Markets / The Economic Times
Indian government bonds faced further declines Friday, with traders adopting a cautious stance ahead of a significant debt auction. This follows a sharp sell-off triggered by hawkish U.S. Federal Reserve commentary. The benchmark 10-year yield climbed, reflecting investor unease over supply concerns and tight liquidity, while awaiting auction demand and potential trade deal news.
Japanese government bonds saw a rise on Friday. This came after a successful auction of two-year notes. Investor confidence returned following a dovish statement from Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda. The central bank decided against raising interest rates. This eased concerns about short-to-medium term rate hikes. Demand for the two-year debt proved resilient, boosting bond prices.
United Spirits shares jumped 7% to 1,488 after the company reported a strong Q2 FY26 performance, with net profit rising 36% to 464 crore and revenue up 8% to 7,199 crore year-on-year.
Bandhan Bank shares dropped nearly 6% after the lender reported an 88% year-on-year fall in Q2FY26 profit to Rs 110 crore. Weak net interest income, lower margins, and rising credit costs weighed on earnings, even as advances and deposits grew. Asset quality slightly deteriorated, with GNPA rising to 5% and NIM slipping to 5.8%.
Gold prices slipped 305 to 1,21,203 per 10 grams on Friday after recent gains, as traders reassessed hopes for a December Fed rate cut following Powells hawkish comments. Silver also declined 787 to 1,48,053 per kg. Globally, gold remained on track for a third straight monthly rise, supported by bargain buying and rate-cut expectations.
Narendra Solanki, Head of Fundamental Research at Anand Rathi Shares, remains bullish on L&T and BHEL amid strong government capex momentum. Ciplas results exceeded expectations despite a surprise leadership change, while Dr Reddys stock fell after a key GLP-1 drug approval was delayed. Solanki expects stable macros and selective sectoral opportunities ahead.
Reliance Industries Ltd. announced a significant partnership with Google to boost AI adoption in India, offering eligible Jio users free access to Google's AI Pro plan for 18 months. Reliance Intelligence is now a strategic partner for Google Cloud in India, aiming to enhance AI infrastructure and drive enterprise AI adoption.
SBI Securities' Sunny Agrawal highlighted Aditya Birla Capital's strong all-round performance, with robust growth across lending, asset management, and insurance segments. He expressed caution on LIC Housing Finance, favoring smaller players like PNB Housing, Home First, and India Shelter Finance. Agrawal is optimistic about Sagility, anticipating a 20% upside due to its healthcare play and reasonable valuation.
Global central banks are converging towards policy alignment as the Fed, Canada, and New Zealand ease rates, while Europe, Japan, and Australia maintain cautious or hawkish stances amid persistent inflation risks.
Navin Fluorines shares surged up to 15% to a record Rs 5,729 after the company reported strong Q2FY26 results. Net profit jumped 152% to Rs 148 crore, while revenue rose 46% to Rs 758 crore. Robust margins, solid segmental growth, and fresh capex plans further strengthened investor confidence.
In an impressive quarterly report, Aditya Birla Capital revealed a net profit surge for Q2 of FY26, reaching Rs 855 crore, up from Rs 834 crore year-on-year. This promising uptick in total income and a 10% increase in assets under management highlight the company's robust financial trajectory.
Tata Investment Corporation shares have fallen nearly 25% post-split, amid profit-booking and growing unease over the Tata Group's leadership turmoil. Technical experts suggest the stock is in a cooling-off phase, with Rs 760 being a crucial support level. The group's internal disputes and operational challenges are weighing on investor sentiment.
A surge in bullish options trading has driven U.S. stocks higher, with the S&P 500 nearing 7,000, though analysts warn of rising volatility and potential short-term pullbacks amid investor exuberance.
Studds Accessories IPO: The IPO is entirely an offer for sale (OFS) by existing shareholders and will be open for subscription till November 3. The price band has been fixed at 557585 per share, with investors required to bid for a minimum of 25 shares.
Shares of Rubicon Research rose up to 3% on October 31 after Motilal Oswal initiated coverage with a Buy rating and a target price of Rs 740, implying a 22% upside. The brokerage highlighted Rubicons strong R&D-led growth, expanding US portfolio, and 43% earnings CAGR outlook, citing its efficient product launches and premium valuation potential.
