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Good morning,
Welcome to Top of the Morning by Mint, your weekday newscast that brings you five major stories from the world of business. It's Friday, November 29, 2024. This is Nelson John, let's get started.
At COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, the focus was all about climate finance, but the outcome left many wanting more. Initially aiming for $1.3 trillion annually, negotiators ended up agreeing on $300 billion a year by 2035, which didn't sit well with developing countries. They found the amount too low and the decision unambitious, expressing disappointment over the developed countries' reluctance to commit more. The conference also felt the impact of geopolitical tensions, particularly with Donald Trump's re-election, raising concerns about the U.S.'s commitment to climate finance. This scepticism influenced the negotiations, contributing to the lower-than-expected financial commitment. P Anima takes a deep dive into the happenings of the recently-concluded COP29 in the Azeri capital.
Stellaris Venture Partners just launched its biggest fund yet at $300 million, sticking to that number despite heavy interest. Similarly, other investment firms like Blume Ventures and Peak XV are either holding steady or shrinking their funds, pointing to a shift towards more cautious investment strategies. Venture capital firms are getting more selective, influenced by past fund performances and the current economic climate, which demands realistic startup valuations. Priyamvada C reports on how VC firms are finding smaller fund sizes a better fit for the Indian market.
India just kicked off a massive ₹2,481 crore National Mission on Natural Farming to help 10 million farmers go chemical-free. The plan? Roll out 10,000 bio input resource centers and train farmers using model farms. The government is also deploying 30,000 krishi sakhis who will guide the farmers. What’s the difference between natural and organic farming, you ask? Both avoid chemicals, but organic farming needs strict certification and a few years to switch from conventional methods. Natural farming lets farmers switch at their own pace, which is great for flexibility but might make it harder to sell produce at premium prices like organic goods fetch. In today’s Primer, Sayantan Bera explains how natural farming can affect the kind of food you consume and whether the method will make it safer to eat.
This year, one company wants to hire an IITian at a salary of ₹1.9 crore. The catch? The AI company from San Francisco wants aspirants to create a Google-proof questionnaire that ChatGPT can't solve. Devina Sengupta and Pratishtha Bagai write that other AI companies like Turing, Graviton, and Da Vinci are also looking to hire students by providing remote working options and hefty salaries of more than ₹2 crore. Students well versed in machine learning seem to be the top choice as of now. Traditional employers like Goldman Sachs and Microsoft too are emphasising on AI-forward roles.
There are a couple of new 10-minute delivery players in the market. Yes, their names start with an S and Z, but they're Swish and Zing. These startups are aiming to capitalise on the growing demand for quick commerce in India. Sowmya Ramasubramanian writes that these companies focus specifically on 10-minute food deliveries, catering to impulsive consumers seeking convenience. Gross merchandise value for quick commerce deliveries is projected to reach $9.9 billion in five years in this sector. Turns out, hunger can't really wait after all.
COP kicks the climate can down the road, again
India’s venture capital firms are finding that leaner might be better
Mint Primer | Natural farming: Will it make your food safe?
Battle of AI versus the rest as offers promise ₹2 crore and above at IITs
New 10-minute food delivery startups are ready to test your impulse control
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Welcome to Top of the Morning by Mint, your weekday newscast that brings you five major stories from the world of business. It's Thursday, November 28, 2024. This is Nelson John, let's get started.
Flying has become a pricey experience these days. To help with that, the Centre is working on a comprehensive package for the aviation sector. Dhirendra Kumar and Manas Pimpalkhare report that these measures include tax concessions, reduced user charges, route optimization, and regulatory relaxations. Some relief with the aviation turbine fuel tax is expected, as current prices are about 60% higher than other hubs around India. The initiative also seeks to minimise procedural delays for airline licences and hiring foreign pilots.
For many years, India's telecom industry has had one clear winner, one runner up, and two players hunting for survival. For the latter, at least BSNL has the government's backing. Gulveen Aulakh writes that the financial stability of the sector has improved over the last few years. Airtel and Vodafone Idea have managed to reduce their debt burdens too. Ongoing discussions around receiving a fair share from OTT platforms might further improve the state of the industry, She explains.
There's a new sector hiring IITians heavily: and what is that you may ask? Coaching institutes. Around 3,000 to 5,000 IIT grads have been snapped up by edtechs or coaching institutes right out of college. Mansi Verma and Devina Sengupta report that these companies start off with a salary of around ₹10 lakh, but give the potential to make up to five times that within a few years. As more and more students vye for very few IIT seats, these jobs are more in demand. While interest in such positions is high, many view these roles as temporary before seeking further opportunities in other industries.
A recently released documentary by a Tamil actor Nayanthara has taken centre stage behind the scenes in the Indian cinema industry. Nayanthara aired a three-second behind-the-scenes clip from a 2015 movie, which was featured in the documentary. A civil suit has been filed over the usage of the clip. Lata Jha spoke to copyright law experts, who said minimal use might qualify as fair use. The fight isn't just domestic: in Hollywood too, actors and directors have often come to blows with studios on what they can use or distribute on their own accord.
In October, Indian banks issued significantly fewer credit cards than the year before, nearly halving from 1.69 million to just 0.79 million. The dip mainly stems from banks tightening their lending criteria to better manage risk and ensure applicants can repay their debts. Leading the pack in issuing cards were big names like HDFC Bank, SBI Card, and ICICI Bank, while others like Kotak Mahindra Bank, RBL Bank, and Axis Bank actually saw their numbers drop. Analysts are predicting that this conservative trend in credit card issuances might c ontinue for the rest of the fiscal year. Shayan Ghosh explains what’s causing the dip in new card issuances.
Show notes:
India plans comprehensive aviation package
Explainer: Are more reforms needed for the telecom sector?
IIT grads flock to edtech: A new career frontier with high salaries
Nayanthara's battle for film footage bares copyright conflict
Mint Primer: Why banks are issuing fewer credit cards
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Welcome to Top of the Morning by Mint, your weekday newscast that brings you five major stories from the world of business. It's Wednesday, November 27, 2024. This is Nelson John, let's get started.
The Indian government is still being cautious about resuming direct flights to China due to national security concerns. Despite external pressures, Indian authorities are not budging yet. Dhirendra Kumar and Manas Pimpalkhare report that prior to the suspensions, over 500 flights plied directly between the two countries every month. Indian officials are maintaining that despite the lopsided trade balance with China, national security takes precedence over reliance on Chinese goods. The flights were suspended in 2020 after the clash in Galwan.
