Namaste! Aaj ka news roundup, Newswala style!

MARKETS

Markets: Bears went on a rampage as Sensex took a 1,018-point tumble. Nifty clung to 23,000 for dear life, while mid and small caps bled like a bad action movie!

TOP STORIES

📚 Physics Wallah Eyes IPO After $26M Funding

What Happened

Physics Wallah (PW), India’s rising edtech star, is set to bag ₹230 crore ($22-26 million) in a secondary funding round led by WestBridge Capital. 

• This deal pushes PW’s valuation to a whopping $3.7 billion—marking a 30% jump in just six months.  

Why It Matters

This funding round cements PW’s dominance in India’s edtech scene, proving that investors still have faith in online education despite the sector’s recent turbulence. 

• The company’s revenue nearly tripled to ₹2,015 crore in FY23, but higher expenses have also led to mounting losses.

The IPO prep is another big move. With Axis Capital, Kotak Mahindra Capital, Goldman Sachs, and JP Morgan onboard as bankers, PW is setting itself up for a high-profile market debut.  

Zoom out

From a YouTube channel in 2016 to a $3.7 billion company in 2025, PW’s journey has been nothing short of extraordinary. 

The startup has now raised over $300 million, acquired multiple companies, and bulked up its leadership team with key hires. 

PAISON KA KHEL

Bajaj: From Motorcycles to Medical Care 🏍️

Bajaj Group is swapping bikes for bandages with a ₹100 billion ($1.1 billion) investment in India’s hospital sector.

The conglomerate, best known for motorcycles and finance, is now gearing up to build a chain of hospitals.  

Bajaj already has a foot in healthcare with Bajaj Finserv Health and Bajaj Allianz Insurance, but this move puts them right in the operating room. 

Maaza Joins the Billion-Dollar Club—Finally! 🥭

Coca-Cola’s mango delight, Maaza, has officially become a billion-dollar brand, making it the 30th member of the club.

CEO James Quincey, in a post-earnings call, announced the milestone, celebrating a strong comeback in India’s beverage market.

This wasn’t a smooth ride—Maaza was expected to hit the mark in 2023, but mango prices spiked in 2022, squeezing profits tighter than a packed Mumbai local. 

• Coca-Cola expanded its reach in 2024 by adding a staggering 440,000 new outlets.

TOP STORIES

Rupee Takes a Tumble; India Inc Feels the Heat

What Happened?

The Indian rupee is inching toward the 88-mark against the US dollar, sending shivers through industries that rely heavily on imports. 

Consumer electronics firms are already hiking prices—Haier has increased air conditioner prices by 5% in February and plans another 4-5% hike in March. Smart TVs will also see a 5% price jump. 

• The rupee has dropped over 3% in three months, and experts warn this trend may persist.

Why It Matters?

A weaker rupee means higher costs for imported goods, which could drive inflation. Electronics firms still rely on foreign components—compressors, TV panels, and motors—despite localization efforts. 

Auto companies with export-heavy operations might gain, but those dependent on imports are sweating.

Renewable energy firms have forward contracts shielding them for now, but the long-term picture looks shaky.

With demand already sluggish, price hikes could further dampen consumer spending, partially negating the benefits of recent tax cuts.

What about you?

The falling rupee is turning into a balancing act for industries. Some, like exporters, could benefit, while others, like electronics and EV makers, are left scrambling. 

While deeper localisation can help reduce risks, it’s a long road ahead. For now, if you’re planning to buy an AC, TV, or even a luxury car maybe take a break.

GLOBAL NAZARA

🤖 A $97.4B AI Showdown with a Side of Sarcasm

Elon Musk has thrown down the gauntlet, leading a $97.4 billion bid to buy OpenAI, the company he co-founded but later left.

Sam Altman, OpenAI’s CEO, wasn’t impressed and jokingly offered to buy X (formerly Twitter) for $9.74 billion instead.  

Musk claims OpenAI has strayed from its original mission, while Altman argues restructuring is necessary to survive the AI arms race.

🇨🇳 China Gives Nvidia & Apple a Hard Reset

The US-China trade war just got a new plot twist—Beijing is tightening the screws on US tech giants like Nvidia, Apple, and Google.

China is playing its own version of “Uno Reverse,” using antitrust probes and regulatory delays to retaliate against US trade restrictions, especially on semiconductors.

Nvidia, already struggling with US bans on chip sales to China, now faces extra scrutiny. Plus, Apple—China’s manufacturing sweetheart might need a backup plan. 

TOP STORIES

🌕 Gold Shines but the Demand is Dim  

What Happened?

Gold prices have shot past ₹85,000 per 10 grams in India, reaching an all-time high. 

The surge comes amid fresh trade war fears triggered by new tariff plans from U.S. President Donald Trump. 

With uncertainty looming over global markets, investors are rushing toward gold, the ultimate safe-haven asset.

Why It Matters?

But while investors celebrate, gold retailers are sweating. 

• Demand has fallen by 25-30% just ahead of the wedding season, as high prices scare away customers. 

Even wholesalers are hesitant to stock up, disrupting the entire supply chain—from manufacturers to retailers.

Gold is a crucial part of Indian culture, especially during weddings and festivals. However, soaring prices are making people rethink their purchases.

Many are waiting for a price correction, hoping for rates to drop to ₹80,000 per 10 grams before they return to the market.

The Final Take

Gold’s price rally is a double-edged sword—it’s great for investors but tough for buyers and jewellers.

Until prices cool off, demand is likely to stay weak, with retailers and manufacturers caught in the middle.

MIRCH MASALA

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