Business Standard - January 01, 2025

In this issue

January 01, 2025

Corporate India bets on demand recovery in '25

Plans bigger capex, more hirings; expects govt to offer tax incentives

3 mins

Mkts secure gains in choppy '24; face volatility risks in '25

Despite a near 10 per cent pullback from their peak, the domestic equity markets secured their ninth consecutive annual gain in 2024.

2 mins

Markets Secure Gains in Choppy '24; Face Volatility Risks in '25

Despite a near 10 per cent pullback from their peak, the domestic equity markets secured their ninth consecutive annual gain in 2024.

1 min

E2Ws, Premium Bikes Set to Rule Market in 2025

The Indian automotive market is gearing up for major launches and an electrification drive in the electric two-wheeler (e2W) segment in 2025.

3 mins

IT majors may face op disruptions, rising costs as H-1B overhaul looms

With Donald Trump poised to return to power in 2025 after winning the election, his administration is expected to implement stricter H-1B visa policies, including higher wage thresholds, reduced visa caps, and a focus on prioritizing US-educated or higher-skilled applicants, according to industry experts.

3 mins

AstraZeneca May Restructure Biopharma Unit

Move to focus on delivery of next-generation therapeutics

1 min

62% of Nifty 50 firms set green goals

Of the 31 companies, 20 have net-zero target and 11 carbon neutrality target: IIAS report

1 min

Kirloskar firms to challenge Sebi on family deed issue

Four Kirloskar companies on Tuesday said they are preparing to legally challenge a letter by the Sebi asking them to disclose the deed of family settlement (DFS) that was signed by members of the Kirloskar family on September 11, 2009.

1 min

Trifecta to curb bank credit growth this FY

Bank credit growth is expected to moderate this financial year after a robust 16 per cent estimated for last financial year, driven by strong economic activity and retail credit demand.

2 mins

'Spurious' drugs with face value of ₹6.6 crore seized

The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) in a joint operation with the Drugs Control Directorate, West Bengal, seized \"spurious\" drugs worth ₹6.6 crore during a raid at a wholesale firm in Kolkata and arrested the company's owner in connection with the case.

1 min

ITD Cementation bags ₹1,648 crore contract for construction at Vadhvan

ITD Cementation India Ltd has won an engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contract worth ₹1,648 crore for construction at the Vadhvan Port in Maharashtra.

1 min

NPCI extends market-share cap deadline for UPI apps by two more years

WhatsApp Pay can now onboard all of its messaging service users in India

3 mins

Slowing credit growth, margin pressure may weigh on banks

In 2025 banks are in for challenges such as pressure on margins and slowing credit growth.

2 mins

Geopolitical headwinds threaten '25 oil imports

However, copious supplies and falling rates cap concerns

3 mins

Long distance travelled, but ‘90% of India yet to be built'

From the year 2000, fast forward to 2024, and the country stands at a pivotal moment — one where roads stretch across vast distances, bullet trains are on the horizon, and ports hum with the promise of global trade dominance

5 mins

CPSE Procurement From MSEs Down 43% To ₹773.39 Cr In FY24

Procurement by central public-sector enterprises (CPSEs) from micro and small enterprises (MSEs) has declined by a sharp 43 per cent in 2023-24 (FY24), totalling ₹773.39 crore, from 188 CPSEs, down from ₹1,369.45 crore during FY23, according to the latest edition of the Public Enterprises Survey, released by the Ministry of Finance.

2 mins

New strategy: RBI likely going slow in forward market intervention

After creating a short position of almost $50 billion in the forward market till the end of October 2024, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) seems to have fine-tuned its intervention strategy by going slow in selling dollars in those markets.

2 mins

Chhattisgarh and Bengal Lead in Rural Social Welfare Spend

After accounting for items received free of cost by households through various social welfare programmes, consumption expenditure by the households in rural areas was nearly 3 per cent higher, according to an analysis of the 2023-24 Household Consumption Expenditure Survey (HCES).

1 min

India Can Retaliate Against US in Case of Trade War: RIS

India has the option to retaliate against any tariff measure by the US during the Donald Trump administration in sectors such as mineral fuels, iron, and steel products.

2 mins

Govt capex dips 12.3% in 8 months of FY25

Fiscal deficit reaches 52% of FY25 target

1 min

Liquidity Deficit Hits ₹2 Trillion Again Despite CRR Cut

The liquidity deficit in the banking system crossed ₹2 trillion again on Monday, despite the second installment of cash reserve ratio (CRR) reduction coming into effect from December 28.

