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<ul><li><keyword id="361005" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Barbeque-Nation">Barbeque Nation</keyword>’s share price is up by over 20% after it reported strong earnings for the quarter ending on 31 March 2021.</li><li>The casual restaurant dining chain plans to open 20 new outlets and double down on its delivery business despite the uncertainty of the pandemic.</li><li>“Out of the 20 stores we’re looking to open, at least 15 to 16 of these will come in metro cities. And the balance will come in tier-I and tier-II markets,” said Rahul Agrawal, CEO of Barbeque Nation, during the earnings call.</li></ul>Barbeque Nation is among the slew of companies that went public during the initial public offering (IPO) gold rush of 2021. And after its first earnings announcement since the launch of its IPO in April, the stock price has <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/barbeque-nations-share-price-jumps-20-trading-halts-as-upper-circuit-gets-hit/articleshow/82933919.cms" id="docs-internal-guid-f05f7ec0-7fff-87b5-51d6-413eec920f99">jumped more than 20%</a> as of 12:20 p.m on May 25. <div type="image" title="bbq nation share price" msid="82935084" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Barbeque Nation share price since the launch of the its IPO&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> Despite the uncertainty caused by the pandemic and the management’s own admission that business has taken a hit during the second wave of COVID-19 in India, the restaurant franchise has plans to open up 20 new outlets pan-India. <div type="ExtQuote" text="Out of the 20 stores we’re looking to open, at least 15 to 16 of these will come in metro cities. And the balance will come in tier-I and tier-II markets." auname="Rahul Agrawal, CEO of Barbeque Nation during Q4 earnings call on May 24"></div> <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Betting on the lockdown to end sooner than later" comment="subhead" text="Betting on the lockdown to end sooner than later">Betting on the lockdown to end sooner than later</cmsannotation> When Barbeque Nation launched its IPO on March 24, the company allocated ₹55 crore out of its ₹180 crore issue of fresh shares towards expansion. According to the management, the short term outlook is challenging but, at the same time, vendor deals are softening. “Given that the restaurant industry in particular has suffered a lot, many landlords are also reasonable in their expectations, which help us look at these markets [metros],” said Rahul Agrawal, the chief executive officer (CEO) of Barbeque Nation during the earnings call on May 24. He is hoping that cases will come down by June-end, states will start coming out of their respective lockdowns and give the company permission to open their dining business. Meanwhile, to weather the immediate storm, Barbeque Nation is confident that its push towards the delivery side of the business will cushion any uncertainties. Launched in June 2020, the company’s home-delivery service ‘Barbeque in a Box’ has seen massive popularity. It currently accounts for 20% of the revenue from the delivery business. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Barbeque Nation comes out of the red" comment="subhead" text="Barbeque Nation comes out of the red">Barbeque Nation comes out of the red</cmsannotation> The company went from making losses over the last five quarters to finally reporting a profit for the three months from January to March. It logged a profit of ₹6.4 crore as compared to a loss of ₹27.9 crore during the same time last year, and a loss of ₹1.35 crore in the previous quarter. A lot of this had to do with its earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation (EBITDA) and restaurant operation margins improving by over 20% on a yearly basis. Margins indicate the ratio of profit to revenue. The larger the margins, the more profit the company can earn as revenue increases. And, in the fourth quarter, Barbeque Nation’s revenue from operations is up 18.5% for the March quarter as compared to the same period last year. “The improvement is on account of strong sales recovery, higher gross margins, and various other cost optimisations and measures undertaken by the company,” explained Agrawal. The impact of the second wave of COVID-19 has not been as severe as the first wave and there is still a lot of uncertainty that lies, but according to him, the company is optimistic about its outlook. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/apps/news/whatsapp-says-it-will-wait-for-the-indian-government-to-pass-the-personal-data-protection-law-before-limiting-features/articleshow/82931362.cms">WhatsApp says it will wait for the Indian government to pass the Personal Data Protection law before limiting features</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/startups/news/zeta-is-indias-newest-unicorn-with-1-45-billion-valuation/articleshow/82930353.cms">This banking tech startup is the newest Indian unicorn with a $1.45 billion valuation</a>

Barbeque Nation plans to open 20 new stores in the middle of a pandemic hoping for a bargain

<ul><li><keyword id="361005" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Barbeque-Nation">Barbeque Nation</keyword>'s share price has jumped by 20% after the casual dining chain announced its fourth-quarter results on May 24.</li><li>Investors can still sell their shares at the upper limit of ₹ 767.50.</li><li>The casual dining restaurant chain plans to open up 20 outlets in the ongoing financial year and double down on its delivery business as well.</li></ul> Barbeque Nation’s share price jumped by 20% on May 25 and hit the upper circuit on Indian stock exchanges, the <keyword id="43628" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Bombay-stock-exchange">Bombay Stock Exchange</keyword> (<keyword id="35140" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="BSE">BSE</keyword>) and the <keyword id="53581" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="NATIONAL-STOCK-EXCHANGE">National Stock Exchange</keyword> (<keyword id="6354646" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="nse">NSE</keyword>). <div type="image" title="bbq nation share price" msid="82936010" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Barbeque Nation&amp;#39;s share price since the launch of its IPO&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> After hitting the 20% upper limit of ₹ 767.50, the share price dropped after sellers came into the picture to book their profits. Between the 20% limit, upper and lower, investors can continue to trade. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="82934949" title="Barbeque Nation plans to open 20 new stores in the middle of a pandemic hoping for a bargain" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div> The jump in the restaurant franchise’s share price comes after one day after it posted its fourth-quarter earnings, which put the company back in the green. After reporting a loss since the first quarter of the financial year, due to the impact of the pandemic, Barbeque Nation nation posted a profit of ₹64.06 crore. Alongside profit, the company’s revenue also grew 18.5% as compared to the same quarter last year. And its earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation (EBITDA) has more than doubled to ₹56.1 crore. According to the management, the addition of the delivery vertical to its business has opened up a new market of customers. Those who wouldn’t normally come to dine in restaurants now have access to Barbeque Nation’s food, at reasonable prices, at home. And the company's ‘Barbeque in a Box’ offering has been one of the growth drivers in the delivery segment. The casual dining restaurant chain plans to open up 20 outlets in the ongoing financial year and double down on its delivery business as well. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/apps/news/whatsapp-says-it-will-wait-for-the-indian-government-to-pass-the-personal-data-protection-law-before-limiting-features/articleshow/82931362.cms">WhatsApp says it will wait for the Indian government to pass the Personal Data Protection law before limiting features</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/startups/news/zeta-is-indias-newest-unicorn-with-1-45-billion-valuation/articleshow/82930353.cms">This banking tech startup is the newest Indian unicorn with a $1.45 billion valuation</a>

