Businesses in India's household durables segment are expected to see some moderation in revenue growth in the just-concluded October-December quarter, asserted HSBC Global Research in a thematic report ahead of the impending earning updates.
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Moody’s Ratings expects significant foreign direct investment in the insurance sector if the government increases the FDI limit to 100% from 74%. This move, along with improving margins, can attract more foreign insurers, especially with the proposal allowing monoline and composite insurance companies. State-owned insurers' margins have improved due to recent government decisions.
EET Fuels, operating as Essar Oil (UK), secures $350 million in new bank and upsized trade credit financing, including $150 million from Afreximbank. This fund aims to reduce carbon emissions by 95% and develop Stanlow as an energy transition hub, focusing on industrial carbon capture and low carbon hydrogen production.
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell stated that the central bank will keep interest rates unchanged, citing ongoing inflation above the 2% target and a strong job market. Although future rate cuts are uncertain, Powell emphasized the prudence of maintaining the current policy stance amidst economic changes under the Trump administration.
Reliance Consumer Products has acquired the Sil brand, specializing in packaged food items, from Food Service India. This move intensifies market competition with major players like Hindustan Unilever. Reliance plans to revitalize the 75-year-old brand while expanding its market presence, focusing only on the brand and not its manufacturing units or employees.
The finance ministry is preparing for Union budget 2025 with potential reforms in healthcare, insurance, and taxation. A State Bank of India report recommends increasing healthcare spending to 5% of GDP, exempting GST and taxes on insurance premiums, and rationalizing GST on medical devices.
The US trade deficit narrowed by 6.1% to $122.7 billion in February before President Trump launched new tariffs. US exports rose while imports remained nearly unchanged. Analysts expect these tariffs to impact businesses' supply chains and costs, potentially affecting imports and exports in the coming months as new tariffs take effect.
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.
India's military modernization continues in a slow and haphazard manner with a modest 9.5% hike in the defence budget. The capital expenditure for acquisitions and infrastructure saw only a 4.6% increase, while the revenue outlay for operational costs and salaries remains almost double the capital provision.
A strong March rally is now uncertain as Foreign Institutional Investors sold off over Rs 10,255 crore in Indian stocks. As markets await US President Trump's tariff announcement, concerns about potential global risks loom. Experts suggest that while volatility may persist, long-term investors could cautiously start deploying capital, given India's robust economic fundamentals.
Peter Schiff warns that Bitcoin could crash to $20,000 if the Nasdaq enters a bear market. He emphasizes the historical correlation between Bitcoin and Nasdaq declines, while also pointing out gold’s potential rise as an alternative safe haven.