White House official Kevin Hassett warned of mass federal layoffs if government shutdown negotiations with Democrats fail. The shutdown, now in its fifth day, began after Democrats rejected a funding measure, demanding permanent health insurance tax credits and assurances against unilateral spending cuts. No progress is evident, with Democrats criticizing Trump's lack of engagement.
Israel continues its Gaza offensive despite Trump's ceasefire call, even as Hamas accepts key parts of his peace plan. Negotiations are set to begin in Egypt to implement the deal, which includes hostage release and Israeli withdrawal. Gazans await relief, while Israeli markets show optimism, though Netanyahu faces internal pressure over ending the conflict.
A 4.6-magnitude earthquake struck Pakistan on October 5, 2025, at a shallow depth, with no immediate reports of major damage or casualties. This was the second tremor this week, underscoring Pakistan's high susceptibility to seismic activity due to its location at the collision zone of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates.
Indian benchmark indices, Nifty and Sensex, closed higher for the second consecutive day on Friday, buoyed by banks, consumer, and metal stocks. Analysts noted Nifty's recovery above its 50-DMA, signaling bullish sentiment and potential for further gains towards 25,200 and 25,500, supported by a drop in India VIX.
Flipkart Investments plans to exit its entire 6% stake in Aditya Birla Lifestyle Brands via a Rs 950 crore block deal, highlighting strong institutional interest in Indias premium apparel sector.
Indian equity markets rebounded 1% last week, fueled by the RBI's decision to maintain the repo rate at 5.5%, which improved market sentiment. With Q2FY26 earnings season commencing, investors will track corporate results. Key trading dates for potential momentum and sharp movements are October 6, 7, and 9, alongside crucial Nifty support and resistance levels.
