Business Standard - March 04, 2025

In this issue

March 04, 2025

Luxury cars, EVs hit fast lane in the South

Amid reports that global automotive giant Tesla is scouting for land to set up its manufacturing unit in the southern states of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, industry experts and government officials believe the region's well-developed electric vehicle (EV) ecosystem and rising demand for premium vehicles make it an attractive proposition for the US luxury carmaker.

3 mins

Sensex trailing P/E ratio sinks to pandemic low

Market uncertainty, fatigue regarding near-term outlook behind fall

2 mins

Onix Renewable eyes ₹1K cr IPO, valuation likely to touch ₹10K cr

Onix Renewable, a Gujarat-based renewable energy and solar module manufacturing company, is set to raise ₹1,000 crore through an initial public offering (IPO) by July, targeting a valuation of ₹10,000 crore, according to a senior company executive.

1 min

Prosus may turn to AI to shape businesses

South African-owned and Amsterdam-headquartered investment firm Prosus is looking to build an ecosystem based on artificial intelligence (AI) that can bring together businesses with synergy, enhancing their efficiency and value.

2 mins

Firms Reluctant to Adopt GenAI Despite Growing Hype

Analysts cite lack of training, hesitation about security, fear of job losses as main reasons for lack of adoption by companies

2 mins

JioStar eyes 1 bn-viewer mark as IPL ad rates climb scoreboard

Experts say ad costs in the cash-rich league this year may be 20-30% higher

3 mins

Decline Due to 'Realignment' Between Stock Prices, Bleak Outlook: Analysts

The sharp decline in valuation since September 2024 also signifies the end of a 25-year cycle of steady equity rerating in India.

1 min

ACME Solar Plans ₹17,000 Crore Capex by 2026

ACME Solar on Sunday said it has planned an investment of ₹17,000 crore on capital expenditure by 2026 with a focus on hybrid and round-the-clock renewable capacities.

1 min

Have 5-6 portfolio firms planning IPOs

ChrysCapital, one of the largest India-focused investment firms with over $6 billion in assets under management (AUM), is exploring investments in areas such as enterprise tech, financial services, pharma, health care, consumer, manufacturing, and new economy sectors, said SANJAY KUKREJA, partner and chief investment officer (CIO). In a video interview with Peerzada Abrar, Kukreja also said the environment for companies going public is facing some headwinds but better businesses will not be deterred. Edited excerpts:

3 mins

Adani Group Revives US Investment Plans Amid Bribery Case

Adani group has revived plans for major infrastructure investments in the United States of America (US), where the group's founder has been charged with bribery, the Financial Times reported on Sunday.

1 min

Retail market may reach ₹190 trn by 2034

The Indian retail market is expected to reach over ₹190 trillion by 2034 and retailers capable of embracing the country's diverse demographics and contrasting consumer behaviours stand to gain the most, according to a report.

1 min

Luxury cars find younger, growing market in South

In terms of EV adoption, 45 per cent of the country's total EV sales come from South India, driven by a strong ecosystem of original equipment manufacturers, component suppliers, and battery manufacturing businesses based in Tamil Nadu, according to a report by Frost & Sullivan.

2 mins

Sebi to Contest Court Order on Alleged Listing Irregularities

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) on Sunday said it would take legal action against a recent court order directing the police to investigate alleged irregularities in granting listing permission to a company on the BSE in 1994.

1 min

Sebi's combo MF-insurance plan may hit a roadblock

The plan to reintroduce a combo product of insurance and mutual fund (MF) has hit a wall with several industry participants believing that it will complicate their offerings, while also leading to operational challenges.

1 min

Trump and tariffs unnerve equity, bond markets

Trump and tariffs dominate global headlines and keep world leaders engaged.

2 mins

Goyal to Meet USTR Ahead of Tariff Rollout

During US visit, commerce minister also expected to meet his US counterpart

2 mins

Any policy formulation must factor in uncertainty: Mishra

India's policy formulation must factor in uncertainty, with a focus on a comprehensive framework and an outcome-oriented constructive mindset, said P K Mishra, principal secretary to the Prime Minister.

