Adhil Shetty, CEO of BankBazaar, urges Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to raise the 30% income tax threshold to ₹18 lakh in Union Budget 2025, restructure the tax brackets, and introduce a 30% flat deduction on gross income.
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The US transportation department fined JetBlue Airways $2 million for chronic delays on its east coast routes due to unrealistic scheduling. JetBlue blamed air traffic control issues and called for modernization. The fines partially compensate affected passengers. Routes from New York to Raleigh-Durham, Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, and from Windsor Locks to Fort Lauderdale were notably delayed.
Chief Investment Officer Niket Shah said he’s adding shares of companies that offer lower priced non-essential goods, such as jewelry and apparel, on expectations of increased spending.
Car sales growth in India slowed to approximately 5% in 2024, the slowest in four years, due to urban market pressures. The industry sold about 43 lakh units, with SUVs making up 54% of sales. High car prices and affordability issues impacted demand. Despite this, Maruti Suzuki achieved its highest-ever annual sales, aided by rural market penetration.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, once a weighty symbol of knowledge, has successfully transitioned to the digital age. By embracing AI and expanding into educational software and online dictionaries, the company has achieved impressive profit margins and is now considering a $1 billion IPO.
Telecom operators Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel have launched new voice and SMS-only plans for prepaid users in India following TRAI's revised tariff rules.
Moody's indicates that most Indian companies are shielded from rupee depreciation because of mitigating factors, whereas govt-owned oil marketing companies, Ola, and UltraTech Cement are adversely affected. OMCs experience a currency mismatch with rupee-linked marketing revenues and US dollar feedstock costs, which are partially offset by US dollar-linked fuel sales and government support.
In 2024, Tata's Punch SUV surpassed Maruti's Swift to become the best-selling car in India. Buyers are increasingly preferring SUVs over hatchbacks. Tata Motors achieved its highest sales volumes with SUV sales growing significantly. Maruti WagonR is the only hatchback in the top 5. Tata Motors' multi-powertrain strategy contributed to its strong SUV sales.
Apple's iPhone production in India has surged by 60% to $22 billion, now accounting for one in five iPhones globally. This shift, driven by geopolitical tensions and supply chain vulnerabilities, positions India as a key export hub. Foxconn is expanding its manufacturing footprint in Uttar Pradesh, signaling a long-term commitment to India's growing industrial ecosystem.
Major US benchmarks experienced a continuous five-day selloff, resulting in over a trillion dollars loss in share prices. The Nasdaq 100 and S&P 500 indices faced declines, with significant drops in Tesla stock. Concerns over economic factors and market volatility were compounded by deadly attacks and geopolitical tensions, impacting investor sentiment.
Wipro is investing $200 million in its venture arm, Wipro Ventures, to boost its portfolio by supporting early to mid-stage startups. The investment aims to foster technological innovation and collaboration globally, driving progress and creating value for all stakeholders in sectors like financial services, healthcare, energy, and manufacturing.