Barbeque Nation's share price jumps 20% and gets locked in upper circuit

<ul><li>Barbeque Nation is looking to raise ₹180 crore from fresh issue of shares and an offer for sale up to 54.5 lakh shares.</li><li>The basis of allotment for the IPO will be announced on April 1, 2021 while its shares will list by April 7, 2021.</li><li>The company has grown from a single outlet in 2008 to over 160 restaurants across 77 cities in India and six international restaurants.</li></ul>The initial public offering (IPO) from casual dining chain Barbeque Nation⁠ — popular for its generous buffets ⁠— has been subscribed by 5.98 times by close. The issue has been a bigger hit with the small investors more than the institutional ones. The company, which operates the Indian restaurant chain Barbeque Nation and Italian chain Toscano, is looking to raise ₹180 crore from fresh issue of shares and an offer for sale up to 5.45 million shares. The allotment for the IPO will be announced on April 1 while its shares will list on the stock exchanges by April 7, 2021. <table style="border-width: initial; border-style: none; table-layout: fixed; width: 468pt;"></colgroup><tbody><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Category </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Subscription Status </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Qualified Institutional Buyers </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">5.11 times </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Non-institutional </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">3.10 times </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Retail individual </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">13.12 times </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Employees </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">1.02 times </td></tr></tbody></table> Barbeque Nation is not a new name in the industry. From presence in top metros to smaller cities, the restaurant chain is quite popular across the country. The company has grown from a single outlet in 2008 to over 160 restaurants across 77 cities in India and six international restaurants. However, while Barbeque Nation’s revenue has grown consistently, over the years, its mounting losses are also a cause of concern. <div type="image" title="BBN Losses (1)" msid="81707824" hostid="261"></div> Not surprisingly, Barbeque Nation’s IPO hadn’t impressed a lot of analysts. “The Covid-19 pandemic, too, has had an adverse impact on the operations of the company. Hence, we expect profits will remain under pressure over the medium term,” said Jyoti Roy, DVP- Equity Strategist, Angel Broking who gave a ‘neutral’ rating for the IPO. Roy’s rationale is that at the higher end of the price band, the shares are expensive compared to the company’s future earnings potential. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/policy/news/government-mandates-companies-to-disclose-cryptocurrency-holdings-from-april-1/articleshow/81704174.cms">Indian companies will have to disclose cryptocurrency holdings from April 1 – industry insiders welcome decision</a>

Indian dining chain Barbeque Nation’s IPO gets subscribed almost 6 times

<ul><li>India’s benchmark indices <keyword id="6484188" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="sensex" source="Orion">Sensex</keyword> and <keyword id="2931774" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="nifty50" source="Orion">Nifty50</keyword> are likely to open in the green on Tuesday amid mixed cues from global markets. </li><li><keyword id="90570" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="sgx-nifty" source="Orion">SGX Nifty</keyword>, an early indicator of how the markets may perform, was up 0.53% or 95 points early in the morning today. </li><li>Bharti <keyword id="15491" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="airtel" source="Orion">Airtel</keyword>, <keyword id="6357147" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="tata-steel" source="Orion">Tata Steel</keyword>, <keyword id="6357252" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="hero-motocorp" source="Orion">Hero MotoCorp</keyword>, <keyword id="895682" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="adani-ports" source="Orion">Adani Ports</keyword> are amongst the stocks in focus on Tuesday. </li></ul>India’s benchmark indices Sensex and <keyword id="6354813" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="nifty" source="Orion">Nifty</keyword>50 are likely to open in the green on Tuesday amid mixed cues from global markets. SGX Nifty, an early indicator of how the markets may perform, was up 0.53% or 95 points early in the morning today. Earlier on <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/adani-enterprises-sbi-life-hdfc-life-among-stocks-in-focus/articleshow/97567830.cms">Monday</a>, both Sensex and Nifty50 capped off a volatile trading session and closed in the red after a selloff in metal and IT stocks. While the 30-stock Sensex declined 0.50% or 334 points at 60,506, the 50-stock Nifty50 ended 0.5% or 89 points lower at 17,764. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Investors turn their focus on RBI MPC outcome" comment="subhead" text="Investors turn their focus on RBI MPC outcome">Investors turn their focus on RBI MPC outcome</cmsannotation> Investors await the outcome from RBI’s monetary policy meeting this Wednesday that will provide direction to the market. Markets expect a 25 basis points hike in repo rate to 6.5%. The last time <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/finance/news/rbi-hikes-repo-rate-by-35-bps-taking-rates-to-a-high-of-6-25/articleshow/96045841.cms">RBI hiked repo rates was in December</a>, with the hike standing at 35 basis points. “RBI’s policy announcement on Wednesday will provide more colour on its future rate actions, which is expected to hike rate by 25bps,” said Vinod Nair, head of research at Geojit Financial Services. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Global cues mixed" comment="subhead" text="Global cues mixed">Global cues mixed</cmsannotation> Markets in the US tapered off and erased some of the gains made in this year as investors weigh in the strong jobs data against Powell’s recent commentary to understand the direction of the US Fed in terms of rate action. The benchmark S&amp;P 500 closed 0.61% lower, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average declined 0.1%. The tech-heavy Nasdaq, on the other hand, declined 1%. In Asia, most markets were in the green except Taiwan Weighted, which was down 0.13%. Gains were led by the Hang Seng index which was up 1.01%, followed by KOSPI which gained 0.72%. Nikkei 225 was up 0.22% while Shanghai Composite gained 0.14%. Strong US economic data also strengthened the Dollar index and created a downward pressure on rupee, which fell 90 paise to close at 82.73 against the US dollar. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Stocks to watch" comment="subhead" text="Stocks to watch"><keyword id="73648" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="stocks-to-watch" source="Orion">Stocks to watch</keyword></cmsannotation> Bharti Airtel: India’s second largest telco is scheduled to declare its Q3 earnings today. Revenue growth is likely to slow down while the bottomline growth is expected to be aided by lower spectrum usage charges. Tata Steel: The steelmaker posted a surprise loss of ₹2,502 crore in Q3 as against a profit of ₹9,598 crore a year ago. Revenue declined 6.1% year-on-year to ₹57,084 crore. <keyword id="2687606" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="adani-transmission" source="Orion">Adani Transmission</keyword>: Its <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/corporates/news/adani-transmission-reports-78-rise-in-q3-net-profit-to-475-crore-on-one-time-income/articleshow/97650165.cms">revenue increased</a> 22% YoY to ₹3,552 crore while net profit surged 78% to ₹475 crore, largely due to a one-time regulatory gain of ₹240 crore. Excluding the one-time income, net profit was down 12% over last year. Earnings today: Bharti Airtel, Hero MotoCorp, Adani Ports &amp; SEZ, Ambuja Cements, Adani Green Energy, BSE, Barbeque Nation, Deepak Nitrite, Sobha, among others. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Stocks in F&amp;O ban" comment="subhead" text="Stocks in F&amp;O ban">Stocks in F&amp;O ban</cmsannotation> Adani Ports &amp; SEZ is under F&amp;O ban today. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/corporates/news/adani-transmission-reports-78-rise-in-q3-net-profit-to-475-crore-on-one-time-income/articleshow/97650165.cms">Adani Transmission reports 78% rise in Q3 net profit to ₹475 crore on one-time income</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/telecom/news/vodafone-idea-shares-hit-25-upper-circuit-after-govt-agrees-to-convert-16133-cr-dues-into-equity/articleshow/97643006.cms">Vodafone Idea shares hit 25% upper circuit after govt agrees to convert ₹16,133 cr dues into equity</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/adani-stocks-59844-crore-market-capitalisation-wiped-out-today-in-morning-trading/articleshow/97638076.cms">Adani group stocks continue to plummet – lose ₹31,534 crore in market capitalisation on Monday</a>

Sensex, Nifty50 likely to open in the green: Bharti Airtel, Tata Steel, Hero MotoCorp, Adani Ports among stocks in focus