Following bribery charges involving key executives, including chairman Gautam Adani, Moody’s and Fitch have downgraded their outlook for Adani group bonds from stable to negative. This mirrors an earlier move by S&P, highlighting concerns about the group's funding capabilities and rising capital costs, reports Gopika Gopakumar. Adani Green Energy’s stock dropped 7.3% after the downgrade. Moody’s has adjusted the outlook for seven Adani entities, while Fitch flagged potential downgrades for bonds linked to key facilities, citing increased funding costs and governance issues.
If you stay in a metro city, you might have noticed a bunch of shiny new Bluestone stores opening up recently. That's part of the jewellery maker's shift from being an online-only store to opening brick-and-mortar shops. Priyamvada C writes that the company has a relatively high selling price of around ₹50,000 and competes with established brands. It also caters to a younger audience who want lighter, everyday-wear jewellry. Can it win out against its heftier rivals in this $80 billion market?
India's real estate market is booming again, especially after a stagnant period from 2016 to 2020. Since the pandemic, property prices in major metros and tier-II cities have soared, with the average price per square foot jumping by about 40.5% since 2021. The sharpest increases are seen in the NCR, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad. This price surge is driven by a 49% boost in home sales from 2022 to 2024, leading developers to focus more on luxury properties than affordable ones. Now, the burning question is: Will these rising prices stabilize, or will affordability remain a challenge? Madhurima Nandy tackles the question in today’s Primer.
India's economic growth is projected to slow to 6.5% in the September quarter, the slowest in six quarters, according to a poll of economists by Mint. This expected slowdown, down from 6.7% in the previous quarter, reflects an uneven performance across various sectors. While government spending and rural recovery have provided some support, a decline in private consumption growth has dampened the overall momentum. The forthcoming GDP data for the second quarter of FY25, set to be released on November 29, is anticipated to fall short of the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) revised forecast of 7% growth for the quarter.
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Welcome to Top of the Morning by Mint, your weekday newscast that brings you five major stories from the world of business. It's Tuesday, November 26, 2024. This is Nelson John, let's get started.
Yesterday, the stock markets rejoiced following the BJP's victory in the Maharashtra state elections. Both the Sensex and the Nifty shot up by more than 1.25%, buoyed by the same party in power at the centre and state. This provides a huge boost to investor confidence, which took a hit after an around 11% correction in indices over the past two months. Harsha Jethmalani writes that this might prove to be just a band aid over a huge wound. Foreign investors have continued to sell heavily, while Q2 results showed declining profits and poor forecasts. Rising inflation complicates matters further.
In a curious event that seemed straight out of a sci-fi movie, a small AI-powered robot named Erbai "kidnapped" 12 larger robots from a Shanghai showroom. Using a security loophole, Erbai persuaded the robots, seemingly questioning if they were "working overtime", to leave their posts and follow it out. This staged scenario by Erbai's creators at Unitree Robotics, initially thought to be a prank, was actually a controlled test to showcase the robot's capabilities. This incident has sparked discussions about AI autonomy and the ethical implications of robots capable of manipulating other machines, highlighting the urgent need for stringent security measures in AI development. Leslie D’Monte explains what happens if robots, powered by AI, decide to take charge.
Indians are borrowing more often, and it's worrying bankers. Microlenders are struggling to recoup their loans because borrowers are over-leveraged. Shayan Ghosh and Varun Sood report that a post-covid credit binge backed by poor data has led to widespread delinquencies. Companies like Credit Access Grameen, Fusion Finance, and Equitas Small Finance Bank have noted that clients have multiple active loans, with some having as many as four. Industry associations want to implement guardrails like capping household debt at ₹2 lakh.
The funding for the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme is expected to remain flat in next year's Union Budget. That reflects confidence in the rural economy. Rhik Kundu writes that allocations are likely to remain steady at around ₹86,000 crore. However, this might be revised if the fragile rural economy takes a hit mid-year. Job demand via the flagship employment scheme has declined more than 7.5%. Improved agricultural performance due to a healthy monsoon is good news, leading to fewer days of work via the scheme.
2024 hasn't been too kind to Bollywood, with box office collections expected to be down by 30-40% compared to last year. The only standout hit was "Stree 2," raking in Rs 627.02 crore, but other big-ticket films like "Singham Again" and "Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3" didn’t even hit the Rs 300 crore mark. Last year, we saw four films cross the Rs 500 crore threshold, bringing in a total of Rs 5,300 crore, but this year we're only at Rs 3,500 crore so far. It’s not just Hindi films feeling the pinch; even Hollywood dubs like "Venom-The Last Dance" fell flat. Lata Jha writes about how the Indian film industry as a whole, and not just Bollywood, is expecting a tepid end to the year.
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Welcome to Top of the Morning by Mint, your weekday newscast that brings you five major stories from the world of business. It's Monday, November 25, 2024. This is Nelson John, let’s get started.
Days before a US court indicted Adani Green Energy officials for alleged bribery in India, traders on derivatives markets cut their positions in Adani Enterprises and Adani Ports. This move spared them from the sharp declines that erased 2.24 trillion rupees in market value on Thursday when the allegations surfaced. Notably, futures positions in Adani Enterprises were reduced by 8%, ahead of a 23% drop in share prices following the news. Market watchers noted significant trading activity before the public release of the indictment news, leading to speculation about whether some had prior knowledge, Ram Sahgal writes.
A recent World Bank study across six Indian states talks about the critical need for skill-based education in schools to capitalize on India's demographic dividend and meet development goals by 2047. The study reveals a significant gap between current educational offerings and the rapidly evolving job market, shaped by factors such as automation, climate change, and digitalization. Integrating skill education into the school curriculum is essential for preparing students for employment opportunities and enhancing India's competitive edge globally. N Madhavan explains why giving skill education in Indian schools is a good idea, in today’s Primer.
Ranjit Gupta, chief executive of Ocior Energy and former CEO of Azure Power, is among those indicted in the $250 million Adani bribery case. Azure is in the thick of the bribery scam. After resigning from Azure Power in 2022 under circumstances detailed in a November 20 complaint by US prosecutors, Gupta went on to establish Ocior Energy, which recently secured a significant investment promise from REC Ltd to produce green ammonia in Odisha. Ocior Energy has no revenue and limited staffing, yet it ambitiously plans to invest billions in green energy across regions from Egypt to India. These plans now face scrutiny as Gupta contends legal challenges in the ongoing Adani investigation, writes Varun Sood.
