The rupee depreciated by 2.8% against the US dollar in 2024, marking its seventh consecutive year of decline. Contributing factors included RBI's forex intervention strategy, a strong US dollar, and capital outflows due to a shift in investor focus from India to China. Structural issues like inflation differentials and current account deficits also played a role.from Business News: Business News, Business News Today, Latest Business News, Stock Markets, Financial News, India Business & World Business News https://ift.tt/qj9vs1Z
The Income-Tax Department has extended the deadline for filing belated or revised income tax returns for fiscal year 2023-24 from December 31, 2024, to January 15, 2025, providing resident taxpayers an additional two weeks to reconcile their financial records.
Six leading firms among the top-10 most valued companies collectively gained Rs 86,847.88 crore in market value last week, with HDFC Bank and Reliance Industries leading the gains. The BSE and Nifty both saw modest increases. Meanwhile, four companies, including TCS and Infosys, faced declines in their market valuations.
Vodafone Group cleared debt dues of Rs 11,650 crore by releasing pledges on shares of Vodafone Idea. The pledged shares were raised against debt from HSBC Corporate Trustee. These shares represent a 22.56% stake, currently valued at Rs 11,649 crore. Post-repayment, the equity shares held by Vodafone Promoter Shareholders have been released.
Urban FMCG demand is not expected to fully recover until mid-2025, despite companies focusing on premium products. Inflation is constraining urban spending, while rural areas show recovery. High commodity prices impact discretionary spending. E-commerce is growing for brands like Nestle. Industry executives call for policy measures to stimulate mass consumption and manage inflation.
The finance ministry's report indicates that the combination of RBI's monetary policy and structural factors may have led to the economic slowdown. The ministry highlighted slowed urban consumption and cautious corporate hiring practices as contributors. The report anticipates improved growth in the second half of FY25, while stressing the need for a comprehensive commitment to sustaining growth amidst global uncertainties.
Indermit Gill, World Bank chief economist, emphasizes India's potential to elevate its growth from 6% to 8% by enhancing efficiency and economic freedom, focusing on quality education, staying open to FDI and trade, and improving women's workforce participation. India's favourable demographics and balanced economy support these prospects.
India's economic growth is expected to improve in the latter half of FY25, driven by festive activity, rural demand, and agricultural growth. The RBI report highlights potential moderation in food prices, government capital expenditure challenges, and broader economic trends affecting GDP and inflation projections.
UltraTech Cement has acquired a 55.5% stake in India Cements, making it a subsidiary. The acquisition adds 14.5 million tonnes of production capacity to UltraTech's portfolio. The deal, totaling Rs 3,954 crore, received approval from the Competition Commission of India, amidst India Cements' recent financial challenges.
Japanese companies Honda and Nissan plan to merge operations in response to tough business challenges, potentially affecting their global and Indian markets. The merger faces complexities in India due to independent production setups and Nissan's partnership with Renault. The future of Nissan and Renault's collaboration in Chennai remains uncertain.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, once a weighty symbol of knowledge, has successfully transitioned to the digital age. By embracing AI and expanding into educational software and online dictionaries, the company has achieved impressive profit margins and is now considering a $1 billion IPO.
The GST Council waived taxes on cancer gene therapy and reduced levies on fortified rice kernels. Decisions on ATF inclusion, insurance rates, and food delivery services were deferred. Used cars will face 18% GST, while pre-packed popcorn and voucher transactions saw clarifications. A new GoM will address state-level disaster levies.
Former RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan revealed that ex-Finance Minister Arun Jaitley supported his decisive action on tackling bad bank loans. Rajan attributed the NPA surge to corruption, delayed clearances, and the global financial crisis. He also pointed to slow government recapitalization hindering lending.
TCS and Infosys added twelve $100 million+ clients each post-pandemic, outpacing Wipro and HCLTech's seven. While TCS and Infosys boasted 62 and 40 such clients respectively by 2023-24, Wipro and HCLTech had 22 each. Large deal wins slowed across the industry due to reduced spending and global uncertainties.
The Indian rupee fell to a record low against the US dollar, crossing the 85 mark for the first time. This drop was influenced by the US Federal Reserve's indication of fewer-than-expected future rate cuts. While the decline makes imports costlier and benefits NRI remittances, its impact on export competitiveness is debated.
Sebi has introduced stricter regulations for SME IPOs, mandating a minimum operating profit and limiting selling shareholders' divestment to 50% of their stake. These measures aim to enhance transparency, governance, and fund utilization in the booming SME segment. The new rules also restrict the use of IPO proceeds for settling loans from related parties.
India's market regulator, Sebi, is planning a portal, MITRA, to help investors find lost mutual fund investments. Inactive accounts, often due to missing PAN or outdated contact information, will be searchable through a central database managed by CAMS and KFintech. This initiative aims to reduce unclaimed accounts and protect against fraud, improving transparency in the financial system.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman addressed concerns about India's economic slowdown, calling the second-quarter dip a "temporary blip." She highlighted the country's strong average growth rate of 8.3% over the past three years and emphasized the government's commitment to managing inflation, citing recent positive trends and supply-side measures.
