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Ask most engineers what has changed in banking technology since 2012 and the answer comes as a list of arrivals: cloud, then containers, then machine learning, then whatever is current. Tripatjeet Singh has watched all of it from inside regulated banks, and his answer starts somewhere less flattering.&nbsp;&nbsp;"Fourteen years is a long time," he says. "Long enough to see what actually changed and what people just convinced themselves had changed."&nbsp;&nbsp;The technology genuinely did change, and completely. When Singh started, the idea of putting sensitive financial data anywhere outside a bank's own data center was, in his words, almost unthinkable. It is now the default. Artificial intelligence moved on a similar arc, from something people doubted to something making live fraud decisions every day. Compliance itself is in the middle of the same shift, out of manual audits and spreadsheets and toward systems that monitor continuously, generate audit trails as a by-product, and track regulatory change as it happens.&nbsp;&nbsp;What did not change, in his telling, is everything that involves a person.&nbsp;&nbsp;"Every major challenge I've faced, whether it was cloud migration, fraud detection, or automation, it all came down to trust and mindset more than technology," he says. It is not the usual engineering retrospective, and he is specific about why.&nbsp;&nbsp;Start with the resistance. Moving teams off systems they had depended on for decades was the hardest part of the early cloud work, and he is careful not to caricature the people on the other side of it. "People weren't just resistant to new tools," he says. "They were protecting what they knew worked." A bank running on infrastructure that has not failed in years has a rational reason to leave it alone, and an engineer who reads that as ignorance has misread the room.&nbsp;&nbsp;Scrutiny never softened either. "That mindset has shifted, but the scrutiny hasn't," Singh says. "If anything, it got more intense." The moment data leaves a bank's own walls, compliance and audit teams need answers about where it sits, who can reach it, how it is encrypted and whether any of that is provable. His approach was to build the answers in before the questions arrived, which is also why provisioning that used to run into weeks now finishes in hours.&nbsp;&nbsp;Chaos engineering was the harder sell. Deliberately breaking production systems to find out how they fail is standard practice in technology companies. Inside a regulated bank, where stability is the entire promise, it is another matter. "Convincing leadership to intentionally break systems to make them stronger was an even tougher sell," he says. The testing that followed covered simulated outages, network failures and disaster recovery, on the reasoning that a system working 99 percent of the time is not good enough when customers' money is at stake.&nbsp;&nbsp;Fraud detection produced the clearest version of the pattern. Singh built a check fraud system whose rules engine was written from the regulation itself: the legal window for a hold, the anti-money-laundering tests that must fire, and the compressed timeline instant payments impose, now that fraud and laundering can land in the same moment. Detection accuracy rose by 30 to 40 percent. False positives fell by 60 to 70 percent, so fewer ordinary customers had their checks held and analysts spent their time on the cases that warranted it.&nbsp;&nbsp;None of that was the difficult part. "The hardest part wasn't building the AI model," Singh says. "It was getting teams to trust it enough to act on it, but not so much that humans stepped away entirely."&nbsp;&nbsp;That band, wide enough to be useful and narrow enough to stay honest, is where he thinks the real work sits, and he does not think it has moved. His position is that AI is a force multiplier rather than a replacement, held more firmly now than when he started. The transaction volumes a modern bank handles are past what any human team could monitor. The final call, particularly when something looks wrong, still needs a person.&nbsp;&nbsp;Automation gets the same judgment, and he thinks the pressure there has gotten worse rather than better. "The temptation to automate everything is stronger than ever now," he says. "But the real lesson I keep coming back to is knowing what not to automate, and that wisdom hasn't changed one bit in 14 years."&nbsp;&nbsp;Then there is the constant nobody lists. "Here's what hasn't changed at all: the fear," Singh says. "Fear of moving too fast, fear of breaking something customers depend on, fear of regulators." He does not dismiss it. Some of that fear is load-bearing, and a bank that lost it would be a worse bank. But a great deal of it, in his assessment, slows things down for no protective return, and telling the two apart is a skill nobody puts on a job description.&nbsp;&nbsp;Checks make his point for him. They remain one of the most exploited payment methods in American banking, exactly as they were when he started. "People keep acting surprised that check fraud is still a problem," he says. "It's been a problem for 14 years and it'll keep being one as long as attention goes elsewhere."&nbsp;&nbsp;That is the shape of his fourteen years. The tools were replaced twice over. The questions underneath them, whether to trust a system, what to leave alone, which fear to listen to, arrived unchanged and are still waiting.&nbsp;

The technology genuinely did change, and completely. When Singh started, the idea of putting sensitive financial data anywhere outside a bank's own data center was, in his words, almost unthinkable. It is now the default. 

Ask most engineers what has changed in banking technology since 2012 and the answer comes as a list of arrivals: cloud, then containers, then machine learning, then whatever is current. Tripatjeet Singh has watched all of it from inside regulated banks, and his answer starts somewhere less flattering. "Fourteen years is a long time," he says. "Long enough to see what actually changed and what people just convinced themselves had changed." The technology genuinely did change, and completely. When Singh started, the idea of putting sensitive financial data anywhere outside a bank's own data center was, in his words, almost unthinkable. It is now the default. Artificial intelligence moved on a similar arc, from something people doubted to something making live fraud decisions every day. Compliance itself is in the middle of the same shift, out of manual audits and spreadsheets and toward systems that monitor continuously, generate audit trails as a by-product, and track regulatory change as it happens. What did not change, in his telling, is everything that involves a person. "Every major challenge I've faced, whether it was cloud migration, fraud detection, or automation, it all came down to trust and mindset more than technology," he says. It is not the usual engineering retrospective, and he is specific about why. Start with the resistance. Moving teams off systems they had depended on for decades was the hardest part of the early cloud work, and he is careful not to caricature the people on the other side of it. "People weren't just resistant to new tools," he says. "They were protecting what they knew worked." A bank running on infrastructure that has not failed in years has a rational reason to leave it alone, and an engineer who reads that as ignorance has misread the room. Scrutiny never softened either. "That mindset has shifted, but the scrutiny hasn't," Singh says. "If anything, it got more intense." The moment data leaves a bank's own walls, compliance and audit teams need answers about where it sits, who can reach it, how it is encrypted and whether any of that is provable. His approach was to build the answers in before the questions arrived, which is also why provisioning that used to run into weeks now finishes in hours. Chaos engineering was the harder sell. Deliberately breaking production systems to find out how they fail is standard practice in technology companies. Inside a regulated bank, where stability is the entire promise, it is another matter. "Convincing leadership to intentionally break systems to make them stronger was an even tougher sell," he says. The testing that followed covered simulated outages, network failures and disaster recovery, on the reasoning that a system working 99 percent of the time is not good enough when customers' money is at stake. Fraud detection produced the clearest version of the pattern. Singh built a check fraud system whose rules engine was written from the regulation itself: the legal window for a hold, the anti-money-laundering tests that must fire, and the compressed timeline instant payments impose, now that fraud and laundering can land in the same moment. Detection accuracy rose by 30 to 40 percent. False positives fell by 60 to 70 percent, so fewer ordinary customers had their checks held and analysts spent their time on the cases that warranted it. None of that was the difficult part. "The hardest part wasn't building the AI model," Singh says. "It was getting teams to trust it enough to act on it, but not so much that humans stepped away entirely." That band, wide enough to be useful and narrow enough to stay honest, is where he thinks the real work sits, and he does not think it has moved. His position is that AI is a force multiplier rather than a replacement, held more firmly now than when he started. The transaction volumes a modern bank handles are past what any human team could monitor. The final call, particularly when something looks wrong, still needs a person. Automation gets the same judgment, and he thinks the pressure there has gotten worse rather than better. "The temptation to automate everything is stronger than ever now," he says. "But the real lesson I keep coming back to is knowing what not to automate, and that wisdom hasn't changed one bit in 14 years." Then there is the constant nobody lists. "Here's what hasn't changed at all: the fear," Singh says. "Fear of moving too fast, fear of breaking something customers depend on, fear of regulators." He does not dismiss it. Some of that fear is load-bearing, and a bank that lost it would be a worse bank. But a great deal of it, in his assessment, slows things down for no protective return, and telling the two apart is a skill nobody puts on a job description. Checks make his point for him. They remain one of the most exploited payment methods in American banking, exactly as they were when he started. "People keep acting surprised that check fraud is still a problem," he says. "It's been a problem for 14 years and it'll keep being one as long as attention goes elsewhere." That is the shape of his fourteen years. The tools were replaced twice over. The questions underneath them, whether to trust a system, what to leave alone, which fear to listen to, arrived unchanged and are still waiting.

Cloud went from unthinkable to default and AI now makes live fraud calls every day. Tripatjeet Singh's view, after fourteen years inside the change, is that none of the hard problems were ever technical ones.&nbsp;

14 years in banking tech: What changed and what didn't

Chinese artificial intelligence company DeepSeek is nearing a funding round worth around 100 billion yuan ($14.98 billion), with major companies including battery maker CATL and technology giant Tencent among the investors, according to people familiar with the matter cited by Reuters. The fundraising would double DeepSeek’s original target of 50 billion yuan and could value the company at 500 billion yuan, or roughly $75 billion, before the new capital is added. The deal is expected to be completed in the coming days, although the financial details and investor list could still change.The scale of the reported investment highlights growing interest in DeepSeek as China competes with the United States to develop advanced AI systems.<h2>CATL, Tencent And Other Companies Back DeepSeek</h2>CATL and Tencent were among the biggest investors, according to two sources cited by Reuters. The funding round also reportedly attracted new investors, including home appliance maker Midea, food delivery company Meituan, automaker Geely and semiconductor manufacturer GigaDevice. Other reported participants include Boyu Capital, CPE and Legend Capital, alongside existing investor IDG Capital. One source said more than 15 investors were involved in the round.DeepSeek, CATL and Tencent did not immediately respond to requests for comment, Reuters reported. The other companies named in the report also did not immediately respond. The reported investor lineup brings together companies from several industries, including electric vehicle supply chains, consumer technology, semiconductors and online services.<h2>DeepSeek Valuation And Potential IPO Plans</h2>The funding round could mark an important step towards DeepSeek entering public markets. Reuters reported in September that DeepSeek had hired CITIC Securities to prepare for a potential initial public offering on China's STAR Market, a stock exchange segment focused on technology and innovation companies. However, the fundraising does not confirm that an IPO will take place or establish its timing. If completed on the reported terms, the round would give DeepSeek substantial new funding as it develops its AI models and competes with global rivals.<h2>DeepSeek’s Latest AI Model And China’s AI Race</h2>Last month, DeepSeek released its DeepSeek-V4.1-Flash model, which the company said was designed to offer greater capability, faster inference, higher throughput and support for scaling to larger models. Inference refers to the process through which an AI model generates responses after receiving a prompt. Faster inference can help reduce waiting times and improve the experience of using AI applications. DeepSeek has attracted attention as China seeks to strengthen its position in the global AI industry. The reported funding round suggests investors see significant potential in the company, although its final valuation and the terms of the deal remain subject to change.

DeepSeek is reportedly nearing a 100 billion yuan ($14.98 billion) funding round backed by CATL, Tencent and other investors. The deal could value the Chinese AI startup at 500 billion yuan ahead of a potential IPO, as competition with US AI companies intensifies.

Chinese artificial intelligence company DeepSeek is nearing a funding round worth around 100 billion yuan ($14.98 billion), with major companies including battery maker CATL and technology giant Tencent among the investors, according to people familiar with the matter cited by Reuters. The fundraising would double DeepSeek’s original target of 50 billion yuan and could value the company at 500 billion yuan, or roughly $75 billion, before the new capital is added. The deal is expected to be completed in the coming days, although the financial details and investor list could still change. The scale of the reported investment highlights growing interest in DeepSeek as China competes with the United States to develop advanced AI systems. CATL, Tencent And Other Companies Back DeepSeek CATL and Tencent were among the biggest investors, according to two sources cited by Reuters. The funding round also reportedly attracted new investors, including home appliance maker Midea, food delivery company Meituan, automaker Geely and semiconductor manufacturer GigaDevice. Other reported participants include Boyu Capital, CPE and Legend Capital, alongside existing investor IDG Capital. One source said more than 15 investors were involved in the round. DeepSeek, CATL and Tencent did not immediately respond to requests for comment, Reuters reported. The other companies named in the report also did not immediately respond. The reported investor lineup brings together companies from several industries, including electric vehicle supply chains, consumer technology, semiconductors and online services. DeepSeek Valuation And Potential IPO Plans The funding round could mark an important step towards DeepSeek entering public markets. Reuters reported in September that DeepSeek had hired CITIC Securities to prepare for a potential initial public offering on China's STAR Market, a stock exchange segment focused on technology and innovation companies. However, the fundraising does not confirm that an IPO will take place or establish its timing. If completed on the reported terms, the round would give DeepSeek substantial new funding as it develops its AI models and competes with global rivals. DeepSeek’s Latest AI Model And China’s AI Race Last month, DeepSeek released its DeepSeek-V4.1-Flash model, which the company said was designed to offer greater capability, faster inference, higher throughput and support for scaling to larger models. Inference refers to the process through which an AI model generates responses after receiving a prompt. Faster inference can help reduce waiting times and improve the experience of using AI applications. DeepSeek has attracted attention as China seeks to strengthen its position in the global AI industry. The reported funding round suggests investors see significant potential in the company, although its final valuation and the terms of the deal remain subject to change.

DeepSeek is reportedly nearing a 100 billion yuan ($14.98 billion) funding round backed by CATL, Tencent and other investors. The deal could value the Chinese AI startup at 500 billion yuan ahead of a potential IPO, as competition with US AI companies intensifies.

DeepSeek funding explained: $15 billion raise, $70 billion valuation and IPO plans

China’s mainland-listed shares experienced a technical 'bear' market on Thursday (October 22), after the country’s benchmark CSI 300 index fell by 20 per cent from its June peak. The index tracks the stocks of the 300 largest listed companies on China’s Shanghai and Shenzhen exchanges, which experienced a sharp decline for 10 consecutive weeks and lost nearly 3 per cent so far this week. On Thursday itself, the index fell more than 1 per cent. The sharp reversal of China's stock market indicates that even an artificial intelligence (AI) boom is unable to keep investors excited for a long period. The sell-off has also extended to Hong Kong-listed Chinese companies, prompting a gauge tracking major stocks in the city to drop nearly 2.9 per cent. The development reflects the growing nervousness hovering over China's economic outlook and technology shares.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/this-time-i-m-not-doing-it-trump-reveals-google-ceo-refused-his-atlantic-ocean-renaming-idea-1792668305153">'This time I’m not doing it': Trump reveals Google CEO refused his Atlantic Ocean renaming idea</a><h3>China's priority remains technological advancement&nbsp;</h3>According to Reuters, Beijing’s October 22 deadline for affluent individuals to declare and pay tax on offshore trust income may have pushed some investors to sell shares to raise cash. Julius Baer economist Sophie Altermatt was quoted as saying the government’s priority remains on technological advancement, industrial upgrading and greater self-sufficiency rather than short-term growth stimulus. Market participants cited in the report also pointed to tighter tax policies as an additional drag on equities in the near term. Compounding the pressure, China’s economy, the world’s second-largest, grew at its weakest pace in more than three years during the second quarter, weighed down by a prolonged property-sector downturn and persistent softness in consumer spending. Sluggish corporate earnings growth has further unsettled investors.&nbsp;The correction has raised several questions in terms of Chinese equities, asking whether these are getting attractive at lower valuations. However, weaker consumption, fading stimulus expectations and uncertainty related to technology stocks continue to weigh on investor sentiment.

The index tracks the stocks of the 300 largest listed companies on China’s Shanghai and Shenzhen exchanges, which experienced a sharp decline for 10 consecutive weeks and lost nearly 3 per cent so far this week.

China’s mainland-listed shares experienced a technical 'bear' market on Thursday (October 22), after the country’s benchmark CSI 300 index fell by 20 per cent from its June peak. The index tracks the stocks of the 300 largest listed companies on China’s Shanghai and Shenzhen exchanges, which experienced a sharp decline for 10 consecutive weeks and lost nearly 3 per cent so far this week. On Thursday itself, the index fell more than 1 per cent. The sharp reversal of China's stock market indicates that even an artificial intelligence (AI) boom is unable to keep investors excited for a long period. The sell-off has also extended to Hong Kong-listed Chinese companies, prompting a gauge tracking major stocks in the city to drop nearly 2.9 per cent. The development reflects the growing nervousness hovering over China's economic outlook and technology shares. Also read: 'This time I’m not doing it': Trump reveals Google CEO refused his Atlantic Ocean renaming idea China's priority remains technological advancement According to Reuters, Beijing’s October 22 deadline for affluent individuals to declare and pay tax on offshore trust income may have pushed some investors to sell shares to raise cash. Julius Baer economist Sophie Altermatt was quoted as saying the government’s priority remains on technological advancement, industrial upgrading and greater self-sufficiency rather than short-term growth stimulus. Market participants cited in the report also pointed to tighter tax policies as an additional drag on equities in the near term. Compounding the pressure, China’s economy, the world’s second-largest, grew at its weakest pace in more than three years during the second quarter, weighed down by a prolonged property-sector downturn and persistent softness in consumer spending. Sluggish corporate earnings growth has further unsettled investors. The correction has raised several questions in terms of Chinese equities, asking whether these are getting attractive at lower valuations. However, weaker consumption, fading stimulus expectations and uncertainty related to technology stocks continue to weigh on investor sentiment.

The index tracks the stocks of the 300 largest listed companies on China’s Shanghai and Shenzhen exchanges, which experienced a sharp decline for 10 consecutive weeks and lost nearly 3 per cent so far this week.

China's stock market plunges 20% from June peak, CSI 300 index enters 'bear' market

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has emerged as one of the trending topics to talk about globally in recent developments. Market expert Manoj Kumar Jain explained that AI is influencing everyone across the world, including banking, financial services, defence manufacturing, data processing, data mining, and agricultural production. The role of AI in financial markets has also been widely considered due to its fast search capabilities, spam filters, trend recognition, advanced planning, and flexibility in following instructions. Earlier, Excel revolutionised the financial world, particularly financial markets, by making it possible to process large datasets within a single spreadsheet and derive required results in a fraction of a second using predefined formulas. However, as technology advances, markets demand faster and more efficient tools capable of handling larger amounts of data and delivering results in even shorter timeframes. AI is also becoming a more efficient tool by using various algorithms to process data faster and enable quick decision-making in financial markets. The expert viewed the evolution of AI in financial markets in three phases:<h3>Phase 1: The Analyst Era (2020–2024) - What Has Changed?</h3>AI's journey in finance began with reading reports, calculating multiple ratios, summarising earnings calls, and finding fraud, acting largely as an assistant to support better financial decision-making. IBM's Global Banking Outlook data suggest that only 8 per cent of banking institutions were using Generative AI tactically by 2024, but that figure has surged to 78 per cent by2026.<h3>AI moved into:</h3>Risk &amp; Compliance: It is now autonomously drafting regulatory reports, cross-referencing risk databases, and flagging compliance issues. Market compliance and regulatory requirements have risen sharply post-COVID, and AI has greatly assisted the entire financial ecosystem in processing these tasks proactively in a very short span of time.&nbsp;Personalisation: AI powers hyper-personalised budgeting, micro-investing, and credit-building tools for retail investors, helping the market ecosystem deliver tailored financial solutions even at micro levels.&nbsp;Fraud &amp; Security: Adaptive AI systems learn from real-time global threat data, issue fraud alerts, and push the industry toward adopting more advanced security measures.<h3>Phase 2: The Agentic Era (2026) - Where are we now?</h3>This is the biggest shift of 2026. AI is moving from ‘AI tools’ to ‘AI systems’. Banks and financial services institutions are no longer just using chatbots. They are deploying Agentic AI—digital co-workers with transactional authority.&nbsp;<ul><li>Goldman Sachs is building autonomous agents with Anthropic’s Claude to handle trade accounting and client onboarding.</li><li>Lloyds Banking Group is deploying agentic AI enterprise-wide, targeting £100 million in value in 2026 by automating fraud investigations.</li><li>HSBC's investment bank CEO stated this week that AI agents could replace humans trading in financial markets within the next 2–4 years, powered by quantum computing and distributed ledger technology.</li><li>Deloitte's 2026 FSI Predictions report calls this ‘AI as a profit engine’, estimating AI-native banking products could add $75 billion in incremental revenue for large banks by 2030.</li><li>For financial markets and wealth management experts, AI means armies of analysts reading thousands of reports, analysing sentiment, and generating actionable insights alongside human advisors to make appropriate investment decisions at the right time.</li></ul>Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/this-time-i-m-not-doing-it-trump-reveals-google-ceo-refused-his-atlantic-ocean-renaming-idea-1792668305153">'This time I’m not doing it': Trump reveals Google CEO refused his Atlantic Ocean renaming idea</a><h3>Phase 3: The Autonomous Future (2027–2030) - What Comes Next?</h3>The key question has shifted from whether to adopt AI to how it should be governed. Success in this next phase will hinge on how effectively markets can govern AI and Superintelligence to drive sound decisions amid global economic uncertainty and intensifying geopolitics.&nbsp;Composable Finance: The financial stack of the future rests on AI, APIs, and instant settlement. AI-powered decision-making for credit assessment, fraud detection, and personalisation will become embedded directly within banking and financial services, enabling faster settlements while reducing risk and fraud.&nbsp;Democratised Intelligence: Quantum-inspired algorithms are set to simulate millions of portfolio scenarios, with several platforms already generating alpha returns exceeding 2 per cent over benchmarks. This level of sophistication will increasingly reach retail investors in India through financial service providers, helping everyday investors achieve stronger portfolio returns.&nbsp;Human + AI Hybrid: Rather than replacing finance professionals, this era will free them from repetitive tasks to focus on strategic decision-making. Hybrid advisory models will prevail, with AI enabling financial service providers to deploy their workforce more efficiently and serve larger client bases in less time.&nbsp;New Risks, New Governance: The opacity of “black box” AI models makes transparency and auditability essential. As AI systems gain greater authority over trading decisions, regulators are sharpening their focus on market stability. While AI introduces significant challenges, governments are working concertedly to govern these systems effectively within a complex landscape, aiming to benefit society while containing risk.

AI's journey in finance began with reading reports, calculating multiple ratios, summarising earnings calls, and finding fraud, acting largely as an assistant to support better financial decision-making. 