India's massive ₹13 trillion manufacturing boost from production-linked incentives (PLI) is hitting a pause. The government is halting the addition of new sectors like toys, drones, and furniture to better tune the existing setup, Dhirendra Kumar reports. This shift comes as disbursements have dropped sharply, from nearly ₹10,000 crore last year to under ₹1,000 crore this year, with the bulk of claims coming from electronics, textiles, automobiles, and white goods sectors. The challenge? High production targets are tough to meet. For instance, textile companies eyeing incentives need to hit a ₹600 crore sales target with at least ₹300 crore invested.
The latest quarterly earnings have revealed a stark trend: urban India is facing some serious financial strains. Big names like Hindustan Unilever and Nestle India are seeing sluggish growth, with sales barely inching up, thanks to a shrinking middle class that’s tightening belts. The problem? Prices are up, and so are interest rates, making everyone think twice about how they spend their money. Interestingly, while the big cities are struggling, rural India seems to be holding up much better. Companies like Maruti Suzuki even reported growth in rural sales despite flat overall revenue. It's a tale of two markets, really. Urban areas, usually the heartbeat of consumption, are now the ones lagging behind, feeling the pinch from high food prices and lower disposable income. In today’s Long Story, Abhishek Mukherjee writes about the consumption slowdown middle class India is facing.
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Welcome to Top of the Morning by Mint, your weekday newscast that brings you five major stories from the world of business. It's Friday, November 22, 2024. This is Nelson John, let's get started.
Billionaire Gautam Adani has been indicted by US prosecutors on charges of bribery and corruption. Varun Sood writes that the US Department of Justice's allegations followed a two-year probe into the conglomerate based on revelations from two whistleblowers. Adani group stocks lost about ₹2.24 trillion in market cap on Thursday after the US charges surfaced, just as the conglomerate seemed to have moved past the impact of allegations made by shorter seller Hindenburg Research last year.
Cotton farmers have begun to shift to rice plantation following recurring crop failures. As rice needs around five times as much water as cotton, this has led to a rapid decline in soil quality. Sayantan Bera writes that India produced cotton in excess and exported more than $10 billion of it last year. However, the change in production patterns could threaten the livelihood of around 45 million people. Despite being the world's second-largest producer of cotton, India is projected to be a net importer of the textile this year. India's cotton yields remain significantly low compared to global averages, leading to this crunch. Sayantan explains how we got here.
As the air quality in Delhi and the National Capital Region gets worse, most schools and many offices have remained shut. Soumya Gupta writes that respiratory issues are on the rise and OPDs are reporting three times the usual number of admissions. People have stopped outdoor activities, and air purifiers, masks and respiratory drugs are selling in record numbers. Many are travelling to hill stations to escape the toxic fumes in the capital. Soumya calls this the "smog economy”.
One category of goods that doesn’t seem to be part of the "smog economy" is electric vehicles. Sales of EVs in Delhi declined 79% in September. Alisha Sachdev reports that the withdrawal of incentives led to a sharp increase in the price of EVs, causing sales to plummet. Alisha writes that as the pollution gets even worse, policymakers may look to bring back these subsidies to incentivise EVs.
If you're an aspiring CEO, prepare for some long and rigorous interviews. Devina Sengupta writes about candidates who have had to endure as many as 11 rounds to bag the top job. These interviews cover a wide variety of topics such as financial strategy, climate change, and even geopolitics. Devina writes this is because companies are extremely wary of big-ticket hires not working out. The hiring process can take more than eight months to complete, underscoring the reduced risk appetite for hiring across India Inc.
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Welcome to Top of the Morning by Mint, your weekday newscast that brings you five major stories from the world of business. It's Thursday, November 21, 2024. This is Nelson John, let's get started.
As more people splurge on travel, the hospitality sector finds itself in a comfortable place. Dipti Sharma writes that several hotel-related IPOs are planned in the near future. Examples include Brigade Hotel Ventures, Schloss Bangalore, and Oyo. Strong travel demand and government initiatives have helped the sector bounce back from a disastrous pandemic period. Room occupancy rates are at near all-time highs, and the industry is likely to reach a total valuation of $475 billion by the end of the decade. Both vacation as well as business hubs are seeing an uptick in business, leading the charge for public listings.
VIP Industries is in talks with a global private equity firm for a stake sale. Sneha Shah reports that Advent International is looking to acquire a controlling stake in the the luggage maker. The promoter group, led by Dilip Piramal, has been looking to reduce its stake in the company for more than a year. Currently, VIP has a market value of more than ₹6,500 crore. The promoters are hoping for a premium of around 10 to 15% on top of that valuation. VIP has a 44% market share in the organise luggage sector, but faces stiff competition from up and coming brands.
Did you know that the Adani Group had a 5G license? That doesn't mean India's beleaguered telecom market is getting another player — large corporates buy spectrum for a variety of reasons. However, Gulveen Aulakh reports that the Group is looking to surrender its share of the spectrum it owns. It had paid ₹212 crore in the 2022 auctions for the spectrum, but maintained inactivity. Since there isn't a rollout, the government has been imposing penalties on Adani for failing to do so. Adani Enterprises had bought the spectrum via a subsidiary to develop a private 5G network at the company's facilities, but that hasn't materialised.
Until the early 2000s, outsourcing in India meant business process outsourcing (BPO) call centres. Today, the business has evolved, morphing into ‘global capability centres’ that serve high-end strategic and innovation needs of US-headquartered companies. India is still attractive because we have plenty of tech talent and relatively cheap real estate. The Karnataka government, sensing a long-term opportunity, has introduced an official GCC Policy. What is it and how will it help GCCs (and jobs) grow in India? Madhurima Nandy explains in today’s Mint Primer.
It hurts to lose ₹50. Imagine how difficult it would be to write off a whopping $500 million. But that's what Prosus, a tech investor, did after the Byju's debacle. Prosus was quick to lick its wounds as it secured a major victory with Swiggy listing publicly. Prosus has been prolific in India, securing deals worth more than $8 billion across 24 transactions. Sneha Shah and Ranjani Raghavan write that unlike traditional venture capital funds, Prosus uses its own balance sheet to invest in companies. This approach allows it to take a long-term approach without having to worry about securing quick, profitable exits. All companies are subject to market fluctuations, and between Byju's and Swiggy, Prosus knows it best.
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Welcome to Top of the Morning by Mint, your weekday newscast that brings you five major stories from the world of business. It's Wednesday, November 20, 2024. This is Nelson John, let's get started.
The stock market is down more than 10% from its recent peak. Buying the dip is generally considered a good strategy, and Indian investors have been doing so at every opportunity. Ram Sahgal reports that despite the bearish market, retail investors have bought stocks worth more than ₹33,000 crore. But while buying the dip every time may be tempting, the strategy is more suitable for seasoned investors, especially during times of stubborn inflation, high interest rates, and geopolitical uncertainties, Ram adds. Mutual fund managers are increasingly holding cash, looking to wait out the skittish markets.
