The World Bank's Commodity Markets Outlook report indicates a high level of uncertainty and potential disruption to the global commodity markets due to an escalation of conflicts in the Middle East, combined with Russian aggression in Ukraine. Potential challenges posed by these events are unpredictable, making the outlook for commodities an uncertain one.

Raamdeo Agrawal predicted that India's markets could double in five years and quadruple in the next decade due to the country's substantial savings potential, growing corporate earnings, and expanding demat accounts. In spite of global challenges like those faced with US Treasury yields and the Israel-Hamas conflict, he believes investors should focus on a company's profit and find stocks.

NLC India Ltd's lignite-to-methanol project in Neyveli, Tamil Nadu is expected to be completed by March 2027, part of NLC's diversification plan. The project, estimated at Rs. 4,394 crore, is intended to facilitate coal gasification and aligns with the Centre's net-zero ambitions. The total period of the project is 42 months after award of the Letter of Award, and a global tender has been issued.

Ajanta Pharma's Q2 report showed a substantial increase in net profit (25%), revenue (9.6%) and EBITDA (48%) compared to the same quarter last year. Their EBITDA margin also rose from 21% to 28.2%. This is an ongoing, developing story.

The dispute between Air India and Akasa, growing from the issue of pilots not sticking to required notice periods for job switching, escalated to an exchange of barbs. Signs of growing competition in India's aviation market have led to a shortage of pilots, leaving both companies competing for them. Although Akasa accused Air India of breaching government policies.

Jagran Prakashan's stock tumbled 7% on October 31 after profit declined by 17% in Q2 of FY20-24. Revenue rose slightly, driven mostly by digital and advertising, however, profits were hurt due to increasing expenses. The management expects improvement in second half of the year with increased revenues and newsprint cost savings, though succession strife may impact stability.

Jagran Prakashan's stock tumbled 7% on October 31 after profit declined by 17% in Q2 of FY20-24. Revenue rose slightly, driven mostly by digital and advertising, however, profits were hurt due to increasing expenses. Management expects improvement in second half of the year with increased revenues and newsprint cost savings, though succession strife may impact stability and governance of group.

Commodity Corner | Crude prices fall 3% overnight ahead of the US Federal Reserve & Bank Of England monetary policy meetings. World Bank says, prices can touch $157 if supply is disrupted due to ongoing conflict.

DCX Systems' stock rose 15% to Rs 312.2 on BSE after the firm reported a 159.28% YoY increase in net profit & a 77.8% increase in revenue in Q2FY24. Its order book was also over Rs 1258 crore as of 30th Sept 2023. The company entered into a JV agreement with ELTA Systems and is looking for potential inorganic growth opportunities in Aerospace and Defence, supported by offset defence obligations.

CVC Capital is aiming to sell its 60.42% stake in Healthcare Global, India's leading cancer-care hospital chain, for over Rs 4,000 crore to private equity firms such as KKR, BPEA EQT and Manipal Hospitals. The news of the deal has seen HCG's shares rise by 4%, to Rs 375 on the NSE. HCG currently owns 24 comprehensive cancer centres across India, with CVC owning 59% of total stake.

Porsche announced on October 30 that it is joining a number of other carmakers by integrating Google Maps, Google Assistant and other Google Play apps into its upcoming models. The end of its partnership with Volkswagen's Cariad unit in January opened up the possibility of using Google Automotive Services (GAS) which includes Google Maps, Google Assistant and other apps.

Petronet LNG announced plans to diversify with a petrochemical project investment of Rs 20,685 crore and CEO A K Singh said the returns on this would be high. The company has an existing LNG terminal at Dahej which will help save operating costs and they are looking to extend their long-term LNG gas import deals with Qatar beyond 2028. Shares fell upon the announcement.

Indian equity markets traded sideways till mid-day on October 31, with call writers dominant at 19,250 and 19,300 strikes on the Nifty 50. Among sectors, IT, pharma, oil and gas, metal, and capital goods were down by 0.3-0.8%, while the realty and PSU Bank indices were up by 0.5-1%. Fin Nifty derivatives outlook shows sideways to negative momentum with heavy call writing at 19,300.

Siemens and Microsoft have partnered up to use AI for increasing the efficiency of manufacturing, transportation, healthcare industries. Generative AI technology is being used as part of the Siemens Industrial Copilot scheme at Schaeffler AG, and more companies are expected to join in soon. This venture promises to improve human-machine collaboration and productivity.

Rajgor Castor Derivatives raised Rs 47.81 crores from its public issue of 88.95 lakh and 6.66 lakh shares at a price range of Rs47-50 per share. The IPO was booked 97.73 times, widely subscribed by retail investors (80.07 times), HNI's (260 times) & qualified institutional buyers (35.52 times). The stock opened at Rs 59 against the issue price of Rs 50 on the SME platform.