CONSUMER
India’s consumer sector sees funding dip but deal activity surges in FY26
Indian consumer sector investment declined in FY26. Investors are now favoring smaller, diversified deals over large bets. Deal volume, however, increased significantly. This indicates a market shift towards sustainable growth and operational discipline. Mega deals are absent, but early-stage funding shows resilience. Companies focus on filling gaps rather than just scaling up.
ITC bets big on protein-rich foods, eyes fast-growing health segment market
ITC Ltd is expanding its presence in the protein food segment as part of its health and wellness strategy. The company is introducing unique, affordable protein-focused products across various categories, leveraging consumer insights and innovation. ITC aims to democratize protein products, making them accessible to a wider consumer base and driving future growth.
Ahead of Market: 10 things that will decide stock market action on Monday
Indian equities ended higher, led by consumer and metal stocks, while IT lagged due to weak earnings. Nifty and Sensex posted gains with positive market breadth. Analysts remain constructive, recommending a buy-on-dips approach as momentum holds, with key resistance and support levels guiding near-term direction.
Yogi government to supply 34,000 MW power to consumers across UP
Under the directions of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the Energy Department has prepared a strategy to make approximately 34,000 megawatt (MW) of electricity available this year, keeping peak demand in mind.
India's consumer discretionary firms set for strong growth, demand recovery in Q4: Report
Consumer discretionary companies anticipate robust revenue and earnings growth in the March quarter of FY26. Demand is recovering across various segments, with jewellery leading the charge. Apparel and paints sectors also show improvement. Margins are set to expand gradually. Valuations are moderating, presenting a reasonable risk-reward ratio for investors.
Coming soon: Price hike round 3 in four months for durables
Consumers face another price hike on electronics like ACs, TVs, and smartphones by end April. This marks the third increase in four months. Rising costs of plastics and memory chips are forcing brands to raise prices. Daily essentials like soaps and detergents are also becoming costlier. This trend impacts consumer demand significantly.
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Andreessen Horowitz partner Bryan Kim departs to launch new AI-focused fund
Bryan Kim, who joined the Silicon Valley venture capital firm in November 2020, focused on consumer technology and AI applications. During his tenure at a16z, Kim led and participated in several early-stage investments, often at the seed and Series A levels.

Tariff Refund System explained: What it means for consumers as US begins $166 billion payback and who is eligible
The launch of the Tariff refund system represents a significant administrative and legal milestone. It resolves a contentious policy chapter while injecting liquidity back into the corporate sector. Yet, the broader economic impact remains mixed.

Not seeking to suppress legitimate product reviews, consumer feedback: Motorola on defamation case
Motorola India has apologized to content creators inadvertently affected by its legal action against malicious reviews. The company initiated a civil defamation suit and temporary injunction against posts containing false claims of device explosions, aiming to prevent public alarm and protect its reputation. Motorola clarified it does not intend to suppress legitimate reviews and is committed to resolving product issues.

Bajaj Consumer Care shares soar 16% after Q4 net profit doubles to Rs 63 crore
Bajaj Consumer Care shares surged significantly on Friday. The company reported a substantial increase in its net profit, more than doubling compared to the previous year. Revenue from operations also saw a healthy jump. This strong financial performance drove the rally in its stock price. The company also presented robust full-year results, indicating positive growth trends.

How a Rs 20 electricity bill payment by an SBI customer led to the bank paying Rs 2.2 lakh in compensation
A State Bank of India customer was defrauded of ₹1.99 lakh after attempting a ₹20 electricity bill payment. The National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission ruled that SBI must refund the amount and pay ₹25,000 in compensation, emphasizing banks' responsibility for promptly reported unauthorized transactions.

JM Financial Private Equity, family offices invest Rs 150 cr in NG Electro Products
Consumer goods-focused NG Electro Products has secured Rs 150 crore in funding from JM Financial Private Equity and family offices. The capital infusion will fuel expansion of manufacturing capacity, accelerate R&D and product innovation, and bolster quality and compliance infrastructure. This investment aims to strengthen the company's footprint and deepen its product innovation capabilities.

Let oil prices hurt: IMF cautions against govt shielding consumers
The IMF is urging governments to let fuel prices rise, warning that broad subsidies and price caps worsen global energy shocks. Allowing price signals to function encourages demand reduction, which is crucial for market stabilization. Targeted cash transfers are recommended to cushion consumers without distorting global markets.

Neither Baking Soda Nor Vinegar – The One Simple Ingredient That Quickly Removes Burnt Grease From Pans
Contrary to popular belief, baking soda and vinegar do not effectively remove burnt grease due to their limited ability to break down polymerized oil. Scientific research and testing by institutions like America's Test Kitchen and Consumer Reports confirm that dish soap, with its surfactant properties, is the superior solution for emulsifying and lifting grease from cookware.

