The Reserve Bank of India may lower policy rates by 50 bps in the first half of 2025, following a recent liquidity easing and CRR reduction. This move is expected to support growth but could temporarily impact bank earnings and asset quality. SMEs and the MFI segment may face ongoing stress.
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7-Eleven's parent company, Seven & i Holdings, is exploring store sell-offs with Canadian firm Alimentation Couche-Tard (ACT) to address antitrust concerns and a potential merger. Joint efforts by financial advisors are underway to find buyers, aiming to create a feasible divestiture plan. This follows measures to counter ACT's takeover bid, previously rejected for undervaluation.
Magma General Insurance’s board has approved an agreement for Patanjali Ayurved and foundations to acquire a controlling stake, valued at Rs 4,500 crore, pending regulatory approvals. Patanjali, led by Baba Ramdev, and DS Group aim to inject capital to expand operations. Adar Poonawalla expressed confidence in the continued growth under the new ownership.
Aragen Life Science, formerly GVK Biosciences, secures a $100 million investment from healthcare-focused private equity fund Quadria Capital. The investment will support Aragen’s strategic expansion and infrastructure development to meet growing demand for outsourcing services from US and Europe innovators. This move positions Aragen strongly in the pharmaceutical outsourcing market, enhancing its capabilities and accelerating program delivery.
Punjab and Sind Bank plans to raise Rs 2,000 crore through Qualified Institutional Placement this quarter, reducing government holding by 3-4%. The government currently holds a 98.25% stake. This fundraising will boost the capital adequacy ratio by March 2025. The bank's net profit surged to Rs 282 crore in Q3, 2024, as bad loans declined.
Industry and law firms have suggested increasing the FDI cap for R&D and security agencies, liberalizing regulations for agriculture, and streamlining investment rules from China. These suggestions were discussed in a DPIIT consultation to make the overall investment regime in India more attractive, ahead of the Union Budget on February 1.
Small businesses in India's manufacturing, trade, and services sectors employed over 12 crore workers between October 2023 and September 2024, adding more than one crore employees since 2022-23, according to the Annual Survey of Unincorporated Sector Enterprises. The number of establishments grew by 12.8%, with significant contributions from the services sector. Female-owned enterprises and internet usage also saw notable increases.
Indian equity markets surged on Friday, mirroring a global rebound and fueled by value buying across sectors. The Sensex soared over 1244 points, while the Nifty 50 climbed more than 400 points, driven by positive domestic cues and expectations of steady inflation. Experts suggest long-term investors consider selective buying in financials and pharmaceuticals.
Sebi warned Ola Electric after founder Bhavish Aggarwal posted on social media about expansion plans before notifying stock exchanges. Aggarwal announced the target to expand retail stores from 800 to 4,000 by December 20, breaching regulations on timely disclosure of price-sensitive information.
Jubilant Bhartia Group is set to acquire a 40% stake in Hindustan Coca-Cola Holdings (HCCH), the parent company of India's largest Coca-Cola bottler, for over Rs 10,000 crore. This investment reflects the group's confidence in India's growing beverage market and aligns with their expansion strategy into high-growth sectors. The deal awaits regulatory approval.
Indian startups saw a funding revival in 2024, reaching $11.3 billion, slightly up from $10.7 billion in 2023. While VC firms have ample capital, they are cautiously deploying funds, prioritizing profitability and strong governance. Zepto led funding with $1.4 billion, but overall deal closures were uneven throughout the year. Investors remain optimistic about India's growth potential.