Paytm Share Price in Focus; Drops for the 2nd Consecutive Session

On January 21, 2025, fintech major One97 Communications, which operates the Paytm payments platform, saw its stock price trade 6.05% lower at ₹843.45 by 10:30 AM on the NSE. The stock opened at ₹900.55, higher than its previous close of ₹897.80. It had declined by 0.17% the previous day, breaking a four-session streak of gains.

Q3 FY25 Financial Highlights

On Monday, fintech major One97 Communications, which operates the Paytm payments platform, reported that its consolidated loss in the December quarter narrowed to ₹208.3 crore, down from ₹219.8 crore in the same quarter of the previous fiscal year.

However, the company’s consolidated revenue from operations fell by 36% year-on-year (YoY), totalling ₹1,828 crore, compared to ₹2,851 crore in Q3 of FY24.

On a quarter-on-quarter (QoQ) basis, Paytm saw a 10% rise in revenue, driven by an increase in Gross Merchandise Value (GMV), strong growth in subscription revenues, and higher earnings from financial services distribution.

The net payment margin increased by 5% QoQ to ₹489 crore, mainly due to the boost in subscription revenue. The fintech firm also noted that its payment processing margin remained within the expected range.

Recent Business Developments

On January 20, 2025, Paytm’s parent company, One97 Communications, announced plans to incorporate wholly-owned subsidiaries of Paytm Cloud Technologies Limited in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), and Singapore within the next six months.

These subsidiaries will focus on expanding the distribution of Paytm’s technology-led merchant payments and financial services stack in these regions. The expansion will be carried out through various strategies, including organic growth, local licensing, and strategic investments or partnerships.

This move is part of Paytm’s efforts to broaden its footprint and enhance its market presence internationally.

On January 20, 2025, One97 Communications, the parent company of Paytm, announced the sale of its step-down subsidiary, Xceed IT Solutions Private Limited.

The agreement for the sale was signed on the same day, with the expected completion date set for February 28, 2025.

 

Disclaimer: This blog has been written exclusively for educational purposes. The securities mentioned are only examples and not recommendations. This does not constitute a personal recommendation/investment advice. It does not aim to influence any individual or entity to make investment decisions. Recipients should conduct their own research and assessments to form an independent opinion about investment decisions.

Investments in the securities market are subject to market risks, read all the related documents carefully before investing.

IRFC Shares in Focus; Q3 FY25 Profit Rises 2%, Revenue Marginally Up

Indian Railway Finance Corporation (IRFC) reported a 2% YoY increase in Q3 FY25 net profit to ₹1,630.66 crore. Revenue rose 0.4% YoY to ₹6,763.43 crore. Expenses fell 3% QoQ, while the EPS rose to ₹1.25.

Q3 FY25 Financial Highlights

Indian Railway Finance Corporation (IRFC) reported a nearly 2% increase in its net profit for the third quarter of FY25, reaching ₹1,630.66 crore, compared to ₹1,598.93 crore in the same quarter last year.

Revenue from operations stood at ₹6,763.43 crore, showing a slight 0.4% increase from ₹6,736.57 crore in the previous year’s quarter.

The company’s total expenses amounted to ₹5,135.73 crore, down 3% from ₹5,287.55 crore in Q2 FY25. In the same quarter last year, expenses were ₹5,141.09 crore.

Earnings per share (EPS) for the third quarter of FY25 were ₹1.25, up from ₹1.22 per share in Q3 FY24.

Recent Business Developments

On October 8, 2024, the IRFC board approved financing for 20 BOBR rakes under the General Purpose Wagon Investment Scheme (GPWIS) of Indian Railways for up to ₹700 crore on a finance lease basis to NTPC.

As part of this approval, IRFC signed a lease agreement with NTPC Ltd for the first phase, involving 8 BOBR rakes worth approximately ₹250 crore. This financing deal underscores IRFC’s commitment to providing innovative financing solutions for infrastructure development.

