📈 Amid mixed global cues, benchmark indices started on a flat note today. 📊 At 9:16 AM, the Sensex lost 96.43 points or 0.15% at 66,331.66 and the Nifty was down 19.90 points or 0.10% at 19,791.60. 📢ZEEL (⬆️1.31%), Coforge (⬆️1.26%) and Info Edge (⬆️1.25%) appeared as the top performers on the Nifty50 at open. Wipro, Bajaj Finance, HUDCO stocks are in focus today.

Agri picks in Rajasthan for Rabi season have shown year-on-year declines, with mustard sowings down 22.2% and gram sowings down 61.3%. Oilseed acreages are at 362,207 ha, below the target of 4.36 mln ha, while rabi pulses are up 92%. Exports of oilseeds have risen, while exports of cashew, fruits and vegetables have fallen.

AI has become the talk of the town - from venture capitalists to governments, everyone wants to be the early adopters. Governments are finding it hard to regulate something which is changing everyday but understand the potential that AI holds and the opportunities it could create in the long-term.

Sony Corp's India unit and ZEE expect to close the pending merger deal, billed as one of the biggest in media industry, by early Nov. BCG is working overtime to complete the integration process & legal/regulatory formalities are near completion. The aim is to finish the merger by Nov, & Zee stock climbed 40% since late June in anticipation.

GDP grew steadily in the third quarter, increasing 1.3% from the second quarter and exceeding forecasts of 1%. This is good news for the economy, suggesting that consumer spending and other economic fundamentals remain strong.

Equity markets in India are set to open gap-down on October 18 as the GIFT Nifty suggests a loss of 14 points at the opening bell. US markets closed flat, while Asian shares stutter due to tensions in the Middle East. Wipro, Bajaj Finance, and oil prices are expected to have an impact on markets today. US retail sales data offered strong evidence of economic recovery.

Fears of an escalating Middle East conflict hovered over markets Wednesday, with high oil prices and a surge in U.S. bond yields driven by strong retail sales data adding to the sense of unease. The MSCI broadest Asia-Pacific stocks fell, along with S&P 500 and Nasdaq futures, weighed by chipmaker Nvidia, while gold rose as a safe-haven.

Equity benchmark indices bounced back on Tuesday after three days of fall amid global market recovery. HCL Tech, Delta Corp, and Trident were in focus. Analyst Amol Athawale suggested investors buy HCL Tech, Delta Corp, and sell Trident. Positional traders should look for buying opportunities above 1247 for HCL Tech and 627 for DeltaCorp. With Trident, investors should watch the 50 day SMA.

U.S. markets ended with mixed results on Tuesday as Treasury yields rose, chipmakers fell due to the Biden administration halting AI chip shipments to China, and upbeat earnings reports from companies like BofA providing some support. Overall, investors remain anxious about recent news in the Middle East and S&P 500 earnings for the quarter, which analysts expect to increase by 2.2%.

Oil prices surged on Wednesday after data showed a greater than expected draw in US crude stocks and intensifying worries over supply disruptions from the Middle East due to an escalating Israel-Hamas conflict. Markets were also awaiting Chinese GDP numbers, while optimism was fueled by positive US retail sales and Venezuela's 2024 presidential election agreement.

India's top telecom operators are appealing a Supreme Court ruling that requires license fees be treated as capital expenditure. Additionally, Indian subsidiaries of MNCs have been asked to pay GST on salaries and Chinese solar panel makers face scrutiny for tax evasion. Adani Ports is trying to develop Sabang Port in Indonesia, Sony India & Zee Entertainment hope to merge.

Gold prices rose on Wednesday as the conflict in Gaza intensified, with investors seeking a safe-haven asset amid robust US economic data and a higher rate scenario. Gold increased by 0.4% to $1,929.89/ounce as pressure from higher long-term borrowing costs weighed on demand.

📍Bajaj Finance has registered a massive 28% on-year increase in PAT. 📍Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders has signed a contract with the acquisition wing of the Ministry of Defence. 📍RBI has imposed a monetary penalty of Rs 12.19 crore on ICICI Bank. 📍The D-Mart operator has received a notice for tax demand and penalty of Rs 3.9 lakh.

On October 17, BESCOM reassured industrial associations within its jurisdiction of uninterrupted power supply to meet the demands of the festive season. Representatives from large, medium and small-scale industrial associations voiced their concerns about potential disruption in production due to power shortages but BESCOM MD Mahantesh Bilagi assured them that there is no need to panic.

Travelers are likely to adjust their overseas plans to minimise the impact of higher tax collected at source (TCS) rates, which came into force from October 1. For now, credit card spending when present overseas continues to be exempt from TCS. Threshold limits must be kept in mind, and those needing help can do so through online sources. Indian tour operators face challenges.