The central government aims to simplify the GST regime by reducing tax slabs and implementing a two-rate system of 5% and 18%. This will make healthcare more affordable and decrease taxes on everyday items, boosting domestic demand and strengthening the economy. The new proposals will be discussed at the upcoming GST Council meeting.
Gold and Silver prices on MCX saw a significant drop due to profit-taking and reduced global concerns. Gold fell by 3%, while Silver saw an 8% decline. Experts view this as a strategic pullback and recommend investors to take advantage of it for long-term investments. Despite the correction, the future looks positive for precious metals.
A school student in Kerala committed suicide due to pressure and threats from teachers over an Instagram post. The incident caused protests and suspension of two teachers. Family claims physical harassment, but postmortem showed no signs. Education Department investigating, police looking into cause. Argument over post led to teacher involvement. Student's uncle accuses teacher.
ISS is urging shareholders to reject Tesla's proposed $1 trillion pay package for CEO Elon Musk, citing concerns about high payouts and dilution for existing investors. This is the second year in a row that ISS has advised against Musk's compensation plan, which includes ambitious performance targets. While Tesla defends the plan as a way to incentivize Musk, ISS remains skeptical.
The FAA has granted Boeing permission to increase production of the 737 MAX to 42 planes per month, a move crucial for the company's financial stability. Despite extensive safety reviews, Boeing still faces challenges such as supply chain issues, but has prepared with a substantial inventory of parts and materials.
Jefferies expects Indian banks to have a positive results season, with steady macro conditions and improving liquidity. System-wide credit growth is at 10% year-on-year, while deposits are at 9%, keeping the credit-deposit ratio at 80%. Liquidity has turned positive, with a surplus of Rs 1.4 lakh crore.
Three Afghan cricketers were among eight people killed in a Pakistani airstrike in Paktika province. The Afghanistan Cricket Board expressed deep grief and withdrew from the upcoming Tri-Nation T20I series. The players killed were identified as Kabeer, Sibghatullah, and Haroon. The ACB extended condolences and prayers for the departed souls.
The Trump administration will furlough 1,400 workers at the Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration due to the government shutdown. Energy Secretary Chris Wright stated that these workers are critical to modernizing the nuclear arsenal. However, a spokesperson said that nearly 400 workers will remain to secure dangerous nuclear materials.
Bernard Arnault, the richest man in Europe and the world's top-ranked billionaire, has a net worth of over $180 billion. He is the CEO and Chairman of LVMH, the largest French conglomerate with 75 fashion and cosmetic brands. In addition, he has a significant personal real estate empire and owns masterpieces from famous artists.
The ACB is grieving the death of three Afghan cricketers in a Pakistani airstrike and has withdrawn from the Tri-Nation T20I series with Pakistan. The players were attacked while attending a gathering in their hometown after a friendly match. The ACB sends condolences to the families and extends the ceasefire until the end of talks in Doha.
US President Donald Trump on Friday reiterated that India would no longer buy oil from Russia. Trump repeated his claims amid his efforts to pressure Moscow over the war in Ukraine. Speaking at the White House during a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Trump said New Delhi had already “de-escalated” its purchases from Moscow.
A brawl erupted between catering staff on a Vande Bharat Express train at Delhi's Hazrat Nizamuddin Railway Station. The IRCTC quickly responded by detaining the involved staff and the Delhi Police have opened an investigation. A viral video showed the staff throwing objects and physically fighting. No formal complaint has been filed yet.
President Trump proposed a 100% tariff on Chinese goods and expressed optimism for a fair deal at a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. The WTO urged de-escalation of tensions, while China accused the U.S. of undermining the rules-based trading system. U.S. stock indexes rose, but Treasury Secretary Bessent criticized China's state-driven economic practices.
Prince Andrew has chosen to relinquish his title as Duke of York and associated honours due to public backlash and his involvement with Jeffrey Epstein. The decision was made with the approval of other senior royals and is seen as a way to restore his reputation. A recent poll revealed that most Britons support this move.
HDFC Bank, India's largest private sector bank, is set to announce its Q2 results today. Brokerage firms forecast a moderate to good profit growth on a YoY basis, with a 3-6% increase in Net Interest Income. However, there is a predicted decline in net interest margins on both yearly and quarterly basis. Emkay predicts the highest PAT growth, while Nomura expects a decline.
ICICI Bank, India's top private sector bank, is set to announce its Q2 FY26 results today. Analysts from leading brokerage firms, including Nomura, Emkay, Axis Securities, and Yes Securities, predict a moderate increase in net profit of 5-8% YoY. However, some analysts believe there may be a decline. NII is expected to grow by 6-10% YoY, but may decline by 1-2% quarterly. N
Trump signs orders to boost U.S. auto and engine production, impose 25% tariffs on imported medium- and heavy-duty trucks and parts. The tariffs, aimed at shifting production to the U.S., could hurt Mexico, the top exporter of these trucks. Trump also sets 10% tariff on imported buses. Automakers eligible for credit to offset import tariffs on parts until 2030.
