Options traders are betting the US election will trigger a wild move in the Indian stock market. Among the NSE Nifty 50 Index options expiring next week after the vote, calls with an exercise level of 24,500 and 24,400 puts have added more than 60,000 contracts each in the past week, becoming some of the most owned, data compiled by the local exchange and Bloomberg show.

As India celebrates Diwali today, gold prices have one again hit record highs globally and in domestic markets. Investors are flocking to the precious metal, driven by safe-haven demand amid economic uncertainties and upcoming US elections. In addition, the festive season demand in India has amplified gold's appeal, supporting strong price movements.

Optimism regarding U.S. fuel demand after an unexpected decline in crude and petrol inventories sent oil prices higher on Thursday, continuing the surge from the previous day. Support was provided by news that OPEC+ may postpone a planned output increase. Brent crude futures were up 35 cents, or 0.5%, to $72.90 a barrel. At $68.93 a barrel, U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures increased.

The dollar stalls before jobs data, while the yen falters before the BOJ’s announcement As the U.S. dollar stopped ahead of jobs data later this week and the U.S. presidential election next week, the yen continued to face pressure on Thursday as the Bank of Japan appeared poised to maintain ultra-low interest rates. The dollar and U.S. Treasury yields have been at or near their highest levels.

Geojit Financial Services's report on Daily Agri Picks. Farmers in Rajasthan have sown rabi crops over 2.58 million hectares as of Monday, down slightly by 1.4% on year from 2.61 million hectares sown in the same period last year, according to the report released by the state's agriculture department. The state has set a sowing target of 11.9 million hectares for the current rabi season.

The real estate sector has emerged as the second highest in Qualified Institutional Placements (QIP) after renewable energy in India, with developers raising around Rs 12,801 crore in the first nine months of 2024. Anuj Puri, Chairman, ANAROCK Group, said that an analysis of the available data trends of listed developers on the National Stock Exchange (NSE) shows that by the third quarter.

Bitcoin miner Riot posted an increase in revenue but also an increase in net losses due to reduced power credits and higher operating expenses. Bitcoin mining giant Riot Platforms has posted a 65% year-on-year increase in revenue but has had to hamper its hashrate expansion plans due to challenges at its United States facilities.

FMCG Dabur India shares fell over two percent in the morning deals on October 31 after Dabur India reported its earnings show for the quarter ended September. Dabur India said its Q2FY25 net profit fell 17 percent year-on-year to Rs 425 crore, meeting the Street expectations. It reported net profit of Rs 515 crore in the year-ago period. The FMCG major's July-September revenue fell 5 percent.

Larsen & Toubro receives Outperform and Buy calls from Bernstein, Nomura, Morgan Stanley, and CLSA with target prices ranging from ₹3,857 to ₹4,151, citing strong execution, stellar working capital, and order inflow growth guidance, while other stocks like Cipla, Biocon, Dabur, and Voltas receive Buy and Hold calls from various analysts with target prices ranging from ₹582 to ₹1,830.

Shares of Usha Financial Services will debut on NSE SME platform on Thursday. Ahead of the listing, the company's shares traded with a GMP of Rs 9. Considering the upper price band of Rs 9, the company's stock is expected to list at a marginal premium of 5% over the issue price. However, it is important to note that grey market premiums are just indicator as to how the company's shares perform.

Shares of Zaggle Prepaid Ocean Services are expected to be in focus on Thursday after the company’s board approved a fundraise of Rs 950 crore via the QIP route.“Raising of funds through the issuance of equity shares…in one or more tranches, by way of one or more public and/or private offerings, including on a preferential allotment basis and/or a QIPs.

Institutional real estate investment firm Certus Capital has invested Rs 150 crore across two mid-market real estate projects in Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) of real estate developers JSB Group and Dynamix Group. These mid-income housing projects near Mumbai international airport and extended western suburb of Vasai have an aggregate development of 385,000 sq ft area.

Sundaram Home Finance reported a net profit of Rs 44 crore for the July-September 2024 quarter, down from Rs 59 crore last year, despite a 27% increase in disbursements to Rs 1,543 crore. The company expanded its presence with new branches in Pune, Indore, and Belgaum, and saw growth in its emerging business segment.

Cipla's shares surged 10% after the USFDA classified its Goa facility as "Voluntary Action Indicated", paving the way for key niche launches like the Abraxane generic, a chemotherapy drug with a $700 million market size. This approval could lead to a launch in the current financial year, improving pipeline visibility and sales estimates.

Adani Power shares are in focus today after the company announced in a regulatory filing that it has signed an agreement with the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company (MSEDCL) to supply nearly 1,500 MW of power. Adani Power Limited has entered into a Power Supply Agreement (PSA) for supply of 1,496 MW (net) for a period of 25 years with the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution.