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<keyword id="19940291" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Diwali" source="keywords">Diwali</keyword> is just around the corner, and most traders and stockbrokers are gearing up for <keyword id="23618998" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Muhurat-trading" source="keywords">muhurat trading</keyword>, which will take place on Friday, November 1 this year, between 6 and 7 pm. The one-hour trading session will mark the beginning of the new year in the Hindu calendar, or Samvat 2081. Generally, markets don't see much trade or activity during this one-hour session, given that muhurat trading is largely symbolic. It stems from the Indian tradition of closing our annual financial accounts on the day of Diwali and then starting afresh with the upcoming new year. Investors look to make their first profitable transaction of the new year and believe that any new investments during this one-hour window will bring them long-term prosperity. Like with usual trades, settlement happens on a T+1 basis. Gaurav Garg, who heads the markets desk at Lemonn, a new-age <keyword id="20300872" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="stock-trading" source="keywords">stock trading</keyword> app, explains that retail investors usually make symbolic purchases of small quantities of stocks or invest in blue-chip stocks or large-cap stocks as part of their portfolio-building strategy during muhurat trading. "Here, it is less about immediate profits and more about its cultural and traditional aspects. The number of trades in this session also tends to be 20–30% lower, compared to a typical trading day, since institutional investors and high-frequency traders stay away from muhurat trading," he adds. <h2>How has the market performed during muhurat trading in the past?</h2>Much like us, the markets also put on a positive, festive outlook during this time. Data suggests that over 10 years, muhurat to muhurat returns, i.e., the performance of <keyword id="19896381" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Nifty" source="keywords">Nifty</keyword> or <keyword id="19896382" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Sensex" source="keywords">Sensex</keyword> from one Diwali muhurat to that of next year's, has averaged around 11-13%. In fact, in the past decade, the average gain during muhurat trading has been approximately 0.5% to 1% on major indices. Over the last 10 years, 8 out of 10 muhurat sessions have yielded positive returns for investors. In fact, four of these 8 sessions have delivered double-digit returns. Some of these outliers include 2021, i.e., at the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, where Nifty’s muhurat-to-muhurat returns were a staggering 40.19%. Sensex closely followed suit with 37.65%. 2022 saw the returns from these indices slip into the reds, despite a positive muhurat day performance. While returns on Nifty slipped 1.04% in negative, Sensex was also down by 0.39%. <table style="border-width: initial; border-style: none; table-layout: fixed; width: 468pt;" class="redcator-table-advance"></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;">Year </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;">Nifty Muhurat-to-Muhurat returns (in%) </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;">Sensex Muhurat-to-Muhurat returns (in%) </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;">2023 </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;">10.13 </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;">9.07 </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;">2022 </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;">-1.04 </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;">-0.39 </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;">2021 </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;">40.19 </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;">37.65 </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;">2017 </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;">18.21 </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;">15.96 </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;">2014 </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;">27.29 </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;">26.43 </td></tr></tbody><tbody></tbody><tbody></tbody><tbody></tbody><tbody></tbody><tbody></tbody></table>Source: Lemonn Sectorally, consumer goods, automobiles, and <keyword id="19976433" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="financial-services" source="keywords">financial services</keyword> are sectors that do well during this time, benefiting from elevated consumer demand and festive momentum. <h2>What can we expect this year?</h2>So far, this hasn't been a great season. <keyword id="20052796" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="corporate-earnings" source="keywords">Corporate earnings</keyword> have been disappointing, valuations are elevated, and <keyword id="19900795" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="foreign-investors" source="keywords">foreign investors</keyword> are exiting India at a breakneck speed. In October so far, FIIs (foreign institutional investors) have withdrawn a massive Rs 92,142.97 crore from Indian markets. Over the last 24 days, FIIs have functioned on a single aim—sell, sell, and sell. So, expect the markets to remain muted. Overall, the markets seem to be entering a sombre, much-needed phase of recalibration. The same is evident in Nifty's annual growth. Between 2004 to 2021; Nifty was up 16% per annum. However, in the last three years, it's gone up only by 13%. Says Trivesh D, COO, Tradejini, "As we move into Samvat 2081, it’s clear that the euphoria seen in previous years is cooling. Markets are moving in a narrower range, and returns are likely to be more modest than in the past. The focus now shifts to sectors that can provide steady, long-term growth. Financials remain a favourite, with banks, market intermediaries, and exchanges offering stability. The IT sector is also expected to recover as companies adapt to new technologies like generative AI". As markets enter a phase of correction, even IPOs, which have generated wild returns for some investors, may also cool off as investors become wearier. But, for those looking to get in the market in the long haul, experts note that this is a good opportunity to accumulate good-quality stocks. So, happy Diwali, and happy investing this festive season.

