Author: Supriya Jena

On Monday, a group in charge of deciding taxes in India agreed to raise the tax on fizzy drinks to 35% from 28%. This change is aimed at making unhealthy items that are often linked to health problems, like cigarettes and tobacco, more expensive. The final choice about these new taxes will be made by a meeting of top government officials on December 21.

Right now, India has four tax levels: 5%, 12%, 18%, and 28%. The new 35% rate will be added for these unhealthy items. Currently, items that are considered necessary, like food, either have no tax or a very low tax, while luxury items, like cars and washing machines, have higher taxes. The proposal would also mean a special rate of 35% on tobacco products and fizzy drinks.

The news about higher taxes caused the shares of Varun Beverages, a major partner with PepsiCo in India, to fall by over 5%. Most of their money comes from selling fizzy drinks, which have been struggling because of the high taxes. Despite this, their shares have shown some growth over the last month and six months.

A report showed that the high taxes in India make it hard for carbonated drinks to grow and reach their full business potential. Comparisons by the World Bank reveal that India has one of the highest total tax rates on sugary drinks, standing at 40% in 2023

Tata Power’s shares went up by 2.64%, closing at ₹289.50. This rise happened as many investors were looking for good stocks to buy when the market opened. The share price showed a positive trend throughout the day.

Tata Power is a well-known company that focuses on energy and renewable sources. Experts believe more people might want to invest in Tata Power because they are planning exciting new projects. Their aim is to produce cleaner energy and become a leader in the energy market.

The company’s performance is also influenced by overall market trends and government policies supporting renewable energy. Investors are keeping a close eye on Tata Power to see how it performs in the future and whether it can continue to grow.

Oil prices didn’t change much on Monday. On one hand, there’s hope that demand for oil will go up because factories in China are making more products. On the other hand, people are worried that the U.S. Federal Reserve might not lower interest rates at their meeting in December, which can affect oil demand.

Brent crude oil prices dropped just 1 cent to $71.83 a barrel. Meanwhile, U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude went up 10 cents to $68.10. A private report showed that Chinese factories are doing better in November, which is good news for the economy. But there are also trade threats from U.S. President-elect Donald Trump.

In the Middle East, a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon seems shaky. Israel announced on Monday it was attacking targets in Lebanon after both sides blamed each other for breaking the ceasefire. Despite some problems, the U.S. Pentagon reported that the ceasefire is mostly holding.

Traders are also keeping an eye on Syria, worried that the ongoing issues there could lead to more problems in the region and affect oil supply. Last week, oil prices dropped more than 3% due to easing worries about supply from the Israel-Hezbollah conflict and predictions of more oil than needed in 2025, even with planned output cuts.

OPEC+, a group of oil-producing countries, has postponed their next meeting to December 5, where they’ll talk about delaying an oil production increase planned for January. If they postpone this increase, it could help prevent oil prices from falling further.

Money managers are being cautious and want to see how the new Trump administration’s policies will affect the market, as well as what OPEC+ decides regarding oil supply.

On top of all this, the Atlanta Federal Reserve President Raphael Bostic said he is still deciding whether to cut interest rates in December. Higher interest rates can make it more expensive to borrow money, which can slow down the economy and decrease oil demand.

Additionally, the U.S. dollar is getting stronger. Trump recently threatened to impose 100% tariffs on countries in the BRICS group, unless they agree not to create a new currency that could replace the dollar. A stronger dollar means that oil, which is priced in dollars, becomes more expensive for people using other currencies, leading to less demand.

Manglam Builders is making a big move in Jaipur by buying a 3.5-acre piece of land on Ajmer Road for ₹107 crores. They’re planning to create a fantastic mixed-use project that will include shops, a five-star hotel with 200 rooms, a fun multiplex, and office spaces.

The total cost to build this project is expected to be ₹500 crores, and it will cover a huge area of 11 lakh square feet. This project will not only have shops but also a big banquet hall and luxurious hotel rooms. Ajay Gupta, who is the Director at Manglam Builders, said that the high demand for commercial spaces in Jaipur inspired them to create this luxury project.

Manglam Builders is already well-known in Jaipur, with a land bank of 1000 acres and over 70 completed projects. They are also working on another project called ‘Pinkwalk’ in Jagatpura. Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan, is experiencing rapid growth in its real estate market. The city’s improved infrastructure and efforts by the state government to boost tourism and commerce are driving a strong demand for both commercial and residential spaces.

The new project on Ajmer Road is located in one of Jaipur’s best areas, which is seeing a lot of development with many new projects. It’s close to the new Ajmer Road Bus Stand and other important places, making it a great choice for investors and users.

This luxury project will provide high-quality commercial spaces designed to meet modern standards. Manglam Builders is working with well-known architects to ensure that the project looks great and is built using eco-friendly materials and methods.

The retail areas will feature a mix of upscale shops, restaurants, and entertainment options. The five-star hotel will have all the luxurious amenities you can imagine. The multiplex will showcase the latest movies from Bollywood and Hollywood. The office spaces will be modern and equipped with everything businesses need, like high-speed internet and meeting rooms, along with a rooftop lounge offering beautiful views of the city.

Manglam Builders is dedicated to quality and sustainability, making it a trusted name in Jaipur’s real estate market. This new project, with its prime location and luxurious offerings, is an exciting opportunity for investors, businesses, and anyone looking for premium commercial spaces in the city.

