News for 'ICRA'

After showing signs of recovery, pharma sales dip in July

After showing signs of recovery, pharma sales dip in July

Rediff.com11 Aug 2020

Growth has been under pressure since the lockdowns related to Covid-19 started and fresh prescription generations slowed.

Sugarcane dues top Rs 21,000 cr in 2020-21 season with UP leading the way

Sugarcane dues top Rs 21,000 cr in 2020-21 season with UP leading the way

Rediff.com22 Jul 2021

Sugarcane dues accruing to farmers rose to almost Rs 21,321 crore as of May 2021. Of that Rs 18,820 crore is for the cane supplied in the current season, which will end in September, while the remaining Rs 2,501 crore is from previous years. Of the pending sugarcane dues of 2020-21, almost 63 per cent accrues to the poll-bound state of Uttar Pradesh. The remaining are from Maharashtra and others.

Why India's oil import bill is likely to go up

Why India's oil import bill is likely to go up

Rediff.com3 Feb 2022

India must be prepared for a big, fat fuel import bill in FY23 - barring any further avatars of the Covid virus - as refiners crank up runs, or crude processing rates, to meet the growing demand for fuels, and crude prices soar. Capacity additions by an Indian state-run refiner will reinforce the need for foreign crude. Demand for all fuels is expected to increase by 3-8 per cent next fiscal from 2021-22, reaching pre-pandemic levels, according to analysts and industry experts.

Households must prepare for hefty rise in LPG prices

Households must prepare for hefty rise in LPG prices

Rediff.com22 Feb 2022

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman cut fuel subsidies while slapping additional fuel taxes on unblended transport fuels in the latest Union Budget. The former will hit the rural poor, households that secured a subsidised LPG connection under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY), a programme that was partly instrumental in helping the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) win the 2019 general elections. The latter will pretty much hurt the entire population after it kicks in from October. That's what it looks like. Or, perhaps, it's not as it appears to be, at least on the subsidy front.

GST revenue slips below Rs 1 lakh cr in June; hits 10-mth low

GST revenue slips below Rs 1 lakh cr in June; hits 10-mth low

Rediff.com6 Jul 2021

GST revenue for the month of June stood at Rs 92,849 crore, a 2 per cent increase over the same month a year ago, the Finance Ministry said on Tuesday. The gross GST revenue collected in the month of June 2021 stands at Rs 92,849 crore of which central GST is Rs 16,424 crore, state GST Rs 20,397, Integrated GST Rs 49,079 crore (including Rs 25,762 crore collected on import of goods) and cess is Rs 6,949 crore (including Rs 809 crore collected on import of goods), the ministry said. The GST revenues for the month of June 2021 are 2 per cent higher than Rs 90,917 crore collected in June 2020.

Cockpit, cabin crew suffer as fresh Covid wave hits air travel

Cockpit, cabin crew suffer as fresh Covid wave hits air travel

Rediff.com11 May 2021

There were nearly 4,000 cabin crew with Jet when the airline was grounded; every fifth remains without a job to date. One cabin crew member with 10 years of experience has been forced to take up a teaching job; some have branched out into small businesses. Aviation jobs were scarce even before the Covid-19 pandemic arrived on Indian shores in early 2020. The situation has been exacerbated since.

Fiscal deficit numbers not to impact India rating immediately: Moody's

Fiscal deficit numbers not to impact India rating immediately: Moody's

Rediff.com14 Jan 2016

India plans to keep its fiscal deficit within 3.9% of GDP.

Cloud on banking stocks on NPA concerns amid second wave of pandemic

Cloud on banking stocks on NPA concerns amid second wave of pandemic

Rediff.com30 Apr 2021

The Nifty Bank index has come off 15 per cent from its peak in February, underperforming the benchmark Nifty which is down 6%.

