Goldman Sachs predicts a slowdown in government capex growth to 13% in the new fiscal year, down from 17% in FY24. The fiscal deficit is projected to narrow to 4.5% of GDP. The budget will likely focus on rural and welfare spending, job creation, and long-term economic policy towards 2047.
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India's auto components industry saw robust growth in the first half of FY25, with an 11.3% increase in market size to $39.6 billion. Demand for larger vehicles, especially UVs, surged, alongside a rise in 350-500cc motorcycles. EV sales grew overall, but e-PVs declined. Exports performed strongly, with the USA, Germany, and Turkey as top destinations.
Amazon agrees to acquire Bengaluru-based digital lending startup Axio, formerly known as Capital Float, for an estimated enterprise value of $150-160 million. Axio, which provides pay-later and credit offers, is awaiting Reserve Bank of India approval. Amazon aims to expand its financial services in India through this acquisition.
Four Kirloskar companies plan to legally challenge Sebi's directive to disclose a family settlement deed from 2009. They assert the deed does not impact them, while a legal dispute among Kirloskar siblings over the deed continues. Sebi deems disclosure necessary under listing regulations.
Indian companies shattered fundraising records in 2024, raising over ₹1.2 lakh crore through Qualified Institutional Placements (QIPs) by November. This surge, driven by a robust stock market and high valuations, doubled the previous year's figures. Giants like Vedanta and Zomato led the charge, each raising ₹8,500 crore.
China’s economy achieved its annual growth target of 5% for 2024, helped by a late-year stimulus and boosted exports before US tariffs. Industrial production surged by 6.2% in December, though domestic demand remained weak with modest retail sales growth and rising unemployment. Further fiscal measures are expected to support the economy amid external challenges.
The Sensex surged 843 points to a two-month high of 82,133, driven by strong foreign fund inflows and buying in FMCG, IT, and banking stocks. This followed a volatile session with a 2,100-point intraday swing, influenced by global market weakness and uncertainty about China's economic recovery. Market sentiment remains cautious due to rising US Treasury yields and a weaker rupee.
RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das, in his final press conference, emphasized the crucial coordination between the RBI and the government in managing inflation. He defended the RBI's stance on maintaining stable rates despite slowing growth, highlighting the impact of multiple factors.
Chief economic adviser V Anantha Nageswaran highlights the need for India’s private sector to focus on strategic issues such as supply chain resilience and alternative sourcing. He also underscores the importance of reviewing hiring practices, workplace safety, and investment in R&D for long-term growth.
Budget 2025 expectations: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman may propose a phased implementation of labour codes in Budget 2025, starting with large establishments. The plan involves a three-phase deployment.
IndusInd Bank disclosed that an external review quantified the impact of discrepancies in its derivatives portfolio, resulting in a Rs 1,979 crore hit to its net worth as of June 2024. This translates to a 2.27% reduction by December 2024. Following initial reports of derivative losses, the bank's stock experienced significant volatility, although it rallied nearly 7% on Tuesday.