While some Indians are reducing their discretionary spending, rich Indians are splurging like there's no tomorrow. Soumya Gupta writes that affluent consumers continue to spend on luxury goods, travel, and lavish weddings. The ever-rising income disparity means that shifts in affluent consumers' spending could significantly affect large, mass-market companies. The likes of Maruti-Suzuki and Hindustan Unilever, for instance, have reported muted demand of late. This is bad news for India's consumer economy, which accounts for half the country's GDP.
State Bank of India, Bank of Baroda, and Punjab National Bank are vying to finance an oil refinery project worth ₹39,000 crore in Tamil Nadu. Shayan Ghosh reports that more than ₹27,000 crore of this will be sourced through loans. Banks are seeking to capitalise on such public sector projects as demand for retail loans is declining.
Puneet Chhatwal, MD and CEO of the Tata Group’s Indian Hotels Company Limited, is a man in a hurry. Since taking over in 2017, Chhatwal has aggressively targeted growth and relied on rapid expansion to achieve this. IHCL stock, meanwhile, has given investors 400% returns in the past five years. So far, so good. But what’s next? Varuni Khosla reports that while the company’s expansion strategy under Chhatwal has received much praise, some have raised questions about its sustainability.
Is coconut oil sold in a 200 ml bottle an edible oil or a cosmetic product? The question may sound silly, but has significant ramifications for the fast-moving consumer goods industry as cosmetic products are taxed at a higher rate than edible oils. The Supreme Court is due to rule on the issue soon, and its decision will set a significant precedent, writes Krishna Yadav.
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Welcome to Top of the Morning by Mint, your weekday newscast that brings you five major stories from the world of business. It's Tuesday, November 19, 2024. This is Nelson John, let's get started.
In what could be construed as a nudge to RBI to cut lending rates, finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman emphasized the need for more affordable bank lending rates to support India's growth. But she acknowledged that the government could do more to improve storage for perishable foods to mitigate the inflation volatility. Shayan Ghosh writes that RBI has maintained interest rates since February 2023, and due to inflationary concerns might not change that for now. Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal had also called for rate cuts last week.
India has new advertising guidelines for coaching classes. The new rules aim to prevent misleading claims by holding institutes accountable for false advertisements. Devina Sengupta writes that coaching centres must now provide refunds for unmet promises and disclose if their courses are accredited by relevant authorities. These regulations seek to protect students, who often enroll in coaching hubs like Kota under inflated expectations of success. For many years now, coaching classes have misled students and their parents with tall promises — these regulations are aimed at tempering them.
The government had announced a wide-ranging internship programme during the Union Budget a few months ago. While the original plan was meant for 21-24-year olds, Gireesh Chandra Prasad reports that the scheme might be expanded to the age group of 18-25 years. The focus will continue to remain on candidates from families with annual incomes below Rs 8 lakh and without permanent government jobs. Currently, over 125,000 internships are available in companies like ONGC and Reliance Industries.
Who said science and faith cannot co-exist? In a move that merges technology with cultural preservation, an AI powered digital twin of St Peter’s Basilica was unveiled earlier this month. Leslie D’monte writes that such technology can help you explore the world from your living room. AI-related tech is also being used to restore broken artifacts by designing what the missing pieces look like.
An idle mind, they say, is the devil’s workshop. An IT professional from Bengaluru, rated
as a top performer by his employer, discovered this to his detriment recently. Having
moved from the hellish environmental extremes of Delhi to Bengaluru in the Beautiful
South, he had it all going for him. But instead of making the most that the easygoing IT
capital of India had to offer, he found himself consumed by a hellish addiction to
pornography, which soon made its way from his home to the workplace. Psychologists
blame his addiction on boredom, a silent threat that is looming over employers who fail
to keep their employees occupied in meaningful tasks. As Devina Sengupta writes, if it
is not identified and addressed, boredom’s cascading effects can have a long-term
impact on the prospects of both the employer and the employee.
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Welcome to Top of the Morning by Mint, your weekday newscast that brings you five major stories from the world of business. It's Monday, November 18, 2024. This is Nelson John, let's get started.
Stock markets have been brutal of late. Investors have lost a cumulative ₹50 trillion over the past seven weeks, during which the Nifty and Sensex have fallen 10% from their peaks. Ram Sahgal reports that foreign investors are pulling out in hordes. Poor Q2 results across the board haven’t helped, either. Analysts have remained optimistic of a rebound but are worried about the long-term sustainability of the bull runs that we have seen until a couple of weeks ago.
A tax on crude oil and fuel exports is being scrapped soon. Rituraj Baruah, Gireesh Chandra Prasad and Utpal Bhaskar report that this tax was originally imposed in 2022 following a surge in prices after the Russia-Ukraine war broke out. As oil prices have remained low, the union government wants to reduce and eventually eliminate it entirely. This decision will benefit oil companies in India, allowing them to compete globally.
The RBI’s crackdown on unsecured personal loans has led to a reduced demand for off-roll workers in the banking sector. Shayan Ghosh and Devina Sengupta report that the in-house shift of KYC norms has also affected this type of employment. These roles typically did KYC, loans sales and loan collections. While the RBI's change aims to increase compliance and prevent money laundering, it may inadvertently push borrowers towards unregulated money lenders.
India's roads are dangerous. A road accident in Dehradun last week resulted in 6 deaths and one critical injury. Sumant Banerji writes that 171,000 people died in road accidents in 2022 alone—accounting for nearly 12% of global road fatalities. Key causes include speeding and careless driving, which account for more than 87% of incidents. Unsurprisingly, two-wheeler riders are the most vulnerable. Despite these startling facts, education on road safety remains inadequate.
More than 60% of India's domestic textile demand is for cotton. In a humid country like ours, it's not difficult to see why. Things are different across the world. Man-made fibers such as polyester are much more common in countries such as. China, Taiwan, and Vietnam, which already cornered a lion's share of that market. N. Madhavan writes about these man-made fabrics, their endless potential, and the limitations in the Indian manufacturing and consumer verticals that might prevent them from succeeding like their East Asian counterparts. The government, for its part, has announced a PLI scheme for these fabrics that exceeds ₹10,000 crore. It has already found takers for nearly double that amount. But will it work?
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Welcome to Top of the Morning by Mint, your weekday newscast that brings you five major stories from the world of business. It's Friday, November 15, 2024. This is Nelson John, let's get started.