Economy shakes off Covid blues; records 0.4% growth in Q3

Economy shakes off Covid blues; records 0.4% growth in Q3

Rediff.com26 Feb 2021

After contracting for two quarters in a row, the Indian economy entered the positive territory with a growth of 0.4 per cent in the October-December quarter, mainly due to good performance by farm, services and construction sectors, official data showed on Friday. Trade and hotel industry registered a contraction of 7.7 per cent during the third quarter this fiscal, as the sectors continued to suffer on account of coronavirus pandemic. According to the data released by the National Statistical Office (NSO), the farm sector recorded a growth of 3.9 per cent, and the manufacturing sector output grew by 1.6 per cent in the quarter under review.

Despite DeMo & GST, commercial vehicle makers expect to grow over 20%

Despite DeMo & GST, commercial vehicle makers expect to grow over 20%

Rediff.com10 May 2018

The demand has gradually shifted from 16-tonners to 25-tonners and is further shifting in favour of 31-t and 37-t trucks.

Corporate bond yields may come under pressure over AT-1 bond rule

Corporate bond yields may come under pressure over AT-1 bond rule

Rediff.com22 Mar 2021

This is a key reason for the finance ministry's objection to fixing the tenure at 100 years, as it is pushing PSBs to be self-dependent and raise funds from the market, reports Hamsini Karthik.

Debt profile worsens for V G Siddhartha's unlisted private companies

Debt profile worsens for V G Siddhartha's unlisted private companies

Rediff.com1 Aug 2019

The financials of six privately held companies associated with Siddhartha show an increase in debt and falling ability to meet short-term obligations.

As Jet defaults on loan, its credit rating slips to 'D'

As Jet defaults on loan, its credit rating slips to 'D'

Rediff.com3 Jan 2019

Over the past several months, the airline has struggled to pay vendors and staff salaries on time.

Why banks are hesitant to lend more to real estate sector

Why banks are hesitant to lend more to real estate sector

Rediff.com25 Feb 2019

Owing to the risk perception attached with the segment by banks, the residential realty segment has been increasingly relying on non-banking financial companies and housing finance companies to raise debt financing, reports Abhijit Lele.

Fiscal impact of stimulus to be around 0.25-0.6% of GDP in FY21: Experts

Fiscal impact of stimulus to be around 0.25-0.6% of GDP in FY21: Experts

Rediff.com12 Nov 2020

Welcoming the latest round of stimulus announced by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday, experts said the measures will support the economic recovery boosting demand, job creation and by providing funds to the MSME and stressed sectors. The fiscal impact of the stimulus is likely to be around 0.25-0.6 per cent of GDP in the current fiscal, they said.

Commercial vehicle sales seen growing 7-9% this year

Commercial vehicle sales seen growing 7-9% this year

Rediff.com3 Jul 2019

The demand environment is expected to improve over the next three quarters, aided by a recovery in demand from the construction sector, following release of payments to contractors after elections.

Medium, heavy duty trucks sales down 20% in Nov

Medium, heavy duty trucks sales down 20% in Nov

Rediff.com4 Dec 2018

Combined sales at top four manufacturers - Tata Motors, Ashok Leyland, Volvo Eicher Commercial Vehicles, and Mahindra and Mahindra - dropped 20 per cent to 20,324 units in November

RBI asked to maintain inflation target of 4% till March 2026

RBI asked to maintain inflation target of 4% till March 2026

Rediff.com31 Mar 2021

The government on Wednesday asked the Reserve Bank to maintain retail inflation at 4 per cent with a margin of 2 per cent on either side for another five-year period ending March 2026. To control the price rise, the government in 2016 gave a mandate to the RBI to keep the retail inflation at 4 per cent with a margin of 2 per cent on either side for a five-year period ending March 31, 2021.

How India's handset makers are planning a comeback

How India's handset makers are planning a comeback

Rediff.com30 Oct 2020

At least two of them - Lava and Micromax - are arming themselves against the Chinese rivals which made them insignificant in the local market over the past few years.

