Namaste! Aaj ka news roundup, Newswala style!

MARKETS

Markets: Indian stock markets rebounded strongly today after Monday's steep losses. Improved global cues and reduced volatility (India VIX dropped 11.65%) boosted investor confidence across sectors, with midcap and smallcap indices also gaining over 1.5%.

TOP STORIES

BEL Shares Take Flight on Big Order 📈

What Happened

Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) shares soared 5.3% on Tuesday, reaching an intraday peak of ₹287.85 after landing a substantial ₹2,210 crore order from the Ministry of Defence. 

This hefty contract involves supplying cutting-edge Electronic Warfare (EW) suites for the Indian Air Force's Mi-17V5 helicopters. 

A Bit Techy?

The technology, designed locally by DRDO's Centre for Airborne Systems, includes sophisticated defence mechanisms like Radar Warning Receivers and Counter Measure Dispensing Systems—essentially giving our military choppers a high-tech shield against threats.

The Numbers

With this new deal in the cockpit, BEL's total order intake for FY25 has now climbed to ₹2,803 crore.

While the company fell short of its ambitious ₹25,000 crore order guidance, it still managed to post an impressive ₹23,000 crore turnover for FY24—flying 16% higher than the previous year's ₹19,820 crore.

The Shining Stock

For investors watching BEL's stock performance, the numbers speak volumes. Despite the company's shares being down 7% year-to-date, they've rocketed up 176% over the past two years. 

The company's market capitalization currently stands at a robust ₹1.99 lakh crore, no small feat in today's volatile market.

TOP STORIES

Oil Price Hikes Boost OMCs  ⛽

What Happened

The government of India has just rolled out a ₹50 increase in LPG prices and proposed a ₹2 excise duty bump on petrol and diesel. 

But don't panic at the pump just yet! This financial manoeuvre aims to bail out state-run oil marketing companies (OMCs) from their massive ₹41,338 crore losses in FY25. 

Big Numbers Again!

The three major players - HPCL, BPCL, and IOC - stand to gain nearly ₹9,000 crore in the coming fiscal year through these adjustments.

Meanwhile, the Oil Ministry is pushing for Cabinet approval on a hefty ₹32,000 crore compensation package to further offset these losses from subsidized LPG sales. 

Is that it?

No, here’s the interesting part - Oil Minister Hardeep Singh Puri insists consumers won't feel the pinch from the excise hike. How's that possible? The oil companies themselves will supposedly absorb the increase thanks to improving profit margins.

The Numbers Tales

Crude oil prices have softened lately, with current inventory averaging around $75 per barrel. Industry officials are betting on crude stabilizing between $60-65 per barrel, which would indeed boost those OMC margins.

For context, the excise duty on petrol will jump from ₹19.9 to ₹21.9, while diesel's duty will increase from ₹15.8 to ₹17.8. These might seem like small changes, but they add up to billions when calculated across India's massive fuel consumption.

TOP STORIES

Lloyd Bets Big on Premium Comfort 🤌

What Happened

Havells-owned Lloyd is turning up the heat on its competition by cooling things down.

The company announced that it has bumped up its annual air-conditioner production capacity to 3 million units across its plants in Ghiloth (Rajasthan) and Sri City (Andhra Pradesh).

That’s nearly a 40% jump, backed by an investment of ₹50–60 crore.

But That’s Not All. 

Lloyd also launched its Luxuria Collection—a premium line of ACs featuring models with names like StunnAir, Stellar, and Stylus. This move aims to capture India’s rising appetite for upscale appliances that offer more than just a cool breeze.

Why It Matters

Lloyd isn’t just selling air—it’s selling an experience. And clearly, that experience now includes mood lighting, sleek designs, and high-end comfort.

With last year’s premium AC lineup already performing well, the Luxuria Collection is a signal that Lloyd wants to dominate the “premium comfort” space.

The timing is smart. India’s urban middle class is warming up to luxury appliances. And expanding to 3 million units per year gives Lloyd the firepower to meet rising demand during peak summer seasons. 

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PAISON KA KHEL

India Plays Automotive Favorites 🚘

India's giving Chinese automaker BYD the cold shoulder while rolling out the welcome mat for Tesla. "India has to be cautious about its strategic interests," Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal bluntly stated, confirming it's a firm "no" to BYD's entry.

This isn't China's first automotive rejection slip - BYD's $1 billion investment proposal was previously shown the door, and Great Wall Motor Co also packed up after regulatory roadblocks.

Coal India’s ₹38,000 Cr “Rocky” Bill 🔥

Coal India has got a ₹38,000 crore bill from the Supreme Court, which ruled states can tax mineral rights retroactively. The brunt of this giant bill falls on its subsidiaries MCL and CCL—who probably wish they’d stuck to digging sandcastles.

The good news? Around 80% of this mountain of money will be recovered via Fuel Supply Agreements (FSAs). The bad news? Coal India still eats a 20% loss (roughly ₹7,600 crore).

With FY25 Q3 revenue at ₹35,780 crore, they’ll manage—but someone’s definitely updating their Excel sheets in panic mode.

GLOBAL NAZARA

Asia Roars After Monday's Bloodbath 🐂

Markets across Asia staged a dramatic comeback Tuesday after Monday's tariff-induced meltdown. Japan led the charge with the Nikkei soaring 6.41% and Topix jumping 6.81%.

Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index rose 2.25% after Monday's stomach-churning 13% plunge (its worst day since 1997... when Titanic was in theaters!).

South Korea wasn't sitting on the sidelines either, with Kospi up 1.7% and Kosdaq climbing 2.35%. Australia's markets added a modest 0.18%, perhaps still nursing their financial hangover.

PAG Plans Exit With JP & Morgan 🚪

Private equity giant PAG is ready to jump ship from Nuvama Wealth Management, hiring JP Morgan and Morgan Stanley to chart the course. PAG owns 54.93% in Nuvama—worth a cool ₹10,579 crore. 

After investing $325 million in 2021 and seeing the firm’s stock double since its 2023 listing, PAG wants to cash out. The market’s volatility might delay the sale, but big cheques from rival PE firms are expected. 

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