The findings add to the challenges confronting Anup Bagchi, a veteran of rival ICICI Group, who is set to become HDFC Bank's chief executive on October 27. Read full report here

Under the provisions applicable to assessment year 2026-27, businesses require a tax audit if their turnover or gross receipts exceed Rs 1 crore. Read full report here

PNB MetLife India Insurance Company Limited has launched the Momentum Quality Index Fund under its Smart GEM and SIPP Pro Unit Linked Insurance Plans (ULIPs), offering customers an option to participate in equity markets while pursuing long-term financial goals with life insurance protection. The fund tracks the customised BSE 500 Momentum Quality 50 Index and follows a rule-based, multi-factor investment strategy combining momentum, which captures market trends, and quality, which focuses on the financial fundamentals of businesses.

SBI Cyberattack: Leaked information includes customers' names, gender, registered mobile numbers, dates of birth, emails and residential addresses. Read full report here

Noida and Greater Noida are attracting attention from buyers. For buyers, the choice of location is increasingly linked to connectivity. Read full report here

Buying New Vehicle Insurance through PhonePe elevates the experience by bringing speed, customization, and significant cost savings directly to users’ smartphones. PhonePe Insurance gives them complete control over their policy–offering itemized, transparent pricing on popular add-ons such as Zero Depreciation, Engine Protect, and Consumables Cover. 
Vehicle owners get flexible Insured Declared Value (IDV) controls to adjust their policy structure and match their exact coverage requirements and budget. It also lets them lock in low premium rates early on the app before vehicle allocation. Once the invoice is received, the next step is to simply update the Engine and Chassis numbers to generate the official policy document instantly. 
To simplify renewals and eliminate the hassle of handling annual renewals, customers can get multi-year coverage structures through PhonePe, which includes 3 3 years for four-wheelers, covering Third-Party and Own Damage. 

In a major leap forward for fuel retail safety, the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO) Joint Chief Controller of Explosives (North Circle), Sanjay Kumar Singh, officially inaugurated a comprehensive suite of safety initiatives for Indraprastha Gas Limited (IGL) at the Shantipath CNG station in New Delhi. As the central technology layer of this multi-initiative safety drive, Nawgati's AI-enabled vehicle recognition and hydrotest compliance system was formally launched alongside IGL's broader station safety and public awareness programs.

The strategic rollout addresses critical safety imperatives. Following recent regulatory directives from PESO requiring city gas distribution companies to strictly enforce safety standards at CNG pumps, IGL has deployed Nawgati's technology across key stations in the capital, with plans for a rapid scale-up across more IGL outlets in Delhi-NCR.

DigiHaat , the digital commerce platform by Nirmit Bharat built on Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) , today launched ' Har Din Tyohar ', a month-long festive sale running from October 15 through Chhath Puja in November, with discounts up to 85% off . The campaign will feature fresh deals every few days across categories, giving consumers more opportunities to shop across India's extended festive calendar.

Gaurav Garg, Head - Research, Lemonn

Gold is extending its decline for a fourth consecutive session as rising crude oil prices fuel inflation concerns and strengthen expectations that the US Federal Reserve may maintain a tighter monetary stance for longer. Markets expect the Fed to hold rates at its October 27-28 meeting, but the possibility of a rate hike in December remains a key concern for bullion investors. Silver is also under pressure, with its sharper decline reflecting weakness across precious metals. Meanwhile, WTI crude is supported by heightened Middle East supply risks, particularly threats to Red Sea shipping and Saudi energy infrastructure, keeping oil-market volatility elevated. The US dollar index is hovering around 101.78 after recent weakness, while investors await US inflation data, including the Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) report next week, for further policy clues. In India, the rupee's recent recovery offers some relief, but sustained high crude prices could increase import costs and inflationary pressure

Mangalam Global Enterprise Limited (MGEL), an integrated agro-processing company with a presence in the consumer wellness segment, today announced its financial results for the quarter and half year ended September 30, 2026.

The company reported consolidated revenue from operations of Rs 982.56 crore in Q2 FY27, compared to Rs 705.80 crore in the corresponding quarter of the previous financial year. Profit Before Tax (PBT) stood at Rs 12.27 crore, as against Rs 8.65 crore in Q2 FY26. The results reflect the company's performance across its agro-processing value chain and ongoing business initiatives.