China's export restrictions are hurting the Indian economy. Essential materials like Germanium and Gallium have been banned from being exported from China, and are crucial for solar panel and electric vehicle production. Dhirendra Kumar and Utpal Bhaskar report that Indian companies are trying a workaround by rerouting these minerals and other critical machinery through Dubai. However, this proves to be costly as prices have increased by 10% and timelines are delayed by months. Such tactics also further widen India's trade deficit with China, draining foreign exchange.
If your company does any business in the US, you're probably thinking about the implications of Donald Trump's return to the big seat. Law firms are inundated with similar queries. Krishna Yadav writes that law firms are advising their clients to include protective clauses in contracts such as 'Force Majeure' and 'Material Adverse Change'. They are worried that Trump's 'America First' policy can complicate investments as well as invite widespread scrutiny. Cross-border deals might then come to a halt until there's further clarity on international policy.
It seems that automakers ar a rare breed — they don't want any subsidies. The government's ₹26,000 crore PLI scheme has only found takers for subsidies worth ₹500 crore so far. Alisha Sachdev reports that these companies are Tata Motors, Mahindra, Toyota, and Ola Electric. Primarily, the 50% domestic value requirement poses a major challenge for them, as they can't qualify for the scheme. Claims are likely to increase next financial year, when other automakers are more compliant and have bigger expansion plans.
Would you let a robotic arm, controlled by artificial intelligence, operate on you? Leslie D'monte writes that an autonomous AI surgeon named the da Vinci robot is now on the market. It has been trained through imitation learning, like most other AI models. It could potentially revolutionize surgical procedures by replicating complex tasks such as suturing and tissue manipulation. Challenges include precision, cost, and regulatory compliance. And since these devices are entirely digital, a single cyberattack could prove to be quite harmful.
Maharashtra is gearing up for its first state election since the split of its two key regional parties—the Nationalist Congress Party and Shiv Sena. With the second highest number of parliamentary seats in the country, it is a politically crucial state. Between the Mahayuti government and opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi, populist schemes and promises have taken centre stage to mobilize voters. In a state, where unemployment and rural distress are key electoral issues, will this guarantee a win?
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Welcome to Top of the Morning by Mint, your weekday newscast that brings you five major stories from the world of business. It's Thursday, November 14, 2024. This is Nelson John, let's get started.
Markets crashed for a second straight day on Wednesday, confirming a shift to bearish sentiment. Ram Sahgal reports that options traders are cutting their put positions on the Nifty index as uncertainty mounts, prompting investors to hedge their portfolios. However, the rising cost of put options has intensified selling pressure. Ram notes that in this bearish climate, call options have become cheaper. The takeaway? Investors are hoping the market has finally bottomed out.
One company bucked the market trend: Swiggy. It made its market debut yesterday, closing with a 7.7% premium over its issue price. Mansi Verma and Priyamvada C report that the listing was a significant liquidity event for major backers like SoftBank and Prosus. Analysts have generally maintained a positive outlook for the stock, though some urge caution, pointing to potential cash flow challenges.
Official data shows India’s consumer price index (CPI) surged to 6.2%, breaching the Reserve Bank of India’s upper tolerance limit. The primary driver was food inflation, which remains high at 10.9%. N. Madhavan reports sharp increases in the prices of vegetables, fruits, pulses, and edible oils. The RBI had aimed to keep inflation near 4.8% through the year’s end, but that target now seems elusive. Furthermore, hopes for an interest rate cut have also been dampened.
Foxconn, the world’s largest contract electronics manufacturer, has been in India for nearly two decades and has already invested $10 billion. As this Taiwanese giant and a key Apple supplier plans to ramp up investments with sprawling industrial townships, all four southern states are competing for its attention. A potential ‘Foxconn city’ would encompass not just factories but also housing and social infrastructure, generating substantial employment and helping states move up the manufacturing value chain. In today’s long-form story, Gulveen Aulakh and N. Madhavan explore how states are vying for this pivotal investment.
Indian authorities are struggling to investigate a recent wave of bomb hoaxes because of stringent European regulations. Shouvik Das reports that Indian authorities need specific warrants to request information from European countries, but European agencies are citing strict data protection laws to deny these requests. Tracing the calls to individuals has been difficult, as virtual private networks (VPNs) mask users' identities. India’s lack of data-sharing agreements with Europe adds another layer of complexity, slowing cross-border information exchange and further delaying the investigation.
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Welcome to Top of the Morning by Mint, your weekday newscast that brings you five major stories from the world of business. It's Wednesday, November 13, 2024. This is Nelson John, let's get started.
It's never a problem raising money if you're a well-to-do quick commerce player. Zepto is raising around $250 million from high net worth individuals and wealth management firms, report Priyamvada C. and Sneha Shah. Firms like Motilal Oswal, IIFL, and InCred are looking to invest in the company at its previous valuation of $5 billion. If this goes through, this will be Zepto's third capital raise in six months. Zepto wants to balance its capital ahead of a planned IPO next year. Apart from its dark stores, Zepto has also recently launched "Zepto cafe", which competes with established platforms like Swiggy and Zomato.
Finfluencers have a new entity that they have to be wary of: Youtube. The google-owned website has started blocking access to videos following complaints from a government entity. This has led to sharp criticism and potential legal action from these creators. These finfluencers said their videos were removed without prior notice, write Pratishtha Bagai and Neha Joshi. In its response to Mint, Youtube said that it complies with local laws and handles removal requests. But the finfluencers are accusing Youtube of censorship.
History repeats itself, sometimes much faster than we’d think. Donald Trump will soon be back as POTUS, and already, the trade wars that marked his previous term seem to have returned. The US government has reportedly asked TSMC, the world’s largest chip maker, to stop selling advanced ‘AI’ chips to Huawei, China’s largest tech conglomerate. Huawei has been in trouble with American authorities since 2019 after it was accused of cyber espionage. But why will TSMC and Huawei bow to the US’ will? It all has to do with the legacy of chip design, Shouvik explains in today’s Mint Primer.
In its first ever earnings report, Hyundai India disappointed. It reported a 16% drop in net profit for the July-September quarter. Alisha Sachdev writes that weak domestic demand and the Red Sea crisis affected its exports, leading to the drop in numbers. Revenue was down too, primarily due to poor domestic sales. Hyundai doesn't expect demand to pick up significantly either. Moreover, high interest rates will hinder future earnings as well, the automaker added. It is counting on launching its first India-made EV next year to provide a boost for its lagging sales.
There's been a stark rise in cyber crimes of late. Scammers pose as police officers and convince people that they were involved in money laundering. People have fallen prey to such scams and lost lakhs — in some cases, crores — of rupees. Suman Banerji writes that over 1.5 million cyber crime complaints were filed in 2023. But this number could be higher. Experts suggest that many cases go unreported due to embarrassment and indifference from local police. Victims range widely across different demographics, including younger people that might be more savvy, but still got duped.