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has emerged as one of the trending topics to talk about globally in recent developments. Market expert Manoj Kumar Jain explained that AI is influencing everyone across the world, including banking, financial services, defence manufacturing, data processing, data mining, and agricultural production. The role of AI in financial markets has also been widely considered due to its fast search capabilities, spam filters, trend recognition, advanced planning, and flexibility in following instructions. Earlier, Excel revolutionised the financial world, particularly financial markets, by making it possible to process large datasets within a single spreadsheet and derive required results in a fraction of a second using predefined formulas. However, as technology advances, markets demand faster and more efficient tools capable of handling larger amounts of data and delivering results in even shorter timeframes. AI is also becoming a more efficient tool by using various algorithms to process data faster and enable quick decision-making in financial markets. The expert viewed the evolution of AI in financial markets in three phases: Phase 1: The Analyst Era (2020–2024) - What Has Changed? AI's journey in finance began with reading reports, calculating multiple ratios, summarising earnings calls, and finding fraud, acting largely as an assistant to support better financial decision-making. IBM's Global Banking Outlook data suggest that only 8 per cent of banking institutions were using Generative AI tactically by 2024, but that figure has surged to 78 per cent by2026. AI moved into: Risk & Compliance: It is now autonomously drafting regulatory reports, cross-referencing risk databases, and flagging compliance issues. Market compliance and regulatory requirements have risen sharply post-COVID, and AI has greatly assisted the entire financial ecosystem in processing these tasks proactively in a very short span of time. Personalisation: AI powers hyper-personalised budgeting, micro-investing, and credit-building tools for retail investors, helping the market ecosystem deliver tailored financial solutions even at micro levels. Fraud & Security: Adaptive AI systems learn from real-time global threat data, issue fraud alerts, and push the industry toward adopting more advanced security measures. Phase 2: The Agentic Era (2026) - Where are we now? This is the biggest shift of 2026. AI is moving from ‘AI tools’ to ‘AI systems’. Banks and financial services institutions are no longer just using chatbots. They are deploying Agentic AI—digital co-workers with transactional authority. Goldman Sachs is building autonomous agents with Anthropic’s Claude to handle trade accounting and client onboarding. Lloyds Banking Group is deploying agentic AI enterprise-wide, targeting £100 million in value in 2026 by automating fraud investigations. HSBC's investment bank CEO stated this week that AI agents could replace humans trading in financial markets within the next 2–4 years, powered by quantum computing and distributed ledger technology. Deloitte's 2026 FSI Predictions report calls this ‘AI as a profit engine’, estimating AI-native banking products could add $75 billion in incremental revenue for large banks by 2030. For financial markets and wealth management experts, AI means armies of analysts reading thousands of reports, analysing sentiment, and generating actionable insights alongside human advisors to make appropriate investment decisions at the right time. Also read: 'This time I’m not doing it': Trump reveals Google CEO refused his Atlantic Ocean renaming idea Phase 3: The Autonomous Future (2027–2030) - What Comes Next? The key question has shifted from whether to adopt AI to how it should be governed. Success in this next phase will hinge on how effectively markets can govern AI and Superintelligence to drive sound decisions amid global economic uncertainty and intensifying geopolitics. Composable Finance: The financial stack of the future rests on AI, APIs, and instant settlement. AI-powered decision-making for credit assessment, fraud detection, and personalisation will become embedded directly within banking and financial services, enabling faster settlements while reducing risk and fraud. Democratised Intelligence: Quantum-inspired algorithms are set to simulate millions of portfolio scenarios, with several platforms already generating alpha returns exceeding 2 per cent over benchmarks. This level of sophistication will increasingly reach retail investors in India through financial service providers, helping everyday investors achieve stronger portfolio returns. Human + AI Hybrid: Rather than replacing finance professionals, this era will free them from repetitive tasks to focus on strategic decision-making. Hybrid advisory models will prevail, with AI enabling financial service providers to deploy their workforce more efficiently and serve larger client bases in less time. New Risks, New Governance: The opacity of “black box” AI models makes transparency and auditability essential. As AI systems gain greater authority over trading decisions, regulators are sharpening their focus on market stability. While AI introduces significant challenges, governments are working concertedly to govern these systems effectively within a complex landscape, aiming to benefit society while containing risk.

AI's journey in finance began with reading reports, calculating multiple ratios, summarising earnings calls, and finding fraud, acting largely as an assistant to support better financial decision-making.&nbsp;

From Analyst Era to Agentic Era: How evolving role of AI is rewriting financial markets

As artificial intelligence reshapes financial markets, retail investors are increasingly weighing the benefits of algorithm-driven research against the risks of relying on it. The key question is whether access to AI-powered market analysis can genuinely improve trading performance. Kwala Intel, an innovative market intelligence platform, aims to address this question by making stock analysis faster, more conversational and more accessible to Indian investors.From identifying hidden trends and assessing portfolio risks to simplifying complex data analysis, AI is changing the way people approach the share market. Veteran market expert Sandeep Jain shares his views on the transformative role this technology is expected to play in the Indian stock market.AI-powered stock research platforms such as Kwala Intel demonstrate this shift by allowing users to interpret market data in real time and make informed decisions. Originally developed for the US NYSE and Nasdaq markets, the platform is now available to Indian investors as well. These tools allow investors to ask questions about the stock market, understand company details and explore other queries that emerge during their research.Sharing his views, Jain said AI's most significant contribution to financial markets is its ability to make research more organised and time-efficient. However, analysing data quickly and accurately predicting market movements are two very different things.<h2>Why is AI becoming important in stock research?</h2>Buying a stock simply because its price has increased or because it has delivered good returns in the past is rarely sufficient. Investors need to examine a company's business performance, determine whether its earnings are growing, assess its debt levels, evaluate its valuation and identify the risks and opportunities it may face.This process often involves gathering information from several sources. Investors need to compare financial figures, analyse historical trends and understand developments specific to individual companies. The process can become even more challenging when they are tracking multiple stocks simultaneously.AI-powered tools can simplify certain aspects of this work by organising information, explaining financial figures, comparing companies and identifying historical patterns. Their purpose is not to eliminate the need for research, but to make the initial process faster and more systematic. However, accepting AI-generated responses without checking their accuracy is not advisable. Before drawing conclusions, investors must assess the reliability of the data, understand its context and consider the company's actual business conditions.<h2>From data analysis to price movement: Where can it actually help?</h2>When making investment decisions, both fundamental and technical information can play an important role. Fundamental analysis examines a company's financial position, earnings, debt and valuation. Technical analysis, on the other hand, focuses on historical price movements, trading volumes and chart patterns.AI tools can support both forms of analysis. Whether an investor wants to examine a company's financial performance or compare the metrics of two businesses, AI can provide a simpler starting point for research. It can also help explore questions about historical price movements and trading volumes.Other aspects of research include examining price changes before and after major corporate developments, analysing stock performance over specific periods and identifying possible risks. AI-powered tools can help investors study these factors in a more organised way.However, having access to more data does not necessarily mean arriving at accurate conclusions. Understanding the context behind the numbers and determining which information matters most to an investment decision remain crucial.<h2>Can AI predict the market's next move?</h2>This is one of the questions that interests investors the most. AI models can identify patterns in available data and generate signals about possible trends, changes in momentum or emerging risks. These insights can help investors understand market conditions and assess different possibilities.However, stock markets are influenced by more than numbers. Unexpected corporate earnings, government policy changes, global developments, interest rate movements and sudden shifts in investor sentiment can all affect market direction. In such situations, forecasts based on historical patterns or existing data may turn out to be inaccurate.For this reason, treating AI as a tool that can predict the market's future with certainty would be a mistake. Its value lies in helping investors explore possible scenarios, identify research leads and recognise potential risks. Rather than treating an AI-generated signal as the final basis for an investment decision, investors should evaluate it alongside other relevant information.<h2>A research aid for retail investors</h2>Until recently, AI-driven market research was largely associated with institutional investors, research teams and brokerages. Platforms such as Kwala Intel are now making similar capabilities more accessible to retail investors. Users can type questions about a company or stock or use the microphone feature to ask questions verbally. Once they receive a response, they can ask additional questions to explore the subject further. This can be especially helpful for investors seeking simpler explanations of market concepts or looking for an initial direction for company research.For example, investors can ask about a stock's financial performance, valuation, growth prospects or risks. They can also compare two companies to examine their respective performance and other relevant factors.The main advantage is that investors can frame questions based on their individual requirements instead of navigating technical terminology across several sources. Nevertheless, information generated by AI should still be verified against official company documents and other reliable sources.In Jain’s opinion, this use of AI can be particularly beneficial for retail investors because it lowers the barrier to starting research. However, using a platform to gather information and making an investment decision based on that information are two separate matters.<h2>Why human intelligence still matters and will always do in the AI era</h2>Investment decisions cannot be based on data alone. Two investors examining the same company may arrive at different conclusions because their investment timelines, financial circumstances and willingness to take risks are different.For instance, an investor who expects to need their money within the next few months may not find a high-risk equity investment appropriate. A long-term investor, however, might assess the same opportunity differently. While AI can help collect information and identify possible risks, investors must still account for their personal financial objectives.AI should be viewed as a partner rather than a replacement for human judgment. Although research may become quicker, investment discipline, experience, risk awareness and independent thinking remain essential.The usefulness of AI-generated responses also depends on the quality of the available data, the limitations of the model and how the question is framed. Incomplete or inaccurate inputs can produce misleading conclusions. Investors must therefore verify important facts and avoid depending entirely on AI.<h2>The future of AI in financial markets</h2>The role of AI in financial markets is expected to expand further in the years ahead. AI-powered platforms are likely to become increasingly involved in automating research processes, monitoring stock movements, interpreting data and identifying potential risks.For investors, one of the biggest changes could be easier access to complex information and a better understanding of what it means. However, the availability of advanced technology will not make investing risk-free. Uncertainty remains an inherent part of financial markets, and no technology can guarantee profits.According to Jain, AI is most effective when it helps investors ask better questions, carry out more structured research and understand the reasoning behind their decisions. Investors who combine technology with sound judgment and effective risk management will be better placed to use these tools.If you invest in the stock market and want to simplify your research using AI, Kwala Intel can help you ask questions about stocks, understand the responses and explore your research further as needed.Start your AI stock research on Kwala Intel: https://kwalaintel.comUnlimited AI stock research for just Rs 199 per month.

AI-powered stock research tools are helping retail investors analyse financial data faster, compare companies and identify risks. However, human judgement and independent research remain essential for investment decisions.

As artificial intelligence reshapes financial markets, retail investors are increasingly weighing the benefits of algorithm-driven research against the risks of relying on it. The key question is whether access to AI-powered market analysis can genuinely improve trading performance. Kwala Intel, an innovative market intelligence platform, aims to address this question by making stock analysis faster, more conversational and more accessible to Indian investors. From identifying hidden trends and assessing portfolio risks to simplifying complex data analysis, AI is changing the way people approach the share market. Veteran market expert Sandeep Jain shares his views on the transformative role this technology is expected to play in the Indian stock market. AI-powered stock research platforms such as Kwala Intel demonstrate this shift by allowing users to interpret market data in real time and make informed decisions. Originally developed for the US NYSE and Nasdaq markets, the platform is now available to Indian investors as well. These tools allow investors to ask questions about the stock market, understand company details and explore other queries that emerge during their research. Sharing his views, Jain said AI's most significant contribution to financial markets is its ability to make research more organised and time-efficient. However, analysing data quickly and accurately predicting market movements are two very different things. Why is AI becoming important in stock research? Buying a stock simply because its price has increased or because it has delivered good returns in the past is rarely sufficient. Investors need to examine a company's business performance, determine whether its earnings are growing, assess its debt levels, evaluate its valuation and identify the risks and opportunities it may face. This process often involves gathering information from several sources. Investors need to compare financial figures, analyse historical trends and understand developments specific to individual companies. The process can become even more challenging when they are tracking multiple stocks simultaneously. AI-powered tools can simplify certain aspects of this work by organising information, explaining financial figures, comparing companies and identifying historical patterns. Their purpose is not to eliminate the need for research, but to make the initial process faster and more systematic. However, accepting AI-generated responses without checking their accuracy is not advisable. Before drawing conclusions, investors must assess the reliability of the data, understand its context and consider the company's actual business conditions. From data analysis to price movement: Where can it actually help? When making investment decisions, both fundamental and technical information can play an important role. Fundamental analysis examines a company's financial position, earnings, debt and valuation. Technical analysis, on the other hand, focuses on historical price movements, trading volumes and chart patterns. AI tools can support both forms of analysis. Whether an investor wants to examine a company's financial performance or compare the metrics of two businesses, AI can provide a simpler starting point for research. It can also help explore questions about historical price movements and trading volumes. Other aspects of research include examining price changes before and after major corporate developments, analysing stock performance over specific periods and identifying possible risks. AI-powered tools can help investors study these factors in a more organised way. However, having access to more data does not necessarily mean arriving at accurate conclusions. Understanding the context behind the numbers and determining which information matters most to an investment decision remain crucial. Can AI predict the market's next move? This is one of the questions that interests investors the most. AI models can identify patterns in available data and generate signals about possible trends, changes in momentum or emerging risks. These insights can help investors understand market conditions and assess different possibilities. However, stock markets are influenced by more than numbers. Unexpected corporate earnings, government policy changes, global developments, interest rate movements and sudden shifts in investor sentiment can all affect market direction. In such situations, forecasts based on historical patterns or existing data may turn out to be inaccurate. For this reason, treating AI as a tool that can predict the market's future with certainty would be a mistake. Its value lies in helping investors explore possible scenarios, identify research leads and recognise potential risks. Rather than treating an AI-generated signal as the final basis for an investment decision, investors should evaluate it alongside other relevant information. A research aid for retail investors Until recently, AI-driven market research was largely associated with institutional investors, research teams and brokerages. Platforms such as Kwala Intel are now making similar capabilities more accessible to retail investors. Users can type questions about a company or stock or use the microphone feature to ask questions verbally. Once they receive a response, they can ask additional questions to explore the subject further. This can be especially helpful for investors seeking simpler explanations of market concepts or looking for an initial direction for company research. For example, investors can ask about a stock's financial performance, valuation, growth prospects or risks. They can also compare two companies to examine their respective performance and other relevant factors. The main advantage is that investors can frame questions based on their individual requirements instead of navigating technical terminology across several sources. Nevertheless, information generated by AI should still be verified against official company documents and other reliable sources. In Jain’s opinion, this use of AI can be particularly beneficial for retail investors because it lowers the barrier to starting research. However, using a platform to gather information and making an investment decision based on that information are two separate matters. Why human intelligence still matters and will always do in the AI era Investment decisions cannot be based on data alone. Two investors examining the same company may arrive at different conclusions because their investment timelines, financial circumstances and willingness to take risks are different. For instance, an investor who expects to need their money within the next few months may not find a high-risk equity investment appropriate. A long-term investor, however, might assess the same opportunity differently. While AI can help collect information and identify possible risks, investors must still account for their personal financial objectives. AI should be viewed as a partner rather than a replacement for human judgment. Although research may become quicker, investment discipline, experience, risk awareness and independent thinking remain essential. The usefulness of AI-generated responses also depends on the quality of the available data, the limitations of the model and how the question is framed. Incomplete or inaccurate inputs can produce misleading conclusions. Investors must therefore verify important facts and avoid depending entirely on AI. The future of AI in financial markets The role of AI in financial markets is expected to expand further in the years ahead. AI-powered platforms are likely to become increasingly involved in automating research processes, monitoring stock movements, interpreting data and identifying potential risks. For investors, one of the biggest changes could be easier access to complex information and a better understanding of what it means. However, the availability of advanced technology will not make investing risk-free. Uncertainty remains an inherent part of financial markets, and no technology can guarantee profits. According to Jain, AI is most effective when it helps investors ask better questions, carry out more structured research and understand the reasoning behind their decisions. Investors who combine technology with sound judgment and effective risk management will be better placed to use these tools. If you invest in the stock market and want to simplify your research using AI, Kwala Intel can help you ask questions about stocks, understand the responses and explore your research further as needed. Start your AI stock research on Kwala Intel: https://kwalaintel.com Unlimited AI stock research for just Rs 199 per month.

AI-powered stock research tools are helping retail investors analyse financial data faster, compare companies and identify risks. However, human judgement and independent research remain essential for investment decisions.

How AI-powered stock research tools are helping retail investors make faster decisions

Israel has banned a United Airlines pilot from its airspace over alleged Iran links. This is the latest aviation security action taken by the Jewish nation since Indian captain Smit Machchhar was attacked in the cockpit by an Omani copilot. Machchar was hit with an axe on September 30 when piloting a Flydubai flight bound for Tel Aviv, but passengers, fellow crew, and pilots prevented the alleged attempt to crash the aircraft.&nbsp;<h2>Israel's pilot bans continue</h2>The latest among the bans is United Airlines pilot Sina Amjadian, who has been barred from entering Israeli airspace, Israeli media reported. This came after checking the pilot's social media posts that Israeli officials interpreted as showing support for Iran, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, and Hezbollah.From October 1, Israel directed airlines to keep crew members who hold citizenship, including dual nationality, of countries without diplomatic relations with Israel off flights entering or crossing its airspace. This measure covers around 31 countries, including Muslim-majority ones like Pakistan, Oman, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Indonesia, Malaysia, Algeria, Tunisia, and Niger.Air France warned staff to comply with the rules, and an Ethiopian Airlines cargo flight was denied entry after Israeli authorities found an Indonesian pilot in the cockpit. The aircraft was turned back to Addis Ababa so the crew could be changed.Also read: "<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/the-scariest-thing-was-flydubai-captain-smit-machchhar-recalls-cockpit-fight-and-how-he-thought-of-his-son-and-daughter-1792303636872">The scariest thing was"... flydubai Captain Smit Machchhar recalls cockpit fight and how he thought of his son and daughter</a><h2>Israeli restrictions affect aviation</h2>Since the attack, Israel has implemented tighter rules for wet-leased flights. In wet leasing, an airline rents an aircraft along with its crew from another operator. Israeli carriers that rely on foreign aircraft and crews have been affected by this move. For instance, Arkia and Israir halted ticket sales on some routes, including services to Marrakech, Morocco, amid uncertainty over the new security requirements.<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/flydubai-hijack-scare-netanyahu-salutes-indian-pilot-smit-machchhar-after-flydubai-incident-1790826604431/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/flydubai-hijack-scare-netanyahu-salutes-indian-pilot-smit-machchhar-after-flydubai-incident-1790826604431/embed</a><h2>Israel expands aviation security screening after the attack</h2>Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered tighter aviation security, with authorities expanding identity checks. More comprehensive crew information is being sought for flights that enter Israel, after reports emerged that foreign crew manifests had not been consistently vetted.The changes have affected individual pilots, airline staffing rosters, and wet-lease arrangements.&nbsp;

Israel has barred a United Airlines pilot over allegations of support for Iran and Hezbollah. This is the latest of tightened aviation security measures after the Flydubai cockpit attack targeting Indian captain Smit Machchhar

Israel has banned a United Airlines pilot from its airspace over alleged Iran links. This is the latest aviation security action taken by the Jewish nation since Indian captain Smit Machchhar was attacked in the cockpit by an Omani copilot. Machchar was hit with an axe on September 30 when piloting a Flydubai flight bound for Tel Aviv, but passengers, fellow crew, and pilots prevented the alleged attempt to crash the aircraft. Israel's pilot bans continue The latest among the bans is United Airlines pilot Sina Amjadian, who has been barred from entering Israeli airspace, Israeli media reported. This came after checking the pilot's social media posts that Israeli officials interpreted as showing support for Iran, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, and Hezbollah. From October 1, Israel directed airlines to keep crew members who hold citizenship, including dual nationality, of countries without diplomatic relations with Israel off flights entering or crossing its airspace. This measure covers around 31 countries, including Muslim-majority ones like Pakistan, Oman, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Indonesia, Malaysia, Algeria, Tunisia, and Niger. Air France warned staff to comply with the rules, and an Ethiopian Airlines cargo flight was denied entry after Israeli authorities found an Indonesian pilot in the cockpit. The aircraft was turned back to Addis Ababa so the crew could be changed. Also read: "The scariest thing was"... flydubai Captain Smit Machchhar recalls cockpit fight and how he thought of his son and daughter Israeli restrictions affect aviation Since the attack, Israel has implemented tighter rules for wet-leased flights. In wet leasing, an airline rents an aircraft along with its crew from another operator. Israeli carriers that rely on foreign aircraft and crews have been affected by this move. For instance, Arkia and Israir halted ticket sales on some routes, including services to Marrakech, Morocco, amid uncertainty over the new security requirements. https://www.wionews.com/videos/flydubai-hijack-scare-netanyahu-salutes-indian-pilot-smit-machchhar-after-flydubai-incident-1790826604431/embed Israel expands aviation security screening after the attack Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered tighter aviation security, with authorities expanding identity checks. More comprehensive crew information is being sought for flights that enter Israel, after reports emerged that foreign crew manifests had not been consistently vetted. The changes have affected individual pilots, airline staffing rosters, and wet-lease arrangements.

Israel has barred a United Airlines pilot over allegations of support for Iran and Hezbollah. This is the latest of tightened aviation security measures after the Flydubai cockpit attack targeting Indian captain Smit Machchhar

Smit Machchhar attack aftermath: Israel bans United Airlines pilot over Iran links | All aviation actions taken by Jewish state so far

Michael Bloomberg spent $80 million in September and October to help Democrats regain control of the House of Representatives. US President Donald Trump, meanwhile, said he would spend more than $400 million on Republican efforts. Trump-aligned MAGA Inc. and the affiliated No Going Back PAC have spent at least $226 million so far in this midterm cycle. This is just a tip of the iceberg. Cash is flowing in record numbers into the elections. Here is a detailed look:<h2>Michael Bloomberg's spending breakdown</h2>According to reports in the New York Times and elsewhere, at least $50 million of Bloomberg's funds is going to House races, including $24 million to Everytown for Gun Safety, which he co-founded, and $16 million to House Majority PAC favouring the Democrats. He had also put $11 million behind a super PAC supporting Micah Lasher in New York's 12th District and $2.5 million toward Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro's re-election.&nbsp;<h2>Election fundraising in numbers</h2>AdImpact projected that political advertising will reach a record $11.6 billion this cycle, and had tracked $7.6 billion by late September.The Federal Election Commission reported that congressional candidates raised $2.8 billion, party committees $1.4 billion and PACs $8.3 billion between 1 January 2025 and 30 June 2026, about $12.5 billion combined. Independent expenditures reached $643.4 million in the same period.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-midterm-elections-2026-trump-faces-record-second-term-disapproval-1792511445359/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-midterm-elections-2026-trump-faces-record-second-term-disapproval-1792511445359/embed</a><h2>Top individual donors</h2>Elon Musk has contributed $369 million, making him the largest individual political donor in modern American history, according to a Washington Post analysis of FEC records through 15 October. His disclosed giving included $158 million to Senate Leadership Fund and $89 million to his America PAC.&nbsp;Elizabeth and Richard Uihlein gave $138 million and Jeff and Janine Yass $110 million to Republican causes, while George Soros gave $102 million to Democratic-aligned candidates or groups.Ben Horowitz and Marc Andreessen contributed about $92.2 million, Miriam Adelson $67.6 million and the Winklevoss twins about $55.3 million.&nbsp;Greg and Anna Brockman gave $50 million, split between MAGA Inc. and the AI super PAC Leading the Future. Paul Singer gave $53.5 million.The 50 largest donors contributed nearly $2.4 billion: about $1.54 billion from Republican-aligned donors, $590 million from Democratic-aligned donors and $259 million from bipartisan or special-interest donors.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-midterms-2026-with-republicans-spending-big-bloomberg-opens-his-wallet-for-democrats-here-s-how-much-he-is-pouring-1792524735382">US midterms 2026: With Republicans spending big, Bloomberg opens his wallet for Democrats. Here's how much he is pouring</a><h2>Super PACs and outside groups: Pooling cash to influence elections</h2>Republican-backing Senate Leadership Fund raised a record $272.9 million from July to September. Congressional Leadership Fund raised a record $94.4 million, entering October with $155.2 million in cash on hand. With its allied non-profit American Action Network, it has raised $370 million this cycle.&nbsp;On the Democratic side, Senate Majority PAC raised a record $151 million in the quarter and ended September with $111.8 million in cash.Crypto super PAC Fairshake had received about $137.9 million through 31 August and spent about $93.9 million. Win for America, the online betting advocacy super PAC, received $72 million, and Koch Inc. gave $20 million to Americans for Prosperity Action in June.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-midterms-2026-trump-s-33-approval-rating-spells-trouble-for-republicans-as-democrats-pull-ahead-1792331541536">US midterms 2026: Trump’s 33% approval rating spells trouble for Republicans as Democrats pull ahead</a><h2>Which industries are trying to sway elections?</h2>Various corporate companies or their bosses donated a record $646 million in the 18 months through June, up 40 per cent on the 2024 cycle, according to Public Citizen.&nbsp;Crypto, online betting and tech firms pushing AI and data centres contributed $344 million, or 53% of disclosed corporate contributions.&nbsp;Crypto companies gave $206 million and online betting firms $76 million, and Leading the Future's $50 million brought the AI sector's total to $62 million, as reported by FEC.&nbsp;

Bloomberg's $80 million late push for Democrats meets Musk's record $369 million for Republicans, even as Trump pledged more money. Top donors, super PACs and record corporate cash are driving the 2026 US midterms towards unprecedented spending. It's all about the money

Michael Bloomberg spent $80 million in September and October to help Democrats regain control of the House of Representatives. US President Donald Trump, meanwhile, said he would spend more than $400 million on Republican efforts. Trump-aligned MAGA Inc. and the affiliated No Going Back PAC have spent at least $226 million so far in this midterm cycle. This is just a tip of the iceberg. Cash is flowing in record numbers into the elections. Here is a detailed look: Michael Bloomberg's spending breakdown According to reports in the New York Times and elsewhere, at least $50 million of Bloomberg's funds is going to House races, including $24 million to Everytown for Gun Safety, which he co-founded, and $16 million to House Majority PAC favouring the Democrats. He had also put $11 million behind a super PAC supporting Micah Lasher in New York's 12th District and $2.5 million toward Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro's re-election. Election fundraising in numbers AdImpact projected that political advertising will reach a record $11.6 billion this cycle, and had tracked $7.6 billion by late September. The Federal Election Commission reported that congressional candidates raised $2.8 billion, party committees $1.4 billion and PACs $8.3 billion between 1 January 2025 and 30 June 2026, about $12.5 billion combined. Independent expenditures reached $643.4 million in the same period. https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-midterm-elections-2026-trump-faces-record-second-term-disapproval-1792511445359/embed Top individual donors Elon Musk has contributed $369 million, making him the largest individual political donor in modern American history, according to a Washington Post analysis of FEC records through 15 October. His disclosed giving included $158 million to Senate Leadership Fund and $89 million to his America PAC. Elizabeth and Richard Uihlein gave $138 million and Jeff and Janine Yass $110 million to Republican causes, while George Soros gave $102 million to Democratic-aligned candidates or groups. Ben Horowitz and Marc Andreessen contributed about $92.2 million, Miriam Adelson $67.6 million and the Winklevoss twins about $55.3 million. Greg and Anna Brockman gave $50 million, split between MAGA Inc. and the AI super PAC Leading the Future. Paul Singer gave $53.5 million. The 50 largest donors contributed nearly $2.4 billion: about $1.54 billion from Republican-aligned donors, $590 million from Democratic-aligned donors and $259 million from bipartisan or special-interest donors. Also read: US midterms 2026: With Republicans spending big, Bloomberg opens his wallet for Democrats. Here's how much he is pouring Super PACs and outside groups: Pooling cash to influence elections Republican-backing Senate Leadership Fund raised a record $272.9 million from July to September. Congressional Leadership Fund raised a record $94.4 million, entering October with $155.2 million in cash on hand. With its allied non-profit American Action Network, it has raised $370 million this cycle. On the Democratic side, Senate Majority PAC raised a record $151 million in the quarter and ended September with $111.8 million in cash. Crypto super PAC Fairshake had received about $137.9 million through 31 August and spent about $93.9 million. Win for America, the online betting advocacy super PAC, received $72 million, and Koch Inc. gave $20 million to Americans for Prosperity Action in June. Also read: US midterms 2026: Trump’s 33% approval rating spells trouble for Republicans as Democrats pull ahead Which industries are trying to sway elections? Various corporate companies or their bosses donated a record $646 million in the 18 months through June, up 40 per cent on the 2024 cycle, according to Public Citizen. Crypto, online betting and tech firms pushing AI and data centres contributed $344 million, or 53% of disclosed corporate contributions. Crypto companies gave $206 million and online betting firms $76 million, and Leading the Future's $50 million brought the AI sector's total to $62 million, as reported by FEC.