<ul><li><keyword id="51758" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Dish-TV">Dish TV</keyword>’s share price is currently locked at the 20% upper circuit.</li><li>Shares of the direct-to-home (DTH) service provider have gained over 66% in May alone.</li><li>Earlier last week, lenders of Dish TV invoked their pledge and sold over 5 crore shares in the open market.</li></ul><keyword id="6426538" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Dish-TV-share-price">Dish TV share price</keyword> has hit the 20% upper circuit today, resulting in a price freeze for today. This comes after the lenders of the broadcast satellite service provider <a href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/markets/stocks/news/dish-tv-lenders-invoke-pledged-shares-sell-5-11-crore-shares-in-open-market/articleshow/82730868.cms">sold</a> over 5 crore shares in the open market last week. A month ago, former chairman of Zee Entertainment Enterprises Subhash Chandra revealed that he doesn’t own any stake in the direct-to-home (DTH) company. Apart from this, he also stated that he doesn’t have any management control of the company. <div type="image" title="Dish TV 01_04_20 to 25_05_21." msid="82938191" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Dish TV share price since April this year&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> Since the end of April, Dish TV’s shares have surged by over 66%, adding over ₹940 crore to investor wealth. But that’s not all – over the last one year, investors of Dish TV have seen their wealth increase from a little over ₹652 crore to ₹2,366 crore now. Since the <keyword id="1367150" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Dish-TV-stock">Dish TV stock</keyword> is locked at an upper circuit now, the price cannot go up any further today. However, sellers who want to book profits can still do so by selling at a slightly lower price. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Dish TV not the only stock to hit the 20% upper circuit today" comment="subhead" text="Dish TV not the only stock to hit the 20% upper circuit today">Dish TV not the only stock to hit the 20% upper circuit today</cmsannotation> Despite some volatility in the market and today’s gains being wiped out in the last two hours of trading, there are other stocks that have done well. Barbeque Nation, for instance, hit the 20% upper circuit before sellers came in at lower prices to book profits. Other shares locked at the 20% upper circuit include Hindustan Media, Coffee Day Enterprises, Shemaroo Entertainment, Schneider Electric Infrastructure, and Raj Television. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/barbeque-nations-share-price-jumps-20-trading-halts-as-upper-circuit-gets-hit/articleshow/82933919.cms">Barbeque Nation's share price jumps 20% and gets locked in upper circuit</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/apps/news/whatsapp-says-it-will-wait-for-the-indian-government-to-pass-the-personal-data-protection-law-before-limiting-features/articleshow/82931362.cms">WhatsApp says it will wait for the Indian government to pass the Personal Data Protection law before limiting features</a>

Dish TV shares hit the 20% upper circuit a week after lenders sell over 5 crore shares in the open market

<ul><li>Brick and mortar retail to grow at 14-16% this fiscal, driven by continued expansion across segments – food, grocery, apparel and consumer durables, says a <keyword id="6359483" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="crisil" source="Orion">CRISIL</keyword> report. </li><li>Retailers’ capex is expected to go up by 8-10% this year, led by apparel segment. </li><li>These store additions will drive revenue growth of 18-20% this fiscal year, the report says. </li><li>Retailers are planning small format stores in tier 2, 3 and 4 cities. </li></ul>In just two years of almost losing the battle to e-commerce players and the pandemic, physical retailers in India are making a spectacular comeback. One of India’s largest retailers <keyword id="2407038" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="dmart" source="Orion">DMart</keyword> has added 50 new stores last year – it’s highest ever. Many more retailers are hitting the historic store-addition highs. For instance <keyword id="158137" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="domino" source="Orion">Domino</keyword>’s, run by <keyword id="95677" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="jubilant-foodworks" source="Orion">Jubilant FoodWorks</keyword> in India, opened 58 new stores across 12 cities in the first quarter of this year. At least ten top retailers have said that they are looking at rapid expansion. “Brick-and-mortar retail to grow at 14-16% this fiscal, driven by continued expansion across segments – food, grocery, apparel and consumer durables – and return to normalcy from the Covid-19 pandemic,” said a research report by CRISIL. In the last fiscal, store expansion was higher at 21%, the report noted. These store additions will drive revenue growth of 18-20% this fiscal year and the full impact of the expansion will be seen in the next few years. The investments by retailers are expected to go up by 8-10% this year, with the apparel segment expected to lead this growth. “Companies stated that a strong recovery was witnessed during the (first) quarter on the back of improved footfalls and receding impact of Covid. As a result, companies are now resuming with their store expansion plans,” said a report by Motilal Oswal. CRISIL also said that the credit metrics of retailers support their expansion plans. “The credit ratio moderated in FY21 reflecting pandemic impact. Waning of pandemic-related disruptions resulted in sharp recovery in FY22,” it said. Brick-and-mortar expands online too However, not all their expanded investments will go into physical stores, as most of them are keen on providing a hybrid experience. Brick-and-mortar retailers are growing their online presence with apps, warehouses and more – likely fuelling growth in e-retailing as well. Last year, e-retailing grew at 26%, and this year, it’s poised to grow anywhere between 27-32%, according to CRISIL. The rating agency also said that omnichannel strategy will be the way forward as lower footfalls in stores can be compensated by higher online sales. Retail footfalls are still at 85-90% of their pre-pandemic levels . “Stores can display limited inventory. Hence, an omnichannel is a must,” the report said. Retailers will tend to push last-season merchandise online at higher discounts. Table: Expansion plans of top retailers <table style="border-width: initial; border-style: none; table-layout: fixed; width: 468pt;"></colgroup><tbody><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Retailer </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Store additions/ other growth plans </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">DMart </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Plans to add 135 stores by March 2024 </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Aditya Birla Fashion </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Already added 7 stores in July. Plans to add over 70 stores in FY23. </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Titan </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Plans to add 35-40 Tanishq stores in FY23 if they find suitable properties. </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">V-Mart </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Plans to add over 60 stores in FY23 </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Westlife Development </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Has 12 McDonald stores under construction and on-track to add 35-40 in FY23 </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Devyani International </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Target is to add over 100 KFCs and Pizza Huts each, and over 40 Costa Coffees in FY23. </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Restaurant Brands Asia </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Plans to have 390 Burger Kings in India by FY23 – effectively adding over 100 stores </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Barbeque Nation </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Added 10 outlets so far and on track to add 35-40 outlets this year. Will also add 5 Toscano stores this year. Plans to launch a delivery-only Biryani brand, this year </td></tr></tbody></table> Source: Motilal Oswal research report Focus on franchising, tier II, III &amp; IV cities Retailers are also pivoting to franchising, though they will earn around 5% less profit from such stores. “Retailers are willing to part with that owing to lower risk and disproportionate gain from increasing brand awareness,” the CRISIL report said. Major store additions are also planned in tier II, III and IV cities, where retail penetration is lower than the national average that stands at 0.8 stores per million people. “Different store formats are being adopted in tier II and tier III cities. Usually, the store size is much smaller. Favourable rental costs, higher demand from private labels make tier II and tier III cities more attractive for driving sustainable growth,” the CRISIL report said, quoting excerpts from a webinar with retailers. 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Brick and mortar retailers are growing and fuelling e-retail growth too

