Author: Supriya Jena

  • Reliance Industries Struggles in 2024: Future Challenges and IPO Plans

    Reliance Industries Struggles in 2024: Future Challenges and IPO Plans

    2024 hasn’t been a good year for Reliance Industries (RIL). People are worried because RIL’s shares are likely to end the year with losses, which hasn’t happened in almost ten years. The company’s value dropped by more than Rs 4.4 lakh crore since it peaked in July, with shares falling about 21% from their highest point of Rs 1,608.95.

    In the past, RIL had great years, like a 70.55% return in 2017. But things slowed down in 2021 with just 19.32%, and it got worse: 7.60% in 2022 and only 1.44% last year. This year looks even worse due to slow earnings impacted by a tough economy.

    Challenges for Reliance Retail

    Reliance Retail (RR) also faced many problems this year, especially in the fashion sector. The company needed to close 1,185 stores and isn’t making enough money, even though more people are visiting the stores. Competition from quick delivery companies has made it harder for RR.

    However, analysts like Jefferies believe RR remains a strong player and should focus on better opportunities to attract more investors. They still recommend RIL as a good investment with a target price of Rs 1,700.

    What’s Next for RIL?

    Another brokerage, JPMorgan, says RIL looks good compared to other high-priced stocks. To boost its shares, RIL needs better earnings, especially from its retail branch. Since RR is valued less than its competitors like DMart, any rise in its value could help RIL’s stock price.

    RIL’s growth used to come from investing in refineries and chemicals, but now, RR and Telecom bring in about half of RIL’s profits. RIL is expected to make positive cash flow in the future and aims to keep its debts low.

    Mukesh Ambani, once worth $120.8 billion, sees his wealth fall to about $96.7 billion. He is now focusing on digital services, retail brands, and green energy for future growth.

    Future IPOs

    Ambani plans to list Jio on the stock market in 2025, which could be worth over $100 billion. However, an IPO for the retail section may come later, depending on how the company handles its internal problems.

    Despite facing many challenges in the retail market, Reliance is still moving forward with plans like a partnership with Walt Disney for a big media company in India and working with Nvidia to build AI technology. RIL remains valuable, but the oil sector problems have affected its stock prices

  • Vijay Diwas Controversy: India and Bangladesh Clash Over History

    Vijay Diwas Controversy: India and Bangladesh Clash Over History

    On December 16, which is known as Vijay Diwas in India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a social media post that upset some people in Bangladesh. This day celebrates the contributions of Indian soldiers in helping Bangladesh gain independence in 1971.

    Bangladesh’s law advisor, Asif Nazrul, disagreed with Modi’s post. He pointed out that December 16 is actually Bangladesh’s Victory Day. Nazrul stated on Facebook that while India supported Bangladesh during the war, it was ultimately Bangladesh’s victory. He said, “I strongly protest. December 16, 1971, was the Victory Day of Bangladesh. India was an ally of this victory, nothing more.”

    In his post, Modi honored the bravery of the soldiers, saying, “Today, on Vijay Diwas, we honor the courage and sacrifices of the brave soldiers who contributed to India’s historic victory in 1971.” He praised their dedication, saying their actions brought honor to India and will inspire future generations.

  • Vedanta’s Rs 8.5 Dividend Announcement: Key Highlights and Insights

    Vedanta’s Rs 8.5 Dividend Announcement: Key Highlights and Insights

    Vedanta, a major company, is making headlines as its board has approved a new dividend of Rs 8.5 per share for the financial year 2024-2025. This means that the total payout will be around Rs 3,324 crore! The date for shareholders to qualify for this dividend is set for December 24, 2024.

    On Monday, Vedanta’s share price closed at Rs 513.50 on the NSE, which was a drop of Rs 6 or 1.15% from the last trading day. So far in the financial year 2025, Vedanta has given out a dividend totaling Rs 35 per share. Over the past year, this adds up to Rs 46 per share in total dividends.

    The last time Vedanta paid a dividend was Rs 20 per share on September 10, 2024. This followed dividends of Rs 4 on August 2, 2024, and Rs 11 on May 24, 2024.

    In its latest financial report, Vedanta announced a profit of Rs 5,603 crore for the three months ending in September 2024. This is a huge improvement compared to a loss of Rs 915 crore during the same time last year! However, their revenue decreased by 4% year-on-year, totaling Rs 37,171 crore, down from Rs 38,546 crore last year.