Markets and Muhurat trading: How have Sensex and Nifty celebrated Diwali in the past?

It was a lackluster <keyword id="19940291" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Diwali" source="keywords">Diwali</keyword> for <keyword id="19896381" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Nifty" source="keywords">Nifty</keyword> and <keyword id="19896382" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Sensex" source="keywords">Sensex</keyword>, with both indices closing the day in the red. While Nifty closed at 24,205.35 points, down by 0.56%, Sensex dipped around 553 points to end Thursday at 79,389.06 points. Experts noted that India needs measures on both fiscal and monetary fronts to boost growth. 34 of Nifty50 stocks saw declines, while the remaining 16 saw advances. On Sensex, only 4 scrips ended their day in the green, while 26 others remained in red. "Happy Diwali and Shubh Samvat 2081. We are going into Samvat 2081 with a consensus that markets will be challenged and will mean revert, leading to an underpowered year coming up. Predictions are at best intelligent guesstimates, so we will refrain from that. What is clear is that some countercyclical measures are needed from India, both on the fiscal and monetary front, to tackle the issue of "not as sharp growth in aggregate demand," Ajay Bagga, Banking and Market Expert told ANI. He further added, "The festival season is key to the annual consumption numbers, and the combination of 35 lakh marriages and around Rs 4.5 lakh crores of private consumption expenditure is expected to provide some relief from a slowing growth trajectory.". Cipla (up by 9.5%), LT (up by 6.23%), ONGC (up by 2.04%), Dr. Reddy (up by 1.93%), and Mahindra and Mahindra (up by 1.61%) were among the day's top gainers. HCL Tech, Tech Mahindra, TCS, Asian Paints, and Infosys were the leading laggards on NSE. As for sectoral indices, IT declined by over 3% during the day, while media, pharma, and healthcare inched up by over 1% each. Smallcaps had a gala day on the bourses today, rising by over 1%. Nifty microcaps 250 also jumped by 2.14% today. Hrishikesh Yedve, AVP Technical, and Derivatives Research at Asit C. Mehta Investment Intermediates Ltd, said that “Nifty opened flat and traded within a narrow range, ending the day with a negative close at 24,205. Notably, the <keyword id="19908884" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="smallcap" source="keywords">Smallcap</keyword> 100 index outperformed the benchmark, gaining about 1.15%. Meanwhile, <keyword id="20110975" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="india-vix" source="keywords">INDIA VIX</keyword>, which initially surged around 4%, settled up by 0.35% at 15.57, indicating a slight cooling of volatility.". Hefty selling by <keyword id="19950996" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="FIIs" source="keywords">FIIs</keyword> continued well into the last day of the month, with foreign investors selling stocks worth Rs 4,613.65 crore on Wednesday. So far this month, FIIs have offloaded a staggering Rs 1,08,632.59 crore worth of stocks in <keyword id="19991358" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indian-markets" source="keywords">Indian markets</keyword>. DIIs, on the other hand, purchased Rs 1,03,740.09 crore worth of stocks during the month. Rajesh Bhosale, Equity Technical Analyst, Angel One, explained that as October concluded, it marked a challenging month for bulls, erasing gains accumulated over the past two months, with Nifty dropping more than 6%, one of the steepest monthly declines in recent times, which has impacted the monthly chart's structure. "Throughout the week, the 24,100–24,000 zone provided some support due to oversold conditions, but the index faced persistent resistance on attempted rebounds. Despite multiple efforts, prices couldn’t surpass the 24,500 level. A strong close above this range is needed before considering aggressive positions, as the market seems poised for a phase of high volatility, he continued. "The banking sector, which has shown relative strength but stalled at key levels, will be crucial in determining the market’s next move. Traders should keep a close eye on this sector for guidance. Notably, the week saw improved market breadth with several individual stocks posting notable gains. However, a selective approach remains essential in this volatile environment", continued Bhosale. The immediate focus is on the core personal consumption expenditures (PCE) data due later in the day to assess the Fed's policy stance ahead of the next rate decision on Nov 7. Traders see a nearly 95% chance of a quarter-basis-point Fed rate cut next week, the CME FedWatch tool showed.

