Namaste! Aaj ka news roundup, Newswala style!

MARKETS

Markets: The stock market recorded its steepest weekly fall in over two years, with Nifty and Sensex dropping over 4% each, their biggest decline since June 2022. Sectoral indices, including Nifty Bank and Midcap, tumbled, erasing ₹19 lakh crore in market cap, while pharma and all other sectors posted losses.

TOP STORIES

₹20,000 Crore, Jobs, and a Brighter Future

What happened

Gautam Adani’s conglomerate is dropping a ₹20,000 crore bombshell (in a good way) on Bihar. The plan? A supercritical thermal power plant that’s set to bring energy—and plenty of buzz—to the state. 

The group isn’t stopping there. With ₹850 crore already sprinkled across logistics, gas distribution, and agri logistics, Adani is now shelling out another ₹2,300 crore to turbocharge EV infrastructure, warehouses, and city gas distribution. Oh, and did we mention the 27,000 jobs that’ll tag along? 

The plan

Adani’s investments are set to energise Bihar’s economy. A ₹2,100 crore initiative will install 28 lakh smart meters across five cities, boosting automation, efficiency and creating 4,000 tech jobs .

The conglomerate is also investing ₹2,500 crore to increase Bihar’s cement production to 10 million tonnes annually. And wait—there’s more! Gati Shakti Railway Terminals , container depots, and industrial warehousing parks are all in the pipeline.

Final words

Adani’s ₹20,000 crore energy play is more than just watts and wires—it’s a glow-up for Bihar. With jobs multiplying faster than hot samosas at a roadside stall and infrastructure getting a major facelift, the state is on track to shine brighter than ever.

PAISON KA KHEL

IFC Powers Up NDR InvIT with $75 Million

NDR InvIT, India’s first warehousing infrastructure trust, has secured a groundbreaking $75 million investment from the International Finance Corporation (IFC) via sustainability-linked bonds. This funding, aimed at boosting warehouse expansion and infrastructure improvements, will also drive eco-friendly practices like EDGE certification to reduce emissions and water use. 

Sterling and Wilson bags ₹1,200 crore solar deal in Gujarat

Sterling and Wilson Renewable Energy has landed a ₹1,200 crore solar project in Gujarat, proving they’re not just “solar dreamers” but serious players. The 500 MW (AC) project involves designing, engineering, and constructing the Balance of System, plus three years of maintenance—talk about long-term commitment!

Global CEO Amit Jain beamed with pride, calling it a step toward India’s clean energy goals. Earlier this year, the company snagged two solar deals worth ₹512 crore. While the promoters recently sold a 7.13% stake, the company’s energy (pun intended) remains high. Sun’s out, deals in!

TOP STORIES

Housing Sales Drop 21% in Q4

What Happened

Housing sales in India’s top nine cities took a 21% tumble in the October-December period, with sales sinking to 108,261 units compared to 137,225 units last year, according to PropEquity. Supply didn’t fare much better, dropping 33% from 127,936 units to 85,765. 

But here’s the twist—both supply and sales actually saw a slight rise from the previous quarter, up by 7% and 5%, respectively. Looks like the market is doing a bit of a “ holiday rebound ” after the festive shopping spree.

How’s it?

Despite the drop, the housing market is not in freefall. The supply-to-absorption ratio remains stable, proving the real estate sector hasn’t forgotten how to stand on its feet. Delhi-NCR defied the odds with a 59% spike in supply and a 25% jump in sale! 

Meanwhile, cities like Hyderabad, Thane, and Pune saw some of the steepest declines, with supply dipping by as much as 52%. These fluctuations highlight both the seasonal nature of the market and the impact of last year’s high base , which skewed comparisons.

What to expect?

So, what does this mean for homebuyers and sellers? While the market faced a YoY slowdown, the increase in QoQ numbers is a hopeful sign that the sector is resilient. With major players like Delhi-NCR bucking the trend and strong fundamentals in place, it’s clear that India’s housing market is still navigating through choppy waters—but it’s not sinking. 

Buyers and developers alike will need to stay nimble as the market adjusts to the new normal, especially as e-commerce and manufacturing continue to drive demand for housing.

GLOBAL NAZARA

Tata Steel’s €27 million emissions fine

Tata Steel Nederland is in trouble, slapped with a €27 million fine for breaking emission rules. The Dutch Environmental Service isn’t joking—they’ve even warned they might shut down one of the plants if things don’t get better. The Ijmuiden facility had a year to clean up its act, but regulators aren’t happy with the results. 

Tata Steel isn’t thrilled either. They’ve called the emission checks “incomplete” and “wrong” while claiming they’ve made progress on their Green Steel plan . With big fines and permits on the line, it’s a wake-up call.  

FedEx spins off freight division, shares soar 9.1%

FedEx shares surged 9.1% after the company announced plans to spin off its freight division, FedEx Freight, into a standalone entity. With $9.4 billion in revenue last year, the freight arm will dominate its industry, valued at over $30 billion by Bloomberg Intelligence.

CEO Raj Subramaniam says this move will sharpen focus and boost competitiveness for both companies. Plus, investors are thrilled to see FedEx Freight as a strong contender against rivals like Old Dominion Freight Line. 

TOP STORIES

How OTT Entertainment Revived a Dying Market

What Happened

After a steep 16% drop in sales in 2023, tablets have made a surprising comeback in 2024 with a 4% overall sales growth. The consumer segment, in particular, saw a 20% year-on-year jump, driven by the rising popularity of OTT platforms.  

• Lenovo reports that its consumer sales contribution rose sharply, from 31% in 2022 to 61% in 2024. 

• Meanwhile, competitors like Xiaomi, Oppo, and Apple are ramping up efforts to grab a slice of the revived tablet market.

Why It Matters

Tablets were once considered doomed, sandwiched awkwardly between smartphones and laptops. But thanks to the OTT boom, they’ve found a new purpose. Parents now prefer giving tablets to kids over their personal laptops or phones, citing affordability and larger screens. 

Streaming has breathed new life into this market, turning them into essential entertainment devices. This consumer shift has pushed manufacturers to up their game with AI enhancements , improved displays, and advanced cameras. 

Final words

Tablets are no longer a forgotten category—they’re back with a bang . With the market heating up, brands are targeting millennials and Gen Z, making tablets more versatile and competitive. The trend highlights a shift toward family-friendly, affordable tech in a post-pandemic world.

The tablet renaissance is set to continue into 2025, driven by innovations and growing consumer interest. Whether it’s kids’ cartoons, binge-worthy series, or casual browsing, tablets are reclaiming their spot as essential devices with plenty of screen time ahead.

MIRCH MASALA

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