Bloomberg's $80 million late push for Democrats meets Musk's record $369 million for Republicans, even as Trump pledged more money. Top donors, super PACs and record corporate cash are driving the 2026 US midterms towards unprecedented spending. It's all about the money

US Midterms 2026 and money: From Bloomberg to Musk, corporate donors, super PACs and lobbies, it's all about the cash

Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd (‘Z’), has announced the appointment of Suraj Singh as the Business Head of Zee Studios. In this role, Suraj will be responsible for strengthening the Studios portfolio, driving production, distribution and commercial excellence, building strategic partnerships and accelerating growth across the content value chain.&nbsp;Suraj will focus on further enhancing Zee Studios' competitive positioning, driving a balanced portfolio of theatrical and digital-first projects and deepening collaborations across the creative ecosystem to deliver sustainable business growth and long-term value creation.&nbsp;As a leading pan-India film studio, Zee Studios continues to sharpen its focus on building a robust slate of high-quality films across languages and genres, strengthening its pan-India footprint and unlocking greater value across the content lifecycle. The studio recently unveiled an expansive movie slate encompassing commercial entertainers, action movies, romance, thrillers, mythology-based offerings and suspense amongst others.&nbsp;As the studio enters its next phase of growth, it remains committed towards nurturing compelling storytelling, developing scalable movie franchises, strengthening partnerships, expanding distribution capabilities and creating cinematic experiences that resonate with audiences across markets.&nbsp;Speaking about the appointment, Punit Goenka, Chief Executive Officer, Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd. said, “At ‘Z’, Human Capital is one of our most valuable assets, and we remain focused on strengthening our leadership capabilities across key business segments to drive the Company's long-term growth ambitions. Zee Studios is an important pillar of our content ecosystem and has built a rich legacy through its storytelling and differentiated film portfolio. I am pleased to welcome Suraj onboard, to realize our long-term vision for the movies business. His rich experience and expertise, coupled with a strong track record of driving production and commercial success, makes him well-positioned to lead Zee Studios into its next phase of growth.”&nbsp;Suraj Singh, Business Head – Zee Studios added, “Over the last three decades, Zee Studios has established a strong reputation for championing distinctive narratives. I am excited to join the team and build on this momentum by fostering strong creative partnerships and unlocking new opportunities across theatrical and digital platforms. Audiences are increasingly demanding diverse, high-quality storytelling and I look forward to create meaningful cinematic experiences that entertain this cohort and drive sustainable growth for the business." Suraj has over two decades of experience across film production, content development, business strategy, partnerships and studio operations. In his professional journey, Suraj has built and scaled content businesses, led marquee projects and delivered high-impact storytelling with strong commercial outcomes.&nbsp;Previously, Suraj was associated with BLIVE Productions as Founder &amp; Producer. Prior to that, he served in leadership positions across Dhoni Entertainment, Inspired Entertainment and Balaji Motion Pictures. As Zee Studios further strengthens its proposition by offering quality cinematic experiences across platforms, Suraj's industry expertise and entrepreneurial mindset will play a pivotal role in accelerating the studio’s long-term creative and business ambitions. &nbsp;&nbsp;In this role, Suraj will be based at the Company’s headquarters in Mumbai and will report into the Chief Executive Officer, Punit Goenka. Suraj’s appointment is with effect from 10th November 2026.

In this role, Suraj will be based at the Company’s headquarters in Mumbai and will report into the Chief Executive Officer, Punit Goenka. Suraj’s appointment is with effect from 10th November 2026.

Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd (‘Z’), has announced the appointment of Suraj Singh as the Business Head of Zee Studios. In this role, Suraj will be responsible for strengthening the Studios portfolio, driving production, distribution and commercial excellence, building strategic partnerships and accelerating growth across the content value chain. Suraj will focus on further enhancing Zee Studios' competitive positioning, driving a balanced portfolio of theatrical and digital-first projects and deepening collaborations across the creative ecosystem to deliver sustainable business growth and long-term value creation. As a leading pan-India film studio, Zee Studios continues to sharpen its focus on building a robust slate of high-quality films across languages and genres, strengthening its pan-India footprint and unlocking greater value across the content lifecycle. The studio recently unveiled an expansive movie slate encompassing commercial entertainers, action movies, romance, thrillers, mythology-based offerings and suspense amongst others. As the studio enters its next phase of growth, it remains committed towards nurturing compelling storytelling, developing scalable movie franchises, strengthening partnerships, expanding distribution capabilities and creating cinematic experiences that resonate with audiences across markets. Speaking about the appointment, Punit Goenka, Chief Executive Officer, Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd. said, “At ‘Z’, Human Capital is one of our most valuable assets, and we remain focused on strengthening our leadership capabilities across key business segments to drive the Company's long-term growth ambitions. Zee Studios is an important pillar of our content ecosystem and has built a rich legacy through its storytelling and differentiated film portfolio. I am pleased to welcome Suraj onboard, to realize our long-term vision for the movies business. His rich experience and expertise, coupled with a strong track record of driving production and commercial success, makes him well-positioned to lead Zee Studios into its next phase of growth.” Suraj Singh, Business Head – Zee Studios added, “Over the last three decades, Zee Studios has established a strong reputation for championing distinctive narratives. I am excited to join the team and build on this momentum by fostering strong creative partnerships and unlocking new opportunities across theatrical and digital platforms. Audiences are increasingly demanding diverse, high-quality storytelling and I look forward to create meaningful cinematic experiences that entertain this cohort and drive sustainable growth for the business." Suraj has over two decades of experience across film production, content development, business strategy, partnerships and studio operations. In his professional journey, Suraj has built and scaled content businesses, led marquee projects and delivered high-impact storytelling with strong commercial outcomes. Previously, Suraj was associated with BLIVE Productions as Founder & Producer. Prior to that, he served in leadership positions across Dhoni Entertainment, Inspired Entertainment and Balaji Motion Pictures. As Zee Studios further strengthens its proposition by offering quality cinematic experiences across platforms, Suraj's industry expertise and entrepreneurial mindset will play a pivotal role in accelerating the studio’s long-term creative and business ambitions. In this role, Suraj will be based at the Company’s headquarters in Mumbai and will report into the Chief Executive Officer, Punit Goenka. Suraj’s appointment is with effect from 10th November 2026.

In this role, Suraj will be based at the Company’s headquarters in Mumbai and will report into the Chief Executive Officer, Punit Goenka. Suraj’s appointment is with effect from 10th November 2026.

Zee Entertainment appoints Suraj Singh to spearhead Zee Studios

Reports, including The Wall Street Journal, suggest that restrictions on satellite internet services used by Ukraine’s military followed an order from SpaceX chief Elon Musk. Security concerns are a key reason for delays in Starlink’s entry into India. Earlier this month, Musk entered into a public social media spat with rival companies in India’s satellite internet market. The Indian government defended its security requirements. Now, the Ukraine situation news adds fresh dimensions. If Starlink is allowed in India, will it be at the mercy of Musk’s kill switch? Let us look at the technology and the politics.<h2>Was Starlink shut down in Ukraine?</h2>The satellite internet service, strategically crucial to Ukraine’s war effort against Russia, was not shut down entirely. Reports describe restrictions on a military-grade satellite communications service used by Ukrainian forces, identified as Starshield. There are conflicting reports about whether the affected terminals used Starshield or the commercial version of Starlink service.Speed restrictions on Starlink-attached devices or terminals were reported around October 13–14, which caught Ukraine’s military off guard. Terminals on faster-moving drones reportedly lost connectivity above certain speed thresholds, impairing drone interception and long-range strike missions.Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on October 17 that terminals in Ukraine were facing speed limits. Reports said the restrictions affected drones travelling at speeds above roughly 100 mph (160 km/h).Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/tap-dancing-through-a-minefield-musk-backs-spacex-tesla-merger-as-ai-boom-fuels-rocket-firm-s-first-profit-1792548716446">'Tap dancing through a minefield': Musk backs SpaceX-Tesla merger as AI boom fuels rocket firm's first profit</a><h2>Musk denies responsibility, but reports suggest otherwise</h2>Musk had earlier said that SpaceX was not responsible for the restrictions, arguing that Starshield is owned and controlled by the US government. He said its speed and usage limits are set by the US military and ultimately the President, Donald Trump. Commercial Starlink, which is different from Starshield, is intended for civilian and authorised uses, Musk said.Some US officials disputed reports of a deliberate restriction, while The Wall Street Journal and other outlets attributed the throttling decision to SpaceX, and by implication, Musk himself. US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said the Pentagon had not withdrawn support or taken anything away from Ukraine's Starlink apparatus.This is not the first time: In the early years of the conflict, SpaceX refused a Ukrainian request in 2022 to enable Starlink coverage near Crimea for a naval drone attack on Russia’s Black Sea Fleet. This was a refusal to activate coverage in a specific area, rather than a shutdown of an existing service.<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/elon-musk-india-clash-over-starlink-s-market-entry-terms-1791624912670/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/elon-musk-india-clash-over-starlink-s-market-entry-terms-1791624912670/embed</a><h2>How Starlink can switch on and off: geofencing and software controls</h2>SpaceX remotely operates Starlink’s satellite network and associated ground systems. Network access can be controlled through software and service configurations, without any physical intervention.Geofencing technology can restrict coverage in specific areas. Service can also be limited by speed, bandwidth, priority or permitted use, depending on the system and service agreement.Individual terminals can be authorised or blocked centrally. SpaceX can also decline to activate service in a requested area or restrict access to specific terminals.Whitelists and blacklists can help authorise or block terminals. Ukraine and SpaceX in the past took steps to prevent Russian forces from using captured or unauthorised Starlink terminals, although the precise technical measures are not fully known.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/four-years-3-licenses-zero-launch-why-elon-musk-s-starlink-is-still-struggling-to-crack-indian-market-explained-1791586731727">Four years, 3 licenses, zero launch: Why is Elon Musk’s Starlink still struggling to crack Indian market? EXPLAINED</a><h2>SpaceX directly controls commercial Starlink</h2>Regardless of who ordered the restrictions on the military-grade service, SpaceX has substantial operational control over commercial Starlink. That includes network configuration, coverage and terminal authorisation.Starshield differs in its focus on government and defence customers, including specialised security requirements. It can be procured through US government channels, including the US Space Force and the Department of Defence. Although Ukraine can coordinate terminal registrations, it does not independently control SpaceX’s network.The US government can impose restrictions on Starshield through its contracts and oversight arrangements. Under the Outer Space Treaty, the US also bears international responsibility for national activities in outer space, including those conducted by private entities.Commercial Starlink, however, is not ordinarily under the day-to-day operational command of the US government. Nevertheless, Washington can influence SpaceX through contracts, regulation, licensing requirements and applicable emergency powers.<h2>The India question of Starlink entry</h2>India wants satellite internet operators to comply with domestic security requirements, including setting up local ground infrastructure. In the past, India has recovered Starlink devices during law-enforcement and military operations. India seeks to balance the benefits of satellite connectivity with national security.Now add these things up and ask yourself: Was India right to seek additional security safeguards before granting Starlink permission to operate in the country?

Elon Musk’s reported Starlink restrictions in Ukraine raise questions about who controls the satellite internet owned by his company SpaceX. India’s security concerns highlight the risks of relying on a private foreign network. Here is the tech, and the politics

Reports, including The Wall Street Journal, suggest that restrictions on satellite internet services used by Ukraine’s military followed an order from SpaceX chief Elon Musk. Security concerns are a key reason for delays in Starlink’s entry into India. Earlier this month, Musk entered into a public social media spat with rival companies in India’s satellite internet market. The Indian government defended its security requirements. Now, the Ukraine situation news adds fresh dimensions. If Starlink is allowed in India, will it be at the mercy of Musk’s kill switch? Let us look at the technology and the politics. Was Starlink shut down in Ukraine? The satellite internet service, strategically crucial to Ukraine’s war effort against Russia, was not shut down entirely. Reports describe restrictions on a military-grade satellite communications service used by Ukrainian forces, identified as Starshield. There are conflicting reports about whether the affected terminals used Starshield or the commercial version of Starlink service. Speed restrictions on Starlink-attached devices or terminals were reported around October 13–14, which caught Ukraine’s military off guard. Terminals on faster-moving drones reportedly lost connectivity above certain speed thresholds, impairing drone interception and long-range strike missions. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on October 17 that terminals in Ukraine were facing speed limits. Reports said the restrictions affected drones travelling at speeds above roughly 100 mph (160 km/h). Also read: 'Tap dancing through a minefield': Musk backs SpaceX-Tesla merger as AI boom fuels rocket firm's first profit Musk denies responsibility, but reports suggest otherwise Musk had earlier said that SpaceX was not responsible for the restrictions, arguing that Starshield is owned and controlled by the US government. He said its speed and usage limits are set by the US military and ultimately the President, Donald Trump. Commercial Starlink, which is different from Starshield, is intended for civilian and authorised uses, Musk said. Some US officials disputed reports of a deliberate restriction, while The Wall Street Journal and other outlets attributed the throttling decision to SpaceX, and by implication, Musk himself. US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said the Pentagon had not withdrawn support or taken anything away from Ukraine's Starlink apparatus. This is not the first time: In the early years of the conflict, SpaceX refused a Ukrainian request in 2022 to enable Starlink coverage near Crimea for a naval drone attack on Russia’s Black Sea Fleet. This was a refusal to activate coverage in a specific area, rather than a shutdown of an existing service. https://www.wionews.com/videos/elon-musk-india-clash-over-starlink-s-market-entry-terms-1791624912670/embed How Starlink can switch on and off: geofencing and software controls SpaceX remotely operates Starlink’s satellite network and associated ground systems. Network access can be controlled through software and service configurations, without any physical intervention. Geofencing technology can restrict coverage in specific areas. Service can also be limited by speed, bandwidth, priority or permitted use, depending on the system and service agreement. Individual terminals can be authorised or blocked centrally. SpaceX can also decline to activate service in a requested area or restrict access to specific terminals. Whitelists and blacklists can help authorise or block terminals. Ukraine and SpaceX in the past took steps to prevent Russian forces from using captured or unauthorised Starlink terminals, although the precise technical measures are not fully known. Also read: Four years, 3 licenses, zero launch: Why is Elon Musk’s Starlink still struggling to crack Indian market? EXPLAINED SpaceX directly controls commercial Starlink Regardless of who ordered the restrictions on the military-grade service, SpaceX has substantial operational control over commercial Starlink. That includes network configuration, coverage and terminal authorisation. Starshield differs in its focus on government and defence customers, including specialised security requirements. It can be procured through US government channels, including the US Space Force and the Department of Defence. Although Ukraine can coordinate terminal registrations, it does not independently control SpaceX’s network. The US government can impose restrictions on Starshield through its contracts and oversight arrangements. Under the Outer Space Treaty, the US also bears international responsibility for national activities in outer space, including those conducted by private entities. Commercial Starlink, however, is not ordinarily under the day-to-day operational command of the US government. Nevertheless, Washington can influence SpaceX through contracts, regulation, licensing requirements and applicable emergency powers. The India question of Starlink entry India wants satellite internet operators to comply with domestic security requirements, including setting up local ground infrastructure. In the past, India has recovered Starlink devices during law-enforcement and military operations. India seeks to balance the benefits of satellite connectivity with national security. Now add these things up and ask yourself: Was India right to seek additional security safeguards before granting Starlink permission to operate in the country?

Elon Musk’s reported Starlink restrictions in Ukraine raise questions about who controls the satellite internet owned by his company SpaceX. India’s security concerns highlight the risks of relying on a private foreign network. Here is the tech, and the politics

If Musk slowed down Starlink in Ukraine, that’s why it shouldn’t enter India. But who controls the switch?

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday (Oct 20) said that the much-awaited US-India trade deal was "pretty close". His remarks echoed the earlier statement by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who said that the bilateral trade agreement was "incredibly close" and that finalisation was anticipated shortly.According to the POTUS, the upcoming deal was slated to be of a "much different kind" than any the US has "made in the past".Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/big-items-are-done-but-no-signature-how-the-us-midterms-could-decide-the-india-us-trade-deal-1792223135218">'Big items are done' but no signature: How US midterms could decide the India-US trade deal</a><h2>What did Trump say exactly?</h2>During a news briefing on Tuesday, Trump was asked if the trade deal with India was close. "They want to make a deal. We're going to make a deal. Pretty close, yeah. Going to be a much different kind of a deal than we've made in the past," he said.Earlier, during an interview, Rubio had noted that the deal is expected "in a matter of weeks, not months". He stressed that it was in the final stages, noting, "with these deals, it’s always important that it would be totally agreed to, every detail of it, before it’s announced because you can’t afford for a relationship of this magnitude to be threatened by announcing a deal and it turning out the deal wasn’t finalised.""But it’s incredibly close. I think we are down to some technical details that need to be worked out. Technical details matter because there has to be an agreement; both sides have to agree that the language means the same thing. So, it’s down to that level," he said.&nbsp;Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/very-close-to-trade-deal-with-india-says-marco-rubio-ahead-of-his-mumbai-arrival-on-tuesday-1792411026672">‘Very close’ to trade deal with India, says Rubio ahead of his Mumbai arrival</a>

<h2>Why the US-India trade deal matters</h2>The India–US Bilateral Trade Agreement represents a significant milestone in India’s global trade relations, ensuring continued preferential access for Indian exports to the US market worth over $30 trillion. The agreement provides thorough tariff rationalisation, duty-free access for many product categories, improved digital and technology collaboration, and a carefully designed framework to protect India’s farmers, MSMEs, and domestic industry.

US President Donald Trump says the US-India trade deal is "pretty close", echoing Secretary of State Marco Rubio's view that the agreement is "incredibly close" and expected in weeks, not months. Here's what he said.

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday (Oct 20) said that the much-awaited US-India trade deal was "pretty close". His remarks echoed the earlier statement by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who said that the bilateral trade agreement was "incredibly close" and that finalisation was anticipated shortly. According to the POTUS, the upcoming deal was slated to be of a "much different kind" than any the US has "made in the past". Also read | 'Big items are done' but no signature: How US midterms could decide the India-US trade deal What did Trump say exactly? During a news briefing on Tuesday, Trump was asked if the trade deal with India was close. "They want to make a deal. We're going to make a deal. Pretty close, yeah. Going to be a much different kind of a deal than we've made in the past," he said. Earlier, during an interview, Rubio had noted that the deal is expected "in a matter of weeks, not months". He stressed that it was in the final stages, noting, "with these deals, it’s always important that it would be totally agreed to, every detail of it, before it’s announced because you can’t afford for a relationship of this magnitude to be threatened by announcing a deal and it turning out the deal wasn’t finalised." "But it’s incredibly close. I think we are down to some technical details that need to be worked out. Technical details matter because there has to be an agreement; both sides have to agree that the language means the same thing. So, it’s down to that level," he said. Also read | ‘Very close’ to trade deal with India, says Rubio ahead of his Mumbai arrival

US President Donald Trump says the US-India trade deal is "pretty close", echoing Secretary of State Marco Rubio's view that the agreement is "incredibly close" and expected in weeks, not months. Here's what he said.

