Category Archives: economy

business, economy, energy, india, mining

Arunachal Pradesh’s first commercial coal mine starts operations tomorrow

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**Arunachal Pradesh’s First Commercial Coal Mine to Commence Operations Tomorrow**

*By Dwaipayan Roy | October 5, 2025, 6:41 PM*

Arunachal Pradesh is set to make a significant leap in its mining sector with the inauguration of its first commercial coal mine at the Namchik-Namphuk coal block in Changlang district tomorrow. The ceremony will be led by Union Coal Minister G Kishan Reddy, who will perform the Bhoomi Poojan and officially hand over the mining lease.

During the event, Minister Reddy will also flag off the machinery for Coal Projects Private Limited (CPPL) to commence operations at the site. As a part of a green initiative, he will plant 100 trees, underscoring the commitment to environmentally responsible mining practices.

**A Long-Awaited Milestone: The Namchik-Namphuk Coal Block**

The Namchik-Namphuk coal block, which holds an estimated reserve of 1.5 crore tons of coal, was initially allocated in 2003. However, the project faced numerous delays and operational challenges over the years. It was in 2022 that the block was revived through a transparent auction process, opening the door for private sector participation and marking Arunachal Pradesh’s formal entry into the coal mining industry.

This development is particularly significant as India currently ranks as the world’s second-largest coal producer, and Arunachal Pradesh’s new role will contribute to bolstering the country’s coal output.

**Economic Benefits and Employment Opportunities**

The launch of commercial coal mining in Arunachal Pradesh is expected to generate an annual revenue of over ₹100 crore for the state government. Additionally, it will create numerous employment opportunities for local youth, providing a boost to the region’s economy.

This initiative aligns closely with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for the Northeast region, encapsulated in the EAST framework—Empower, Act, Strengthen, Transform—which guides development projects throughout the area.

**Promoting Transparency and Sustainable Resource Management**

One of the key benefits of the commercial mining operation is the anticipated end of illegal mining activities and resource exploitation that have previously plagued the region. The government aims to bring transparency and accountability to the management of Arunachal Pradesh’s natural resources through this official and regulated mining operation.

Furthermore, plans are underway to auction additional critical mineral blocks—two in Arunachal Pradesh and five in neighboring Assam—highlighting the Northeast’s growing importance in India’s strategic minerals and technology sectors.

—

The inauguration of the Namchik-Namphuk coal mine marks a new chapter in Arunachal Pradesh’s economic development, promising growth, sustainability, and prosperity for the region.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/business/arunachal-pradesh-to-start-commercial-coal-mining-on-october-6/story

business, economy, finance, international, technology

These IPOs will be launched in India this week

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The primary market is gearing up for a major wave of initial public offerings (IPOs) with some high-profile launches on the horizon.

Among the most anticipated offerings are those from Tata Capital and LG Electronics. These upcoming IPOs are expected to attract significant investor interest and could set the tone for the market in the coming months.

Stay tuned for more updates as these launch dates approach, bringing new opportunities for investors and companies alike.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/business/prepare-for-ipo-bonanza-tata-capital-lg-electronics-to-launch/story

business, economy, entertainment, science, technology

ServiceNow Unveils ‘AI Experience’ as Unified Conversational UI for Enterprise Workflows

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ServiceNow Inc. (NYSE: NOW) is considered one of the best American stocks to buy and hold for the next three years.

On September 30, ServiceNow announced the launch of AI Experience, a new offering designed to enhance enterprise workflows.

AI Experience provides a unified, conversational interface, referred to as the “UI for Enterprise AI.” This intelligent entry point enables employees to interact seamlessly with various enterprise systems, improving productivity and user engagement.

