RURAL INDUSTRIES
Shree Cement to invest Rs 7,000 crore in Andhra Pradesh; plans plants in 3 districts
Shree Cement Ltd plans to invest Rs 7,000 crore to establish cement plants in Andhra Pradesh. The company will set up facilities in Kadapa, Anakapalli, and Guntur districts. This decision comes after incentives from the coalition government led by Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu. Shree Cement aims to increase its production capacity beyond 80 million tonnes in the near future.
India's growth gets further votes of confidence as Moody's raises FY27 forecast to 7% from 6.5%
Moody's Ratings has raised India's economic growth forecast for 2026-27 to 7% from 6.5%. This adjustment reflects the nation's strong consumption and improving investment dynamics. Despite potential challenges such as policy interest rate hikes, consumption remains crucial for growth. Additionally, SBI Research predicts a growth of 7.8% for India in the July-September quarter. Improving economic indicators suggest a strong recovery might be underway, supporting a new cycle of private investment.
IRDA's new consultation paper proposes major reforms to improve insurance distribution and reduce complaints
Irda's recent consultation paper aims to restructure insurance distributor commissions to enhance market efficiency and penetration. The report highlights India's low insurance penetration rate compared to global averages and emphasizes improving policy persistency. It suggests restructuring compensation models, linking payouts to ongoing services, and reducing initial commission incentives to curb misselling. This proposed overhaul aims to foster greater trust and improve customer service within the insurance sector.
Moody’s raises India FY27 growth forecast to 7% as economy weathers Iran war energy shock
Moody’s Ratings has raised India’s FY27 growth forecast to 7% from 6.5%, citing resilient domestic consumption, improving investment and the economy’s ability to absorb the Iran war-induced energy shock. Robust capital goods activity and industrial credit growth point to a possible private capex revival, though inflation and tighter monetary policy pose risks.
Will Americans finally pay less on credit card debt? Elizabeth Warren backs Trump's 10% interest rate cap after midterm wins
For Americans carrying credit card debt, the difference between a 22% interest rate and a 10% rate could mean hundreds of dollars in savings every year. Now, Senator Elizabeth Warren says she is ready to work with President Donald Trump to make that lower rate a reality. The proposal has failed to gain traction before, but the Democrats’ strong midterm performance has brought the issue back into focus.
ETMarkets Management Talk | Northern Arc sees D2C lending contributing over 75% of its loan book in the next few years
In this edition of ETMarkets Management Talk, Ashish Mehrotra, Managing Director and CEO of Northern Arc Capital, discusses the company's next phase of growth, its plans to expand the D2C business, and how a higher share of direct lending could support margins and return ratios. He also explains Northern Arc's broader strategy of combining a growing balance-sheet-led lending business with a capital-light, fee-based Credit Solutions platform to drive sustainable long-term returns.
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Karnataka clears Rs 6,826-crore industrial investment proposals, 131 outside Bengaluru
Karnataka's State Level Single Window Clearance Committee has approved multiple industrial projects worth Rs 6,825.93 crore. The majority of these projects will be set up outside Bengaluru, promoting regional growth. These projects are expected to generate around 18,600 jobs across various sectors, including IT and food processing. Notable investments include IT parks in Devanahalli and Doddanekundi, attracting significant capital.
Karnataka clears industrial projects worth Rs 6,825.93 cr; 18,600 jobs expected
Karnataka's recent committee meeting led to the approval of 147 industrial projects amounting to Rs 6,825.93 crore. These projects are anticipated to generate approximately 18,600 jobs across the state. Notably, 131 projects will invest in regions outside Bengaluru's urban areas to promote regional development. The investments span several sectors, including IT, semiconductors, and food processing. Major projects include IT parks and manufacturing units expected to create thousands of job opportunities.
HSBC upgrades India, downgrades China. Here are the sectors it likes now
HSBC has upgraded Indian equities to overweight and downgraded mainland China to neutral, citing improved valuations, stronger credit growth and resilient corporate earnings. The global brokerage favours financials, autos, industrials and consumer discretionary stocks, while remaining cautious on IT, staples and oil and gas amid growth and margin concerns.
