BILKUL BAZAAR— The Weekly News Wrap
Bilkul Bazaar | Sunday Special
October – 03 to Oct 10 of 2026
National Business News Highlights
1. RBI Raises Repo Rate to 5.50%
The Reserve Bank of India raised the repo rate by 25 basis points to 5.50%, shifting its policy stance towards calibrated tightening amid inflation concerns. The decision is expected to influence borrowing costs, lending rates and investment decisions across the economy.
2. Rupee Slides to Record-Low Territory
The Indian rupee weakened to around ₹96.85 against the US dollar during the week, pressured by rising crude oil prices, foreign investor outflows and higher global bond yields. The currency’s decline raised concerns about import costs and inflation.
3. RBI Opens Special Dollar Window for Oil Companies
The RBI announced a special dollar-supply window for Indian Oil Corporation, Hindustan Petroleum and Bharat Petroleum. The measure aims to reduce pressure on the foreign exchange market as rising crude prices increase India’s demand for dollars.
4. Sensex and Nifty Face Sharp Market Correction
Indian equity markets witnessed a steep sell-off on October 8, with the Sensex falling more than 1,000 points and the Nifty declining sharply. Higher oil prices, a weakening rupee and concerns over inflation weighed on investor sentiment.
5. Jio Platforms Prepares for Mega IPO
Jio Platforms is reportedly preparing to launch its initial public offering on October 21, targeting approximately $3.8 billion in fundraising. The proposed issue could become one of India’s largest IPOs, drawing significant attention from domestic and international investors.
6. India’s IPO Market Enters a Busy Listing Phase
Following a strong September, India’s IPO market entered a comparatively quieter week for new issues, even as numerous companies prepared to list. Investor appetite, listing performance and valuations remain important factors shaping the market.
7. Titan Reports Strong Quarterly Business Growth
Titan Company reported approximately 25% year-on-year growth in its second-quarter business update for FY2026–27. The company also added 78 net new stores, reflecting continued expansion across its retail network.
8. Mphasis Secures £35.4 Million Scottish Government Contract
Indian IT services company Mphasis secured a £35.4 million contract with Social Security Scotland to manage a citizen-benefits platform. The agreement highlights the continued role of Indian technology companies in delivering digital public services internationally.
9. JSW Cement Expands Grinding Capacity in Rajasthan
JSW Cement commissioned a new grinding unit with a capacity of one million tonnes per annum in Rajasthan. The addition increased its total grinding capacity to 25.1 million tonnes per annum, strengthening its manufacturing footprint.
10. IRB Infrastructure Reports Higher Toll Revenue
IRB Infrastructure Developers reported a 24% year-on-year increase in toll revenue to ₹773 crore for September. The growth reflects developments in road traffic and toll collections across its highway assets.
International Business News Highlights
1. EU and China Reach Preliminary Trade Understanding
The European Union and China reached a preliminary understanding aimed at easing trade tensions involving Chinese hybrid vehicles and European products. The agreement also addresses market access and rare-earth supply chains, although further approvals and negotiations remain necessary.
2. US Stock Markets Close Higher After a Volatile Week
Major US stock indices finished higher on October 9, with the Dow Jones, S&P 500 and Nasdaq recording gains. Investors looked ahead to quarterly earnings announcements from major banks and fresh inflation data for clues about the economic outlook.
3. Global Oil Prices Surge Amid Supply Concerns
International crude oil prices climbed above $105 per barrel during the week as geopolitical tensions and concerns about possible supply disruptions unsettled energy markets. Higher oil prices raised concerns about inflation, transportation costs and global economic growth.
4. China Resumes Fuel Exports
China resumed fuel exports after a temporary pause associated with its Golden Week holiday. The development offered some relief to global fuel-supply concerns as energy markets faced pressure from geopolitical uncertainty and elevated crude prices.
5. Global IPO Market Faces Growing Investor Caution
The international IPO market continued to experience mixed conditions, with some major offerings attracting strong attention while other companies postponed listings. Concerns over expensive valuations and weaker post-listing performance have encouraged investors to scrutinise new issues more carefully.
Quote of the Week
“Price is what you pay. Value is what you get.”
— Warren Buffett