Trip down memory lane: Module price rise could moderate in H2
The new projections counter previous estimates about memory prices continuing to peak every quarter for consumer electronics brands. They factor in softening demand for consumer electronics products such as handsets and personal computers (PCs) due to an already sharp increase in end-consumer prices over the past few months, which is expected to free up some supply.

Atomberg’s founders recast roles: Manoj Meena becomes CMD, Sibabrata Das is CEO
Atomberg's cofounders are stepping into new leadership positions. Manoj Meena is now chairman and managing director, while Shibam Das takes over as chief executive officer. Meena will drive innovation and long-term strategy for Atomberg. Das will lead the company's consumer business, including fans and appliances. This transition comes as Atomberg plans for a potential IPO.

Allcargo Logistics strengthens FMCG supply chains amid rising complexity and evolving consumer demand
The company offers integrated, technology-driven solutions for fragmented inventory. This helps companies manage expanding product portfolios and evolving consumer demands.

In India, $1 housekeepers spark a consumer, worker frenzy despite safety risks
Some Indian startups are offering house help for as little as $1 an hour, attracting thousands of women seeking work and consumers eager for affordable services. While the market is booming, concerns about worker safety, particularly for women, remain a significant challenge that companies are actively addressing through training and safety features.

ETMarkets Smart Talk| Financials, consumer discretionary, metals to drive FY27 growth: Rahul Bhuskute
Despite a volatile start to FY27 driven by geopolitical risks, oil price swings, and rate uncertainty, the outlook for Indian equities remains positive. Rahul Bhuskute of Bharti AXA Life Insurance expects near-term volatility and range-bound markets, but sees sector-led opportunities in financials, consumer discretionary, and metals supporting growth.

India Inc pulls back a bit from Gulf as cracks widen across operations
Indian consumer companies are scaling back West Asian operations due to steep losses and a fivefold surge in container costs amid the US-Israel-Iran war. Expansion plans are on hold as some businesses see up to a 40% decline, with mass consumers leaving the region.

Discretionary spending slows in India as uncertainty keeps consumer purchases at a bare minimum
Consumers are cutting back on non-essential purchases due to global tensions and job worries. Indian households are prioritising savings and value-driven goods. Companies have seen demand for luxury items weaken, with only essential product sales remaining steady. Rising input costs have pushed up prices for many goods. Hiring freezes and job cuts have added to the cautious mood.

Bank stocks vs consumer discretionary: Sunil Subramaniam’s top watchlist for the summer season
Market expert Sunil Subramaniam warns the bottom is yet to be established amid geopolitical tensions and Trump-induced volatility. He notes DIIs are holding back deployment ahead of a crucial earnings season, with flows turning cautious. Investors should stay patient, avoid panic selling, and accumulate systematically, while tracking consumer discretionary trends, banking NIM pressures, and potential private capex surprises.

Coal India absorbs cost surge to shield consumers
Coal India Limited is absorbing increased input costs to protect consumers from higher coal prices. Expenses for explosives and industrial diesel have risen sharply. The company is also compensating contractors for higher diesel expenses. India's coal imports have dropped due to high domestic stockpiles and firm seaborne prices. This trend is expected to continue.

Market Trading Guide: Buy SBI and Bajaj Consumer on Monday for gains up to 6%
Nifty extended gains, maintaining bullish momentum above key moving averages with strengthening RSI signals. Support lies near 23,800 and resistance around 24,300–24,350. Analysts highlight SBI and Bajaj Consumer Care as buy ideas with upside potential supported by strong technical breakouts and trend strength.

US consumer sentiment dives to a record low in April amid Iran war
U.S. consumer sentiment plunged to a record low in early April and consumers anticipated a surge in inflation in the next 12 months, a survey showed on Friday.

US consumer prices surge as expected in March; rise 3.3% year-on-year amid Iran war
American consumer prices saw their biggest jump in nearly four years in March. This surge was driven by higher oil prices and ongoing tariff impacts. The situation makes it less likely for interest rates to be cut this year. Consumers are facing affordability challenges as gasoline prices climb. This inflation trend is closely watched by the U.S. central bank.

Consumer durables growth muted as demand slows, margins shrink: HDFC Securities
The Indian consumer durables sector is expected to remain under near-term pressure amid weak demand trends and rising input costs, even as select categories and structural drivers support a gradual recovery over the medium to long term, according to a report by HDFC Securities.

Honasa Consumer shares rocket 11% on strong Q4 business update. Here’s everything you need to know
Honasa Consumer shares rose sharply on Thursday after the company posted a strong Q4 business update, with growth expected in the late twenties. Its flagship brand Mamaearth, continues to gain traction, while younger brands and offline channels drive momentum. Profitability is seen as steady with operating leverage benefits.
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