AI power rush sends data centres hunting for used turbines and jet engines
Utilities and developers are increasingly looking for second-hand gas turbines as new equipment takes longer to produce. Orders for gas turbines are significantly outpacing manufacturing capacity and are projected to reach 129 gigawatts. The AI data centre boom is driving demand and leading to higher prices for gas turbine equipment.
Overall, India Inc credit profile looks healthy: Ramnath Krishnan, Icra Group CEO
Corporate India's credit profile has maintained strength following a period of deleveraging post-Covid, although external pressures exist. While rating upgrades continue to outnumber downgrades, specific sectors like chemicals and airlines face challenges. The potential for a drop in credit ratios exists, dependent on geopolitical factors and inflation rates. Companies remain hesitant to invest heavily amid uncertain consumer demand, leading to muted private sector capex.
M&M bets on SUV growth, EV expansion and global aerospace orders to drive earnings
Mahindra & Mahindra has unveiled impressive revenue and profit figures, driven largely by the rising popularity of SUVs and electric vehicles. Looking ahead, the company is set to boost production capacity and launch several new vehicles. In contrast, the tractor sector's growth forecast has been adjusted to flat, influenced by unfavorable monsoon conditions and low water levels in reservoirs.
Agri loans emerge as biggest asset quality risk for Indian banks
Agricultural loans in India are currently facing significant asset-quality risks, with bad-loan ratios surpassing other sectors. The gross non-performing asset ratio for agricultural loans is at 5.1%, compared to 1.5% for industry and services. Factors such as a poor monsoon have contributed to this situation, although agricultural bad loans have declined since 2020-21. Various banks have reported increased agricultural loan slippages but maintain a cautious outlook on borrower stress.
Digital lenders clock 40-50% revenue growth as credit demand surges
Digital lender Kissht's revenue from operations rose 44.7% year-on-year to Rs 732 crore, while Moneyview reported 41% growth to Rs 1,120 crore. MobiKwik's financial services revenue increased 41.8% to Rs 87 crore, while Paytm's financial services distribution revenue grew 49.3% to Rs 912 crore.
Britannia Industries plans further price hikes amid food inflation impacting margins and boosting rural demand
Britannia Industries is responding to persistent inflation by considering additional price hikes for its products. The company has already raised prices by 3.5% in the September quarter, but this only partially addresses rising costs. Increased competition from companies like Reliance Industries adds pressure on their pricing strategy and market share. Demand is improving, particularly in rural and semi-urban markets, which reflects changing consumption patterns.
Vehicle registrations fall 24% in October on high base
Registrations of vehicles in October experienced a significant decline compared to the previous year's records. This drop was largely due to an earlier festive season that drove higher demand last year. Despite the decrease, certain vehicle segments like electric vehicles showed remarkable growth in registrations. The upcoming Dhanteras and Diwali festivities are expected to positively impact sales this month. Dealers remain cautiously optimistic about demand, especially in rural markets.
Auto sales to maintain momentum, driven by GST relief, EVs : SIAM
The Indian automotive industry is expected to sustain growth momentum in the second half of the fiscal year. Key factors include improved affordability, strong financing support, and resilient market demand. Sales of entry-level passenger cars have surged significantly, indicating a revival in consumption among first-time buyers.
Microfinance lenders tread cautiously amid rural stress
The microfinance sector experienced varied performance in the second quarter of FY27, reflecting economic uncertainty. Bandhan Bank and CreditAccess Grameen saw declines in their microfinance portfolios, while IndusInd Bank grew its portfolio. Lenders are concerned about the impact of drought and inflation on rural borrowers. Estimates for the sector's growth varied between credit information companies, indicating inconsistencies. Collection discipline has improved, but localized climate disruptions continue to pose risks.
Big FMCG companies outgrow market as smaller rivals get squeezed by costs and slowing rural demand
India's fast-moving consumer goods sector has experienced a slowdown in volume growth amid rising costs. Rural demand has weakened, impacting smaller regional manufacturers while larger companies thrive. Hindustan Unilever, Marico, and other major firms reported robust growth figures. Smaller players are particularly vulnerable due to their limited capacity to manage current challenges.