November's market performance for Nifty is historically split. Foreign investors bought in 60% of past Novembers, while domestic investors showed stronger buying in 70% of instances. This year, domestic investors are a key stabiliser. Looking ahead, Nifty is expected to end positively in November 2025, building on October's gains. However, some caution exists regarding near-term sentiment and rollover trends.
Chinas factory activity contracted for a seventh month in October as weak domestic demand and a faltering property sector weighed on growth, despite modest gains in industrial output and profits.
Six Nifty500 stocks closed more than 1% above their VWAP on October 30, signalling bullish momentum. According to StockEdge data, the move suggests strong buying interest, with Chennai Petroleum, PB Fintech, and Neuland Laboratories among the top gainers. A close above VWAP often reflects positive market sentiment and accumulation.
Indian stocks opened with a muted tone on Friday, with the Sensex and Nifty experiencing minor fluctuations. The domestic rally lost some steam as foreign investors resumed selling, though strong corporate earnings and easing global trade tensions provided some support.
Orkla India's Rs 1,667 crore IPO saw strong investor interest, subscribed 2.70 times by Day 2. Retail and Non-Institutional Investors showed robust participation, while QIBs were at 6%. The stock is trading at a 9.5% grey market premium, indicating a potential listing price of Rs 800.
Lenskart's IPO is here, seeking a high valuation. The eyewear giant shows impressive growth and profitability. Its strong market position and innovative model are key strengths. Investors are weighing the premium price against future potential. The company aims for significant expansion in India and globally. This IPO could be a major consumer-tech success story.
NTPC's stock saw a dip following a profit decline for the September quarter. Despite this, Morgan Stanley remains positive on the company's outlook. Revenue saw a slight increase. NTPC announced an interim dividend. The company's capacity expanded, driven by renewable energy growth. Capital expenditure remains robust, indicating continued investment.
Futures open interest surged across seven NSE F&O stocks as of October 30, signalling heightened market activity. Dr. Reddy's Laboratories led with a 31.47% rise, followed by NBCC (India) and IIFL Finance. The trend indicates growing investor participation through new or expanded positions in the futures segment.
Dabur India's shares dipped after the release of Q2FY26 results, even as net profit climbed 6.5% compared to last year. Revenue growth was promising, supported by robust performance across multiple categories and expansion in its international sector. Alongside, the company confirmed an interim dividend payout.
Hyundai Motor India reported a 14% year-on-year rise in consolidated net profit to Rs 1,572 crore for the September quarter of FY26, while revenue from operations inched up 1.2% to Rs 17,460.82 crore. The companys performance was supported by strong festive demand, SUV sales, and continued cost optimisation measures, boosting investor sentiment ahead of Fridays trade.
Christy Mathai, Fund Manager at Quantum AMC, expects Indian markets to trend higher as earnings recover and macro tailwinds strengthen. Banking remains a core holding, while logistics, pharma, and insurance are emerging as new opportunities amid attractive valuations. With monetary easing and fiscal support boosting consumption, she sees a positive long-term market outlook.
Lenskart founder Peyush Bansal secured a substantial profit of Rs 1,500 crore just before the company's IPO. He acquired shares at a low price and saw their value surge significantly. Bansal will sell some shares during the IPO, earning over Rs 800 crore. His remaining stake is valued at over Rs 6,200 crore.
Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL) announced fresh orders worth Rs 732 crore, expanding its strong order book and reinforcing its role in Indias defence manufacturing push. The new contracts cover advanced systems such as software-defined radios, missile components, and cybersecurity solutions. BEL expects additional orders worth Rs 27,000 crore this fiscal, potentially taking total inflows beyond Rs 50,000 crore in FY26.
Swiggy share price: Swiggy shares saw a 4% jump to Rs 434.50 on Friday. This rise followed Morgan Stanley's 'Overweight' rating. The food delivery company reported a net loss of Rs 1,092 crore for the September quarter. Revenue from operations increased by 54% year-on-year. The quick-commerce segment showed strong growth. Swiggy also plans to raise up to Rs 10,000 crore.
LIC Housing Finance expects double-digit growth and stable margins despite recent rate cuts, says MD & CEO Tribhuwan Adhikari. With credit costs under control and asset quality improving, the housing finance major is eyeing a strong second-half rebound led by retail demand and key resolutions in project finance. NIMs likely to remain within the 2.62.8% range.