With this innovative solution, ServiceNow aims to simplify access to AI-driven tools across organizations, driving more efficient and effective business processes.
https://ca.finance.yahoo.com/news/servicenow-unveils-ai-experience-unified-205501961.html

business, economy, finance, politics, technology

Stocks rise on AI optimism, US rate-cut hopes

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NEW YORK, United States – Stock markets struck fresh records Friday, driven by investor optimism over artificial intelligence and hopes of US interest rate cuts. This positive sentiment overshadowed concerns about an ongoing government shutdown.

Wall Street’s main indices were mixed at the end of the day, although the Dow and S&P 500 notched fresh records.

https://business.inquirer.net/550751/stocks-rise-on-ai-optimism-us-rate-cut-hopes

business, economy, finance, stock market

Weekly Market Review & Top Stocks In Focus For The Week Ended October 3, 2025

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**Weekly Market Review: India Equities**

Last week, while the markets experienced a significant downturn, breaking their 3-week winning streak, the downward momentum continued into this abbreviated trading week — until the RBI MPC meeting outcome was announced, which lifted market sentiment.

The drop in indices was largely due to several factors: Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) selling, with more than $22 billion withdrawn from the Indian market since the beginning of 2025; restrictions on US H-1B visas; President Trump announcing a 100% tariff on imports of branded and patented pharmaceutical products; delays in the US-India trade agreement; a record low rupee; uncertainty ahead of the September quarter earnings; and liquidity constraints in the secondary market caused by a slew of new IPOs set to debut on Dalal Street, including the much-anticipated Tata Capital IPO.

—

### RBI MPC Meeting Outcome: A Market Roller Coaster

Mid-week presented a roller coaster ride with the RBI Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting outcome. The RBI Governor kept repo rates unchanged at 5.50%. As communicated earlier, a rate cut was unlikely due to low inflation and strong GDP growth in Q1FY26.

While rates remained unchanged, the RBI Governor’s commentary caught everyone’s attention. The central bank projected a favorable growth-inflation outlook, lowering its inflation forecast from 3.1% to 2.6%, and raising GDP growth expectations from 6.5% to 6.8%. This positive outlook, combined with robust September auto sales and strong GST collections (which rose over 9% to Rs 1.9 lakh crore), sparked a market rally.

Consequently, the Sensex surged over 700 points, and the Nifty closed above the 24,800 mark, snapping a 9-day losing streak and boosting market sentiment.

Additional positives included measures to improve liquidity, speculation around a possible rate cut in December, infrastructure status granted to NBFCs, and Brent crude prices falling to a 4-month low, all expected to support market performance.

—

### Looking Ahead: Q2FY26 Earnings and Market Drivers

As we approach the Q2FY26 earnings season, provisional business updates from banks, NBFCs, realty, and FMCG sectors will be closely monitored. Despite ongoing global and domestic uncertainties, we remain positive over the medium to long term. Recent GST cuts have stimulated positive sentiment across various sectors, which is expected to fuel volume growth and support GDP expansion in the upcoming period.

—

### How Did the Markets Fare Last Week?

For the week ending Friday, the Indian benchmark indices closed in green. The Sensex and Nifty gained nearly 1.0% each, while midcaps outperformed, rising approximately 2.1%.

—

### What to Watch in the Coming Week?

The upcoming week is packed with key economic data releases from both domestic and global markets, likely to influence market direction.

**Domestic data releases include:**
– Foreign Exchange Reserves
– Bank Loan Growth
– HSBC Composite, Manufacturing, and Services PMI

With the September quarter earnings approaching, select companies in FMCG, banking, and other sectors will provide crucial business updates. These results will help set expectations for the full earnings season.

**On the global front, key events include:**
– Fed Officials’ speeches
– US Nonfarm Payrolls data
– Important FOMC minutes, providing insight on future policy direction
– Initial Jobless Claims figures

Additionally, progress in India-US trade talks and any comments from President Trump regarding tariffs will be market-moving. Tracking Foreign Institutional Investors’ positions will remain essential in the near term.

