The IRS has announced 2026 federal income tax bracket and standard deduction adjustments to combat bracket creep. Key changes include higher thresholds for the top 37% tax rate and increased standard deductions for various filing statuses. Seniors may also benefit from a temporary deduction under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.

Public sector banks are now opening senior leadership roles to private sector talent. This includes Managing Director positions at State Bank of India and Executive Director roles across nationalised banks. The move aims to bring in fresh expertise. Specific experience criteria are set for private candidates. This policy change will impact banking leadership recruitment going forward.

Delhi traders are set for a brighter Diwali. The government has disbursed Rs 694 crore in GST refunds pending since 2019. A record Rs 227 crore was paid in September alone. This initiative promotes ease of doing business. Traders are benefiting from lower GST rates and timely refunds. The government is committed to resolving all refund applications promptly.

Equity mutual fund inflows slowed in September, marking the 55th consecutive month of positive flows. Gold ETFs attracted record investments, signaling a shift towards precious metals. Debt funds saw substantial outflows due to institutional redemptions. Overall mutual fund AUM saw a modest rise despite market volatility.

India's foreign exchange reserves saw a slight dip of $276 million, settling at $699.96 billion for the week ending October 3. This follows a larger decline in the prior week. While foreign currency assets decreased, a significant rise in gold reserves partially offset the overall reduction, indicating a dynamic shift in the country's financial holdings.

The organized gold loan market is projected to reach Rs 15 lakh crore by March 2026, a year ahead of schedule, driven by soaring gold prices and banks' expanding dominance. Banks now hold 82% of the market share, with their assets under management growing significantly faster than NBFCs.

India's new real-time cheque clearance system is experiencing initial problems. Bank staff are facing challenges with new processes, and technical glitches are slowing down cheque processing. Customers report delays in payments. The Reserve Bank of India is working to resolve these issues. The system aims for same-day clearance, replacing older methods. Bankers expect smooth operations soon.

Over 250 B9 Beverages employees have petitioned for leadership change, citing governance failures and financial woes. Salaries and dues are delayed for months, impacting over 500 employees. Production paused in July, with a major investor withdrawing. The company faces significant losses and operational challenges. Founder Ankur Jain acknowledges delays and restructuring efforts.

Tata Consultancy Services has launched a new AI Experience Zone and Design Studio in London. This expansion is part of a drive to create 5,000 new jobs across the United Kingdom over the next three years. The company's investment reinforces its commitment to the UK market. This development aligns with growing trade ties between India and the UK.

Gold prices surged on Friday, nearing Rs 1.21 lakh per 10 grams, driven by global market strength and anticipation of US Federal Reserve interest rate cuts. Silver also saw a significant jump. Economic uncertainties and the ongoing US government shutdown are fueling investor confidence in the precious metals, pushing them towards further gains.

China will implement special port fees on US-built or operated ships starting October 14, with charges of 400 yuan per net tonne. This retaliatory measure mirrors US port fees imposed on Chinese vessels, aiming to protect Chinese shipping companies' interests. Beijing urges Washington to reverse its actions.

LG Electronics India's IPO is set to finalize share allotment on October 10 after a strong response, with the issue oversubscribed over 54 times. Investors can check their allotment status on BSE/NSE or Kfin Technologies. The company's robust financial performance and a significant grey market premium suggest a promising market debut.

The US government has proposed barring Chinese airlines from flying over Russia on routes to and from the United States, citing unfair competitive advantages. This move aims to level the playing field for American carriers, which lost access to Russian airspace after the Ukraine invasion. The proposal could impact major Chinese airlines and adds to existing US-China economic tensions.

Insurance agents and distributors face reduced commissions following the removal of GST on insurance policies. Insurance companies are cutting agent payouts by 15-18% to cover increased operating costs due to the loss of input tax credit. This move impacts the earnings of intermediaries.

Nayara Energy, a major Indian refinery with significant Russian ownership, is navigating EU sanctions by boosting domestic fuel distribution via increased rail transport. The company, now solely sourcing crude from Russia, faces challenges securing export markets and processing international payments.

Small businesses are experiencing a significant sales surge, driven by recent GST rate reductions and the ongoing festive season. Sectors like toys, textiles, footwear, and auto accessories are reporting heightened demand. Industry bodies indicate positive initial feedback, with expectations of continued growth as consumers benefit from lower prices and increased purchasing power.

WeWork India Management debuted on the stock markets with a muted opening, with shares trading slightly above their issue price before dipping. The company's Rs 3,000 crore IPO, which closed 1.15 times subscribed, aims to boost visibility and provide liquidity. WeWork India operates co-working spaces across major Indian cities.

Gold price prediction today: Gold prices are expected to dip, with analysts advising traders to sell on any rise. Technical indicators like EMA crossover, Bollinger Bands, and MACD signal strong bearish momentum. Investors should consider selling near 1,21,2001,21,500 with targets at 1,20,000 and 1,19,100.

Asian markets closed mostly lower as the week concluded, despite positive AI investment news and a Middle East ceasefire. Investor sentiment was dampened by potential US government shutdown concerns and fears of a tech bubble. Gold and Bitcoin reached record highs, but experts caution about overvalued companies and a possible market correction.