<ul><li>Foreign institutional investors have pulled out nearly $7 billion from the Indian markets this year.</li><li>FIIs have been net buyers in only one month this financial year – September.</li><li>Nearly $13 billion worth of shares have been sold by FIIs so far, as opposed to inflows worth over $13 billion in the period last year.</li></ul>Foreign institutional investors (FIIs) have offloaded nearly $7 billion worth of shares in the last two months and since the beginning of the financial year, FIIs have sold nearly $13 billion worth of shares. During the financial year, only September has witnessed net buying from FIIs, that too only to the extent of $62 million. This comes at a time when the Nifty 50 index has gained nearly 20% since April. “Part of the reason FIIs are selling is because valuations are not cheap and the inflation risk is real in India while the Reserve Bank of India, which historically was one of the more vigilant central banks, right now seems to be more on the dovish side," said Arvind Sanger, managing partner, Geosphere Capital Management to <a href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/markets/expert-view/why-have-fiis-turned-big-sellers-in-the-indian-market-arvind-sanger-answers/articleshow/87904160.cms">Economic Times</a>. <table style="border-width: initial; border-style: none;" class="redcator-table-advance"></colgroup><tbody><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5pt;vertical-align:bottom;background-color:#000000;padding:0pt 5.75pt 0pt 5.75pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Month (2021) </td><td style="border-right:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5pt;vertical-align:bottom;background-color:#000000;padding:0pt 5.75pt 0pt 5.75pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Amount ($ billion) </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5pt;vertical-align:bottom;background-color:#d9d9d9;padding:0pt 5.75pt 0pt 5.75pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">April </td><td style="border-right:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5pt;vertical-align:bottom;background-color:#d9d9d9;padding:0pt 5.75pt 0pt 5.75pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">-1.70 </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:0pt 5.75pt 0pt 5.75pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">May </td><td style="border-right:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:0pt 5.75pt 0pt 5.75pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">-0.81 </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5pt;vertical-align:bottom;background-color:#d9d9d9;padding:0pt 5.75pt 0pt 5.75pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">June </td><td style="border-right:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5pt;vertical-align:bottom;background-color:#d9d9d9;padding:0pt 5.75pt 0pt 5.75pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">-0.003 </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:0pt 5.75pt 0pt 5.75pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">July </td><td style="border-right:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:0pt 5.75pt 0pt 5.75pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">-3.10 </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5pt;vertical-align:bottom;background-color:#d9d9d9;padding:0pt 5.75pt 0pt 5.75pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">August </td><td style="border-right:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5pt;vertical-align:bottom;background-color:#d9d9d9;padding:0pt 5.75pt 0pt 5.75pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">-0.34 </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:0pt 5.75pt 0pt 5.75pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">September </td><td style="border-right:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:0pt 5.75pt 0pt 5.75pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">0.06 </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5pt;vertical-align:bottom;background-color:#d9d9d9;padding:0pt 5.75pt 0pt 5.75pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">October </td><td style="border-right:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5pt;vertical-align:bottom;background-color:#d9d9d9;padding:0pt 5.75pt 0pt 5.75pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">-3.42 </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:0pt 5.75pt 0pt 5.75pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">November </td><td style="border-right:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:0pt 5.75pt 0pt 5.75pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">-3.39 </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5pt;vertical-align:bottom;background-color:#d9d9d9;padding:0pt 5.75pt 0pt 5.75pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Total </td><td style="border-right:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5pt;vertical-align:bottom;background-color:#d9d9d9;padding:0pt 5.75pt 0pt 5.75pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">-12.70 </td></tr></tbody><tbody></tbody><tbody></tbody><tbody></tbody></table> Source: NSE, as on November 26, 2021 During the financial year, the last two months have recorded nearly $7 billion worth of selling and November is on track to be the month with the highest selling. <div type="image" title="FIIs - 2020-21 vs 2021-22" msid="87927349" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;FII activity compared to last financial year.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> Some of the reasons for the pull out by FIIs include concerns around COVID-19, the inflation risk and US Federal Reserve’s plans to reduce the stimulus. If we look at some of the companies that have high <keyword id="46756" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="fii" source="Orion">FII</keyword> holdings, there has been a substantial withdrawal in the financial year, even without looking at the last two months. The following data does not factor in the heavy selling that has taken place in October and November. <table style="border-width: initial; border-style: none;" class="redcator-table-advance"></colgroup><tbody><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;vertical-align:top;background-color:#000000;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Company </td><td style="border-bottom:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;vertical-align:top;background-color:#000000;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">FII holding as on March 31, 2021 </td><td style="border-bottom:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;vertical-align:top;background-color:#000000;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">FII holding as on September 31, 2021 </td><td style="border-right:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;vertical-align:top;background-color:#000000;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Decline </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;vertical-align:top;background-color:#d9d9d9;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Shriram Transport Finance Corporations </td><td style="border-bottom:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;vertical-align:top;background-color:#d9d9d9;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">61% </td><td style="border-bottom:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;vertical-align:top;background-color:#d9d9d9;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">53.70% </td><td style="border-right:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;vertical-align:top;background-color:#d9d9d9;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">-7.30% </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">ZEE Entertainment Enterprises Ltd </td><td style="border-bottom:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">64.20% </td><td style="border-bottom:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">57.20% </td><td style="border-right:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">-7.00% </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;vertical-align:top;background-color:#d9d9d9;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Fortis Healthcare </td><td style="border-bottom:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;vertical-align:top;background-color:#d9d9d9;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">34.40% </td><td style="border-bottom:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;vertical-align:top;background-color:#d9d9d9;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">29.30% </td><td style="border-right:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;vertical-align:top;background-color:#d9d9d9;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">-5.10% </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Manappuram Finance </td><td style="border-bottom:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">38.60% </td><td style="border-bottom:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">34.90% </td><td style="border-right:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">-3.70% </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;vertical-align:top;background-color:#d9d9d9;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Apollo Hospitals </td><td style="border-bottom:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;vertical-align:top;background-color:#d9d9d9;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">54.50% </td><td style="border-bottom:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;vertical-align:top;background-color:#d9d9d9;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">51.50% </td><td style="border-right:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;vertical-align:top;background-color:#d9d9d9;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">-3.00% </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Redington India </td><td style="border-bottom:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">42% </td><td style="border-bottom:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">39% </td><td style="border-right:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.6000000000000001pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">-3.00% </td></tr></tbody><tbody></tbody></table> Note: Data till September 2021 Morgan Stanley last month <a href="https://www.cnbctv18.com/economy/morgan-stanley-downgrades-india-to-equal-weight-from-overweight-citing-expensive-valuations-11263672.htm">downgraded</a> Indian equities to equal-weight from overweight citing expensive valuations. "We move tactically equal weight on India equities after strong relative gains - we expect a structural multi-year earnings recovery, but at 24 times forward price to earnings, we look for some consolidation ahead of Fed tapering, an RBI (rate) hike in February and higher energy costs," the investment banking company said. Similarly, Goldman Sachs downgraded the Indian market from overweight, stating that the recovery has already been priced in. “While we expect strong cyclical and profit recovery next year and remain medium-term constructive amid increasing digitalisation in the index, we think the recovery is well priced at current peak valuations. We, thus, take profits on our India overweight and lower it to market weight within our regional allocations,” it <a href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/markets/stocks/news/goldman-sachs-downgrades-india-equities-says-stocks-appear-well-priced-for-now/articleshow/87660109.cms">said</a>. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/global-investment-banks-are-telling-their-clients-to-take-profits-from-india/articleshow/87667322.cms">Small investors ahoy! Global investment banks are telling their clients to take profits from India</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/markets/news/tata-motors-maruti-and-hdfc-are-among-the-top-losers-as-fear-of-the-new-covid-variant/articleshow/87923451.cms">Biggies like Tata Motors, Maruti, and HDFC are among top losers as fear of new COVID variant takes the wind out of Indian stocks</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/pvr-inox-mainland-china-barbeque-nations-share-price-falls-due-to-new-covid-19-variant/articleshow/87925164.cms">Shares of PVR, INOX, Burger King, Barbeque Nation tumble as investors panic over the new COVID-19 variant</a>