Karur Vysya Bank reported a 21% increase in net profit for the second quarter, with total business reaching a milestone of ₹2,00,000 crore. The bank's total business grew by 15% year-on-year, with advances and deposits also seeing a 15% increase. The bank's asset quality improved, with Gross NPAs decreasing to 0.76% and Net NPAs decreasing to 0.19%.
AU Small Finance Bank's net profit decreased by 2% to Rs 561 crore in the quarter ended September, despite a 9% increase in net interest income and a 12% growth in other income. The net interest margin also increased to 5.5% and the gross loan book grew by 17%. However, the bank's unsecured business experienced a decline of 23%.
Hindustan Zinc, owned by Vedanta, reported a 14% surge in consolidated net profit in Q2 of FY26, with net profit rising 19% sequentially. The company's revenue from operations also increased by 4%, while its EBITDA saw a 16% increase. The CEO mentioned that the current surge in silver prices will benefit the company, as silver drives 40% of its overall profit.
Ceat, a leading tyre maker, is expanding its production capacity at all plants to meet the increased demand for tyres after the reduction in GST rates. The company saw a sharp decline in raw material prices and gained back market share in the OEM segment. It plans to invest Rs 1,000 crore for capacity expansion and expects a slight increase in margins in the coming year.
Reliance Industries' subsidiary Jio Platforms (JPL) saw a 3.78% rise in net profit in Q2FY26, driven by increased average revenue per user and data consumption. The company's revenue also saw a 3.71% increase, thanks to strong subscriber growth and digital services. JPL's Ebitda also rose, exceeding analyst estimates. Jio Infocomm, the telecom arm of RIL, saw a jump in PAT and revenue, with a
IndiGo has increased its order of Airbus A350-900 jets from 30 to 60, showing confidence in the future of Indian aviation and partnership with Airbus. The move will help the airline expand its presence in the long-haul international market and connect India to more global destinations. The A350-900s will offer new travel opportunities for passengers.
Tatas and Shapoorji Pallonji Group are discussing a share swap to help Mistrys gradually sell their 18.4% stake in Tata Sons. This would give SP market-liquid equity to repay their debt. Tatas want to avoid listing Tata Sons and maintain control, but there are still some concerns.
Chaitali Dutta discusses the financial implications of using fixed deposit funds to pay off expensive revolving credit card loans, the possibility of taking a top-up loan against a joint property, the option of getting a loan against property after repaying a home loan, the penalty for early repayment of a car loan, and the limitations of changing co-borrowers on a loan after marriage.
Reliance Retail's net profit rose by 22% to Rs 3,457 crore in the September quarter, thanks to GST cuts and festive sales. Net revenue also increased by 19% to Rs 79,128 crore, driven by the company's focus on operational excellence and digital investments.
Bank of India (BoI) saw a 7.6% rise in net profit in the September quarter, thanks to lower provisions and better asset quality. The bank's strategy includes prioritizing low-cost deposits, maintaining margins, improving asset quality, and upholding good corporate governance. Retail, agriculture, and MSME segments showed strong growth, and asset quality ratios improved.
PM Modi praises India's economic growth from 'Fragile Five' to top five economies, credits government's reforms. He highlights banking sector reforms, including 50 crore Jan Dhan accounts and digital transactions. He praises income tax and GST reforms for lower prices and smoother credit flow. PM Modi also mentions transformation of state-run BSN.
Reliance Industries (RIL) reported a net profit of Rs 18,165 crore for the July-September quarter, missing analyst estimates. However, revenue increased by 10% to Rs 2.59 lakh crore, beating expectations. The company's O2C segment saw gains, but the oil and gas segment remained weak.
PVR Inox, the largest multiplex operator in India, recorded a net profit of Rs 106 crore in Q2 of FY26, a significant improvement from a net loss of Rs 11 crore in the same period last year. This was due to higher revenue and footfalls, along with cost-cutting measures. The company has also reduced its net debt and plans to sustain growth through strategic cinema openings and diverse content.
Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance Industries (RIL) reported a 9.6% rise in net profit for the second quarter, driven by strong performance in its retail and telecom businesses and a recovery in its oil-to-chemicals segment. The company also saw a 14.6% growth in consolidated EBITDA and a 9.94% increase in revenue. Key takeaways include a 22% surge in Reliance Retail's profit.
FADA has approached the Supreme Court for relief as ₹2,500 crore in accumulated compensation cess credits have lapsed due to new GST rules. The association argues that the credits should not be erased and should be used for regular GST payments or as a refund. Despite discussions, dealers have not received any relief from the government.
Embraer and Mahindra Group have joined forces to develop the C-390 Millennium for the Indian Air Force's Medium Transport Aircraft program. This includes marketing, industrialization, and establishing India as a hub for the aircraft. The ultimate aim is to make India a key manufacturing and support center for the modern military transport aircraft, which is already in use by multiple nations.