Fitch cuts growth forecast to 10%, says rapid vaccination to support revival

Fitch cuts growth forecast to 10%, says rapid vaccination to support revival

Rediff.com7 Jul 2021

Fitch Ratings on Wednesday cut India's growth forecast to 10 per cent for the current fiscal, from 12.8 per cent estimated earlier, due to slowing recovery post second wave of COVID-19, and said rapid vaccination could support a sustainable revival in business and consumer confidence. In a report, the global rating agency said the challenges for banking sector posed by the coronavirus pandemic have increased due to a virulent second wave in the first quarter of the financial year ending March 2022 (FY22). "Fitch Ratings revised down India's real GDP for FY22 by 280bp to 10 per cent, underlining our belief that renewed restrictions have slowed recovery efforts and left banks with a moderately worse outlook for business and revenue generation in FY22," it said. Fitch believes that rapid vaccination could support a sustainable revival in business and consumer confidence; however, without it, economic recovery would remain vulnerable to further waves and lockdowns.

Inflation likely to pinch consumer pocket less in 2022

Inflation likely to pinch consumer pocket less in 2022

Rediff.com27 Dec 2021

Spiralling prices pinched the pocket of consumer as edible oil, fuel and many other commodities turned dearer this year amid pandemic-induced disruptions but the inflationary pressure is anticipated to ease, though marginally, in the coming months. As consumers, at retail as well as wholesale levels, are willy-nilly learning to live with the new normal of curbs to contain the spread of coronavirus infections, experts are of the view that elevated inflation is likely to stay longer. After dealing with the devastating blows from the second COVID wave, especially during the April-June period, the economy is well on the revival path but the emergence of Omicron might unsettle the recovery trajectory in the short term.

Govt rules out fresh PSB merger proposal

Govt rules out fresh PSB merger proposal

Rediff.com3 Aug 2021

Experts attribute the lower target to increased allocation under the credit guarantee scheme for small businesses. Out of the Rs 3.21 trillion worth loans sanctioned under the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY) in the last financial year, Rs 3.12 trillion were disbursed to entrepreneurs, according to official data.

Economists divided over Economic Survey's projections

Economists divided over Economic Survey's projections

Rediff.com29 Jan 2021

However, Icra Rating Principal Economist Aditi Nayar feels that the numbers are a bit too optimistic and need real heavy-lifting by the Centre and the states. "The survey forecasts on real and nominal GDP will require a substantial push from Central and state spending as private sector capacity expansion is anticipated to be intermittent, and sector-specific in the next couple of quarters," she said. Nayar added that private consumption is likely to chart a differentiated recovery across income and age groups. Based on the comments made in the Survey, she expects the Union Budget to incorporate a growth in gross tax revenue of 15-16 per cent.

Note ban: MFIs seek more time for loan repayments

Note ban: MFIs seek more time for loan repayments

Rediff.com3 Apr 2017

In December 2016, RBI had granted additional 60 days for repayment of certain loans

Achche din eludes both Centre and states

Achche din eludes both Centre and states

Rediff.com28 Nov 2017

Data released earlier by CAG shows capital expenditure by the Centre had contracted 9.2 per cent in Q2

Covid impact: Imports of digital thermometers rise 2,410%

Covid impact: Imports of digital thermometers rise 2,410%

Rediff.com27 Jul 2021

From Covid-19 essentials, such as Vitamin C supplements and thermometers, to bicycles, laptops, and personal weighing scales, demand for certain items galloped during last financial year as the pandemic altered what Indians used on a day-to-day basis. Imports of outdoor sports equipment, handbags for women, and dentures, among others, plummeted. With outdoor activities coming to a halt last year and schools functioning virtually, imports of sports goods witnessed a decline, while inbound shipments of laptops and battery chargers saw a sharp uptick, according to the import data for the financial year 2020-21.

Euphoria over 20.1% Growth is MISPLACED

Euphoria over 20.1% Growth is MISPLACED

Rediff.com1 Sep 2021

The growth in the contact-intensive portion of the economy trailed our expectation, highlighting how imperative it is for confidence to improve, either through accelerated vaccinations or otherwise, to drive a sustainable recovery in these sectors, asserts Aditi Nayar.

NBFCs Are No Longer Shadow Banks

NBFCs Are No Longer Shadow Banks

Rediff.com11 Jan 2022

New norms are in place to strengthen regulations for this set of lenders which has been playing a critical role in Asia's third largest economy, notes Tamal Bandyopadhyay.

