The Economic Times

SEBI will make direct mutual fund plans the default option on AMC digital platforms starting November 1, while investors choosing regular plans must be informed about their higher costs. The regulator is also reviewing IPO frameworks, simplifying market regulations and expanding the use of AI to strengthen supervision and investor protection.

Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal highlighted India's potential advantages from a trade deal with the United States. He asserted that the agreement would not harm the interests of farmers or any other stakeholders involved. Goyal made these statements during the 4th ISID-IDRA National Conference in Delhi. The trade deal aims to enhance India's economic landscape and strengthen its global standing.

New electric ray species found: Dr M. V. Ramana Murthy, Mission Director of India's Deep Ocean Mission, has been honoured by the naming of a newly discovered electric ray after him. An IIT Madras-trained ocean engineer, he has worked in coastal research, desalination, marine technology and hazard management, including as director of the National Centre for Coastal Research.

Gold and Silver rate: Gold and silver indicative jewellery prices decreased today, but retail prices for 22k jewellery remained stable across various cities. The India Bullion and Jewellers Association provided updates on gold and silver rates for various purity levels.

Abhishek Banerjee has called for the interrogation of officials from the Chorbagan Durga Puja committee. Nineteen lives were lost in a stampede on October 17, raising concerns over the investigation. Banerjee questions the lack of accountability among committee leaders with political affiliations. The West Bengal government has set up a Special Investigation Team to investigate the incident thoroughly.

One Planet Partners has launched a private equity fund in partnership with Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank. The firm plans to raise over 3,000 crore and target mid-market companies in India. One Planet will focus on sectors such as energy, mobility, and manufacturing, offering growth capital of 100 crore to 500 crore. Yulu Bikes Private Limited is the firm's first investment, participating in their $93 million Series C funding round.

Jupiter Wagons Limited (JWL) has secured a Rs 1,140 crore order from Indian Railways to manufacture and supply 2,583 wagons. The company expects to secure additional orders worth around Rs 2,000 crore in the fourth quarter of the current financial year. Demand prospects have also received a boost from a Ministry of Railways tender for 5,800 BOBRN wagons, while JWL is expanding its manufacturing capabilities across the wagon value chain.

Chinese stocks declined as a sharp selloff in technology and AI-related shares outweighed the US Federal Reserves decision to keep interest rates unchanged. The Shanghai Composite fell 0.9%, while the CSI300 dropped 1.2% and the STAR50 tumbled 4.2%.

Delhi Traffic Police announced traffic advisories for Diljit Dosanjh's concert at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on October 30, 2026. The traffic restrictions will be implemented from 1 pm to midnight in the vicinity of the venue. Commuters are encouraged to use public transport, with Delhi Metro considered a suitable option. Motorists should remain patient and follow traffic rules to assist with smooth movement.

Flavio Bolsonaro, a Brazilian senator, fled to Miami with his family after losing the presidential election. He had been under investigation for corruption and faced passport seizures ordered by the Supreme Court. His father, Jair Bolsonaro, had previously claimed electoral fraud without providing evidence. Despite allegations of voter suppression, the electoral results were widely accepted by political leaders around the world.

Malayalam OTT releases this week offer a mix of comedy, crime and mystery. Avaraachan & Sons premieres on October 30, followed by the crime thriller SI Yugandhar and Tamil series Akka on the same day. Dhoomakethu, streaming since October 23, explores an underwater mystery, while Vijay Sethupathis comedy drama Baththa premiered on October 29. Read on to know where to watch on OTT.

The Indian government has identified 762 potential applications of artificial intelligence across 62 ministries and departments, spanning farming, railway safety, tax compliance, public grievances, customs and healthcare. While some tools are already in use, others remain in pilot or development stages.

Kashvi is quickly becoming a name to watch in the women's cricket scene thanks to her outstanding youth performances. As an India Under-19 representative, she has thrived in competitions, earning recognition from Delhi Capitals' coach Jonathan Batty, who views her as a future investment. While her WPL debut could be postponed until after the Under-19 World Cup in 2026, this pivotal experience will enrich her development as a cricketer.

