The domestic equity market is expected to open with a gap‑up on Wednesday, October 21, after a trading holiday on Tuesday. The GIFT NIFTY futures suggest that the NIFTY50 index will open 122 points higher. Shares of oil marketing companies (OMCs), aviation companies and paint manufacturers will be in focus as crude oil prices remain elevated amid concerns over supply disruptions in the Middle East and risks to shipping through the region. Brent crude futures rose 0.78% to $109.64 per barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude gained 0.78% to $98.58 as of 0022 GMT.

Sustained high crude prices could increase input costs for sectors such as aviation, paints and oil marketing, while also raising concerns over fuel inflation and marketing margins for OMCs, depending on the extent to which higher costs are passed on to consumers. The incident involving a supertanker that caught fire after striking a sea mine south of the Strait of Hormuz was reported by Iran's Revolutionary Guards Navy, adding to market anxiety. Oil‑sensitive stocks are therefore expected to exhibit heightened volatility as investors weigh the impact of elevated input costs on profitability.

Earnings today: According to the BSE list, 40 companies are slated to announce their September quarter (Q2 FY27) numbers on Wednesday, October 21. The list includes Indian Hotels Company, Eternal, Adani Green Energy Limited, SRF, PC Jeweller, Mahindra and Mahindra Financial Services, Vishal Mega Mart, Indosolar, and KEI Industries, among others. Investors will monitor these disclosures for insights into sectoral performance amid the backdrop of rising oil prices and supply chain uncertainties.

Schaeffler India will be in focus after the company disclosed that its Managing Director and CEO, Harsha Gopal Kadam, was taken into custody by the Talegaon MIDC Police on October 19 in connection with an investigation into a fatal accident at its Talegaon factory in Pune on June 9, 2026. The incident resulted in the deaths of two employees of a service provider. The development raises questions around leadership continuity and potential legal implications, which investors will track.

Bajaj Finance reported a 29% increase in consolidated net profit at ₹6,367 crore for the second quarter ended September 2026 (Q2 FY27) on the back of improvement in interest income. Net profit rose from ₹4,948 crore a year ago. Total consolidated income increased to ₹24,576 crore from ₹19,992 crore. Net interest income rose 24% to ₹13,335 crore from ₹10,785 crore. Total expenditure climbed to ₹16,042 crore from ₹13,388 crore. Gross non‑performing assets declined to 1.06% of gross loans from 1.24% a year ago, and net NPAs eased to 0.42% from 0.6%.

Reliance Industries’ tech arm Jio Platforms is set to open for subscription today, seeking to raise about ₹30,213 crore through a fresh issue of up to 27 crore shares at a price band of ₹1,065 to ₹1,119 apiece. The offering values the company at around $108 billion, according to the offer documents. The IPO will close on October 23. Hindustan Zinc reported a 142% rise in consolidated net profit to ₹6,412 crore for Q2 FY27, driven by higher metal prices, increased production and a stronger dollar. Its total revenue from operations increased 76.5% to ₹15,093 crore from ₹8,549 crore a year ago. Sobha Ltd reported a 55% decline in consolidated net profit to ₹32.95 crore for Q2 FY27, impacted by lower income; net profit stood at ₹72.52 crore a year ago. Prestige Estates Projects Ltd will launch residential properties worth ₹40,000 crore in the second half of this fiscal year, a 2.5 times jump from the April‑September period. Just Dial Ltd reported a 9.73% decline in consolidated net profit to ₹107.8 crore in Q2 FY27, while revenue from operations rose 13.11% to ₹342.82 crore. IREDA posted a marginal rise in standalone net profit to ₹554 crore for Q2 FY27. Piramal Finance reported a 67% jump in net profit to ₹545 crore for Q2 FY27, with core net interest income growing 35% to ₹1,530 crore. UltraTech Cement commissioned its ₹2,650 crore Petnikota Cement Works in Andhra Pradesh, completing the project in 14 months. Waaree Renewable Technologies reported a 29% year‑on‑year decline in consolidated net profit to ₹81.48 crore for Q2 FY27, with revenue from operations increasing to ₹1,057.84 crore.