The company continues to strengthen its integrated agro-processing operations, with a focus on sourcing, processing, value addition and exports across key product categories, including castor oil, wheat and rice. Alongside its core business, MGEL is developing its consumer wellness portfolio through NEAT Everyday, with a retail presence across Mumbai, Ahmedabad and Indore.

Jio IPO Opens Today: The listing values Jio Platforms at Rs 10.3 lakh crore. If that happens, it would become India's largest public issue by value. Read full report here

Gaurav Udani, Founder - Thincredblu Securities

Nifty is expected to open around 23,000, up by nearly 100 points, indicating a positive start. However, global developments are likely to keep the market volatile, and sharp intraday swings cannot be ruled out.

The immediate resistance zone is at 23,000-23,100, while support is placed at 22,800-22,900. The ability of Nifty to sustain above the resistance zone will be important for further upside, while selling pressure near these levels could limit the recovery.

Given the uncertainty surrounding global events, traders should avoid chasing the initial move. A buy-on-dips approach can be considered as long as Nifty holds the 22,800-22,900 support zone. A decisive break below this support could bring renewed weakness. Markets are likely to remain news-sensitive, so price action around these levels will be crucial in determining the next directional move.

The Thesis
Monday's session closed red - Nifty 500 down 1.03% to 22,041.60, VIX up near 15 - as private-bank earnings worries and Brent crossing $110 on Hormuz-linked tension pressured the tape. GIFT Nifty points to a firmer reopen after the Dussehra break, with capital rotating from pricey global tech into IT and value names the driver worth leaning into today.

Where We're Concentrated
The basket leans into IT, refining, and domestic consumption - sectors with lower direct exposure to the bank-earnings jitters behind Monday's selloff and to further crude-driven currency pressure. Steady DII buying has offset a month of FII outflows, giving this value-and-defensive tilt an institutional backstop. The thesis breaks if the VIX spike fails to cool or Friday's IT earnings disappoint and unwind the rotation.

Conviction Picks
Highest Conviction
Tech Mahindra
IT services are catching the rotation out of pricier global tech, with Friday's sector earnings the next test of that trade.
Chennai Petroleum Corporation
Elevated Brent near $110 keeps refining margins in focus as domestic crack spreads outrun the crude cost pass-through.
Welspun Living
Steady DII buying is underpinning domestic and export-linked names alike even as FII outflows persist this month.
Allied Blenders and Distillers
Domestic consumption carries lower crude and currency sensitivity, a cushion while Brent holds above $110 a barrel.
Graphite India
Industrial and value names are picking up the bid vacated by rate-sensitive financials after Monday's earnings-led selloff.
One Thing to Watch
Infosys Q2 results Friday A beat extends the rotation into IT names like Tech Mahindra; a miss revives Monday's earnings-led selling and stalls the value rotation across the basket.

Daily Quote from Mudrex
Bitcoin is trading near $83,000, supported by improving risk sentiment, with US equities rallying on strong earnings and crude oil falling nearly 5% on hopes of a potential US-Iran deal. Institutional demand also strengthened, with US spot Bitcoin ETFs recording $526.6 million in inflows, their highest since September 22. Strive also added 1,223 BTC, taking its holdings to 36,818 BTC. However, on-chain data shows only 53.8% of BTC supply is in profit, reflecting weak investor conviction. With next week's Fed rate hike odds at 15-17%, Bitcoin needs to clear $86,000 resistance, while $80,000 remains key support said Prateek Gupta, Head of Business, Mudrex

Daily Quote from CoinSwitch
BTC briefly climbed to $83.3K, supported by stronger-than-expected Q3 corporate earnings and a recovery in U.S. equities. The Dow Jones gained 1.2%, while the S&P 500 and Nasdaq advanced 0.6% and 0.5%, respectively. Oil prices also eased sharply from $101 to below $96 per barrel, improving broader market sentiment. BTC subsequently consolidated near $82K after testing resistance around its 21-day moving average of $83,230 said CoinSwitch Markets Desk

Monthly instalment looks manageable compared to a large hospital bill. But patients must calculate total repayment amount before taking this route. Read full report here

Vikram Subburaj, CEO, Giottus.com

Gold and silver futures are showing different trends in early market indications on October 21. Gold remains under pressure, while silver is attempting a modest recovery. Investors are weighing inflation concerns and the outlook for US interest rates, both of which could influence bullion prices in the coming sessions.

