Namaste! Aaj ka news roundup, Newswala style!

MARKETS

Markets: Indian markets wrapped up on a high, dancing between gains and losses like a jittery trader on espresso. With oil prices slipping and US bond yields cooling off, FIIs might just hit the brakes on their exit—especially if the upcoming budget sparks a revival!

TOP STORIES

HUL’s Liquid IV Aims for India’s Fitness Freaks

What Happened

Hindustan Unilever (HUL) is making a splash in the premium hydration space by introducing Liquid IV, a global electrolyte drink that’s already winning hearts (and wallets) abroad.

This isn’t your average nimbu paani—Liquid IV is a hydration booster that’s set to compete with the big leagues: Red Bull, Gatorade, and even Logan Paul’s Prime.

Why It Matters

The move is part of HUL’s grand plan to make its beauty and wellness portfolio fancier by shifting 9 percentage points toward premium products.

They want affluent, fitness-loving Indians to swap their chai breaks for a hydration fix.

They know that India’s 70 million affluent households are willing to spend on anything that promises glowing skin, boundless energy, and the illusion of peak athleticism (without actually running a marathon).

The Backstory

Liquid IV has already made waves in the US, where Unilever quadrupled its growth since acquiring it in 2020.

The brand is thriving in the UK, China, and other global markets, and now it’s India’s turn to get charged.

But let’s be real—this isn’t HUL’s first dip in the wellness pool.

They’ve already invested in brands like Oziva and Nutritionalab and recently put in ₹2,955 crore on Minimalist.

PAISON KA KHEL

JK Paper Goes from Pages to Pets  

JK Paper, known for making top-notch packaging, is now stepping into the animal health business with a ₹460 crore acquisition of Quadragen Vethealth.

The company is initially grabbing a 65% stake, with plans to own the rest in four years. 

Quadragen, a Bengaluru-based firm, boasts an EBITDA margin of 30% and is growing at 20% annually.

However, investors weren’t too thrilled—JK Paper’s stock dipped 6.5%.  

Jupiter’s Big Bet in Odisha

Jupiter International is going all-in with a ₹2,005 crore solar project in Odisha.

The plant will produce 4.2 GW of solar cells and 3.6 GW of modules every year, powering India’s green energy future. 

Plus, they have big plans for the future too—3 GW of wafer capacity and 9.4 GW of solar cells in the next few years.

TOP STORIES

Hindustan Zinc Goes Green to Save Green

What Happened

Hindustan Zinc is taking its production costs down a notch and going green in the process.

The company, India’s largest producer of industrial metals, plans to boost its renewable energy share from 15% to a whopping 70% in the next two years. 

• This will help save $35 per tonne of zinc produced.

Why It Matters

For Hindustan Zinc, the power of green energy is about more than saving the planet—it’s about saving cash too.

The company is now on a mission to use clean energy to cut costs and boost efficiency.

•  Every 2% increase in green power slashes costs by $1 per tonne—so it’s basically like finding hidden treasure in a recycling bin. 

What’s next?

By FY27, Hindustan Zinc plans to lower production costs to below $1,000 per tonne!

Add to that the fact that zinc and silver prices are soaring (up 22% and 35%, respectively), and Hindustan Zinc’s financial outlook is shining bright. 

And here’s the silver lining: its silver operations are making a mint, contributing more than a third of the company’s operating profit.

GLOBAL NAZARA

Skoda Sees Bright Future in India’s EV Policy 

Skoda’s ready to plug into India’s new EV policy, but they’ve got a little twist—they’re also pushing for hybrids and plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) to get some love.

Why? Well, electric cars in India face hurdles like limited charging stations and slow customer adoption. 

Skoda is shifting gears in India, aiming to sell 100,000 cars this year—nearly triple its 2024 sales of 36,000.

Leading the charge are new models like the electric Enyaq and the Kodiaq SUV.  

Meta Settles $25 Million Lawsuit with Trump 

Meta has agreed to settle a lawsuit with President Donald Trump for $25 million after suspending his Facebook and Instagram accounts following the January 6 Capitol attack.

The bulk of the settlement—$22 million—will go towards Trump’s future presidential library, with the remainder covering legal fees. 

Plus, Zuckerberg met with Trump in November to smooth things over, showing a shift in the relationship between the two, with Meta also making a $1 million donation to Trump’s inaugural committee.

TOP STORIES

L&T Hits Record ₹1.16 Trillion Order Inflows 

What Happened

Larsen & Toubro (L&T) is making headlines with a record-breaking order inflow of ₹1.16 trillion in Q3 FY25, marking a 53% jump from last year.

More than half of these orders came from international markets, with the Middle East leading the charge. 

Why It Matters

The Middle East, eager to move beyond oil money, is handing out infrastructure projects like Diwali sweets, and L&T is feasting.

Meanwhile, back home, the Indian government’s post-election spending spree is adding some much-needed weight to L&T’s domestic game.

Orders from India more than doubled to ₹53,900 crore, thanks to a ₹23,000-crore mega deal from NTPC. 

• With all these wins, L&T’s total order book has now ballooned to a whopping ₹5.64 trillion—20% bigger than when the financial year began. 

Wait, there’s more

L&T’s quarterly revenue soared to ₹64,668 crore, surpassing Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) for the first time. 

While IT firms grapple with AI disruptions, L&T is showing that solid infras like  steel, cement, and good old engineering expertise still brings in the big bucks.

MIRCH MASALA

💊 Bill Gates’ wild side: LSD, weed, and why he quit—revealed in ‘Source Code’

🦈 Shark without a dad? Baby born in all-female tank stuns scientists!

🖼️ Mona Lisa set for move in Louvre’s bold overhaul plan

🎤 Reporter’s mic ‘hijacked’ at Maha Kumbh Mela in prank gone wild!

🥛 What is  Amul doing in Texas supermarkets?