Bitcoin hit a three-week high near $115,500 after U.S. CPI met expectations at 2.9%, bolstering bets on a Fed rate cut. ETF inflows and easing inflation pressures supported the rally, though resistance above $116K capped gains. Analysts see strong support at $113,700 and potential upside toward $118K–$120K.

Real Estate Investment Trusts are gaining traction in India. They offer steady income and potential capital growth. REITs pool money to invest in commercial properties. Retail investors can access high-quality real estate easily. SEBI regulates REITs, ensuring transparency. REITs distribute a significant portion of their income. Investing in REITs is similar to buying shares.

Indian markets remain range-bound as investors await clear triggers, with buybacks in IT stocks sparking excitement and metals gaining on order flows. Sudip Bandyopadhyay notes structural strength in large-caps, cement, and infrastructure, while FMCG recovery and festive demand may take time to reflect in prices.

European government bond yields remained steady this week, diverging from U.S. Treasuries due to differing central bank outlooks. The ECB held rates steady, leading to expectations of a December rate cut. Market focus shifts to Fitch s review of France s sovereign debt rating, potentially impacting the spread between French and German bond yields.

This week’s mainboard IPOs—Urban Company, Dev Accelerator, and Shringar House of Mangalsutra—are seeing strong investor interest as bidding closes. Urban Company leads with a 43.7% expected listing gain, while Shringar is set for an 18.8% rise and Dev Accelerator for 16.4%.

Private banks saw a rise in savings account deposits between fiscal year 2019 and 2025. Public sector banks witnessed a decline. Fixed deposits followed a similar trend. Private banks increased their share, while public banks experienced a slip. This shift impacted profitability. Private banks net interest margin contracted. Public sector banks expanded their margin during this period.

Chinese stocks surged on Thursday, fueled by gains in technology companies benefiting from the nation s push for homegrown tech. The CSI 300 Index experienced its largest increase since mid-March, driven by strong retail investor sentiment and optimism surrounding AI-related sectors. Alibaba s significant investment in AI infrastructure further boosted market confidence.

Ajay Seth, the new chairman of Irdai, engaged with insurance CEOs in a virtual meeting, receiving an overview of the industry s performance metrics, including growth and settlement ratios. He expressed his intention to hold a physical meeting later this month for deeper discussions.

The Indian rupee plummeted to a new record low of 88.4425 against the dollar on Thursday, driven by strong dollar demand from importers and growing worries about the impact of US tariffs on India s economic growth.

Indian equity valuations, while below historical averages, remain elevated compared to Asian peers, raising concerns amid slowing earnings growth. Foreign investors are paring exposure due to the combination of rich valuations and decelerating nominal GDP growth. Fund managers suggest considering sector weights within Indian indices for a more accurate valuation assessment, as consumer-heavy indices inflate overall metrics.