India’s benchmark indices began the week on a high note, given strong corporate performance, new orders in defence and infrastructure, and global optimism. Reliance Industries, Vodafone Idea, and Hatsun Agro advances led the upmove as investors looked to a hectic week of IPOs, buybacks, and regulatory announcements.
Amazon to Cut 30,000 Corporate Roles Globally
Amazon will cut 30,000 corporate jobs across the globe, its operations in India being among the places affected in a global reorganization. The step is for cost reduction and operation efficiencies in the wake of slowing growth in e-commerce and AI-led shifts in automation.
Vodafone Idea Surges 9% After Supreme Court Relief
The Supreme Court permitted the Centre to revalue ₹6,000 crore of AGR dues for Vodafone Idea, which pushed the stock to a 52-week high. The reprieve would largely ease the balance sheet stress of the company and enhance its funding prospects.
IT Ministry Clears ₹5,500 Crore Investment
The Ministry of Electronics and IT sanctioned ₹5,500 crore worth of investment in seven electronic component plans, with Kaynes, Amber, SRF, and Syrma SGS being the key players. This comes in line with India’s push for increasing semiconductor and electronics production under the PLI scheme.
Defence-related stocks gained good traction as:
- Unimech Aerospace secured a ₹35 crore overseas order.
- Tejas Networks gained on the strength of PowerTel project success.
- PTC Industries bounced back on securing a GTRE order from DRDO.
- Vikran Engineering was awarded a ₹354 crore solar power project in Maharashtra under the sector's green drive.
- Indian Oil Corporation (IOC)
- IOC registered a monstrous 4,128% YoY surge in Q2 profit to ₹7,610 crore driven by refining margins and inventory benefit. Refinery runs were robust despite global crude volatility.
- Mazagon Dock
- Profit increased 28% YoY, led by strong execution and defence orders. The order book of the shipbuilder looks good and it is well placed for FY26.
- Hatsun Agro Product
- Posted a 70.3% increase in Q2 profit, the biggest gainers in the 'A' group as margins improved due to decelerating milk prices.
- PNB Housing Finance
- Posted healthy income growth, which indicates higher housing demand and declining NPAs.
- Hindustan Unilever (HUL)
- Q2 results had borne out short-term dislocations arising from GST transition, but rural market resurgence is expected by the management.
- Lenskart fixed its IPO price band at ₹382–402; the issue opens October 31.
- Orkla India, Studds, and Lenskart are among six IPOs launching this week, collectively aiming to raise ₹1,800 crore.
- Waaree Energies saw ₹15,840 crore worth of shares unlock as lock-in ended.
- The 2025 IPO wave may surpass 2024’s record, reflecting strong investor appetite.
- India plans to raise FDI cap in PSU banks to 49%, a move expected to draw global investors and improve governance.
- RBL Bank gained after receiving a major foreign investment from Emirates NBD.
- Yes Bank’s CEO reassured employees about job security amid the SMBC deal.
- RBI released its draft Capital Market Exposure Directions, seeking to align norms with Basel standards.
- Sebi proposed uniform KYC norms for mutual fund folios, simplifying investor onboarding.
- Tata Motors completed its demerger, renaming TMPV to reflect a sharper focus on passenger vehicles.
- Dr Lal Pathlabs will consider a bonus issue on October 31.
- Godrej Properties received RERA approval for its premium Worli project.
- TCS denied reports of losing a $1 billion Marks & Spencer contract, confirming business continuity post-cyberattack.
- Microsoft faces a lawsuit in Australia for allegedly misleading users into subscribing to pricier AI-linked Office 365 plans.
- Netflix India reported a 63% surge in FY25 profit to ₹85 crore, driven by premium subscriptions and local content.
- Starlink (Elon Musk) leased an office in Mumbai’s Chandivali, signaling a stronger India push ahead of satellite broadband rollout.
- Novartis announced a $12 billion acquisition of Avidity Biosciences, strengthening its gene therapy pipeline.
- Bayer secured USFDA approval for its menopause drug Lynkuet
- India’s IT sector is projected to cross $400 billion by 2030, with AI-first startups challenging traditional IT service models.
- Bessemer Venture Partners invested in a new AI startup aiming to disrupt legacy IT operations.
- India increased US crude imports to 540,000 barrels per day, the highest since 2022, amid stable Brent prices.
- IEA forecasted an upcoming LNG supply surge, reshaping global gas markets.
- Central banks across Asia continue to trim US T-bill exposure while adding gold reserves, reflecting hedging against dollar weakness.
- Kia Carens CNG launched at ₹11.77 lakh, with dealer-level CNG kit options.
- 2025 Hyundai Venue unveiled with new colors and improved safety features.
- Tata Motors Commercial Vehicle shares are yet to reflect post-demerger adjustments.
The Sensex and Nifty rallied strongly, led by midcaps and SMIDs, while Reliance gained 2% after Meta picked a 30% stake in its AI venture.
Bharti Airtel touched a new high, while Vodafone Idea surged on Supreme Court relief.
Brokerages stayed bullish:
- Axis Direct: Hindalco, Can Fin Homes, Cholamandalam Investment
- ICICI Securities: Axis Bank, Kansai Nerolac
- Sumeet Bagadia: Nalco, BEL, Cholamandalam Finance
- Meyka: Dalmia Bharat, RIL among top 5 picks with 15–69% return potential
Analysts say the confluence of strong earnings, IPO inflows, and easing global inflation are setting up Indian markets for a year-end rally. The coming week’s triggers include FOMC policy cues, RBI liquidity outlook, and key domestic earnings.
Published by Barawakar |Market Wrap– 28 October 2025
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