Meanwhile, in a recent press release, IRFC announced that it has emerged as the lowest bidder (L1) for financing ₹3,167 crore for the development of the Banhardih Coal Block in Latehar District, Jharkhand. The project is being executed by Patratu Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Limited (PVUNL), a joint venture between NTPC Limited (holding 74% equity) and Jharkhand Bijli Vitran Nigam Limited (26% equity).

The Banhardih Coal Block, allocated to PVUNL as a captive coal source, will supply coal to the project site via Indian Railways. This proposal is subject to further due diligence, approval from IRFC’s Board of Directors, and finalisation of the terms with PVUNL.

Share Price Performance

Indian Railway Finance Corporation’s share price traded 1.88% lower at ₹143.94 at 10:00 AM on the NSE, after opening at ₹146.60, down slightly from the previous close of ₹146.70. The stock ended its 5-session gaining streak today.

 

Disclaimer: This blog has been written exclusively for educational purposes. The securities mentioned are only examples and not recommendations. This does not constitute a personal recommendation/investment advice. It does not aim to influence any individual or entity to make investment decisions. Recipients should conduct their own research and assessments to form an independent opinion about investment decisions.

Investments in the securities market are subject to market risks, read all the related documents carefully before investing.

Zomato Share Price Declines For 2nd Day; Reports 57% YoY Drop in Q3 Results

Food delivery company Zomato reported a 57% year-on-year drop in its Q3 FY25 net profit, which fell to ₹59 crore. However, revenue surged 64% to ₹5,405 crore, with a 13% sequential growth. Despite the revenue increase, PAT declined sharply compared to Q2 FY25.

Gross Order Value (GOV) Performance

Zomato’s Gross Order Value (GOV) for its B2C businesses grew by 57% year-on-year, totalling ₹20,206 crore in Q3 FY25. The GOV also rose by 14% on a quarter-on-quarter (QoQ) basis.

In its shareholder letter, Zomato acknowledged a broad-based slowdown in demand, which began in the second half of November. The company noted that its long-term growth target for GOV in the food delivery business remains over 20% year-on-year, despite the current slowdown.

Excluding the impact of the acquisition of Paytm’s entertainment ticketing business, GOV growth was 52% year-on-year and 12% on a QoQ basis.

Segment-wise GOV Growth:

  • Food Delivery GOV: Grew by 17% year-on-year.
  • Quick Commerce GOV: Surged by 120% year-on-year.
  • Going-Out GOV: Increased by 191% year-on-year.

Profitability

Zomato’s consolidated adjusted Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortisation (EBITDA) grew 128% year-on-year, largely driven by an improvement in the food delivery adjusted EBITDA margin (as a percentage of GOV), which increased to 4.3% compared to 3% a year ago.

On a QoQ basis, consolidated adjusted EBITDA declined by 14%, or ₹45 crore, despite improved margins in food delivery. The company attributed the decline to accelerated investments in expanding Zomato’s quick commerce store network, which led to higher losses in this segment.

Zomato’s losses in the quick commerce business were mainly due to pulling forward growth investments that were planned to be made over the next few quarters, said Founder and CEO Deepinder Goyal.

Quick Commerce Expansion

Zomato aims to reach its target of 2,000 quick commerce stores by December 2025, earlier than its original guidance of December 2026.

In the last 2 quarters, the company added 368 new stores, compared to 152 in Q2 FY25 and 216 in Q3 FY25, bringing the total number of stores to 1,007.

Zomato also expanded its warehousing space, adding 1.3 million square feet of space, which accounts for over 30% of the company’s total warehousing network.

Share Price Performance

Zomato’s share price traded 7.92% lower at ₹220. 75 at 9:40 AM on the NSE. The stock opened at ₹223 lower than ₹239.75 at the previous close. The stock dropped more than 3% in yesterday’s trade.

 

Disclaimer: This blog has been written exclusively for educational purposes. The securities mentioned are only examples and not recommendations. This does not constitute a personal recommendation/investment advice. It does not aim to influence any individual or entity to make investment decisions. Recipients should conduct their own research and assessments to form an independent opinion about investment decisions.

