HSBC forecasts gold prices could surge to $5,000 per ounce by early 2026, driven by persistent geopolitical risks, central bank demand, and new market entrants. The bank raised its 2025 and 2026 average price targets, anticipating continued strength despite expected volatility later in 2026.

Indian homebuilder Sobha reported a more than doubled second-quarter profit, driven by high prices and sustained demand for premium apartments. Revenues surged 50.7% to 14.08 billion rupees, with sales rising 61% to 19.03 billion rupees. Analysts anticipate continued healthy demand for residential apartments, particularly from credible developers.

Indian stock markets concluded Friday's trading session on a high, marking the third consecutive day of gains ahead of Diwali. Both Sensex and Nifty reached their 52-week highs, propelled by strong performance in financial, auto, and FMCG sectors. Analysts suggest a 'buy on dips' strategy may prove effective in the near term.

According to reports, the EOW’s initial probe into IndusInd Bank’s treasury discrepancies has found no evidence of fund siphoning, though investigators have flagged a ~Rs 250 crore entry and questioned six–seven people, with Siddharth Banerjee likely to be summoned and a clearer assessment expected by end-October.

India’s NSO will track household earnings, social assistance, and financial returns. It will provide insights into which communities benefit from welfare programs and identify where gaps in coverage exist.

A new study reveals that bad maintenance data costs companies millions. Inaccurate supplier records and supply chain gaps lead to costly downtime. Many businesses are now using AI to fix these issues. Better data management and AI integration could save global enterprises billions. This highlights the importance of smart, data-driven operations.

Waaree Energies, India's top solar module maker, is expanding in the U.S. despite a trade investigation. The company is cooperating with authorities and sees minimal impact. Waaree is investing in U.S. manufacturing, including cell and battery storage systems. The U.S.

In Samvat 2081, 103 mainboard IPOs raised ₹1.75 trillion, with Stallion India Fluorochemicals, Zinka Logistics Solutions, Quality Power Electrical Equipment, Aditya Infotech and Ather Energy delivering the highest returns for investors, Prime Database data show.

Japanese lender Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation has no immediate plans to increase its stake in Yes Bank beyond 24.99%. A senior executive stated the bank is focused on contributing to Yes Bank's board as its largest shareholder and does not intend to take an executive role. The current holding is 24.2%.

Coca-Cola is reportedly exploring a potential $1 billion initial public offering for its Indian bottling unit, Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages. The company has engaged with bankers to discuss the listing, which could value the subsidiary at $10 billion. These discussions are in early stages, with a potential deal eyed for next year.

Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri said on Friday that India and Brazil have agreed to expand their partnership in oil exploration and production, with Indian upstream oil companies such as ONGC expected to participate in upcoming offshore projects in the Latin American country.

India's commercial real estate market experienced a significant upswing in Q3 CY25, with office leasing surpassing supply for the sixth consecutive quarter. Net leasing rose 31% year-on-year to 15.9 million sq. ft, while completions increased 44% YoY. Vacancy rates dipped to 14.2%, and rents saw an increase across major cities.

Gold smuggling into India is surging. Record high prices and limited supply are driving this trend. Festival demand is high. Smugglers are finding it very profitable to bring gold into the country. Government agencies are working to stop these attempts. This situation is impacting the gold market ahead of major Indian festivals.

Indian CFOs are navigating the arrival of Gen Z, noting their purpose-driven approach and digital fluency. While energetic and quick learners, this generation also exhibits impatience and a desire for rapid results. Leaders emphasize guiding Gen Z's ambition and fostering patience, seeking adaptability, collaboration, and a commercial mindset in new hires.

Canara HSBC Life Insurance debuted on the stock market with a modest gain, trading at 108.9 rupees, a 2.7% increase from its issue price. The insurer's valuation of $1.20 billion lags behind its peers, reflecting concerns over pricing and a competitive IPO landscape.

The Reserve Bank of India intervened by selling U.S. dollars through state-run banks before Friday's market opening, reinforcing its commitment to supporting the rupee. This pre-market action followed a similar aggressive intervention on Wednesday, signaling a shift in strategy to actively push dollar/rupee lower and set a firmer tone for the currency.

Gold and silver prices in India reached new record highs on Friday. Strong global cues, including a weaker US dollar and rising spot demand, fueled the surge. Investors are buying gold amid expectations of further price increases. Domestic gold prices have seen a significant rise this year, driven by global uncertainties and central bank purchases.

Indian government bonds rallied early Friday, mirroring a plunge in U.S. Treasury yields to six-month lows. However, a significant drop in local yields was limited by upcoming debt auctions. Overnight, U.S. yields fell due to trade tensions and credit market concerns, boosting demand for Indian overnight index swaps.

Indian stock markets, Sensex and Nifty, recovered from an early dip on Friday. Foreign fund inflows and anticipation of US Federal Reserve rate cuts boosted investor sentiment. Asian Paints, Mahindra & Mahindra, and Bharti Airtel were among the top gainers. This rebound follows strong performance on Thursday, driven by positive economic outlook and global factors.

In the latest financial quarter, Nestle India reported an impressive 11% rise in revenue, totaling ₹5,644 crore, driven by robust sales across diverse product lines. Despite this positive momentum, the company's profits took a hit, declining by 24% as production costs for cocoa and milk surged.