India's smartphone market experienced a significant 20 per cent year-over-year decline in the third quarter of 2026, reaching its lowest level in a decade, primarily due to soaring memory chip prices that increased device costs. Samsung reclaimed the top position with a 17 per cent market share, while Chinese brands saw a decline in supplies.
Expiry day can make an otherwise ordinary trading session feel unusually fast. Index prices may move sharply around important strikes, option premiums can change quickly, and a position that looked manageable in the morning can behave very differently later in the day.
A dozen companies, including major players like Jio Platforms and Zetwerk Manufacturing Business, are poised to launch Initial Public Offerings (IPOs) in October, continuing India's strong fundraising momentum in the primary market. These offerings span diverse sectors, reflecting sustained investor interest in businesses with robust growth prospects.
Active and passive funds offer different advantages across market-cap segments, making a mix of both a sensible portfolio strategy.
HDFC Bank reported a 5.55 per cent increase in consolidated net profit to Rs 20,700 crore for the September quarter, with incoming MD and CEO Anup Bagchi indicating a focus on strengthening the balance sheet and addressing retail vertical concerns post-merger.
Perhaps we spend too much time planning how to become financially free and too little asking what we want to be free for, notes Harsh Roongta.
The Reserve Bank of India's recent measures, including a dedicated dollar window for state-run oil marketing companies and tightened foreign exchange derivative rules, are expected to provide near-term relief to the rupee's depreciation, but market participants believe global factors and balance of payment dynamics will continue to exert pressure in the medium term.
Avenue Supermarts (DMart) reported lower-than-expected Q2FY27 performance, with revenue growth of 18.4 per cent year-on-year but visible margin pressure, leading to a 4.5 per cent stock drop. The company faces challenges from lower-margin sales, operating cost pressures, and aggressive store expansion, impacting profitability despite improved same-store sales growth.
While AI can help automate routine, repetitive tasks, jobs that require high emotional intelligence, communication skills, creativity and the ability to work in unpredictable situations are likely to withstand the rise of AI, says Kumar Rajagopalan, vice president (strategic initiatives) and country head (India), at Dexian, a global provider of IT consulting, digital transformation and workforce solutions.
Anthropic has formally warned investors that its technology may pose "existential risks to humanity" in a long-awaited initial public offering prospectus circulated with a small group of partners in recent days.
Understanding the most common mistakes during market downturns can help you protect your investments and stay focused on your long-term financial goals, says Ramalingam Kalirajan
Investors who bought attractively valued IPOs and held on have earned strong returns, particularly when the money raised went into companies rather than into the pockets of exiting shareholders.
'The most effective investment approach is one that aligns with an investor's temperament, risk tolerance, and decision-making style.'
'The ethanol blended with petrol programme should not be halted or reconsidered.' 'India is not experiencing a structural sugar shortage, and the ethanol blending roadmap does not compete with food security or drive domestic price increases.'
Meesho, a value-commerce platform targeting middle- and lower-income geographies, is poised for significant growth driven by its asset-light model and low fulfilment costs, but faces intense competition from e-commerce giants and high valuations.
A new HCLTech study reveals that 84% of global wealth management firms recognise the need to redesign their operating models for AI, yet less than 10% are prepared for the transition. The report identifies "blind spots" in ambition, execution, and strategy, hindering effective AI implementation and measurable business outcomes.
'In fact, when monetary policy has been deployed, it does not distinguish between types of shocks. It goes straight for the kill.'
RBI Deputy Governor Rohit Jain highlighted that banks are well-positioned to deploy $133 billion mobilised through FCNR(B) deposits, especially with strong credit demand ahead of the festival season, while also stressing the importance of robust technology governance and cyber defences in the financial sector.
State Bank of India (SBI) anticipates that the newly introduced Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on person-to-merchant (P2M) UPI transactions above 2,000, effective October 15, will enable it to recover the costs incurred in processing and facilitating these transactions, potentially even generating a small surplus.