Trump confirms US-India trade deal 'pretty close', promises a 'different' kind of agreement

State Bank of India on Wednesday (Oct 21) confirmed that customer information may have been exposed online. In a formal disclosure, the bank said its Threat Intelligence Service Provider, the Defence Cyber Agency, and CERT-In alerted it on 16 October about data suspected to be linked to SBI customers appearing on the dark web. An initial review of roughly 375,000 records found online flagged 3,897 that contained personally identifiable information. The details, as per the bank, include Personally Identifiable Information (PII) like mobile numbers, dates of birth, names, gender, email addresses, residential addresses, branch and CIF identifiers, lead IDs, and metadata tied to loan and lead records.This comes as a hacker group which calls itself ‘Siriusim’ claimed to have gained access to 3.8 lakh data entries, including customer personal data.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/imf-world-economic-outlook-10-economies-to-watch-for-growth-in-fy27-and-fy28-where-does-india-stand-1791868386918">IMF World Economic Outlook: 10 economies to watch for growth in FY27 and FY28 - Where does India stand?</a><figure class="image"><img src="https://cdn3.wionews.com/prod/wion/images/2026/20261021/image-1792562538929.jpeg"></figure><h2>What this means for your money</h2>The bank, which is India's largest lender, said customers' money and banking services are safe but urged caution against phishing. It said that accounts, funds and transactions continue to work as normal. According to SBI, this is a data exposure, not a compromise of account access or money.“We wish to submit that this does not have any material impact on Bank's Core business operations, financial performance or business continuity. The Bank's core business functions continue to operate normally without disruptions.”The bank says it has switched on its cyber incident response and containment protocols. "Additionally, an independent CERT-in-empanelled cybersecurity agency was engaged to conduct a comprehensive assessment and investigate the nature and extent of the alleged compromise," it said. A detailed assessment is underway, along with remedial and preventive steps, the bank added.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-treasury-hits-bank-of-america-with-over-1-2-billion-in-penalties-over-suspicious-transactions-and-chinese-money-laundering-links-1791946441112">US Treasury hits Bank of America with over $1.2 billion in penalties over suspicious transactions and Chinese money-laundering links</a><h2>Hacker group claims access to 3.8 lakh data entries</h2>Previously, an unidentified group calling itself "Siriusim" claimed to have gained access to around 3.8 lakh data entries and 2,722 PDF documents linked to SBI. The claim was flagged by the cybersecurity monitoring account CyberPulse56 on 16 October. CyberPulse56 has cautioned that if the dataset is genuine, it could be used for identity theft, financial fraud, targeted phishing and fraudulent loan applications.<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/sbi-may-have-suffered-data-breach-as-hackers-claim-access-to-3-75-lakh-customer-records-1792413355014/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/sbi-may-have-suffered-data-breach-as-hackers-claim-access-to-3-75-lakh-customer-records-1792413355014/embed</a><h2>How customers can protect themselves</h2>While the probe continues, a few habits can keep you safe:- Never share OTPs, passwords or card details with anyone who calls, texts or emails you. SBI will never ask for these. - Avoid clicking links in messages that claim to be from SBI and ask you to "verify" or "update" details. - Keep an eye on your account statements and transaction alerts. - Report anything suspicious to your bank at the branch or via the official helpline.

SBI confirms customer data may be exposed on the dark web, with 3,897 records flagged. Is your money and banking safe? All you need to know.

State Bank of India on Wednesday (Oct 21) confirmed that customer information may have been exposed online. In a formal disclosure, the bank said its Threat Intelligence Service Provider, the Defence Cyber Agency, and CERT-In alerted it on 16 October about data suspected to be linked to SBI customers appearing on the dark web. An initial review of roughly 375,000 records found online flagged 3,897 that contained personally identifiable information. The details, as per the bank, include Personally Identifiable Information (PII) like mobile numbers, dates of birth, names, gender, email addresses, residential addresses, branch and CIF identifiers, lead IDs, and metadata tied to loan and lead records. This comes as a hacker group which calls itself ‘Siriusim’ claimed to have gained access to 3.8 lakh data entries, including customer personal data. Also read | IMF World Economic Outlook: 10 economies to watch for growth in FY27 and FY28 - Where does India stand? What this means for your money The bank, which is India's largest lender, said customers' money and banking services are safe but urged caution against phishing. It said that accounts, funds and transactions continue to work as normal. According to SBI, this is a data exposure, not a compromise of account access or money. “We wish to submit that this does not have any material impact on Bank's Core business operations, financial performance or business continuity. The Bank's core business functions continue to operate normally without disruptions.” The bank says it has switched on its cyber incident response and containment protocols. "Additionally, an independent CERT-in-empanelled cybersecurity agency was engaged to conduct a comprehensive assessment and investigate the nature and extent of the alleged compromise," it said. A detailed assessment is underway, along with remedial and preventive steps, the bank added. Also read | US Treasury hits Bank of America with over $1.2 billion in penalties over suspicious transactions and Chinese money-laundering links Hacker group claims access to 3.8 lakh data entries Previously, an unidentified group calling itself "Siriusim" claimed to have gained access to around 3.8 lakh data entries and 2,722 PDF documents linked to SBI. The claim was flagged by the cybersecurity monitoring account CyberPulse56 on 16 October. CyberPulse56 has cautioned that if the dataset is genuine, it could be used for identity theft, financial fraud, targeted phishing and fraudulent loan applications. https://www.wionews.com/videos/sbi-may-have-suffered-data-breach-as-hackers-claim-access-to-3-75-lakh-customer-records-1792413355014/embed How customers can protect themselves While the probe continues, a few habits can keep you safe: - Never share OTPs, passwords or card details with anyone who calls, texts or emails you. SBI will never ask for these. - Avoid clicking links in messages that claim to be from SBI and ask you to "verify" or "update" details. - Keep an eye on your account statements and transaction alerts. - Report anything suspicious to your bank at the branch or via the official helpline.

SBI confirms customer data may be exposed on the dark web, with 3,897 records flagged. Is your money and banking safe? All you need to know.

SBI confirms data breach: 3,897 records flagged on dark web. Is your money safe?

Elon Musk said Tuesday (Oct 20) that he would back a merger of SpaceX and Tesla, as his rocket and AI company reported its first quarterly profit since going public, driven by deals to rent out computing power to AI firms. Asked about a possible tie-up on a call with analysts, Musk said he felt he was "tap dancing through a minefield," but noted that a combination would be "a good idea." Shares in SpaceX shot up nearly five per cent in after-hours trading following the comments.<h2>Committees set up to study the deal</h2>Musk said special committees of independent directors at both SpaceX and Tesla have been set up to study the idea at the request of shareholders. He added that he could not take part in their talks because he has a conflict of interest. Musk is chief executive of both companies, and also serves as chairman and chief technology officer of SpaceX.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/starlink-says-ready-to-connect-india-with-high-speed-internet-amid-reliance-row-1792206635252">Starlink says 'ready to connect India with high-speed internet' amid Reliance row</a>As of June 30, he owns 48.4 per cent of SpaceX, according to a regulatory filing, and controls more than 82 per cent of its voting power through super-voting shares. He holds about 20 per cent of Tesla. The committees have not agreed on the terms of any deal and there is no guarantee they will, Musk said, cautioning that it would be overstating it to treat a merger as a certainty. Any deal would need the backing of a majority of all Tesla shares, not just those cast in a vote, which Musk called "quite a high hurdle."He said the two companies could gain from working together on AI software, chip design, robotics and space-based computing.<h2>First profit, AI-led turnaround</h2>His remarks came after SpaceX posted net income of $4.4 billion for the July-September period, compared with a loss of $1.1 billion a year earlier. Revenue jumped 161 per cent to $14.6 billion. The quarterly results follow a bumpy start on Wall Street. SpaceX began trading on the Nasdaq on June 12 after an IPO priced at $135 a share that raised about $85.7 billion. Its first earnings report as a listed company showed second-quarter revenue of $7.8 billion and a net loss of $541 million.The AI division, which SpaceX now calls "Super Intelligence," (inspired by US President Donald Trump's push to call Artificial intelligence by this name) drove the turnaround. The unit's revenue rose more than nine times from a year earlier to $7.6 billion, overtaking the Starlink satellite internet business as the company's largest source of sales. SpaceX credited new cloud services agreements, wider adoption of its Grok chatbot and its acquisition of Cursor, an AI coding startup. Cloud customers include Anthropic, which agreed in May to pay nearly $45 billion over three years for computing power at SpaceX's Colossus data centers, and Google, which signed on in June to pay $920 million a month from October through June 2029.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/inside-tesla-s-roadster-10-features-of-elon-musk-s-flying-car-that-push-the-limits-of-electric-vehicles-in-pics-1792121766476">Inside Tesla's Roadster: 10 features of Elon Musk's 'flying car' that push the limits of electric vehicles | In Pics</a><h2>Heavy spending, big ambitions</h2>The AI unit turned an operating profit of $431 million, compared with a loss of $1.7 billion a year earlier. Spending remains heavy. SpaceX invested $19.6 billion in the quarter, $16.4 billion of it in AI, bringing capital spending for the first nine months of the year to $48 billion. Its computing capacity reached 1.7 gigawatts, up from 0.6 gigawatts a year earlier. Musk said he was "fairly confident" SpaceX could bring an additional 10 gigawatts of computing capacity online in 2027, on top of the roughly 2.5 to 3.0 gigawatts expected by year-end, though he added that power, cooling and electrical equipment were "somewhat of a limiting factor."Revenue at the Starlink unit grew 69 per cent to $5.2 billion, and consumer subscribers reached 13.6 million, though average monthly revenue per consumer fell to $69 from $83 a year earlier. SpaceX also completed the first revenue-generating flight of Starship, the giant rocket central to Musk's Mars ambitions, carrying 26 next-generation Starlink satellites into orbit.

Musk says a SpaceX-Tesla merger would be "a good idea" as his rocket firm posts its first quarterly profit, $4.4 billion, driven by an AI division that overtook Starlink. Directors' committees are studying the deal, but Musk warns it is far from certain. Read on.


Elon Musk said Tuesday (Oct 20) that he would back a merger of SpaceX and Tesla, as his rocket and AI company reported its first quarterly profit since going public, driven by deals to rent out computing power to AI firms. Asked about a possible tie-up on a call with analysts, Musk said he felt he was "tap dancing through a minefield," but noted that a combination would be "a good idea." Shares in SpaceX shot up nearly five per cent in after-hours trading following the comments. Committees set up to study the deal Musk said special committees of independent directors at both SpaceX and Tesla have been set up to study the idea at the request of shareholders. He added that he could not take part in their talks because he has a conflict of interest. Musk is chief executive of both companies, and also serves as chairman and chief technology officer of SpaceX. Also read | Starlink says 'ready to connect India with high-speed internet' amid Reliance row As of June 30, he owns 48.4 per cent of SpaceX, according to a regulatory filing, and controls more than 82 per cent of its voting power through super-voting shares. He holds about 20 per cent of Tesla. The committees have not agreed on the terms of any deal and there is no guarantee they will, Musk said, cautioning that it would be overstating it to treat a merger as a certainty. Any deal would need the backing of a majority of all Tesla shares, not just those cast in a vote, which Musk called "quite a high hurdle." He said the two companies could gain from working together on AI software, chip design, robotics and space-based computing. First profit, AI-led turnaround His remarks came after SpaceX posted net income of $4.4 billion for the July-September period, compared with a loss of $1.1 billion a year earlier. Revenue jumped 161 per cent to $14.6 billion. The quarterly results follow a bumpy start on Wall Street. SpaceX began trading on the Nasdaq on June 12 after an IPO priced at $135 a share that raised about $85.7 billion. Its first earnings report as a listed company showed second-quarter revenue of $7.8 billion and a net loss of $541 million. The AI division, which SpaceX now calls "Super Intelligence," (inspired by US President Donald Trump's push to call Artificial intelligence by this name) drove the turnaround. The unit's revenue rose more than nine times from a year earlier to $7.6 billion, overtaking the Starlink satellite internet business as the company's largest source of sales. SpaceX credited new cloud services agreements, wider adoption of its Grok chatbot and its acquisition of Cursor, an AI coding startup. Cloud customers include Anthropic, which agreed in May to pay nearly $45 billion over three years for computing power at SpaceX's Colossus data centers, and Google, which signed on in June to pay $920 million a month from October through June 2029. Also read | Inside Tesla's Roadster: 10 features of Elon Musk's 'flying car' that push the limits of electric vehicles | In Pics Heavy spending, big ambitions The AI unit turned an operating profit of $431 million, compared with a loss of $1.7 billion a year earlier. Spending remains heavy. SpaceX invested $19.6 billion in the quarter, $16.4 billion of it in AI, bringing capital spending for the first nine months of the year to $48 billion. Its computing capacity reached 1.7 gigawatts, up from 0.6 gigawatts a year earlier. Musk said he was "fairly confident" SpaceX could bring an additional 10 gigawatts of computing capacity online in 2027, on top of the roughly 2.5 to 3.0 gigawatts expected by year-end, though he added that power, cooling and electrical equipment were "somewhat of a limiting factor." Revenue at the Starlink unit grew 69 per cent to $5.2 billion, and consumer subscribers reached 13.6 million, though average monthly revenue per consumer fell to $69 from $83 a year earlier. SpaceX also completed the first revenue-generating flight of Starship, the giant rocket central to Musk's Mars ambitions, carrying 26 next-generation Starlink satellites into orbit.

Musk says a SpaceX-Tesla merger would be "a good idea" as his rocket firm posts its first quarterly profit, $4.4 billion, driven by an AI division that overtook Starlink. Directors' committees are studying the deal, but Musk warns it is far from certain. Read on.

'Tap dancing through a minefield': Musk backs SpaceX-Tesla merger as AI boom fuels rocket firm's first profit

A coalition of groups has been targeting the companies and individuals seen as backing US President Donald Trump. The We Ain’t Buying It movement, alongside the No Kings coalition and allied groups, has intensified consumer boycotts during the 2026 midterm season against firms accused of supporting the administration’s policies.<h2>What is the movement about?</h2>We Ain’t Buying It gained prominence over Thanksgiving 2025, urging Americans to withhold purchases from Thanksgiving through Cyber Monday - 27 November to 1 December - from retailers accused of enabling the Trump administration. It focused on Target over diversity recruitment rollbacks, Home Depot over alleged cooperation with ICE, and Amazon over funding and contracts linked to the government.In May 2026, the ‘May Day Strong’ action called for boycotts of work, school and shopping against what organisers called a ‘billionaire takeover’ of government. Indivisible, a No Kings organiser, successfully pressed Spotify in 2025 to stop running ICE recruitment ads after a subscription-cancellation campaign. On 17 October this year, No Kings events which are mainly focused on midterms early voting, also encouraged no-shopping actions.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/gravitas/no-kings-movement-poses-fresh-challenge-for-trump-support-for-israel-plummets-in-us-1792430665852">'No Kings' movement poses fresh challenge for Trump, support for Israel plummets in US | Gravitas</a><h2>Who is organising the boycotts?</h2>The No Kings coalition is led by the Indivisible group. We Ain’t Buying It involves more than 80 organisations, including the No Kings Alliance, 50501 Movement, Indivisible, Black Voters Matter Fund, Until Freedom and the Working Families Party. LaTosha Brown, co-founder of Black Voters Matter Fund and a coalition spokesperson, has described economic non-cooperation as a powerful non-violent protest tool.<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/no-kings-instagram-suspended-during-early-voting-campaign-1792342254661/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/no-kings-instagram-suspended-during-early-voting-campaign-1792342254661/embed</a><h2>How is it implemented?</h2>Tactics of the organisers range from full spending blackouts to pickets and digital pressure. During the 2025 holiday window, participants had urged the boycott of some big box retailers and instead shop locally or at minority-owned businesses. Organisers planned pickets at Amazon-owned Whole Foods flagship stores. Some claimed that the pressure helped reverse Disney’s decision to pull the show of comedian Jimmy Kimmel from its networks. Conservative outlets meanwhile countered that the 2025 holiday weekend set shopping records, arguing the boycott failed.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-no-kings-protests-across-the-us-rally-against-trump-with-marquee-event-in-minnesota-1774731198265">‘No Kings’ protests across the US rally against Trump with marquee event in Minnesota</a><h2>Which companies have been affected?</h2>Target, which faced the boycott, reaffirmed diversity commitments in March 2026. Home Depot faced action over alleged ICE collusion. Amazon and Tesla were targeted. The GEO Group remains a central focus this year, over ICE detention centre contracts. Social media chatter has also named Walmart, Ford, McDonald’s, Jack Daniel’s, Starbucks, Palantir and Toyota as potential boycott targets. Meanwhile, when Walmart heiress Christy Walton funded a pro-No Kings ad in 2025, Trump ally Roger Stone called for a Walmart boycott.

For over a year now, groups like We Ain’t Buying It and No Kings have been mobilising consumer boycotts against companies seen as linked to Trump policies. They are targeting corporate influence, immigration enforcement and voting rights ahead of the 2026 midterms.

A coalition of groups has been targeting the companies and individuals seen as backing US President Donald Trump. The We Ain’t Buying It movement, alongside the No Kings coalition and allied groups, has intensified consumer boycotts during the 2026 midterm season against firms accused of supporting the administration’s policies. What is the movement about? We Ain’t Buying It gained prominence over Thanksgiving 2025, urging Americans to withhold purchases from Thanksgiving through Cyber Monday - 27 November to 1 December - from retailers accused of enabling the Trump administration. It focused on Target over diversity recruitment rollbacks, Home Depot over alleged cooperation with ICE, and Amazon over funding and contracts linked to the government. In May 2026, the ‘May Day Strong’ action called for boycotts of work, school and shopping against what organisers called a ‘billionaire takeover’ of government. Indivisible, a No Kings organiser, successfully pressed Spotify in 2025 to stop running ICE recruitment ads after a subscription-cancellation campaign. On 17 October this year, No Kings events which are mainly focused on midterms early voting, also encouraged no-shopping actions. Also read: 'No Kings' movement poses fresh challenge for Trump, support for Israel plummets in US | Gravitas Who is organising the boycotts? The No Kings coalition is led by the Indivisible group. We Ain’t Buying It involves more than 80 organisations, including the No Kings Alliance, 50501 Movement, Indivisible, Black Voters Matter Fund, Until Freedom and the Working Families Party. LaTosha Brown, co-founder of Black Voters Matter Fund and a coalition spokesperson, has described economic non-cooperation as a powerful non-violent protest tool. https://www.wionews.com/videos/no-kings-instagram-suspended-during-early-voting-campaign-1792342254661/embed How is it implemented? Tactics of the organisers range from full spending blackouts to pickets and digital pressure. During the 2025 holiday window, participants had urged the boycott of some big box retailers and instead shop locally or at minority-owned businesses. Organisers planned pickets at Amazon-owned Whole Foods flagship stores. Some claimed that the pressure helped reverse Disney’s decision to pull the show of comedian Jimmy Kimmel from its networks. Conservative outlets meanwhile countered that the 2025 holiday weekend set shopping records, arguing the boycott failed. Also read: ‘No Kings’ protests across the US rally against Trump with marquee event in Minnesota Which companies have been affected? Target, which faced the boycott, reaffirmed diversity commitments in March 2026. Home Depot faced action over alleged ICE collusion. Amazon and Tesla were targeted. The GEO Group remains a central focus this year, over ICE detention centre contracts. Social media chatter has also named Walmart, Ford, McDonald’s, Jack Daniel’s, Starbucks, Palantir and Toyota as potential boycott targets. Meanwhile, when Walmart heiress Christy Walton funded a pro-No Kings ad in 2025, Trump ally Roger Stone called for a Walmart boycott.

For over a year now, groups like We Ain’t Buying It and No Kings have been mobilising consumer boycotts against companies seen as linked to Trump policies. They are targeting corporate influence, immigration enforcement and voting rights ahead of the 2026 midterms.

'We ain't buying it': How a purchase boycott movement spread over the years against Trump-backing companies

Ever wondered whether artificial intelligence (AI) can transform how investors understand commodities, identify opportunities and build multi-asset portfolios? For decades, Indian investors have embraced equities, with financial data and investment research becoming increasingly accessible through technology. However, commodity markets remain relatively underexplored by many investors because their fundamentals are spread across multiple domestic and international sources.&nbsp;Market experts believe AI could change this landscape by bringing together production, consumption, inventories, trade flows, seasonality and market data to generate actionable insights. As investors increasingly explore multi-asset portfolios, AI-powered research tools could help them understand commodities, identify relative-value opportunities and make better-informed investment decisions without depending entirely on equities.&nbsp;Kwala Intel, an AI-powered market intelligence platform, provides insights into commodities such as gold, silver, crude oil and copper, alongside NSE- and BSE-listed companies linked to commodity prices. The platform analyses live commodity prices and the factors driving them, including supply-demand dynamics, policy changes, geopolitical developments and fluctuating input costs. It also connects commodity price movements with their potential impact on listed companies. For instance, changes in crude oil prices can affect airlines and paint manufacturers differently from downstream oil companies. By examining the potential implications for input costs, profit margins and business fundamentals, Kwala Intel aims to help investors understand these relationships and access market insights in real time and in their preferred language.<h2>The AI-powered shift gaining market attention: From fear of numbers to investment confidence</h2>Investing has traditionally involved extensive number-crunching and rapid analysis. Balance sheets, earnings, return on equity (ROE), price-to-earnings (P/E) ratios, price-to-book values and numerous financial indicators can make investment research appear complicated. For individuals managing businesses, pursuing professional careers or trading part-time, analysing these numbers continuously can be difficult. Market analysts often emphasise the importance of making financial information more accessible so that investors can understand the factors influencing their decisions.&nbsp;Over the past two decades, India's equity markets have undergone a significant transformation. Technology, online research platforms, financial websites and digital brokerage services have made corporate information easier to access. Investors can now compare companies, study historical performance and examine financial ratios with greater convenience. This progress is also reflected in market participation. According to SEBI's Investor Survey 2025, approximately 3.21 crore Indian households, representing 9.5 per cent of total households, were invested in securities-market products. Urban participation stood at 15 per cent, compared with 6 per cent in rural areas.<h2>How AI can be a game-changer in commodity markets</h2>Unlike company financial statements, commodity market information is rarely consolidated into one convenient source. AI can help address three major challenges:<ul><li>Data collection: Gathering information from multiple domestic and international sources.</li><li>Data organisation: Structuring diverse datasets into comparable and usable formats.</li><li>Data interpretation: Connecting market developments with potential investment implications.</li></ul>Consider crude oil. Its prices are influenced by global production, decisions made by major producers, inventory levels, refinery activity, geopolitical developments, currency movements and consumption trends. An Indian investor seeking to understand crude oil must often analyse information published by multiple countries, institutions and market participants. Although the analytical process may appear straightforward in theory, gathering current information and connecting the relevant factors manually can be time-consuming, particularly in fast-moving markets.<h2>From agricultural data to commodity balance sheets</h2>Agricultural commodities, commonly referred to as agri commodities, offer another example of how AI could simplify market research. Commodities such as turmeric, chilli, cumin and guar (cluster bean) are influenced by several interconnected factors. These include sowing acreage across states, rainfall, production estimates, wholesale market arrivals, carry-forward stocks, domestic consumption and export demand.&nbsp;Analysing these factors manually can involve reviewing numerous reports, market updates and datasets. Kwala Intel aims to simplify this process by interpreting large volumes of commodity information and connecting futures price movements with spot prices, market arrivals, exports, sowing trends and weather conditions.&nbsp;&nbsp;It can also help users examine available market quotes alongside acreage, weather and demand indicators to understand the broader market context. By combining multiple datasets and comparing seasonal patterns, AI-powered tools can support the preparation of commodity balance sheets. These balance sheets help investors assess expected supply, demand and ending stocks, providing a structured framework for understanding potential price movements. However, the reliability of any such analysis depends on the quality, timeliness and completeness of the underlying data.<h2>Turning Information Into Investment Alpha</h2>Once market information is organised, AI can help investors investigate opportunities that go beyond simply predicting whether prices will rise or fall.Potential areas of analysis include:<ul><li>Spot-futures price differences: Examining the relationship between physical commodity prices and futures contracts.</li><li>Futures spreads: Comparing prices across contracts with different expiry dates.</li><li>Seasonal price patterns: Studying recurring price behaviour across months and agricultural cycles.</li><li>Inventory changes: Assessing how stock levels may influence supply-demand expectations.</li><li>Technical indicators: Identifying price trends, momentum and potential changes in market direction.</li><li>Relative valuation: Comparing the performance and pricing relationships of different commodities.</li></ul>AI can screen these relationships, compare current conditions with historical patterns and flag unusual developments that may warrant further investigation.For example, a difference between spot and futures prices might appear attractive at first glance. However, investors must consider storage expenses, financing costs, transaction charges, liquidity constraints and execution risks before determining whether a genuine arbitrage opportunity exists.AI can improve the research process and help investors evaluate potential opportunities more systematically. It cannot guarantee profitable trades or eliminate market risk.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/decoding-market-jargon-kwala-intel-s-real-time-ai-powered-insights-transform-stock-analysis-1792081314974">Decoding market jargon: Kwala Intel’s real-time AI-powered insights transform stock analysis</a><h2>Making commodity intelligence actionable</h2>Technology has made equity-market information increasingly accessible to Indian investors. AI could take this transformation further by extending similar capabilities to commodities and other asset classes. The underlying information already exists across production reports, consumption data, inventories, export statistics, seasonal patterns, economic indicators and global market developments. The challenge is bringing these sources together and presenting the findings in a format investors can understand and use.&nbsp;Kwala Intel seeks to address this challenge by consolidating commodity research and translating complex market developments into accessible insights. The platform also aims to make market research more convenient by allowing users to ask questions in their preferred language. This could be particularly useful for investors who want to understand commodity fundamentals but may find technical reports, financial terminology or international data sources difficult to navigate.<h2>AI-powered research in English, Hindi and regional languages</h2>As multi-asset investing gains attention, access to understandable research is becoming increasingly important. Kwala Intel offers AI-led explanations and market intelligence in English, Hindi and more than a dozen regional languages, helping users explore commodity markets, stock research and technical indicators. For retail investors, this approach could reduce the time spent navigating multiple information sources. Institutional investors and experienced traders may also find value in using AI to organise research, screen market relationships and identify developments that require closer analysis.&nbsp;Nevertheless, AI-generated insights should be treated as research inputs rather than automatic investment instructions. Investors should verify important data, assess their risk tolerance and consider independent financial advice where appropriate.<h2>Kwala intel pro subscription: Pricing and access</h2>Kwala Intel Pro is priced at Rs 199 per month or Rs 1,999 per year, inclusive of GST. According to the stated subscription pricing, the annual plan costs less than Rs 5.50 per day, compared with Rs 2,388 for 12 months on the monthly plan. The platform offers access to research features designed for investors and traders seeking to incorporate AI-powered market intelligence into their research process.&nbsp;Whether tracking intraday price movements, reviewing portfolio holdings or learning to interpret technical indicators, users can explore stock research, market data and AI-led explanations through a consolidated platform. Before subscribing, prospective users should review the platform's current features, data coverage, usage terms and subscription conditions to determine whether it meets their individual research requirements.