'Gold’s rally is not just about wars, it’s fundamentally linked to $40 tn US debt': WGC India CEO Sachin Jain
World Gold Council India CEO Sachin Jain said gold’s rally is driven by rising US debt, de-dollarisation and central bank purchases, rather than geopolitics alone. He expects strong Indian demand during Diwali and recommends allocating 10-15% of financial assets to gold. Over the next five years, technology, tokenisation and blockchain could make gold more accessible, transparent and easier to trade.
Bangladesh garment factories close as workers clash with police in pay protests
Bangladesh's garment workers have been demanding a minimum wage increase due to rising living costs. Following their protests, police intervened with tear gas and stun grenades in several areas. Factory shutdowns were reported, impacting the country’s crucial garment industry significantly. The government is responding by forming a new wage board to address workers’ demands. Workers are expected to receive their first salaries under this new pay scale in January.
Troy Jackson, the 'logger from Allagash', heads to US Senate; his family's property includes a $15,000 plot of land and a small commercial building; here's what we know
Troy Jackson is a fifth-generation logger from Allagash, a small rural community in northern Maine. He was born in a working-class family that struggled financially. He worked in the logging industry for around 15 years before entering the Maine Legislature in 2002. In 2026, he initially sought the Democratic nomination for governor. Later, he entered the Senate race.
Auto sales growth to cool post-festive season, says Monarch; bets on Minda Corp, RK Forgings and Sundram Fasteners
Auto sales growth is expected to moderate in the second half of FY27 after strong festive demand, while tractor sales may remain weak. Monarch Networth Capital prefers diversified ancillary players Minda Corporation, RK Forgings and Sundram Fasteners, with potential upside of up to 44%.
US midterm elections 2026: Democrat Troy Jackson defeats Susan Collins in Maine Senate race
Democrat Troy Jackson achieved a significant victory in the midterm elections by winning a Senate seat in Maine. He defeated incumbent Republican Senator Susan Collins, who conceded on Tuesday after a competitive race. Jackson highlighted his working-class background and advocated for universal healthcare during his campaign. Economic challenges, including rising fuel costs, greatly influenced voter sentiment in Maine this year.
Astrobase, Bayer to invest Rs 700 crore in Karnataka, creating nearly 1,500 jobs
Astrobase and Bayer have announced a combined investment of Rs 700 crore in Karnataka. Astrobase will invest Rs 500 crore to set up a manufacturing facility for rocket engines. This project aims to create approximately 1,250 jobs in the region. Bayer plans to invest Rs 200 crore to establish a Global Capability Centre, generating around 220 jobs. Both investments reflect a growing interest in expanding industrial capabilities in Karnataka.
Green crackers: Where can you buy them in Delhi, Gurgaon, Noida and Ghaziabad? How to identify if it is real or polluting cracker?
Green crackers list: Green crackers are low-emission fireworks developed to reduce air and noise pollution compared with conventional firecrackers. With the Supreme Court allowing their use in Delhi-NCR on November 7 and 8, 2026, consumers are looking for authorised markets to purchase them ahead of Diwali. These crackers use a modified chemical composition and are designed to reduce particulate matter emissions by at least 30% and gaseous emissions by 10%.
FUEL SkillTech, KDEM train 568 Karnataka students in AI, coding and employability skills
FUEL SkillTech University has trained 568 students across three Karnataka institutions under the NIPUNA Karnataka initiative, run in association with the state government and the Karnataka Digital Economy Mission (KDEM).
Amitabh Kant pitches for development model with rural communities as producers, innovators
Kant also stressed the need to transform rural India into centres of economic activity, innovation and entrepreneurship rather than limiting it to welfare delivery.
Festive demand, capex to fuel India’s industrial growth in H2 FY27 despite risks: Report
Festive demand and sustained public capital expenditure are expected to support India's industrial activity in the second half of FY27, although unfavourable base effects, weak monsoon conditions and higher input costs could weigh on production, according to a report by Union Bank of India.
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