Namaste! Aaj ka news roundup, Newswala style!

MARKETS

Markets: Markets were closed for Eid-Al-Fitr.

TOP STORIES

CNG Prices Take a Hike 📈

What Happened?

Bad news for CNG users—fuel costs are going up! The government has raised the price of natural gas from old fields (APM gas) by 4%, bumping it from $6.50 to $6.75 per MMBtu starting April 1. This is part of a planned price increase that will continue until 2027 when the market will be fully deregulated. 

Why It Matters?

This is the first APM price hike in two years, and while the increase may seem small, it adds up quickly for industries and consumers alike. The price of APM gas, which accounts for 70% of 

India’s domestic gas production, directly impacts household cooking gas and CNG prices. City gas distributors rely on this gas, and with 60% of their sales volume coming from CNG and piped gas, expect a noticeable rise in transportation and utility bills.

Zoom Out

To give you an idea, gas prices have jumped from $1.79 per MMBtu in 2021 to $8.57 in 2023. While the government is following its deregulation plan, consumers are the ones footing the bill. Maybe it’s time to carpool, cycle, or rediscover the joy of walking—because your wallet might need a break!

TOP STORIES

Adani & Birla Tighten Their Grip  💪

What Happened?

The Adani Group and Aditya Birla Group (ABG) are stepping into the cables and wires business. Already big players in cement, they now want a bigger slice of the construction pie. 

With India’s cables and wires industry valued at ₹80,000 crore and expected to grow to ₹1.3 lakh crore by FY29, this move makes perfect business sense.

Why It Matters?

ABG is expanding its building materials empire by adding cables and wires, while Adani’s new venture, Praneetha Ecocables, will strengthen its real estate and power businesses. With their vast distribution networks, both giants are set to push these products aggressively.

ABG has committed ₹1,800 crore to a new facility in Gujarat, while Adani’s unit is expected to take 3-4 years to go live. Their entry has already sent shockwaves through the industry, erasing ₹23,000 crore in market value from established players like Polycab, KEI, and Havells in just a month.

Zoom Out

With 30% of the market still unorganized, ABG and Adani see an opportunity to capture demand driven by urbanization, e-mobility, and metro expansion. Their entry could also disrupt pricing and force existing players to accelerate innovation and expansion.

TOP STORIES

IndusInd’s Loan Transfers Raise Eyebrows 🤨

What Happened?

IndusInd Bank is scrambling to boost liquidity by transferring highly rated corporate loans to ICICI Bank and Federal Bank. 

These transactions, done through the Inter-Bank Participation Certificate (IBPC) market, allow IndusInd to get 40% of the loan value as liquid cash. 

Estimates suggest that the bank has transferred over ₹10,000 crore worth of loans so far, though the exact amount remains unclear.

How’s the Stock

The bank is under pressure due to an ongoing investigation into accounting lapses, which could erode its net worth by ₹2,000 crore. 

Meanwhile, its stock has taken a beating—falling 28% from ₹900 to ₹650—after disclosing a potential ₹1,600 crore loss from internal trades that may have violated regulations.

Driving the News

Liquidity concerns and deposit flight fears have pushed IndusInd into damage-control mode. The loan transfers provide a short-term cushion, but the bank is still on shaky ground. 

The move also hints at possible regulatory intervention, as some market insiders believe authorities urged IndusInd to build extra liquidity to handle deposit withdrawals.

For ICICI and Federal Bank, the deal is a solid short-term bet, offering interest rates of 7.5-8%.  

Troubles Not Over Yet

Adding to the uncertainty, a forensic audit by Grant Thornton Bharat is underway to assess the bank’s derivatives operations. Until then, investors are bracing for more turbulence, while regulators keep a close watch on how this financial drama unfolds.

GROWTH GULLY

💰 Swiss Riches: Why 1 in 7 adults in Switzerland is a millionaire

🔄 Toxic Cycles: 7 patterns silently pushing people away from you

📉 Empire to Ashes: How one trader wiped out billions in a single bet

🌱 Dr. Sebi’s Secrets: 8 healing hacks modern medicine won’t tell you

🚨 Red Flags: If your boss does these 9 things, it’s time to rethink your job

PAISON KA KHEL

India’s Electronics Giants Go All-In ⚡

Dixon Technologies, Micromax, and Optiemus are going full throttle, each investing ₹1,000 crore in India’s ₹22,919-crore electronics component scheme. The goal is to reduce imports, boost local production, and create millions of jobs—because who doesn’t love a ‘Made in India’ tag?

The government is betting big, targeting $500 billion in production by 2030. If all goes well, India might just give China and Vietnam a serious run for their money—literally.

Renault Drives Solo in India After Buying Nissan 🛞

Renault is now in the driver’s seat of its India venture, buying out Nissan’s 51% stake in Renault Nissan Automotive India Private Ltd. The financial details remain hush-hush, but Renault now fully owns the manufacturing unit.

Despite the buyout, the duo isn’t breaking up completely—Nissan will still use the facility for exports, and both will co-run their tech center. Also, Renault is gearing up for a ₹1,788 crore investment in 2025. 

GLOBAL NAZARA

A Battle in the Stars ⚔️

Apple and SpaceX are locked in a space race, battling for satellite dominance. Apple poured $1 billion into Globalstar to boost iPhone satellite messaging, while SpaceX’s Starlink has launched hundreds of satellites. 

The real fight? Spectrum—radio frequencies crucial for satellite networks. SpaceX tried to block Apple’s plans, yet ironically, it also launches Apple’s satellites!

Meanwhile, Apple’s troubles aren’t just in space—France’s antitrust watchdog fined the company €150 million (₹1,388 crore) for allegedly abusing its dominance in app distribution. 

Trump’s Tariff Tantrum Sends Markets Tumbling 🤯

Global markets had a Monday meltdown as Donald Trump hinted at new tariffs, spooking investors across Asia, Europe, and the US. Japan’s Nikkei 225 nose-dived 3.9%, while Europe’s Stoxx 600 lost 1.3%. US futures weren’t spared either, with the Nasdaq 100 set to drop 1.4%.

Trump, on Air Force One, declared that tariffs would hit “all countries” because, apparently, no one treats the US fairly.  

MIRCH MASALA

🎥 Nostalgia Reloaded: Mahira Khan recreates Chand Nawab’s iconic Eid report

💃 Reel Trouble: Cop loses job as wife’s dance video at signal goes viral

🚨 Myanmar Quake: Bangkok sees 1 building fall—China firm’s role questioned

🖌️ Art Surprise: ₹1,000 painting turns out to be a ₹8.5 Cr Renoir!

🎭 Joke Gone Wrong: Another comedian lands in trouble after Ranveer Allahbadia controversy