Foreign investors have pulled out nearly $7 billion in the last two months, and over $12 billion since April this year

<ul><li>As the year of most IPOs in India comes to an end, another one kicks off.</li><li>The excitement for IPOs, particularly from retail investors, is likely to be a lot sober in 2022, says <keyword id="1038160" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="ajay-saraf" source="Orion">Ajay Saraf</keyword>, head of investment banking and institutional equities at ICICI Securities.</li><li>That would mean companies would be less confident in demanding high valuations, leaving more profit on the table for small investors in good companies.</li><li>Check out our <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/bi-newsletter">weekly explainers</a> on the hottest topics and <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/newsletters_signup.cms">sign up</a> if you like them</li></ul>The bull run in Indian equities that continued from mid-2020 up until late 2021 had drawn in hordes of companies, including the likes of <keyword id="830092" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="zomato" source="Orion">Zomato</keyword>, <keyword id="6376684" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="nykaa" source="Orion">Nykaa</keyword> and <keyword id="6357120" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="paytm" source="Orion">Paytm</keyword>, who wanted to make the best of the brimming optimism and get the best price for their shares. Millions of retail investors wanted a part of the boom in Asia’s best performing stock market, and a lot of IPOs benefited from the frenzy. That kind of unbridled enthusiasm is unlikely in 2022, according to Ajay Saraf, head of investment banking and institutional equities at ICICI Securities in an interview to Business Insider. Saraf is not alone. Srinivas Rao Ravuri, chief investment officer at PGIM India Mutual Fund also <a href="https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/business/markets/daily-voice-2022-would-be-a-challenging-year-for-investors-and-companies-planning-ipos-says-srinivas-rao-ravuri-of-pgim-india-mf-7856261.html">reportedly</a> believes that 2022 would be a challenging year for investors and companies planning IPOs. But that’s not entirely a bad thing. If the cautious mood makes good companies, who need to raise money, tone down the pricing it may leave more profit on the table for small investors. There were 63 initial public offerings (IPO) in 2021 and they raised a cumulative <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/list-of-upcoming-ipo-in-year-2022-in-india-ags-transact-adani-wilmar-prudent-corporate-advisory/slidelist/88492728.cms">₹1.18 lakh crore from investors</a> [hyperlink]. And, some of them doubled, or more, the <keyword id="1184176" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="ipo-investors" source="Orion">IPO investors</keyword>’ money on listing itself. <table style="border-width: initial; border-style: none;"></colgroup><tbody><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Top performing IPOs of 2020 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">% of listing gains </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Macrotech Developers </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">159% </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Laxmi Organics </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">152% </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Easy Trip Planners </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">151% </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Barbeque Nation Hospitality </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">125% </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Nureca </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">116% </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">StoveKraft </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">115% </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">MTAR Technologies </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">110% </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Sona BLW Precision Forgings </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">102% </td></tr></tbody></table> But, 2022 is likely to be different. “My sense is 2022 could be more volatile… and the issue would be stuff like hike in global interest rates, tapering, central bank prioritising inflation over growth and increasing interest rate earlier than expected, which might make the market volatile and IPOs may not be as smooth and great as 2021,” said Saraf. Here’s an <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/markets/news/heres-why-the-spike-in-inflation-in-the-us-may-worry-markets-in-india/articleshow/82597218.cms">explainer</a> on why the rising inflation, and the expected hike in interest rates, in the US may affect markets in India. If the market mood is uncertain, then the companies planning IPOs are likely to be less confident in seeking high valuations. Startups like <keyword id="143842" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="mobikwik" source="Orion">Mobikwik</keyword> are already waiting patiently before they launch the IPO to get the best price. Founder Upasana Taku told Business Insider that she is <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/startups/news/mobikwik-founder-says-they-are-not-selling-any-shares-in-the-ipo/articleshow/88392998.cms">waiting for the market conditions to improve</a> even though she has the SEBI approval to launch the IPO. Legendary investor Warren Buffet has said in the past that he has never invested in an IPO. “The idea of saying the best place in the world where I can put money is something where all the selling, and their commissions are higher, the animal spirits are rising, that’s going to be better than a thousand other things I can where there is no similar selling enthusiasm, and the desire to get the deal done and earn some commissions. That’s the best thing to buy in a single day?,” Buffett <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/video/2019/05/06/warren-buffett-on-why-hes-never-bought-an-ipo.html">asked in an interview</a> in May 2019. In 2022, the animal spirits will be lower i.e. the emotional trigger for investments will be contained and therefore the valuations may be cheaper. “Valuation will become a bit more in favour of investors and that is the trend which we will see (next year),” said Saraf. If the IPOs are priced cheaper, it is likely that the headroom for profit is higher for investors, particularly for those who invest for the longer term. While this is general wisdom, it may so happen that the excitement may be lesser for some companies and higher for others. “Consumer tech and BFSI will lead the overall IPOs in terms of sector concentration in 2022,” said Saraf. Here’s a list of IPOs expected to open in 2022 <table style="border-width: initial; border-style: none; table-layout: fixed; width: 468pt;"></colgroup><tbody><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Companies </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Description </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">AGS Transact </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Payment solution providers </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Adani Wilmar </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Fast moving consumer goods </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Prudent Corporate Advisory </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Retail wealth management firm </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Emcure Pharmaceuticals </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Manufacture of pharma products in areas -- gynaecology, cardiology, blood- related, oncology, respiratory, CNS &amp; HIV </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Shri Bajrang Power &amp; Ispat </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Integrated steel manufacturer </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Sahajanand Medical Technologies </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Medical devices company </td></tr></tbody></table>Does lesser excitement for IPOs mean that loss-making startups have no hope in 2022? Saraf doesn’t think so. “I think Indian investors, given how the year 2021 was, they are willing to put money into companies who are still not breaking even or whose profitability may be few years away...and this trend will continue,” said Saraf. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/list-of-upcoming-ipo-in-year-2022-in-india-ags-transact-adani-wilmar-prudent-corporate-advisory/slidelist/88492728.cms">LIC, AGS Transact, Adani Wilmar and other IPOs coming up in early 2022</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/startups/news/mobikwik-founder-says-they-are-not-selling-any-shares-in-the-ipo/articleshow/88392998.cms">Mobikwik founder says they are not selling any shares in the IPO</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/news/snapdeal-ipo-paper-reveals-that-it-is-going-offline/articleshow/88408081.cms">Snapdeal IPO papers reveal the e-tailer’s offline aspirations for budget fashion</a>

The IPO excitement may be softer in 2022 but that can be a good thing for investors

From Nykaa to Cipla to 3i infotech — these are some of the themes the market is betting on amid a sell-off

