Crunch Time
Business Today|December 01, 2019
Corporate India strengthened its resolve and tightened its belt, but slowdown hit market capitalisation of BT 500 companies for the first time in seven years.
Anup Jayaram
Crunch Time
IT’S BEEN A TOUGH YEAR, not just for the economy, but for India Inc. too. As the economy wades through a longish slowdown, India Inc. appears to have strengthened its resolve and tightened its belt. Total income of BT 500 companies rose 16.4 per cent in 2018/19 as against an 11 per cent in 2017/18. Profit after tax recorded a remarkable 19.4 per cent increase as opposed to the 12.2 per cent decline last year.

However, the overall market cap of BT 500 companies fell for the first time in seven years, down 1.5 per cent (October 2018-September 2019 period) as against a 23.4 per cent increase in the same period the previous year and 20.5 per cent in 2016/17; though the decline is not as bad as the last recorded drop of 6.5 per cent in 2011/12. Among the leading indicators tracked in the BT 500 listing, a 10.04 per cent growth in total assets during the year is lower than the 12 per cent recorded in 2017/18, indicating a slowdown in asset creation.

The fall in overall market cap has, however, not affected the leaders. The top three companies – Reliance Industries (RIL), Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) and HDFC Bank – have retained their rankings this year too. Both RIL and TCS have recorded a 24.2 per cent increase in average market cap. Among the top six, only ITC has moved down two notches from rank 4 that it had retained for the last two years. Both HDFC Bank and HDFC make it among India’s leading five companies, again after 2016/17.

This story is from the December 01, 2019 edition of Business Today.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the December 01, 2019 edition of Business Today.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM BUSINESS TODAYView All
"Moving to cloud helped us grow❞
Business Today India

"Moving to cloud helped us grow❞

What was the problem you were grappling with?

time-read
1 min  |
November 24, 2024
She's Got Time
Business Today India

She's Got Time

MORE WOMEN ARE BECOMING WATCH CONNOISSEURS, SEEKING OUT BOTH JEWELLED AND TECHNICAL WATCHES FOR THEIR STYLE AND CRAFTSMANSHIP

time-read
3 mins  |
November 24, 2024
RISING STAR
Business Today India

RISING STAR

PARUL GULATI IS a name that's been steadily gaining prominence in the Indian entertainment industry after she appeared on season 2 of Shark Tank in 2023. She has become a multifaceted personality who effortlessly transitions between acting and entrepreneurship.

time-read
1 min  |
November 24, 2024
Building on a Legacy
Business Today India

Building on a Legacy

WHEN ZAHABIYA KHORAKIWALA stepped into her role as Managing Director of Wockhardt Hospitals over a decade ago, she confronted formidable challenges that have since turned into achievements.

time-read
1 min  |
November 24, 2024
LEADER IN INNOVATION
Business Today India

LEADER IN INNOVATION

AS FEDEX'S PRESIDENT (Middle East, Indian subcontinent and Africa), Kami Viswanathan has a lot on her plate.

time-read
1 min  |
November 24, 2024
WAITING IN THE WINGS
Business Today India

WAITING IN THE WINGS

Here are those who missed out as they have not yet completed a year in office; they'll be strong contenders in 2025

time-read
1 min  |
November 24, 2024
A DECENT PROPOSAL
Business Today India

A DECENT PROPOSAL

IN TODAY'S WORLD OF TRYING TO CREATE AN EQUITABLE SPACE, BOTH MEN AND WOMEN CONTRIBUTE TO THEIR HOUSEHOLDS. WOMEN ARE ENCOURAGED TO HAVE THEIR OWN SAVINGS POOL AND INVESTMENT ROUTINE. GIVEN THIS, HOW SHOULD FUTURE BRIDES APPROACH FINANCIAL PLANNING?

time-read
5 mins  |
November 24, 2024
Women and the STEM Bias
Business Today India

Women and the STEM Bias

EMPOWERING WOMEN IN STEM WILL NOT ONLY BENEFIT INDIVIDUALS, BUT ALSO STRENGTHEN THE ENTIRE INDUSTRY, DRIVING INNOVATION AND PROGRESS.

time-read
3 mins  |
November 24, 2024
ROCKET WOMEN
Business Today India

ROCKET WOMEN

WOMEN IN INDIA ARE NOT ONLY VENTURING INTO SPACE BUT ARE ALSO STARTING TO SPEARHEAD THE COUNTRY'S EFFORTS IN THE GLOBAL SPACE RACE.

time-read
6 mins  |
November 24, 2024
ONE STEP FORWARD
Business Today India

ONE STEP FORWARD

THE NUMBER OF WOMEN INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS IS GROWING STEADILY, BUT IT'S A LONG WAY FROM GENDER PARITY. MUCH MORE NEEDS TO BE DONE TO BREAK THE GLASS CEILING IN BOARDROOMS.

time-read
6 mins  |
November 24, 2024