The Indian rupee and government bonds are on the move as investors anticipate this week's outcome from the US Federal Reserve, data on how the world’s largest economy has performed and whether the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) will start open market operations (OMO) to sell bonds. Banks in India are expected to discuss the current liquidity situation among other things.

The domestic markets have seen a downturn from record highs in September, leading to investors searching for opportunities at attractive valuations. Avinash Gorakshakar, head of research at Profitmart Securities, has provided recommendations on counters with growth potential over 12 - 15 months, such as Anant Raj, Mahindra & Mahindra, Ratnaveer Precision Engineering, ICICI Bank.

After 6 months of consecutive gains, MidCap and SmallCap indices are poised to decline this month. Analysts believe lack of corporate results may be the cause for the drop in both index prices. JM Financial advises investors to buy large-cap stocks if prices dip and hold on to investments instead of panicking. Kotak sees this as a sign of irrational exuberance and believes there is no value left.

Pfizer's shares may open lower Oct 30 after reporting a 52.1% year-on-year decline in profit and 9.8% fall in revenue for the September quarter. The company declared a final dividend of Rs 35 per share and a special dividend of Rs 5 for the previous fiscal year. Over the past six months, the stock has gained 4.45%, performances largely in line with Nifty's.

NTPC Ltd, India's largest thermal power generating company, has coal stocks at only 8.5 days which is below government stocking norms. Despite the low stocks, the situation is expected to improve from the end of November due to higher production. Coal stocks across all thermal power plants in India are critically low, due to reasons such as low production, supply issues and robust power.

Asian share markets were mixed as fears of a wider conflict rose ahead of central bank meetings, earning season results have been underwhelming and global bond markets are feeling strain. S&P 500 futures edged up but MSCI's Asia-Pacific index fell 0.2% and China Evergrande Group was down 20% on a winding-up petition.

The partially-strengthened Indian rupee (3 paise to 83.25 against the US dollar) traded in a narrow range Thursday, continuing this month's sustained foreign fund outflows and US Dollar strength. Stock markets dipped on domestic equities, but Brent crude prices fell as markets awaited further development from the Israel-Hamas war. Further signals came from FPI selling.

Gold prices hovered near the key $2,000 level on Monday with tensions in the Middle East driving demand for the safe-haven metal. U.S. consumer spending and inflation were up in September, while a Reuters poll found three-quarters of economists expecting higher than forecast inflation next year. COMEX speculators added nearly 50K contracts to their net long position.

Oil prices slid $1 a barrel on Monday ahead of Fed and China economic data later this week. Geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, accounting for 1/3 of global oil production, caused an increase in prices at the end of last week which have since been offset. Investors are waiting to evaluate developments from Fed and China reports that could signal economic slowdown and low fuel demand.

400 characters: CEOs of 86.67% of Indian firms see no long-term impact from the Israel-Hamas war on their operations or sales, despite concerns about volatile oil prices & geopolitical instability. Young people and new geographies are leading higher investor account additions. $1.75b invested in green ammonia by Gentari/GIC; Adani investing almost $1b in Navi Mumbai airport.

India still trades at a premium to its EMs peers after the recent 6 percent correction from its peak. According to Shantanu Bhargava, MD and head of discretionary investment services at Waterfield Advisors, when compared with its historic averages, current valuations are agreeable. The MSCI EM index is trading at a discount to its long-term averages. Bhargava predicts increased market volatility.

Benchmarks Sensex and Nifty are likely to open marginally higher on Oct 30, per the GIFT Nifty, gaining a predicted 53 points. US stocks rebounded after three straight weeks of losses, fueled by hopes of a pause by the Fed on interest rates as investors take in a big week with a Federal Rates decision, jobs report & Apple earnings. 6 IPOs this week, 2 of which make market debut today.

Contra mutual fund schemes look for stocks that are either beaten up or have not run up much comparably and are available at reasonable valuation but having high potential to show a turnaround. Three mutual fund schemes - Invesco India Contra, Kotak India EQ Contra and SBI Contra Fund - now predominantly follow the contra strategy. The contra strategy is associated with long-term investing.

The GST department has initiated a preliminary inquiry to assess whether banks & NBFCs have evaded any service taxes in the growing co-lending business. Queries have been sent to banks, and audits are underway to determine how the co-lending arrangement works & its related liabilities. The model gives larger entities access to wider geographies, while smaller ones can access funds at lower cost.

Standard Chartered Bank executed the first-ever Overseas Derivative Instrument transaction worth $5 million in India's GIFT City, making use of the Indian government decision earlier this year to exempt non-resident investor incomes from ODI issued by foreign portfolio investors. This is seen as a move to bring onshore a market that previously existed outside the country.