💹 Economy & Policy
- Retail inflation cooled to an eight-year low of 1.54% in September 2025, easing pressure on the RBI and boosting rate-cut expectations.
- A high-level Indian delegation will visit the U.S. this week for bilateral trade talks, aiming to deepen economic cooperation.
- India, China, and Brazil reduced their U.S. Treasury bond holdings over the past 12 months, indicating portfolio diversification.
- Net direct tax collections rose 6% YoY to ₹11.89 trillion, driven by stronger corporate tax receipts and improved compliance.
📈 Equity Markets
- Nifty slipped 0.23%, closing just above 25,200 as early weakness from U.S.–China tariff worries faded during the session.
- Financial services stocks outperformed, showing relative strength in an otherwise muted broader market.
- GIFT Nifty indicates a flat to mildly positive open, trading 5 points higher at 25,314 amid low inflation optimism.
- Volatility expected to remain elevated, with investors eyeing RBI’s next move and global trade cues.
- U.S. stock futures are steady after Wall Street’s rebound on Trump’s softer China stance.
- Asian markets are mixed, with tech-led gains offset by regional growth concerns.
🏦 Companies & Tech
- Samsung posted stronger-than-expected Q3 profits, driven by robust demand for AI chips.
- OpenAI is reportedly developing a social version of ChatGPT, featuring direct messaging to expand user interaction.
🌏 Global & Commodities
- Trump is expected to meet Xi Jinping in South Korea, signaling a potential thaw in U.S.–China trade tensions.
- RBA minutes showed caution on rate cuts as Australia battles sticky inflation.