Shares of city gas distribution (CGD) companies, including Indraprastha Gas and Mahanagar Gas, experienced significant declines of up to 15% after the government announced a reduction in priority gas allocations to these firms. Mahanagar Gas Ltd (MGL) saw its shares drop by 14.5%, reaching a low of Rs 1,503.80, while Indraprastha Gas Ltd (IGL) fell 13% to Rs 439.40 on the BSE.

Moody's assigned Bajaj Finance Ltd a Baa3 investment-grade rating, citing its strong franchise, diversified loans, risk management, and market share growth, with assets under management of Rs 3.5 trillion.

Mutual funds add or exit stocks from their portfolio to generate better returns. They made a complete exit from 10 stocks in September, according to the monthly data by Prime Database. Here's the list:

The Nikkei added 0.18% to close at 38,981.75, after rising as much as 0.7% earlier in the session. The index ended the week 1.75% lower.

The ECB trimmed its interest rates on Thursday to 3.25%, and while President Christine Lagarde did not provide hints on future moves, four sources close to the matter told Reuters a fourth cut in December is likely unless key data turns south in the coming weeks.

A short buildup occurs when there is a rise in open interest and trading volumes, coupled with a decrease in the price of the underlying stock in the Futures and Options segment. This indicates that more traders are expecting the prices to decline and are creating short positions. In Friday's trading session, five stocks saw the formation of fresh short positions. Here's the list:

Shares of BSE, Voltas, Adani Energy Solutions, Alkem Laboratories, Oberoi Realty, and Kalyan Jewellers may be included in the MSCI India Standard Index. This rebalancing could bring these stocks significant passive inflows. The announcement is set for November 6, and changes will take effect from November 26.

Chinese stocks rose on Friday after the PBOC initiated funding schemes injecting 800 billion yuan into the stock market and advocated for rapid financial policy adoption. Despite mixed economic data, the measures aimed to boost investor confidence and support the real economy.

A long buildup occurs when open interest and trading volumes increase alongside a rise in the underlying stock price in the Futures and Options segment, signaling a bullish market trend. In Friday's trading session, five stocks saw fresh long positions. Here’s the list:

Tata Chemicals shares fell 3.2% to Rs 1,039 after a 54.67% decline in consolidated net profit to Rs 194 crore for Q2 FY25. Revenue remained flat at Rs 3,999 crore. EBITDA dropped 24.5% to Rs 618 crore, with a margin of 15.5%. Despite challenges, the company saw improved performance due to higher sales volume and soda ash realization.

Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders' shares surged approximately 4% to today's peak of Rs 4,395 on the BSE after the company announced plans to consider an interim dividend and a split of equity shares during its Board of Directors meeting on October 22.

The company, earlier in the last week had also announced via an exchange filing that the dividend will be paid to the shareholders on November 5.

Havells India shares drop 3.5% after reporting a 7.5% YoY PAT increase to Rs 267.77 crore for Q2 FY24. QoQ PAT declined 34.3% and revenue fell nearly 22%. Analysts retain 'Hold' ratings; Jefferies and Investec cut target prices, while Goldman Sachs raises its target based on anticipated earnings growth.

Infosys share Price: Infosys shares dropped 4% after its revenue forecasts missed expectations, despite a 5% YoY growth in net profit and revenues. Brokerages continue to show varied support, with Nomura, Bernstein, Motilal Oswal, and Nuvama maintaining buy ratings, while Investec retains a sell rating.

Asit C. Mehta brokerage firm has initiated coverage on the life insurance industry, highlighting its strong growth potential despite recent regulatory challenges and shifting consumer preferences.The sector continues to expand, driven by rising demand, increasing financial literacy, and regulatory efforts to boost product awareness.The firm believes that large private insurers are well-positioned to capture this growth.The brokerage firm initiated buy rating on HDFC Life Insurance, ICICI Prudential, SBI Life Insurance, and a hold rating on LIC of India, and Max Financial Services.

Shares of HEG Ltd dropped by 5% to Rs 488.10 on BSE as the stock began trading on an ex-split basis. The company set October 18 as the record date for a 1:5 stock split, their first-ever split. HEG Ltd shares have surged 42% in the last year and 28.50% in the current year.

China's central bank has started two funding schemes to inject up to 800 billion yuan into the stock market. The schemes provide liquidity through asset collateralisation and allow financial institutions to borrow for share purchases. The initiatives aim to support the steady development of capital markets amidst cautious investor sentiment.

Shares of Wipro surged up to 4% after posting a 21.3% YoY jump in net profit for Q2 and announcing a 1:1 bonus issue. Despite achieving improved margins, analysts have mixed outlooks with Nomura forecasting EBIT margin growth and others noting weak revenue indicators for the upcoming quarters.