India's service exports are poised to surpass goods exports in November, reaching an estimated $35.7 billion. Driven by Global Capability Centers (GCCs) and robust growth in sectors like management and legal services, this shift reflects a sustained upward trend. The government aims to further boost service sectors like IT, tourism, and maritime services to achieve a $1 trillion export target.
Indian tech companies are rolling out innovative perks to attract and retain millennial and Gen Z employees. These include unlimited sick leave, pet-friendly policies, and "well-being days" to combat burnout and boost productivity. Companies are also focusing on skill development, diversity, and flexible work arrangements to cater to the evolving needs of the younger workforce.
Mukesh Ambani and Gautam Adani, once centibillionaires, have seen their fortunes decline. Ambani's Reliance conglomerate faces underperforming energy and retail businesses, while Adani confronts a US Department of Justice probe over alleged bribery, adding to the fallout from previous fraud accusations. Both tycoons are battling to regain investor confidence amidst these mounting challenges.
Indian companies shattered fundraising records in 2024, raising over ₹1.2 lakh crore through Qualified Institutional Placements (QIPs) by November. This surge, driven by a robust stock market and high valuations, doubled the previous year's figures. Giants like Vedanta and Zomato led the charge, each raising ₹8,500 crore.
Coal India Ltd. has invested Rs 5,570 crore in corporate social responsibility (CSR) projects over the last ten years, focusing on education, healthcare, sports, skill development, and women's empowerment. West Bengal Governor C V Ananda Bose and Coal Secretary Vikram Dev Dutt commended the company's efforts, particularly in tribal areas and coal-bearing regions.
India's Unified Payments Interface (UPI) processed a staggering 15,547 crore transactions worth Rs 223 lakh crore between January and November 2024. UPI's global reach now extends to seven countries, solidifying India's position as a leader in digital payments. October saw a record 16.6 billion UPI transactions, highlighting its transformative impact on the nation's financial landscape.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has returned properties worth Rs 4,025 crore to JSW Steel, the successful bidder for the bankrupt Bhushan Power and Steel Ltd (BPSL). The assets were originally seized by the ED during a money laundering investigation that revealed BPSL's former promoters had defrauded banks of Rs 47,204 crore.
The Sensex surged 843 points to a two-month high of 82,133, driven by strong foreign fund inflows and buying in FMCG, IT, and banking stocks. This followed a volatile session with a 2,100-point intraday swing, influenced by global market weakness and uncertainty about China's economic recovery. Market sentiment remains cautious due to rising US Treasury yields and a weaker rupee.
JK Paper, led by Harsh Pati Singhania, is streamlining its corporate structure by merging several subsidiaries with itself. This move will consolidate its packaging business and increase the Singhania family's ownership to 53%. Enviro Tech Ventures, partially owned by the family, will also merge with JK Paper after divesting its agricultural interests.
Reliance Industries has inked a significant deal with Russia's Rosneft, securing up to 500,000 barrels of crude oil daily for the next decade. This $12-13 billion annual agreement, confirmed by Reliance, makes Russia India's top crude supplier. The deal, encompassing various Russian crude grades and fuel oil, involves around half of Rosneft's seaborne oil exports.
India's retail inflation eased to 5.5% in November from a 14-month high, driven by moderating food prices. Industrial output saw a modest 3.5% rise in October. While food inflation slowed, vegetable and edible oil prices remain high. Experts anticipate a potential rate cut in February if the trend continues, though urban demand needs monitoring.
Sanjay Malhotra, the new RBI governor, emphasized stability, trust, and growth as the central bank's core values. He stressed the importance of financial inclusion in fostering India's continued growth trajectory. While prioritizing policy stability, Malhotra promised agility and a consultative approach, acknowledging the need for diverse expertise in navigating a complex global landscape.
Zepto is launching a separate app, Zepto Café, to deliver food items like chai, samosa, and pizza within 10 minutes. This move challenges established players like Zomato and Swiggy in the rapidly growing quick-commerce food delivery market.
RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das, in his final press conference, emphasized the crucial coordination between the RBI and the government in managing inflation. He defended the RBI's stance on maintaining stable rates despite slowing growth, highlighting the impact of multiple factors.
Amazon India's senior VP, Amit Agarwal, amidst regulatory scrutiny, affirms compliance and advocates for progressive e-commerce policies. He emphasizes investments in logistics and infrastructure, not cash burn, and highlights a new quick commerce pilot program in Bangalore. Agarwal reiterates Amazon's long-term commitment to India's growth.
Nissan faces a potential bankruptcy within the next year due to a 70% profit plunge and a $60 million loss. The company plans a $3 billion restructuring, including 9,000 job cuts and production reductions. A potential merger with Honda is being considered as a solution to navigate the challenging automotive market and bolster its struggling electric vehicle offerings.
Revenue secretary Sanjay Malhotra has been appointed as the new RBI governor, succeeding Shaktikanta Das. The 56-year-old IIT Kanpur and Princeton University alumnus will begin his three-year term on December 11th. Malhotra's appointment marks a continuation of bureaucratic leadership at the central bank, following Das's tenure of close coordination with the government.
