Krishna Kant, Dev Chatterjee &Amp; Rajesh Bhayani

Stories by Krishna Kant, Dev Chatterjee &Amp; Rajesh Bhayani

Skilling plan laudable, but needs clarity: Biz leaders

Skilling plan laudable, but needs clarity: Biz leaders

Rediff.com   2 Aug 2024

While praising the internship scheme announced in the Budget, India Inc wants clarity on how it will be implemented. The scheme is expected to help companies address the skill gap in employment. Dheeraj Hinduja, chairman, auto major Ashok Leyland, said: "We had started an internship programme at our plant in Pantnagar, which we established in 2010 with colleges there.

India Inc awaits demand uptick to go on capex spree

India Inc awaits demand uptick to go on capex spree

Rediff.com   1 Aug 2024

Chief executive officers (CEOs) across sectors have expressed intentions to expand capacities, expecting the government's target to invest a record Rs 11.11 trillion on infrastructure development will act as a catalyst for a jump in consumer demand. "With the government planning a capex of Rs 11.11 trillion, private sector investment will come in a big way. Companies will be preparing for it right from today," H M Bangur, chairman of Shree Cement, told Business Standard. For the past few years, the investment scene in India has been dominated by government capital expenditures; private investments in the manufacturing sector have remained muted.

Hindujas' RCap purchase hangs fire as deadline looms with payment on hold

Hindujas' RCap purchase hangs fire as deadline looms with payment on hold

Rediff.com   1 Aug 2024

Mauritius-based Hinduja group firm IndusInd International Holdings (IIHL) has informed the administrator of Reliance Capital that it is ready with its equity contribution of Rs 2,750 crore in cash to acquire the bankrupt firm, but it wants certain conditions to be met in accordance with the resolution plan before transferring the amount. IIHL has also filed an application with the Mumbai Bench of the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT), seeking directions for the administrator and the committee of creditors (CoC) to complete all pending activities to close the transaction and not let the lenders invoke the bank guarantees provided by the firm earlier.

Vedanta's Agarwal urges govt to privatise gold mining to boost production

Vedanta's Agarwal urges govt to privatise gold mining to boost production

Rediff.com   29 Jul 2024

Anil Agarwal, chairman of metals major Vedanta group, has called for the sale of government stake in Bharat Gold Mine and Hutti Gold Mine so as to increase production of the yellow metal in the country. In a social media post, Agarwal said global gold prices are currently at record highs and India imports 99.9 per cent of its requirement. "With massive investments, we can be a major producer of gold and a big generator of employment," Agarwal said.

Early-bird net profit growth slowest in 7 qtrs

Early-bird net profit growth slowest in 7 qtrs

Rediff.com   29 Jul 2024

The early-bird results for the April-June quarter of 2024 (Q1FY25) hint at a slowdown in corporate revenues and profits in FY25. Corporate profits might face headwinds from a continued revenue growth slowdown and a reversal in margin gains from lower commodity and energy prices in FY24. The combined net profit (adjusted for exceptional gains and losses) of the 210 companies that have declared their Q1FY25 results so far is down 4.2 per cent from the year-ago period - their worst showing in seven quarters.

Consumer goods firms likely to see an upswing after year of lull

Consumer goods firms likely to see an upswing after year of lull

Rediff.com   24 Jul 2024

The Budget proposals are expected to boost the fortunes of consumer goods and fast-moving consumer goods companies, which have been struggling with poor consumer demand for more than a year. The Budget announcements, such as the increase in standard deduction by Rs 25,000 for income-tax payers and slab revisions, will put more money in their hands, boosting consumer demand. Private consumption is also likely to benefit from a new scheme to offer internships to 10 million youths in the country's top 500 companies.

Temasek likely to invest $10 billion in India in the next three years

Temasek likely to invest $10 billion in India in the next three years

Rediff.com   16 Jul 2024

Singapore government's sovereign wealth fund Temasek is looking to invest $10 billion in India during the next three years, Ravi Lambah, Temasek's head of India and strategic initiatives, said.

Tyger Capital to list by next year, targets Rs 20,000 crore book

Tyger Capital to list by next year, targets Rs 20,000 crore book

Rediff.com   12 Jul 2024

Bain Capital-backed Tyger Capital is planning to list its shares on the Indian stock exchanges by the next financial year and is targeting to grow its assets under management by four times to Rs 20,000 crore in five years from Rs 5,000 crore now, Gaurav Gupta, MD and CEO of the firm said. In an exclusive interview, Gupta said that keeping with the growing business, the finance company expects to on-board 600 people in the current financial year as it is opening 60-65 new branches for broad-basing its network in the country.

LIC's residual stake value surges in top groups on stock market boom

LIC's residual stake value surges in top groups on stock market boom

Rediff.com   8 Jul 2024

Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) has made the most of the stock market boom by reducing stakes in all its top conglomerates during the financial year 2023-2024 (FY24). However, even after reducing exposure, the value of its remaining stake has gone up substantially across all groups, according to data collated from stock exchange filings.