Investments in the securities market are subject to market risks, read all the related documents carefully before investing.

Havells India Share Price in Focus; Dividend Record Date Set for Tomorrow, January 22, 2025

Havells India, a leading FMEG company, has announced a ₹4 dividend per share, with the record date set for January 22, 2025. The dividend was declared on January 10, 2025, drawing investor attention ahead of the record date.

Corporate Action History

The corporate action history of the company reveals a consistent record of dividend payouts. On April 30, 2024, a final dividend of ₹6 was declared, with the ex-date set for May 31, 2024.

Earlier, on January 26, 2024, an interim dividend of ₹3 was announced, with the ex-date scheduled for February 1, 2024. In 2023, the company declared a final dividend of ₹4.5 on May 3, with an ex-date of June 2, followed by an interim dividend of ₹3 on January 6, with an ex-date of January 25.

This reflects the company’s commitment to providing returns to its shareholders through regular dividend distributions.

Q3 FY25 Financial Highlights

Havells India reported its Q3 FY25 results on Thursday, showing a slight 1.7% year-on-year (YoY) decline in net profit, which amounted to ₹283 crore compared to ₹288 crore in Q3FY24.

On the revenue front, the company posted an 11% YoY growth, reaching ₹4,883 crore, up from ₹4,401 crore in the same quarter of the previous financial year. Segment-wise, the Switchgears segment saw a 10.8% YoY increase to ₹577 crore, while the cable segment grew by 7.3% YoY.

The Lighting and Fixtures segment recorded a 2.5% YoY growth, the Electrical Consumer Durables segment rose by 15% YoY, and other segments showed a 22.8% YoY increase.

Share Price Performance

Havells India’s share price traded 0.05% higher at ₹1,601.85 at 9:25 AM on the NSE. The stock opened at ₹1,609 higher than ₹1,601.10 at the previous close. The stock price extended its fourth session of gains, with the share price having gained approximately 5.19% since January 15, 2025.

 

Disclaimer: This blog has been written exclusively for educational purposes. The securities mentioned are only examples and not recommendations. This does not constitute a personal recommendation/investment advice. It does not aim to influence any individual or entity to make investment decisions. Recipients should conduct their own research and assessments to form an independent opinion about investment decisions.

Investments in the securities market are subject to market risks, read all the related documents carefully before investing.

Union Budget 2025 Live Updates: Test 2




January 21, 2025 12:16 PM
Union Budget 2025 Live: RBI Reshuffles Deputy Governors' Portfolios

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) announced a reshuffle of portfolios among its deputy governors following the retirement of Dr. Michael Debabrata Patra, its senior-most deputy governor. The key Monetary Policy Department has been handed over to M Rajeshwar Rao, the senior-most deputy governor.

The reshuffle has impacted 33 departments, which have now been distributed among the three deputy governors—Rao, T Rabi Sankar, and Swaminathan Janakiraman. As part of the rejig, Rabi Sankar will manage 13 departments, including Currency Management, Information Technology, Financial Markets Operations, and Financial Markets Regulation. 

Meanwhile, Swaminathan Janakiraman will take charge of nine departments, including Supervision and the Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation.



January 21, 2025 12:16 PM
Union Budget 2025 Live: NAREDCO Proposes Hike in Housing Loan Interest Deduction

The National Real Estate Development Council has proposed significant reforms ahead of the Union Budget 2025, focusing on the housing sector. NAREDCO has called for an increase in the housing loan interest deduction limit from ₹2 lakh to ₹5 lakh to boost affordable housing. 

Additionally, NAREDCO is advocating for granting infrastructure status to the housing sector, which would help attract more funds and foster growth in affordable housing, urban development, and road infrastructure. NAREDCO’s Chairman, Niranjan Hiranandani, expressed concerns about the stagnation in the affordable housing sector, marking the first decline in growth during his 40-year career. 

Read the full story here.



January 21, 2025 12:16 PM
Test 1

Test 1


Ahead of the 8th Pay Commission, Here’s A Recap of Past Panels Outcomes

Ahead of the highly anticipated 8th Pay Commission, the Union Cabinet has approved a salary revision for nearly 50 lakh Central government employees.