—

### Crude and Foreign Institutional Investor (FII) Flows

Brent crude oil prices declined to $64/bbl ahead of an OPEC+ meeting expected to increase output by bringing more idled barrels back online, intensifying oversupply concerns.

Meanwhile, FIIs continued to be net sellers during the week, contributing to market volatility.

—

### Sectors in Focus

Metals, PSU banks, and realty sectors were under the spotlight throughout the week.

—

### Stocks That Made Headlines

**Sammaan Capital**
Avenir Investment is set to invest Rs 8,850 crore via shares and warrants at Rs 139 apiece — an 18% discount to the current market price. Post-investment, Avenir will hold 43.46% and initiate an open offer, with Rs 4,587 crore via shares and the balance via warrants in two tranches.

**Maruti Suzuki**
Maruti Suzuki sold 1,89,665 units in September 2025, aligning with estimates. Export volumes hit a record 42,204 units — up 52% YoY — although domestic sales fell 6.3%. Production grew 26% YoY to 2.01 lakh units, driven by strong passenger vehicle output. The company highlighted record festive demand with 1,65,000 deliveries in the first eight days of Navratri and a 50% uptick in daily bookings post recent price cuts. Exports in H1FY26 crossed 2.1 lakh units, including over 6,000 electric vehicles shipped in August–September.

**Lemon Tree Hotels**
Lemon Tree Hotels signed its newest property, Keys Select by Lemon Tree Hotels in Haridwar. The facility features 52 rooms, a restaurant, conference hall, and recreational amenities including a fitness center. This signing expands the company’s leisure portfolio in Uttarakhand, where it currently operates 8 properties with 9 more upcoming.

**KNR Construction**
The company received a Letter of Acceptance from the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation for constructing two 3-lane flyovers at Kukatpally ‘Y’ junction on NH65 (towards Ameerpet and Miyapur) under an EPC/Turnkey contract, worth Rs 72.80 crore excluding GST. The project timeline is 24 months.

**Unimech Aerospace**
In its September quarter update, Unimech Aerospace reported a revenue slowdown for Q2FY26, expected to be marginally lower than Q1. This is attributed primarily to US tariffs impacting export realizations. Customers are delaying orders while monitoring tariff developments, pressuring profits. Given these headwinds, meeting full-year FY26 revenue guidance may be challenging.

**Nestlé India**
Nestlé India signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Food Processing Industries to accelerate investments in greenfield and brownfield projects in Odisha and at existing manufacturing sites. These investments over the next 2–3 years aim to bolster the food processing sector, generate employment, and support the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat.

**Time Technoplast**
Time Technoplast secured the BIS License under IS 14885:2022 for manufacturing PE pipes for gas distribution within Q2FY26. This milestone supports the company’s goal to expand its presence in the gas distribution sector, targeting 20+ firms and anticipating 30% growth in the PE pipe segment with enhanced capacity and minimal investment.

**RITES**
RITES signed an MoU with Etihad Rail and its UAE-based subsidiary NICC to collaborate on mobility infrastructure projects in the UAE and beyond. This partnership leverages RITES’ 50 years of expertise and NICC’s execution capabilities, strengthening RITES’ global footprint under its ‘RITES Videsh’ initiative.

**P N Gadgil Jewellers**
P N Gadgil Jewellers achieved record festive sales of ₹618 crore during Navratri and Dussehra, marking a 65% YoY growth. Navratri sales were ₹428 crore (+66% YoY), and Dussehra set a single-day record of ₹190 crore (+64% YoY). Gold sales drove growth despite a 50% YoY gold price surge, complemented by strong diamond (+47%) and silver (+133%) performance. Volume growth was significant: gold +10%, diamonds +53%, and silver +64%.

