India’s stock markets have seen a lot of volatility in the last few weeks. With geopolitical tensions in West Asia escalating and China rolling out several stimulus measures to lift the economy, foreign institutional investors have pulled out massive amounts of money from Indian equity markets over the past month. In this backdrop, benchmark indices have come off a fair bit from their lifetime highs. 

The BSE Sensex fell to 81,501.36 when markets closed on October 16, slipping 5.2 per cent from its record high of 85,978.25 on September 27. The NSE Nifty 50 index was also down 5 per cent to 24,971.30 from a high of 26,277.35. 

On Thursday, October 17, markets gave up initial gains and were trading flat to negative in the morning session. Foreign portfolio investors pulled out more than Rs 67,000 crore from India’s equity market so far in October—the most they have pulled out for any month in 2024. This has been partly cushioned by strong inflows from domestic investors.

Stock broking firm Prabhudas Lilladher remained upbeat on the markets recovering, revising its 12-month target for the Nifty. It now sees the Nifty 50 touching 27,867 over the next 12 months in its base case, versus its earlier target of 26,820. The latest target is an 11.6 per cent upside from its Wednesday’s close.

In a bullish scenario, the Nifty could touch 29,260 while in a bear case, it could touch 25,080 levels, estimated Prabhudas Lilladher.

“PL Capital believes that the market and street estimates are already priced in a strong demand rebound during the upcoming festival and wedding seasons, and any disappointment in demand during this period could lead to further downward revisions in EPS (earnings per share) estimates,” it said.

Prabhudas Lilladher revised its EPS estimates for Nifty 50 by 3.8 per cent for the current financial year ending March 2025 and by 2.8 per cent for the 2025–26 financial year.

Capital Goods, infrastructure, ports, hospitals, tourism, new energy, e-commerce, and telecom are emerging sectors to watch out, provided they are available at the right valuations, it said.

Prabhudas Lilladher expects strong EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization) growth to continue in the hospitals, pharma, capital goods, and chemicals sectors.

Rural demand for staples is also showing signs of recovery, though the September quarter results may reflect some impact from prolonged rains, it feels. Discretionary spending remains positive in areas like travel, housing, jewellery, and two-wheelers, while passenger vehicles, quick-service restaurants (QSR), apparel, footwear, and building materials are still facing challenges, it added.

Infrastructure spending also picked up, but might remain volatile in the wake of various state elections, according to Prabhudas Lilladher.

“The market has shifted in favour of defensive sectors as the valuations in many cyclicals have become quite expensive, even after accounting for sustained growth. With expectations of higher growth and lower risk, sectors like FMCG, IT services, pharma, and consumer durables have experienced a strong rebound,” the broking firm noted.

Christmas can be a magical time for families, but finding the perfect gifts without going into debt is a concern for many parents. Thankfully, you don’t need to spend a fortune to give your children a fun and memorable Christmas. In this guide, we’ll cover affordable Christmas gift ideas that are under $100, helping you stick to your budget while delighting your kids with thoughtful, engaging presents. Here are toys under $100 that offer fun, educational, and imaginative play for kids of all ages.

LEGO Classic Creative Brick Box (Approx. $40)

One of the best budget-friendly Christmas presents for kids is the LEGO Classic Creative Brick Box. With over 500 pieces, this set allows kids to build just about anything they can imagine. Not only is it affordable, but it also encourages creativity and problem-solving.

Why It’s Great:

Endless building possibilities.

Develops fine motor skills and creativity.

Long-lasting entertainment, ideal for kids aged 4+.

Wooden Standing Art Easel (Approx. $65)

For children who love to create, the Wooden Standing Art Easel is a fantastic option. This easel has both a chalkboard and a dry-erase board, as well as a paper roll for drawing or painting. It’s a wonderful gift for encouraging artistic expression and makes for one of the top affordable Christmas gift ideas.

Why It’s Great:

Versatile and easy to use.

It helps kids develop their creativity.