Auto-debit bounces dip in July as financial stress eases

Auto-debit bounces dip in July as financial stress eases

Rediff.com18 Aug 2021

In an indication of easing financial stress among borrowers, the number of unsuccessful auto-debit requests through the National Automated Clearing House (NACH) platform declined in July, reversing a three-month trend that started with the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic. According to the NACH data, of the 86.4-million transactions initiated in July, 33.23 per cent, or 28.7 million transactions, failed, while 57.7 million were successful. Compared to June, this is a significant improvement in bounce rates.

RBI wants government to cut fuel tax to ease inflation

RBI wants government to cut fuel tax to ease inflation

Rediff.com6 Feb 2021

'Pump prices of petrol and diesel have reached historical highs. An unwinding of taxes on petroleum products by both the Centre and the states could ease the cost-push pressures,' the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) has said.

Govt to infuse Rs 14,500 crore in 4 banks, issue recapitalisation bonds

Govt to infuse Rs 14,500 crore in 4 banks, issue recapitalisation bonds

Rediff.com1 Apr 2021

Zero-coupon bonds don't give out interest but are issued at a deep discount to the face value, making it difficult to ascertain the net present value.

Economists sceptical about Sitharaman's Covid stimulus

Economists sceptical about Sitharaman's Covid stimulus

Rediff.com29 Jun 2021

Direct economic stimulus measures such as tax cuts for individuals and industry would have helped to prop up the Indian economy which was hit hard by the lockdowns across several states in India, say economists and corporate leaders. While the measures announced on Monday are focussed more on the supply side, these steps would take a lot of time to move the needle for the economy.

Why stock brokers are an unhappy lot today

Why stock brokers are an unhappy lot today

Rediff.com26 Apr 2019

As share of cash volumes in trading mix sees decline, it will result in moderation of profitability from core broking operations.

The negative effect of MSP hike

The negative effect of MSP hike

Rediff.com11 Jul 2018

Indian cotton and paddy could see their competitiveness in international markets take a hit

Ramdev's Patanjali plans growth via bank borrowings

Ramdev's Patanjali plans growth via bank borrowings

Rediff.com22 Feb 2017

Yoga guru Ramdev's company to invest Rs 5,000 crore in four units in the next 500 days to boost production.

Double whammy for economy: Industrial production contracts, inflation rises

Double whammy for economy: Industrial production contracts, inflation rises

Rediff.com12 Mar 2021

Industrial production re-entered the negative territory by contracting 1.6 per cent in January, mainly on account of the decline in output of capital goods, manufacturing and mining sectors. The output of the manufacturing sector -- which constitutes 77.6 per cent of the Index of Industrial Production (IIP) -- shrank by 2 per cent in January, as against a growth of 1.8 per cent during the same month last fiscal, as per data released by the government on Friday. The worst performance was witnessed by the capital goods sector, which recorded a contraction of 9.6 per cent during the month under review, compared to a 4.4 per cent decline a year ago.

Normal monsoon to boost stocks of agri-related companies

Normal monsoon to boost stocks of agri-related companies

Rediff.com27 Apr 2021

Agriculture activity, according to recent channel checks by Prabhudas Lilladher, is expected to continue at a strong pace in FY22.

Is the worst over for Indian banks?

Is the worst over for Indian banks?

Rediff.com24 Mar 2022

Is the worst over for Indian banks? The past two years saw them ride on treasury trades as deposits soared and credit growth dipped sharply. Gross and net non-performing assets (NPAs) moved south, and the provision coverage ratio (PCR), capital buffers, and profitability indicators are back at pre-pandemic levels. So, what's the plot ahead?

IIP grows 1% in Dec; retail inflation cools to 16-month low of 4.06% in Jan

IIP grows 1% in Dec; retail inflation cools to 16-month low of 4.06% in Jan

Rediff.com12 Feb 2021

India's industrial production grew by 1 per cent in December, official data showed on Friday. According to the Index of Industrial Production (IIP) data, the manufacturing sector output grew by 1.6 per cent in December 2020.