1 min

Govt May Grant 2 Months to Vet ITC on Credit Notes

Move Would Give Taxpayers Flexibility and Preclude a Financial Burden

1 min

3rd Vibrant Bharat CFO Summit & Awards The Growth Conclave: CFOs Leading the Charge

The Growth Conclave: CFOs Leading the Charge

1 min

3^rd Vibrant Bharat CFO Summit & Awards

The Growth Conclave: CFOs Leading the Charge

1 min

RBI adopting more accommodative stance under Malhotra, say analysts

They point to the recent measures taken by RBI to spur economic growth and ease liquidity tightness

3 mins

Insurers gain tools to manage volatility and protect returns

The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India's (Irdai's) decision to allow insurers to hedge risks through equity derivatives will help them manage market volatility and protect policyholder returns.

2 mins

Weak retail demand slows health insurance premium growth

Under the Weather

2 mins

Experts bat for EV push as Delhi bans old vehicles

To combat air pollution in Delhi, experts suggest that the government should scale up electrification, enhance public transport, and implement better vehicle assessment systems rather than imposing a blanket ban on older vehicles.

3 mins

The Cost of MP Liquor Ban

State expects an annual revenue loss of less than 2% due to its decision to prohibit liquor sales at 19 locations. SANJEEB MUKHERJEE reports

2 mins

Down but not out? AAP confident amid setback

After Delhi loss, Kejriwal's party is focusing on rebranding and consolidation. ADITI PHADNIS analyses

3 mins

Modi-Pawar Play Signals Shift in Maharashtra Political Cauldron

Fault lines within MVA deepen as NCP (SP) warms up to BJP-Shinde, and Thackeray charts solo path for ensuing local body polls in the state, explains RADHIKA RAMASESHAN

4 mins

States battle it out to attract investors

From Telangana to Gujarat, states are fiercely competing for new-age investments with incentives, better infrastructure, and skilled workforce. AASHISH ARYAN & SHINE JACOB write

4 mins

Russia praises Trump, castigates Europe for being crucible of war

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Sunday praised US President Donald Trump's \"common sense\" aim to end the war in Ukraine, but accused the European powers which have rallied around Kyiv of seeking to prolong the conflict.

1 min

Israel Halts Entry of Aid into Gaza

Israel announced on Sunday morning that it was halting the entry of all goods and humanitarian assistance into Gaza immediately, hours after proposing a temporary extension of the now-expired ceasefire with Hamas.

2 mins

Restore relationship with US prez: Nato chief to Zelenskyy

Nato Secretary-General Mark Rutte has said he told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that he had to \"find a way to restore his relationship with the American president\" after the two leaders engaged in an extraordinary meltdown at the White House on Friday.

1 min

Anti-DOGE protests reach Tesla stores

Demonstrators gathered outside Tesla stores across the US Saturday to protest the automaker's billionaire CEO, Elon Musk, and his push to slash government spending on behalf of President Donald Trump.

1 min

Yawning wealth gap widening inequalities in China, warns report

China's wealthiest individuals continue to grow richer, widening economic inequalities in the country despite the ruling Communist Party's efforts to control private businesses and implement policies aimed at boosting people's incomes, a report here said.

1 min

Blue Ghost Aces Historic Moon Touchdown for NASA

A private lunar lander carrying a drill, vacuum and other experiments for NASA touched down on the moon Sunday, the latest in a string of companies looking to kick-start business on Earth's celestial neighbour ahead of astronaut missions.

2 mins

Europe needs 'coalition of willing' for Ukraine: Starmer

EUROPEAN LEADERS GATHER FOR LONDON SUMMIT TO DISCUSS SECURITY

2 mins

Blow hot or blow cold?

Two important well-trusted measures are saying divergent things. Why?

4 mins

Sustainable recovery

The policy challenge is to increase trend growth

2 mins

Credit Suisse: A document of sleaze

A decade ago, the venerable and now defunct bank Credit Suisse brought in a new chief executive, Tidjane Thiam, who naturally bought himself a house on Zurich's \"Gold Coast.\" A few months later, Thiam found that he had a new neighbour—his own star underling, Iqbal Khan.