A White Marubozu is a bullish candlestick pattern in technical analysis. It forms when the opening price is the lowest point of the period and the closing price is the highest.
An uptrend signal is generated when the RSI value crosses above 50 from below.
Investors keen on BEML's stock split must buy shares by today, October 31, 2025. The company is splitting each Rs 10 share into two Rs 5 shares. This corporate action aims to boost liquidity and investor accessibility. Eligible shareholders will see their holdings double in number, with the face value halved. The split officially takes effect on November 3, 2025.
Market sentiment remains optimistic despite index struggles, with dips seen as buying opportunities. Investors are advised to focus on growth-oriented segments like banking, metals, and mid/smallcaps, which have shown strong performance. The analysis suggests a constructive setup for continued upward movement.
Lenskart, India's leading eyewear retailer, launched its Rs 7,278 crore IPO today, aiming to expand its omnichannel presence. With strong financial turnaround and a growing market, the company is poised for significant growth. Analysts suggest a long-term investment opportunity despite rich valuations, citing its integrated supply chain and brand strength.
We have collated a list of recommendations from top brokerage firms from ETNow and other sources.
7 stocks' closing prices crossed above their 200 DMA (Daily Moving Averages) on October 30, 2025, according to stockedge.com's technical scan data.
Big Tech firms are boosting capital spending for AI, but investors favor Alphabet's approach. While Meta and Microsoft saw stock dips due to investment cost concerns, Alphabet's strong cash flow eased worries. Amazon's cloud unit's impressive growth also reassured investors, signaling that hefty investments are yielding positive results.
Social media giant Meta Platforms is raising a massive $30 billion through its largest-ever bond sale. This significant funding aims to support Meta's extensive investments in artificial intelligence infrastructure. The company anticipates higher capital expenditures next year due to these AI ambitions. Major tech firms are collectively spending billions on AI development.
Gold prices climbed Friday, nearing a third consecutive monthly gain, driven by bargain hunting and a Federal Reserve rate cut. Investors are processing a tentative U.S.-China trade deal, while global gold demand reached a record high in the third quarter. The dollar's strength, however, is limiting bullion's advance.
The US dollar held firm near a three-month peak as global markets digested mixed central bank signals and a tentative US-China trade truce. Traders are scaling back expectations of further Federal Reserve rate cuts, while a stronger yen, despite Tokyo inflation, adds complexity. The euro saw a slight gain as the ECB maintained its stance.
Oil prices are falling for the third month. A stronger US dollar is impacting commodity gains. Increased supply from major producers is also a factor. Western sanctions on Russian oil exports are being offset. OPEC+ is considering a modest output boost. Saudi Arabia's crude exports are at a six-month high. US production is at a record level.
Amazon's cloud revenue surged at its fastest pace in nearly three years, driven by robust AI demand, leading to a forecast of quarterly sales above estimates and a significant jump in its stock. The company anticipates increased capital spending next year, primarily for AI projects, as it navigates softer e-commerce growth.
Indian markets saw a dip as global cues turned negative. Major US indexes like Nasdaq and S&P 500 declined. Meta and Microsoft shares dropped significantly due to increased artificial intelligence spending. The US Federal Reserve's hawkish tone also impacted investor sentiment. Investors are now closely watching upcoming earnings reports for further direction.
Apple announced strong financial results for its summer quarter. iPhone 17 sales exceeded expectations, boosting revenue and profit. Despite trade war tariffs, Apple maintained pricing. The company's performance surpassed analyst forecasts. Apple shares saw a significant surge following the announcement. CEO Tim Cook expressed optimism for continued iPhone sales, especially during the holiday season.
US equity futures climbed as strong earnings from Apple and Amazon fueled a post-market tech rally, offering a reprieve after Thursday's sharp selloff. Despite a brief boost from tech giants, concerns linger over the massive AI spending and its potential returns, leading to a cautious outlook for the market.
India's IPO market anticipates a blockbuster November, with over 76,000 crore in public issues expected across various sectors. This surge is driven by a strong Q4 trend, a rebound in the secondary market, and the urgency to comply with US financial statement regulations before year-end.
Lenskart Solutions is set to raise over 7,000 crore through its upcoming IPO. The eyewear retailer aims to fund expansion and acquisitions. Despite a growing revenue and a recent profit, the company's valuation appears high. Lenskart operates in a competitive market with a significant unorganised segment. Investors may observe financial clarity post-listing.

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