_Markets open today · Q2 FY27 results season_
▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
📊 *ECONOMY & POLICY*
▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
🏦 *NPCI defers UPI MDR rollout to post-Diwali*
MDR on UPI payments above Rs 2,000 at medium and large merchants, due 15 Oct, is pushed to just after Diwali after trader pushback.
Payment firms and banks face a delay in monetisation.
📎 _Read: The Hindu_
https://www.thehindu.com/business/upi-mdr-on-select-merchant-transactions-shall-be-implemented-post-diwali/article71578558.ece
🏦 *FM: RBI to keep curbing rupee volatility*
Sitharaman said RBI will continue acting against rupee volatility, citing external factors, and that the government will hear views on LTCG and STT.
Openness on market taxes is a signal worth tracking.
📎 _Read: The Hindu_
https://www.thehindu.com/business/Economy/rbi-to-continue-efforts-to-curb-rupee-volatility-external-factors-driving-currency-fall-nirmala-sitharaman/article71579023.ece
🤝 *Jaishankar: no level playing field in China*
He said US trade talks are moving in the right direction and hopes the India-EU FTA takes effect soon.
Points to trade diversification and a still-open US deal.
📎 _Read: NDTV Profit_
▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
🏢 *COMPANIES*
▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
💻 *HCLTech Q2 profit up 21%, guidance raised*
Net profit rose 21.2% to Rs 5,132 cr on revenue of Rs 35,620 cr (+11.5% YoY), with TCV of $3.2 bn including a $1.14 bn Mercedes-Benz deal.
FY27 revenue guidance moves to 2.5-4% from 1-4%; brokerages are mixed on valuation.
📎 _Read: Business Standard_
💰 *Hyundai Motor Group to invest $15.5 bn in India*
The investment runs to 2032, focused on manufacturing, R&D and future technologies, with India as a global export hub.
Positive for auto-component and supply-chain names.
📎 _Read: Business Standard_
💻 *Infosys CEO sees AI at half of revenue*
Salil Parekh expects AI to account for half of revenue in 2-3 years, but warns data-centre costs and infrastructure backlash could reach India.
Frames both the upside and the cost risk for IT services.
📎 _Read: NDTV Profit_
📉 *Zoho freezes annual salary hikes*
Sridhar Vembu cites a fourfold rise in server prices, higher AI costs and an uncertain software market; marketing spend is also cut.
A cost-pressure datapoint for software companies.
📎 _Read: Business Standard_
📈 *Co-working overtakes IT as top office occupier*
Co-working took 26% of India’s office demand in Jan-Sep 2026 versus 25% for IT/ITeS, per Anarock.
Good for flexible-space operators and office REITs.
📎 _Read: Business Standard_
▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
🌍 *GLOBAL & WORLD*
▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
📈 *US banks post strong Q3; JPMorgan misses*
Goldman, Citi and Wells Fargo reported stronger results while JPMorgan missed estimates, with executives flagging inflation, high rates and geopolitical risk.
Healthy trading and banking income, but a cautious read on consumers.
📎 _Read: Economic Times_
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/markets/us-stocks/wall-street-guide/us-banks-post-strong-profits-but-inflation-and-rate-risks-cloud-outlook/articleshow/134920643.cms
💻 *Google launches Gemini 4 Argon globally*
The frontier model targets coding, finance, legal, cybersecurity and science work, available via the Gemini API and AI Pro/Ultra plans.
Adds to competitive pressure in the AI and IT-services debate.
📎 _Read: NDTV Profit_
▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
_Compiled by Daily Business Briefs · 14 Oct 2026_