The Central Pay Commissions, typically established once every decade, play a crucial role in evaluating and recommending changes to pay scales, allowances, and benefits for government employees, taking into account key economic factors like inflation.

While the specifics of the upcoming salary hike remain unclear, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has confirmed that the 7th Pay Commission, which has been in effect since 2016, will continue to be valid until 2026.

As we await further details for the 8th Pay Commission details, let’s take a look at the outcome of the previous Pay Commissions that have shaped the salary structure of government employees in India.

7th Pay Commission Salary Hike

Under the 7th Pay Commission, the fitment factor was set at 2.57, meaning that the basic pay for central government employees and pensioners was multiplied by 2.57 to determine the revised salary.

The fitment factor is a key multiplier used to calculate the revised salaries and pensions for government employees, particularly during the implementation of pay commission recommendations in India.

Last year, Under the 7th pay commission the Union Cabinet approved a 3% increase in the Dearness Allowance (DA) for central government employees, ahead of the Diwali festival, as per reports on October 16.

6th Pay Commission Salary Hike

The 6th Pay Commission introduced a fitment factor of 1.86, which resulted in a 1.86% increase in the basic pay for central government employees and pensioners.

5th Pay Commission Salary Hike

The 5th Pay Commission implemented a structure where 40% of the basic pay from the existing scale was added to the existing emoluments, which resulted in an increment.

8th Pay Commission salary hike: How is Pay Calculated?

The government establishes a pay commission to assess and propose adjustments to the salary structure of public sector employees, considering elements like inflation, economic conditions, income gaps, and other relevant factors. Besides the basic salary, the commission also examines bonuses, allowances, benefits, and other perks offered to government workers.

Typically set up once every ten years, the Central Pay Commissions evaluate and recommend revisions to the pay scales of government employees. To understand how the salary adjustments are determined, it is important to explore the 8th Pay Commission: How Much Salary Central Government Employees Can Expect? as it outlines the expected changes and calculations for government employees.

 

Disclaimer: This blog has been written exclusively for educational purposes. The securities mentioned are only examples and not recommendations. This does not constitute a personal recommendation/investment advice. It does not aim to influence any individual or entity to make investment decisions. Recipients should conduct their own research and assessments to form an independent opinion about investment decisions.

India’s Forex Reserves Drop $8.71 Billion to $625.87 Billion as of Week Ending January 10, 2025

India’s foreign exchange reserves dropped by $8.71 billion to $625.87 billion as of week ending January 10, 2025, the Reserve Bank of India said on Friday. The reserves have been on a declining trend for the last few weeks.

Weekly Decline in Forex Reserves

The country’s forex reserves had dropped by $5.69 billion for the week ending January 3 and had settled at $634.58 billion. The decline has been attributed to revaluation and the Reserve Bank of India’s interventions in the foreign exchange market to curb rupee volatility.

According to news reports, the RBI often steps in to manage market liquidity, including selling dollars, to prevent a sharp decline in the rupee’s value.

Decline in Foreign Currency Assets

For the week ending January 10, foreign currency assets, which make up a significant portion of the reserves, dropped by $9.469 billion to reach $536.011 billion, according to data released on Friday.

In dollar terms, foreign currency assets account for the impact of fluctuations in the value of non-U.S. currencies, such as the euro, pound, and yen, held within the foreign exchange reserves.

Gold Reserves See Growth

During the week, gold reserves rose by $792 million, reaching a total of $67.883 billion, as stated by the RBI.

The Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) saw a decline of $33 million, dropping to $17.781 billion, according to the central bank.

India’s reserve position with the IMF decreased by $4 million, standing at $4.195 billion for the reported week, as per the data from the apex bank.

 

Disclaimer: This blog has been written exclusively for educational purposes. The securities mentioned are only examples and not recommendations. This does not constitute a personal recommendation/investment advice. It does not aim to influence any individual or entity to make investment decisions. Recipients should conduct their own research and assessments to form an independent opinion about investment decisions.