On the MCX, December gold futures were quoted at Rs. 1,46,555 per 10 grams at 6:38 a.m. IST, down 0.48% from the previous close of Rs. 1,47,266. The contract traded between Rs. 1,45,781 and Rs. 1,47,350. December silver futures were quoted at Rs. 2,11,500 per kg at 1:22 a.m. IST, up 0.80% from the previous close of Rs. 2,09,828. Silver traded in a range of Rs. 2,08,084 to Rs. 2,13,437.

These are pre-opening reference quotes captured at different times. The regular MCX daytime session begins at 9 a.m. IST. Fresh prices after the opening will offer a clearer picture of market direction.

Internationally, spot gold fell 0.3% to $4,125.90 an ounce on October 20, while US December gold futures declined 0.4% to $4,142.60, according to Reuters. Inflation risks, the US dollar and Treasury yields remain important drivers. Expectations around the Federal Reserve's next policy moves could keep volatility elevated.

For domestic traders, gold needs to regain Rs. 1,47,000 to signal near-term stabilisation. Support around Rs. 1,45,000 remains important. Silver has support near Rs. 2,08,000, while a sustained move above Rs. 2,13,000 would strengthen its recovery prospects.

Investors should avoid reading a single session's move as a confirmed trend. Track the MCX opening, the rupee, the dollar and US yields before taking fresh positions. In this environment, disciplined position sizing matters more than chasing short-term price swings.

At the close on Monday, the total market cap of all BSE Sensex companies stood at Rs 4,67,69,353 crore.

Vikram Subburaj, CEO, Giottus.com

Bitcoin is attempting a recovery near $83,000 as easing oil prices and improved risk sentiment support the broader crypto market. However, uncertainty around the US Federal Reserve's policy outlook continues to limit conviction. A Reuters poll found that 94 of 100 economists expect the Fed to hold rates at 3.75%-4.00% at its October 27-28 meeting. All respondents expect a rate increase in December, keeping pressure on risk assets. Bitcoin faces immediate resistance around $83,550, while support lies near $82,000.

Institutional demand remains uneven. US spot Bitcoin ETFs attracted $526.7 million on October 19, but recorded $6.7 million in net outflows the following session. This suggests that investor appetite is improving, but has yet to establish a sustained trend.

Our advice: Investors should avoid chasing short-term rallies. Consider staggered entries, maintain measured position sizes and monitor ETF flows and Fed signals before increasing exposure.

Akshat Siddhant, Lead quant analyst, Mudrex

Gold fell toward $4,120/oz for a fourth consecutive session as rising oil prices fuel inflation concerns and reinforce expectations of a December Fed rate hike, now priced at over 90%. Silver also weakened to around $57.5/oz, near multi-week lows. WTI remains near $98/barrel, up more than 10% this month, despite the hopes of a US-Iran diplomatic breakthrough. Those hopes have since faded, with a diplomat dismissing reports of an imminent deal and tanker attacks in the Strait of Hormuz continuing. The rupee closed near ₹94.9/$ on Monday, ending a six-session rally amid equity selling, foreign outflows and elevated crude prices.

Riya Sehgal, Research Analyst, Delta Exchange 

Bitcoin rebounded strongly over the last 24 hours, recovering from the low-$81,000 region and briefly moving above $83,000. The bounce came alongside stronger U.S. equities after encouraging corporate earnings, while a sharp pullback in oil from above $100 helped reduce some of the inflation and interest-rate pressure weighing on risk assets. The move also forced short positions out of the market, with around $125 million in shorts liquidated within an hour, while open interest climbed to roughly $53.9 billion.
Institutional flows have also improved. U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs attracted about $526.6 million in net inflows on Oct. 19, indicating that investors were buying into recent weakness. Ethereum ETF demand, however, remains noticeably softer.
From a technical perspective, Bitcoin has moved back above its major 4-hour EMAs, but the $83,200-$83,500 region remains an important resistance area. A clear breakout could shift focus toward $84,000 and then $86,000-$87,000. On the downside, $82,000 is the first support, followed by $81,000-$81,500. Ethereum is also recovering, but still needs to clear the $2,480-$2,520 resistance zone to strengthen its short-term structure.

