News for 'Materials and Energy'

Iranian Nuclear Deterrent On the Horizon

Iranian Nuclear Deterrent On the Horizon

Rediff.com17 Jun 2024

The crises of the 21st century, 9/11, the economic meltdown, COVID-19, Russia-Iran war and the Hamas-Israel war seem to be never ending. In this situation, Iran might be contemplating a nuclear deterrent to defend itself, observes Ambassador T P Sreenivasan, the distinguished long-time Rediff contributor who turns 80 on June 17..

India's maiden critical mineral auctions: Who are the participants?

India's maiden critical mineral auctions: Who are the participants?

Rediff.com27 Jun 2024

India on Monday announced the results for the country's first critical mineral auction. Amid the tepid response from big players, the list of successful bidders included some lesser known names. A total of five companies secured bids for six critical mineral blocks of graphite, manganese, phosphorite, lithium, and rare earth elements with auction premiums ranging from 13.05 per cent to 400 per cent.

'Tax Relief For Middle Class Will Boost Markets'

'Tax Relief For Middle Class Will Boost Markets'

Rediff.com1 Jul 2024

'Like every Budget, this time, too, there is chatter around tinkering with the long-term capital gains tax.' 'Investors may not want to jump into the markets until there is clarity on this front.'

Boxer Nikhat keeping distractions aside ahead of date with destiny

Boxer Nikhat keeping distractions aside ahead of date with destiny

Rediff.com8 May 2024

'Basically, I have hit energy saving mode, indulge my sweet tooth on cheat days, do grocery shopping, listen to music, it helps me stay calm.'

Outlook healthy for UltraTech amidst higher competition, revenue grows 8%

Outlook healthy for UltraTech amidst higher competition, revenue grows 8%

Rediff.com1 Feb 2024

UltraTech Cement's third quarter of financial year 2023-24 (Q3FY24) performance saw a combination of 6 per cent year-on-year (Y-o-Y) volume growth and 8 per cent revenue growth coupled with better realisations per tonne. The earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation (Ebitda) stood at Rs 3,250 crore and Ebitda per tonne was Rs 1,191. Profit after tax (PAT) was reported at Rs 1,780 crore. Other income dipped and interest costs rose.

Union Budget 2024 remains largely neutral for stock markets in India

Union Budget 2024 remains largely neutral for stock markets in India

Rediff.com25 Jul 2024

Overall market reaction to the Budget was neutral. Investors absorbed the changes to the tax rates (positive for salaried class) and capital gains taxes (CGTs, negative due to the removal of indexation and increases. Other proposals largely pertain to supporting rural development, buybacks taxed as dividends, Custom duty changes that impact multiple sectors, higher outlays for clean energy, etc. There's some moderation in the growth of capex outlay across defence, fer

Are Russia, Ukraine On Brink Of Nuclear Conflict?

Are Russia, Ukraine On Brink Of Nuclear Conflict?

Rediff.com2 Sep 2024

With the fight now having been taken to the seizure of nuclear plants, it is one more warning to Europe that this prolonged war could end up with disastrous consequences, observes Rashme Sehgal

Auto, BFSI dominated Q4 earnings circuit

Auto, BFSI dominated Q4 earnings circuit

Rediff.com25 Jun 2024

Operating margins have been the primary driver of corporate earnings in India in recent quarters, despite revenue growth suffering from weak consumer demand. Companies across sectors have reported a sharp improvement in earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortisation (Ebitda) margins over the past two years, benefiting from lower commodity and energy prices. Higher margins more than compensated for slower revenue growth, resulting in double-digit growth in net profit for five consecutive quarters.

Companies Join Battle Against Sugar, Salt

Companies Join Battle Against Sugar, Salt

Rediff.com15 Jul 2024

Mondelez, Coca-Cola, PepsiCo and Nestle India have been working on bringing down the sugar, salt, and sodium content.

