Business Standard - March 15, 2025

In this issue

March 15, 2025

Firms pull back on investor meets as sentiment sours

The number of investor meets conducted by companies has declined from its peak amid weaker earnings and bearish sentiment.

2 mins

PV sales may hit speed bump in FY25

Passenger vehicle (PV) sales are expected to end the 2024-25 fiscal year on a flat note, with wholesale figures reaching 3.82 million units by February.

3 mins

Tata Projects gets board nod to raise ₹2,500 cr

Tata Projects gets board nod to raise ₹2,500 cr

1 min

Mkt volatility fails to draw 'smart money' to equity MFs in Feb

Investors in wait and watch mode amid global uncertainties

2 mins

India, Bangladesh Hold Naval Drills Despite Strained Ties

Even though diplomatic ties between New Delhi and Dhaka have been strained since Sheikh Hasina's removal in August last year, completion of India-Bangladesh naval exercise Bongosagar 2025 and Coordinated Patrol in the Bay of Bengal this week suggest that military cooperation between the two neighbours remains unaffected.

2 mins

Connected TV drives streaming growth

Who's Streaming Video?

1 min

Skoda Plans To Make Electric Cars In India

Skoda Auto plans to manufacture electric cars in India and will invest in the country by itself if its search for a local partner fails, the Czech carmaker's CEO said, as its parent Volkswagen Group fights a $1.4 billion tax demand case.

1 min

Foxconn chief-Rajaa drive, which went viral, may bring 'good news' to TN soon

Young Liu discussed critical minerals and storage plans during the 45-min drive with the minister

2 mins

Metal Firms May See Choppy Prices Amid Global Uncertainties

A string of geopolitical events have sent the global commodity market into a tizzy, with uncertainties looming over demand-supply and price forecasts.

2 mins

IIT-B Startup Plans to Take Genome Testing to EU, US

HaystackAnalytics to invest up to $50 million in five years to fortify biz

3 mins

Steelbird eyes 3-fold growth by 2030

Himachal Pradesh-based Steelbird Helmets is investing over ₹350 crore to more than double its production capacities by 2032 to meet demand.

1 min

Investor Meets Increased on Post-Covid Market Boom

The number of such meetings had risen in the period after Covid-19 when earnings were on a strong footing and markets were booming.

2 mins

Godrej Interio looks to ride ecom wave

Godrej Interio, the furniture brand under Godrej Enterprises Group, seeks to leverage the growth of electronic commerce (ecommerce) in India to improve customer experience, expand reach, and bolster sales, a top company executive said.

2 mins

Now, Herbalife vs Modiway in weight-loss market

Los Angeles-headquartered Herbalife, which is India's largest direct-selling company powered by its weight-loss and management products, with revenues touching $800 million in 2023, could face a challenge from a home-grown player.

1 min

Wipro Set to Rejig Global Business Lines From April 1

Move aimed at 'sharpening focus' on client needs

2 mins

Brics Eyeing National Currencies for Trade to Counter US Threat

Brazil will host the 30th Conference of Parties (COP30) later this year under the shadow of the United States (US) exiting the forum. At the same time, the world is coming to terms with the tariff threats of the US and a renewed push for fossil fuels. Amid these concerns, Brazil is optimistic about participation by economic actors, civil society, and businesses in the US to fight climate change, says Kenneth Da Nóbrega, Brazilian ambassador to India and Bhutan, in an interview to Puja Das in New Delhi. He says Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa (Brics) have been discussing possible mechanisms of exchange in national currencies to foster trade and financial flows among the group members to tackle the tariff tussle unleashed by the US. Edited excerpts:

4 mins

Our approach to be guided by 'India First': Goyal on meet with USTR

Discussions held on reciprocal tariffs, BTA

1 min

Single tax-return system for search cases may be back

Single return may cover six years plus part-year when investigation is done

1 min

MSME bodies urge RBI to tweak norms for ecom exports

Micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) industry bodies have requested the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) for certain changes in the regulations for ecommerce exports.

2 mins

Sa-dhan seeks new refinance body for MFIs

Suggests converting MUDRA Bank, set up under the PMMY, into a refinancing body for standalone MFIs

2 mins

Tourism to get further boost

The Rajasthan government has drawn up a plan to boost tourism in the state, a department official said.

1 min

Tata Sons to Use TCS Dividend to Fund Tata Projects

Tata Sons will invest in Tata Projects from the dividend it is set to receive from Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), India's largest software exporter, in the first nine months of FY25.

1 min

10 states have over 25% vacancies in police force

Union Home Minister Amit Shah attended the 56th Raising Day Parade of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) in Tamil Nadu last week to announce the recruitment of over 100,000 youth in the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF).

1 min

Auto OEMs Forecast Slower Sales Growth for FY26

At a recent internal meeting, Siam members reached a consensus that PV sales would grow by just 0.07 percent in FY25, with only a marginal increase of 1-2 percent in FY26.

1 min

Tactical lumpsum inflows from HNIs, retail investors intact

Sandeep Bagla, chief executive officer (CEO) of TRUST MF, expects inflows to rebound in the coming months.

1 min

Lenders go digital for micro loan recovery

Going Online

1 min

NaBFID taps WB, ADB for infra projects

In talks with agencies on counter-guarantees for credit enhancement to infrastructure projects

2 mins

6 Sites Added to Tentative UNESCO World Heritage List

A set of six properties—including some considered serially, such as Ashokan Edict Sites and Chausath Yogini Temples spread across multiple states—have been added to India's tentative list by the UNESCO's World Heritage Centre.

