💹 Economy & Policy
• India and New Zealand have resumed negotiations for an FTA, with the fourth round beginning this week to strengthen trade and investment ties.
• PM Modi met top exporters to outline a growth strategy focused on market diversification and manufacturing competitiveness.
• UPI transactions hit a record ₹27.28 trillion in October, driven by festive payments and expanding merchant adoption.
• The government is preparing to launch Sagarmala 2.0, a reworked ₹75,000 crore maritime infrastructure plan, likely to be announced in the upcoming Union Budget.
🏦 Companies & Sectors
• Bharti Airtel Q2 FY26 profit surged 89% YoY to ₹6,791.7 crore, with revenue up 25.7% to ₹52,145 crore; ARPU improved to ₹256 (+9.8%). The board approved a 5% additional stake in Indus Towers.
• Titan Company posted a 59% YoY net profit rise to ₹1,120 crore, with revenue growing 28.8% to ₹18,725 crore; EBITDA margin expanded to 10%, reflecting strong festive and jewellery sales momentum.
• Over 120 companies including SBI, M&M, Paytm, Adani Ports, Power Grid, and InterGlobe Aviation are set to announce Q2 results today, while 151 firms will report on November 6.
🌏 Global & Trade Developments
• India’s maritime and FTA initiatives signal stronger trade diplomacy ahead of 2026, aligning with its goal to become a major global logistics hub.
• Export-focused sectors such as engineering, jewellery, and shipping may see renewed investor interest amid easing global trade barriers.