leading Indian businesses and build a diversified portfolio.

Diwali marks a prime time for new investors to embark on their mutual fund journey. Experts advise starting with diversified funds like Multi Asset Allocation, balancing growth and stability. Consistency through SIPs is key, rather than chasing past returns or making impulsive decisions. Allocate 10-15% of savings initially, focusing on long-term goals and disciplined investing.

Balanced advantage funds invest in a mix of stocks, debt, and arbitrage opportunities. These funds decide their equity exposure depending on key market ratios or in-house parameters.

Retail investors saw a mixed year. Gold delivered strong returns, while the Nifty 50 offered modest gains. Geopolitical events and economic factors influenced these outcomes. Wealth management experts are now guiding investors on where to place 10 lakh in the next twelve months. This advice comes after a period of significant market fluctuations.

Four mutual funds added eight new midcap stocks to their portfolios in September, including Cummins India, Lupin, Mazagon Dock, Biocon, Oracle Financial Services, Jubilant Foods, Indus Towers, and ACC Gra.

Equity mutual funds delivered up to 4% returns last week (1318 October), led by Motilal Oswal, ICICI Pru, HDFC, SBI, and Mahindra Manulife, while global indices showed mixed movements.

Equity mutual funds delivered up to 70% returns since the last Diwali, with 407 out of 522 funds giving positive gains. Top performers include Mirae Asset, Invesco, Nippon India, and Motilal Oswal.

If you are planning to take a exposure in precious metals like gold, silver, platinum and others, here is what experts say.

Here are the top 10 states contributing maximum to the total AAUM, according to a report by Franklin Templeton Mutual Fund.

5 funds have added 13 new smallcap stocks in their portfolios in September.

Diwali 2025 approaches with high gold prices. Gold Exchange Traded Funds present a smart solution for tradition. These ETFs allow investment in gold as low as 0.01 grams. They offer purity, liquidity, and price efficiency. Investors can buy or sell units easily through a demat account. This makes owning gold accessible and convenient for everyone this festive season.

Dhanteras saw a surge in gold and silver ETF investments, with gold ETFs returning up to 64% and silver ETFs up to 72% since last year. Experts suggest continued upside potential for both, advising staggered investments to capitalize on any short-term corrections and maintain portfolio diversification.

JPMorgan Chase has appointed Jerry Lee, a seasoned industry expert, as the global chair of investment banking, anticipating a resurgence in dealmaking. Lee, formerly Goldman Sachs' global head of biopharma banking, brings extensive experience advising on over $300 billion in mergers and acquisitions. This strategic move positions JPMorgan Chase to capitalize on the expected investment banking boom in 2026.

Bank of America has announced a leadership reshuffle within its global corporate and investment banking division. Faiz Ahmad and Mike Joo have been appointed as the new co-heads of global investment banking. Alex Bettamio and Thomas Sheehan will transition to chairs of GCIB, focusing on strengthening client relationships. BofA currently holds a 6% market share in global investment banking revenue.

Nvidia, Apple, Microsoft, Amazon, Alphabet, Meta, and Tesla stocks still remain the most popular stocks for US Stock Market investors.

Bitcoin BTC price forecast 2025: Citigroup predicts Bitcoin could reach $199,000 by the end of 2025 in a bullish scenario, driven by spot Bitcoin ETFs and user growth. Their base case forecasts $135,000, factoring in potential macroeconomic headwinds. Spot Bitcoin ETFs now account for over 40% of recent price movements, injecting significant buying power into the market.