Stocks That Hit Circuit Limits On January 17, 2025, Sterling and Wilson Renewable Energy, Shakti Pumps and More

On January 17, 2025, BSE Sensex closed 0.55% lower at 76,619.33, while Nifty50 slipped 0.47% to 23,203.20. Amidst the market downturn, stocks like Sterling and Wilson Renewable Energy, and Shakti Pumps hit circuit limits, reflecting significant price movements. Check out the full list of stocks hitting circuits today.

Stocks That Hit Lower Circuit on January 17, 2025

Company Name LTP (₹) % Change Price Band % Volume (Lakhs) Value (₹ Crores)
Sterling and Wilson Renewable Energy 411.9 -10 10 79.02 332.62
Shakti Pumps (India) 1,047.80 -5 5 7.38 78.41
Jai Corp 148.2 -5 5 13.43 20.29
Cellecor Gadgets 64.4 -4.94 5 8.31 5.39
Delta Autocorp 150.5 -1.73 5 3.13 4.61

Stocks That Hit Upper Circuit on January 17, 2025

Company Name LTP (₹) % Change Price Band % Volume (Lakhs) Value (₹ Crores)
Quadrant Future Tek 592 14.67 20 153 906.55
Bajaj Healthcare 673.85 20 20 39.68 253.61
Ashapura Minechem 519.6 9.99 10 14.94 75.54
Mahindra EPC Irrigation 146.76 20 20 46.81 66.92
GMR Power and Urban Infra 119.49 2.46 5 39.58 47.96

Overview of Companies Hitting Circuits Today

  • Sterling and Wilson Renewable Energy Limited

Sterling and Wilson Renewable Energy Limited saw a significant drop in its stock price, falling by ₹45.75 or 10% to close at ₹411.90. The stock opened at ₹449.00 and reached a high of ₹450.85. However, it failed to sustain these gains and slid to a day’s low of ₹411.90, reflecting considerable weakness throughout the session.

  • Shakti Pumps (India) Limited

Shakti Pumps (India) Limited experienced a notable decline in its stock price, falling by ₹55.15 or 5% to close at ₹1,047.80. The stock opened at ₹1,102.95 and remained flat at the high of ₹1,102.95 but dropped significantly to ₹1,047.80 at the day’s low, indicating a weak trend during the session.

  • Bajaj Healthcare Limited

Bajaj Healthcare Limited saw its stock price rise sharply by ₹112.30 or 20% to close at ₹673.85. The stock opened at ₹579.00 and climbed to ₹673.85 at the high of the day.

  • Quadrant Future Tek Limited

Quadrant Future Tek Limited saw an impressive increase in its stock price, rising by ₹75.75 or 14.67% to close at ₹592.00. The stock opened at ₹507.00 and surged to a high of ₹619.50, reflecting strong buying interest during the session.

  • Mahindra EPC Irrigation Limited

Mahindra EPC Irrigation Limited experienced a substantial increase in its stock price, rising by ₹24.46 or 20% to close at ₹146.76. The stock opened at ₹132.30 and reached a high of ₹146.76.

 

Disclaimer: This blog has been written exclusively for educational purposes. The securities mentioned are only examples and not recommendations. This does not constitute a personal recommendation/investment advice. It does not aim to influence any individual or entity to make investment decisions. Recipients should conduct their own research and assessments to form an independent opinion about investment decisions.

Investments in the securities market are subject to market risks, read all the related documents carefully before investing.

Marico Board to Decide on Interim Dividend on January 31, 2025

Marico has announced that its Board will meet on January 31, 2025, to consider declaring an interim equity dividend for FY 2024-25. The record date for the dividend will be February 7, 2025, the company said in a statement on the stock exchanges.

Meeting Details

Marico Limited has informed the stock exchanges about a Board Meeting scheduled for Friday, January 31, 2025. The meeting will include discussions on the potential declaration of an Interim Equity Dividend for the financial year 2024-25, as per the SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015.