The specialty and exotic rice market, particularly for varieties like basmati and jasmine, is experiencing rapid growth due to shifting consumer preferences.India dominates global basmati exports, accounting for around 77% of global production, Mirae Asset said in a report.Over 90% of global rice production and consumption occurs in Asia, with China and India as the largest producers and consumers.With rising demand from the HoReCa (hotel, restaurant, and café/catering) sector, increasing household incomes, and the availability of affordable basmati options, domestic consumption is projected to grow at a CAGR of 9% over the next five years.Popular dishes like biryani are fueling this demand, benefiting major players like LT Foods and KRBL.We have collated views from Mirae Asset report on rice stocks for 1-year period:

Nestle India's shares fell 2.2% after reporting a Q2 net profit of Rs 899 crore, slightly down year-on-year. Brokerages gave mixed reviews, with target prices ranging from Rs 2,350 to Rs 2,870.

Polycab India's shares fell nearly 7% despite a 3.5% YoY net profit increase, driven by strong revenue growth but rising expenses. Analysts remain positive, with 'Buy' ratings from Motilal Oswal and Nuvama.

Shares of LTIMindtree dropped by 5% despite an 8% YoY growth in net profit to Rs 1,251 crore and revenue climbing 6% in Q2 2024. The company noted broad-based sequential growth and new deal closures. However, brokerage Investec maintained its 'Sell' rating, citing concerns over weaker revenue growth in the second half of the year.

Axis Bank shares gained attention after reporting an 18% rise in Q2 standalone net profit to Rs 6,918 crore. NII grew 9% YoY to Rs 13,483 crore, with a Net Interest Margin of 3.99%. Analysts maintain positive ratings, though concerns linger regarding asset quality and loan growth, with target prices ranging from Rs 1,250 to Rs 1,400.

Infosys shares dropped 4% after its revenue forecasts missed expectations, despite a 5% YoY growth in net profit and revenues. Brokerages continue to show varied support, with Nomura, Bernstein, Motilal Oswal, and Nuvama maintaining buy ratings, while Investec retains a sell rating.

In September, mutual funds made significant adjustments to their portfolios by adding and reducing holdings in several small-cap stocks. Notable acquisitions included Max Estates, Route Mobile, and Medi Assist Health, while key reductions were seen in Nazara Technologies and Va Tech Wabag. Here is a list of smallcap stocks that mutual funds bought and sold in September, according to a report by Nuvama Institutional Equities:

The stock reached a record high of Rs 3,414 on September 30th but has since retreated to Rs 3,177. Despite this pullback, the stock remains in an uptrend that began after breaking through the Rs 2,800 resistance level in August 2022. The 21-week exponential moving average has provided consistent support since November 2023, suggesting the uptrend may continue.

Shares of Manappuram Finance plummeted 15% after the RBI imposed restrictions on four NBFCs, including Asirvad Micro Finance. This led to multiple downgrades and target price cuts from brokerages like Morgan Stanley, BofA, and Jefferies, citing potential profit hits and funding cost increases.

Indian benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty50 opened lower for the fourth session, driven by losses in auto, banking, and IT stocks. Foreign fund outflows and underwhelming earnings, particularly from Infosys and Wipro, further impacted the market.

Axis Bank shares gained attention after reporting an 18% rise in Q2 standalone net profit to Rs 6,918 crore. NII grew 9% YoY to Rs 13,483 crore, with a Net Interest Margin of 3.99%. Analysts maintain positive ratings, though concerns linger regarding asset quality and loan growth, with target prices ranging from Rs 1,250 to Rs 1,400.

Indian equity markets consolidate as Sensex dips by 4% in October due to valuation concerns and a subdued Q2 earnings season. Meanwhile, gold and silver outperformed, fueled by geopolitical tensions and expected US rate cuts. Experts suggest sector-specific opportunities amid cautious outlook.

Indian market appears poised for a lower opening on Friday amid global uncertainties, with options data indicating a trading range between 24,300 to 25,300. Nifty's bearish trend suggests further downside unless it surpasses 24,850 zones. Experts provide specific stock tips for short-term trading.

LTIMindtree's Q2 results show a solid 8% YoY rise in net profit to Rs 1,251 crore and 6% YoY revenue growth to Rs 9,433 crore. CEO Debashis Chatterjee highlights multi-year deal closures, including a $200 million+ deal, and significant hiring, setting strong expectations for the fiscal's latter half.

Top brokerage firms have varied recommendations: Nomura recommends buying Axis Bank with a target of Rs 1,380; Morgan Stanley downgrades Manappuram Finance to equal-weight with a new target of Rs 170; Jefferies holds on Havells, cutting the target to Rs 1,870; and Macquarie rates Wipro as outperform with a target of Rs 670.