Amazon layoffs: Amazon has cut around 250 jobs in its devices and services division, primarily in software development, as it looks to streamline operations and align staffing with product priorities. The latest layoffs add to more than 31,000 job cuts announced across several rounds since October 2025, including reductions in its retail business. The move comes amid wider workforce changes at tech giants such as Microsoft, Netflix and Oracle, as companies reassess costs and investment prioritie

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India has proposed a new framework for internet-based linear television distribution. This recommendation could broaden the interpretation of the Telecommunications Act and affect other digital content. Legal experts express concerns over TRAI's jurisdiction regarding OTT services and the implications for freedom of speech. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting must decide whether to adopt these recommendations.

Hindustan Unilever shares rose on Thursday after the FMCG major reported a 4% year-on-year increase in Q2 FY27 net profit to Rs 2,790 crore and 15% revenue growth to Rs 18,226 crore. Jefferies, Nomura and JM Financial cut their target prices but continue to see upside potential of up to 29%.

Ahmedabad couple Darshan and Shruti Zinzuvadiya started The Coco Station in July 2025 with Rs 2,000 to Rs 3,000. Selling cold coco and coffee from their car after office hours, they now sell around 150 bottles daily and generate Rs 6 lakh in monthly revenue. Shruti quit her job to focus on the business, which has crossed Rs 36 lakh in total revenue.

India's aviation sector is expected to incur net losses of Rs 36,000-38,000 crore in the current fiscal year. This increase in losses compared to last year's Rs 28,000-30,000 crore stems from several challenges. Factors such as moderation in passenger growth and rising aviation turbine fuel prices heavily impact the sector. Additionally, the depreciation of the Indian rupee and increased costs put further pressure on airline profitability.

Indian government bonds increased on Thursday due to support from a rally in Treasuries and lower oil prices. However, the upcoming large bond sale and a weak rupee limited the extent of the gains observed. The benchmark 6.94% 2036 bond yield fell slightly below the significant 7.40% level during early trading hours. Meanwhile, the Reserve Bank of India previously raised the repo rate amid ongoing inflation concerns.

Brokerages see potential upside in 10 stocks, including DLF, Apollo Hospitals, GE Vernova T&D India and Jindal Steel, citing bullish chart patterns, improving momentum and signs of recovery. Technical indicators suggest further gains, though investors should assess risks and verify stop-loss levels.

Milwaukee Brewers catcher William Contreras emerged victorious in the 2026 World Series, bagging the coveted MVP Award after he helped his team win their first championship. In a few interviews, the catcher said his fitness regimen includes heavy weightifting, deadlifts, squats etc.

The European Central Bank is expected to hold interest rates steady as oil-driven inflation risks, rising French borrowing costs and uncertainty over President Christine Lagarde's future complicate the central bank's monetary policy outlook.

Tobacco major Philip Morris International (PMI) reported a 5.5 per cent YoY rise in net revenues to $11.4 billion in Q3, driven by growth in both smoke-free and combustible products, as per a company statement.

The November 3 US midterm elections will determine whether Donald Trump continues to rule the US a Congress largely aligned with his agenda, or faces two years of heated resistance from an opposition empowered to challenge each and every decision of his.With all 435 seats in the House of Representatives and 35 of the Senates 100 seats up for election, the results will shape the balance of power in Washington, influence key policy decisions and set the stage for the 2028 presidential contest.Also

ETMutualFunds shortlisted leading small-cap mutual funds using rolling returns, consistency, downside risk, outperformance and asset size. The list includes schemes from Axis, SBI, Kotak and Nippon India, with three-year rolling returns ranging from 24% to 33.5%. Small-cap funds are best suited to aggressive investors with a high risk appetite and a long investment horizon.

Vedanta Aluminiums September-quarter net profit more than doubled, while revenue rose 41% and EBITDA surged 83% year-on-year. The company expects higher production volumes and lower costs to support earnings despite declining aluminium prices. Production costs could fall 6% by year-end, aided by increased captive bauxite availability and operational efficiencies.