**Bharat Electronics (BEL)**
BEL secured additional orders worth Rs 1,092 crore since September 16, 2025. Major new orders include EW system upgrades, defense network upgrades, tank subsystems, TR modules, communication equipment, EVMs, spares, and services. As of April 1, BEL’s order book stands at Rs 71,650 crore. Since the start of FY26, the company has disclosed order inflows worth Rs 7,348 crore—27% of its full-year inflow guidance of Rs 27,000 crore (excluding a Rs 30,000 crore quick-reaction surface-to-air missiles order).

—

### Closing Thoughts

Patience creates wealth! Despite near-term volatility, the fundamentals support a positive outlook for the Indian markets over the medium to long term. We will continue to monitor key domestic and global developments closely as the earnings season unfolds.

—

*Stay tuned for more updates and insights in our next weekly market review.*
https://www.freepressjournal.in/business/weekly-market-review-top-stocks-in-focus-for-the-week-ended-october-3-2025

business, economy, finance, stock market

Weekly Market Review & Top Stocks In Focus For The Week Ended October 3, 2025

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**Weekly Market Review: September 2025**

Last week, the markets experienced a significant downturn, breaking a 3-week winning streak. The downward momentum continued during the truncated week until the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting outcome was announced, which lifted market sentiment.

The decline in indices was primarily driven by multiple factors: foreign institutional selling with more than $22 billion withdrawn from the Indian market since the beginning of 2025, restrictions on US H-1B visas, President Trump’s announcement of a 100% tariff on the import of branded and patented pharmaceutical products, delays in the US-India trade agreement, a record low rupee, uncertainty ahead of the September quarter earnings, and liquidity constraints in the secondary market. The liquidity pressure was further compounded by a slew of new IPOs entering Dalal Street, with the most talked-about being the Tata Capital IPO.

### RBI MPC Meeting: A Market Roller Coaster

Mid-week, the markets witnessed a roller-coaster ride following the RBI MPC meeting. The RBI Governor decided to keep repo rates unchanged at 5.50%. As communicated earlier, the chances of a rate cut during this meeting were minimal due to low inflation and strong GDP growth figures in Q1FY26.

While rates were unchanged, the highlight was the RBI Governor’s commentary. The Governor projected a favorable growth-inflation outlook while maintaining the policy stance. Optimism surged as the RBI lowered its inflation forecast from 3.1% to 2.6% and raised GDP growth expectations from 6.5% to 6.8%.

Supportive factors included strong September auto sales and robust GST collections that rose over 9% to Rs 1.9 lakh crore. This upbeat sentiment propelled the Sensex to rally over 700 points, with the Nifty closing above the 24,800 mark—ending a 9-day losing streak.

Additional positives that buoyed the market were measures aimed at improving liquidity, speculation of a possible rate cut in December, NBFCs being granted infrastructure status, and Brent crude prices falling to a 4-month low, which should further support market performance.

### Looking Ahead: Q2FY26 Earnings and Economic Data

As we approach the Q2FY26 earnings season, provisional business updates from banks, NBFCs, realty, and FMCG sectors will be closely monitored. Despite the noise around global and local markets, we remain optimistic over the medium to long term. Recent GST cuts have boosted positive sentiment across sectors, which is expected to accelerate volume growth alongside GDP expansion in the coming period.

—

### How Did the Markets Fare Last Week?

For the week ending Friday, Indian benchmark indices closed in green. The Sensex and Nifty gained close to 1% each, with midcap stocks outperforming by rising approximately 2.1%.

—

### What Might Keep Markets Busy Next Week?

The upcoming week will be eventful with several key economic data releases from both domestic and global markets, expected to influence market direction.

**Domestic Data to Watch:**
– Foreign Exchange (FX) Reserves
– Bank Loan Growth
– HSBC Composite, Manufacturing, and Services PMI

In addition, as the September quarter earnings season gears up, leading companies from FMCG, banking, and select sectors will release business updates for Q2FY26. These updates will be essential to gauge the earnings expectations for the full season ahead.