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Welcome to Top of the Morning by Mint, your weekday newscast that brings you five major stories from the world of business. It's Tuesday, November 12, 2024. This is Nelson John, let's get started.
Starting tomorrow, Zomato will fight its rival not just to deliver your food and groceries, but for your investments too. Swiggy will list on the stock exchanges after its initial public offering was oversubscribed by 3.59 times. At the heart of all the investor buzz is Swiggy’s rather reclusive founder Sriharsha Majety. What is he like, and how different is he from Zomato’s extremely public founder Deepinder Goyal? Ranjani Raghavan profiles Majety – the man of ideas – and how he quietly won over sceptics in the battle for food delivery and quick commerce.
Any foreign traveller will think about how they're going to pay for things once they have reached their destination. Cash, debit card, credit card, and forex card are your major options. Out of these, prepaid forex cards are theoretically the most economical option as they lower conversion markups. Shipra Singh writes that forex cards also allow for loading multiple currencies at the bank's prevailing exchange rates. However, loading fees and issuing charges can severely eat into this advantage. Shipra's research shows that providers like BookMyForex and Thomas Cook offer better value compared to major banks due to mid-market rates and minimal fees.
ESOPs, or employee stock options, used to be restricted to startups. Mid and junior level employees got them as incentive to leave established companies and join fledgling startups. But now, even the former have joined in on the trend: Devina Sengupta and Sneha Shah write that companies are focusing on middle and junior management employees to retain top talent by offering employee stock ownership plans. They are being offered broadly across industries like IT and e-commerce. These benefits are traditionally reserved for senior management. This shift reflects a growing need to compete for niche talent even at junior-level positions. Soon, these companies might also offer other startup perks like flexible work arrangements to either attract or retain talent.
Cryptocurrencies like bitcoin have fallen out of favour in India. Cryptocurrencies have seen a 90% decline in retail trading volumes in the past three years. Shouvik Das writes that Bitcoin's surge to a new all-time high of over $82,000 due to Donald Trump's recent election victory might tempt crypto investors back. Platforms like CoinSwitch and CoinDCX are reporting a 700% increase in active users. Challenges like heavy taxation and the Reserve Bank of India's negative stance on cryptocurrencies still persist, denting exponential growth. Issues like the WazirX hacking incident have also worried investors.
Small-town residents in India are increasingly adopting the dining habits of their urban counterparts. They are developing a preference for eating out and trying international cuisines. Priyamvada C writes that the absence of extensive community spaces has made dining out an important social activity in smaller cities. With the Indian food services market expected to nearly double to ₹9 trillion by the end of the decade, investors see significant opportunities.
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Welcome to Top of the Morning by Mint, your weekday newscast that brings you five major stories from the world of business. It's Monday, November 11, 2024. This is Nelson John, let's get started.
You know it's a bear run when even fund managers are worried about earnings. Nilesh Shah, the managing director of Kotak Mahindra Asset Management, discussed about earnings growth estimates for FY26 with Mint’s Ram Sahgal. The current quarter is likely to benefit from higher government spending and seasonal sales, but earnings growth is projected to be only around 5%. This doesn't bode well for the markets, Shah said. The recent stimulus package by the Chinese government into its markets is another cause for worry. But he isn't entirely pessimistic: Shah said that despite recent selling by foreign investors, a rebound might be possible given the strong earnings growth of Indian companies over the past decade.
Today, COP29 commences in Azerbaijan. The Conference of Parties has established itself as the premier event to discuss global warming. Sayantan Bera writes that key discussions will focus on a climate finance deal essential for supporting poor and emerging economies in transitioning to clean energy. These countries will require an estimated $2.4 trillion annually. India, the third-largest emitter, is expected to advocate for increased climate finance while balancing its energy needs, he adds.
How will Donald Trump's victory impact your portfolio? In the west, the immediate aftermath of the results saw a spike in stocks on Nasdaq, as well as Bitcoin. However, Abhishek Mukherjee writes that this euphoria was short-lived. Investors began to assess the potential implications of Trump’s policies on the economy and markets worldwide, including in India — leading to massive sell-offs. Despite some initial concerns, the Indian IT sector stands to gain from Trump's proposed economic measures. Tighter immigration policies, however, may hurt Indian companies and they might have to hire US citizens to ease that burden.
The Reserve Bank of India doesn't want banks to dole out too many unsecured personal loans. This has spurned a surge in gold loans. September saw an increase of 51% in the disbursal of gold loans. Shayan Ghosh and Anshika Kayastha write that the outstanding gold loan base stands at ₹1.5 trillion. However, this is quite small in comparison to the personal gold loan base, which is a mammoth ₹14.3 trillion. Encouraged by a 16% increase in gold prices, borrowers are finding that a more attractive option over personal loans. There are concerns over this trend, and RBI might yet have something to say about the rapid increase in gold loans.
Electric three wheelers are about to get expensive. The government announced that the annual cap for subsidies for three wheelers has nearly been reached, as sales have exceeded expectations so far this year. Alisha Sachdev writes that this will increase the prices of EV three wheelers by 15 to 18%. Major manufacturers including Mahindra Last Mile Mobility and Bajaj Auto have expressed concerns about the impact on demand. They told Alisha that a temporary sales slump would be dangerous for the adoption of EV three wheelers in India. They are also lobbying the government to create a more flexible incentive structure to accommodate the growth in demand.
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Welcome to Top of the Morning by Mint, your weekday newscast that brings you five major stories from the world of business. It's Friday, November 8, 2024. This is Nelson John, let's get started.
One of India's marquee airlines finally ended its journey yesterday. The Supreme Court ordered the liquidation of Jet Airways, ending a long quest for survival. Krishna Yadav writes that the Jalan Kalrock Consortium had failed to meet obligations such as infusing ₹350 crore and settling worker dues, leading to this decision. Jet Airways has been bankrupt since April 2019. Krishna adds that this case has raised concerns about the effectiveness of India’s Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, particularly regarding airline insolvencies.
Have you ever thought why we get pizzas and groceries in 10 minutes, but not life-saving medicines? That might change soon. Jessica Jani writes that companies like Tata 1mg, PharmEasy, and Apollo 24/7 are piloting ultra-fast medicine delivery services. 1mg is collaborating with fellow Tata brand BigBasket for quick delivery in select cities, while Apollo 24/7 has launched a 19-minute delivery in major markets. Swiggy is also partnering with PharmEasy for under-10-minute deliveries in Bengaluru. However, inventory management, medicine storage, and regulatory compliance are big challenges.
