Namaste! Aaj ka news roundup, Newswala style!

MARKETS

Markets: Indian markets were volatile last week, impacted by escalating India-Pakistan tensions and a heavy flow of Q4 earnings, with the Nifty and Sensex snapping their recent rally to end the week on a weaker note as most sectors, except IT, closed in the red.

Wondering how the India-Pakistan conflict will impact the markets? Find out here.

TOP STORIES

India Escapes Big Four Turmoil

What Happened

The world’s biggest professional services firms — EY, Deloitte, Pwc, and KPMG — are busy rearranging their furniture. Thanks to slow global growth and stricter regulations, they’re restructuring their businesses. 

• EY is bundling countries into new “super regions” — with India now paired with Africa.
  

• KPMG is shrinking its 100+ country partnerships down to just 32 larger economic units.
  

• PwC is closing operations in 12 countries after facing massive fines linked to the $78 billion Evergrande scandal.
  

• Deloitte is trimming its business divisions after losing $372 million in U.S. government contracts.
  

Why It Matters

While the West battles job cuts, India is in a safe spot, clocking in a healthy 17–22% growth with hardly any pink slips flying around.

Sure, a few partners are grumbling about being bundled with Africa instead of the richer Middle East, but business is still booming like Diwali sales.

Meanwhile, KPMG’s “Project Himalaya” (yes, it sounds cooler than it probably is) is back on the table, aiming to merge the consulting arms of India, the UK, and the US into one big power unit.  

Zoom Out

In short, the Big Four are tightening belts globally, but India’s still their star student. Fresh alignments mean India will play a bigger role, even if not everyone is thrilled about the “Africa Club” membership. 

As the firms juggle audit scandals, regulatory fines (over $60 million for PwC in China, £2.9 million for PwC UK, €650 million in debt for EY after a failed split), India remains their sunny patch.  

TOP STORIES

HUL Reimagines Business After Ice Cream Split

What Happened

Hindustan Unilever (HUL), India's biggest home products company, is giving its ₹15,294-crore food business a complete makeover. CEO Rohit Jawa shared this news as the company gets ready to separate its ₹1,800-crore ice-cream unit by next year. 

The new plan focuses on selling more products rather than just making bigger profits. HUL wants to update Horlicks, sell Bru coffee in more places beyond South India, and expand Kissan products.

Why It Matters

This change comes right when HUL needs it most. Their food business, their second-biggest money-maker, just saw sales drop by 1% with fewer products sold in the last three months.  

The opportunity is huge. Food makes up two-thirds of what Indians spend money on, and more people are switching from loose, unpackaged food to branded options.

Think of it as the difference between buying rice from an open sack versus a sealed package with a trusted name on it.

Zoom Out

HUL's food business makeover is a big bet that could work out well.

Money experts think things are looking up – better farm output means more food, prices might stop climbing so fast, and people in both villages and cities might soon have more money to spend.

But HUL isn't the only cook in the kitchen. Smaller local brands are stealing customers by offering cheaper options. 

TOP STORIES

Mahindra Will Snap Up SML Isuzu  

What Happened

Mahindra & Mahindra is making a bold move in the commercial vehicle space, agreeing to purchase a 58.96% stake in SML Isuzu for ₹555 crore. 

The deal values SML shares at ₹650 each—a significant discount from their recent market price of ₹1,766.70. Mahindra will acquire the entire 43.96% stake from Sumitomo Corporation and an additional 15% from Isuzu Motors. 

Why It Matters

This acquisition is no random shopping spree but a calculated strategy to beef up Mahindra's modest 3% market share in the 3.5+ tonne commercial vehicle segment.

While Mahindra dominates the smaller vehicle category with a commanding 52% market share, it's been the underdog in the heavier segment. 

SML Isuzu brings valuable assets to the table: a healthy 16% market share in intermediate light commercial vehicle buses, nationwide market presence, and profitable operations (₹2,196 crore revenue with ₹179 crore EBITDA in FY24).

Zoom Out

For number-lovers, here's the exciting part: Mahindra aims to double its market share immediately to 6%, then ramp up to 10-12% by FY31 and an ambitious 20%+ by FY36. That's quite the growth trajectory!

GROWTH GULLY

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PAISON KA KHEL

Kinley Soda Pops the ₹1,500 Crore Bottle  🍾

Kinley Soda just popped a big one, crossing ₹1,500 crore in revenue in India!

After two decades of bubbling under the radar, Coca-Cola India’s fizzy favourite now fizzes from over 1.4 million retail outlets — from kirana stores to quick-commerce apps like Swiggy and Zepto.

Thanks to its crisp taste and signature carbonation, Kinley went from “nimbu soda at thelas” to a premium party guest. 

Jio Zooms Ahead with ₹7,023 Crore Profit

Jio had a great quarter, earning ₹7,023 crore profit — a 2.4% jump!  Its revenue touched ₹33,986 crore, thanks to more people using 5G and broadband. Jio’s subscriber count grew to 488.2 million, with 191 million already on 5G.

People used 48.9 billion GB of data (clearly, India is busy watching reels and cricket!) On average, one person used 33.6 GB a month. Plus, Jio’s AirFiber service reached 5.6 million homes.

GLOBAL NAZARA

Shein Hikes Prices by Up to 377% 📈

Shein is feeling the heat of new tariffs, and it’s not staying quiet about it! The popular fast-fashion retailer has hiked its US prices by as much as 377%, especially hitting categories like kitchenware and home goods.

Beauty and health products saw a 51% jump on average, with some even doubling in price. Homeware and toys got hit with a 30% increase, and kitchen towel sets took the brunt of the pain, soaring by a jaw-dropping 377%.

ADB Drops $5 Billion on India 💰

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is playing Santa early this year, pledging a whopping $5 billion to India in 2024, plus $2.2 billion more through co-financing! 

The cash will power up healthcare, education, and infrastructure across states. Maharashtra got a cool $500 million shot in the arm for healthcare, while Meghalaya bagged $64 million to fix up 65 schools and 10 training institutes.

MIRCH MASALA

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