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Planning a wedding? Hidden costs that can derail your budget and drain your savings
Vendor fine print, last-minute guests and family pressure can push your wedding bill way above the initial budget. Here’s how to spot the hidden costs before they hit you.
Care comes at a cost: India's ageing population exposes a broken caregiving system
India's rapidly ageing population is driving demand for caregivers, but the sector faces a shortage of trained workers, low wages, poor working conditions and uneven recruitment standards. High costs burden families, while inadequate training and job security undermine care quality. Experts call for professional recognition, better pay and structured training.
Mphasis posts 19.6% growth in Q2 profit at Rs 561.1 crore
The Bengaluru-headquartered company's revenue for the three months ended September 30 rose 17.4% from a year earlier and 4.5% sequentially to Rs 4,580.9 crore.
Stocks in news: Bharti Airtel, LIC, Titan, ONGC, Bharti Hexacom, Glenmark Pharma and Astral
Indian equity markets continued their upward trend, highlighted by the Nifty 50 gaining 576 points. Bharti Airtel, LIC, and Titan Company reported strong profit increases for the September quarter. ONGC also posted a substantial rise in consolidated profit compared to last year. In contrast, Glenmark Pharmaceuticals faced a significant decline in net profit this quarter. Overall, corporate developments are influencing investor sentiment as markets react to earnings reports.
US Midterm Election Results 2026: Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms makes history in Georgia as 1st Black woman to be elected governor
In a groundbreaking election, Keisha Lance Bottoms emerged as Georgia’s first Black woman governor, defeating her Republican opponent Rick Jackson. Throughout her campaign, Bottoms promised to enhance economic opportunities and broaden healthcare coverage for residents. Despite limited campaign funds, she championed issues important to Georgians. After the results, Jackson graciously conceded, underscoring a transformative moment in Georgia's political landscape as urban areas gain influence.
India opens special deepwater oil, gas bidding round, offers to fund up to 50% of well costs
India is launching a special licensing round for deepwater and ultra-deepwater oil and gas blocks under its ₹84,084 crore Samudra Manthan offshore exploration scheme. The government will offer monthly bidding windows and fund up to 50% of eligible exploratory drilling costs, aiming to attract investors, accelerate offshore exploration, unlock hydrocarbon reserves and reduce India's dependence on imported oil and gas.
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Oman tightens expat worker recruitment rules from January 2027; agencies must provide insurance, refunds
Effective January 1, 2027, Oman is set to enforce new, tougher rules for hiring expatriate workers, which will necessitate insurance coverage and adherence to recruitment timelines. Recruitment agencies will shoulder increased financial duties, including the possibility of refunds for employers.

These mid-caps have ‘strong buy’ & ‘buy’ recos and upside potential of up to 28%, according to analysts
Global markets on Wednesday celebrated the outcome of the US mid-term election as well as a sharp drop in oil prices. Oil prices, which at the end of last week were at about $118 to the barrel, are now under $95. The hope clearly is that Democrat control of both chambers of the US Congress will pressure the Trump administration to pursue a diplomatic end to the conflict with Iran in the Gulf.

Niva Bupa Q2 YoY profit after tax soars 124%
Niva Bupa Health Insurance reported an impressive 124% year-on-year profit surge in the second quarter, leading to a profit after tax of ₹136 crore, up from ₹60 crore last year. The gross written premium also saw a substantial growth of 35%, totaling ₹2,484 crore this quarter. Notably, retail health premiums soared by 47% to ₹1,876 crore, while the company's expense ratio improved to 36.4% for the first half.

FICCI makes recommendations to FM ahead of Budget 2027-28, highlights LTCG exemption, TDS relief and faster tax appeals
FICCI has recommended the restoration of long-term capital gains tax exemption on listed shares in Budget 2027-28. The organization highlighted concerns regarding the withdrawal of foreign portfolio investments and the impact of capital gains tax. Additionally, it requested the government to implement lighter TDS rules and resolve backlog issues in tax appeals. FICCI emphasized the need for measures to provide certainty to investors over the long term.

US midterm election results: What happens next as Democrats take over of Congress
With Democrats now in control of both chambers of Congress, they are gearing up for a strategic offensive against Donald Trump. Their newfound Senate majority gives them the power to challenge Trump's nominees and shape important legislation, promising a dynamic political landscape ahead.

US midterms 2026: Voters back abortion rights and reject Trump's redistricting in state ballot measures
During the recent midterm elections, abortion-rights supporters marked significant achievements in both Missouri and Virginia, highlighting shifts in voter attitudes. Concurrently, President Donald Trump's redistricting strategies faced backlash in several states. In Florida, an amendment was adopted that offers critical property tax relief to homeowners. Meanwhile, Nebraska solidified transgender medical limitations in its constitution, demonstrating active citizen participation in legislative decisions.

India's services growth accelerates to 55.8 in October, cost pressures ease to six-year low
India's services sector activity expanded at its fastest pace in four months in October, with the HSBC India Services Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) rising to 55.8 from 55.2 in September, while input cost inflation eased to its lowest level in more than six years, according to data released by S&P Global on Wednesday.

Stocks in news: NSE, BSE, SBI, Happiest Minds, MCX, IEX and Minda Corp
The Indian stock market continues its upward momentum, with the Nifty 50 showing a robust rally and hitting significant resistance levels. Major players like NSE and SBI have posted remarkable quarterly results, illustrating their strong profitability and revenue growth. Firms such as Happiest Minds Technologies and the Multi Commodity Exchange of India contributed positively to the market's performance.