<ul><li>As Maharashtra remains the worst affected state in India hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, with positive case numbers worse than the year before, the state now has a partial lockdown once again.</li><li>As shutters come down on restaurants, the owners are looking at a fate that they had never imagined.</li><li>Restaurant owners urge the government to find alternatives and support the restaurant industry or it could be the end for many.</li></ul>As Maharashtra remains the worst affected state in India hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, with positive case numbers worse than the year before, the state has now entered a partial lockdown, once again. Night curfew and weekend lockdowns have been implemented. Restaurants, bars, and eateries have once again shut doors on government orders to stop the spread of the virus. But as shutters come down on restaurants, the owners are looking at a fate that they had never imagined. “Things were finally looking up and the hospitality industry had only just started to recover when the night curfew and weekend lockdown got imposed again. While we understand that the government has imposed the curfew keeping in mind public safety and rising numbers, this will probably be the final nail in the coffin for the F&amp;B industry,” Riyaaz Amlani, chief executive officer and managing director Impresario Handmade Restaurants told Business Insider. Amlani is the man behind the popular ‘SOCIAL’ chain of restaurants. Anurag Katriar, president of National Restaurants Association of India (NRAI), wrote on Twitter that it is better to shut restaurants down completely instead of this ‘excruciating slow death’. <div type="twitter" handle="KingKatriar" handlename="Anurag Katriar" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1378563792246697991/CCjImgcA_normal.jpg" favoritecount="5017" retweetcount="1507" status="Dear Maharashtra Govt,Please shut down the F&amp;B biz in the state completely! This slow death is more excruciating.… https://t.co/ypFVWZzwwu" createdat="1617549950000" id="1378730540086423564"></div> Last year in March, as the COVID-19 pandemic had begun, restaurants, like all other businesses, had shut down. While many other businesses gathered steam online, for restaurants the main driver of their business is the dine-in aspect. As things opened up in June 2020, restaurants went on a marketing drive to promote the precautionary measures taken up to keep dine-in safe and secure. “About 75% of our business happens during dinner hours, and now with an 8 p.m. curfew even home deliveries have been hit hard,” said Amlani. Many outlets have shut shop, while many others are now struggling to stay afloat. Popular chain The Thickshake Factory has put a stop on all expansion plans. “While the exponentially rising Covid cases are definitely a cause of concern, a selective sector-wide lockdown of restaurants and bars will hit the already under stress sector very hard. The restaurant industry is already reeling under heavy losses. While local trains are running with full capacity, shutting down restaurants is an unwelcome step in my opinion,” Yeshwanth Nag Mocherla, founder of The Thickshake Factory told Business Insider. Can there be alternatives? Restaurateurs also understand the importance of strict measures to control the COVID-19 pandemic. What they are urging for is an alternative to help their businesses survive. "The hospitality industry is with the government. We will once again support the government like we did last year. But, there will be no hospitality industry if the government does not reciprocate. We are doomed this time around if we are expected to be both, shut for business, and not receive any relief. The government has to meet us somewhere in between," said Pradeep Shetty, senior vice president, Hotel and Restaurant Association of Western India (HRAWI). Shetty has a laundry list for the government to pull out the restaurant industry out of the crisis. “Shut us but do justice to the owners, staff, and their families. Take care of the salaries. Unburden the owners of the property tax, waive off the statutory fees, don't generate electricity and water bills until the industry becomes completely operational again. We understand that the government has to take measures but it's coming at a cost that we just can't bear any more,” he said. Mocherla, too, agrees that even heavy fines for flouting social distancing guidelines could be a better option. But there have been lessons learnt during the pandemic which could come of use. Multiple restaurants have launched their own apps for online deliveries, while chains like Barbeque Nation, who had built a strong reputation for their dine-in business, embraced home delivery. Amlani’s appeal to customers is only one – support restaurants. “We would also sincerely urge customers to order directly from restaurants rather than aggregator apps to help us tide through what is once again going to be a hard time for us,” he said. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/startups/news/pepperfry-co-founder-ashish-shah-gets-candid-about-its-ipo-plans-says-profitability-is-right-around-the-corner/articleshow/81908005.cms">Pepperfry co-founder gets candid about its IPO plans, says profitability is right around the corner</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/lockdown-trends-are-starting-to-re-emerge-as-india-faces-second-wave-of-covid-19-infections/articleshow/81912266.cms">Lockdown trends are starting to re-emerge as India faces second wave of COVID-19 infections</a>

Maharashtra restaurant owners fear the current lockdown could be the final nail in the coffin for their business

