_Markets open today · closed Tue 20 Oct (Dussehra)_
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📊 *ECONOMY & POLICY*
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📉 *FPIs pull out ₹52,100 cr in October*
October outflow follows ₹35,861 cr of net selling in September, after buying in July and August.
October is already the heaviest month of the run, keeping pressure on large caps and the rupee.
📎 _Read: Business Standard_
📈 *Nifty IT posts best week since 2008*
Nifty closed at 23,146.15 (+0.65%) and Sensex at 74,729.28 (+0.56%) on Friday; Nifty IT rose about 11.7% for the week after TechM and Wipro results.
IT is carrying the index while FPIs sell elsewhere, so Monday’s weak US tech lead is the key risk.
📎 _Read: Ventura Securities_
https://www.venturasecurities.com/?p=65474
🤝 *Trump waives Russia sanctions provisions; Rubio calls it a 60-day pause*
Key provisions that authorised tariffs on buyers of Russian oil are waived; Rubio visits India 17–22 Oct, meeting Jaishankar in Mumbai Tuesday and visiting Jamnagar.
Tariff risk on Indian refiners eases for now, but the 60-day assessment window keeps the overhang alive.
📎 _Read: Business Standard_
⚡ *Indian refiners’ fuel exports to West jump 43%*
Refineries using Russian crude exported €1 bn of products to sanctioning countries in September (CREA), with Jamnagar supplying six of seven cargoes at EU ports.
Keeps Reliance in the sanctions spotlight just as the waiver window opens.
📎 _Read: Business Standard_
🤝 *India–New Zealand FTA takes effect Tuesday*
The pact gives Indian exports duty-free access, with a $20 bn NZ investment commitment; both sides aim to double trade by 2030.
A further step in India’s trade diversification, with export-oriented sectors the main beneficiaries.
📎 _Read: Business Standard_
🛣️ *BS VII emission norms proposed from April 2029*
Road transport ministry has approved a proposed rollout that tightens checks on combustion and electric vehicles and brings brakes and tyres under scrutiny.
Auto OEMs and component makers get a long compliance runway, but capex planning starts now.
📎 _Read: TheReader.AI (via Firstpost)_
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🏢 *COMPANIES*
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💰 *Jio Platforms’ ₹30,213 cr IPO leads busy primary week*
India’s largest IPO opens 21 Oct (anchor book today) at ₹1,065–1,119 per share; it is a fresh issue, with proceeds mainly repaying borrowings, among ₹31,663 cr of offerings this week.
Nine listings in one week will test liquidity at a time of heavy FPI selling.
📎 _Read: Economic Times_
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/markets/ipos/fpos/mega-jio-platforms-ipo-to-lead-rs-31663-crore-offerings-this-week-9-listings-lined-up/articleshow/135024121.cms
🏦 *HDFC Bank Q2 profit up 4.7%, margins under pressure*
Standalone NII rose 9.7% on loan and deposit growth, while margins still weigh on core profitability; a new CEO takes over this month.
Succession uncertainty is over, but margin recovery is the stock’s next trigger.
📎 _Read: Economic Times_
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/markets/stocks/earnings/hdfc-bank-pat-ticks-up-5-amid-pressure/articleshow/135023863.cms
📈 *Bajaj Finance Q2 preview: profit seen up 29%*
Strong loan growth and AUM expansion lift estimates, with NII expected up 24%.
Analysts caution that rising borrowing costs could squeeze lending margins.
📎 _Read: Economic Times_
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/markets/stocks/earnings/bajaj-finance-q2-preview-profit-may-jump-29-nii-24-as-strong-loan-growth-lifts-earnings/articleshow/135026829.cms
💡 *Airtel launches voice-only plans from ₹185*
Three prepaid plans (₹185, ₹203, ₹206) offer unlimited calls and 300 SMS but no data, ahead of the TRAI deadline.
Relevant to ARPU mix, as low-end users can now shift to cheaper voice-only packs.
📎 _Read: NDTV Profit_
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🌍 *GLOBAL & WORLD*
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📉 *Wall Street slides: Nasdaq −2.1%, S&P 500 −1.1%*
Chip names led the fall (Micron −5.6%, Intel −5.8%) on doubts over the AI build-out; both indices had their worst week since June, with the S&P at 7,659.44.
A negative lead for Monday’s Asian open, with IT and tech-linked stocks most exposed.
📎 _Read: AP via La Nacion_
https://www.lanacion.com.ar/usa/how-major-us-stock-indexes-fared-friday-10162026-nid16102026
🔥 *Ukraine fires 1,000+ drones at Russia; St Petersburg oil terminal ablaze*
Fresh strikes on Russian energy infrastructure add to supply risk.
Supports crude even as Washington pauses sanctions pressure on buyers of Russian oil.
📎 _Read: Business Standard_
🏦 *Fed gives no October hike signal; FOMC Oct 27–28*
Chair Warsh withheld a signal of an October hike, and the Fed entered its communications blackout on Saturday.
Markets go in without guidance, so rate-sensitive sectors stay headline-driven until the meeting.
📎 _Read: ThriveInMarkets_
https://thriveinmarkets.com/market-insights/evening-review-2026-10-16
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_Compiled by InvestoScope · 19 Oct 2026_