As of October 17, there was a notable surge in futures open interest for four stocks in the NSE F&O pack index, contributing to a total increase in open interest of over 10% as compared to the previous trade. A significant uptick in futures open interest signifies a substantial growth in the number of active, unexpired futures contracts in a specific security. This uptrend reflects an increasing number of participants either initiating new positions or expanding the size of their existing positions within the futures market.

Shares of Manappuram Finance are under scrutiny following the Reserve Bank of India's recent restrictions on the company, among three other NBFCs, due to serious supervisory concerns. As a result, the stock has faced multiple rating downgrades and target price cuts from brokerage firms.

A surge in share supply from IPOs, such as Hyundai's $3.3 billion listing, and institutional sales is pressuring Indian equities amid weak earnings and $7 billion in foreign investor outflows. Despite strong domestic investments, the NSE Nifty 50 Index is down over 5%.

Adani Enterprises Share Price: Adani Enterprises raised Rs 4,200 crore through a share sale to investors via a QIP. The sale attracted bids over 4.2 times the deal size from various investors. Proceeds will be used for capital expenditure, debt repayment, and general corporate purposes. Shares of the company dropped 3% on Thursday.

On October 17, three stocks from the mid-cap pack appeared in the RSI Trending Up scan, according to the stockedge.com data. It is an uptrend signal if the RSI value has crossed above 50 from below.

Zomato's board meeting on October 22 to discuss equity share issuance via QIP and announce its September quarter earnings. Shares closed at Rs 270.30 on NSE. Q1 performance showed a net profit rise to Rs 253 crore, bolstered by Blinkit and Hyperpure contributions. Blinkit expands with 2,000 dark stores by 2026.

Wipro Share Price: Wipro reports a 21% rise in net profit to Rs 3,209 crore for Q2 FY2024, surpassing estimates. Revenue from operations stood at Rs 22,302 crore, slightly down from last year. Outlook for Q3 anticipates IT Services revenue between $2,607 million to $2,660 million.

Infosys Share Price: Infosys reports 5% growth in net profit and revenues for the second quarter, raises fiscal year guidance to 3.75-4%. Despite a marginal decline in EBIT margin and a 41% drop in large deal TCV, the company performed well in financial services and added 2,456 employees.

Shares of Jio Financial will be under spotlight today as the company announces its second quarter earnings. Recently, Jio partnered with BlackRock to launch asset management services in India, and received in-principle approval from Sebi. Observers are also watching how Jio will shape the fintech sector with its retail lending and payment services.

“Voltas stock has exactly retraced from its 50 DEMA and showing buying interest after taking base near 1750 zones. Traders can buy for a target of 1960 in the next 2-3 weeks,” Shivangi Sarda, Analyst, Derivatives and Technical Research, Motilal Oswal Financial Services Ltd, said.

In the NSE list of stocks, with a market cap of over Rs 1,000 crore, five stocks' close prices crossed above their 200 DMA (Daily Moving Averages) on October 17, according to stockedge.com's technical scan data. The 200-day DMA is used as a key indicator by traders for determining the overall trend in a particular stock. As long as the stock is priced above the 200-day SMA on the daily time frame, it is generally considered to be an overall uptrend. Take a look:

The dollar remains near an 11-week high against major peers due to strong U.S. economic data and market speculation of a Trump election victory. Asian stocks show mixed performance, with Japan's Nikkei rising. Key Chinese economic data and geopolitical tensions impact oil prices and investor sentiment.

Benchmark Sensex fell for the third day, dropping nearly 495 points amid foreign fund outflows. Key stocks in focus included Wipro, Infosys, and LTIMindtree. Technical Analyst Kushal Gandhi provides investment insights, recommending actions based on technical patterns and recent performance metrics.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average achieved its fourth record close in five sessions, driven by strong retail sales and a bullish forecast from TSMC. U.S. retail data signaled robust economic health, sustaining investor optimism despite slight losses in the S&P 500 and mixed performances among other indexes.

Berkshire Hathaway, led by Warren Buffett, has continued to sell Bank of America shares. Nearly 8.7 million shares were sold for $370 million as of Oct. 15. Previously, 9.5 million shares were sold for $382.4 million, reducing Berkshire's stake in Bank of America to below 10%. The selling began in mid-July.

The RSI is showing a bearish crossover and is declining. However, this may not be the ideal level to initiate short positions, as the index has experienced a steep correction and is near a double-bottom support, which could trigger a near-term recovery toward 25,000

Shares in Japan rose, helped along by a weaker yen, while equities in Australia and South Korea fell. US futures were flat after the S&P 500 retreated from an intraday record Thursday to end the session little changed.