An affordable option for parents seeking art-related gifts.

VTech KidiZoom Smartwatch DX2 (Approx. $45)

If your kids love tech, the VTech KidiZoom Smartwatch DX2 is the perfect combination of fun and functionality. This kid-friendly smartwatch offers educational games, a camera, and activity trackers. It’s one of the most popular toys under $100 that parents can give without breaking the bank.

Why It’s Great:

Combines fun and education.

Safe, affordable tech for kids aged 4-12.

Encourages learning and physical activity.

Crayola Light-Up Tracing Pad (Approx. $25)

Looking for affordable gift ideas for Christmas that inspire creativity? The Crayola Light-Up Tracing Pad is an excellent choice for kids who love drawing. This glowing tracing pad makes it easy for kids to create artwork in any light, helping to develop artistic skills.

Why It’s Great:

Portable and easy to use.

Encourages artistic development.

It is one of the most budget-friendly creative toys available.

Hot Wheels Track Builder Unlimited Corkscrew Twist Kit (Approx. $40)

For action-packed fun, the Hot Wheels Track Builder Unlimited Triple Loop Kit offers endless entertainment. This kit allows kids to design and build their own racetracks, making it one of the most engaging toys under $100 for active play.

Why It’s Great:

Customizable racetrack design.

Affordable gift with hours of entertainment.

Ideal for children aged 5+.

Educational Insights Artie 3000 Coding Robot (Approx. $70)

For STEM-loving kids, the Artie 3000 Coding Robot teaches the basics of programming through fun, interactive play. This robot is a great introduction to coding, making it an excellent educational gift option and one of the top affordable Christmas gift ideas for parents seeking to inspire their children’s interest in tech.

Why It’s Great:

Combines creativity with coding.

Affordable STEM toy for kids aged 7+.

Fun and educational.

Magnetic Building Blocks Set (Approx. $30)

Magnetic building blocks are an affordable way to give kids a fun, hands-on learning experience. These blocks help develop spatial awareness and problem-solving skills, making them one of the best budget-friendly Christmas presents for younger children.

Why It’s Great:

Promotes STEM learning through play.

Affordable and durable.

Ideal for children aged 3+.

Hatchimals CollEGGtibles 12-Pack Egg Carton (Approx. $20-$50)

For younger children who love surprise toys, the Hatchimals CollEGGtibles 12-Packoffers hours of fun. These cute little creatures come in an egg carton, and kids can “hatch” them to discover which Hatchimal they’ve received. This is a great affordable Christmas gift for children who enjoy collectibles.

Why It’s Great:

Fun unboxing experience.

Affordable and engaging for younger kids.

Great for kids who enjoy collecting toys.

Razor A Kick Scooter (Approx. $30-50)

The Razor A Kick Scooter is a classic toy that encourages outdoor play. It’s durable, lightweight, and foldable, making it an affordable and fun gift for kids who love staying active. A perfect budget-friendly Christmas present for any child.

Why It’s Great:

Encourages physical activity.

Durable and easy to transport.

Affordable outdoor toy for kids aged 5+.

Nerf N-Strike Elite Disruptor Blaster Twin Pack (Approx. $35)

Nerf toys are always a hit (forgive the pun), and the N-Strike Elite Disruptor Blaster is an affordable option for action-packed fun. At only around $35, it’s one of the best affordable Christmas gifts for parents on a budget who want to encourage imaginative play.

Why It’s Great:

It is affordable and great for group play.

Encourages active, imaginative fun.

Perfect for kids aged 8+.

Additional Tips to Save on Christmas Shopping

While these gifts are all affordable, there are even more ways to save:

Black Friday & Cyber Monday Deals: Take advantage of holiday sales to get even lower prices on these budget-friendly toys.

Use Cashback Apps: Apps like Honey or Rakuten can help you earn money back on purchases.

Secondhand Shopping: Consider high-quality secondhand toys from platforms like eBay or Facebook Marketplace to save even more.

