WEEK AHEAD · INDIA LENS

Week Ahead Playbook: RBI MPC, PMI, OPEC+, and US Jobs

Dates to circle: RBI MPC (Sep 29–Oct 1), India PMI Manufacturing (Oct 1), US Nonfarm Payrolls (Oct 3), and OPEC+ (Oct 5). Sector cues and risk checks.
By bataSutra Editorial · Sunday, September 28, 2025

The short

  • Rates: RBI MPC wraps on Oct 1 (Wed); watch stance, liquidity guidance, and any macroprudential nudges.
  • Activity: India Manufacturing PMI prints on Oct 1 (first working day standard).
  • Oil: OPEC+ meets Oct 5 (Sun); output messaging could sway Brent and OMC margins.
  • Global cue: US payrolls land Oct 3 (Fri, 8:30 ET) — USD, yields, IT exporters sensitive.

Calendar — India focus (IST)

DateEventOur watch-points
Sep 29–Oct 1RBI MPC (decision Oct 1)Stance language, liquidity ops, sectoral risk flags
Oct 1 (Wed)India Manufacturing PMI (Sep)New orders vs output; price indices for input/output
Oct 1 (Wed)Monthly resets: LPG, ATF (administered/market-linked)Airlines/OMCs sensitivity; logistics pass-through
Oct 3 (Fri)US Nonfarm Payrolls (Sep)USD/UST move → IT exporters, FPI risk appetite
Oct 5 (Sun)OPEC+ meetingQuota path vs realized output; Brent–INR matrix

Banks & financials

  • Prefer lenders with steady CASA and lower wholesale mix into policy day.
  • Watch commentary on liquidity, HTM/AFS treatment, and deposit beta.

Capital goods & industrials

  • Stable PMI + orderbook visibility supports leadership; track input-cost lines if Brent lifts.
  • Execution cadence (book-to-bill) and OCF conversion remain key.

IT services

  • US payrolls → USD and rate expectations; cost-takeout vendors hold better on macro jitters.
  • Keep an eye on large-deal TCV flow and onsite mix.

OMCs & airlines

  • ATF/LPG monthly reset on Oct 1; OPEC+ tone on Oct 5 adds second-order risk.
  • Prefer balanced marketing/refining mix; monitor GRMs and net under-recoveries.

Risk checks

  • Reduce beta if breadth (A/D line, % stocks above 50-DMA) rolls over post-policy.
  • Size smaller in low-float pockets into event-heavy weeks.
  • Use stops around event risk rather than averaging losers.