**Global Events to Track:**
– Speeches from Federal Reserve officials
– US Nonfarm Payrolls
– FOMC Minutes (critical for policy outlook)
– Initial Jobless Claims

Progress in India-US trade talks and any tariff-related commentary from President Trump will also keep markets engaged. Furthermore, foreign institutional investment flows remain an important variable to monitor in the near term.

—

### Crude and FII Flows

Brent crude oil prices declined to $64 per barrel ahead of an OPEC+ meeting anticipated to see the return of more idled barrels, raising concerns about oversupply. Meanwhile, Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) continued to be net sellers throughout the week.

—

### Sector in Focus: Metals, PSU Banks & Realty

These sectors remained in the spotlight during the week, attracting investor attention due to ongoing corporate developments and government policies.

—

### Stocks That Remained in Focus

**Sammaan Capital:**
Avenir Investment plans to invest Rs 8,850 crore via shares and warrants at Rs 139 per share, an 18% discount to the current market price. Post-investment, Avenir will hold a 43.46% stake and make an open offer, with Rs 4,587 crore invested through shares and the balance through warrants in two tranches.

**Maruti Suzuki:**
Maruti Suzuki sold 1,89,665 units in September 2025, aligning with estimates. Exports hit a record 42,204 units—up 52% year-on-year (YoY), although domestic sales fell 6.3%. Production rose 26% YoY to 2.01 lakh units due to strong passenger vehicle output. The company highlighted record festive demand, with 1,65,000 deliveries made in the first eight days of Navratri and daily bookings increasing by 50% after recent price cuts. Exports in H1FY26 crossed 2.1 lakh units, including over 6,000 electric vehicles shipped in August–September.

**Lemon Tree Hotels:**
Lemon Tree Hotels announced the signing of its latest property, Keys Select by Lemon Tree Hotels in Haridwar, featuring 52 rooms, a restaurant, conference hall, and a fitness center. This signing expands Lemon Tree’s leisure portfolio in Uttarakhand, where it currently operates 8 properties with 9 more upcoming.

**KNR Construction:**
The company received a Letter of Acceptance from Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation for constructing two 3-lane flyovers on NH65 at Kukatpally “Y” junction, Telangana. The EPC/Turnkey project is valued at Rs 72.80 crore (excluding GST) with a 24-month construction timeline.

**Unimech Aerospace:**
The company provided business updates indicating a revenue slowdown for Q2FY26, expected to be marginally lower than Q1. This is mainly due to US tariffs impacting export realizations, causing customers to delay orders. Profit pressures were also noted, making it challenging to meet the full-year FY26 revenue guidance.

**Nestlé India:**
Nestlé India signed an MoU with the Ministry of Food Processing Industries to accelerate investments in greenfield and brownfield projects in Odisha and existing manufacturing sites. These investments over the next 2-3 years reaffirm the company’s commitment to India’s food processing sector and are expected to generate employment, supporting the Atmanirbhar Bharat vision.

**Time Technoplast:**
The company secured the BIS License under IS 14885:2022 for manufacturing PE pipes used in gas distribution within Q2FY26. This milestone will boost market presence and support sustainable infrastructure growth. The company targets 20+ gas distribution firms, expecting 30% growth in the PE pipe segment.

**RITES:**
RITES signed an MoU with Etihad Rail and its UAE-based subsidiary NICC to collaborate on mobility infrastructure projects in the UAE and beyond. This partnership leverages RITES’ 50 years of expertise and strengthens its global presence under the ‘RITES Videsh’ initiative.

**PN Gadgil Jewellers:**
Achieved record festive sales of ₹618 crore during Navratri and Dussehra, marking a 65% YoY increase. Navratri sales were ₹428 crore (+66% YoY) and Dussehra set a single-day record of ₹190 crore (+64% YoY). Gold was the major growth driver despite a 50% surge in gold prices, alongside strong diamond and silver sales. Volume growth was notable across all categories.

