This week, foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) reportedly withdrew ₹48,056 crore from Indian equities, continuing a trend of capital flight from the market. This outflow has been attributed to various factors, including elevated crude oil prices, rising US bond yields, and a stronger dollar, all of which have negatively impacted investor sentiment.

If the current month concludes with net outflows, it will mark the seventh month in 2026 where foreign investors have divested from Indian equities. Cumulative net outflows for the year have now reached approximately ₹3.10 trillion, nearly double the ₹1.66 trillion recorded in 2025.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman highlighted the ongoing trend of capital flight towards the US and other markets that offer promising opportunities in artificial intelligence (AI) as a significant concern for the Indian economy.

Unusual Investments in Reliance Industries

In a noteworthy development, two traders have established large leveraged positions in Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL), a situation analysts have described as ‘rarest of rare’. According to stock exchange data, both traders hold positions exceeding 3 per cent each of RIL’s marketwide position limit (MWPL).

This unusual trading activity precedes the initial public offering (IPO) of Jio Platforms Ltd, RIL’s telecom and digital services subsidiary, in which RIL holds approximately 66 per cent ownership. The trading surge occurs at a time when RIL shares have experienced a significant decline, reaching a 52-week low on 13 October.

As India’s most valuable listed company, RIL stands to unlock considerable value through the public listing of Jio Platforms, which would provide an independent market valuation for the subsidiary. However, the underlying rationale for the traders’ positions remains unclear.

Blinkit’s Expansion Plans by Eternal

Eternal has announced an increase in its expansion plans for its quick-commerce business, Blinkit, raising its target for dark stores to 3,500 by March 2027, up from the previous goal of 3,000. As of September 2026, the company operated 2,751 stores, having added 308 in the second quarter.

In the September quarter, Eternal’s consolidated revenue from operations surged by 77.6 per cent year-on-year to ₹24,138 crore. Despite this growth, the company’s profit margins remain narrow, leading to a reported cash outflow of ₹1,813 crore. Blinkit is a crucial component of Eternal’s revenue, accounting for 80 per cent of the total.

Eternal is optimistic that expanding its store network in smaller cities will be beneficial for business. The increased target for store openings coincides with challenges faced by its primary competitor, Zepto, in securing funding.

Government Plans for Port Corporatisation

The Indian government has unveiled plans to transform 11 of the country’s 12 major ports into professionally managed companies with independent boards by 2030. This initiative aims to streamline decision-making processes related to port operations, funding, and expansion.

Currently, administrative procedures can hinder timely decisions, especially when cargo patterns shift or customer requirements change. Over the past four years, the combined revenue of these major ports has grown at a compounded annual rate of 10.7 per cent. Kamarajar Port near Chennai is the only major port currently operating as a company.

Under the proposed model, the port companies will manage essential infrastructure, while private operators will oversee terminals and cargo handling through public-private partnerships. This restructuring is expected to enhance the ports’ responsiveness to business needs and facilitate future expansion.

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