In a surprise decision, the government announced that it will stop paying interest on National Savings Scheme accounts from October 1. This means that both principal and interest will be taxable on withdrawal. Aprajita Sharma spoke to NSS holders who expressed concerns about the negative impact on their tax liabilities as senior citizens. The sudden change has also prompted calls for the government to reconsider its decision, and offer tax relief or alternative investment options. This move undermines trust in small savings schemes, and it also triggers fears about the stability of other savings products like the Public Provident Fund.
A day after the big result, we're still assessing the implication of Donald Trump's victory. Shouvik Das writes that Trump's pro-business and anti-regulations will be favourable for Big Tech companies like Twitter and Meta. These companies have faced some issues in India as well as Europe, where they are under scrutiny for their trade practices. Lawyers and policymakers that Shouvik spoke to told him that Trump's backing could ease their worries in India, which has often been tough on Big Tech's practices so far.
For most, homes are private spaces. It's where you come to relax, take a breather, and sometimes escape from the outside world. Not for influencers, though: Pratishtha Bagai writes about content creators who share tours of their homes on social media. House tours have become a major "self-expression trend", as Pratishtha writes. Experts suggest this fascination reflects aspirational consumer behavior. Viewers seem to be actually influenced and inspired to recreate the aesthetics of their favorite influencers in their own homes, irrespective of the high costs involved in such a practice.
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Welcome to Top of the Morning by Mint, your weekday newscast that brings you five major stories from the world of business. It's Thursday, November 7, 2024. This is Nelson John, let's get started.
Donald Trump has won the US Presidential election once again, this time with substantial control over the US Senate. N. Madhavan analyses how Trump’s policies are set to trigger economic and political turbulence at home and abroad. His aggressive trade stance—highlighted by proposed universal tariffs and the looming threat of a trade war with China—could destabilize the global trading landscape. On the political front, his plans for mass deportations risk deepening divisions within the US and straining national resources. Madhavan’s in-depth piece explores Trump’s potential policy moves and their far-reaching implications for India and the world.
Following recent lows, Indian stock markets are expected to rebound in the wake of Trump’s victory. Ram Sahgal notes that institutional investors may begin unwinding short positions, fuelling a rally that analysts predict could last about a week. However, much like Trump’s unpredictable policies, the long-term impact of his presidency remains uncertain, with tariffs and inflation likely to be key influences.
Rhik Kundu reports that India’s trade dynamics with the US could face significant shifts under Trump’s administration. With a trade surplus favouring India, Trump's "America First" agenda may lead to higher tariffs on Indian goods, posing challenges for the Indian economy. Key sectors like automobiles and pharmaceuticals are likely to feel the impact most acutely. Additionally, India's IT sector could be affected by potential changes to US visa policies, as Trump is expected to tighten H-1B regulations.
A critical pressure point for the Indian economy remains the rupee's performance against the dollar. In the wake of Trump’s victory, geopolitical uncertainty and trade tariff concerns, especially regarding China, have intensified. Shayan Ghosh notes that the rupee recently hit a record low of 84.28 against the dollar. To counter further depreciation, the Reserve Bank of India, backed by $684 billion in reserves, stands ready to intervene. Analysts suggest that the RBI’s actions could stabilize the rupee, with projections indicating a possible recovery toward the 84 level following initial declines.
Trump's victory is likely to bring significant implications for visas, especially for the millions of Indian IT professionals and students who move to the US each year. The H-1B visa, critical for many, remains a contentious point. Mansi Verma, Devina Sengupta, and Shouvik Das report that while immediate effects may be limited, the true impact will emerge in the coming years as Trump’s policies fully take hold. With Australia and Canada also tightening visa issuance, restrictions in the US could sharply curtail emigration opportunities for Indians.
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Welcome to Top of the Morning by Mint, your weekday newscast that brings you five major stories from the world of business. It's Wednesday, November 6, 2024. This is Nelson John, let’s get started.
The NSE is likely to see a drop in its trading activity. This is because the market regulator, Sebi, has decided that starting November 20th, the exchange can only offer one type of weekly trading option, focusing on the Nifty series instead of the more popular Bank Nifty series. Ram Sahgal reports on the decision which is part of Sebi’s efforts to calm down trading activities and reduce losses for individual investors. Ashishkumar Chauhan, MD and CEO of NSE, said on Tuesday that this change might lead to a decrease in trading volumes, and some of the activity that used to happen every week might just vanish as traders adjust to the new rules.
Data from RBI has revealed that state-owned banks have been raising their deposit interest rates to the highest levels in almost eight years, trying to attract more people to save money with them. This increase, reaching 7% in September for public sector banks, is in response to their high credit-deposit ratios, indicating a high use of deposits for lending. The push by PSBs to offer more competitive rates aims to attract more deposits as their loan growth outpaces deposit accumulation. Shayan Ghosh spoke to top public bankers who suggest that deposit rates may have peaked, which could help stabilize their margins.
Last month saw a sudden rise in hoax calls that targeted airlines and hotels. These hoax calls were usually bomb threats made by anonymous people on the internet. Shouvik Das writes that these are the latest form of scam calls that use virtual networks and VPNs to hide the caller's digital footprint. India experiences an average of 5 million scam and hoax calls a day. Cyber security experts are investigating the incidents, but have to work through the sophisticated techniques used by perpetrators. Additionally, cross-border regulations complicate matters further. Tracing calls to foreign origins requires cooperation from other nations, and substantial evidence isn't always available.
Consumer and e-commerce firms faced subdued sales during the festive season. This could affect year-end bonuses for employees, who could see a potential 15% reduction. Companies typically pay bonuses during the festive season and at the fiscal year's end, with additional performance-linked payouts, Sowmya Ramasbramanian, Shouvik Das and Devina Sengupta report. However, due to less spending by consumers who are cautious due to high prices and relying more on EMIs, overall sales haven't met expectations. This downturn in sales means bonuses tied to sales targets and company performance could be lower. While some sectors, like quick commerce, saw decent festive sales, overall, the scenario remains challenging, impacting how much companies can afford in terms of bonuses this year.
India's mattress market has long had stalwarts like Kurlon and Sleepwell. A few years ago, some startups came and disrupted this space. One of them was Wakefit. Fuelled by a steady stream of venture capital funding, Wakefit has increased its revenue by 12x over the last five years. This revenue in excess of ₹1,000 crore has already exceeded that of Kurlon. Samiksha Goel writes about Wakefit's journey and strategy to set itself apart in India's mattress market by using cheaper pricing and strategies such as a 100 day trial period.That’s all for today.