Q2 FY25 Financial Highlights

Marico Ltd reported a 20.3% increase in consolidated net profit, reaching ₹433 crore for Q2 FY2024, compared to ₹360 crore in the same period last year.

The company’s total income rose to ₹2,746 crore, up from ₹2,514 crore in Q2 FY2023. The growth was primarily driven by a 7.6% increase in revenue from operations, which reached ₹2,664 crore compared to ₹2,476 crore last year.

The company’s earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation (EBITDA) grew modestly by 5%. Marico’s quarterly expenses also rose to ₹2,194 crore from ₹2,038 crore in the previous year.

Marico highlighted that rural markets outpaced urban demand for the third consecutive quarter. The domestic segment saw mid-single-digit volume growth, with Parachute Coconut Oil benefiting from price adjustments due to rising copra costs. Saffola Oils saw slight revenue growth, as pricing cycles turned favorable after eight quarters of challenging conditions.

Key Highlights from Marico’s Q3 FY25 Update

Marico’s consolidated business delivered mid-teen revenue growth year-on-year in Q3 FY25, positioning the company to meet its double-digit growth aspiration for the full fiscal year.

Despite higher input costs, the company continued to expand its consumer franchise and make investments in brand building, Marico said in a statement.

The international segment posted mid-teen constant currency growth in Q3 FY25, with Bangladesh showing robust double-digit growth. However, Vietnam faced a softer quarter due to sluggish consumption, while regions like MENA and South Africa maintained strong double-digit growth momentum.

Share Price Performance

Marico’s share price traded 1.85% higher at ₹664.65 at 3:10 PM on the NSE. The stock opened at ₹650 down from ₹652.60 at its previous close.

 

Disclaimer: This blog has been written exclusively for educational purposes. The securities mentioned are only examples and not recommendations. This does not constitute a personal recommendation/investment advice. It does not aim to influence any individual or entity to make investment decisions. Recipients should conduct their own research and assessments to form an independent opinion about investment decisions.

Investments in the securities market are subject to market risks, read all the related documents carefully before investing.

Reliance Power Shares in Focus; To Invest ₹10,000 Crore Solar Project in Andhra Pradesh

Reliance Power to invest ₹10,000 crore in a 930 MW solar power plant and 1860 MWh storage facility in Andhra Pradesh, creating 6,000 jobs. The project will be Asia’s largest at a single location, as per news reports

Project Timeline and Job Creation

The project is expected to be commissioned within 24 months after the signing of a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI).

It is anticipated to generate about 1,000 direct jobs and create approximately 5,000 additional employment opportunities for workers during the construction phase, as per news reports.

Expansion Plans: Solar Manufacturing Facility

In addition to the solar power project, Anil Ambani is planning to invest ₹6,500 crore in establishing a solar manufacturing plant in Andhra Pradesh.

As per media reports, the company is scouting for 1,500 acres of land to build this facility. Recently, Ambani visited Visakhapatnam to finalise land near the Rambili industrial area for the plant.

Despite some challenges with land selection, the solar manufacturing facility and the large-scale solar power project are expected to provide a significant boost to the renewable energy sector in Southern India.

The integration of solar power with advanced battery storage systems will help strengthen the region’s clean energy capacity.

Debt Settlement and Future Investment Commitments

After facing financial challenges in recent years, Reliance Power has successfully settled its debts with Verde Partners. The fund has also committed an additional $500 million in equity for future initiatives, reinforcing the company’s growth prospects and renewable energy expansion plans.

Share Price Performance

Reliance Power’s share price traded 2.89% higher at ₹42.39 at 2:40 PM on the NSE. The stock opened at ₹41.50 up from ₹41.20 at its previous close.

 

Disclaimer: This blog has been written exclusively for educational purposes. The securities mentioned are only examples and not recommendations. This does not constitute a personal recommendation/investment advice. It does not aim to influence any individual or entity to make investment decisions. Recipients should conduct their own research and assessments to form an independent opinion about investment decisions.

Investments in the securities market are subject to market risks, read all the related documents carefully before investing.