Namaste! Aaj ka news roundup, Newswala style!

MARKETS

Markets: The Indian market stayed strong, starting the week with modest gains despite a subdued trading session. While the Nifty closed at 25,278.70, FMCG and financials led the charge, outperforming, whereas metals and pharma lagged behind, leaving broader indices slightly in the red.

TOP STORIES

India’s $5 Billion E-Waste Gamble

What happened

India, now the third-largest e-waste producer globally, is generating about 3.2 million tonnes of electronic junk annually. This has caught the eye of investors, with e-waste management firms raking in a cool $100 million in the past year.  With the market projected to skyrocket from $1.6 billion in 2023 to $5.2 billion by 2032, the potential for growth is too juicy to ignore.

Why it matters

E-waste management might not sound glamorous, but it’s crucial in tackling one of today’s biggest environmental challenges. 

• India currently recycles just 25% of its e-waste, leaving a huge opportunity for companies to cash in. 

However, it’s not all smooth sailing. Scaling up operations isn’t just about throwing money at the problem—issues like reverse logistics and safety are proving to be tough nuts to crack. Companies like Recykal and Attero are leading the charge with innovative approaches, but many smaller players are still relying on the local junk collector to get the job done.

Zoom out

India’s e-waste sector is at a tipping point, overflowing with investment but bogged down by logistical challenges. As India’s e-waste pile is expected to hit 5 million tonnes by 2030, the clock is ticking. The real winners in this game will be those who can turn this mountain of electronic waste into a goldmine, proving that one person’s trash really is another’s treasure.

PAISON KA KHEL

Godrej strikes gold in Gurugram with ₹3,400 crore potential

Godrej Properties just made a hefty investment in Gurugram real estate, winning the bid to develop two prime housing plots. The first plot spans 3.6 acres on Golf Course Road, while the second, covering 1.97 acres, is in Sector 39, near NH 48. Together, these plots are expected to generate over ₹3,400 crore in revenue from luxury residential apartments.

The combined bid for the plots was ₹515 crore—a price tag that might make even the most seasoned investors break a sweat! 

Cabinet offers ₹14,000 crore to give Indian farms a makeover

India's Union Cabinet has given the green light to a hefty ₹13,966 crore for seven major agricultural schemes. This comes right on the heels of a ₹28,602 crore nod for 12 industrial smart cities. The new funding aims to transform the farm sector with digital tech, enhanced food security and improved livestock and horticulture management. Highlights include ₹3,979 crore for crop science, ₹2,817 crore for digital agriculture and ₹1,129 crore for boosting horticulture. With all funds expected to be spent by 2025-26. 

TOP STORIES

Can Apple and Airtel Crack India’s Streaming Code?

What Happened

Apple is turning up the volume in India’s streaming wars by partnering with Bharti Airtel, the country’s second-largest telecom provider. This dynamic duo is set to bring Apple Music and Apple TV into the homes of Airtel’s 281 million customers. Airtel users are in for a treat, with free access to Apple’s music and video goodies, all in a bid to give Apple a bigger slice of India’s streaming pie. 

Why it matters

Apple has been playing catch-up in India’s content market for years. Sure, they’ve been cranking out iPhones in India, but when it comes to streaming, Apple’s been more of a wallflower. 

• With just 200,000 paid users on Apple Music compared to Spotify’s 3 million and fewer than 1 million Apple TV users versus Disney Hotstar’s 38 million, Apple needed a game-changer. 
  

Enter Airtel, with its massive subscriber base and a smart plan: ditch its own Wynk app, which barely has 500,000 paid users and ride Apple’s coattails to glory. 

Anything else?

Airtel’s also getting a sweet deal, paying Apple a per-user fee that’s way below the usual $1.20 a month, saving them big bucks in licensing fees. This partnership could be a turning point for Apple in India, but it won’t be an easy ride.

Despite the boost in user base, Apple still faces challenges in a market where local content rules and cricket is king—two areas where rivals like Disney and JioCinema have a stronghold. Apple TV’s content, while globally popular, may need more local appeal to truly compete.

GLOBAL NAZARA

China hints at mineral retaliation for Japan

China has put Japan on notice, threatening severe economic consequences if Tokyo tightens restrictions on chipmaking equipment sales to Chinese companies. The stakes are high—Toyota, Japan's automotive giant, is worried that Beijing might cut off access to crucial minerals needed for car production.

China's foreign ministry didn’t mince words, calling out Japan for disrupting global supply chains and politicizing trade. As Japan aligns with the U.S. on semiconductor restrictions, the potential for a trade war looms, with chips and cars caught in the crossfire.

Landlords face $1.5 trillion deadline

Landlords are facing a daunting $1.5 trillion in commercial real estate debt due by the end of next year, with around 25% of it potentially hard to refinance. With property values dropping and interest rates soaring, apartment complexes, which make up 40% of this looming debt, are in a particularly tight spot.

$95 billion worth of U.S. properties are already teetering on the edge of distress. While this isn’t likely to trigger a full-blown banking crisis, the pressure is on.

TOP STORIES

Emami Buys Out The Man Company

What happened

Emami Ltd has just completed a major acquisition, raising its stake in Helios Lifestyle Pvt Ltd—the owner of The Man Company—from 50.4% to 100%. The total cost? A hefty ₹177.63 crore. The Man Company, known for its premium grooming products, closed FY24 with a revenue of ₹180 crore and is projected to hit ₹500 crore in the next three years. 

This latest acquisition is part of Emami’s broader strategy to expand its portfolio, which already includes well-known brands like Navratna, Zandu, Kesh King and Dermicool.

In the backstage

Emami’s aggressive acquisition strategy is a smart play to leverage the growing direct-to-consumer (D2C) market. The company is not only investing in established names but also in new-age startups.

•  In 2022, Emami picked up stakes in Tru Native F&B and Cannis Lupus Services India.
  
  

• With Emami's largest brand, Zandu, poised to reach ₹1,000 crore in sales from ₹800 crore in FY24, their strategic acquisitions are likely to boost their market position and revenue streams significantly.
  
  

The numbers game

In FY24, their revenue climbed 5% to ₹3,578 crore and they ended the year with reserves and a surplus of ₹2,402.94 crore. With a debt-free balance sheet and a treasure trove of cash, Emami is ready to keep the growth engine running

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