1 min

House panel flags underuse of health infra mission funds

Asks Centre for more assistance to states, ensuring timely project completion

2 mins

DMK Govt Tables Budget, Targets 3% Fiscal Deficit

State govt will stick to its two-language policy

2 mins

China mulls 50% pay cuts for underperforming fund managers

China is considering slashing pay of fund managers who underperform their benchmarks as part of a broad overhaul of the nation's 33 trillion yuan ($4.6 trillion) mutual fund industry aimed at boosting long-term investments, according to people familiar with the matter.

2 mins

Tesla warns of retaliatory tariffs in wake of US policies

US automaker Tesla has warned that it and other major American exporters are exposed to retaliatory tariffs that could be leveled in response to President Donald Trump's aggressive use of tariffs.

1 min

China, Russia Call for Ending US Sanctions on Iran

Representatives of China, Russia and Iran on Friday called for an end to US sanctions on Iran over its rapidly advancing nuclear programme and a restart to multinational talks on the issue.

1 min

Ukraine truce deal: Putin talks of cautious optimism

Russian president sends message to Trump via special US envoy

2 mins

Gyanendra's struggle for relevance

Nepal's Democracy Day is observed every year on February 19, the day the 1950-51 revolution overthrew the rule of the Ranas and established Nepal's first democratically elected government.

3 mins

Tariffs Won't Help More Men Get Jobs

Say this about Donald Trump: Even when he has crazy ideas—and his tariff policy certainly seems crazy—he is often trying to address a legitimate concern. In the case of tariffs, they are part of the president's economic plan to provide men with better opportunities. It is a worthy goal, but tariffs will not help him reach it.

3 mins

The music never stopped

One worries a bit whenever aging punk rock stars perform. Wouldn't the passage of time have taken the edge off their teenage anthems, softened their kohl-lined scowls, and blunted their spiky hairstyles?

3 mins

Rethinking global governance

Our international institutions simply are not designed to address systemic issues indifferent to national borders

3 mins

Can DGHS discipline IPL on surrogates?

In a letter earlier this week to India Premier League (IPL) Chairman Arun Singh Dhumal, Director General of Health Services (DGHS) Atul Goel made many a telling point.

3 mins

'No redemptions in our small, midcap schemes'

Despite the current stock market correction, Rahul Agarwal, vice-president - Equities at Bandhan AMC, believes investors have shown maturity by largely sticking with equity investing as a long-term wealth creation strategy. In an email interview with Nikita Vashisht, Agarwal shares his insights into how he has navigated the current market scenario. Edited excerpts:

1 min

WHAT FUND MANAGERS BOUGHT AND SOLD DURING FEBRUARY SLUMP

The Indian equity market witnessed a significant downturn in February, with the benchmark Nifty 50 index dropping nearly 6 per cent to its lowest level in nine months.

1 min

Expanding product portfolio to drive growth for Zydus Lifesciences

The Zydus Lifesciences stock has underperformed the BSE Healthcare Index over the last month.

2 mins

IndusInd may face Sensex, Nifty ouster

Rise in foreign investments will lead to lender's inclusion in a global index, resulting in staggered passive inflows

2 mins

Gold Soars to Fresh High on Tariff Concerns

Gold pierced through the psychological milestone of $3,000 an ounce on Friday for the first time, building on an historic rally as trade tensions and US rate cut bets supercharge its appeal as a safe store of value.

1 min

Market Indicator From 1900s Blares An Alarm For Stocks

A century-old indicator that has helped predict the direction of the US stock market is signaling more pain ahead for battered investors.

1 min

UNDER-CONSTRUCTION OR RTMI PROPERTY Check credibility of developer if investing in new project

Homebuyer demand is increasingly moving from ready-to-move-in (RTMI) properties to newly launched or under-construction (UC) projects.

2 mins

Global Stocks Surge as US Shutdown Risk Eases

Treasuries gave back some gains from previous session, when investors dashed to haven assets that lifted gold to a record high

2 mins

STOCKS THAT SAILED THROUGH MARKET STORM

While 93% of Nifty 200 stocks have declined since hitting record highs in Sept 2024, there were some that resisted the meltdown, with most of them emerging gainers. KRISHNA KANT & RAM PRASAD SAHU find out

1 min

Stocks That Sailed Through Market Storm

While 93% of Nifty 200 stocks have declined since hitting record highs in Sept 2024, there were some that resisted the meltdown, with most of them emerging gainers. Krishna Kant & Ram Prasad Sahu find out

1 min

Ecommerce: Love it or hate it?

Do consumers love e-commerce platforms, or do they approach them with suspicion? Is there a need to protect consumers from ecommerce players?

3 mins

Trump Makes Chinese Stocks (Somewhat) Great Again

Global investors lured by relatively low prices, AI bets, and prospect of more stimulus from Beijing

4 mins

It is much harder for serious writers to survive now

Irish author Paul Lynch, who won the 2023 Booker Prize for his novel Prophet Song, was in India recently to speak at the Kerala Literature Festival held in Kozhikode. The book, published by Oneworld, is set in a fictional dystopia where Ireland is taken over by a totalitarian regime that suspends the Constitution and sets up a secret police force to crack down on dissenters. In an interview with Chintan Girish Modi, he speaks of being a writer in this day and age, what the Booker means, and stillness. Edited excerpts:

4 mins

On a swing and a prayer

The sharp tap of the willow against a parched, sun-baked turf. The murmuring tension of a crowd thrumming with anticipation, holding its breath, waiting.

3 mins

Financial services adoption grows with more women participation

Around 40 per cent of women in India use Aadhaar Enabled Payment System (AePS) face authentication for withdrawing cash.

1 min

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