Manufacturing activity in India saw a boost in October. The HSBC India Manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index rose to 59.2, its highest in five years, while job creation continued for the 20th consecutive month. Business optimism, however, slipped from a seven-month high, but remained strong due to expectations around GST reform.
"The Taj Story", starring Paresh Rawal, has stirred controversy with its plot challenging the history of the monument, claiming it was once a Hindu temple. Despite facing backlash and a PIL in court, the film has garnered decent numbers at the box office, with a 90% jump in earnings on Saturday. The real test will be on Monday, as Rawal's performance has been praised in the past for similar roles.
Maruti Suzuki's shares fell by 3.4% after posting its quarterly results and announcing October sales. Domestic sales dropped by 5.1% due to GST-related price cuts, while exports saw a 42.2% increase. Nomura expects margins to improve in H2 and maintains a 'Neutral' rating. Motilal maintains a 'Buy' rating and predicts market share gains for Maruti Suzuki with the GST rate cut and new launches.
Pine Labs, a top fintech company, will launch its IPO on November 7 with a price range of Rs 210-221 per share. The issue, which includes fresh equity and an offer for sale, will be open for subscription until November 11. The IPO aims to raise Rs 3,900 crore, valuing the company at up to Rs 25,377 crore.
The Enforcement Directorate has attached assets worth Rs 3,000 crore linked to Anil Ambani in a money laundering case. The properties include his Mumbai house, other residential and commercial assets, a Delhi plot, and assets in other cities. The case involves misuse of public funds by Reliance Home Finance and Reliance Commercial Finance. Ambani was questioned by the ED in August.
The Indian women's cricket team, led by Harmanpreet Kaur, made history by winning the ICC Women's World Cup Finals against South Africa. This victory has been compared to the 1983 World Cup win by the men's team. Fans, celebrities, and even Prime Minister Narendra Modi have praised the team's exceptional performance and teamwork, calling it a transformative moment for women's cricket in India.
A tragic road accident in Telangana’s Rangareddy district claimed at least 17 lives and left seven others injured on Monday morning, Chevella ACP B Kishan confirmed in a X post. The collision occurred when a truck loaded with gravel crashed head-on into an RTC bus near Mirjaguda, close to Chevella.
A senior FBI official, Steven Palmer, in charge of the agency’s aviation program has been forced out following a $60 million FBI jet controversy involving Director Kash Patel, Bloomberg reported. The FBI chief reportedly grew furious over public scrutiny of his own travel records, according to three people familiar with the matter.
With just hours to go before New York City heads to the polls, the mayoral race is turning into a nail-biting contest between Democratic frontrunner Zohran Mamdani and independent challenger Andrew Cuomo. The latest round of polls, including data compiled by The New York Times from multiple pollsters, shows Mamdani still leading the race.
President Donald Trump said he felt bad for the British royal family after King Charles stripped his brother Andrew of his title as prince amid mounting pressure over Andrew’s ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Trump, who had a falling-out with Epstein before his death, is facing pressure to release government files related to the case.
A former Fox TV host, Angelynn 'Angie' Mock, has been arrested for allegedly stabbing her 80-year-old mother, Anita Avers, to death. The 47-year-old has been charged with first-degree murder and is currently in custody at Sedgwick County Jail.
The Indian women’s team, carrying years of heartbreak and hope, lifted their first-ever ICC Women’s World Cup trophy on Sunday night at DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai. The victory not only ended India’s long wait for a world title but also drew praise from some of the biggest names in global technology, including Google and Alphabet CEO, who congratulated the team on their historic win
In a recent interview with CBS News' '60 Minutes', President Trump was questioned about the controversial tactics used by ICE since his return to office. His response, where he admits the raids "haven't gone far enough", has sparked viral attention.
OPEC+ decision to delay production hikes in Q1 2022 led to higher oil prices in early Asian trade. Brent and WTI futures both rose, as the group announced a pause in increments for Jan-Mar 2022 due to demand softness and uncertainty. Analysts remain cautious due to geopolitical risks and rising output, with a mixed outlook for oil according to a Reuters poll.
Today's top news includes strong October sales for auto majors, BPCL's impressive Q2 performance and interim dividend, HUL facing a demand notice of Rs 1,986 crore from the Income Tax Department, and a drop in profits for Godrej Consumer and Tata Chemicals. Additionally, Titagarh Rail, NCC, and Zen Technologies secured lucrative defence contracts.
Vamsi Krishna, CEO and co-founder of Vedantu, launched the edtech startup in 2014 to revolutionize traditional classrooms. With a mission to inspire students worldwide, Vedantu has raised $337 million in funding and gained support from key investors. Krishna's drive to make an impact has led to the success of Vedantu's live interactive online education platform.
The new model concession document for highway building will have strict performance parameters, including penalties for accidents and a rating system for concessionaires. Contractors must upload monthly drone videos for monitoring. This aligns with the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways' focus on building reliable access control expressways.