**Bharat Electronics (BEL):**
BEL secured additional orders worth Rs 1,092 crore since mid-September, including EW System upgrades, defence network enhancements, tank subsystems, communication equipment, EVM supplies, and services. As of April 1, BEL’s order book stood at Rs 71,650 crore. Since FY26 began, BEL has disclosed orders worth Rs 7,348 crore, representing 27% of its full-year order inflow guidance of Rs 27,000 crore. This excludes a significant quick-reaction surface-to-air missile order valued at Rs 30,000 crore.

—

### Closing Thoughts

Patience creates wealth! Despite short-term volatility, the medium to long-term outlook remains positive, driven by supportive policy measures, improving macroeconomic indicators, and robust corporate performance. We will continue to monitor market developments and keep you updated.

—

*Stay tuned for more insights in our next weekly market review.*
https://www.freepressjournal.in/business/weekly-market-review-top-stocks-in-focus-for-the-week-ended-october-3-2025

business, economy, government, politics, shutdown

45 Elon Musk DOGE staff still on White House payroll and exempt from shutdown

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Forty-five employees of Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) remain on the White House payroll despite the Tesla CEO’s exit in May, and they are not being furloughed under the current government shutdown.

This fact appears in a memo released on Thursday by the White House Office of Administration, which lays out who stays and who goes while Congress stalls on funding. It shows a clear picture: DOGE staff keep working while many other government workers sit at home without pay.

The memo does not say why these 45 DOGE workers are untouched, but their status stands out as other White House offices shrink. It also reveals how President Donald Trump is handling this shutdown differently from 2018. Trump has furloughed 514 fewer staffers this time than in the last shutdown under his watch.

In that earlier plan, which former President Joe Biden had also approved but never had to use, about 61% of the Executive Office of the President was temporarily laid off. This current plan hits only 32% of the staff. The result is that far more staffers remain on the job, but Trump is openly saying he wants to lay off federal workers outright instead of just sending them home temporarily. According to the White House, these cuts could reach the thousands.

### Trump Keeps DOGE Running During Shutdown

Among the offices still running at full capacity is DOGE, which Elon once led as a cost-cutting operation before falling out with Trump over the president’s deficit-expanding tax cut bill. Elon’s departure in May came with a White House statement saying DOGE had been decentralized, meaning its teams across the government would report to their agency heads instead of a single leader. But the shutdown plan proves otherwise.

It shows that 45 DOGE staffers still work in the US DOGE Service, a unit inside the Executive Office of the President. The memo, signed by Joshua Fisher, director of the White House Office of Administration, does not say why DOGE staffers escaped furloughs.

However, the US Digital Service—which preceded DOGE—had a history of staying open during past shutdowns because it had its own source of funding from fees charged to other agencies. This background raises questions about whether DOGE also benefits from a separate funding stream. For now, though, the memo just notes their exemption without an explanation.

### Fewer Furloughs in Other White House Offices

Other White House divisions also show big changes compared with 2018. The Office of Management and Budget now keeps 437 employees on duty, far more than the 161 retained under the earlier plan. A tax cut law known as the “One Big Beautiful Bill” gave the budget office $100 million in long-term funding, which may help explain the difference.

The White House Office, which covers the president’s immediate staff, keeps 175 aides on the job now, compared with 156 during the last shutdown. Even the executive residence staff almost doubles to 40 retained workers under Trump’s plan.

At the same time, Trump officials signal they will use this funding lapse to cut or close programs they oppose, especially in states that voted for his opponent last year. The White House has threatened to fire thousands of federal employees permanently in the coming days, blaming the lack of congressional funding.

The White House press office also reportedly stayed silent when asked for comment by reporters, sending only an automated out-of-office reply. That message read:

> “Due to staff shortages resulting from the Democrat Shutdown, the typical 24/7 monitoring of this press inbox may experience delays. Thank you for your attention to this matter.”