    The company’s earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) for this period were Rs 9,828 crore, with profit margins at 26.1%. Vedanta also achieved record-high aluminum production of 609 kilotonnes in the second quarter, which is a 3% increase from last year. The cost of producing aluminum fell by 4% to $1,734 per tonne, while alumina production rose by 8% to 499 kilotonnes.

    Arun Misra, the Executive Director of Vedanta, said that the second half of this year will be exciting as important growth projects are getting ready to start.

  • Gold Steady Before Key Interest Rate Decisions This Week

    Gold Steady Before Key Interest Rate Decisions This Week

    Simplified Rewritten Article
    Gold Prices Hold Steady Ahead of Important Rate Decisions This Week

    Gold prices are staying the same as everyone waits to hear about big decisions on interest rates from central banks. Interest rates are the costs of borrowing money, and they can affect how people buy gold.

    This week, key meetings will be held, where leaders will discuss if they will change interest rates or keep them the same. Changes in interest rates can influence gold prices because when rates go up, gold can become more expensive to hold since it doesn’t earn any interest. Conversely, if rates go down or stay low, gold can become more appealing as an investment.

    Traders and investors are watching closely to see what happens. The price of gold is currently around $1,875 per ounce, which is a strong position as it prepares for these decisions.

  • Nasdaq Hits Record High as Fed Plans Rate Cut – What You Need to Know

    Nasdaq Hits Record High as Fed Plans Rate Cut – What You Need to Know

    On Monday, the Nasdaq stock market reached a new record high, and the S&P 500 also saw some gains. Investors are looking closely at the latest economic data and are excited about the Federal Reserve’s upcoming decision on interest rates, which will be announced on Wednesday.

    Most investors believe a rate cut is very likely, with a 95.4% chance of a 0.25% drop. This means the Fed might lower rates to help support the economy. However, experts like Sam Stovall suggest that even with a cut, the Fed may still be cautious and might not plan many more cuts next year than some people expect.

    In terms of economic health, the S&P Global reported a drop in manufacturing activity, with the latest numbers showing a reading of 48.3. This is lower than economists predicted and signifies potential issues as higher tariffs could raise prices on imported materials next year.

    On the market front, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell by 110.58 points (0.25%), closing at 43,717.48. Meanwhile, the S&P 500 went up by 22.99 points (0.38%) to reach 6,074.08, and the Nasdaq climbed by 247.17 points (1.24%) to 20,173.89. The Nasdaq has now seen four weeks of gains, while the Dow has dropped for eight straight days.

    Prominent companies performed well, with Alphabet (Google’s parent company) rising by 3.6% and Tesla jumping by 6.1%. Tesla’s stock price target was recently raised to a record $515 by Wedbush Securities.

    As investors await the Fed’s decision, they will also pay attention to retail sales data coming out on Tuesday to see how strong consumer spending is.

    This year, the S&P 500 has grown more than 27% due to optimism around companies benefiting from artificial intelligence, the Fed’s expected rate cuts, a strong economy, and anticipated business-friendly policies from Donald Trump’s upcoming administration.

    Honeywell International’s stock rose by 3.7% after they revealed plans to consider separating their aerospace business. Among the stocks traded, more declined than advanced on the NYSE, while there were more advances than declines on the Nasdaq.

    Overall, the S&P 500 saw 14 new highs and 18 lows, with the Nasdaq recording 112 new highs and 193 new lows. The total volume of shares traded was 15.33 billion, compared to the average of 14.04 billion shares in the last 20 trading days.

  • Nifty and Sensex Drop: Why Volatility Is Here to Stay

    Nifty and Sensex Drop: Why Volatility Is Here to Stay

    On Monday, the Nifty and Sensex dropped by almost half a percent. This small dip was not surprising, as both indices had recently risen quite a bit. However, the overall situation in the market was better than it used to be during past drops. Many stocks were still doing well even when the main indices fell. Will the market stay shaky? The answer is yes. The last three months of the year often bring ups and downs in the market, making it a tricky time for investors

  • Trump May Pardon Mayor Eric Adams Facing Bribery Charges”

    Trump May Pardon Mayor Eric Adams Facing Bribery Charges”

    Donald Trump, who is about to become president again, said he might think about helping Mayor Eric Adams from New York City, who is in trouble for bribery charges. During a press conference at his Mar-a-Lago estate on Monday, a reporter asked if Trump would support the former police officer. Trump simply replied that he would “look at” a pardon for Adams. This situation is developing, so stay tuned for more updates!

  • Delhi’s Air Pollution Crisis: Stage-IV Measures Imposed

    Delhi’s Air Pollution Crisis: Stage-IV Measures Imposed

    Delhi is facing a serious air pollution problem. The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has decided to bring back strict rules, called Stage-IV measures, because the city’s air quality has dropped to a dangerous level.