Explore how Kwala Intel uses AI to analyse gold, silver, crude oil and agri commodities, track market trends and support smarter multi-asset research in India

Ever wondered whether artificial intelligence (AI) can transform how investors understand commodities, identify opportunities and build multi-asset portfolios? For decades, Indian investors have embraced equities, with financial data and investment research becoming increasingly accessible through technology. However, commodity markets remain relatively underexplored by many investors because their fundamentals are spread across multiple domestic and international sources. Market experts believe AI could change this landscape by bringing together production, consumption, inventories, trade flows, seasonality and market data to generate actionable insights. As investors increasingly explore multi-asset portfolios, AI-powered research tools could help them understand commodities, identify relative-value opportunities and make better-informed investment decisions without depending entirely on equities. Kwala Intel, an AI-powered market intelligence platform, provides insights into commodities such as gold, silver, crude oil and copper, alongside NSE- and BSE-listed companies linked to commodity prices. The platform analyses live commodity prices and the factors driving them, including supply-demand dynamics, policy changes, geopolitical developments and fluctuating input costs. It also connects commodity price movements with their potential impact on listed companies. For instance, changes in crude oil prices can affect airlines and paint manufacturers differently from downstream oil companies. By examining the potential implications for input costs, profit margins and business fundamentals, Kwala Intel aims to help investors understand these relationships and access market insights in real time and in their preferred language. The AI-powered shift gaining market attention: From fear of numbers to investment confidence Investing has traditionally involved extensive number-crunching and rapid analysis. Balance sheets, earnings, return on equity (ROE), price-to-earnings (P/E) ratios, price-to-book values and numerous financial indicators can make investment research appear complicated. For individuals managing businesses, pursuing professional careers or trading part-time, analysing these numbers continuously can be difficult. Market analysts often emphasise the importance of making financial information more accessible so that investors can understand the factors influencing their decisions. Over the past two decades, India's equity markets have undergone a significant transformation. Technology, online research platforms, financial websites and digital brokerage services have made corporate information easier to access. Investors can now compare companies, study historical performance and examine financial ratios with greater convenience. This progress is also reflected in market participation. According to SEBI's Investor Survey 2025, approximately 3.21 crore Indian households, representing 9.5 per cent of total households, were invested in securities-market products. Urban participation stood at 15 per cent, compared with 6 per cent in rural areas. How AI can be a game-changer in commodity markets Unlike company financial statements, commodity market information is rarely consolidated into one convenient source. AI can help address three major challenges: Data collection: Gathering information from multiple domestic and international sources. Data organisation: Structuring diverse datasets into comparable and usable formats. Data interpretation: Connecting market developments with potential investment implications. Consider crude oil. Its prices are influenced by global production, decisions made by major producers, inventory levels, refinery activity, geopolitical developments, currency movements and consumption trends. An Indian investor seeking to understand crude oil must often analyse information published by multiple countries, institutions and market participants. Although the analytical process may appear straightforward in theory, gathering current information and connecting the relevant factors manually can be time-consuming, particularly in fast-moving markets. From agricultural data to commodity balance sheets Agricultural commodities, commonly referred to as agri commodities, offer another example of how AI could simplify market research. Commodities such as turmeric, chilli, cumin and guar (cluster bean) are influenced by several interconnected factors. These include sowing acreage across states, rainfall, production estimates, wholesale market arrivals, carry-forward stocks, domestic consumption and export demand. Analysing these factors manually can involve reviewing numerous reports, market updates and datasets. Kwala Intel aims to simplify this process by interpreting large volumes of commodity information and connecting futures price movements with spot prices, market arrivals, exports, sowing trends and weather conditions. It can also help users examine available market quotes alongside acreage, weather and demand indicators to understand the broader market context. By combining multiple datasets and comparing seasonal patterns, AI-powered tools can support the preparation of commodity balance sheets. These balance sheets help investors assess expected supply, demand and ending stocks, providing a structured framework for understanding potential price movements. However, the reliability of any such analysis depends on the quality, timeliness and completeness of the underlying data. Turning Information Into Investment Alpha Once market information is organised, AI can help investors investigate opportunities that go beyond simply predicting whether prices will rise or fall. Potential areas of analysis include: Spot-futures price differences: Examining the relationship between physical commodity prices and futures contracts. Futures spreads: Comparing prices across contracts with different expiry dates. Seasonal price patterns: Studying recurring price behaviour across months and agricultural cycles. Inventory changes: Assessing how stock levels may influence supply-demand expectations. Technical indicators: Identifying price trends, momentum and potential changes in market direction. Relative valuation: Comparing the performance and pricing relationships of different commodities. AI can screen these relationships, compare current conditions with historical patterns and flag unusual developments that may warrant further investigation. For example, a difference between spot and futures prices might appear attractive at first glance. However, investors must consider storage expenses, financing costs, transaction charges, liquidity constraints and execution risks before determining whether a genuine arbitrage opportunity exists. AI can improve the research process and help investors evaluate potential opportunities more systematically. It cannot guarantee profitable trades or eliminate market risk. Also Read: Decoding market jargon: Kwala Intel’s real-time AI-powered insights transform stock analysis Making commodity intelligence actionable Technology has made equity-market information increasingly accessible to Indian investors. AI could take this transformation further by extending similar capabilities to commodities and other asset classes. The underlying information already exists across production reports, consumption data, inventories, export statistics, seasonal patterns, economic indicators and global market developments. The challenge is bringing these sources together and presenting the findings in a format investors can understand and use. Kwala Intel seeks to address this challenge by consolidating commodity research and translating complex market developments into accessible insights. The platform also aims to make market research more convenient by allowing users to ask questions in their preferred language. This could be particularly useful for investors who want to understand commodity fundamentals but may find technical reports, financial terminology or international data sources difficult to navigate. AI-powered research in English, Hindi and regional languages As multi-asset investing gains attention, access to understandable research is becoming increasingly important. Kwala Intel offers AI-led explanations and market intelligence in English, Hindi and more than a dozen regional languages, helping users explore commodity markets, stock research and technical indicators. For retail investors, this approach could reduce the time spent navigating multiple information sources. Institutional investors and experienced traders may also find value in using AI to organise research, screen market relationships and identify developments that require closer analysis. Nevertheless, AI-generated insights should be treated as research inputs rather than automatic investment instructions. Investors should verify important data, assess their risk tolerance and consider independent financial advice where appropriate. Kwala intel pro subscription: Pricing and access Kwala Intel Pro is priced at Rs 199 per month or Rs 1,999 per year, inclusive of GST. According to the stated subscription pricing, the annual plan costs less than Rs 5.50 per day, compared with Rs 2,388 for 12 months on the monthly plan. The platform offers access to research features designed for investors and traders seeking to incorporate AI-powered market intelligence into their research process. Whether tracking intraday price movements, reviewing portfolio holdings or learning to interpret technical indicators, users can explore stock research, market data and AI-led explanations through a consolidated platform. Before subscribing, prospective users should review the platform's current features, data coverage, usage terms and subscription conditions to determine whether it meets their individual research requirements.

Check how Kwala Intel uses AI to simplify commodity research, analyse market trends and help Indian investors explore multi-asset opportunities

AI in commodity trading: How Kwala intel helps investors analyse market trends

Global oil prices tumbled briefly on Monday from their five-month high at the end of last week after US President Donald Trump signed an executive order waiving key sanctions and tariffs under the newly enacted Lindsey Graham Act. Brent Crude is trading at $108.63/barrel, falling from the peak of $110 hit on Friday, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) is at $101.53 per barrel, up from an intraday low of $99.24 per barrel.US Secretary of State Marco Rubio noted that the administration is using a 60-day window to evaluate the macroeconomic impact of the Russian fuel waiver. This short timeline injects major uncertainty into the market, as algorithms are struggling to price in whether this extra supply is permanent or temporary.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/france-yellow-vests-new-protests-october-24-31-1792419854640">France's Yellow Vests announce 'Act II' of protests on October 24, 31</a>Despite Trump's relaxation, the oil market remains stubbornly tight. While the announcement initially triggered profit-taking, causing Brent to slide over 2% to $107.57 and WTI to slip below $100, the drop was incredibly short-lived. Investors realised that despite the US sanctions waiver, long-term structural scarcity has not gone away. They rushed in to buy the dip, so the price did not tumble much. Further, just hours before the waiver announcement, Ukrainian drone strikes hit an oil terminal in St. Petersburg, Russia. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and US President Donald Trump continued their verbal spat, reflecting a strained relationship between the allies."Ongoing strikes on vessels crossing the Strait of Hormuz and flows remaining below pre-conflict levels continue to provide ​support," UBS analyst Giovanni Staunovo, as reported by Reuters.According to Washington, shipping flows have recovered to 80%–90% of pre-war levels, but the area around the Strait of Hormuz and Strait of Bab al-Mandeb remains volatile. Repeated strikes have pushed tanker chartering costs and insurance premiums to exorbitant highs, ensuring physical crude stays expensive even when it moves.

Brent crude and WTI briefly fell after Donald Trump eased Russian fuel sanctions, but Strait of Hormuz disruptions and Ukrainian strikes kept oil prices elevated.

Global oil prices tumbled briefly on Monday from their five-month high at the end of last week after US President Donald Trump signed an executive order waiving key sanctions and tariffs under the newly enacted Lindsey Graham Act. Brent Crude is trading at $108.63/barrel, falling from the peak of $110 hit on Friday, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) is at $101.53 per barrel, up from an intraday low of $99.24 per barrel. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio noted that the administration is using a 60-day window to evaluate the macroeconomic impact of the Russian fuel waiver. This short timeline injects major uncertainty into the market, as algorithms are struggling to price in whether this extra supply is permanent or temporary. Also Read: France's Yellow Vests announce 'Act II' of protests on October 24, 31 Despite Trump's relaxation, the oil market remains stubbornly tight. While the announcement initially triggered profit-taking, causing Brent to slide over 2% to $107.57 and WTI to slip below $100, the drop was incredibly short-lived. Investors realised that despite the US sanctions waiver, long-term structural scarcity has not gone away. They rushed in to buy the dip, so the price did not tumble much. Further, just hours before the waiver announcement, Ukrainian drone strikes hit an oil terminal in St. Petersburg, Russia. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and US President Donald Trump continued their verbal spat, reflecting a strained relationship between the allies. "Ongoing strikes on vessels crossing the Strait of Hormuz and flows remaining below pre-conflict levels continue to provide support," UBS analyst Giovanni Staunovo, as reported by Reuters. According to Washington, shipping flows have recovered to 80%–90% of pre-war levels, but the area around the Strait of Hormuz and Strait of Bab al-Mandeb remains volatile. Repeated strikes have pushed tanker chartering costs and insurance premiums to exorbitant highs, ensuring physical crude stays expensive even when it moves.

Brent crude and WTI briefly fell after Donald Trump eased Russian fuel sanctions, but Strait of Hormuz disruptions and Ukrainian strikes kept oil prices elevated.

Oil prices retreat from 5-month high after Trump eases Russian fuel sanctions

Benchmark equity indices ended sharply lower on Monday after two days of a rally, with the Sensex shedding 876.37 points and the Nifty tumbling to 22,888.95, as private bank stocks, mainly HDFC Bank and Axis Bank, took a hit amid weak global trends.The domestic stock markets closed sharply lower as weakness in private bank stocks, disappointing corporate earnings and rising crude oil prices weighed on investor sentiment.&nbsp;The 30-share BSE Sensex declined 876.37 points, or 1.17 per cent, to settle at 73,852.90. It had crashed 1,020.73 points, or 1.36 per cent, to 73,708.54 earlier in the day but recovered slightly. The 50-share NSE Nifty dropped 257.20 points, or 1.11 per cent, to end at 22,888.95.&nbsp;&nbsp;Selling pressure was widespread across sectors, with almost all sectoral indices on the National Stock Exchange closing in the red. The Nifty PSU Bank index was the only major sectoral index to finish in positive territory, rising 2.41 per cent.&nbsp;Shares of HDFC Bank declined over 2 per cent after its September quarter earnings failed to cheer investors.&nbsp;UltraTech Cement, Infosys, Bajaj Finance, Trent, NTPC and HDFC Bank were also among the major laggards. Adani Ports, State Bank of India, Larsen &amp; Toubro, InterGlobe Aviation and Maruti Suzuki India were the gainers.&nbsp;Indian equities came under renewed selling pressure, reversing the recent recovery as weak global cues and selling in private banks and IT stocks weighed on investor sentiment.&nbsp;&nbsp;PSU banks bucked the broader weakness, supported by expectations of relatively resilient margins and asset quality.&nbsp;Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) turned buyers on Friday after days of relentless selling. They bought equities worth Rs 1,165.92 crore, according to exchange data.&nbsp;Brent crude, the global oil benchmark, declined 1.07 per cent to USD 108.7 per barrel.&nbsp;Oil prices continued to worry investors. Brent crude traded around $108-$109 per barrel during Monday's session, despite easing from its recent levels. The surge in oil prices has been linked to supply concerns and tensions around the Strait of Hormuz.&nbsp;Reports of attacks on tankers in the region have added to concerns about disruptions to oil flows.&nbsp;For India, expensive crude can create problems on several fronts. The country imports a large share of the oil it consumes. Higher prices can increase the import bill, put pressure on the rupee and add to inflation risks. They can also hurt the profitability of companies that rely heavily on fuel and other petroleum products.&nbsp;Foreign portfolio investor (FPI) selling has been another source of pressure on Indian equities. Foreign investors had withdrawn around Rs 52,100 crore from Indian equities in October up to the latest available data cited in reports on Monday. This made the month’s outflows among the heaviest recorded this year.

Foreign investors had withdrawn around Rs 52,100 crore from Indian equities in October up to the latest available data cited in reports on Monday. This made the month’s outflows among the heaviest recorded this year.

Benchmark equity indices ended sharply lower on Monday after two days of a rally, with the Sensex shedding 876.37 points and the Nifty tumbling to 22,888.95, as private bank stocks, mainly HDFC Bank and Axis Bank, took a hit amid weak global trends. The domestic stock markets closed sharply lower as weakness in private bank stocks, disappointing corporate earnings and rising crude oil prices weighed on investor sentiment. The 30-share BSE Sensex declined 876.37 points, or 1.17 per cent, to settle at 73,852.90. It had crashed 1,020.73 points, or 1.36 per cent, to 73,708.54 earlier in the day but recovered slightly. The 50-share NSE Nifty dropped 257.20 points, or 1.11 per cent, to end at 22,888.95. Selling pressure was widespread across sectors, with almost all sectoral indices on the National Stock Exchange closing in the red. The Nifty PSU Bank index was the only major sectoral index to finish in positive territory, rising 2.41 per cent. Shares of HDFC Bank declined over 2 per cent after its September quarter earnings failed to cheer investors. UltraTech Cement, Infosys, Bajaj Finance, Trent, NTPC and HDFC Bank were also among the major laggards. Adani Ports, State Bank of India, Larsen & Toubro, InterGlobe Aviation and Maruti Suzuki India were the gainers. Indian equities came under renewed selling pressure, reversing the recent recovery as weak global cues and selling in private banks and IT stocks weighed on investor sentiment. PSU banks bucked the broader weakness, supported by expectations of relatively resilient margins and asset quality. Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) turned buyers on Friday after days of relentless selling. They bought equities worth Rs 1,165.92 crore, according to exchange data. Brent crude, the global oil benchmark, declined 1.07 per cent to USD 108.7 per barrel. Oil prices continued to worry investors. Brent crude traded around $108-$109 per barrel during Monday's session, despite easing from its recent levels. The surge in oil prices has been linked to supply concerns and tensions around the Strait of Hormuz. Reports of attacks on tankers in the region have added to concerns about disruptions to oil flows. For India, expensive crude can create problems on several fronts. The country imports a large share of the oil it consumes. Higher prices can increase the import bill, put pressure on the rupee and add to inflation risks. They can also hurt the profitability of companies that rely heavily on fuel and other petroleum products. Foreign portfolio investor (FPI) selling has been another source of pressure on Indian equities. Foreign investors had withdrawn around Rs 52,100 crore from Indian equities in October up to the latest available data cited in reports on Monday. This made the month’s outflows among the heaviest recorded this year.

Foreign investors had withdrawn around Rs 52,100 crore from Indian equities in October up to the latest available data cited in reports on Monday. This made the month’s outflows among the heaviest recorded this year.

Sensex sinks 876 points; Nifty dips below 22,900, as private banks drag market

Howard Lutnick, US Commerce Secretary under President Donald Trump, has seen his family’s fortune more than double since he joined the administration in 2025, reaching around $7.3 billion by September 2026, according to Forbes. The increase has been driven largely by the rising value of Cantor Fitzgerald’s stake in Tether, the world’s largest stablecoin issuer. Lutnick had stepped down as the long-standing chairman and CEO of the financial services firm in 2025 after being confirmed as the 41st US Secretary of Commerce. Trump’s wealth has also increased since his return to the White House, with cryptocurrency ventures contributing substantially to his fortune. Forbes estimated his net worth at around $7 billion in September 2026, approximately $2.7 billion higher than around the time of his 2024 election victory. Lutnick’s family wealth, however, has recorded a larger increase over the period.<h2>How Howard Lutnick’s wealth increased</h2>Much of it comes from his links with his former firm Cantor Fitzgerald, which is involved in institutional trading, investment banking and other financial markets. He also held interests in BGC Group, an electronic brokerage and financial technology company, and Newmark Group, a commercial real estate services firm.<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/trump-s-commerce-sec-lutnick-grilled-over-epstein-island-lunch-1770805247736/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/trump-s-commerce-sec-lutnick-grilled-over-epstein-island-lunch-1770805247736/embed</a>By September this year, Lutnick’s estimated family fortune rose from roughly $3.3 billion. The principal driver was paper gains from Cantor Fitzgerald’s investment in Tether, whose reported valuation increased sharply amid growing institutional interest in stablecoins.Cantor Fitzgerald acquired an approximately 5 per cent stake in Tether, whose USDT token is the world’s largest dollar-pegged stablecoin. Forbes estimated Tether’s value at around $200 billion in February 2026, valuing Cantor’s stake at approximately $10 billion.&nbsp;Before entering government, Lutnick held an approximately 55 per cent interest in Cantor Fitzgerald. His indirect exposure to Tether through the firm therefore became a major source of the family’s wealth appreciation.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/lutnick-had-venezuela-on-his-mind-trump-says-18-were-killed-in-iran-conflict-contradicts-his-commerce-secretary-1788442497444">‘Lutnick had Venezuela on his mind’: Trump says 18 were killed in Iran conflict, contradicts his commerce secretary</a>&nbsp;After joining the government, Lutnick stepped down from his corporate leadership positions and agreed to divest his business interests to comply with ethics requirements. The transfer of his ownership interests to trusts benefiting his children was completed in October 2025. His sons Brandon and Kyle Lutnick subsequently assumed senior leadership roles at Cantor Fitzgerald.Forbes’s estimate of approximately $7.3 billion includes wealth held through the family structure, and is not money personally available to the commerce secretary.Lutnick’s annual financial disclosure for 2025 put his income and other proceeds at more than $250 million, the largest being some $192 million from Cantor Fitzgerald, described in the disclosure as a tax distribution made under his ethics agreement. He also reported some $14.1 million in salary and bonuses associated with BGC Group, over $5 million in proceeds from BGC restricted stock units, and $4.2 million in salary and bonuses from Newmark, while the conversion of Newmark partnership units generated another $19.6 million.He made at least $259 million in asset sales and $166 million in purchases, mainly of Treasury instruments, money-market funds and broad-market investments.&nbsp;The regulatory environment is relevant here. The Trump administration supported the GENIUS Act, establishing a federal framework for stablecoins.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-pathological-liar-democrats-accuse-howard-lutnick-of-egregious-cover-up-in-epstein-investigation-1778110524766">'Pathological liar': Democrats accuse Howard Lutnick of ‘egregious cover-up’ in Epstein investigation</a><h2>How Trump’s fortunes changed since returning to office</h2>Trump’s fortune has also benefited from cryptocurrency, besides real estate and media holdings. From $4.3 billion in 2024, his fortunes jumped to around $7 billion in late 2026.Cryptocurrency ventures have been a major contributor. World Liberty Financial, a crypto venture associated with Trump family, generates revenue from token sales and related activities.&nbsp;Forbes’s September estimates put Trump’s holdings in World Liberty tokens at around $80 million and his $TRUMP memecoin holdings at approximately $185 million.&nbsp;World Liberty Financial’s commercial arrangements have attracted scrutiny. An investment vehicle associated with Abu Dhabi official Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan acquired a 49 per cent stake in the venture, with the Trump family continuing to receive a substantial share of those proceeds.&nbsp;Trump Media &amp; Technology Group (TMTG), the parent company of Truth Social, is another component of his fortune. Forbes valued that stake at approximately $1 billion, below its earlier peak.&nbsp;Real estate remains an important part of Trump’s wealth, including Mar-a-Lago in Florida, golf courses, hotels and other properties, as well as global licensing and management agreements. Mar-a-Lago is valued at around $620 million and other US golf courses at approximately $705 million. Trump National Doral is valued separately at around $365 million.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Howard Lutnick’s family fortune rose to $7.3 billion, driven by his former company Cantor Fitzgerald’s stake in the stablecoin Tether. Here is how Trump’s wealth compares to his commerce secretary