Reliance, Tata on TIME's list of world's most influential companies

Reliance, Tata on TIME's list of world's most influential companies

Rediff.com30 May 2024

Billionaire Mukesh Ambani's Reliance Industries and Tata Group have made it to the prestigious TIME's list of 100 World's Most Influential Companies of 2024. TIME called Reliance 'India's Juggernaut'. This is the second time that Reliance has found its way into the TIME list. Jio Platforms, the firm that holds digital properties of the conglomerate, was included in the inaugural TIME 100 Most Influential Companies List of 2021. Serum Institute is the other Indian company on the list.

The major decisions taken by the GST Council

The major decisions taken by the GST Council

Rediff.com22 Jun 2024

In order to reduce government litigations, the Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday said the GST Council has fixed a monetary limit for filing appeals by the tax department before the various appellate authorities. It has recommended a monetary limit of Rs 20 lakh for GST Appellate Tribunal, Rs 1 crore for the High Court and Rs 2 crore for the Supreme Court for filing of appeals by the department before these legal forums, she said after the 53rd GST Council meeting held in New Delhi.

Gains in tech firm ABB India may sustain on strong margin outlook

Gains in tech firm ABB India may sustain on strong margin outlook

Rediff.com21 May 2024

ABB India's March quarter results (Q1CY24) were led by strong margin performance. Revenue was, however, largely in line with estimates at Rs 3,080 crore (up 28 per cent Y-o-Y and up 12 per cent Q-o-Q). The growth was across electrification (30 per cent Y-o-Y), process automation (73 per cent Y-o-Y) and robotics & motion (8 per cent Y-o-Y).

Invest In Stocks, Gold Or Bitcoin?

Invest In Stocks, Gold Or Bitcoin?

Rediff.com17 Jul 2024

'We expect market consolidation and recommend buying during market dips.'

Tackling Heatwaves In Cities

Tackling Heatwaves In Cities

Rediff.com26 Jun 2024

As Singapore, New York and Melbourne have shown, cities can mitigate the impact of heatwaves if they have the will to create green infrastructure, explain Amit Kapoor & Bibek Debroy.

Rediff's Wave Rider Retires!

Rediff's Wave Rider Retires!

Rediff.com1 Nov 2024

We asked colleagues, present and past, to reflect on a man who has made such a difference to their lives and careers. Here it is then, a rich collection of memories that offer enchanting glimpses of the enigmatic Ajit Balakrishnan.

Want To Invest In Infrastructure Funds?

Want To Invest In Infrastructure Funds?

Rediff.com1 Jul 2024

'Investors should not go for lump-sum investments in infrastructure funds at this point.' 'The SIP route is the best to avoid any major disappointment.'

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.com17 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.

Cleaner Fuels Driving One-Fifth Of PVs Sold In India

Cleaner Fuels Driving One-Fifth Of PVs Sold In India

Rediff.com18 Jun 2024

Auto manufacturers have focused on launching CNG variants of their popular models to meet consumer demand for vehicles with lower running costs.

Dil Dosti Dilemma Review: Sweet

Dil Dosti Dilemma Review: Sweet

Rediff.com25 Apr 2024

Dil Dosti Dilemma is a coming-of-age series without profanity, and that by itself breaks the current mould, observes Deepa Gahlot.

'Can We In Our Businesses Set An Example?'

'Can We In Our Businesses Set An Example?'

Rediff.com10 Oct 2024

'I think some of us, like Mukesh Ambani, myself and those of us who head industrial units, ought to really focus on what we can really do to make the world a safer place, maybe 50 or 100 years from now.' 'For instance, how can we deal with climate change and global warming, right now?' 'The effects of it may not be felt now; in fact, we may pay a price for it today, but it will help the generations to follow.'