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Oscar B. Castillo, a documentary photographer, had extraordinary access to Venezuela's PGV prison during an extended period when it was controlled by inmates.</li></ul>One of Venezuela's hottest venues for musicians and sports stars was, for part of the last decade, a maximum-security prison run by its own inmates. "Party at the PGV tonight," local DJs would announce over the radio. Visitors would come from the nearby towns, or all the way from the capital, Caracas, 100 miles away. The PGV, or the General Penitentiary of Venezuela, was a place where inmates mostly roamed freely. The cell blocks had been torn out and there was no "behind bars." But there was also a rigid, if convoluted, code of conduct that was maintained by gangs and an arsenal of heavy weapons. Infractions were met with brutal punishments.Visitors were considered sacred, and off-limits. The PGV was at its best on Visitors' Days — which could run for weeks since there wasn't a formal limit. Christmas, Mother's Day, or the birthdays of gang leaders who ran the place were always a good excuse to put on concerts, or bring in bouncy castles, clowns, and hot dog carts for visiting kids. As night fell, DJs would be brought in to perform in the penitentiary's central square with electronic music, laser shows, and fireworks. <div type="image" title="A couple is seen dancing." height="1000" width="1500" msid="93668288" hostid="261"></div><div type="image" title="Kids are seen on a huge bouncy castle" height="1000" width="1500" msid="93668289" hostid="261"></div><div type="image" title="A woman sings in front of a band of Mariachis." height="1000" width="1500" msid="93668290" hostid="261"></div><h2>Outside/Inside </h2>From the outside, there were vestiges of ordinary prison infrastructure: High fences heavily crowned with barbed wire, control towers, and checkpoints manned by military officers armed with rifles and machine guns. Long lines of relatives, mostly women and kids, carrying large bags of goods and tired expressions on their faces, lined up under the scorching heat to submit to searches — or be made to pay bribes — before being allowed through. But look closer, and you would have seen a thin fence. On one side were guards, employed by the state and confined to the prison's perimeter. On the other side, manning the PGV's entrance, a select group of prisoners held far more powerful guns, and many more of them. Once inside, most inmates — everyone here was an inmate — walked around freely through the maze of corridors, pavilions, and wards. In some areas, shacks and other private dwellings had been erected. From the alleyways and through the prison's windows, the rugged mountain landscape, which lent the town of San Juan de Los Morros its name, could be seen in the distance — beautiful, but also painful, for how it reminded prisoners of their lost freedom. The PGV first opened in 1948, billed as a model South American prison where prisoners could work the soil, care for animals, and live in the relative open. But starting around 2007, as the institutional structure of Venezuela crumbled and mafia activity and corruption spiraled out of control, prison gangs amassed weapons and drugs and, with it, leverage. After years of continuous abandonment and failed policies, police and soldiers were often interchangable with criminals, and human rights groups documented their abuses.Around 2009, the criminal group called "El Carro" (The Car), under the command of El Principal, had taken over the daily workings of the PGV. By 2010, many of Venezuela's biggest male prisons were under the effective control of inmates. <div type="image" title="Shelters are seen lined up, with mountains in the background." height="1000" width="1497" msid="93668291" hostid="261"></div><div type="image" title="Prisoners hold their hands out in prayer." height="1000" width="1500" msid="93668292" hostid="261"></div><div type="image" title="Two inmates lie side by side and one, smiling, points a gun at the other's head." height="1000" width="1500" msid="93668293" hostid="261"></div><div type="image" title="Joints are laid out on a table, along with mounds of other drugs." height="1000" width="1497" msid="93668294" hostid="261"></div><h2>La Rutina</h2>At the PGV's entrance was a makeshift market. There, entrepreneurial prisoners filled tables with basic items, like bread and DVDs, or marijuana joints that were artfully arranged to look like a bouquet of flowers. More stands lined the prison's narrow corridors, which reverberated with the rhythms of Salsa and Reggaeton. You might find barbeque meat, or rum or vodka-based cocktails spun in blenders and served with a lime twist. Even in those times when extreme shortages plagued Venezuela, here at the PGV, people could find practically anything they wished to buy. On visitor days, you might see free Venezuelans shopping for toilet paper, flour or cooking oil — basic products that had completely disappeared from supermarkets shelves.All of this happened under the attentive eyes of Los Luceros. Select members of the gangs that ran the PGV, they answered to orders from the Principal. Armed with revolvers, rifles, and even hand grenades, Los Luceros made sure that everything ran smoothly. They also enforced the payment of an obligatory weekly tax, called "La Causa," which officially paid for prison maintenance and security (more weapons), as well as parties and other activities. For inmates, life at the PGV was like walking a tightrope over a pool of sharks. Abiding by an unwritten code known as La Rutina was obligatory, and prisoners lived under the constant threat of ruthless punishment if they stepped outside of it. A minor offense, or the wrong look, might make you into a pariah, or lead to a punishment that could be the last thing seen in this world. Stealing a cigarette could result in a bullet through your hand. On Mondays, in an improvised arena called the Coliseum, dozens of inmates were compelled to settle their debts or other disputes over knife fights. Ordinary words like egg, milk or water — that in Venezuelan slang might carry a vague sexual connotation — were banned because of their potential to offend other inmates. Saying them could get you banished to dirty and trash-filled corners of the prison, far from the markets and the fun.<h2>Free Convict </h2>For three years, from the beginning of 2014 until Venezuelan authorities finally shut the place down in 2016, I had extraordinary access to the PGV as a Venezuelan documentary photographer. At that point, the PGV had a population of around 5,000 people — more than six times its intended capacity. Most of the inmates were still in legal limbo; many hadn't yet been tried for their alleged offense, or given an exact sentence. It was also extraordinarily violent: In 2014, there were at least 309 homicides in Venezuelan prisons, where some 60,000 prisoners were held, according to the Venezuelan Prisons Observatory. <div type="image" title="The words &quot;Free Convict&quot; are seen on the wall." height="1000" width="1500" msid="93668295" hostid="261"></div><div type="image" title="A prisoner does a motorcycle stunt in an open area." height="1000" width="1500" msid="93668296" hostid="261"></div><div type="image" title="Two men are seen on either side of a wall. One is seated on the floor and the other sits at a desk." height="1600" width="2400" msid="93668297" hostid="261"></div>I was at the PGV with Free Convict, a Hip Hop collective formed by 12 inmates and to try to understand their lives in all of their complexities. These men had survived gang life, street violence, drugs, and now this bizarre penitentiary existence. They were now looking to chart a new path for themselves, making rhymes around the themes of non-violence, self-improvement, and redemption. In the early days, Free Convict would gather in a Freestyle circle in the prison's central square. The meetings became bigger and more frequent, and eventually even the PGV's toughest bosses began to show them respect. (It helped that their leader, Ray Martinez, was part of the "El Carro" gang that controlled the prison.) Through the same cracks by which drugs and weapons flowed into the PGV, Free Convict managed to smuggle in a recording studio, where they recorded a full album and produce music videos. In time, they got to be good enough, and famous enough, to attract collaborators both from inside the prison and beyond its walls. Only in total chaos, as Venezuela was of those years, would a place like the PGV be possible. Out of that anarchic landscape, Free Convict offered the possibility of a different way of life, a fresh start, and an oasis in the midst of madness. <h2>Héctor</h2>One of the inmates behind Free Convict was a man named Héctor. Like a few of the others, he had arrived at the PGV as something of a stereotype of the hardened criminal. By the time I met him, he was much more interested in self-reflection and finding redemption. Born in 1992, Héctor came up in the Pinto Salinas neighborhood of Caracas. As a kid, he was a promising basketball player. But his future in the sport was cut short in 2010. His gang was fighting for control of the area, a notorious staging ground for drug distribution, and he got caught in a hail of bullets that nearly killed him and tore up one of his arms at the elbow. <div type="image" title="A man is seen, wide-eyed, looking directly at the camera." height="1000" width="1500" msid="93668298" hostid="261"></div>By 2012, the year Héctor was sent to the PGV for being an accomplice to a homicide, his two brothers had been killed. Humberto, the oldest, was gunned down near their home in Pinto Salinas in 2008. Junior, the youngest, died a similar death in 2011. Now, another son seemed to be heading down the same inexorable path.Like most prisoners at the PGV, Héctor depended on his family, outside, to bring him things to sell at the market. In good times, he might make enough to pay La Causa, take care of his needs, and even send some profits home. The best bet for making money was to set up a table selling crack, cocaine, base paste, marijuana and blunts. But even in this environment, where drugs could be sold and consumed out in the open, this line of work could be unpredictable and dangerous. Héctor liked the money; the money was useful to him. But selling drugs brought problems. So Héctor mostly avoided it. At one point, he sold nails, screws, wires, and pieces of wood to inmates — coveted objects that inmates used to build improvised shacks. If he got his hands on some flour, he might set up a stand selling banana cake or Venezuelan arepas.<div type="image" title="A man lies on a bed with his mother." height="1000" width="1500" msid="93668300" hostid="261"></div>Whenever possible, he'd hoped to make enough money so his mother, Rosalia Rivero, who worked as a janitor and whom he playfully called "La Pucha," could travel from Caracas for a Visitors Day. On these visits, she would head straight to her son's room, willfully ignoring the strangeness she passed along the way. She was used to seeing drugs and weapons, and she associated both with losing two of her sons, and almost losing a third. At the PGV, she found Héctor a changed man. Héctor was never an angel; nobody in Free Convict was. But now he was searching for something different. Together with the rest of Free Convict, Héctor had resolved to take control of his life, and break the cycle that had put him on the frontlines of the street wars that were tearing apart Venezuela and that nobody had asked for. To do that, Héctor had to sharpen his talent, and believe in himself.<div type="image" title="Men are seen seated in what used to be a bell tower high up on a building." height="1000" width="1500" msid="93668301" hostid="261"></div><h2>Boom!</h2>By 2016, the situation in Venezuela had become catastrophic. Inflation was out of control and finding basic items had become nearly impossible. At the PGV, families were barely able to send help. Inmates went from drinking good rum at parties to making their own alcohol, from fermenting banana skin, in plastic Gatorade bottles. Instead of manning tables piled high with drugs, inmates like Héctor scraped together money selling single cigarettes or hot chocolate. La Causa had to be paid first. There was barely any money for food. The beginning of the end of the PGV came in September of 2016. Musicians and sports players had been brought in, along with the usual flood of friends and family from the outside, to celebrate the birthday of the PGV's big boss, Franklin "Viru Viru." <div type="image" title="An outdoor display of pictures and trophies." height="1000" width="1500" msid="93668302" hostid="261"></div><div type="image" title="Inmates at seen sleeping in makeshift hammocks and on the ground below." height="1000" width="1500" msid="93668303" hostid="261"></div>Then, suddenly, BOOM, a hand grenade explosion caused the prison's foundation to tremble. Smoke was everywhere. Some people screamed in agony, others ran in all directions. In the confusion, Los Luceros pointed their guns at each other, looking for signs of treason.When the black cloud had cleared, there was a hellish scene of wounded people and dead bodies. Visitors and prisoners alike were among the almost 20 victims. Afterwards, tension and fear were everywhere, and the prison divided into warring factions. Punishment, including murder, was more common, and even more random. Seeing an opening, forces from the state finally stormed the prison. For two weeks, there was fighting, leading to an estimated 80 deaths. There was no water or electricity. Starving inmates killed their pets for food, or consumed whatever drugs they could find to fight off hunger. Tuberculosis was plaguing the prison and infected prisoners were dying daily. When it was finally over, government soldiers emptied the PGV and inmates were sent to other detention centers around the country. Free Convict scrambled to stay in touch, but finding out who had ended up where was almost impossible.Free Convict, which by then was better and more popular than ever, seemed to be dying. Héctor ended up at Tocuyito, another prisoner-controlled prison, where he stayed for another two years.<h2>Caracas</h2>One day in 2020 — six years after I began documenting Free Convict at the PGV — I went to a recording studio in Caracas to meet up with the collective. Nearly all of them had been released, and they were trying to keep Free Convict's work alive from the outside. Free in Caracas, there was still so much to navigate. The immediate problem was Héctor. His family hadn't heard from him in three days. At first, the police said they had no record of him being arrested. Now, thanks to pressure from his family, they were saying he had been arrested, and would be released soon. We predicted he'd come to the studio directly, and were waiting for him there. When he finally arrived, fear, rage, and frustration filled his eyes. He told us that he had been in his neighborhood with his cousin, known as "The Cat," when police arrived and shot his cousin dead. They'd then arrested Héctor, who now told us he'd been spared only thanks to a divine intervention.<div type="image" title="A man is seated with young boys seated all around him." height="1000" width="1500" msid="93668304" hostid="261"></div><div type="image" title="People are seen clustered together on a narrow strip above a passing river and beneath a bridge." height="1000" width="1500" msid="93668305" hostid="261"></div>We couldn't confirm Héctor's story, but there were plenty of others like it. Later that year, the United Nations would call on President Nicolas Maduro to disband various police units that had been behind extrajudicial killings and "crimes against humanity."It was possible that Héctor had actually been spared because, since his release, he'd become relatively well-known both for his work with Free Convict and for his anti-violence and community-building work in prisons, schools, and other areas affected by violence and exclusion.Having overcome so much in an upside-down Venezuela where police forces could turn their guns on civilians and prisoners controlled the prisons, Héctor is a survivor. After so many close calls with death and so much adversity, he had done so much to rebuild his life and forge a new path. His mistakes were part of who he was, but the actions he had taken in his life because of those mistakes, and his skill in communicating the things he'd learned, made him a valued mentor to so many Caracus youths who were in a desperate search for new paths to walk away from violence.But for all the progress Héctor had made in his life, he was still at the mercy of the arbitrary violence of Venezuela. Together, we all wondered where Héctor was safest: In Caracas, trying to contribute to his community while at the mercy of the arbitrary violence of Venezuela, and possibly at the hands of Venezuelan police, or back under La Rutina. <div type="image" title="A man is seen in reflection." height="1000" width="1500" msid="93668306" hostid="261"></div>Oscar B. Castillo is a documentary photographer and multimedia artist. His book about the PGV, "Esos Que Saben" was published this year and is <a href="https://www.eltestigo.net/esos-que-saben-photobook">available for purchase here</a>.