The CP-F85B from CP Plus is a 4K car dashcam with front and cabin cameras, GPS, and night vision, available for Rs 12,199 on Flipkart. It offers peace of mind by monitoring the vehicle and provides crucial video evidence for accidents, settling insurance claims and legal disputes.
The Oppo F Series phones are popular for their durable design, strong performance, and camera quality. The new Oppo F31 Pro+ 5G is priced at 35k for the 12GB RAM and 256GB storage variant, but offers a 7000mAh battery with 80W fast charging. It has a slim design, water and dust resistance, and a 6.8-inch AMOLED screen with a 120Hz refresh rate.
India is making great strides in energy efficiency through technology, including intelligent grids and digital solutions. The country's focus on domestic manufacturing and renewable energy, along with a modernized grid, is setting an example for innovation and clean energy. Initiatives like PLI Schemes and India Semiconductor Mission are further supporting this progress.
SBI Research report shows strong October GST collections refute fears of revenue loss after rate rationalisation. Short-term losses varied from Rs 48,000 crore to Rs 10 lakh crore, but October collections rose 4.6% YoY to Rs 1.96 lakh crore. Refunds and state-level gains prove apprehensions unfounded, with projections showing most states as net gainers.
Shadowfax, a logistics provider, aims to raise Rs 2,000 crore through an IPO with Rs 1,000 crore from fresh shares and the rest from existing shareholders. The company plans to use the funds for network infrastructure, lease payments, marketing, and acquisitions. Major shareholders including Flipkart, Eight Roads Ventures, and TPG's NewQuest Asia Fund are looking to partially exit.
SCSK Corp surprised the automotive industry at Japan Mobility Show 2025 with their EV concept, developed in only nine months. This highlights the potential of software companies in hardware development and challenges the traditional car development cycle. The concept car, SDV EV Concept, boasts a futuristic design and advanced technology, including a personalized AI agent.
Honda introduced the 0 α, an electric SUV concept, at the Japan Mobility Show 2025. It will be the first model in their 0 Series and boasts a sleek design, advanced technology, and a dedicated EV platform. The 0 Alpha will be available in India and Japan in 2027, competing with Tata Curvv EV and Hyundai Creta EV.
Toyota has launched its ultra-luxury brand, Century, at the Japan Mobility Show 2025, challenging Rolls-Royce, Bentley, and Mercedes-Maybach. The brand, which was previously a car model, has been reimagined as a unique brand with hand-built, hyper-exclusive cars, targeting markets like Japan, China, and the UAE.
Adani Energy Solutions (AESL) predicts a robust Ebitda growth in the second half of the year, thanks to new project launches. The company plans to invest Rs 17,000-18,000 crore this fiscal year, with a focus on transmission and smart metering. Despite a 21% decline in net profit for the second quarter, AESL remains optimistic about future growth.
India-focused VC firms raised $2.8 billion in 2025, a decrease from $3.8 billion in 2024 and significantly lower than the peak of $8.6 billion in 2022. LPs are now seeking funds with unique strategies and strong potential for returns. The previous surge in funding was driven by global liquidity, but now LPs prioritize funds with a defined investment plan and clear exit strategies.
Telcos are changing their offerings from free data and OTT perks to advanced AI tools in their telecom bundles. Reliance Jio, OpenAI, and Bharti Airtel have partnered to provide users with free access to premium AI platforms, aiming to increase their user base and data consumption. This change in strategy could greatly enhance the digital experience for users.
November will see a wave of new and rising K-pop talents dominating the music scene, from girl group GIRLSET to I.MET.U formed through the survival show Time Turner. However, established idols like GOT7's Mark Tuan, ASTRO's Cha Eunwoo, TVXQ's U-Know, NCT DREAM, Stray Kids, and Super Junior's Kyuhyun will also be making comebacks.
Honda, the leader in the scooter market with its Activa, has seen a decline in its market share due to competition and slower response to market changes. Its share has dropped from 52% to 39%, while TVS and Suzuki have gained. Hero MotoCorp has also improved its position. Honda's dependence on Activa for volumes and discontinuation of other scooter brands has contributed to its decline.
Wipro Consumer Care's Commercial & Institutional Business (CIB) is aiming for double-digit growth with new products and positioning. With an annual revenue of Rs 1,000-1,500 crore, growing at 10-15% annually, CIB hopes to exceed 15% growth with new initiatives. These include the launch of IoT-enabled air quality monitoring solutions and next-generation products in lighting and seating.
Big Tech firms are spending like never before on artificial intelligence (AI), and the bills just keep getting bigger. Amazon, Google, Meta, Microsoft, and even Apple released their quarterly spending reports, and the numbers are staggering. The AI spending that has cost lakhs of jobs isn’t easing up anytime soon. In fact, it’s set to surge even higher in 2026, Business Insider reports.
Economists suggest that the proposed changes in the housing index methodology for the revised Consumer Price Index (CPI) series will address statistical inaccuracies in the sector. The new series will cover both rural and urban areas, exclude employer-provided dwellings, and gather monthly rent data to better reflect market changes.
