The government expressed concern over wage growth lagging behind corporate profitability, which reached a 15-year high last fiscal. Large companies saw significant profit increases, while employee expenses grew at a slower rate. Weak real wage growth could slow demand and increase income inequality, highlighting the need for a fairer income distribution between capital and labor to ensure long-term economic stability.
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HCLTech CEO C Vijayakumar highlights that while the demand for skilled IT professionals and higher billing rates will continue, revenue growth might outpace headcount additions. The company reduced its fresher recruitment target, stressing the importance of embracing generative AI for incremental value.
Apple has unveiled a $500 billion investment plan for the US over the next four years, which includes a significant AI server factory in Texas and 20,000 new R&D jobs. This initiative aligns with Apple's ongoing commitment to American innovation and manufacturing. CEO Tim Cook's announcement follows a recent meeting with President Trump, amid ongoing US tariffs on Chinese goods.
NCLT has ordered the liquidation of GoAir after lenders' request as the airline, grounded since May 2023, failed to revive under insolvency laws. GoAir owes over Rs 6,521 crore to creditors like Central Bank of India and Deutsche Bank. Starting operations in 2005, it joins the list of defunct Indian airlines including Air Deccan and Kingfisher.
Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL) reported a 1.4% increase in revenue for Q3, reaching Rs 15,408 crore, despite weak demand in urban areas due to high food inflation. The company's net profit surged 19% to Rs 3,001 crore, thanks to gains from the sale of its Pureit business. Consumers have been opting for smaller product packs across various segments.
India's forex reserves have fallen for six consecutive weeks, hitting a 10-month low of $625.87 billion due to the RBI's intervention to stabilize the rupee. Despite this, reserves are still sufficient to cover over 11 months of imports, with the RBI actively ensuring market stability.
Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd (HPCL) reported a significant increase in its December quarter net profit to Rs 2,543.65 crore due to higher marketing margins. Despite unchanged income from operations, profits soared thanks to the retail fuel price freeze and operational efficiencies in refining and marketing divisions.
Consumer complaints related to loans and advances rose 43%, representing 29% of the total grievances against RBI-regulated entities in FY24, according to the Reserve Bank's Integrated Ombudsman Scheme report. Overall complaints increased by 33%, with a notable rise in grievances related to mobile and internet banking and deposit accounts.
Car companies like Tata Motors, Maruti Suzuki, Mahindra & Mahindra, and JSW MG are preparing extensive charging infrastructures to support their electric vehicles. These initiatives include home chargers and robust public networks, with Maruti targeting charging stations in 1,000 cities and Tata expanding collaborations with charge point operators to install over 10,000 public chargers.
Singapore’s Temasek acquires a 9-10% stake in Haldiram Snacks Foods for over Rs 8,500 crore, valuing the company at around $10 billion. The deal, signed on March 11, marks a significant move in India’s FMCG sector, highlighting increased foreign investment. Discussions with Blackstone and Alpha Wave Global for an additional 5% stake are still ongoing.
Despite reaching record highs in 2024, Sensex and Nifty are now about 10% off peak levels due to global and domestic factors. Advisers recommend a focus on large-cap, flexi-cap, and debt-oriented balanced advantage funds, while continuing SIPs to benefit from possible future rallies amid market volatility.