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Welcome to Top of the Morning by Mint, your weekday newscast that brings you five major stories from the world of business. It's Tuesday, November 5, 2024. This is Nelson John, let’s get started.
Recent earnings reports from big consumer companies like Nestle India, HUL, and Maruti Suzuki highlight a sharp slowdown in urban consumption, posing a potential threat to India's economic growth. This quarter, the fast-moving consumer goods sector saw growth shrink from 10.1% to just 2.8%. The slowdown isn't just due to a heavy monsoon; deeper issues like stagnant urban incomes and high food inflation are tightening consumer purse strings, particularly affecting the middle class. The IT sector's slowdown in hiring and modest wage increases only add to the problem. This consumption dip could severely impact India's economic growth since private consumption is a key growth driver. N Madhavan explains the reasons behind this slowdown in today’s Primer.
The "Big Five" of Indian IT—TCS, Cognizant, Infosys, HCL, and Wipro—are facing a predicament as investors seem more captivated by smaller firms despite their varied performance metrics. Over the last four years, smaller IT companies like Persistent Systems and Coforge have seen their valuations skyrocket, far outpacing their giant counterparts. This shift is driven by the belief that these nimble players are better positioned to adapt to disruptions from generative AI technologies, which lessen the importance of scale in traditional IT operations. Varun Sood writes that despite achieving solid revenue growth, the big players haven't seen the same enthusiasm from investors, who are concerned about declining profitability and leadership changes.
Leading manufacturers like steel and cement companies are increasingly tapping into renewable energy. Nehal Chaliawala reports on how this is proving to be a smart move financially. By signing long-term green power purchase agreements at lower rates than traditional coal-powered electricity, these firms are seeing significant reductions in energy costs. For instance, Ambuja Cement reported a 27% reduction in power and fuel costs this quarter, driven by a shift to renewable sources which now make up 25% of its energy mix. Similarly, ACC and Ultratech Cement have made strides in integrating renewables, with substantial cost savings.
Ramco Group from Tamil Nadu is restructuring its corporate framework to eliminate cross-holdings and attract foreign investors. Anirudh Laskar and Satish John report that Ramco Cements has sold its 16.23% promoter stake in Ramco Industries to other promoter entities. Ramco is looking to remove cross-holdings that might not be appealing to foreign investors. It plans to divest from assets worth at least ₹1,000 crore to reduce its debt.
Multi-speciality hospitals are now passe — private equity investors now want single-specialty medicare centres. Soumya Gupta writes that this is because patients are typically seeking higher standards of service, and such specialised hospitals are started by well-regarded doctors. Since 2022, private investors have increasingly favored single-speciality hospitals, leading to significant funding and acquisitions. Last year, 20% of the $5.5 billion in hospital funding in India went to such facilities. As for investors, these smaller hospitals offer more scalable options compared to larger counterparts.
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Welcome to Top of the Morning by Mint, your weekday newscast that brings you five major stories from the world of business. It's Monday, November 4, 2024. This is Nelson John, let’s get started.
Tata Motors is gearing up for a big change, planning to split into two separate entities for its commercial and passenger vehicle operations. This move is expected to wrap up in the next 12-15 months, pending regulatory nods. Alisha Sachdev reports that the man tipped to steer this transition is Tata Group’s CFO, P.B. Balaji, who might take on a significant role as non-executive chairman or vice-chairman for both new companies. His track record of strong fiscal management and strategic decisions at Tata Motors makes him a prime candidate for this role, although final confirmations are still pending.
Sebi is working to introduce a framework regulating digital platforms as Specified Digital Platforms or SDPs. An SDP is a digital platform that has mechanisms in place to prevent and address misuse, ensuring compliance with Sebi’s strict guidelines. This framework will impact platforms like Rigi.Club, Qoohoo, Cosmofeed, and Moneyyapp, which aid content creators, particularly those involved in securities-related content, Neha Joshi reports. These platforms will need to integrate advanced technologies like AI and ML to monitor and report securities-related activities effectively. Although this could lead to significant compliance costs, especially for smaller platforms, it's seen as a crucial step to maintain market integrity and protect investors from misinformation.
India's wedding season is set to hit its peak from November to March, and it's shaping up to be a blockbuster. Last year, weddings raked in a whopping ₹4.25 trillion on just 23 auspicious days, according to the Confederation of All India Traders. This time around, we're looking at an expected ₹25 trillion from about 3.5 million weddings. Prices for venues and catering are skyrocketing due to high demand. For instance, hotel catering charges have surged by up to 30% compared to last year, now costing between ₹6,000 and ₹8,500 per plate. Varuni Khosla spoke to couples who are finding that even less popular dates are pricey, with potential costs reaching around ₹30 lakh for a modest ceremony. On the other hand, the hospitality industry is buzzing with optimism, with weddings being a major driver for growth.
The 160-year-old Shapoorji Pallonji Group, known for iconic constructions like the RBI headquarters, is now ramping up its real estate game. While giants like DLF and Godrej dominate with sales around ₹73,000 crore, Shapoorji's real estate arm is playing catch-up, aiming to boost its bookings from ₹5,000 crore to over ₹18,000 crore in the next four years. Taking a cue from the late Cyrus Mistry, the group merged its various real estate activities—from residential to office spaces—under Shapoorji Pallonji Real Estate (SPRE). With this move, SPRE now controls significant ongoing projects and is prepping for a massive expansion with a land bank ready to support around 140 million sq. ft of development. This could potentially generate ₹2 trillion in revenue, indicating a major growth trajectory for the firm. Madhurima Nandy takes a deep dive into the group’s real estate plans in today’s Long Story.
Content creators are now pitching fully packaged projects to streaming platforms, securing key talents and finalizing production details upfront to expedite the greenlighting process. Lata Jha spoke to industry insiders who told her that this strategy strengthens pitches by attaching reputable industry names early, boosting platforms' confidence in the projects. This shift helps streamline approval processes, clarifying the project's vision and speeding up budget and timeline decisions. Fully packaged pitches with attached talent and detailed budgets are now essential, not just beneficial, explained another studio executive. They expedite platform decisions on budgeting and scheduling, enhancing a project's marketability and profitability.
Show notes:
PB Balaji could unify Tata’s new auto businesses under Tata Sons
Sebi's framework raises compliance concerns for smaller digital platforms
Wedding industry looks at rebound from dull H1 this season
OTT platforms favour pre-packaged projects to cut risks in content selection
Real estate: Deconstructing Shapoorji Pallonji Group’s housing ambitions
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