The Indian rupee experienced a sharp decline on Thursday, hitting a two-week low against the dollar. Traders highlighted that heightened dollar demand and overseas debt payments were significant contributors to this depreciation. To stabilize the situation, the Reserve Bank of India intervened. Moreover, the rupee's earlier strength has faded amid ongoing market pressures, prompting markets to eagerly await upcoming decisions from the European Central Bank on interest rates.

Adani Group stocks rose on Thursday, adding Rs 23,000 crore to their combined market capitalisation, as Q2 results and bullish brokerage calls lifted sentiment. Adani Power reported a 134% jump in net profit, while Jefferies raised its target price for Adani Ports and sees significant upside in Adani Enterprises.

Abhijeet Wanjari won the Nagpur Division Graduates' Constituency seat against Sudhakar Kohale from the BJP. The election results were declared after an extensive 40-hour vote-counting process. Wanjari secured 67,231 votes while Kohale received 63,960 votes in this close contest. This victory indicates a shift from the traditional BJP stronghold to a Congress bastion in this constituency. The outcome signifies a continued trend of Congress winning similar elections in the region.

Karwa Chauth Moonrise Time: Celebrated by married women, Karwa Chauth involves a day-long fast until the moon appears. The rituals commence early with Sargi, a pre-fast meal. As evening falls, women engage in traditional prayers, culminating in breaking their fast upon sighting the moon. Since different cities in India experience varied moonrise timings, women must confirm their local schedules to participate meaningfully.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke to the chief ministers of Andhra Pradesh, Puducherry, Odisha and Chhattisgarh following Cyclone Arnab, assuring them of the Centres assistance in relief and rescue efforts. He said NDRF and SDRF teams were working to mitigate the impact of the storm, while inter-ministerial central teams would soon assess the damage and determine the need for further assistance. The IMD had forecast that the cyclone would gradually weaken.

Microsoft's strong Azure growth and rising AI demand are driving revenue and earnings, but heavy infrastructure spending and weakness in Windows and Xbox remain concerns. The company's ability to turn AI investments into sustainable profits will shape its long-term outlook.

Chief Economic Advisor V Anantha Nageswaran emphasized that 2025-26 could be a significant inflection point for India's economy. He mentioned the challenges posed by global shocks and supply-side disruptions in recent years. The reliance on imported crude oil adds to India's vulnerability to fluctuating international energy prices. Strengthening resilience to external disruptions is crucial for managing such risks effectively.

Jefferies has initiated coverage on NSE with a

In the September quarter, Vedanta Aluminium experienced a remarkable 41% growth in revenue year-on-year. Despite predictions of falling aluminium prices, production is on the rise due to enhanced capacity. The company forecasts a reduction in production costs by 6% by year's end. Operational enhancements indicate that earnings will still rise, positioning Vedanta positively amid shifting market conditions.

Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal announced that the Trade Facilitation Portal has received about 3,500 registrations. This portal aims to facilitate greater trade opportunities for Indian businesses, especially among micro, small, and medium enterprises. Goyal emphasized that the initiative will help first-time exporters establish partnerships and access new markets. The encouraging response to the portal indicates its potential to expand the global reach of Indian businesses.

AG Poly Packs Pvt. Ltd. is consolidating operations by merging its subsidiary AG Petuela Pvt. Ltd. into the parent company. This merger follows the successful growth of AG Petuelas operations in Umbergaon, Gujarat, which saw revenue increase significantly.

The Employees Provident Fund Organisation is working on guidelines for investing in alternative investment funds for better portfolio diversification. The proposed allocation could be up to 3% of fresh annual accretions to these funds. This decision follows recommendations for EPFO's participation in the Startup India Fund of Funds 2.0. Proposed safeguards will include limits on individual fund exposures and minimum corpus requirements.

A Mumbai-based husband-wife duo is bringing innovation, comfort, and a sense of identity to medical wear, a largely overlooked segment of the healthcare industry.