UltraTech acquisition fuels market consolidation talks

UltraTech acquisition fuels market consolidation talks

Rediff.com   5 Jul 2024

Ultratech Cement's acquisition of a 23 per cent stake in Tamil Nadu-based India Cements is another instance of growing consolidation in the cement market in India. The deal will raise Ultratech's share, based on India Cements' revenues in FY24, in the domestic market by 230 basis points if the latter is formally acquired by the former in due course. India Cements' share was up 11.5 per cent on Thursday on market expectations of an open offer.

Sebi Has Strong Case Against Hindenburg

Sebi Has Strong Case Against Hindenburg

Rediff.com   4 Jul 2024

If Hindenburg or its partner do not join the investigation, then Sebi may pass an ex-parte order against it, which may be enforced as a foreign award in US courts.

Adani group to press the pedal on its retail play through super app

Adani group to press the pedal on its retail play through super app

Rediff.com   27 Jun 2024

With an existing consumer base of 400 million across airports, electricity and gas distribution businesses, the Adani group is revving up its retail play. It is planning to use the 2.4 billion consumer interactions a year with group companies to push various products and services. The group has already launched the 'Adani One' super app that will eventually sell products across the spectrum, top executives said.

Bidders of Haldiram Snacks Foods seek clarity on ownership of the brand

Bidders of Haldiram Snacks Foods seek clarity on ownership of the brand

Rediff.com   26 Jun 2024

The prospective bidders of Haldiram Snacks Foods (HSFPL), a leading food firm, have sought clarity on the ownership of the brand as it is currently owned by different family factions. The Delhi and Nagpur families have decided to merge their operations and formed a joint venture to sell part of their stake. On the other hand, the Kolkata family runs its separate, independent operations. Bankers said prospective bidders of the company do not want any confusion over the brand in future. They have sought clarity over usage of the brand.

From bricks to stocks: Indian family houses take leap with new-found wealth

From bricks to stocks: Indian family houses take leap with new-found wealth

Rediff.com   25 Jun 2024

Led by a new generation of entrepreneurs, India's family offices are shifting from traditional investments in physical and tangible assets like real estate to investing in technology, healthcare, and retail stocks. This new wave of family offices is engaging in stock market investments, including pre-IPO placements and secondary market operations. "Born into a world of technology, the next generation, especially those born after 2000, view technology as equally crucial as finance for running a business.

India Inc's top line struggled but profit rose 25% in FY24

India Inc's top line struggled but profit rose 25% in FY24

Rediff.com   17 Jun 2024

The post-Covid pandemic boom in corporate revenues appeared to have faded away in 2023-24. Yet, companies have reported a sharp recovery in their profits in FY24, driven by high margins. Their combined net sales, including gross interest income for lenders, rose by a modest 4.8 per cent year-on-year (Y-o-Y) in FY24.

LIC's Adani group portfolio value surges 51.6% at Rs 66,000 crore

LIC's Adani group portfolio value surges 51.6% at Rs 66,000 crore

Rediff.com   3 Jun 2024

Government-owned Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) has seen substantial gains from its investments in Adani group shares, which have experienced a significant recovery over the past year. The value of LIC's stake in Adani group companies surged by 51.6 per cent, or Rs 22,591 crore, reaching Rs 66,388 crore as of Friday's close. This compares to Rs 43,797 crore on May 31 last year, according to stock exchange data.

Adani group to hit the road this week to raise up to Rs 33,254 crore

Adani group to hit the road this week to raise up to Rs 33,254 crore

Rediff.com   28 May 2024

The Adani group, buoyed by a sharp recovery in its share prices over the past year, is set to embark on a series of roadshows this week to raise up to $4 billion (approximately Rs 33,254 crore) through equity and refinancing of older debt, according to banking sources. The roadshows, scheduled to take place in major cities, will inform investors about the group's investment plans across renewable energy, petrochemicals, and infrastructure development.

'Banks will continue infrastructure projects financing'

'Banks will continue infrastructure projects financing'

Rediff.com   26 May 2024

'Banks make money because they take the right credit calls. So they need to focus on risk mitigation rather than risk avoidance.'

Hindujas' RCap buy faces further delay

Hindujas' RCap buy faces further delay

Rediff.com   24 May 2024

Mauritius-based IndusInd International Holdings and other Hinduja group entities are expected to make payments worth Rs 9,661 crore for the acquisition of bankrupt Reliance Capital (RCap) only after getting all the legal and regulatory clearances, including from the Supreme Court, thus delaying the closure of the transaction. A source close to the development said that according to the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) order dated February 27, the payment for the acquisition was to be made within 90 days from the NCLT's approval of the resolution plan and after receiving all legal and regulatory clearances.