1 min

Defunct agri co-ops asked to wind up in 15 days after property custody

A liquidator should not take more than 15 days to complete the liquidation of Primary Agriculture Cooperative Societies (PACS) after it takes custody of the property, claims, books, records and documents, a recent standard operating procedure (SOP) for liquidation of PACS and LAMPS (Large Area Multipurpose Societies) said.

1 min

SME hospitals to grow in single digits through FY26

The revenue of small and medium (SME) hospitals—with annual revenue of less than ₹250 crore—is expected to grow at a sedate 3-5 per cent year-on-year and 5-8 per cent in financial year 2025 and 2026, respectively.

1 min

'Forgive, forget': Manipur CM apologises for clashes

Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Tuesday apologised for the ethnic conflict in the state which claimed over 250 lives and rendered thousands homeless, and appealed to all communities to forget and forgive past mistakes and live together in a peaceful and prosperous state.

1 min

US, Boeing investigators examine site

Experts from the US National Transportation Safety Board and Boeing investigate the site of a plane crash at Muan International Airport on Tuesday

1 min

S Korea Issues Arrest Warrant Against Impeached Prez Yoon

Investigators allege he led an insurrection

2 mins

Chinese hackers stole files in major breach: US Treasury

Department learned about the digital theft after BeyondTrust alert

2 mins

China-Russia ties advancing to higher levels: Xi to Putin

China and Russia are moving forward hand in hand along the \"right path\" of non-alliance, non-confrontation and their relations have been advancing towards \"higher levels,\" Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Tuesday in his New Year message to his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin.

1 min

Social media companies face global tug-of-war over free speech

President-elect Donald J. Trump and his allies have vowed to squash an online \"censorship cartel\" of social media firms that they say targets conservatives.

2 mins

Banking stability

Risks may emerge from the global economy

2 mins

Caution Ahead

Ken-Betwa link downplays ecological impacts

2 mins

A Muslim across the communal divide

A Muslim woman in public service who rose to a career pinnacle in the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Najma Heptulla's biography chronicles a fascinating journey that swept aside stereotypes and fashioned a career almost entirely on her own terms.

4 mins

New Year, new resolution: Fill vacancies

A column appearing on the first day of the New Year (based on the Gregorian Calendar) is a wonderful opportunity for any writer to focus on the big picture and the big issues of any subject they choose. I will, however, eschew that temptation and look at a smaller and simpler issue pertaining to the Indian economy and governance.

3 mins

A pivot to defence

Budget 2025 must mark a decisive shift in the allocation of resources to defence and internal security

4 mins

Marico likely to steal a march on peers in H2FY25

From its lows in mid-November, the stock of consumer major Marico is up about 8 per cent in trade and has outperformed its peers.

2 mins

₹ Hits Fresh Low, Extends Losing Streak to 7 Years

On Slippery Slope

1 min

Gold set for brightest year since 2010 on rate cuts

Gold prices ended a record-breaking year on a positive note on Tuesday as robust central bank buying, geopolitical uncertainties and monetary policy easing fuelled the safe-haven metal's strongest annual performance since 2010.

1 min

Primary mkts, the showstopper

IPO BOOM, SIP SURGE, ₹ DECLINE

1 min

MF inflows grow 2x in 2024 on retail boost

The growth journey of mutual funds (MFs) got a leg up from retail investors in 2024, with systematic investment plan (SIP) inflows registering a sharp jump and investor count going up by nearly 10 million in the first 11 months of the year.

1 min

CHOOSING A FINANCIAL ADVISOR Hire early, go for one with experience of multiple market cycles

Hire early, go for one with experience of multiple mkt cycles

2 mins

M&M posts sharpest annual rally in 15 yrs

Auto major's stock zooms 73% in 2024

3 mins

Don't believe the hype on these 3 workplace trends

From a quick glance at 2024's top business headlines, you'd think all companies were pushing return-to-office policies, embracing artificial intelligence and banishing diversity, equity and inclusion programs.

3 mins

WORLD RINGS IN 2025

Fireworks exploded over the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge during New Year's celebrations in Australia. British pop star Robbie Williams led a singalong and Indigenous ceremonies acknowledged the land's first people.

1 min

New Year frenzy: Zepto sells over 3K ice packs/hr; grape sales surge on Blinkit

As New Year celebrations began, consumers went all out on quick commerce platforms.

1 min

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