Jio's Rs 13 lakh crore debut, Google Cloud's 103% and a SIM check
Jio Platforms listed at a 21% premium and passed Airtel in value, Google Cloud doubled while Alphabet's free cash flow went negative, and a two-minute Sanchar Saathi check shows which SIMs sit on your Aadhaar. Plus a report that OpenAI wants to buy Google's chips.
- Long Press · Daily Five29 Oct 202601 / 05
commentaryIndiaJio is now worth more than Airtel, and Reliance paid for it
Jio Platforms listed on the BSE and NSE on October 28, 2026 at Rs 1,358, 21.4% above its Rs 1,119 issue price, and closed the day at Rs 1,417.35 on BSE, up 26.7%, according to Business Standard. That put its market value at Rs 13.05 lakh crore, past Bharti Airtel's Rs 12.16 lakh crore. The jump is a mood, and the parent paid part of the bill: Reliance Industries fell 3.19% to Rs 1,158 the same day.
The questionHow did Jio Platforms shares perform on their stock market debut in India?
In one lineJio Platforms listed on October 28, 2026 at Rs 1,358, 21.4% above its Rs 1,119 issue price, and closed at Rs 1,417.35 on BSE, up 26.7%. Its market value of Rs 13.05 lakh crore made it India's second most valuable listed company, ahead of Bharti Airtel.
The problem
For years the only way to own Jio was to buy Reliance and take the refinery, the retail chain and everything else with it. Investors wanted the telecom and digital business on its own, and now they can price it.
What changed
Jio opened at Rs 1,358 and closed at Rs 1,417.35 against an issue price of Rs 1,119. At Rs 13.05 lakh crore it is India's second most valuable listed company, about 83% the size of Reliance Industries and ahead of Airtel. The Ambani group's listed companies together are worth about Rs 30.25 lakh crore, against Rs 25.40 lakh crore for the Tata group, per Business Standard.
The catch
Reliance Industries dropped 3.19% on the same day, so some of the value is the parent's, relocated. And a first-day gain says little about what the share is worth in a year.
What it means for you
If you hold Reliance, you now own a smaller slice of a bigger story. If you're tempted to buy Jio after a 27% pop, that's a decision for you and an adviser. I'm not one.
Questions people ask
How big is Jio Platforms compared with Reliance Industries and Airtel?
Jio's market capitalisation of Rs 13.05 lakh crore is about 83% of Reliance Industries' Rs 15.67 lakh crore and above Bharti Airtel's Rs 12.16 lakh crore. Reliance shares fell 3.19% to Rs 1,158 on listing day, and the Ambani group's listed companies together were worth about Rs 30.25 lakh crore, against Rs 25.40 lakh crore for the Tata group.
Should I buy Jio Platforms shares after the listing jump?
That is your call, and this is not investment advice. A 26.7% first-day gain over the issue price shows demand at listing, not future returns. The price now reflects a Rs 13.05 lakh crore valuation, so check what Jio still has to grow into before buying after a pop.
- Long Press · Daily Five29 Oct 202602 / 05
aiGoogle Cloud doubled and Alphabet still burned cash
Alphabet reported revenue of $127.6 billion on October 28, 2026, up 25% and slightly below estimates, with Google Cloud up 103% to $30.7 billion, per The Motley Fool. Microsoft's Azure grew 48% the same day. The catch is the cash: Alphabet's free cash flow was negative $9.1 billion and long-term debt has climbed from $46.5 billion to $125.1 billion since the end of last year.
The questionHow much did Google Cloud and Microsoft Azure grow in the latest quarter?
In one lineGoogle Cloud revenue grew 103% to $30.7 billion in Alphabet's results on October 28, 2026, with $11.1 billion operating income, while Microsoft's Azure grew 48% to $33.17 billion. Alphabet's free cash flow was negative $9.1 billion because capital spending reached $51.4 billion.
The problem
Everyone has been asking when AI spending turns into real money. This quarter's numbers are the closest thing to an answer so far, and it's a split one.
What changed
Alphabet's revenue was $127.6B, up 25%, with Google Cloud up 103% to $30.7B and $11.1B in operating income. Microsoft's Azure grew 48% to $33.17B on $92.3B of total revenue. Both reported on October 28, per The Motley Fool.
The catch
Alphabet's capex hit $51.4B for the quarter, against $24.0B a year earlier, free cash flow went to negative $9.1B and the 2026 capex guide is $195B to $205B. Microsoft's free cash flow fell 27%. Revenue is growing fast, but cash isn't keeping up, and Business Standard notes Alphabet shares fell on the revenue miss.
What it means for you
If your work leans on Gemini, Copilot or Azure, expect plans and pricing to keep shifting while these companies work out how to pay for the build. Don't build a workflow that only works on a free tier.
Questions people ask
How much is Alphabet spending on AI infrastructure in 2026?
Alphabet guided 2026 capital expenditure to $195 billion to $205 billion, after spending $51.4 billion in the latest quarter versus $24.0 billion a year earlier. It also expects 2027 capex to increase significantly. Long-term debt rose to $125.1 billion from $46.5 billion at the end of 2025.
How did Microsoft's earnings compare with Alphabet's?
Microsoft reported revenue of $92.3 billion, up 19%, with adjusted EPS of $4.89 against roughly $4.72 expected. Cash capex was $39.37 billion, or $45.2 billion with finance leases, and free cash flow of $18.63 billion fell 27%. Alphabet's $127.6 billion revenue grew 25% but slightly missed estimates.
Why did Alphabet shares fall after the earnings report?
Business Standard's earnings roundup says Alphabet's revenue missed estimates despite 25% growth and the shares fell. The Motley Fool analysis adds negative free cash flow of $9.1 billion and sharply higher debt. Microsoft shares moved the other way, rising after hours on its earnings beat.