Modi most successful PM, is nationalist and internationalist, says Ambani

Modi most successful PM, is nationalist and internationalist, says Ambani

Rediff.com10 Jan 2024

Narendra Modi is India's most successful prime minister and the greatest global leader of current generation, billionaire Mukesh Ambani said on Wednesday as he flaunted his group Reliance Industries' Gujarati heritage and its over USD 150 billion (Rs 12 lakh crore) investment in last 10 years.

2023 likely to be another volatile year for Indian equity markets

2023 likely to be another volatile year for Indian equity markets

Rediff.com14 Dec 2022

2023 could be another volatile year for Indian equity markets, according to BofA. In a report, the brokerage pointed out that the Nifty50, at present, is trading at 20.7x against its long-term average of 18.8x one-year forward earnings of current Nifty constituents. Plus, India is trading at a 98 per cent premium to its emerging market (EM) peers against its long-term average of 45 per cent.

What if Tehran blocks Strait of Hormuz...

What if Tehran blocks Strait of Hormuz...

Rediff.com21 Apr 2024

Oil and LNG prices are likely to shoot up if Iran is to block Strait of Hormuz, through which countries like India import crude oil from Saudi Arabia, Iraq and UAE, leading to a spike in inflation, analysts said on the Iran-Israel conflict. The Iran and Israel conflict has escalated over the last few days. Iran first launched drone and rocket attacks on Israel, which retaliated by firing a missile. Crude oil prices have hovered around USD 90 per barrel since the conflict.

No salary for Akash, Isha and Anant Ambani; fee for attending board meetings

No salary for Akash, Isha and Anant Ambani; fee for attending board meetings

Rediff.com26 Sep 2023

While Ambani, 66, drew nil salary from the company since the 2020-21 fiscal year, other executive directors including his cousins Nikhil and Hital are paid a salary, perquisites, allowances and commission. His three children - twins Akash and Isha (both 31) and Anant (28 years) - will get only a sitting fee and a commission on the profit earned by the firm.

How India Can Rival China As Production Platform

How India Can Rival China As Production Platform

Rediff.com28 Jul 2023

We have the workforce, now we need to ensure that we take full advantage of game-changing technologies and geopolitical openings, suggests Jayant Sinha, chairman, Parliament's Standing Committee on Finance.

Chandrayaan's Pragyan rover finds Sulphur on Moon, detects oxygen

Chandrayaan's Pragyan rover finds Sulphur on Moon, detects oxygen

Rediff.com29 Aug 2023

The Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscope instrument onboard 'Pragyan' rover of Chandrayaan-3 has 'unambiguously confirmed the presence of sulphur in the lunar surface near south pole, through first-ever in-situ measurements,' ISRO said on Tuesday.

After Moon and Sun, ISRO's next frontier: astronomy

After Moon and Sun, ISRO's next frontier: astronomy

Rediff.com2 Sep 2023

XPoSat or X-ray Polarimeter Satellite is India's first dedicated polarimetry mission to study various dynamics of bright astronomical X-ray sources in extreme conditions.

Windfall profit tax on crude oil hiked

Windfall profit tax on crude oil hiked

Rediff.com31 Oct 2023

The government on Tuesday increased the windfall profit tax on crude oil produced in the country and reduced the levy on exports of diesel. The tax, levied in the form of Special Additional Excise Duty or SAED, on domestically produced crude oil was increased to Rs 9,800 per tonne from Rs 9,050 a tonne, according to an official notification. SAED on the export of diesel was reduced to Rs 2 per litre from Rs 4 a litre and on jet fuel or ATF to nil from Rs 1, the notification said.

Sensex ends 74 pts lower; Yes Bank plunges 7.11%

Sensex ends 74 pts lower; Yes Bank plunges 7.11%

Rediff.com20 Aug 2019

Sectorally, BSE metal, basic materials, energy, realty, power, oil and gas, finance, FMCG, bankex and telecom indices fell up to 1.71 per cent.