—

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cricket, culture, economy, entertainment, sports

Sam Konstas hit a century nobody could watch. But everyone is talking about it

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Park cricketers have long enjoyed the luxury of putting a little GST, also referred to as mayonnaise, on their efforts at the crease. They can embellish a knock however they like to mates and family members who weren’t there to see it. Sam Konstas found himself in a similar situation after compiling 109 for Australia A against India A in Lucknow last month.

It was the century that has Australian cricket talking, but like a tree falling in the woods, only a handful of people at the Ekana Cricket Stadium and some online scorecards could verify it happened. Remarkably, in a country obsessed with cricket, Konstas’ polished innings wasn’t streamed or televised. A wagon wheel on the BCCI website revealed where Konstas picked off his runs and boundaries—57 per cent into the leg side—plus a six over long-on, but beyond that, the details are scant.

In his only interview since returning from his first proper playing stint in India—Konstas spent time training at the MRF Academy in Chennai last year—the rising star offered his version of that innings, more than two months on from a challenging Test tour of the West Indies, where he managed 50 runs across six innings on difficult pitches.

“It was actually a really tough green-seamer, and it was spinning too,” Konstas said with a grin. “So yeah, it was one of my best hundreds.”

Jokes aside, Konstas is pleased to be back in the runs. The incumbent Australian opener will need plenty more to begin the Sheffield Shield season, which starts on Saturday with NSW facing Western Australia at the WACA, South Australia hosting Victoria, and Queensland taking on Tasmania.

Konstas, who landed back in Australia on Monday, is happy to paint an honest picture. “It was actually a nice wicket to bat on,” he said. “As the day went on, it did spin quite a bit. They had a quality side. The first session, I thought they bowled really well, and it was seaming a little bit. When the spinners came on, since the wicket was a bit flat, I decided to try and take the game on. I was lucky enough to get a few away against the spinners. The innings progressed really nicely, and then I got out for 109. All my hard work [is showing].”

There was one moment, however, five balls into Konstas’ innings, that the now 20-year-old—his birthday was on Thursday—probably wishes never made its way out of India. A local journalist tweeted that Konstas had once again pulled out the audacious stroke that shocked the cricket world on Boxing Day last year.

“Sam Konstas has already attempted one reverse scoop in the first over!” Sportstar reporter Sahil Mathur wrote on X.

Konstas laughed when asked if it was true. “It is true,” he said. “I tried to reverse ramp first over to a ball on eighth stump. It wasn’t the right thing to do at that time. It happens sometimes. The other innings I was really good. I had a lot of clarity and just reacting to the ball.”

Did the Indians laugh or sledge him about it? “I think they were probably just used to it when I played [them] at the MCG and the SCG,” Konstas said. “They were a very good attack. It wasn’t the right shot to play at that time.”

It begs the question: has Konstas really changed his ways? Will there still be another rush of blood when he walks out to bat for NSW this week? It’s certainly a shot that makes purists grumble, but it has been a profitable one for Konstas, and he has never been dismissed playing it.

As always, runs are the only currency that matters, but the exchange rate will be high in the opening rounds of the Sheffield Shield, with places in Australia’s batting order up for grabs before the first Ashes Test in Perth on November 21.

Konstas’ scores of 109, 27 not out, 49, and 3 against a quality India A attack were, to use a phrase that will become a cricket cliché over the next six weeks, a timely reminder of his talent.

“I’ve grown a lot from those two or three weeks,” Konstas said. “It’s obviously a good reward to have, especially with all my hard training. The Caribbean was probably the best thing that happened to me. I learnt a lot about myself. As an athlete, you’re gonna fail a lot more than you succeed. It’s how you deal with your failures.

“The standard was really high. India A played a good team in their home conditions. I was really happy with my other digs. Even though I got out for 49, I thought it was the best I felt in terms of my mental headspace and the way I was moving. It’s also a lot hotter there, and it was about understanding not to hit a lot of balls during training, have that extra time off, just so I am mentally refreshed. It was a very good tour for me.”

