IMF Chief Predicts India's Economic Slowdown in 2025

HDFC Asset Management Company (HDFC AMC), Network18 Media, and nine other companies are set to announce their Q3 earnings today. Investors are keenly watching HDFC AMC's performance, as it plays a pivotal role in India's mutual fund industry. Network18’s results will shed light on trends in the media sector. Other companies include Aarti Surfactants, Best Agrolife, and Jayant Agro Organics. These reports are expected to highlight the impact of market volatility on diverse sectors. Analysts and stakeholders anticipate detailed updates on growth strategies and operational efficiencies.

TikTok has denied claims of selling its US operations to Elon Musk, calling it "pure fiction." Reports suggested Beijing officials might consider Musk as a buyer if ByteDance fails to prevent a ban by January 19. With over 170 million US users, TikTok faces pressure to sell its US stake under a new law. Bloomberg hinted at Musk's X (formerly Twitter) merging with TikTok to boost ad revenue. However, legal, technological, and political hurdles remain. President-elect Trump seeks a resolution to balance national security with users' rights before taking office on January 20.

Apple has achieved a significant milestone, exporting iPhones worth ₹1.08 lakh crore ($12.8 billion) from India in 2024, a 42% year-on-year increase. Local production also surged by 46%, reaching ₹1.48 lakh crore ($17.5 billion). Local value addition grew to 15-20% from 5-8%, driven by the government's PLI scheme for smartphones. In 2023, Apple exported $9 billion, representing 75% of domestic production. With iPhone sales expected to rise 20% to 15 million units in 2025, Apple aims for $30 billion annual production, raising India’s global iPhone share to over 26%.

Afcons Infrastructure Ltd., part of the Shapoorji Pallonji Group, saw its shares partially recover after emerging as the lowest bidder for Rs 4,800 crore worth of road projects in Pune.

These include the Pune Ring Road (East) Packages PRR E5 and E7, valued at Rs 2,718.50 crore and Rs 2,068.70 crore, respectively. Earlier, shares dipped 6.66% to an intraday low of Rs 465.55 but later traded at Rs 482, down 3.37%. The tender was issued by MSRDC to improve Pune's road connectivity.

In a month marked by sharp market declines, 50 stocks from the BSE 500 index, including MRF, IOC, L&T Finance, and SAIL, hit their 52-week lows due to sustained selling pressure.

The BSE 500 fell 8.1%, underperforming the Sensex, which dropped 6.5%. Key factors include softening economic growth, a ₹22,260 crore sell-off by FIIs in January, and cautious investor sentiment as companies report earnings. Stocks like IOC, down 14% in a month, were impacted by rising crude prices. Analysts highlight fiscal challenges and growth concerns ahead of the Union Budget.

HDFC Asset Management Company (HDFC AMC), Network18, and nine other companies are set to announce their Q3 results today. Investors and analysts will closely monitor their performance, as these updates provide insights into sector-specific growth and challenges. The market is particularly focused on HDFC AMC's financial stability and Network18's media business outlook. Other companies expected to release earnings include BF Utilities, GIC Housing Finance, and Tinplate Company. These results could impact market sentiment, offering clues about broader economic trends and sectoral health in India.

The Indian rupee has fallen to a historic low of ₹86.59 against the US dollar, raising economic concerns nationwide.

Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi, recalling Modi's past remarks linking the rupee's value to previous leadership. Ramesh highlighted that when Modi became Prime Minister, the rupee was at ₹58.58 per dollar; now, as Modi approaches 75 years of age, the rupee has declined past ₹86.

Jsw cement limited has received final observation from the capital markets regulator, securities and exchange board of india (SEBI) the company had filed its IPO papers with the markets regulator on august 16.

The IPO, with a face value of ₹10 each, is a mix of fresh issue of shares and an offer for sale (OFS) of up to ⁹2000 crore. It will partially fund the establishment of a new integrated cement facility in Nagaur, Rajasthan; ¹720 crore for the prepayment or repayment, either fully or partially, of certain outstanding borrowings; and the remaining amount for general corporate purposes.

Top Loser : -

• Adani Enterprises Ltd: Lost by 6.29%, closing at ₹2,225.15.

• Trent Ltd: Lost by 5.46%, closing at ₹6,224.40.

• Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd: Lost by 4.45%, closing at ₹265.30.

• Bharat Electronics Ltd: Lost by 4.21%, closing at ₹259.60.

• Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd: Lost by 4.10%, closing at ₹1,066.65

Top Gainer : -

• Axis Bank Ltd: Gained by 0.83%, closing at ₹1,049.30.

• Tata Consultancy Services: Gained by 0.60%, closing at ₹4,291.10.

• IndusInd Bank Ltd: Gained by 0.44%, closing at ₹941.70.

• Hindustan Unilever Ltd: Gained by 0.37%, closing at ₹2,451.00.

Fintech firm Groww is preparing for an IPO in 2025, aiming to raise $700 million at a valuation of $6-8 billion. The company, which became India’s largest brokerage in September 2023 with over 10 million active clients, has held talks with several investment bankers. After relocating its parent entity to India in May 2024, Groww plans to capitalize on India’s booming equity market, which has seen demat accounts soar from 39.3 million in 2019 to 185.3 million in 2024. Despite a net loss of Rs 805 crore in FY24, the company is positioned for growth as India’s retail investor base expands.

Indian stock markets faced a major blow on Monday with the BSE Sensex plunging over 1000 points to 76,330 and the Nifty50 falling over 300 points to 23,085. The rupee also hit a lifetime low of 86.27 against the US dollar. This sharp decline was driven by rising crude oil prices, a stronger dollar, and concerns following strong US employment data. US stocks also dropped sharply, with inflation worries intensifying. Oil prices reached three-month highs, and the dollar strengthened. Foreign investors sold Rs 2,254 crore, while domestic investors bought Rs 3,962 crore.

A man created a homemade AI bot that revolutionized his job search. The bot could analyze job descriptions, tailor CVs and cover letters, and even answer interview questions.

While the man slept, the bot applied to 1,000 jobs, leading to 50 interview calls. This innovative approach highlights the potential of AI in automating job applications and improving efficiency. The story showcases how technology can provide a competitive edge in a crowded job market, saving time and increasing opportunities for job seekers.

The Economic Times lists 10 Indian stocks that align with Warren Buffett's value investing principles, focusing on companies with strong fundamentals, consistent performance, and long-term growth potential. These include names like ITC, Infosys, HDFC Bank, and more, which demonstrate high return on equity, strong cash flows, and low debt. Buffett's strategy emphasizes buying undervalued stocks with sustainable businesses. The featured companies reflect qualities of stability, profitability, and market leadership, making them attractive to long-term investors seeking consistent returns in India's growing economy.

Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) is set to achieve a milestone as the first Indian port to surpass 10 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU) in capacity. Sanjay Sethi, JNPA Chairman, revealed this ambitious target, highlighting plans for new terminals and enhanced port infrastructure. Currently operating at around 7.5 million TEUs annually, JNPA is India’s busiest container port, contributing significantly to trade. Sethi emphasized the importance of public-private partnerships and technology-driven solutions to boost efficiency and sustainability. The move positions JNPA as a leader in India’s maritime growth.

A marketing candidate was rejected by an Indian boss simply for playing the guitar and running marathons, Parminder Singh, COO of Tatler Asia, revealed on X.

Despite being highly qualified, the boss questioned, "When will he work?" Singh, who regretted not hiring him, compared this rigid mindset to Google, where diverse skills like excelling in the Olympics are valued. Meanwhile, L&T Chairman SN Subrahmanyan faced criticism for suggesting a 90-hour work week, including Sundays, sparking debate on the importance of work-life balance in modern workplaces.

The Q3 earnings season kicks off today, January 13, 2024, with major companies unveiling their financial results.

Highlights include HCL Technologies, Delta Corp, and DEN Networks. Notable results are also expected from Marathon Nextgen Realty, Angel One, Himadri Speciality Chemical, Anand Rathi Wealth, and Lotus Chocolate Company. D-Mart reported a 4.8% rise in profit to ₹723.54 crore in Q3 FY25, compared to ₹690.41 crore in Q3 FY24, though margins dipped from 5.1% to 4.5%. Companies like Narmada Macplast and Urja Global are also in focus today.

The Indian rupee fell by 27 paise to a historic low of 86.31 against the US dollar in early trade on Monday, following Friday's close at 86.04.

Rising crude oil prices, continuous foreign capital outflows, and weak domestic equity trends added pressure. The rupee opened at 86.12 at the interbank forex market but quickly dropped. Brent crude rose 1.44% to $80.91 per barrel, increasing inflationary worries. A strong US dollar, backed by robust job data and higher Treasury yields, further weighed on the currency.