Related:How to Have a Debt-Free Christmas: Last-Minute Strategies to Manage Your Holiday Spending

The Verdict

With careful planning and the right gift choices, you can provide a memorable and fun Christmas for your kids without financial stress. These affordable Christmas gift ideas—ranging from creative to tech-savvy to active play—will bring joy to your children without going over budget. Start your shopping early to take advantage of sales and ensure a debt-free holiday season.

Boeing boss Kelly Ortberg has warned the company is at a “crossroads” after losses at the aerospace giant surged to roughly $6bn (£4.6bn).

Mr Ortbeg, who took over as chief executive in August, said he was working “feverishly” to stabilise the firm, as it works to repair its reputation which has been hit by manufacturing and safety concerns.

The plane maker is also dealing with a strike by more than 30,000 of its workers in the US, which has dragged on for more than a month and halted production of several aircraft.

Its disappointing results come as workers are set to vote on Wednesday on the company’s latest pay and benefits proposal.

In prepared remarks, Mr Ortberg said he was “hopeful” that the plan, which includes a 35% pay raise over four years, would be approved, while noting that significant other hurdles remain to reset the business.

“This is a big ship that will take some time to turn, but when it does, it has the capacity to be great again,” he added.

Mr Ortberg said the firm was was “saddled with too much debt” and had disappointed customers with lapses in performance across the business.

The latest crisis at Boeing erupted in January when a dramatic mid-air blowout of a piece of one of its passenger planes.

Its space business also suffered a back eye after its Starliner vessel was forced to return to Earth without carrying astronauts.

The strike has compounded the problems, leading to a dramatic slowdown in production.

Boeing’s commercial aircraft business reported operating losses of $4bn in the last three months, while its defence unit lost nearly $2.4bn.

Mr Ortberg argued the firm was in a strong position, with a backlog of roughly 5,400 orders for its planes.

But he warned investors that restarting the firm’s factories, whenever the strike does end, will be tricky.

“It’s much harder to turn this on than it is to turn it off. So it’s critical, absolutely critical, that we do this right,” he said.

“We have a detailed return-to-work plan in place and I’m really looking forward to getting everybody back and getting to work on that plan.”

The company announced plans earlier this month to cut roughly 10% of its workforce. Thousands of other staff are already on a rolling furlough due to the strike, which has also hit suppliers.

Mr Ortberg told investors that his first priority was a “fundamental culture change”.

“We need to prevent the festering of issues and work better together to identify, fix and understand root cause,” he said.

DRINKERS may think their favourite craft beer is owned by an independent brewer, but this may not always be the case.

The style of beer has risen in popularity over recent years, with many believing it tastes better because it is produced in a smaller area and not churned out to the masses.

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Local brewers also churn out a range of unusual flavours, helping non-traditional beer drinkers expand their palette.

The UK craft beer market was worth £1.7billion in 2023, with a 4.5% increase from the previous year. 

By the end of this year, the market is expected to be worth £1.8billion.

Over the past few years, a number of the world’s biggest beer makers have been snapping up independent brands as they look to get a slice of the action.

Now, a recent YouGov study found 75% of consumers feel duped into believing their craft beer is from a local company when it is owned by a corporation.

Andy Slee, chief executive of the Society of Independent Brewers and Associates, (SIBA) said: “People want to support smaller independent businesses.

“There is more choice than ever when buying beer, but it can be really hard to know what’s the real deal.”

For concerned customers, SIBA has launched the Indie Beer Checker to make it simple for people to see whether the beer they’re buying is brewed by a genuine independent brewer.

It can be found at https://indiebeer.uk/.

You can also look for the Indie Beer logo when buying beer, which can only be used by genuine independents.

Beavertown

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This craft brewery was founded in 2011 by Logan Plant, the son of Led Zeppelin lead singer Robert Plant.

The London-based brewery became a fan favourite amongst trendy city folk, thanks to its zingy flavours.