Avinash Shekhar, Co-Founder & CEO, Pi42

"Bitcoin holding above $80,000 for 33 consecutive days is a meaningful sign of resilience in a market navigating shifting macroeconomic conditions. The recent easing in oil prices and US Treasury yields has also supported a recovery across major cryptocurrencies, with Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP and Dogecoin all posting gains. What stands out is Bitcoin's ability to maintain its position through repeated bouts of volatility, suggesting that the market is gradually establishing a stronger base rather than reacting solely to short-term sentiment.

On-chain data adds to this constructive outlook, with large Bitcoin holders reportedly shifting back towards accumulation after a period of distribution. This suggests that some long-term participants are using price weakness to build positions. While spot demand remains an important factor to watch, the combination of sustained price levels and renewed whale accumulation offers encouraging signals for market participants assessing the next phase.

Dor investors, one of the most overlooked opportunities emerges when selling pressure begins to fade before prices make a decisive recovery. This is the phase where distinguishing between assets attracting genuine accumulation and those experiencing temporary rebounds becomes particularly valuable. Bitcoin's current setup suggests the market may be moving from aggressive selling towards a more balanced phase, but confirmation will come from whether fresh capital returns. Investors who track this shift, rather than waiting for headlines to turn overwhelmingly bullish, may be better positioned to identify opportunities early." 

Hemang Gor, Senior Research Analyst - Derivatives and Technical Research, Axis Direct

Indian equities face a cautiously positive Wednesday open, with GIFT Nifty hovering near 23,000 to partially reverse Monday's brutal sell-off. The Nifty 50 tumbled 1.1% (257 points) to 22,889, driven by weak private banking earnings that snapped recent short-covering. The pre-Dussehra advanced weekly options expiry exacerbated intraday selling as traders rushed to settle early, pushing India VIX to a one-week high near 15.

Global cues offer respite. Wall Street climbed Tuesday-Dow 1.02%, S&P 500 0.28%, Nasdaq flat (-0.02%)-as healthcare led and tech lagged. Crucially, the US 10-year yield softened to 5.116%. Asian equities rallied Wednesday morning, with the KOSPI surging over 4%, Nikkei adding 1.3%, and Hang Seng flat.

Locally, the undertone remains fragile below 23,150. Sustaining above this resistance targets 23,300, while breaching 22,850 support exposes 22,600. Sticky crude prices and foreign outflows remain critical headwinds.

Nischal Shetty, Founder, WazirX

"Wall Street closed higher, led by the Dow, while the Nasdaq was flat and the VIX fell to about 17. Oil eased 2.5% but remains near $101, keeping inflation and rate worries alive ahead of next week's Fed meeting. For Bitcoin, trading around $82,000s, the backdrop is neutral to slightly constructive.

Bitcoin's long-term outlook is drawing renewed optimism. JPMorgan expects Bitcoin to outperform stocks, bonds and gold over the long term, projecting annual returns of around 10%. Continued accumulation by institutional players such as Strategy and Strive, alongside BlackRock's view of Bitcoin as a potential hedge against rising US government debt, reinforces the longer-term investment case. 

Bitcoin and Ethereum are trading near key technical levels, making the next move important for futures traders. Bitcoin needs to sustain momentum above the $83,600 resistance zone to build towards $84,500. On the downside, $82,300 is the immediate support to watch, with the $81,000 level becoming relevant if selling pressure intensifies.

Ethereum faces resistance around $2,470, followed by $2,535. Holding above the $2,410 support zone would help maintain its near-term recovery attempt, while a sustained break below this level could bring $2,375 into focus.

Bitcoin spot ETF flows have shown a sharp swing in institutional demand over the past few sessions. After net outflows on October 14 and 16, US spot Bitcoin ETFs attracted approximately $526.7 million on October 19, their strongest daily inflow since September 22. However, the rebound was largely driven by BlackRock's IBIT, while some other funds continued to see withdrawals. The latest figures suggest that investor interest remains active, but the direction of flows is not yet consistent enough to establish a sustained accumulation trend."