Namaste! Aaj ka news roundup, Newswala style!

MARKETS

Markets: Indian markets rebounded after five days, led by gains in realty, banking, and FMCG sectors. India Cements shares soared 11% on CCI’s nod for UltraTech's ₹7,000-crore deal.

TOP STORIES

India’s Gadget Love Goes Digital and Quick

What Happened?

India’s love for gadgets just got faster and bigger! Online electronics sales jumped from 32% to 34% of the market this year—a big ₹11,000 crore shift. Indians are now happily buying everything from smartphones to washing machines online. 

Quick commerce platforms like Blinkit, Zepto, and Swiggy Instamart have hopped on the bandwagon, improving speed and beating their own records. While smartphones still rule online sales, their share dropped slightly as bigger appliances like ACs and fridges started getting cozy with the e-commerce scene.

Why It Matters

Gone are the days when people had to touch and feel every gadget before buying. Now, they just click "Add to Cart." For example, washing machine sales online went up from 22% to 24%, and ACs climbed from 10% to 12%. 

Quick commerce platforms are expanding into electronics to meet demand, especially in areas where physical stores are rare. Shoppers also love those cashback offers and EMIs, making online buying even more tempting.

But here’s the twist: while people are fine buying budget appliances online, they still prefer a store visit for high-end gadgets.

Final words

With ₹2 lakh crore in online electronics sales this year, India’s shopping game is levelling up. Quick commerce is reshaping how we buy, delivering everything from kettles to laptops at lightning speed. But while online is winning hearts, in-store shopping still gets the nod for premium buys. The trend shows how we’re all evolving into more of screen shopping.

PAISON KA KHEL

VOC port bets big on green hydrogen

V.O. Chidambaranar Port in Tamil Nadu is going all-in on green hydrogen, setting aside Rs 41,860 crore to become India’s top hub for it. The port handled 29.7 million tonnes of cargo this year, a 1.87% growth—small steps, but they’re moving in the right direction.

They’re also widening channels, building bigger berths, and running a pilot hydrogen project to wrap up by January 2025. 

Govt pumps ₹500 crore into IFCI

The Indian government is injecting ₹500 crore into state-owned IFCI to improve its financial health. IFCI, India’s first Development Financial Institution, founded in 1948, is set for a merger spree, combining with subsidiaries like StockHolding Corporation of India.

This boost follows IFCI’s ₹170 crore loss in the first half of FY24 and aims to strengthen the company before a major restructuring. The capital infusion, approved via the 2024-25 Supplementary Demand for Grants, will increase the government’s stake from its current 71.72%. 

TOP STORIES

BSNL’s Road to Profit Looks Brighter

What Happened?

BSNL, India’s state-run telecom giant, is finally looking like it might make a comeback—and it’s got its sights set on profits by FY27. According to the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), BSNL is projected to post a ₹558 crore profit in FY27, fueled by a 73.5% revenue boost, thanks to 4G and 5G services. 

• This year, the company’s revenue is set to hit ₹33,553 crore, up from ₹19,344 crore in FY24. 

Of course, the road to profit isn’t all smooth sailing—BSNL still faces competition, slow service rollouts, and a landline business that seems to be stuck in the ‘90s.

Why It Matters

If BSNL hits its target, it will mark a major turnaround. After losing ₹5,367 crore in FY24 (down from ₹8,161 crore the previous year), the company is finally turning the ship around. With 4G and 5G tech using homegrown equipment and 50,000+ 4G sites already up and running, it’s got the tools, but can it make it through the thick telecom jungle? 

The government’s giving it a hand, setting ambitious revenue targets of ₹24,428 crore for FY25 and ₹28,476 crore for FY26 as part of a hefty ₹3.2 lakh crore revival package. 

Zoom out

BSNL’s journey from losses to profits is still a work in progress, but the outlook is looking promising, with a boost in revenue and a clear focus on modernising its network. If BSNL successfully rolls out 4G and 5G nationwide and overcomes regulatory hurdles, it could reclaim a significant market share, targeting 25% of the mobile subscriber base by next year.

The path is filled with challenges, but with government support and a push for strategic partnerships, BSNL’s future could be brighter than its current loss reports suggest.

GLOBAL NAZARA

Apple races toward $4 trillion with AI 

Apple is closing in on an eye-popping $4 trillion market valuation, fueled by excitement over its AI-driven upgrades to boost sluggish iPhone sales. The tech giant's shares have soared 16% since November, adding a casual $500 billion to its worth—more than the GDP of some countries.

At $3.85 trillion, Apple now outshines the combined value of Germany and Switzerland’s main stock markets. Analysts predict a new “iPhone supercycle” could keep this rally going.

Honda and Nissan gear up for a mega-merger

Honda and Nissan have started merger talks to create the world's third-largest automaker. The combined entity could rack up a jaw-dropping ¥30 trillion ($191.4 billion) in revenue and over ¥3 trillion in operating profit, Honda CEO Toshihiro Mibe revealed. The duo plans to tackle the EV and smart tech race together, with a Tokyo-listed holding company steering the ship.

Nissan's buddy Mitsubishi might join the party, deciding by January 2025. Talks will wrap up in June 2025, but don’t expect fireworks before 2030. 

TOP STORIES

Quality Over Speed is IndiaMart’s New Mantra

What Happened

IndiaMart, India’s go-to B2B platform, has decided to swap the fast lane for the slow-and-steady route. Customer additions have hit the brakes, dropping to 2,000-3,000 per quarter from the 5,000 seen pre-2023. Meanwhile, supplier churn—especially among silver plan users—has hit 7-8%, up from a calmer 4-5% pre-pandemic. 

CEO Dinesh Agarwal is taking a back-to-basics approach, tightening seller guidelines and reducing lead distribution to a more manageable number. Sales team expansion has also slowed, trimming costs from 57% of revenue in Q1FY24 to 47% in Q2FY25.

Why It Matters

IndiaMart’s growing pains show that you can’t always sprint your way to success. The silver plan, a budget-friendly ₹28,000 annually (compared to ₹45,000 for gold), is vital for future growth. But high supplier churn suggests the ROI isn’t quite dazzling enough. Leads were being scattered like confetti—up to 10 suppliers at a time—leading to low conversions.

The fix? Tightened seller rules, more relevant leads, and fewer competitors vying for the same customer. Analysts suggest better onboarding and tailored support could turn things around in the largely untapped SME market.

What’s next?

IndiaMart’s decision to trade speed for stability is a bold, and likely smart, move. With cash reserves to keep the ship steady, Agarwal is focused on cutting churn and creating a smoother experience for users. Revenue growth may crawl to 11% over the next two years, but as Agarwal quipped, “Even if I get to zero additions, I’d be happy.” Because sometimes, going slow and fixing the engine beats breaking down on the highway.

MIRCH MASALA

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