Between March 2022 and July 2023, the Federal Reserve raised its benchmark rate 11 times. As a result, money market account (MMA) interest rates rose sharply. However, the Fed slashed the federal funds rate by 50 basis points in September. So deposit rates — including money market account rates — have started falling. It’s more important than ever to compare MMA rates and ensure you earn well.

The Nifty index consolidated with a bearish undertone, closing the week with a modest gain, but staying below crucial resistance points, with volatility expanding and the India VIX surging 8.68%. The Nifty oscillated in a 363-point range, with immediate support at 23900 and resistance at 24450 and 24580.

Sebi releases a consultation paper on the review of issue and listing of debt instruments and security receipts, proposing changes such as a minimum ticket size of ₹ crore for regulated entities, a revised limit of 200 investors for private placement, and specific guidelines for debt/receivables and investor rights.

Wall Street traders hoping for a clear direction on stocks after Thursday’s selloff didn’t get that in late hours amid a mixed bag of earnings from a pair of tech heavyweights. A roughly $300 billion exchange-traded fund tracking the Nasdaq 100 (QQQ) struggled for direction after the close of regular trading. Apple Inc., the world’s most valuable company, fell 2%.

Amid an overall weak market sentiment, individual small and midcap stocks enjoyed their northward rally with shares of WPIL Ltd surging by as high as 44.16% in just one week. Shares of Prudent Corporate Advisory Services rallied 40% to close the week at Rs 3,577.65 on the BSE. The stock had gained 14.75% in the last trading session alone.

Oil prices edged up on Friday on reports Iran was preparing a retaliatory strike on Israel from Iraq in coming days, but record U.S. output weighed on prices. Brent futures were up 29 cents, or 0.4%, to settle at $73.10 a barrel. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude gained 23 cents, or 0.3%, to settle at $69.49. At their session highs, both benchmarks were up over $2 a barrel.

With the September quarter earnings of India’s largest bank by total assets, State Bank of India, just around the corner, analysts have turned bullish on the stock, forecasting a healthy upside from its current market price. SBI will announce its September quarter (Q2) results on Friday, November 8.In the first quarter of the current financial year, SBI’s net profit remained almost flat.

The Ponda Municipal Council will lease its underutilized new market complex to a single entity after failing to attract bidders, aiming to generate revenue and cover operational expenses. The decision comes after failure to get the bidders over six different auctions for individual shops in the complex, said PMC chairperson Anand Naik.

Gold prices in India have experienced a significant increase of nearly 32% since last Diwali, largely due to geopolitical tensions and other influencing factors. However, the upcoming US election and the Federal Reserve’s policy decision are expected to introduce substantial volatility in the market. The market is currently anticipating a 25-basis point rate cut by the U.S.

MicroStrategy, a company with a massive Bitcoin holding, is on track to become the first $1 trillion crypto stock, with its value skyrocketing 264% this year and outperforming every S&P 500 stock since 2020, with its plan to transform into a Bitcoin investment bank and wait for the cryptocurrency's price to appreciate.

Neelkanth Mishra, Chief Economist at Axis Bank and Head of Global Research at Axis Capital, recommends banking stocks to investors, citing improving liquidity conditions and an expected boost in credit growth. “...the challenge over the last two years has been that on the quantity side, I mean the raw material that the banks work with (deposits or cash reserves)."

TGI Friday’s has become the latest restaurant chain casualty, filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in Texas on November 2, according to a Bloomberg report. The casual dining restaurant chain said it is facing challenges from changing consumer habits amid a cost-of-living crisis and increased competition from fast food options, the report added.

Nonfarm payrolls increased 12,000 last month, and hiring over the previous two months was weaker than previously thought, suggesting the underlying labor market continues to cool. The data keep the Federal Reserve on track to lower interest rates by a quarter-point next week, and it’s the last major data point on the economy before the US presidential election.

Cryptocurrency is an emerging asset class that's been rising in popularity during the past several years. I see a couple of valid reasons to consider investing in crypto. First, I think some investors are intrigued by the idea of digital currencies replacing fiat money in the future -- hence, buying crypto becomes an appealing decision.

Swiggy IPO: The initial public offering (IPO) of online food ordering and delivery player Swiggy is set to hit the Indian primary market on Wednesday, November 6. The ₹11,327 crore book-built issue will remain open till Friday, November 8.Meanwhile, according to reports, several prominent investors, including Norway’s sovereign wealth fund Norges and Fidelity, placed bids worth more than $15 bn.