Waaree Energies, a solar module maker, saw a rise in net profit and total income in Q2FY26. The US is looking into their labeling of Chinese-made solar cells as Indian to avoid tariffs. Despite this, their expansion plans in the US, including a battery storage system, will continue. They aim to reach a 27 GW module manufacturing capacity by the end of the year and expand cell and wafer production.
Fugitive diamantaire Mehul Choksi's extradition cleared by court in Antwerp, Belgium, after his arrest by Belgian authorities on India's request was deemed valid. Choksi can appeal the decision in a superior court. India's case for extradition strengthened by Belgian prosecutors aided by Indian officials, citing Choksi's involvement in Rs 13,000 crore PNB scam.
JSW Steel, led by Sajjan Jindal, reported a 307% increase in net profit for Q2 FY2026, driven by lower costs and the absence of an exceptional item. However, it missed Bloomberg estimates. Revenue grew by 14%, while EBITDA was up 31%. The company's net gearing and net debt to EBITDA improved, and it maintained its capex guidance. BPSL, which was recently acquired by JSW Steel, reported
RBI reports high credit growth due to GST 2.0 and festival season, with deposits on the rise and bank investments remaining flat. Experts foresee continued growth, driven by retail segment and GST reforms. However, risks to asset quality are a concern with easy access to funding.
In 2024-25, CBDT signed a record-breaking 174 APAs, with the service sector receiving 60% of them. This increase was due to a special drive by CBDT, providing tax certainty for 524 APA years. The report also mentioned the first multilateral APA and the use of TNMM as the most popular method.
"Dhanteras is the perfect opportunity to invest in gold through an annual systematic investment plan (SIP) for long-term wealth creation. This cultural tradition helps to average out price volatility and align investment goals. If an individual had bought 10 grams of gold every Dhanteras since 2020, the current value would be Rs 6,33,250, showing a growth of 2.2 times.
Dhanteras, the first day of Diwali, is a day of shopping for wealth-related items. This year, falling on October 18, it adds to the festive buying as it's a weekend. Along with shopping, remember to send wishes to loved ones and to value true wealth, including health, happiness, and harmony. May the light of Dhanteras bring prosperity and peace. Happy Dhanteras!
India has cut its oil purchases from Russia by 50%, as stated by a White House official. However, the Ministry of External Affairs denies any knowledge of this conversation. Market data shows no decline in Indian imports of Russian crude, which are crucial and come with great discounts.
Zepto's recent $450 million fundraise has sparked fierce competition in the quick commerce industry. With plans to use the capital for discounts, marketing, and expansion, the company is shifting from financial restraint to growth. However, Zepto will have to face tough competition from rivals like Blinkit, Swiggy's Instamart, and established players like Flipkart.
The government has extended the application deadline for the PLI Scheme for white goods, offering incentives of 4-6% on incremental sales. So far, Rs 287 crore has been disbursed to 83 selected applicants with a committed investment of Rs 10,406 crore. The scheme now covers 14 sectors and has led to a significant increase in production and sales of over Rs. 2.3 lakh crore.
Yes Bank's stock dropped 4% after SMBC, the largest shareholder, announced they will not increase their stake beyond 24.99% and will not take an executive role. This news disappointed investors, who were expecting a stake increase and an open offer. However, analysts are still positive about Yes Bank's future and predict a 32% rise in net profit in Q2 results.
The Reserve Bank of India has proposed a Unified Markets Interface that utilizes wholesale central bank digital currency (CBDC) to tokenize financial assets and settlements. This digital platform, explained by Jayanth R. Varma, could serve as the foundation for India's next-generation financial market infrastructure.
Selling gold at record high prices has tax implications, with physical gold being taxed as capital gains. Digital gold and gold ETFs/mutual funds follow the same taxation. Sovereign Gold Bonds offer tax-free capital gains after 8 years. NRIs and Indian residents have the same tax rates. Advance tax payment can avoid interest. Be aware of these factors when selling gold.
The Indian gaming industry is adapting to new online gaming regulations by incorporating free-to-play models and community tournaments. Dream11, Zupee, Felicity Games, STAN, and Tara Gaming are all finding innovative ways to engage users and create immersive games. This presents a great opportunity for brands to tap into this growing market through partnerships and advertising on these platforms.
Multi-asset funds are a smart investment in Samvat 2082, offering stability during market downturns by strategically investing in equities, debt, and gold. These tax-efficient funds have a strong track record of outperforming in challenging market phases, thanks to the inclusion of gold and silver.
Indian exporters facing challenges in shipping to Japan and South Korea despite free trade agreements, says commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal. Exports to both countries have not grown significantly since the agreements were signed, while imports have surged.
India's logistics cost is set to decrease to single digits by December 2025, according to Union Minister Nitin Gadkari. This will boost industrial profitability and global competitiveness. The country has made strides in cutting logistics costs, with a focus on sustainability through initiatives like Green Highways and alternative fuels.
IndusInd Bank has addressed a media report about a Rs 255 crore accounting issue, stating that it is not a new investigation and was previously reported by an independent agency in April 2025. The bank has disclosed and reflected the impact in its financial statement for FY25.