Stock market today: Nifty50 and BSE Sensex, the Indian equity benchmark indices, opened in green on Friday. While Nifty50 want above 25,200, BSE Sensex was up around 200 points.

Analysts are bullish on India's infrastructure and consumer sectors. Adani Enterprises' new airport is set to boost aviation, while Prestige Estates sees strong property sales. IndiGo is poised for international travel growth, and PVR Inox anticipates a strong festive season for cinemas. Blinkit's rapid expansion in quick commerce also shows promising momentum.

America has imposed new sanctions targeting individuals and companies aiding Iran's oil and LPG exports. Three Indian nationals are among those sanctioned for their alleged roles. The US aims to disrupt Iran's revenue streams and its support for terrorist groups. These actions are part of a broader effort to dismantle Iran's energy export network.

Stock market recommendations: Bajaj Broking Research highlights Jayaswal Neco Industries and Bank of Baroda as top stock picks for October 10, 2025. The Nifty and Bank Nifty are showing signs of consolidation after strong rallies.

Says India Stack Has Become A Beacon For Global South

America is set to acquire 11 icebreaking vessels from Finland, a significant move to boost its Arctic presence. President Trump announced the deal, emphasizing Finland's expertise in building these crucial ships. This collaboration will see four vessels constructed in Finland and seven in the US, strengthening bilateral defense ties amidst rising Arctic importance.

Indian investors are increasingly opting for digital and market-linked gold instruments like digital gold, ETFs, and mutual funds, moving away from physical holdings. These options offer high returns, liquidity, and easy redemption, especially with festive demand. Sovereign Gold Bonds also provide interest alongside gold price gains, making gold investment more accessible and efficient.

US average long-term mortgage rates have dropped to 6.3%, their lowest in a year, with 30-year fixed loans falling to 6.3% and 15-year fixed loans to 5.53%. This decline follows the Federal Reserve's recent interest rate cut, though experts caution that mortgage rates may not continue to fall even with further Fed action.

The Reserve Bank of India has reshuffled portfolios among its four deputy governors, assigning oversight of 32 departments. New Deputy Governor Shirish Chandra Murmu will head communication, regulation, and enforcement. Poonam Gupta will oversee monetary policy, while T Rabi Sankar and Swaminathan Janakiraman will manage other key divisions.

US stocks saw a slight pause near record highs on Thursday, with the S&P 500 inching up. Delta Air Lines soared after exceeding summer profit expectations, boosting other airline stocks. Corporate earnings are increasingly driving market sentiment amidst a government shutdown, with investors scrutinizing companies for strong growth to justify recent stock surges.

IT major TCS has acquired US-based ListEngage for $72.80 million, bolstering its global Salesforce and AI advisory strengths. This strategic move adds over 100 experts to TCS's US operations, enhancing its marketing cloud and CRM capabilities. The company also reported a modest profit increase for Q2 FY26, alongside a dividend declaration.

Tata Consultancy Services has confirmed laying off approximately 6,000 employees, about 1% of its workforce. Severance packages are being offered based on service length and skill obsolescence, reflecting an organizational shift towards integrating new technologies.

Elon Musk could pocket billions from Tesla's pay package even without hitting most ambitious goals. A Reuters analysis reveals easier targets in vehicle sales and software subscriptions could yield over $50 billion. While profit goals remain challenging, modest stock growth alongside a few product milestones could still net him substantial rewards, raising questions about the package's true intent.

India's house price index saw a 3.6% year-on-year rise in Q1 of the current fiscal, moderating from last year's 7.6% growth. The Reserve Bank of India's updated index, now with a 2022-23 base year and expanded city coverage, also recorded a 2% sequential increase. Nagpur, Chandigarh, Chennai, and Kochi led the gains.

New rules now link PPF investments to PAN, making it impossible to hide multiple accounts. Exceeding the Rs 1.5 lakh annual limit can lead to interest clawback on excess contributions. Irregular accounts won't earn interest, with minor accounts earning a mere 4% until regularized.

US federal workers are facing financial hardship as the government shutdown enters its second week, with many resorting to loans to cover essential expenses. Furloughed employees and those working without pay are experiencing significant stress, impacting morale and household finances. Credit unions are offering short-term, interest-free loans to help bridge the gap until back pay is received.

Gold loans provide quick cash by pledging jewellery. Loan amounts depend on gold's purity and weight. Lenders accept 18-23 karat gold ornaments. Various repayment plans exist, including paying interest first or making partial payments. This offers a flexible way to manage financial needs. Understanding these options helps borrowers make informed decisions.

India is signaling a more welcoming stance towards Chinese investment in electronics manufacturing, contingent on technology transfer and local workforce training. This approach aims to build a robust domestic component manufacturing base, moving beyond mere assembly. The government is also facilitating tech transfer through incentives, with multiple Chinese firms expressing interest in joint ventures under the ECMS scheme.

Silver prices in New Delhi have reached a new high of Rs 1,63,000 per kilogram, marking a significant surge driven by global demand for safe-haven assets and anticipation of US interest rate reductions. This follows a substantial increase last week, with gold also holding steady at record levels.

The government is mandating Aadhaar authentication and the Aadhaar Enabled Payment System for all new centrally sponsored schemes to boost transparency in direct benefit transfers. This move, effective from April 1, 2026, aims to streamline public service delivery and promote a digital, less-cash economy.