'Manthan Never Looked As Good As It Does Now'

'Manthan Never Looked As Good As It Does Now'

Rediff.com15 May 2024

'The problems that the film explores still remain. It was a different time when we made the film. We were young and we thought we could change the world.'

Anil Agarwal to demerge 5 businesses of Vedanta, restructure zinc unit

Anil Agarwal to demerge 5 businesses of Vedanta, restructure zinc unit

Rediff.com29 Sep 2023

Mining magnate Anil Agarwal's conglomerate on Friday announced a major business shake-up, with flagship Vedanta Ltd approving a spin-off of its metals, power, aluminium and oil and gas businesses into separate listed entities and an overhaul of lucrative zinc unit planned as part of value creation and reducing debt load. Vedanta will issue one share of the five demerged businesses for every share held in the company, the firm said in a statement. The entire exercise, which would require shareholder and lender approval as well as a nod from the stock exchanges and courts, is expected to be completed in 12-15 months, its president for finance Ajay Agarwal said.

Sugar made from solar energy!

Sugar made from solar energy!

Rediff.com17 Mar 2010

In what could be claimed a major breakthrough, scientists have produced sugar from solar energy, using plant, bacterial, frog and fungal enzymes.

Future of Reliance belongs to Akash, Isha, Anant, and...: Ambani

Future of Reliance belongs to Akash, Isha, Anant, and...: Ambani

Rediff.com28 Dec 2023

Having created businesses ranging from world's largest single-location oil refining complex to nation's largest mobile network operators in just few years, billionaire Mukesh Ambani says his group Reliance Industries Ltd will never be complacent and will grow to be among the top 10 business conglomerates of the world. Addressing employees on Reliance Family Day - the birthday of the group's founder Dhirubhai Ambani, he said Reliance is now aiming to consolidate a place among global leaders in digital data platforms and AI adoption. "Today, the domestic and global environments for business are changing very fast.

Quest for material prosperity should not compromise environment: PM

Quest for material prosperity should not compromise environment: PM

Rediff.com5 Jun 2018

Chairing the plenary session of an event to celebrate the World Environment Day 2018, being hosted by India, he said India's traditions have for long underlined the importance of living in harmony with nature.

Who Will Take Over The Godrej Empires?

Who Will Take Over The Godrej Empires?

Rediff.com6 May 2024

Pirojsha Godrej, 43, patriarch Adi Godrej's son, is set to take over as chairman of the Godrej Industries Group from 2026 whol Nyrika Holkar, Smita Godrej Crishna's 42-year-old daughter, has emerged as the face of the Godrej Enterprises Group.

Making Drones For India's Villages

Making Drones For India's Villages

Rediff.com16 May 2024

'From our survey we found that there was a problem in the agricultural sector and drones could solve the problem.'

Improving working capital, project execution key to rally in BHEL's stock

Improving working capital, project execution key to rally in BHEL's stock

Rediff.com10 Dec 2023

Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (BHEL) is India's largest engineering and manufacturing enterprise, operating across energy, industry, and infrastructure sectors. The investment path for the stock is based on a large order backlog, continued strong order inflows, and rising power demand, which should push demand for BHEL's equipment and services. BHEL has historically held over 70 per cent market share in power projects.

What companies have promised to invest in Gujarat

What companies have promised to invest in Gujarat

Rediff.com10 Jan 2024

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said the world looks at India as an important pillar of stability, a trusted friend, an engine of growth in the global economy, a technology hub for finding solutions and a powerhouse of talented youth. He also said that in the rapidly changing world order, India is moving forward as 'vishwa mitra' (friend of the world). Speaking at the inauguration of the 10th edition of the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit, which saw participation of state hea

Ambani scions get seats on Reliance board

Ambani scions get seats on Reliance board

Rediff.com27 Oct 2023

Shareholders have given approval to the appointment of Ambani scions Akash, Isha and Anant on board of Reliance Industries, the company said in a stock exchange filing.