Namaste! Aaj ka news roundup, Newswala style!

MARKETS

Markets: The market tumbled as the Nifty closed at 22,552 and the Sensex fell 857 points, with IT and metal stocks dragging down the index . While Wipro, HCL Tech, Infosys, and Tata Steel were among the biggest losers, gains in M&M, Eicher Motors, and Dr. Reddy’s Labs provided some support.

TOP STORIES

Delhivery is Reinventing the Wheel? 🛞

What Happened?

Delhivery is taking the logistics game up a notch by rolling out road trains —massive truck convoys designed for high-volume cargo like automobiles and FMCG goods . 

The company recently launched its first road train , built with Volvo Trucks , featuring a 144 cubic metre cargo capacity— 50% more than regular semi-trailers .

The Backstory

Since India’s road ministry greenlit road trains in 2020 , Delhivery has been testing them on the Mumbai-Nagpur corridor , achieving at least 10% cost savings . 

Now, the company aims to expand its road train fleet to 10 units by the end of 2025 . Potential new routes include the Delhi-Baroda, Delhi-Dehradun, and Bangalore-Chennai expressways .

Why It Matters?

Logistics is a tight-margin business— a 10% cost reduction isn’t just a win but a game-changer .

With fuel prices fluctuating like the stock market Delhivery’s bet on LNG trucks helps hedge against diesel volatility while cutting emissions.

Additionally, India’s expressway boom makes these longer trucks a safer and more efficient alternative.

With controlled access, dedicated lanes, and regulated speeds , they’re less likely to clog up city roads.

But That’s Not All

Delhivery is also going green. The company plans to triple its fleet of LNG-powered trucks from 20 to 50 in the next three months.

PAISON KA KHEL

Swiss Money Flooding India? 🇮🇳

Switzerland and its EFTA buddies— Iceland , Liechtenstein , and Norway —are set to pump $100 billion (₹8 lakh crore) into India over the next 15 years .

The news comes straight from Switzerland’s Consul General Martin U Maier at the Global Investors Summit in Bhopal.

This hefty investment is part of the new Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) .

While Swiss companies are eager to set up shop in India, Maier warns that other Asian countries are also wooing investors. So, India better roll out the red carpet.

$400M Takeover of Cancer Care Chain HCG 🚑

Private equity giant KKR is injecting $400 million (₹3,465 crore) into Healthcare Global Enterprises (HCG), grabbing a controlling 54% stake from CVC Asia V at ₹445 per share.

With an open offer to public shareholders, KKR’s stake could swell to 77%.

HCG , India’s top oncology hospital chain, runs 25 centres across 19 cities with 2,500 beds and 100+ operation theatres. 

The deal’s expected to close by Q3 2025—if all regulatory hurdles play nice.

TOP STORIES

Bacardi Pours Big Money into India  🥂

What Happened?

Bacardi , the world’s largest privately held spirits company, is going all in on India. 

The liquor giant has ramped up investments in the country, boosting spending on manufacturing, marketing, and distribution by 60% over the past few years. 

With India among its top five growth markets , Bacardi has doubled its business between 2019 and 2023 and is on track to grow 5x by 2029.

The Plan

In the first half of 2025, Bacardi plans to expand its recent product launches, including India-made whisky Legacy , Irish whisky Teeling , tequila Patron El Cielo , and Grey Goose Altius vodka.

Meanwhile, its ready-to-drink Bacardi Breezer range continues to hold strong.

Unlike mass-market brands like McDowell’s No.1 and Imperial Blue , Bacardi isn’t interested in the ₹700-900 per quart price segment, which makes up over 30% of India’s liquor market. 

Instead, it’s betting big on premiumization, targeting consumers willing to shell out ₹1,500+ for high-end spirits. 

Why It Matters?

India is one of the fastest-growing alcohol markets globally, adding 20 million new legal-age drinkers every year. 

The country’s affluent consumer base is expected to grow from 70 million to 170 million by 2030. And what do wealthier consumers want? Better booze.

So, while other brands fight for the mid-market crowd, Bacardi is raising its glass to India’s high rollers. Cheers to that! 🍸

GLOBAL NAZARA

BMW Hits the Brakes on Oxford’s Electric ⚠️

BMW ’s plan to bring back electric Mini production at its Oxford plant has hit a red light.

Citing “multiple uncertainties” in the auto industry, the company has decided to slow down its £600 million upgrade, even turning down a £60 million government grant.

The UK’s zero-emission vehicle mandate has carmakers sweating, with BMW now “reviewing” its production timeline. 

Meanwhile, the government insists it’s listening—just like a passenger who promises they’re “almost ready” while still putting on shoes.

Cash, Stocks, and a Little Magic 🤑

The Singapore government has rolled out a $3.7 billion plan to pump life into its stock market, alongside tax rebates to keep businesses happy.

The move aims to attract investors and solidify Singapore’s status as a global financial hub.  

Check out Singapore Exchange (SGX) to see if the stock market is feeling the boost yet!

TOP STORIES

The Tug of War for India’s Oil ⛽

What Happened?

India’s oil imports are getting a major shake-up! In February, crude oil imports from Russia dropped by nearly 25%, while imports from the U.S. nearly doubled. 

• According to energy tracker Vortexa, Russian crude shipments to India fell to 1.07 million barrels per day (mbd) from 1.4 mbd in January. 
  

• Meanwhile, the U.S. ramped up its supply from 0.11 mbd to 0.2 mbd. 

To balance the shift, imports from Saudi Arabia and Iraq also surged. The shake-up comes as fresh U.S. sanctions on Russia force Indian refiners to explore alternatives.

Why It Matters?

The sanctions on Russia have made transactions riskier, pushing India to diversify its suppliers. To make things more interesting, diplomatic nudges from President Donald Trump (yes, he’s back!) are also at play. 

After his recent meeting with PM Narendra Modi , India pledged to increase energy imports from the U.S. by two-thirds to $25 billion. 

Zoom Out

India’s oil basket is undergoing a forced remix, thanks to Western sanctions and diplomatic deals.

While Russia still holds a big piece of the pie, refiners are hedging their bets by bringing in more barrels from the U.S. and the Middle East. 

With shipping times of 45 days from the U.S. and only about a week from the Middle East, expect more reshuffling in India’s energy trade.

MIRCH MASALA

🧘‍♂️ Revamp your routine with Ayurvedic hacks for total wellness

📊 How to pick the next multibagger like a pro investor

💸 Stop wasting money ! 5 expenses you must cut today

🇮🇳 How an Indian farmer turned ₹1,000 into a multi-crore organic empire 

💰 Mutual funds vs stocks: What’s the smarter bet in 2025?