Konstas believes his technique is in a good place, having worked closely with his batting coach, Tahmid Islam, since the West Indies fast bowlers worked him over. He feels his mental approach is sound, having leaned on his mentor and former Test all-rounder Shane Watson for guidance. Konstas has even worked with a breathing coach to ensure he remains calm and focused as a bowler gets ready to deliver the ball.

Clarity and confidence are all Konstas could have asked for, as he embarks on an intense period where every shot he plays is analysed and scrutinised through an Ashes lens. You wouldn’t know it from his relaxed demeanour.

“I have a lot of clarity now,” Konstas said. “[Making runs] does matter for me. Any time you spend at the crease, it’s valuable and builds a bit of confidence. I’m just trying to win games for NSW and just put good performances in for the Ashes, hopefully.”

“I’ve been very grateful to Greg Mail and Greg Shipperd to have their support. Cricket NSW is my second home, and I’m always there. For them to have full faith in me is nice at a young age. To represent NSW is a huge honour. I think we have immense depth, and hopefully, we dominate this year and win the comp. I know I’m ready for that Aussie [call-up] when the Ashes do come. I’m just trying to score runs and put my best foot forward.”

This time, when Konstas walks out to bat at the WACA, there will be a live stream. A sea of gold shirts is also expected in the stands. Not necessarily for Western Australia—though some might be—but because the Wallabies play the All Blacks next door at Optus Stadium later that afternoon in a Bledisloe Cup fixture. Rugby Australia boss Phil Waugh, a handy junior cricketer in his day, is expected to drop in for a look. Thousands more will be watching online.

But Konstas doesn’t want to get ahead of himself. He knows the real hard work lies ahead.
https://www.smh.com.au/sport/cricket/sam-konstas-hit-a-century-nobody-could-watch-but-everyone-is-talking-about-it-20250930-p5myv8.html?ref=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_source=rss_feed

demographics, economy, finance, india, investment

10% households invest in markets: Survey

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**Less than 10% of Indian Households Invest in Securities Market, Sebi Survey Reveals**

*MUMBAI:* According to a recent survey conducted by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi), less than one out of every ten households in India—only 9.5%—invest in securities market-related financial products such as stocks and mutual funds.

This low investment penetration persists despite the fact that 63% of the country’s total 33.7 crore households are aware of at least one such product.

**State-wise Investment Penetration**

The survey highlights significant variation across states. Delhi leads with nearly 21% of households investing in securities market products, followed by Maharashtra at 17%. On the other end of the spectrum, Uttarakhand records the lowest penetration with just 4.5% of stock-related investing households.

**Mutual Funds vs. Stocks**

At the all-India level, mutual funds have a higher penetration rate compared to stocks. About 6.7% of households invest in mutual funds, while 5.3% hold stocks. Other financial products such as Futures & Options (F&O), REITs/InvITs, and corporate bonds have less than 1% penetration among households.

**Risk Preferences**

The survey also sheds light on investors’ risk appetite. Nearly 80% of households prefer capital preservation over higher returns. This cautious approach extends to younger generations as well, with 79% of Gen-Z households displaying risk-averse behavior.

**About the Survey**

This nationwide survey was commissioned by Sebi in collaboration with the Association of Mutual Funds in India (Amfi), Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), National Stock Exchange (NSE), and other market infrastructure institutions.

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https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/10-households-invest-in-markets-survey/articleshow/124280549.cms

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OpenAI valuation soars to $500B in private share sale – reports

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PARIS, France — The valuation of ChatGPT developer OpenAI soared to a chart-topping $500 billion in a deal allowing employees to sell a limited number of shares, financial media reported Thursday.

If confirmed, the sale of a reported $6.6 billion in shares by OpenAI workers to investors would make the company the world’s most valuable startup, overtaking Elon Musk’s ventures.

https://business.inquirer.net/550437/openai-valuation-soars-to-500b-in-private-share-sale-reports