3 mins

The new bilateral age

Urgency visible in EU FTA is needed for new trade order

2 mins

Get the transition right

Let's not be in any delusion that our world has not changed. This is the age of Donald Trump in the time of climate risk.

4 mins

MFs Brave Rough Currents, Haul In 800k Investors Monthly

The mutual fund (MF) industry continues to bring in new investors, even as equity scheme returns take a hit from a sharp market correction.

1 min

A Winning Hand at the Wrong Table: New F&O Stocks Struggle

Getting added to the futures and options (F&O) segment is usually a win for stocks, lifting their chances of joining key indices and attracting passive inflows.

1 min

Far-fetched to think investors have lost faith in Indian equities

Foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) have mostly remained on the sidelines in recent months amid market correction. JIMEET MODI, founder and chief executive officer at Samco Group, tells Puneet Wadhwa in an email interview that FPIs are expected to stay away from Indian markets until expensive Indian equities become attractive to them. Edited excerpts:

3 mins

MFs Pull Back Bowstring for a $33 Trillion AUM Bullseye

Vision document targets every household with tailored products, focused strategies

2 mins

No spring in their step as value segment trips up footwear cos

THIN-SOLED GROWTH: Relaxo struggles to stay on its feet, footwear stocks lose their stride

2 mins

Mis-selling: Full premium must be returned

Gyan Prakash Singh was approached by a Tata AIA Life Insurance agent who induced him to purchase policies.

2 mins

Compare sale prices across plans to evaluate benefit

If a developer allows deferred payments but hikes the sale price, the plan becomes less advantageous

3 mins

Tourism Boom: Madhya Pradesh Bags 68,000 cr. Investment

Madhya Pradesh has received investment proposals worth over 68 thousand crore in the tourism and hospitality sector.

1 min

Right Time And Right Place For Investment In Mp: Pm Modi

MP poised for industrial boom, flooded with investment proposals worth ₹30.77 lakh crore announced at GIS 2025

2 mins

A New Way to Measure Digital Capability

Countries are tracking their progress in technological capabilities as these are times when artificial intelligence (AI) matters more than military artillery and economies must remain competitive.

2 mins

It's a quantum leap in computing

The world's biggest technology companies are building machines with vast processing power. India too is in the race, report SHINE JACOB & AASHISH ARYAN

4 mins

Target is to double organisations' AI adoption rate

It has been more than two years since ChatGPT, an artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot built by OpenAI, took the technology world by storm. As the euphoria ebbs, enterprises are adopting AI slowly. Harrick Vin, chief technology officer (CTO) of Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), told Avik Das and Shivani Shinde on the sidelines of the Nasscom Technology and Leadership Forum in Mumbai what organisations should do to scale up adoption. Edited excerpts from the interview:

3 mins

Youth employability falters amid looming AI threat

Even as new emerging technologies transform the employment landscape, India is focusing on equipping its workforce with the skills needed for emerging industries.

1 min

Did Bankers Act as Frankenstein?

Interest rates alone will no longer attract savings bank deposits. It's time to rethink and repackage the offering

5 mins

Apple Cart Upset As US Tariffs Bite

Apple's rapid India pivot faces a Trump-sized tariff pothole

5 mins

Employees' salaries not keeping pace with inflation: NITI member

NITI Aayog member Arvind Virmani has said that while employment is increasing in India, real wages for regular jobs have not kept pace with inflation over the past seven years.

1 min

U'khand avalanche rescue ops end; death toll at eight

The bodies of the last four of the trapped labourers were pulled out from the site of the avalanche-hit Border Roads Organisation (BRO) camp in Chamoli on Sunday, taking the death toll to eight as authorities ended the nearly 60-hour rescue operation.

1 min

Two years on, Kuno's cheetahs still play a losing Hunger Game

Vanishing prey and fierce competition from leopards keep cheetahs on edge

4 mins

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