    On Monday night, the Air Quality Index (AQI) reached over 400, which means the air is very unhealthy. The CAQM quickly held an emergency meeting to discuss this issue. They announced that the new rules will start right away.

    To protect students, the Delhi Directorate of Education (DoE) has told all schools to switch to a hybrid learning model, which means students up to Class V will learn partly online and partly in school. This rule applies to all government and private schools.

    What does Stage-IV mean for Delhi?
    Stage-IV is the highest alert level for air quality. Here’s what it means:

    1. Vehicle Rules: Non-essential trucks can’t enter Delhi unless they are carrying important goods. Trucks that run on cleaner fuels, like LNG, CNG, or are electric, are allowed.

    2. School Changes: Most schools will have online classes except for students in Classes 10 and 12. The Chief Minister confirmed that this will last for as long as needed.

    3. Work-from-Home: Government and private offices may allow employees to work from home to limit their exposure to bad air.

    4. Construction Ban: No construction work is allowed, even on roads and power projects, to prevent adding more dust into the air.

    5. Health Warnings: People, especially kids and seniors, should stay inside and avoid going out if possible. The CAQM is asking everyone to help reduce pollution.

    Wider Impact on the NCR Region
    These measures are also being applied in nearby areas including parts of Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan. The air quality in these regions has also been very poor, especially in winter when there’s little wind.

    Medical experts warn that bad air can lead to health problems like breathing issues and heart disease. So, the government is asking everyone to be careful and stay indoors when possible.

    What’s Next?
    The goal of these Stage-IV measures is to quickly lower pollution levels and improve air quality. However, weather conditions may not improve soon, possibly lengthening the pollution problem.

    The CAQM is trying to manage the air quality as best as they can, but they admit that growing vehicle emissions, industrial pollution, and burning crops in nearby states make it hard.

    As the pollution crisis unfolds, the government is ready to take more actions if needed, like more limits on businesses or vehicle restrictions. Delhi residents should keep an eye on any new rules and follow health advice during this urgent time.

  • Mizoram Launches Rubber Mission: A Boost for Local Farmers!

    Mizoram Launches Rubber Mission: A Boost for Local Farmers!

    In a big move to change farming in Mizoram, Chief Minister Lalduhoma recently started the Mizoram Chief Minister’s Rubber Mission in Aizawl. He talked about how farmers in Mizoram have struggled with different crops in the past, which made them lose trust in government help. He believes rubber is a great crop that many people want, and it can help farmers earn steady money while also being good for the environment.

    The Chief Minister promised that this mission is well thought out and will use Mizoram’s land in smart ways. The goal is to make the state a center for rubber production. Before launching the mission, important officials studied rubber farming in other states like Tripura and Kerala and learned from the Rubber Board of India to make sure the project goes smoothly.

    Lalthansanga, the Minister for Land Resources, praised the Chief Minister’s vision. He shared that the idea for this mission came after talking to Dr. Sawar Dhanania, the head of the Rubber Board of India. He also confirmed that the team is ready to make this mission work and help farmers.

    The Rubber Mission will begin in the financial year 2025-26, with plans to farm on 1,000 hectares of land each year, helping 1,000 farmers annually. Over the next four years, the mission aims to develop 4,000 hectares of land. At the launch event, Pankaja Borah, the General Manager of NABARD’s Mizoram office, provided a check of Rs 27.98 crore for the mission’s first phase, which will involve seven districts in Mizoram

  • 12 Indian Nationals Found Dead in Georgia: Investigation Underway

    12 Indian Nationals Found Dead in Georgia: Investigation Underway

    In a sad event in Gudauri, Georgia, twelve Indian employees of an Indian restaurant were found dead in their bedrooms. Authorities believe they may have died from carbon monoxide poisoning. At first, there were no signs of hurt or violence on their bodies, as stated by Georgia’s Ministry of Internal Affairs.

    Officials from the Indian embassy in Tbilisi confirmed that all twelve victims were Indian nationals. However, there was some confusion, as Georgia’s report said 11 victims were foreigners and one was a local citizen.

    The Indian embassy expressed deep sorrow over the loss and stated they are working with local authorities to support the families of the deceased. They also promised to offer all possible help.

    Early investigations suggest the poisoning might have happened due to a power generator that was turned on in a closed space near their rooms on Friday night. A forensic team is working to determine the exact cause of death.

    The Georgian police have started an investigation into the incident, focusing on negligent manslaughter as they look into this tragedy further.