Howard Lutnick, US Commerce Secretary under President Donald Trump, has seen his family’s fortune more than double since he joined the administration in 2025, reaching around $7.3 billion by September 2026, according to Forbes. The increase has been driven largely by the rising value of Cantor Fitzgerald’s stake in Tether, the world’s largest stablecoin issuer. Lutnick had stepped down as the long-standing chairman and CEO of the financial services firm in 2025 after being confirmed as the 41st US Secretary of Commerce. Trump’s wealth has also increased since his return to the White House, with cryptocurrency ventures contributing substantially to his fortune. Forbes estimated his net worth at around $7 billion in September 2026, approximately $2.7 billion higher than around the time of his 2024 election victory. Lutnick’s family wealth, however, has recorded a larger increase over the period. How Howard Lutnick’s wealth increased Much of it comes from his links with his former firm Cantor Fitzgerald, which is involved in institutional trading, investment banking and other financial markets. He also held interests in BGC Group, an electronic brokerage and financial technology company, and Newmark Group, a commercial real estate services firm. https://www.wionews.com/videos/trump-s-commerce-sec-lutnick-grilled-over-epstein-island-lunch-1770805247736/embed By September this year, Lutnick’s estimated family fortune rose from roughly $3.3 billion. The principal driver was paper gains from Cantor Fitzgerald’s investment in Tether, whose reported valuation increased sharply amid growing institutional interest in stablecoins. Cantor Fitzgerald acquired an approximately 5 per cent stake in Tether, whose USDT token is the world’s largest dollar-pegged stablecoin. Forbes estimated Tether’s value at around $200 billion in February 2026, valuing Cantor’s stake at approximately $10 billion. Before entering government, Lutnick held an approximately 55 per cent interest in Cantor Fitzgerald. His indirect exposure to Tether through the firm therefore became a major source of the family’s wealth appreciation. Also read: ‘Lutnick had Venezuela on his mind’: Trump says 18 were killed in Iran conflict, contradicts his commerce secretary After joining the government, Lutnick stepped down from his corporate leadership positions and agreed to divest his business interests to comply with ethics requirements. The transfer of his ownership interests to trusts benefiting his children was completed in October 2025. His sons Brandon and Kyle Lutnick subsequently assumed senior leadership roles at Cantor Fitzgerald. Forbes’s estimate of approximately $7.3 billion includes wealth held through the family structure, and is not money personally available to the commerce secretary. Lutnick’s annual financial disclosure for 2025 put his income and other proceeds at more than $250 million, the largest being some $192 million from Cantor Fitzgerald, described in the disclosure as a tax distribution made under his ethics agreement. He also reported some $14.1 million in salary and bonuses associated with BGC Group, over $5 million in proceeds from BGC restricted stock units, and $4.2 million in salary and bonuses from Newmark, while the conversion of Newmark partnership units generated another $19.6 million. He made at least $259 million in asset sales and $166 million in purchases, mainly of Treasury instruments, money-market funds and broad-market investments. The regulatory environment is relevant here. The Trump administration supported the GENIUS Act, establishing a federal framework for stablecoins. Also read: 'Pathological liar': Democrats accuse Howard Lutnick of ‘egregious cover-up’ in Epstein investigation How Trump’s fortunes changed since returning to office Trump’s fortune has also benefited from cryptocurrency, besides real estate and media holdings. From $4.3 billion in 2024, his fortunes jumped to around $7 billion in late 2026. Cryptocurrency ventures have been a major contributor. World Liberty Financial, a crypto venture associated with Trump family, generates revenue from token sales and related activities. Forbes’s September estimates put Trump’s holdings in World Liberty tokens at around $80 million and his $TRUMP memecoin holdings at approximately $185 million. World Liberty Financial’s commercial arrangements have attracted scrutiny. An investment vehicle associated with Abu Dhabi official Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan acquired a 49 per cent stake in the venture, with the Trump family continuing to receive a substantial share of those proceeds. Trump Media & Technology Group (TMTG), the parent company of Truth Social, is another component of his fortune. Forbes valued that stake at approximately $1 billion, below its earlier peak. Real estate remains an important part of Trump’s wealth, including Mar-a-Lago in Florida, golf courses, hotels and other properties, as well as global licensing and management agreements. Mar-a-Lago is valued at around $620 million and other US golf courses at approximately $705 million. Trump National Doral is valued separately at around $365 million.

Howard Lutnick’s family fortune rose to $7.3 billion, driven by his former company Cantor Fitzgerald’s stake in the stablecoin Tether. Here is how Trump’s wealth compares to his commerce secretary

Trump Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick’s family fortune more than doubles to $7.3 billion, outpacing his boss

France plans to borrow a record €340 billion next year, about €1.3 billion for every working day. It must do so as nationwide riots and sharp criticism from Washington complicate the budget meant to reassure its lenders. It is among the most vulnerable G7 economies: the majority of its debt is foreign-held, it can't print its own money, borrows in euros, and its political landscape is seemingly in a gridlock, with protests raging in the streets.<h2>France's fiscal crisis&nbsp;</h2>Foreign lenders can leave faster than domestic ones. The Banque de France says non-residents held about 56% of the state's negotiable debt at the end of 2025, and 63% of all long-term French debt securities by the end of June 2026.The French 10-year yield was 4.79% on October 16, after nearing 5% earlier this month, its highest since 2002. The gap over German bonds is about 1.4 points, below the roughly 1.9 reached in the 2011 European Debt crisis. Debt is about 119% of GDP, the deficit 5.4%, and interest costs are projected at about €91 billion in 2027.In a desperate scenario, only the European Central Bank can step in, and in past crises it attached strict conditions. In 2011, Italy's government rewrote its budget under pressure from a letter sent by the ECB. A country with its own currency avoids default but can face inflation instead.Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu presented the 2027 budget on October 1 with a €54 billion savings effort and a 5% deficit target, looser than the 4.1% France had earlier committed to Brussels. The National Assembly opened debate on October 13, with a vote on the revenue section due October 20 and on the full bill November 17. The government has no majority. Laurent Panifous, the minister for relations with Parliament, conceded that passing the budget by a vote would be very difficult. Lecornu has promised not to bypass parliament unless opponents obstruct, and La France Insoumise says it will move to censure him if he does.On October 17, about 550,000 people marched, according to the interior minister. Rioting followed after dark, with 1,800 detained and more than 500 police injured. CNN reported one protester died. The marchers' demands centred on fuel prices, the cost of living and school conditions.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/bessent-europe-russia-energy-tariffs-india-china-1792338205301">Bessent accuses Europe of refusing secondary tariffs on India, China</a><h2>Why does France look the most fragile in the G7?</h2>France stands out even though it does not carry the biggest debt. Japan owes more, about 204% of GDP by the IMF's measure, but only around 8% is held abroad, and nearly half sits with its own central bank.&nbsp;The US borrows in dollars its central bank can create, so its main risk is self-imposed: a $41.1 trillion debt cap that analysts expect it to reach between late winter and mid-summer of 2027, though Republicans are reportedly weighing an increase before then.&nbsp;Germany also borrows in euros, but its debt is far lower than France's. The IMF estimates its net debt at about 49% of GDP this year, against about 110% for France. Canada's net debt is roughly 10% of GDP, according to IMF estimates.&nbsp;Britain's 10-year yield hit a 19-year high of 5.29% in September, but the 2022 bond crisis ended within weeks because the government reversed course.&nbsp;Italy is the closest comparison. Its debt, at about 138% of GDP, is higher than France's 119%, and it also borrows in euros. But its 10-year yield was about 4.5% on October 16, against France's 4.79%, and it has a steadier government and a long record of surpluses before interest payments. However, Italy's deficit is forecast to rise to 3.4% of GDP in 2027,&nbsp;France is the only one of the seven to fail all three parameters: who holds the debt, which currency it borrows in, and political stability and willingness to reverse course.<h2>Trump's anti-immigration rhetoric</h2>President Donald Trump blamed the student protests on "mass migration" and Islam on October 6, offering no evidence. AFP reported that no link had been established between the student movement and religious or identity-based demands. On Sunday, Trump posted that France was burning and urged it to "close your borders." &nbsp;Though there is no link between immigration and riots, and its fiscal effect is weak, almost negligible.France's interior minister said the right to protest is fundamental but deliberate violence is not. The American remarks address the unrest, not the budget or bond market, where the drivers are the deficit, an energy shock and political gridlock.France still sells its bonds, and Fitch and S&amp;P rate it A+, Moody's has Aa3 with a negative outlook. Its yields are well below Greece's in 2015. The more likely stress is political and possibly a call for ECB help.France is on the edge, with domestic political unrest, a severe fiscal crisis, and mounting international pressure. The October 20 vote is the first test, and the April 2027 presidential election is the larger one.&nbsp;

France plans to borrow a record €340 billion in 2027 as political gridlock, mass protests, rising bond yields and a widening deficit raise concerns over its fiscal stability.

France plans to borrow a record €340 billion next year, about €1.3 billion for every working day. It must do so as nationwide riots and sharp criticism from Washington complicate the budget meant to reassure its lenders. It is among the most vulnerable G7 economies: the majority of its debt is foreign-held, it can't print its own money, borrows in euros, and its political landscape is seemingly in a gridlock, with protests raging in the streets. France's fiscal crisis Foreign lenders can leave faster than domestic ones. The Banque de France says non-residents held about 56% of the state's negotiable debt at the end of 2025, and 63% of all long-term French debt securities by the end of June 2026. The French 10-year yield was 4.79% on October 16, after nearing 5% earlier this month, its highest since 2002. The gap over German bonds is about 1.4 points, below the roughly 1.9 reached in the 2011 European Debt crisis. Debt is about 119% of GDP, the deficit 5.4%, and interest costs are projected at about €91 billion in 2027. In a desperate scenario, only the European Central Bank can step in, and in past crises it attached strict conditions. In 2011, Italy's government rewrote its budget under pressure from a letter sent by the ECB. A country with its own currency avoids default but can face inflation instead. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu presented the 2027 budget on October 1 with a €54 billion savings effort and a 5% deficit target, looser than the 4.1% France had earlier committed to Brussels. The National Assembly opened debate on October 13, with a vote on the revenue section due October 20 and on the full bill November 17. The government has no majority. Laurent Panifous, the minister for relations with Parliament, conceded that passing the budget by a vote would be very difficult. Lecornu has promised not to bypass parliament unless opponents obstruct, and La France Insoumise says it will move to censure him if he does. On October 17, about 550,000 people marched, according to the interior minister. Rioting followed after dark, with 1,800 detained and more than 500 police injured. CNN reported one protester died. The marchers' demands centred on fuel prices, the cost of living and school conditions. Also Read: Bessent accuses Europe of refusing secondary tariffs on India, China Why does France look the most fragile in the G7? France stands out even though it does not carry the biggest debt. Japan owes more, about 204% of GDP by the IMF's measure, but only around 8% is held abroad, and nearly half sits with its own central bank. The US borrows in dollars its central bank can create, so its main risk is self-imposed: a $41.1 trillion debt cap that analysts expect it to reach between late winter and mid-summer of 2027, though Republicans are reportedly weighing an increase before then. Germany also borrows in euros, but its debt is far lower than France's. The IMF estimates its net debt at about 49% of GDP this year, against about 110% for France. Canada's net debt is roughly 10% of GDP, according to IMF estimates. Britain's 10-year yield hit a 19-year high of 5.29% in September, but the 2022 bond crisis ended within weeks because the government reversed course. Italy is the closest comparison. Its debt, at about 138% of GDP, is higher than France's 119%, and it also borrows in euros. But its 10-year yield was about 4.5% on October 16, against France's 4.79%, and it has a steadier government and a long record of surpluses before interest payments. However, Italy's deficit is forecast to rise to 3.4% of GDP in 2027, France is the only one of the seven to fail all three parameters: who holds the debt, which currency it borrows in, and political stability and willingness to reverse course. Trump's anti-immigration rhetoric President Donald Trump blamed the student protests on "mass migration" and Islam on October 6, offering no evidence. AFP reported that no link had been established between the student movement and religious or identity-based demands. On Sunday, Trump posted that France was burning and urged it to "close your borders." Though there is no link between immigration and riots, and its fiscal effect is weak, almost negligible. France's interior minister said the right to protest is fundamental but deliberate violence is not. The American remarks address the unrest, not the budget or bond market, where the drivers are the deficit, an energy shock and political gridlock. France still sells its bonds, and Fitch and S&P rate it A+, Moody's has Aa3 with a negative outlook. Its yields are well below Greece's in 2015. The more likely stress is political and possibly a call for ECB help. France is on the edge, with domestic political unrest, a severe fiscal crisis, and mounting international pressure. The October 20 vote is the first test, and the April 2027 presidential election is the larger one.

France plans to borrow a record €340 billion in 2027 as political gridlock, mass protests, rising bond yields and a widening deficit raise concerns over its fiscal stability.

Why France looks the most fragile in the G7 amid protests and budget deadlock

The International Monetary Fund Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva made an urgent appeal for global policymakers to increase financial and policy support for low-income nations. She characterised inflation as a "tax on the poor," noting that low-income households are disproportionately hit by rising costs for basic necessities. She also predicted that disappointing near-term AI returns could trigger a disorderly market correction“I can tell you that people everywhere, but especially in poorer countries, don’t like inflation. Inflation is like a tax on the poor,” Georgieva said.Georgieva said that the raw financial cost of servicing that debt has more than doubled, skyrocketing from an average of 6% of revenue a decade ago to up to 8-14% today due to increased interest rates in developed economies.&nbsp;Even though many poor nations have successfully lowered their overall debt-to-GDP ratios through hard structural reforms, high interest rates in the West draw global capital toward the US dollar and Euro, putting pressure on domestic currencies.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/putin-envoy-dmitriev-trump-block-russia-sanctions-zelensky-1792232812799">Putin envoy calls Trump's move to block Russia sanctions 'historic'</a>Higher benchmark yields were increasing borrowing costs for emerging markets even where their risk premiums remained stable, she said, warning that elevated financing costs were likely to persist. Global growth is projected at about 3.1% in 2026, unchanged from April’s forecast but below last year’s 3.4%, she said.“Optimism from the resilience of the global economy, the promise of AI, the dynamism of Asia,” Georgieva told reporters. “But AI is also recognised to be a source of worry, and so are inflation, high levels of debt, wars, and climate risks.”&nbsp;She explicitly warned that the global economy is currently "standing on one leg, the AI leg". She invoked Amara’s Law, that society persistently overestimates the short-term impact of new technologies while underestimating their long-term transformation. The IMF MD pointed out the valuation gap, circular financing, and macroeconomic pullback, which could drag down global GDP by 1.1% by 2028.

IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva warns inflation disproportionately hurts low-income households and weak AI returns could trigger a disorderly market correction.

The International Monetary Fund Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva made an urgent appeal for global policymakers to increase financial and policy support for low-income nations. She characterised inflation as a "tax on the poor," noting that low-income households are disproportionately hit by rising costs for basic necessities. She also predicted that disappointing near-term AI returns could trigger a disorderly market correction “I can tell you that people everywhere, but especially in poorer countries, don’t like inflation. Inflation is like a tax on the poor,” Georgieva said. Georgieva said that the raw financial cost of servicing that debt has more than doubled, skyrocketing from an average of 6% of revenue a decade ago to up to 8-14% today due to increased interest rates in developed economies. Even though many poor nations have successfully lowered their overall debt-to-GDP ratios through hard structural reforms, high interest rates in the West draw global capital toward the US dollar and Euro, putting pressure on domestic currencies. Also Read: Putin envoy calls Trump's move to block Russia sanctions 'historic' Higher benchmark yields were increasing borrowing costs for emerging markets even where their risk premiums remained stable, she said, warning that elevated financing costs were likely to persist. Global growth is projected at about 3.1% in 2026, unchanged from April’s forecast but below last year’s 3.4%, she said. “Optimism from the resilience of the global economy, the promise of AI, the dynamism of Asia,” Georgieva told reporters. “But AI is also recognised to be a source of worry, and so are inflation, high levels of debt, wars, and climate risks.” She explicitly warned that the global economy is currently "standing on one leg, the AI leg". She invoked Amara’s Law, that society persistently overestimates the short-term impact of new technologies while underestimating their long-term transformation. The IMF MD pointed out the valuation gap, circular financing, and macroeconomic pullback, which could drag down global GDP by 1.1% by 2028.

IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva warns inflation disproportionately hurts low-income households and weak AI returns could trigger a disorderly market correction.

IMF chief warns inflation hurts poor countries, AI optimism risks market correction

The $1.2 trillion promise: Trump's $5,000 dividend, the economists, the fiscal hawks, and the voters who want the cheque but don't expect itWith less than three weeks to the November 3 midterm elections, President Donald Trump continues to tout his earlier promise of a $5,000 "Trump Dividend" for every adult American citizen, but only if Republicans keep control of both chambers of Congress. First announced at the Republican midterm convention in Dallas on September 9, the pledge comes with no funding source, no authorising mechanism and no timeline.“If Republicans win the House of Representatives and the Senate in the 2026 Midterm Elections, I'm going to give all adult citizens in the United States of America $5,000,” Trump said in a Truth Social video post on October 3. Most recently, speaking at the Laughlin/Bullhead International Airport in Bullhead City, Arizona, during a campaign rally on Thursday (Oct 15), he reiterated his promise of a $5,000 "Trump Dividend" to adult US citizens. "The Trump dividend that you get, you’ll get it very quickly after the election," he said. By his own admission, the Trump dividend would cost America around $1.2 trillion. Is it merely a campaign promise to push Republicans over the edge and retain House control? Here's what you need to know.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/big-items-are-done-but-no-signature-how-the-us-midterms-could-decide-the-india-us-trade-deal-1792223135218">'Big items are done' but no signature: How US midterms could decide the India-US trade deal</a><h2>The $1.2 trillion question</h2>Economists say the numbers don't add up. Sending $5,000 to roughly 270 million adult US citizens would cost about $1.2 trillion, plus hundreds of billions more in interest, according to a Reuters estimate. Notably, the eligibility keeps shifting in Trump's own statements, from "every adult citizen" to "every citizen", a roughly 73 million-person, $400 billion difference in cost estimates.Kent Smetters of the Penn Wharton Budget Model puts the figure at about $1.35 trillion, or $1.15 trillion if payments are capped at households earning $400,000, a threshold suggested by Vice President JD Vance but not officially confirmed yet. Trump himself has acknowledged the size of the bill, calling it "approximately $1 trillion".The "bill" would add to US inflation. Smetters estimates about $400 billion would be spent within the first two quarters, adding 0.3 to 0.5 percentage points to inflation over the following four quarters.According to an analysis issued Thursday (Oct 15) by the nonpartisan Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, the "proposal is fiscally dangerous, economically backwards, and fundamentally unserious". Maya MacGuineas, the committee’s president, in a statement added, "It’s hard to understand how anyone could look at our current fiscal and economic situation and think we need to borrow another $1.2 trillion to send everyone cash."In a sharp warning about America's fiscal trajectory, MacGuineas said the nation's debt has grown so large that it now equals the size of the entire US economy. Her statement comes as deficits stand at about $2 trillion a year, inflation hovers near 3.5 per cent, and the 10-year Treasury yield approaches 5 per cent. Dismissing the Trump Dividends as a "half-baked political scheme", she argued that it would make things worse on every front: blowing up the deficit, stoking inflation, and pushing the cost of borrowing even higher across the economy.To put the scale in perspective, the national debt now stands at $40 trillion. That works out to roughly $117,446 for every taxpayer in the country, according to a tracker maintained by the Peter G. Peterson Foundation, a nonpartisan group that monitors federal spending.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-midterms-2026-how-grocery-bills-cost-of-living-are-turning-the-nov-3-election-into-a-test-of-trump-1791022350055">US Midterms 2026: How grocery bills, cost of living are turning the Nov 3 election into a test of Trump</a><h2>Fiscal hawks push back</h2>The plan has split Trump's own party. Rep. David Schweikert of Arizona said he would "throw everything of my heart and soul" into stopping it, warning it would raise interest rates and "bring the interest rate death spiral sooner to the United States".Senate Majority Leader John Thune has questioned whether the cheques could clear the 60-vote threshold needed to defeat a filibuster, and has said he would prefer directing any tariff revenue toward deficit reduction rather than new spending.Others have embraced it. Ohio Senator Bernie Moreno says he is preparing legislation to formalise the dividend after November 3. Conservative economist Stephen Moore, who has advised Trump, captured the uncertainty: "You never know with Trump whether this was just kind of a rhetorical thing, or whether he really meant it."<h2>Voters want the cheque, doubt the delivery</h2>Americans like the idea more than they trust it. An Economist/YouGov poll found only 21 per cent of registered voters believe Trump would actually issue the cheques, while 57 per cent said he would not. Even among Republicans, less than half, 45 per cent, expect him to follow through.The scepticism is rooted in history. Trump has promised dividends before: a $5,000 "DOGE dividend" in February 2025 that never materialised, and a $2,000 tariff-funded cheque in November 2025 that died after the Supreme Court struck down the tariffs. Even the $1,776 "Warrior Dividend" paid to service members last December was repurposed from military housing stipends, not a bonus.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/100-victory-claims-200-days-of-war-is-trump-s-iran-gamble-turning-into-a-midterm-nightmare-us-midterms-2026-1790843647554">100 victory claims, 200+ days of war: Is Trump's Iran gamble turning into a midterm nightmare?</a><h2>Smaller cheques, bigger stakes</h2>In the meantime, the administration is handing out smaller payments: $90 one-time cheques to 20.8 million Medicare beneficiaries this month, and $500 "refund" cheques to about 950,000 people who bought unsubsidised Obamacare plans. A Reuters analysis, published October 1, found 71 per cent of that Obamacare money, totalling $339 million, is going to residents of 13 battleground states.The flurry of cash offers comes as Republicans head into a campaign dominated by concerns about prices and the economy, with Trump's approval rating stuck at 33 per cent and voters favouring Democrats on cost-of-living issues by eight points.For now, the $5,000 dividend remains a promise without a payment plan. Whether it becomes policy or joins the list of unfulfilled pledges may depend less on the voters who want the cheque and more on the fiscal hawks who would have to pay for it. &nbsp;

With the US midterms three weeks away, Trump's $5,000 'dividend' promise is back, but the $1.2 trillion price tag has economists alarmed and fiscal hawks in his own party pushing back. Voters want the cheque, yet only 21 per cent expect it. Could it become a reality or remain a promise?