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) is planning to introduce a new law to regulate deepfakes and synthetically generated content. The law will cover all aspects of AI and its applications, and will include measures for labeling and verifying AI-generated content. Major social media platforms will have additional obligations, while private content will not be affected.
The Nifty may experience consolidation as traders take profits, with a 0.28% loss last week. It remains above its 20-day EMA and Fibonacci retracement levels suggest support at 25,524 and 25,245. The trendline at 25,400 will serve as support, with the US government shutdown and uncertainty in the markets. Expect consolidation before a potential move higher.
Kane Williamson, former New Zealand skipper and strategic advisor for Lucknow Super Giants, has retired from T20I cricket. He will not be playing in the upcoming series against West Indies and will focus on Tests. Williamson has an impressive record and led the team to multiple T20 World Cup successes. Coach Rob Walter praised his leadership and he will continue playing franchise cricket.
SP Group is planning to raise $2.5 billion to refinance the debt of its holding arm, Goswami Infratech, which backs its stake in Tata Sons. Some of the previous investors, including Cerberus Capital, Ares Management, Farallon Capital Management, and Davidson Kempner Capital Management, are likely to participate in the new round at a lower yield.
Consumer goods companies in India are anticipating a rise in demand in the second half of the financial year, after experiencing trade disruptions caused by GST in the first half. Despite modest revenue and profit growth in the second quarter, companies are hopeful and investing in growth and expansion.
IAS Pari Bishnoi's inspiring journey of resilience and determination is a testament to the power of never giving up. After failing to clear the UPSC exam in her first attempt, she moved back to her small town in Rajasthan and prepared for another attempt. When she received her interview call, something shifted in her, & she decided to rebuild her confidence through exercise & a balanced diet.
UPI transactions reached a record high in October, driven by festive season spending and government initiatives. The platform saw a 25% increase in transactions, reaching 20.70 billion worth Rs 27.28 lakh crore. It also processed a record 754 million payments in a single day. However, the growth rate has slowed down since April 2022, indicating a stable phase for UPI.
Kotak Mahindra's CIO, Harsha Upadhyaya, notes that large and midcap companies have shown earnings growth, but their valuations are still high. Small cap valuations are even higher, but the fund house maintains a disciplined approach, prioritizing quality businesses, management, and reasonable valuations. Upadhyaya suggests a longer investment horizon and predicts moderate returns.
DFCCIL has successfully reduced India's logistics cost from 14% to 8-9% of GDP through the dedicated freight corridors. This has also helped in strengthening the country's industrial competitiveness and self-reliance. The completion of the Western DFC is expected to further decrease the cost and increase the efficiency of goods transport, with a projected increase in the number of trains.
The ministry of commerce and industry is considering allowing e-commerce companies to build their own inventory for exports from India, aiming to increase e-commerce exports without harming small retailers. This is in line with the global trend of cross border e-commerce, which is expected to reach $2 trillion by 2034. India aims to increase its e-commerce exports to $200-300 billion by 2030.
The government is planning to launch the initial public offering (IPO) of Export Credit Guarantee Corporation (ECGC) in the current financial year to increase its market value and raise capital for expansion. ECGC reported a net profit of Rs 2,077 crore in FY25 and has a strong financial position with a solvency ratio of 57.13.
SEBI and panchayati raj ministry have joined hands to impart financial literacy to sarpanches and officials at panchayat levels in six states. The training will cover topics like financial planning, investment in equities and mutual funds, budgeting, savings, and safeguarding against fraudulent schemes.
Foreign investors are increasingly investing in Indian government securities, with a record high of Rs 13,397 crore in October. This is due to a stable rupee, potential trade deal, favorable interest rates, and expected monetary easing. FPI holdings in government securities have also reached a record high, attributed to attractive yields and the RBI's efforts to manage the rupee.
Three 22-year-old high school friends, two of Indian origins, have become the world's youngest self-made billionaires with their AI startup Mercor reaching a valuation of $10 billion. Co-founded by Brendan Foody, Surya Midha, and Adarsh Hiremath, Mercor raised $350 million in a new funding round. The company builds AI-powered recruitment and data-levelling systems.
JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon has emphasised the importance of in-person work for younger employees, as remote work limits mentorship and learning opportunities. This comes after 2,000 employees signed a petition for a hybrid work model. Dimon, who has been Chairman and CEO since 2006, graduated from Tufts University and earned an MBA from Harvard Business School.
Indian stock markets are expected to have an eventful week, with key data releases and major corporate earnings lined up. Attention will be on macroeconomic data and global trends, along with foreign inflows and rupee movements. Last week, the markets saw a dip due to profit-booking, and investors will closely monitor trade talks with the US and ongoing earnings season for direction.
A boss asking an employee to work on the weekend has caused controversy over work-life balance after the employee shared the conversation on Reddit. The boss became angry when the employee said that he wasn't carrying his laptop and told him to go to the office. Reddit users had varying opinions, with some supporting the employee and others proposing better communication strategies.