But in 2018 Heineken carved out a minority stake in the business, before completely buying the brand in a multi-million-pound sweep.

Its most famous drinks include Neck Oil, a popular tipple with youngsters.

It can now be bought at supermarkets such as Tesco for £6.

Camden

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Camden Brewery was once the poster child for independent brewing, founded in 2006 by the owner of a pub in the London borough.

But just a decade on Budweiser owner AB InBev bought the brand for £85million.

That has not stalled its success, selling over seven million pints of its famous Camden Hells craft larger in 2021.

Fullers

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The pub giant has a range of craft ales which are loved by customers.

But the maker of Frontier and London Pride sold its beer business to Ashai for £250m five years ago.

At the time, the business said it wanted to exit the beer business to focus.

Brooklyn Stonewall Inn IPA 

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This American IPA is a fan favourite among boozers, and was first made in New York back in 2017.

It was named after the Stonewall Inn, a gay bar in the city which later became synonymous with the LGBT rights movement following a series of riots which took place there in the 1960s.

Its manufacturer Brooklyn Brewery was bought by Carlsberg in 2020 for around £100m.

The beer can be found today in certain pubs and supermarkets such as Waitrose.

Doom Bar

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The ale is loved by craft fans across the UK.

It was first brewed all the way back in 1995, by Sharps Brewery in Cornwall.

At the time, the Canadian brewing giant paid £20million for the business.

The ale, remains popular with punters making sales of nearly £92million in 2023.

ENGLAND isn’t short of beautiful little towns – and one is surging in popularity this month.

The tiny town of Rye has seen a boost in train ticket sales, according to a new study.

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Conducted by Trainline, Rye has seen a rise of 167 per cent in ticket sales,

Just over an hour from London (when changing at Ashford) the small ‘seaside’ town isn’t on the beach, although has its own harbour on the coast.

Also called one of England‘s quaintest towns, the main Mermaid Street feels like going back in time.

Many of the Tudor buildings remain, with hidden lanes and paths between each of them.

Originally a fishing port, it was a famous pirate port in the 13th century – although this was sanctioned by the crown, who took a cut of the profits.

Now it is a popular staycation spot with tiny hotels, restaurants and cafes to explore.

Some of the popular attractions include Lamb House, a Georgian house owned by National Trust and once the home of a number of writers.

Or there is the retro independent Kino Cinema, built in a former Victorian library.

Shopping is a must – especially for chocoholics.

The first Knoops store opened in Rye, which is often considered as having the best hot chocolates in the country.

Otherwise there is also the nearby Rye Chocolates shop, all handmade at the harbour.

Interior lovers will enjoy both Sailors and Rae, with beautiful home goods and gifts, as well as Rye Art Gallery for some new prints.

Grammar School Records has more than 20,000 vinyls on sale (the name coming from its location, being built in a former 17th century school) while sweets can be found at the Rye Candy store.

When you need a food break, The Fig cafe is the highest rated, serving both lunch and dinner.

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One of the UK’s top chef‘s Ben Tish told Conde Nast Traveller it was where “all the locals” go, and raved about the aubergine shawarma.

Or head to the burger shack Frankie’s At The Beach, named the best place in the UK for a quick bite by Tripadvisor.

If you want to stay longer than a day trip, there are some stunning boutique hotels to choose from.

There is The Mermaid Inn, with parts of the hotel built back in 1156 and rooms from £90 a night, or the smaller hotel The Regent with rooms from £95 a night,

The fanciest hotel is The George in Rye, right on the high street and named one of the best places to stay in the UK by the Sunday Times.

It’s loved by by celebs too, with previous guests being George Clooney and Helene Bonham-Carter.

Or there is the nearby hotel The Gallivant in Camber, which was named mall Hotel of the Year 2024 by Visit England.

A visit to the nearby Camber Sands is one to do in spring – as it was named the UK beach that gets the warmest then hitting highs of 19C.

There is even a Parkdean Resort there, for a cheap family staycation.

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