Six companies made their stock market debut on Thursday, setting a new record for the most mainboard listings on a single day since at least 1996.
SEBI Chairman Tuhin Kanta Pandey stated that the National Stock Exchange (NSE) has not submitted any proposal seeking approval to trade on its own platform after getting listed, and such trading is currently not permitted. He also confirmed that SEBI would examine concerns raised by brokers and asset management companies regarding the new UPI Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) framework.
BAFs seek to offer a smoother experience across market cycles, not the full upside of a bull market.
Leaders of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), including Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka, have vowed to escalate their agitation against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar, expanding protests nationwide after their release from detention. They allege an "emergency-like situation" created by the Modi government, illegal detentions, and harassment of protesters, drawing parallels to the 1975 Emergency. The CJP is protesting alleged irregularities in voter rolls and demanding Kumar's resignation, accusing authorities of suppressing dissent.
'Separate needs from wants and minimise discretionary spending.'
Foreign institutional investors have withdrawn nearly $40 billion from Indian equities in the last two years and, according to Bernstein analysts, have 'little reason' to invest for the long-term, though they may 'return to trade'. The brokerage highlights challenges such as struggling large-caps, disruption from new technologies, and difficulties accessing small- and mid-caps (SMIDs) at an institutional scale.
'I don't see fear becoming a dominant factor for retail investors.'
West Bengal's Urban Development and Municipal Affairs Minister Agnimitra Pal announced that fines for spitting, littering, open defecation, and using single-use plastic bags will be enforced from Tuesday, with penalties ranging from Rs 100 to Rs 200, aiming to change public behaviour rather than generate revenue.
'Rather than deploying all their money at once, investors should invest gradually.' 'A staggered approach is the better strategy because volatility is likely to persist.'
Dig into the prospectus. Use the prospectus to understand the business and its risks.
'Ultimately, banks are a channel for people to get some long-term return, and this means banks need to adjust their asset-liability mismatch.' 'Customers also need long-term deposits, say those of three-five years. How would they get them if returns on those deposits do not climb?' 'Otherwise, on fixed deposits, a senior citizen doesn't get anything.'
If a bank sold the policy, complain to its grievance cell and, if necessary, escalate the complaint to the Reserve Bank of India Ombudsman.
The Finance Ministry has refuted allegations that US pressure influenced the decision to levy a 0.4 per cent Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on select UPI payments. The ministry clarified that the NPCI guidelines prioritise RuPay credit cards on UPI to promote domestic alternatives and ensure a self-sustaining revenue model for smaller domestic companies, countering claims of favouring foreign payment providers.
Investors opening new brokerage accounts must choose a broker suited to their style.
State Bank of India Chairman C S Setty stated that banks will take three to four months to deploy the significant funds mobilised through foreign currency non-resident (bank), or FCNR(B), deposits, which is unlikely to cause "abnormal lending". He also highlighted the need for agentic artificial intelligence (AI) costs to fall sharply for its widespread deployment in India, envisioning its role in transforming banking from fraud detection to personalised financial assistance.
'It seems unlikely that organisations will be a bunch of individuals who work on their own and there are no teams anymore, because that is not sustainable.'
'Since the category has a limited track record, assess the fund manager's experience across equity and debt market cycles rather than relying only on past returns.'
Futures and options (F&O) trading suits investors with good market knowledge, sufficient risk capital, a tested strategy and strong discipline.
Investors should cap gold allocation at 10-15 per cent and consider staggered purchases through gold ETFs.
Urban Indian millennials are caught in an algorithmically amplified consumption spiral where social media normalises spending patterns that systematically undermine retirement security.
Used-car financing has seen significant growth, but borrowers must be aware of higher interest rates, conservative loan-to-value ratios, shorter tenures, and the risk of owing more than the car's depreciated value. Understanding these factors is crucial for making informed decisions.