A prison where the prisoners were in charge

The Indian Premier League (IPL) isn’t just a game of cricket, it is a festival of joy for Indians who love their game. So, when we don’t enjoy other festivals alone, but with family, friends and food, why not enjoy IPL at the restaurants, pubs and bars where they are serving stadium experience along with food and drinks? 
 
Sounds good, right! And there is a lot more to be excited about—right from dish names based on the game or cricket players to 1+1 free offers when your favourite team scores a six...the list is endless. Every restaurant owner is coming up innovating ideas aiming for that perfect shot, which helps ‘you’ enjoy the game in its entirety and helps ‘them’ (restaurant owners) raise revenues on the occasion. 
 
Though we are all used to giant screen at the corner giving a different aspect of pleasure-viewing, The Ancient Barbeque restaurant in Noida has charged up its ambience using the IPL team flags and an altogether different theme. For this, they have divided the restaurant in two parts depending on the teams; the plan is to let the customers support respective teams sitting at their designated team space. Apart from design, they also have offers like 1+1 domestic liquor after each boundary and 1+1 imported liquor after each six. 
 
What more would a cricket fan ask for during a cricket match. Manish Agarwal, a 26 year old techie instantly snaps, “Watching IPL at stadium is an experience. But enjoying IPL with same minded people at your favourite bar with unlimited food and drinks is definitely something we look forward to every season.” 
 
With eyes glued to the giant screen and gulping down beer, Manish and his friends at a posh South Delhi restaurant are not the only exception in the national capital where people prefer to enjoy matches at a closed eatery over food and wine. 
 
Even during the last IPL season that was held at UAE, restaurants pulled in more crowds as then people didn’t have much option to watch matches on the screen than at the stadium. 
 Rishi Kumar, General Manager of <keyword id="1554538" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="80" keywordseo="Rodeo">Rodeo</keyword> in Delhi confirmed that IPL’s last season was a crowd puller. He said, “We have acknowledged a great footfall of approximately 20-30 % and did pretty good business last season. The timings (this time) of the matches are very favourable and will attract crowds to restaurants that are offering live viewing and other special packages.” 
 
Rodeo, being a tex mex place at Connaught Place, Draught Beer and cocktails are the drinks people prefer while watching the matches. 
 
Offering unlimited liquor is just another way to lure customers during any festivity. Walking the known path, hotels in outskirts of Mumbai including Hotel Sahara Star in Parle is offering the same. 
 
Not very far from the national capital, Golden Tulip Ambient Resort &amp; Spa at Chandigarh is expecting minimum 600 guests over the next 2 months and expects to earn Rs 4.25 lakh over the season. 
 It’s mostly the locals and not people flying in from other cities to watch <keyword id="101077" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="80" keywordseo="IPL-matches">IPL matches</keyword>. While restaurants gain revenue and there is a boost in earnings from food and drinks even during lean periods, hotels don’t profit much during IPL season. Why hotels fail to gain much from the IPL fever is a different topic altogether, which we may touch upon some other day, but as of now the only message that we would like to share with you is: don’t waste your weekend sitting at home, just go out with friends and family in the evening and celebrate the ongoing ‘India ka Tyohar’ with food, drinks and cheer! 
 
(Image: India Times)

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