The $1.2 trillion promise: Trump's $5,000 dividend, the economists, the fiscal hawks, and the voters who want the cheque but don't expect it With less than three weeks to the November 3 midterm elections, President Donald Trump continues to tout his earlier promise of a $5,000 "Trump Dividend" for every adult American citizen, but only if Republicans keep control of both chambers of Congress. First announced at the Republican midterm convention in Dallas on September 9, the pledge comes with no funding source, no authorising mechanism and no timeline. “If Republicans win the House of Representatives and the Senate in the 2026 Midterm Elections, I'm going to give all adult citizens in the United States of America $5,000,” Trump said in a Truth Social video post on October 3. Most recently, speaking at the Laughlin/Bullhead International Airport in Bullhead City, Arizona, during a campaign rally on Thursday (Oct 15), he reiterated his promise of a $5,000 "Trump Dividend" to adult US citizens. "The Trump dividend that you get, you’ll get it very quickly after the election," he said. By his own admission, the Trump dividend would cost America around $1.2 trillion. Is it merely a campaign promise to push Republicans over the edge and retain House control? Here's what you need to know. Also read | 'Big items are done' but no signature: How US midterms could decide the India-US trade deal The $1.2 trillion question Economists say the numbers don't add up. Sending $5,000 to roughly 270 million adult US citizens would cost about $1.2 trillion, plus hundreds of billions more in interest, according to a Reuters estimate. Notably, the eligibility keeps shifting in Trump's own statements, from "every adult citizen" to "every citizen", a roughly 73 million-person, $400 billion difference in cost estimates. Kent Smetters of the Penn Wharton Budget Model puts the figure at about $1.35 trillion, or $1.15 trillion if payments are capped at households earning $400,000, a threshold suggested by Vice President JD Vance but not officially confirmed yet. Trump himself has acknowledged the size of the bill, calling it "approximately $1 trillion". The "bill" would add to US inflation. Smetters estimates about $400 billion would be spent within the first two quarters, adding 0.3 to 0.5 percentage points to inflation over the following four quarters. According to an analysis issued Thursday (Oct 15) by the nonpartisan Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, the "proposal is fiscally dangerous, economically backwards, and fundamentally unserious". Maya MacGuineas, the committee’s president, in a statement added, "It’s hard to understand how anyone could look at our current fiscal and economic situation and think we need to borrow another $1.2 trillion to send everyone cash." In a sharp warning about America's fiscal trajectory, MacGuineas said the nation's debt has grown so large that it now equals the size of the entire US economy. Her statement comes as deficits stand at about $2 trillion a year, inflation hovers near 3.5 per cent, and the 10-year Treasury yield approaches 5 per cent. Dismissing the Trump Dividends as a "half-baked political scheme", she argued that it would make things worse on every front: blowing up the deficit, stoking inflation, and pushing the cost of borrowing even higher across the economy. To put the scale in perspective, the national debt now stands at $40 trillion. That works out to roughly $117,446 for every taxpayer in the country, according to a tracker maintained by the Peter G. Peterson Foundation, a nonpartisan group that monitors federal spending. Also read | US Midterms 2026: How grocery bills, cost of living are turning the Nov 3 election into a test of Trump Fiscal hawks push back The plan has split Trump's own party. Rep. David Schweikert of Arizona said he would "throw everything of my heart and soul" into stopping it, warning it would raise interest rates and "bring the interest rate death spiral sooner to the United States". Senate Majority Leader John Thune has questioned whether the cheques could clear the 60-vote threshold needed to defeat a filibuster, and has said he would prefer directing any tariff revenue toward deficit reduction rather than new spending. Others have embraced it. Ohio Senator Bernie Moreno says he is preparing legislation to formalise the dividend after November 3. Conservative economist Stephen Moore, who has advised Trump, captured the uncertainty: "You never know with Trump whether this was just kind of a rhetorical thing, or whether he really meant it." Voters want the cheque, doubt the delivery Americans like the idea more than they trust it. An Economist/YouGov poll found only 21 per cent of registered voters believe Trump would actually issue the cheques, while 57 per cent said he would not. Even among Republicans, less than half, 45 per cent, expect him to follow through. The scepticism is rooted in history. Trump has promised dividends before: a $5,000 "DOGE dividend" in February 2025 that never materialised, and a $2,000 tariff-funded cheque in November 2025 that died after the Supreme Court struck down the tariffs. Even the $1,776 "Warrior Dividend" paid to service members last December was repurposed from military housing stipends, not a bonus. Also read | 100 victory claims, 200+ days of war: Is Trump's Iran gamble turning into a midterm nightmare? Smaller cheques, bigger stakes In the meantime, the administration is handing out smaller payments: $90 one-time cheques to 20.8 million Medicare beneficiaries this month, and $500 "refund" cheques to about 950,000 people who bought unsubsidised Obamacare plans. A Reuters analysis, published October 1, found 71 per cent of that Obamacare money, totalling $339 million, is going to residents of 13 battleground states. The flurry of cash offers comes as Republicans head into a campaign dominated by concerns about prices and the economy, with Trump's approval rating stuck at 33 per cent and voters favouring Democrats on cost-of-living issues by eight points. For now, the $5,000 dividend remains a promise without a payment plan. Whether it becomes policy or joins the list of unfulfilled pledges may depend less on the voters who want the cheque and more on the fiscal hawks who would have to pay for it.

With the US midterms three weeks away, Trump's $5,000 'dividend' promise is back, but the $1.2 trillion price tag has economists alarmed and fiscal hawks in his own party pushing back. Voters want the cheque, yet only 21 per cent expect it. Could it become a reality or remain a promise?

US Midterms: Trump doubles down on $5,000 dividend as economists call it a 'half-baked political scheme'. Can a Republican win guarantee it?

Ahead of its upcoming initial public offering (IPO), Reliance Jio Platforms held a press conference in Mumbai on Thursday. The telecom giant aims to raise ₹30,000 crore through the issue, which opens for public subscription from October 21 to 23. When Zee Media raised several questions about the IPO during the event, the CEO of Reliance Jio directed them to email the queries, which Zee Media subsequently sent. Below are the questions submitted to the CEO.&nbsp;1. Since more than 90% of the IPO proceeds are designated to clean up legacy borrowings rather than build capacity, why are incoming public shareholders being asked to refinance historical debt rather than capitalise forward-looking growth?&nbsp;2. Why did the board opt for a fresh issue that dilutes existing holdings and brings in outside capital solely to retire debt, rather than executing a direct, tax-neutral vertical demerger that distributes Jio shares directly to RIL shareholders?&nbsp;3. Once global and domestic institutions can buy Jio Platforms directly as a pure-play tech and telecom asset, won't this listing impose a structural holding-company discount on RIL, permanently capping the parent company's valuation?&nbsp;4. With RIL owning ~66.4% of Jio Platforms, every rupee discounted on IPO day transfers wealth from long-term RIL owners to incoming subscribers-was this band intentionally pitched lower to engineer a first-day listing pop, or did pre-IPO institutional roadshows force a valuation cut?&nbsp;5. With less than 3% of the company available to the market, won't listing-day pricing reflect artificial supply scarcity and passive index-inclusion mandates rather than genuine fundamental price discovery?&nbsp;6. Why is not a single 2020 pre-IPO investor or promoter monetizing shares at what is being promoted as a landmark valuation, and what are the exact lock-in expiration dates that retail buyers must track?&nbsp;7. Because Jio Platforms does not own the central "Jio" trademark, what legal firewalls protect listed shareholders if another group company carrying the same brand suffers a major failure, and can brand licensing fees be imposed after listing?&nbsp;8. With the promoter sitting on both sides of the table, what independent mechanisms ensure that commissions, customer acquisition fees, and shared operational costs with Reliance Retail are set at genuine arm’s-length market terms?&nbsp;9. As outside public minority investors enter Jio Platforms, what formal, written corporate governance policy determines whether high-margin frontier ventures sit inside Jio or are retained directly at the RIL parent level?&nbsp;10. Given that a decade of massive capital expenditure has kept return on capital employed (ROCE) hovering around 8%, why should public markets assume capital discipline and shareholder cash returns will materially improve following this listing?

11. Over 3 years, RIL's share price has traded essentially flat while losing nearly ₹4 lakh crore in market capitalization in 2026 alone- how do you defend this prolonged destruction of shareholder value after deploying over $125 billion in group capital?

12. At the 2019 AGM shareholders were explicitly told that Reliance Retail would list within five years, but that milestone has now reportedly slipped to 2028-why should public markets believe this revised timeline?

13. Akash, Isha and Anant,heading Jio, Retail, and New Energy, what formal framework governs internal capital allocation when all three multi-billion-dollar divisions compete for the parent balance sheet?

14. Are executive compensation, performance incentives, and leadership succession metrics tied directly to RIL’s share price performance and consolidated ROCE, or purely to absolute balance-sheet and asset scale?

Ahead of its ₹30,000 cr IPO (Oct 21–23), Reliance Jio held a Mumbai press meet where the CEO asked Zee Media to email their queries. Here are the questions.

Ahead of its upcoming initial public offering (IPO), Reliance Jio Platforms held a press conference in Mumbai on Thursday. The telecom giant aims to raise ₹30,000 crore through the issue, which opens for public subscription from October 21 to 23. When Zee Media raised several questions about the IPO during the event, the CEO of Reliance Jio directed them to email the queries, which Zee Media subsequently sent. Below are the questions submitted to the CEO. 1. Since more than 90% of the IPO proceeds are designated to clean up legacy borrowings rather than build capacity, why are incoming public shareholders being asked to refinance historical debt rather than capitalise forward-looking growth? 2. Why did the board opt for a fresh issue that dilutes existing holdings and brings in outside capital solely to retire debt, rather than executing a direct, tax-neutral vertical demerger that distributes Jio shares directly to RIL shareholders? 3. Once global and domestic institutions can buy Jio Platforms directly as a pure-play tech and telecom asset, won't this listing impose a structural holding-company discount on RIL, permanently capping the parent company's valuation? 4. With RIL owning ~66.4% of Jio Platforms, every rupee discounted on IPO day transfers wealth from long-term RIL owners to incoming subscribers-was this band intentionally pitched lower to engineer a first-day listing pop, or did pre-IPO institutional roadshows force a valuation cut? 5. With less than 3% of the company available to the market, won't listing-day pricing reflect artificial supply scarcity and passive index-inclusion mandates rather than genuine fundamental price discovery? 6. Why is not a single 2020 pre-IPO investor or promoter monetizing shares at what is being promoted as a landmark valuation, and what are the exact lock-in expiration dates that retail buyers must track? 7. Because Jio Platforms does not own the central "Jio" trademark, what legal firewalls protect listed shareholders if another group company carrying the same brand suffers a major failure, and can brand licensing fees be imposed after listing? 8. With the promoter sitting on both sides of the table, what independent mechanisms ensure that commissions, customer acquisition fees, and shared operational costs with Reliance Retail are set at genuine arm’s-length market terms? 9. As outside public minority investors enter Jio Platforms, what formal, written corporate governance policy determines whether high-margin frontier ventures sit inside Jio or are retained directly at the RIL parent level? 10. Given that a decade of massive capital expenditure has kept return on capital employed (ROCE) hovering around 8%, why should public markets assume capital discipline and shareholder cash returns will materially improve following this listing?

Ahead of its ₹30,000 cr IPO (Oct 21–23), Reliance Jio held a Mumbai press meet where the CEO asked Zee Media to email their queries. Here are the questions.

Reliance Jio set to launch mega IPO, Zee Media asks 14 pertinent questions

Artificial intelligence (AI) is making a huge impact and is increasingly reshaping financial markets, helping investors analyse vast volumes of data, identify trends and interpret price movements. AI-powered market intelligence platform Kwala Intel is seeking to make stock research more accessible to Indian investors and traders by making market information, technical indicators and research insights available in a single interface.&nbsp;Kwala Intel is an AI-driven research companion for investors and traders and comes at a subscription of Rs 1,999 a year.&nbsp;&nbsp;<h2>Algorithms are reshaping the market</h2>&nbsp;AI and algorithmic systems now handle much of the work in modern markets, including scanning vast volumes of data, identifying patterns, managing risk and executing trades. Big players like institutional participants rely on them heavily to respond to price moves.This shift is very evident in the futures and options (F&amp;O) segment. Prices, premiums, open interest and volatility can change within seconds, and hence the ability to interpret information quickly matters a lot, often as much as market knowledge.&nbsp;Kwala Intel aims to help users turn that flood of data into clearer, more usable insights in real time.&nbsp;<h2>Why research matters: What SEBI’s data shows</h2>&nbsp;Studies by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) on individual participation in equity derivatives underline the need for informed decision-making.According to one study, active individual traders fell about 20 per cent, from 98.1 lakh in FY25 to 78.6 lakh in FY26 with new entrants dropping by roughly 40 per cent. Aggregate net losses of individual traders also declined, to about Rs 91,685 crore in FY26 from Rs 1.12 lakh crore a year earlier.Another SEBI study found that 87.7 per cent of individual traders lost money in FY26 as the average loss per trader rose to about Rs 1.17 lakh. Options trading accounted for about 92 per cent of individual traders’ aggregate losses in the equity derivatives segment.All these figures point to a clear need for structured research rather than tips, rumours or guesswork.&nbsp;<h2>A fast-moving trading day</h2>&nbsp;Consider a trader tracking a stock that jumps after a corporate announcement. Within minutes, the price breaks a key level, volumes rise and chatter builds. The trader needs quick answers to several questions:Where is the immediate support?What is a logical resistance level?What are possible entry and exit points?What is driving the move?&nbsp;In such a situation, scrolling through multiple apps and social media feeds or waiting for a detailed research report simply doesn’t appear to be practical. Kwala Intel Pro is designed for moments like this.&nbsp;&nbsp;

&nbsp;<h2>What Kwala Intel Pro offers</h2>&nbsp;The platform provides entry, exit, support and resistance levels for any stock in 15 seconds, along with targets and stop-loss recommendations. It also tries to explain the factors behind a price move.Output is available in English, Hindi and several other Indian languages, making things easy for users who are not comfortable with English-heavy financial terminology. With Kwala Intel Pro, users do not need to switch between screens for charts, company information and technical indicators. They can simply ask questions and get answers in a conversational format.The Pro subscription includes six main features, none of them metered:Data Feed: Publicly available information on companies and sectors, structured and cited to its public source, with unlimited companies and sectors.Sector Intelligence: Listed companies grouped by sector, showing where public attention is shifting. All sectors are unlocked.AI Research Chat: Plain-language answers to questions about public data on the platform, with sources attached and no daily limit.Market Telemetry: Publicly reported prices, historical price markers and automated readings of standard indicators, with no per-company cap.Watchlists: A filtered feed limited to the companies and sectors a user follows, aimed at reducing market noise. Watchlists and entries are unlimited.Multilingual access: Research output and chat answers can be switched between English and supported Indian languages at any time.&nbsp;<h2>Pricing and Access</h2>&nbsp;Kwala Intel Pro costs Rs 199 a month or Rs 1,999 a year, inclusive of GST. The annual plan is cheaper than the Rs 2,388 that twelve monthly payments would add up to, and works out to less than Rs 5.5 a day.The company says the platform is meant to serve intraday traders, investors reviewing portfolios and beginners trying to decode technical indicators, by bringing research, market data and AI-led explanations together in one place.&nbsp;<h2>The road ahead</h2>&nbsp;As technology increasingly shapes how markets work, AI-powered tools may become a routine part of how investors and traders prepare, research and respond. <a href="https://kwalaintel.com/in">Kwala Intel</a> enables traders and investors to make decisions with due diligence in real time.

AI and algorithmic systems now handle much of the work in modern markets, including scanning vast volumes of data, identifying patterns, managing risk and executing trades. Big players like institutional participants rely on them heavily to respond to price moves.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is making a huge impact and is increasingly reshaping financial markets, helping investors analyse vast volumes of data, identify trends and interpret price movements. AI-powered market intelligence platform Kwala Intel is seeking to make stock research more accessible to Indian investors and traders by making market information, technical indicators and research insights available in a single interface. Kwala Intel is an AI-driven research companion for investors and traders and comes at a subscription of Rs 1,999 a year. Algorithms are reshaping the market AI and algorithmic systems now handle much of the work in modern markets, including scanning vast volumes of data, identifying patterns, managing risk and executing trades. Big players like institutional participants rely on them heavily to respond to price moves. This shift is very evident in the futures and options (F&O) segment. Prices, premiums, open interest and volatility can change within seconds, and hence the ability to interpret information quickly matters a lot, often as much as market knowledge. Kwala Intel aims to help users turn that flood of data into clearer, more usable insights in real time. Why research matters: What SEBI’s data shows Studies by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) on individual participation in equity derivatives underline the need for informed decision-making. According to one study, active individual traders fell about 20 per cent, from 98.1 lakh in FY25 to 78.6 lakh in FY26 with new entrants dropping by roughly 40 per cent. Aggregate net losses of individual traders also declined, to about Rs 91,685 crore in FY26 from Rs 1.12 lakh crore a year earlier. Another SEBI study found that 87.7 per cent of individual traders lost money in FY26 as the average loss per trader rose to about Rs 1.17 lakh. Options trading accounted for about 92 per cent of individual traders’ aggregate losses in the equity derivatives segment. All these figures point to a clear need for structured research rather than tips, rumours or guesswork. A fast-moving trading day Consider a trader tracking a stock that jumps after a corporate announcement. Within minutes, the price breaks a key level, volumes rise and chatter builds. The trader needs quick answers to several questions: Where is the immediate support? What is a logical resistance level? What are possible entry and exit points? What is driving the move? In such a situation, scrolling through multiple apps and social media feeds or waiting for a detailed research report simply doesn’t appear to be practical. Kwala Intel Pro is designed for moments like this.

AI and algorithmic systems now handle much of the work in modern markets, including scanning vast volumes of data, identifying patterns, managing risk and executing trades. Big players like institutional participants rely on them heavily to respond to price moves.

Decoding market jargon: Kwala Intel’s real-time AI-powered insights transform stock analysis

India is set to overtake Japan and become the world’s fourth-largest economy by 2027, with its nominal gross domestic product (GDP) projected to reach $4.52 trillion, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The projection, released on Thursday (Oct 15), highlights the contrasting economic outlooks of the two Asian nations. While India continues to record strong growth, Japan is grappling with an ageing population, rising prices and sluggish economic activity. Meanwhile, the United States remains the world’s largest economy, followed by China and Germany.<h2>India’s growth outlook remains strong</h2>The IMF has raised its forecast for India’s economic growth in 2026 to 7 per cent, citing the country’s strong fundamentals as it navigates global economic uncertainty.Speaking at the release of the IMF’s regional economic outlook for Asia-Pacific, the fund’s Asia Director, Krishna Srinivasan, said India was relatively well placed to absorb the impact of the energy price shock triggered by the US-Israel war on Iran."India entered this with very strong fundamentals," Srinivasan said. "Growth was strong, fiscal prudence was pretty much enshrined, they had lots of reserves and so on. And so in that context, they have responded well to the shock."India’s projected rise would see Japan slip to sixth place in 2027, with the United Kingdom also expected to move ahead of the Japanese economy.<h2>Japan faces inflation and structural challenges</h2>Japan’s economy is projected to grow by just 0.7 per cent in 2026. Higher energy costs and broader inflation have added to the challenges facing the country, where consumer prices have risen steadily since the spring of 2022 after years of deflation.The surge in energy prices linked to the Iran war has intensified inflationary pressures, prompting the Bank of Japan to raise interest rates to their highest level in three decades.A weakening yen has compounded the problem by making imports more expensive. The currency hit a 40-year low against the dollar over the summer, further squeezing households and businesses.Japan’s ageing population is another constraint on economic activity, limiting its growth prospects.Srinivasan said Japan was benefiting from increased investment in artificial intelligence, although the gains were less pronounced than in some regional economies.The outlook for the technology sector also came under scrutiny on Thursday, when Tokyo’s benchmark Nikkei index fell nearly 5 per cent amid a sharp sell-off in technology stocks and doubts about the profitability of AI investments.

India is projected to become the world’s fourth-largest economy by 2027, overtaking Japan, as the IMF raises its 2026 growth forecast to 7 per cent amid contrasting economic outlooks.

India is set to overtake Japan and become the world’s fourth-largest economy by 2027, with its nominal gross domestic product (GDP) projected to reach $4.52 trillion, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The projection, released on Thursday (Oct 15), highlights the contrasting economic outlooks of the two Asian nations. While India continues to record strong growth, Japan is grappling with an ageing population, rising prices and sluggish economic activity. Meanwhile, the United States remains the world’s largest economy, followed by China and Germany. India’s growth outlook remains strong The IMF has raised its forecast for India’s economic growth in 2026 to 7 per cent, citing the country’s strong fundamentals as it navigates global economic uncertainty. Speaking at the release of the IMF’s regional economic outlook for Asia-Pacific, the fund’s Asia Director, Krishna Srinivasan, said India was relatively well placed to absorb the impact of the energy price shock triggered by the US-Israel war on Iran. "India entered this with very strong fundamentals," Srinivasan said. "Growth was strong, fiscal prudence was pretty much enshrined, they had lots of reserves and so on. And so in that context, they have responded well to the shock." India’s projected rise would see Japan slip to sixth place in 2027, with the United Kingdom also expected to move ahead of the Japanese economy. Japan faces inflation and structural challenges Japan’s economy is projected to grow by just 0.7 per cent in 2026. Higher energy costs and broader inflation have added to the challenges facing the country, where consumer prices have risen steadily since the spring of 2022 after years of deflation. The surge in energy prices linked to the Iran war has intensified inflationary pressures, prompting the Bank of Japan to raise interest rates to their highest level in three decades. A weakening yen has compounded the problem by making imports more expensive. The currency hit a 40-year low against the dollar over the summer, further squeezing households and businesses. Japan’s ageing population is another constraint on economic activity, limiting its growth prospects. Srinivasan said Japan was benefiting from increased investment in artificial intelligence, although the gains were less pronounced than in some regional economies. The outlook for the technology sector also came under scrutiny on Thursday, when Tokyo’s benchmark Nikkei index fell nearly 5 per cent amid a sharp sell-off in technology stocks and doubts about the profitability of AI investments.

India is projected to become the world’s fourth-largest economy by 2027, overtaking Japan, as the IMF raises its 2026 growth forecast to 7 per cent amid contrasting economic outlooks.

India to overtake Japan, become 4th-largest economy by 2027? What IMF’s latest projection reveals

Commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal said on Thursday that the India-US trade deal has cleared its first phase and moved to the legal drafting stage while expressing hope that the process would be completed soon. The pact would be operationalised once India gains a competitive advantage over its peer countries, he said.&nbsp;“US bilateral trade agreement’s first tranche has been finalised and it is going through final contours, the legal drafting and we hope to be able to finalise that soon and operationalise that once we get the competitive advantage over our peer countries,” Goyal said while addressing the SRCC Centenary Conclave in Delhi.&nbsp;&nbsp;India and the US have held prolonged negotiations over a bilateral trade agreement. The two countries had announced a framework for an interim trade deal in February, but the agreement has not yet been operationalised.&nbsp;Goyal had earlier said that changing global circumstances would need to be taken into account while finalising the pact. He described India-US relations as “very good” and said he did not see any problem in bilateral ties, despite the delay in concluding the trade agreement.&nbsp;Goyal has repeatedly maintained that India needs to secure a competitive position for its exporters in the US market before the agreement is implemented.&nbsp;<h2>India-EU trade deal expected in December</h2>&nbsp;Goyal also shared that the India-European Union free trade agreement would be signed in December and come into force in February or March next year.India and the 27-member European Union had announced the conclusion of negotiations for the trade pact earlier this year. The agreement is expected to deepen trade ties and improve market access for businesses on both sides.The proposed India-EU pact is part of India's broader efforts to expand trade ties with major economies amid changes in global trade and tariff policies.&nbsp;India and the US have been negotiating a proposed bilateral trade agreement since early 2025.&nbsp;India has been pushing for more favourable tariff terms for its exports to the US than those available to competing economies.&nbsp;<h2>‘Incredible’ pace of negotiations, says US Ambassador Sergio Gor</h2>&nbsp;Earlier in the day, US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor also said that the two nations have cleared the major items on their trade deal checklist. Gor described the pace of negotiations as “incredible.”&nbsp;Gor also spoke about the US legislation that could pave the way for sanctions on countries purchasing Russian oil and gas or helping others evade sanctions. He said US President Donald Trump was expected to decide on the matter within the next 10 days. Gor said the provisions were not aimed at any particular country, including India.&nbsp;&nbsp;“...We have ongoing discussions on that as it passed with overwhelming bipartisan support. That law got 86 votes out of 100 in our Senate... These sanctions options that Congress passed, they are not targeted at any individual country. It is three different buckets; one is oil, the second is gas, the third is sanctions evasion.”&nbsp;Gor said the intention was to end the war rather than punish any country.&nbsp;“It just happens that India does fall in one of those buckets, along with a lot of other countries. The goal is not to punish anyone. The goal is to try to bring an end to this war. I do think the president will make a determination on that over the next few days.”&nbsp;Gor said India offered significant opportunities for American businesses, citing the size of its market and the government’s approach to foreign investment.

India and the United States have been negotiating a proposed bilateral trade agreement since early 2025. New Delhi has been pushing for more favourable tariff terms for its exports to the US than those available to competing economies.

Commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal said on Thursday that the India-US trade deal has cleared its first phase and moved to the legal drafting stage while expressing hope that the process would be completed soon. The pact would be operationalised once India gains a competitive advantage over its peer countries, he said. “US bilateral trade agreement’s first tranche has been finalised and it is going through final contours, the legal drafting and we hope to be able to finalise that soon and operationalise that once we get the competitive advantage over our peer countries,” Goyal said while addressing the SRCC Centenary Conclave in Delhi. India and the US have held prolonged negotiations over a bilateral trade agreement. The two countries had announced a framework for an interim trade deal in February, but the agreement has not yet been operationalised. Goyal had earlier said that changing global circumstances would need to be taken into account while finalising the pact. He described India-US relations as “very good” and said he did not see any problem in bilateral ties, despite the delay in concluding the trade agreement. Goyal has repeatedly maintained that India needs to secure a competitive position for its exporters in the US market before the agreement is implemented. India-EU trade deal expected in December Goyal also shared that the India-European Union free trade agreement would be signed in December and come into force in February or March next year. India and the 27-member European Union had announced the conclusion of negotiations for the trade pact earlier this year. The agreement is expected to deepen trade ties and improve market access for businesses on both sides. The proposed India-EU pact is part of India's broader efforts to expand trade ties with major economies amid changes in global trade and tariff policies. India and the US have been negotiating a proposed bilateral trade agreement since early 2025. India has been pushing for more favourable tariff terms for its exports to the US than those available to competing economies. ‘Incredible’ pace of negotiations, says US Ambassador Sergio Gor Earlier in the day, US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor also said that the two nations have cleared the major items on their trade deal checklist. Gor described the pace of negotiations as “incredible.” Gor also spoke about the US legislation that could pave the way for sanctions on countries purchasing Russian oil and gas or helping others evade sanctions. He said US President Donald Trump was expected to decide on the matter within the next 10 days. Gor said the provisions were not aimed at any particular country, including India. “...We have ongoing discussions on that as it passed with overwhelming bipartisan support. That law got 86 votes out of 100 in our Senate... These sanctions options that Congress passed, they are not targeted at any individual country. It is three different buckets; one is oil, the second is gas, the third is sanctions evasion.” Gor said the intention was to end the war rather than punish any country. “It just happens that India does fall in one of those buckets, along with a lot of other countries. The goal is not to punish anyone. The goal is to try to bring an end to this war. I do think the president will make a determination on that over the next few days.” Gor said India offered significant opportunities for American businesses, citing the size of its market and the government’s approach to foreign investment.

India and the United States have been negotiating a proposed bilateral trade agreement since early 2025. New Delhi has been pushing for more favourable tariff terms for its exports to the US than those available to competing economies.

India-US trade deal: First phase finalised, legal drafting under way, says Piyush Goyal

How do authorities think about business today? In the past, the conversation was about the tax rate: which band, which exemption, which good. Today, however, it's about the process. With more invoice information becoming standardized, being filed electronically, and being automatically reconciled by the authority, many times the authority can observe a transaction just as quickly as the entity raising the transaction. Compliance is no longer a task that finance completes prior to meeting a deadline. Compliance is now a strategic issue, and boards should address it accordingly.While there is a significant improvement to the regulators’ ability to assess invoice data (which is viewed as a continuous and automated process), the same can't be said for most companies' processes of assessing their billing. Most entities still analyze their billing through traditional means: an occasional audit, a sampling of transactions, a reconciliation spreadsheet, and a somewhat nervous team during the week leading up to the filing deadline.This difference in assessment processes represents a potential major risk. When an authority has clean and standardized data regarding a transaction and the company that generated the transaction has messy versions of that same data, then issues arise externally at a time chosen by neither party. This difference creates hidden tax revenue. An incorrect charge due to a post-contractual modification to a contract, unmeasured usage that was not charged, or improperly mapped tax treatment represent examples of individual defects that have two economic consequences: increased tax liability and quiet leakages.<h2>Why manual audits miss these differences</h2>Manual auditing is not meant to be an insult to auditors. The method of auditing simply doesn’t match well to identify errors. Manual audits involve random sampling therefore, they only identify errors that exist within the sample. Additionally, since manual audits occur on a schedule, errors occurring in the early days of a reporting period can go undetected for several weeks. Finally, since manual audits are generally conducted retrospectively, damage from incorrectly billed items is identified after the invoicing cycle has occurred. Additionally, manual audits rely heavily upon the group responsible for creating the billing rules to detect when those rules cease to apply.In general, leaks are non-dramatic. Fraud occurs infrequently, and catastrophic errors rarely happen. Leaks typically result from tariff changes that reach multiple systems but not others; edge cases associated with bundles used infrequently; or revised rate plans that were not reviewed again. These types of issues are dull and only identifiable when someone reviews each transaction each time. People cannot conduct this type of review. Machines can.<h2>Treat billing logic as software</h2>Engineering discipline offers some lessons for finance. Billing logic is comprised of code, configuration and reference data; however, in many organizations it is modified with less regard than a website -- i.e., no version control, no automated testing, no gates for releasing into production and little to no monitoring once released into production. For years, software development teams have understood that quality could not be inspected-in at the end; quality must be engineered into the pipeline. The DevOps toolbox of continuous testing, automatic validation and rapid feedback applies nearly uniformly to billing.<h2>Blueprint for Technical Teams</h2>Below is a framework for developing a technical approach to managing billing logic based on nothing specific to vendors, platforms or countries and requires minimal resources:1) Write your rules down as verifiable test statements. Contract language, tariff logic and tax treatment often reside in people’s minds and old e-mails. Place business leaders and engineers together in one space, document each rule as something machines can evaluate and store the resulting collection under version control similar to any other coding effort.2) Validate at each handoff point. Usage leads to ratings which lead to invoices which lead to ledgers which lead to returns. At each step in the journey of a transaction, ensure that you compare each step against the previous one. Issues are detected sooner versus later.3) Run your validations as part of your deployment process. Prior to deploying any change to a rate plan, tax mapping or reference data, validate your change against representative and adverse scenarios via automation. Do not deploy until all such validation passes. While simple, this one practice significantly reduces leakage prior to issuance.4) Continuously validate against actual live data -- not only pre-deployment. Rules valid in March can become invalid in June without changing any lines of code -- simply because the world evolves. Exceptions should be placed into queues with names assigned and deadlines established versus in emails where they might get read.5) Close-the-loop. Each exception proven real becomes another rule added to the library of test statements. Perform the review without finger pointing and note how quickly issues are discovered -- this is more important than how many are found. A team that identifies errors faster is improving regardless of whether their counts increase temporarily.6) Let the evidence develop passively as a byproduct. Pipelines checking everything also create records of what was checked. When an authority or auditor requests information regarding compliance, it is likely already available in writing -- thereby reducing compliance into a frenzied event.<h2>What Should Executives &amp; Policymakers Ask For?</h2>Digitizing invoices represented the initial required steps toward automating compliance -- it is not enough. Improved data does not equate improved internal compliance in the organization generating that data. Executives should place one simple question to their respective teams: "If a rule was modified this morning, how much time would we need to determine if our billing continued to adhere to the modified rule?" Policymakers should prefer solutions compliant with smaller organizations’ abilities and resources and not require smaller organizations to bear double expense for digitization efforts.<h2>Long-term Viewpoint</h2>For decades compliance and revenue assurance have existed independently -- separate function areas with separate budget allocations -- and this separation currently represents an expensive habit. Both depend on the same base: accurate billing validated continually and documented appropriately. Organizations able to establish this capability will experience decreased compliance expenses -- in addition to frequently finding additional monies previously unknown.The regulator is reviewing every invoice. It is time the business does too.&nbsp;&nbsp;About the author: Vaishnavi Khati is a digital technology business strategist and subject matter expert in revenue integrity, automated compliance, and billing assurance. She uses data-driven methodologies to bridge the gap between finance and software engineering, developing scalable processes that improve billing accuracy and help prevent revenue leakage.

Manual auditing is not meant to be an insult to auditors. The method of auditing simply doesn’t match well to identify errors. Manual audits involve random sampling therefore, they only identify errors that exist within the sample. 

How do authorities think about business today? In the past, the conversation was about the tax rate: which band, which exemption, which good. Today, however, it's about the process. With more invoice information becoming standardized, being filed electronically, and being automatically reconciled by the authority, many times the authority can observe a transaction just as quickly as the entity raising the transaction. Compliance is no longer a task that finance completes prior to meeting a deadline. Compliance is now a strategic issue, and boards should address it accordingly. While there is a significant improvement to the regulators’ ability to assess invoice data (which is viewed as a continuous and automated process), the same can't be said for most companies' processes of assessing their billing. Most entities still analyze their billing through traditional means: an occasional audit, a sampling of transactions, a reconciliation spreadsheet, and a somewhat nervous team during the week leading up to the filing deadline. This difference in assessment processes represents a potential major risk. When an authority has clean and standardized data regarding a transaction and the company that generated the transaction has messy versions of that same data, then issues arise externally at a time chosen by neither party. This difference creates hidden tax revenue. An incorrect charge due to a post-contractual modification to a contract, unmeasured usage that was not charged, or improperly mapped tax treatment represent examples of individual defects that have two economic consequences: increased tax liability and quiet leakages. Why manual audits miss these differences Manual auditing is not meant to be an insult to auditors. The method of auditing simply doesn’t match well to identify errors. Manual audits involve random sampling therefore, they only identify errors that exist within the sample. Additionally, since manual audits occur on a schedule, errors occurring in the early days of a reporting period can go undetected for several weeks. Finally, since manual audits are generally conducted retrospectively, damage from incorrectly billed items is identified after the invoicing cycle has occurred. Additionally, manual audits rely heavily upon the group responsible for creating the billing rules to detect when those rules cease to apply. In general, leaks are non-dramatic. Fraud occurs infrequently, and catastrophic errors rarely happen. Leaks typically result from tariff changes that reach multiple systems but not others; edge cases associated with bundles used infrequently; or revised rate plans that were not reviewed again. These types of issues are dull and only identifiable when someone reviews each transaction each time. People cannot conduct this type of review. Machines can. Treat billing logic as software Engineering discipline offers some lessons for finance. Billing logic is comprised of code, configuration and reference data; however, in many organizations it is modified with less regard than a website -- i.e., no version control, no automated testing, no gates for releasing into production and little to no monitoring once released into production. For years, software development teams have understood that quality could not be inspected-in at the end; quality must be engineered into the pipeline. The DevOps toolbox of continuous testing, automatic validation and rapid feedback applies nearly uniformly to billing. Blueprint for Technical Teams Below is a framework for developing a technical approach to managing billing logic based on nothing specific to vendors, platforms or countries and requires minimal resources: 1) Write your rules down as verifiable test statements. Contract language, tariff logic and tax treatment often reside in people’s minds and old e-mails. Place business leaders and engineers together in one space, document each rule as something machines can evaluate and store the resulting collection under version control similar to any other coding effort. 2) Validate at each handoff point. Usage leads to ratings which lead to invoices which lead to ledgers which lead to returns. At each step in the journey of a transaction, ensure that you compare each step against the previous one. Issues are detected sooner versus later. 3) Run your validations as part of your deployment process. Prior to deploying any change to a rate plan, tax mapping or reference data, validate your change against representative and adverse scenarios via automation. Do not deploy until all such validation passes. While simple, this one practice significantly reduces leakage prior to issuance. 4) Continuously validate against actual live data -- not only pre-deployment. Rules valid in March can become invalid in June without changing any lines of code -- simply because the world evolves. Exceptions should be placed into queues with names assigned and deadlines established versus in emails where they might get read. 5) Close-the-loop. Each exception proven real becomes another rule added to the library of test statements. Perform the review without finger pointing and note how quickly issues are discovered -- this is more important than how many are found. A team that identifies errors faster is improving regardless of whether their counts increase temporarily. 6) Let the evidence develop passively as a byproduct. Pipelines checking everything also create records of what was checked. When an authority or auditor requests information regarding compliance, it is likely already available in writing -- thereby reducing compliance into a frenzied event. What Should Executives & Policymakers Ask For? Digitizing invoices represented the initial required steps toward automating compliance -- it is not enough. Improved data does not equate improved internal compliance in the organization generating that data. Executives should place one simple question to their respective teams: "If a rule was modified this morning, how much time would we need to determine if our billing continued to adhere to the modified rule?" Policymakers should prefer solutions compliant with smaller organizations’ abilities and resources and not require smaller organizations to bear double expense for digitization efforts. Long-term Viewpoint For decades compliance and revenue assurance have existed independently -- separate function areas with separate budget allocations -- and this separation currently represents an expensive habit. Both depend on the same base: accurate billing validated continually and documented appropriately. Organizations able to establish this capability will experience decreased compliance expenses -- in addition to frequently finding additional monies previously unknown. The regulator is reviewing every invoice. It is time the business does too. About the author: Vaishnavi Khati is a digital technology business strategist and subject matter expert in revenue integrity, automated compliance, and billing assurance. She uses data-driven methodologies to bridge the gap between finance and software engineering, developing scalable processes that improve billing accuracy and help prevent revenue leakage.

Manual auditing is not meant to be an insult to auditors. The method of auditing simply doesn’t match well to identify errors. Manual audits involve random sampling therefore, they only identify errors that exist within the sample.&nbsp;

The hidden tax in your billing system: How manual auditing misses the tax revenue that automated validation can find

Retirement is a time when how an individual manages finances can change. Now they do not get paid a regular salary and they are paying bills at their home, medical expenses and other financial responsibilities. So, it's crucial for people to ensure that they have regular returns and periodic income when investing.&nbsp;&nbsp;Fixed Deposit for <a href="https://www.bajajfinserv.in/investments/fixed-deposit-for-senior-citizen">Senior Citizen is a Fixed Deposit</a> made by the senior citizen who has reached the age of 60 years and above. Usually provides an extra interest rate to the rate that can be had by customers under 60. Senior citizens may also have the option to have interest paid out on a regular basis or let the interest build up until the maturity date.&nbsp;The online application process has facilitated the investment procedure without frequent visits to branches. However, it is important to know the applicable rate, tenure, payout frequency, taxation and premature withdrawal conditions before you Open FD.&nbsp;<h2>Why senior citizens receive higher FD rates?</h2>Senior citizens are commonly given the added benefits of extra interest on fixed deposits by financial institutions. This means that a lot of retired people depend on interest income for carrying out their day-to-day expenses after retirement. As of 2023-10-07, Bajaj Finance Fixed Deposit is offering interest of 8.15% p.a. for senior citizens who hold fixed deposits. Elderly people would benefit directly, as it offers 0.40% more compared to those below sixty years of age. But as interest rates vary, it is better to check.&nbsp;<h2>How can an FD support retirement planning?</h2>A Fixed Deposit offers a predetermined interest rate for the selected tenure. Its return does not move with daily market fluctuations, which can make future income easier to estimate. A Senior Citizen FD can be used in different ways after retirement. Someone who needs regular income may choose periodic interest payouts. Another investor who has sufficient monthly income may prefer the cumulative option and receive the principal and accumulated interest at maturity. Retirees can also divide their savings across deposits with different maturity dates. This is commonly known as FD laddering. Instead of locking the complete amount into one deposit, the investor creates several deposits with different tenures. The arrangement provides access to a portion of the money at regular intervals. The deposit amount should still leave enough money available for emergencies. Medical costs and urgent household expenses can arise unexpectedly, and closing a deposit before maturity may lead to reduced interest.&nbsp;<h2>Choosing the right interest payout option</h2>With the cumulative option, the investment allows interest to be reinvested for the duration of the investment. The interest accumulates along with the initial deposit and earns compounded interest. At the end of the term, both the principal and accumulated interest are usually paid.Such an option might appeal to a retiree who is saving for a one-time expense. This may be expenses related to home repairs, family celebrations, or planned medical treatment. Because there is no regular interest payment, the retiree would need an alternative way of paying monthly costs.With non-cumulative schemes, the interest can be paid at fixed intervals- monthly, quarterly, bi-annually, or annually, depending on the type of fixed deposit. Like the pension, this option is used to have a regular monthly income to pay recurring monthly expenses.&nbsp;It is possible that the monthly payment rates are different from the maturity payment rates. Therefore, investors need to check how much tax will be paid on the earnings and obtain their net earnings before choosing the type of option for their fixed deposit. An FD calculator can help approximately calculate the maturity value or periodic payment.<h2>Steps to open an FD online</h2>The online process allows eligible senior citizens to invest from home. Keeping the PAN, Aadhaar details, bank information, and access to the Aadhaar-linked mobile number ready can make verification easier.Here are the usual steps to book a Bajaj Finance Fixed Deposit online:<ol><li>Visit the Website: Go to the Bajaj Finserv Fixed Deposit page and select <a href="https://www.bajajfinserv.in/investments/fixed-deposit">Open FD</a>.</li><li>Verify the Mobile Number: Enter the 10-digit mobile number and confirm the OTP received.</li><li>Add Investment Details: Enter the deposit amount and select the preferred tenure and payout frequency.</li><li>Provide Personal Information: Enter the PAN, date of birth, and other requested details.</li><li>Complete the KYC: Existing customers can confirm or update the available information. New customers can complete KYC using Aadhaar.</li><li>Review the Declaration: Read the terms carefully before providing consent.</li><li>&nbsp;Enter Bank Details: Provide the account information required for the investment and future payouts.</li><li>Complete the Payment: Pay through NetBanking, UPI, NEFT, or RTGS, depending on the available option.</li></ol><h2>What should retirees check before investing?</h2>Although the interest rate plays a key role in choosing the right deposit, it’s not the only factor to consider. Elderly people are advised to check the bank’s financial situation, credit score, withdrawal policies, service options, and requirements for documentation.&nbsp;Bajaj Finance FD holds both CRISIL AAA/Stable and ICRA AAA(Stable) ratings meaning that it’s the standard of measuring the bank’s ability to fulfil its financial obligations. However, these ratings should not be perceived as warranties of recovering the invested cash.&nbsp;The company allows customers to place deposits starting from Rs. 15,000 and choose terms ranging from 12 to 60 months. One should choose a term depending on the possible date of need for cash. One should remember to check the terms for nomination and automatic relationship renewal.The interest earned on fixed deposits is taxed within an individual’s respective tax regulations. In some cases, tax can be withheld from the deposit right away. Senior citizens should calculate their net profit after taxes have been deducted and seek advice from a tax consultant, if needed.On-demand closure of deposit relationships is allowed under certain conditions, whereas it can result in lower interest for the investor.<h2>Conclusion</h2>An FD for Senior Citizens guarantees assured returns, as well as a choice of either receiving interest regularly or getting a large sum when the FD matures. Additionally, the higher interest rate can aid in retirement planning.Before proceeding with FD Opening, ensure you compare the various options based on latest rate of interest, method of interest payout, tenure, rates of taxation, and conditions for withdrawal. A proper choice of the principal amount must also be made, ensuring enough funds remain available for emergencies

A Senior Citizen FD can provide predictable returns and regular income after retirement, with many institutions offering higher interest rates to those aged 60 and above. Before opening an FD online, retirees should compare rates, tenure, payout options, taxation and premature withdrawal terms.

Retirement is a time when how an individual manages finances can change. Now they do not get paid a regular salary and they are paying bills at their home, medical expenses and other financial responsibilities. So, it's crucial for people to ensure that they have regular returns and periodic income when investing. Fixed Deposit for Senior Citizen is a Fixed Deposit made by the senior citizen who has reached the age of 60 years and above. Usually provides an extra interest rate to the rate that can be had by customers under 60. Senior citizens may also have the option to have interest paid out on a regular basis or let the interest build up until the maturity date. The online application process has facilitated the investment procedure without frequent visits to branches. However, it is important to know the applicable rate, tenure, payout frequency, taxation and premature withdrawal conditions before you Open FD. Why senior citizens receive higher FD rates? Senior citizens are commonly given the added benefits of extra interest on fixed deposits by financial institutions. This means that a lot of retired people depend on interest income for carrying out their day-to-day expenses after retirement. As of 2023-10-07, Bajaj Finance Fixed Deposit is offering interest of 8.15% p.a. for senior citizens who hold fixed deposits. Elderly people would benefit directly, as it offers 0.40% more compared to those below sixty years of age. But as interest rates vary, it is better to check. How can an FD support retirement planning? A Fixed Deposit offers a predetermined interest rate for the selected tenure. Its return does not move with daily market fluctuations, which can make future income easier to estimate. A Senior Citizen FD can be used in different ways after retirement. Someone who needs regular income may choose periodic interest payouts. Another investor who has sufficient monthly income may prefer the cumulative option and receive the principal and accumulated interest at maturity. Retirees can also divide their savings across deposits with different maturity dates. This is commonly known as FD laddering. Instead of locking the complete amount into one deposit, the investor creates several deposits with different tenures. The arrangement provides access to a portion of the money at regular intervals. The deposit amount should still leave enough money available for emergencies. Medical costs and urgent household expenses can arise unexpectedly, and closing a deposit before maturity may lead to reduced interest. Choosing the right interest payout option With the cumulative option, the investment allows interest to be reinvested for the duration of the investment. The interest accumulates along with the initial deposit and earns compounded interest. At the end of the term, both the principal and accumulated interest are usually paid. Such an option might appeal to a retiree who is saving for a one-time expense. This may be expenses related to home repairs, family celebrations, or planned medical treatment. Because there is no regular interest payment, the retiree would need an alternative way of paying monthly costs. With non-cumulative schemes, the interest can be paid at fixed intervals- monthly, quarterly, bi-annually, or annually, depending on the type of fixed deposit. Like the pension, this option is used to have a regular monthly income to pay recurring monthly expenses. It is possible that the monthly payment rates are different from the maturity payment rates. Therefore, investors need to check how much tax will be paid on the earnings and obtain their net earnings before choosing the type of option for their fixed deposit. An FD calculator can help approximately calculate the maturity value or periodic payment. Steps to open an FD online The online process allows eligible senior citizens to invest from home. Keeping the PAN, Aadhaar details, bank information, and access to the Aadhaar-linked mobile number ready can make verification easier. Here are the usual steps to book a Bajaj Finance Fixed Deposit online: Visit the Website: Go to the Bajaj Finserv Fixed Deposit page and select Open FD. Verify the Mobile Number: Enter the 10-digit mobile number and confirm the OTP received. Add Investment Details: Enter the deposit amount and select the preferred tenure and payout frequency. Provide Personal Information: Enter the PAN, date of birth, and other requested details. Complete the KYC: Existing customers can confirm or update the available information. New customers can complete KYC using Aadhaar. Review the Declaration: Read the terms carefully before providing consent. Enter Bank Details: Provide the account information required for the investment and future payouts. Complete the Payment: Pay through NetBanking, UPI, NEFT, or RTGS, depending on the available option. What should retirees check before investing? Although the interest rate plays a key role in choosing the right deposit, it’s not the only factor to consider. Elderly people are advised to check the bank’s financial situation, credit score, withdrawal policies, service options, and requirements for documentation. Bajaj Finance FD holds both CRISIL AAA/Stable and ICRA AAA(Stable) ratings meaning that it’s the standard of measuring the bank’s ability to fulfil its financial obligations. However, these ratings should not be perceived as warranties of recovering the invested cash. The company allows customers to place deposits starting from Rs. 15,000 and choose terms ranging from 12 to 60 months. One should choose a term depending on the possible date of need for cash. One should remember to check the terms for nomination and automatic relationship renewal. The interest earned on fixed deposits is taxed within an individual’s respective tax regulations. In some cases, tax can be withheld from the deposit right away. Senior citizens should calculate their net profit after taxes have been deducted and seek advice from a tax consultant, if needed. On-demand closure of deposit relationships is allowed under certain conditions, whereas it can result in lower interest for the investor. Conclusion An FD for Senior Citizens guarantees assured returns, as well as a choice of either receiving interest regularly or getting a large sum when the FD matures. Additionally, the higher interest rate can aid in retirement planning. Before proceeding with FD Opening, ensure you compare the various options based on latest rate of interest, method of interest payout, tenure, rates of taxation, and conditions for withdrawal. A proper choice of the principal amount must also be made, ensuring enough funds remain available for emergencies

A Senior Citizen FD can provide predictable returns and regular income after retirement, with many institutions offering higher interest rates to those aged 60 and above. Before opening an FD online, retirees should compare rates, tenure, payout options, etc

Senior citizen FD: How to open FD online and earn higher returns after retirement