💹 Economy & Policy
- India’s refiners plan to import more U.S. LPG in 2026 while cutting Middle East dependence, diversifying energy sourcing.
- Auto exports recorded strong double-digit growth in September, Q2, and H1 2025, driven by robust global demand.
- India’s apparel exports declined 14.8% in Q2 FY26 as global demand softened and retail inventories remained high.
- India and Brazil look to expand their preferential trade agreement (PTA), targeting $20 billion bilateral trade by 2030.
- The rupee hit a one-month high on RBI’s dollar sales and a softer dollar index, signaling improved forex stability.
📈 Equity Markets
- Indian markets ended higher on October 16 with Sensex up 862 points (1.04%) and Nifty up 261 points (1.03%), supported by strong FPI inflows of ₹997 crore.
- GIFT Nifty futures traded flat around 25,611 ahead of the open, indicating a cautious start after Thursday’s rally.
- Asian markets opened mixed, with Nikkei and Hang Seng down 0.3%, ASX 200 down 0.5%, and Kospi up 1%, as global banking concerns weighed on sentiment.
- U.S. markets closed lower: S&P 500 fell 0.6%, Nasdaq 100 slipped 0.4%, and Dow Jones dropped 0.6%, on worries over U.S. bank loan quality and China tensions.
🏦 Companies & Tech
- Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei revealed that 90% of the company’s code is now written by AI, highlighting rapid automation in software development.
🌏 Global & Commodities
- Oil prices fell to a five-month low and are heading for weekly losses as traders await the Trump-Putin summit outcome.
- Currency and commodity markets remain range-bound, with easing volatility following RBI and Fed policy signals.