Visit our website to learn more! (Disclaimer: This content is promotional, and TIL does not guarantee or endorse it.)

A big week for shopping—well, shopping for investment! About nine new mutual fund offers (NFOs) are now available for you to consider. Here’s what you can look at:

– TATA FMP-61-D-91D is a plan that lets you invest your money for a fixed period, and it will close on December 4. It focuses on earning money or growing your investment by putting money into safe fixed-income stuff. You can start with just ₹5,000.

– Kotak Nifty 100 Equal Weight Index Fund is for those who want to invest in 100 big companies equally. This offer is open until December 16. You need at least ₹100 to start investing here.

– Kotak Nifty 50 Equal Weight Index Fund is similar, but it focuses on 50 big companies. It is also open till December 16, with a minimum investment of ₹100.

– Quantum Ethical Fund is for those who want to invest only in companies that follow ethical rules. It is open till December 16. It’s all about growing your money while keeping it clean, and you need at least ₹100 to start.

– Samco Multi Asset Allocation Fund allows you to invest in different areas like stocks and gold. It opens on December 4 and closes on December 18. The minimum investment is ₹5,000, but if you want to do a monthly plan, it’s just ₹500.

– SBI Quant Fund uses special math to choose its stocks. This fund is up for grabs from December 4 to December 18. You can start investing with ₹5,000.

– Aditya Birla SL Conglomerate Fund is a mix of many businesses. You can invest with a minimum of ₹100, and it opens on December 5 and closes on December 19.

– Bajaj Finserv Healthcare Fund is focused on health companies. It opens on December 6 and closes on December 20, and you can start with just ₹500.

– Baroda BNP Paribas Children’s Fund is for your kids’ future, with a minimum investment of ₹1,000. This fund has a lock-in of at least five years.

Make sure to invest carefully and check with experts if unsure

This week, you have a great chance to invest in new mutual fund schemes! Here’s a list of the funds that are currently open for you to subscribe:

– TATA FMP-61-D-91D: This is a fixed maturity plan that helps you earn money and grow your investment over a set time. You can invest at least Rs 5,000, and it will close on December 4.

– Kotak Nifty 100 Equal Weight Index Fund: This fund aims to match the performance of the top 100 companies in India by investing mostly in their stocks. You can start with just Rs 100, and it will be available until December 16.

– Kotak Nifty 50 Equal Weight Index Fund: Similar to the above fund, but focuses on the top 50 companies. It also has a starting amount of Rs 100, and subscriptions are open until December 16.

– Quantum Ethical Fund: This fund only invests in companies that follow ethical practices. You can join for a minimum of Rs 100, and it closes on December 16.

Several new funds will also open for subscription later this week. Here are the details:

– Samco Multi Asset Allocation Fund: This fund invests in stocks, bonds, gold, and more. The subscription starts on December 4 and ends on December 18 with a minimum investment of Rs 5,000.

– SBI Quant Fund: This fund picks stocks using special mathematical methods. You can start with Rs 5,000, and it will be available until December 18.

– Aditya Birla SL Conglomerate Fund: This fund focuses on companies that are part of big groups. It opens on December 5 and closes on December 19, starting from Rs 100.

– Bajaj Finserv Healthcare Fund: This fund invests in healthcare-related companies. It opens on December 6 and ends on December 20, with a minimum investment of Rs 500.

– Baroda BNP Paribas Children’s Fund: This fund is specially for kids and has a lock-in period of five years. You can start investing from Rs 1,000, and subscriptions will open soon.

Remember, investing is important for your future, and these funds are great ways to grow your money!

In a surprising turn of events in Bengaluru, a 29-year-old IT worker named Gautham (not his real name) was tricked into paying Rs 8.1 lakh (about $9,700) after trying to hire an escort online.

The story began when Gautham found the number of a woman named Amrutha Gill on a website called massagerepublic.com. She called herself different names, like Roopa, Kushi, and Sonia, and agreed to meet him for three hours for Rs 15,000 (around $180).

On November 29, Gautham booked a hotel room on Residency Road for their meeting, but when Roopa arrived at 6:15 p.m., he noticed she looked much older than the 18 she had claimed. He paid her Rs 16,000, which included Rs 1,000 for her cab ride, using a payment app.

Things quickly took a strange turn. Roopa suddenly claimed to be an undercover police officer and threatened to arrest Gautham. Shortly after, he received a WhatsApp call from a man named Hitesh Kumar, who said he was an IPS officer and Roopa’s partner. The man claimed Gautham was under “digital arrest” and demanded Rs 10 lakh (around $12,000) to avoid being taken away.

Scared, Gautham told him he didn’t have that much money, but the fake officer threatened to drag him to the police station. Roopa then took Gautham’s credit card and used it to steal Rs 8.1 lakh by sending it to different bank accounts in several payments.

The extortion went on until about 8:30 p.m. When Gautham suggested going to the police to sort things out, Roopa followed him to the hotel reception. He explained everything to the hotel staff and asked them to call the police. Before they could, Roopa panicked, ran out, and even tried to escape by claiming Gautham mistreated her.

As police arrived, she pretended to faint but was quickly caught. Officers helped Gautham contact Niftystat to freeze the accounts linked to the scam.

Later, they discovered Roopa’s real name was Pooja, and she was actually 31 years old, according to her Aadhaar card. She was arrested and taken into custody.