The Economic Times

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.

Arbitrage funds are taxed like equity mutual funds. This means they qualify for long term capital gains tax of 12.5% if investments are held for more than a year. If investments are for less than a year, short term capital gains tax of 20% will be applicable.

Motilal Oswal expects weak Q2 cement earnings as fuel costs rise and prices stay soft. See its top picks, neutral calls and one Sell.

The Delhi High Court just ruled that matromonial fights can really upset elderly parents and so on this ground the court ordered a wife to move out of her mother-in-law's house. Since the wife has her own home and job, the court felt she could handle it, and they highlighted the eviction rules under the Senior Citizens Act.

Bank holiday today: Bank branches will be closed on October 21, 2026, in several Indian states for Vijaya Dasami festivals. Customers are advised to check the Reserve Bank of India's holiday list before their visits. Digital banking services such as mobile banking and UPI will remain available on this holiday.

8th Pay Commission salary calculator: Scheduled for October 22 and 23 in Mumbai, the 8th Pay Commission meetings will address key topics such as salaries, pensions, and allowances. The proposed basic pay rise is likely to have a substantial effect on gross salary calculations across employee levels. Estimates for pay increases particularly for Levels 3 to 6 have been compiled, indicating a significant shift in the pay framework for central government staff in the future.

ET Wealth Reader's Query: I am 57. I recently sold a piece of land near Jewar airport, resulting in a long-term capital gains (LTCG) tax liability of around Rs 16 lakh. I am considering two options: reinvesting the proceeds in another property of a similar value to claim the available tax exemption, or paying the LTCG tax and investing the remaining amount in mid-cap mutual funds to grow the corpus further. Since I already have an adequate retirement corpus, would it make more sense to pay the t

DA hike news: Central government employees are eagerly awaiting a long-overdue increase in their dearness allowance, which was expected to take effect on July 1, 2026. The anticipated hike could boost the DA from 60% to 63%. With growing protests urging timely disclosure, the upcoming cabinet meeting may reveal crucial updates for employees and pensioners. Employee federations are applying pressure, prompting the government to address their concerns promptly.

The Ministry of Finance has announced the non-productivity-linked bonus (non-PLB), also called the ad hoc or annual bonus, for the accounting year 2025-26. Central government employees who qualify will get a bonus equal to 30 days of their pay.

Understand how a personal loan can help you cover planned expenses and urgent financial needs, explore its benefits, and plan your EMIs based on your budget.

Akash Ambani outlined Jio Platforms' future focus on satellite communications, pre-6G patents, and AI integration. The company is developing an indigenous satellite communications stack aimed at expanding home broadband services. Ambani revealed Jio's patent strategy aligns with India's goal of 10% global 6G patents originating domestically. Jio's AI initiatives seek to innovate and improve traditional voice and data services for Indian consumers.

Mr. Pandey filed for divorce after his wife left their home, claiming the marriage had broken down. However, his estranged wife found him living with another woman and having two children with her. The Family Court denied Mr. Pandey's divorce request and ordered him to pay Rs 2 lakh for his actions. The Delhi High Court upheld this decision, noting the husband's misconduct.

Bank holiday today: On October 20, 2026, banks in many Indian states will be closed for Dussehra and other festivals. Meanwhile, Sikkim and Manipur will have banks open on that day.

Central Bank said that no customer suffered any financial loss on account of the incident. The lender has not attributed the disruption to a cyberattack and said the root cause is still under examination.

Jio Platforms is on the brink of its initial public offering, an important step in its evolution. Since its inception in 2016, the company has gained over 524 million customers and achieved impressive profitability. With significant investments from leading global players in recent years and a vast portfolio of patents, Jio is positioning itself as a leader in innovation.

India's equity market in 2026 shows pressure in the secondary market with significant foreign outflows affecting benchmarks. The Nifty 50 index is reportedly in correction territory after a series of losses. In contrast, the primary market remains active, with numerous IPOs successfully raising substantial capital. Domestic liquidity supports fundraising despite investor selectivity regarding valuations and corporate governance.

1 Finance has received SEBIs in-principle approval to establish Indias first MF Lite asset management company, targeting a Q4 FY27 launch. The proposed AMC will offer passive investment products, including index funds and ETFs, subject to final regulatory registration.

The Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority has rolled out NPS Central, a transformative digital platform designed for hassle-free management of National Pension System accounts.

Central government employees were expecting a dearness allowance (DA) hike announcement after the Cabinet meeting on October 14. However, the government announced a performance-linked bonus for Railway employees without announcing the much-awaited DA hike.

The NSE and BSE will remain closed on October 20 for Dussehra. With 12 of the 16 scheduled stock market holidays for 2026 already passed, three more holidays remain after the October closure. These include Diwali-Balipratipada on November 10, Guru Nanak Jayanti on November 24 and Christmas on December 25.

Ixigo shares jumped after the travel platform reported a record Q2 profit of Rs 63.42 crore, partly boosted by the sale of its stake in Freshbus. Gross transaction value rose 22% year-on-year to Rs 5,304.47 crore, while revenue grew 13% to Rs 320.96 crore and contribution margin increased 14% to Rs 124.86 crore.

ICICI Bank shares rose after Q2FY27 net profit increased 20.1% year-on-year to Rs 14,843 crore, while net interest income grew 17.7% to Rs 25,339 crore. Jefferies maintained its Buy rating with a target price of Rs 1,750, implying 25% upside, citing improving margins and expectations of 16% core profit CAGR over FY26-29.

Foreign institutional investors have dramatically pulled back from Indian equities, reversing nearly nine years of consistent investment. A massive $63.6 billion in outflows occurred, particularly pronounced in 2026. Industries suffering the most include financial services, automobiles, and oil and gas. Although domestic investors have somewhat mitigated the foreign sell-off, the prospects for renewed foreign investments appear grim, with rising bond yields and energy costs dampening interest.

Uttar Pradesh is set to introduce revamped tenancy regulations designed to streamline the rental agreement process for landlords and tenants alike. This initiative includes lower stamp duty and registration fees to encourage formalized agreements instead of informal arrangements. With enhanced legal protections and clearer proof of residence for tenants, landlords will also gain improved documentation options. These reforms aim to lessen disputes and foster a more equitable rental market.