11:11 | Cyclone Montha alert; D-Street readies for mega IPO week; top lenders’ Q2 scorecard & more

Cyclone Montha Live Updates: IMD issues red alert for Andhra Pradesh, Odisha evacuates people

The Odisha government has evacuated people from vulnerable places and deployed 128 disaster response teams in eight districts as IMD forecasts the formation of a cyclonic storm by October 27 morning as a deep depression gains strength in the Bay of Bengal.

The IMD, in its latest bulletin said the deep depression over southeast Bay of Bengal formed earlier in the day, moved west-northwestwards and lay about about 600 km east-southeast of Chennai (Tamil Nadu), 680 km south-southeast of Kakinada (Andhra Pradesh), 710 km south-southeast of Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh), 790 km west of Port Blair (Andaman & Nicobar Islands), and 850 km south of Gopalpur (Odisha).

The IMD said it is likely to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm by October 28.

India Inc’s wage bill rises at the slowest pace in seven years

Staff costs for India’s listed companies—excluding state-owned enterprises and financial firms—rose at the slowest pace in seven years, increasing only 7.7% in FY25, as companies across sectors tightened overheads to protect margins amid a broader economic slowdown.

According to the Reserve Bank of India’s October Bulletin, staff costs for non-government, non-financial (NGNF) companies grew 7.7% in FY25, marking the weakest growth since FY18, excluding the pandemic year.

Top 5 private banks’ Q2 results show diverging paths — ICICI stays at the top

India’s top five private banks delivered a mixed performance in the September quarter of FY26. ICICI Bank continued its dominance with industry-leading profitability and stable margins, while HDFC Bank showed signs of steady growth revival. Kotak Mahindra Bank posted consistent results, Axis Bank surprised with cleaner asset quality, and IndusInd Bank remained under pressure amid higher provisioning.

From Lenskart to Orkla — Dalal Street gears up for another billion-dollar IPO week

Dalal Street is gearing up for another week of billion-dollar IPOs, led by Lenskart and MTR-parent Orkla India. Together, the three companies opening for subscription this week plan to raise nearly ₹9,500 crore.

Here's a look at the issues in greater detail

Shareholder lock-in of 10 stocks worth nearly ₹17,000 crore ends today; six below IPO price

The shareholder lock-in of 10 companies comes to an end on Monday, October 27.  Majority of these companies are recent listings, including Atlanta Electricals, Seshaasai Technologies, GNG Electronics, Indiqube spaces, Jaro Institute, Solarworld Energy Solutions, Anand Rathi Shares and Stock Brokers, Ganesh Consumer Products, Brigade Hotel Ventures and Waaree Energies, according to Nuvama Alternative & Quantitative Research.

The total value of shares that are free for trade today is nearly ₹17,000 crore. However, the majority of that sum belongs to one company, Waaree Energies.

Javier Milei’s party wins Argentina midterm vote in major comeback

Argentinian President Javier Milei’s party won the country's midterm vote Sunday, a result that will give the libertarian leader a stronger foothold in Congress as he seeks to pass major reforms to boost the nation’s beleaguered economy.

Milei’s party, La Libertad Avanza, received 41% of votes nationwide with 92% of ballots counted, according to data published by Interior Minister Guillermo Francos on Sunday. Milei’s party led in most of Argentina’s provinces.

US and China closer to a trade deal, says Bessent

“I think we have a very successful framework for the leaders to discuss on Thursday,” US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told reporters on the day President Donald Trump arrived in Kuala Lumpur, the first stop in his five-day tour of Asia, which would include a meeting with Chinese peer Xi Jinping.

The agreement would defer China’s expanded export controls on rare earth minerals and magnets and avoid a new 100% US tariff on Chinese goods from November 1, threatened by Trump, Bessent reportedly added.

Gold prices dip — is it a correction or a shift in the safe-haven narrative?

Gold prices extended their decline on Monday (October 27), as a firmer US dollar and signs of easing geopolitical and trade tensions prompted investors to reassess their appetite for safe-haven assets. After a powerful two-month rally that saw bullion touch record highs, the latest pullback is raising questions about whether gold is merely consolidating — or entering a new phase.

Pension investment options expanded under NPS, UPS: What may change for subscribers

The government has approved the extension of the Life Cycle 75 (LC75) and Balanced Life Cycle (BLC) investment options to Central Government employees under both the National Pension System (NPS) and the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS).

The move aims to give government employees flexibility and choice in managing their retirement savings, aligning their investment options with those available to non-government NPS subscribers.

Under the revised framework, Central Government employees can now choose from several investment options, including:

Remembering Satish Shah: 5 iconic roles that made India laugh for generations

One of Indian entertainment’s most admired and endearing figures, Satish Shah was known for his unmatched comic timing, generosity of spirit, and dignified presence both on and off screen. From Indravardhan Sarabhai in Sarabhai Vs Sarabhai to Professor Madhav Rasai in Main Hoon Na, here are five unforgettable roles that showcased his comic genius and brought joy to millions across India.

Schengen Visa rejections rise: Here are 10 reasons why you should be careful while applying

As rejections of Schengen visas rise, by learning why Schengen visas are commonly refused and how consular officers evaluate applications, travellers can better prepare and present stronger cases for approval.

Here are 10 reasons why your Schengen Visa application can be rejected.Read about our editorial guidelines and ethics policy