These 11 private and public banking stocks have an upside of up to 33% in 1 year, according to analysts
It is too early to read a lot into the divergence seen in the stock price movements of private and PSU banks on Tuesday. Neither can it be said with any certainty that it had anything to do with FII buying. Against this background, remember: For any investor interested in the banking sector, the price movements should matter less than what the overall Q2 performance of both private and PSU banks reveals.

The business of running a hospital: Balancing profitability, patient trust and scale
A hospital’s financial health depends on more than occupancy and revenue, requiring a careful balance of cost control, cash flow and patient trust.

American companies brace for a pivot as US midterm elections get underway
US midterms: Corporate America is anticipating a potential shifts in Washington's power dynamics. Analysts predict that a strong Democratic showing could benefit sectors such as clean energy, housing and healthcare. Conversely, AI and defence stocks may face increased scrutiny from lawmakers.

These large-caps have ‘strong buy’ & ‘buy’ recos and an upside potential of over 25%
Oil prices matter to the Indian economy, and the market responded with a smart rally as Brent crude cooled significantly on Monday. The rally was broad-based and involved all segments. But too much should not be read into one day’s showing. The thing to watch remains the results of the US mid-term elections which will be known in India through Wednesday. It will decide which way the market will move in the coming days and weeks.

Diwali investment picks 2026: 10 fund managers reveal promising opportunities and risks to watch
This Diwali, investment experts advise a strategic approach focused on asset allocation rather than luring high-growth stocks. Sectors like banking, financial services, and premium goods present promising opportunities. While gold should only occupy a small fraction of a diversified portfolio for risk management, short-duration debt funds gain favour as interest rates shift. Maintaining discipline and patience is essential for long-term investment success.

How Indian investors’ portfolios are changing: From property and gold to SIPs and ETFs
Indian households are re-evaluating their asset allocations as gold holdings rise and equity investments remain stable. Recent data reveals a significant increase in household wealth, particularly in gold and real estate. Households are moving from traditional savings to market investments, notably through systematic investment plans. Meanwhile, financial behaviors are changing, with more monthly contributions being made to equities.

KKR, Singtel and Tata Communications put data centre company STT GDC India up for sale at over $5.5 billion
In a significant move, KKR, Singtel, and Tata Communications are gearing up to offload STT Global Data Centres India, anticipating a valuation that could surpass $5.5 billion. This initiative underscores their intent to bolster capital and refine strategic objectives. With 34 data centres in operation, STT GDC India stands as a leading co-location service provider, well-poised to capitalize on the escalating appetite for data infrastructure amidst evolving tech trends.

Tax-wise, $-foolish: Saving Dalal Street could come at a cost to Startup Street
India's financial landscape is experiencing pressure with foreign portfolio investors becoming net sellers in the market. There are discussions about implementing tax cuts to stabilize the situation, which could disadvantage domestic investors. A focus on only listed shares may divert investments from private markets and harm the startup ecosystem. Expert suggestions advocate for a universal tax reduction applicable to both listed and unlisted shares.

When my AI bargains with your AI: The next great bazaar may be where our agents haggle for milliseconds
AI agents are evolving from simple task execution to negotiating on behalf of users in commerce. These agents can analyze data efficiently, enabling faster negotiations and potentially better deals. Businesses are already preparing for AI-to-AI negotiations, which may reshape the landscape of commerce. While this could benefit consumers, it may also create disparities based on the sophistication of agents.

Hospital balance sheet: How AI could cut costs and improve efficiency
As hospitals grapple with soaring costs in drugs, supplies, and labor, the integration of AI emerges as a vital necessity.

Can smaller manufacturers afford to export to new markets?
Winning an international order is only half the battle for Indian MSMEs. Financing production, managing longer payment cycles and offering competitive credit terms can be equally challenging.

Dolores Huerta popularised “Sí, Se Puede” before Barack Obama used “Yes, We Can”: The story behind the slogan
Dolores Huerta, a passionate labor activist, played a pivotal role in championing workers' rights and the civil rights movement. Alongside Cesar Chavez, she co-founded the United Farm Workers, advocating tirelessly for fair treatment of farmworkers. Her empowering slogan, 'Sí, se puede,' echoed through their struggles. Despite facing systemic opposition, Huerta persevered in her quest for justice, leaving an enduring legacy that encourages future generations to continue the fight for equality.

These 7 private and public banking stocks have an upside of up to 27% in one year, according to analysts
If interest rates stay high, and there are signs of a slowdown, banks that depend on retail deposits are the ones to watch carefully. That is where the strain of a slowing economy and the high cost of money are likely to show up first. Check out Stock Reports Plus, powered by Refinitiv, for price targets of over 4,000 listed stocks along with detailed company analysis focusing on five key components, earnings, fundamentals, relative valuation, risk, and price momentum, to generate standardised scores. SR+ Reports is a complimentary offering to ETPrime members.

Microsoft employees considering the buyout should check these health insurance rules before leaving their jobs
Thinking of taking Microsoft’s buyout? Pause before you sign anything. Once your job ends, your health insurance may stop too, but COBRA lets some workers and families continue the same group plan for a limited time. Unemployment benefits depend on your state’s rules, and discrimination laws still protect you. Also read your contract carefully, because it governs how you exit.

SC to hear bike taxi stakeholders after Nov 16; riders’ body says Centre backs operations
The case stems from Karnataka government's appeal against a High Court ruling that upheld the legality of bike taxi aggregators operating in the state. The state has engaged Solicitor General Tushar Mehta to represent its case before the Supreme Court.
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