- Long Press · Daily Five29 Oct 202603 / 05
tipIndiaCheck how many SIMs are registered on your Aadhaar
To see how many mobile connections are registered on your Aadhaar, open Sanchar Saathi, choose Know Your Mobile Connections, enter your mobile number and the OTP, and read the list, as BankBazaar walks through. Anything you don't recognise can be flagged as Not my number or Not required. It takes two minutes, and it's the one scam defence you can run before anything has gone wrong.
The questionHow do I check how many SIM cards are registered in my name in India?
In one lineOpen the Sanchar Saathi app or portal, choose Know Your Mobile Connections, enter your mobile number and the OTP, and it lists the numbers registered on your Aadhaar. Mark any you don't recognise as Not my number or Not required and submit. You get a reference ID.
The problem
SIM fraud runs on other people's IDs. Someone gets a connection issued on your Aadhaar, and your name sits behind the number making the scam calls.
What changed
Sanchar Saathi, the Department of Telecommunications' portal and app, lets you list every mobile number registered on your Aadhaar. You enter your mobile number, confirm the OTP, scan the list, and mark anything unfamiliar as Not my number or Not required. Submitting gives you a reference ID, per BankBazaar.
The catch
It shows what's on record, not who is using the number, and the on-screen labels can change, so go by what the portal says. Fake apps with similar names exist on the Play Store, so check the developer is the DoT before you install.
What it means for you
Do it today, and again after you lose a document or change address. Never read an OTP out to anyone who calls you, whatever badge they claim.
Questions people ask
Is the Sanchar Saathi app official, and are there fake versions?
Sanchar Saathi is run by the Department of Telecommunications, Government of India. Several fake apps with similar names exist on the Google Play Store, so confirm the developer is the DoT before downloading, and never read your OTP out to anyone who calls you, even if they sound official.
What should I do if a SIM I did not buy shows up on my Aadhaar?
Select that number in the list, choose This is not my number or Not required, and submit the report. You get a reference ID to track the request. If money was already lost through that number, tell your bank and the police cyber cell as well, because the SIM check alone does not recover funds.
SourcesBankBazaar ↗Deccan Herald ↗
- Long Press · Daily Five29 Oct 202604 / 05hot take
OpenAI renting Google's chips was fine. Buying them is a tell
OpenAI reportedly plans to buy Google's TPUs, according to a report from The Information carried by Reuters on October 28, 2026. Neither company has confirmed it, and there are no public terms. It's a sensible move for supply and a slightly awkward one for a lab that competes with Gemini: every TPU it buys is revenue for Google.
The questionIs OpenAI buying Google's TPU AI chips?
In one lineOpenAI reportedly plans to buy Google's Tensor Processing Units, according to a report by The Information carried by Reuters on October 28, 2026. Neither company has confirmed it, and financial terms and chip volumes are undisclosed. OpenAI already rents Google TPUs. Treat it as a report, not a deal.
The problem
Every AI lab wants more compute than it can buy, and a lab that depends on one chip supplier is exposed whenever that supplier is short.
What changed
The Information reports, via Reuters, that OpenAI plans to buy Google's TPUs. No price or chip count is public and neither company has confirmed it. OpenAI already rents TPUs, so the news is the step from renting to owning.
The catch
This is a report, not a deal. Plans change, and nothing here says how many chips or when. Treat any comparison with Nvidia as unproven until terms appear.
What it means for you
Nothing to change as a user. If you build on OpenAI's API, watch for capacity and pricing announcements, because compute deals are where those come from.
Questions people ask
What are Google TPUs and who uses them?
Tensor Processing Units are Google's in-house AI accelerator chips, an alternative to Nvidia's GPUs. The report does not say how many OpenAI wants or what it would pay, and it notes OpenAI already rents TPUs from Google, so the new element is buying them outright instead of renting capacity.
Have OpenAI or Google confirmed the TPU purchase?
No. As of October 28, 2026 neither company has confirmed it, and the report gives no financial terms or chip volumes. The only established fact is that OpenAI already rents Google's TPUs. Until either side announces something, treat the purchase as unconfirmed and watch for official posts or filings.
SourcesReuters ↗The Neuron ↗
- Long Press · Daily Five29 Oct 202605 / 05
communityWhich AI assistant do you actually pay for?
Which AI assistant do you actually pay for right now: ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, Perplexity, or none because the free tier does the job? Tell us what you use it for, because the name alone doesn't help anyone choose.
Taps
Quick hits. One line each, for when a long press is too much.
- IndiaBusiness Standard ↗
Meesho's Q2 FY27 loss narrows to Rs 132.4 crore from Rs 411.4 crore
The same quarter a year ago lost Rs 411.4 crore. Smaller losses help; profit would help more.
- IndiaBusiness Standard ↗
Ola Electric's Rs 1,000 crore rights issue is fully subscribed
Investors took 37.14 crore shares against an issue of 37.03 crore, so the money is in. What Ola does with it is the story.
- GlobalCloudflare ↗
Cloudflare says some AI users got other customers' cached data
155 responses on its GLM-5.3 Workers AI service between Aug 27 and Sep 9. Cloudflare found no sign of deliberate exploitation and has patched it.
- GlobalTechCrunch ↗
Opera proposes a web standard for running AI models locally in the browser
Opera One gets the preview first. Local models mean fewer prompts leaving your machine, if other browsers adopt it.
- GlobalAnthropic ↗
Anthropic offers US governments 40% off Claude in expanded GSA deal
Federal, state and local agencies are covered. Anthropic says about 500 US government organisations already use Claude.