Nifty and Sensex end this Diwali in red, muhurat trading to take place tomorrow

Equity market benchmark indices rebounded in early trade on Tuesday amid buying in <keyword id="20557630" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="blue-chip-stocks" source="keywords">blue-chip stocks</keyword> and persistent fund inflows by domestic institutional investors. After falling in the previous trade, the <keyword id="19950208" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="BSE-Sensex" source="keywords">BSE Sensex</keyword> bounced back and climbed 239.33 points to 81,390.60 in early trade. The <keyword id="19950205" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="NSE-Nifty" source="keywords">NSE Nifty</keyword> went up by 72.95 points to 24,854.05. From the 30 Sensex pack, UltraTech Cement, Titan, Infosys, ICICI Bank, Power Grid, Tech Mahindra, Nestle and Bajaj Finserv were among the biggest gainers. Tata Steel, Kotak Mahindra Bank, Tata Motors and NTPC were among the laggards. Domestic Institutional Investors (DIIs) bought equities worth Rs 3,225.91 crore on Monday, according to exchange data. However, Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) offloaded equities worth Rs 2,261.83 crore In <keyword id="20155107" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Asian-markets" source="keywords">Asian markets</keyword>, Shanghai and Hong Kong quoted higher while Seoul and Tokyo were trading lower. The US markets ended on a mixed note on Monday. Global oil benchmark Brent crude dipped 0.24 per cent to USD 74.11 a barrel. The BSE benchmark declined 73.48 points or 0.09 per cent to settle at 81,151.27 on Monday. The Nifty dipped 72.95 points or 0.29 per cent to 24,781.10. SEE ALSO:<a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/upi-refund-scam-to-digital-arrest-scam-here-are-most-common-online-scams-in-india/articleshow/114428011.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/upi-refund-scam-to-digital-arrest-scam-here-are-most-common-online-scams-in-india/articleshow/114428011.cms" target="_blank">UPI refund to digital arrest scam, here are some online scams you need to be aware of</a><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/waaree-energies-to-afcons-infrastructure-ipos-to-look-out-for-this-week/articleshow/114421377.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/waaree-energies-to-afcons-infrastructure-ipos-to-look-out-for-this-week/articleshow/114421377.cms" target="_blank">Waaree Energies to Afcons Infrastructure, IPOs to look out for this week</a><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/personal-finance/news/best-credit-cards-for-online-shopping-in-india/articleshow/114354358.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/personal-finance/news/best-credit-cards-for-online-shopping-in-india/articleshow/114354358.cms" target="_blank">Best credit cards for online shopping this festive season</a>

Markets rebound in early trade amid buying in blue-chip stocks

With the first day of Navratri today (October 3), the festive season in India has officially begun. Each year, various platforms offer intriguing offers around this time and this year is no different. Apple also has some special offers in store for its Indian fans and has kick-started its Diwali 2024 sale today. If you have been thinking to buy the new iPhone or wish to get your hands on the latest <keyword id="19900628" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="macbook" source="keywords">MacBook</keyword>, now might be the time. There are a lot of options to choose from and you can enjoy savings across Apple's premium product lineup. Among the key highlights is an instant cashback of up to ₹10,000, available on a wide range of Apple products. For those with American Express, Axis Bank, or ICICI Bank cards, this cashback can be availed instantly at checkout. Furthermore, customers can spread their payments with up to 12 months of No Cost EMI, making the purchase of Apple’s high-end devices even more manageable. <h2>iPhone Deals </h2> The iPhone range is one of the sale’s main attractions. Customers opting for the iPhone 16 Pro or iPhone 16 Pro Max can enjoy an instant cashback of ₹5,000. Similarly, those choosing the iPhone 16 or the iPhone 16 Plus will benefit from the same ₹5,000 discount. For individuals looking for a slightly more affordable option, the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus come with ₹3,000 cashback, while the iPhone SE offers ₹2,000 off. <h2>MacBook and Mac Discounts </h2> Apple’s MacBook line-up also sees attractive discounts. The latest MacBook Air models, featuring the M3 chip in both 13-inch and 15-inch versions, are available with a cashback of ₹10,000. If you’re looking at the earlier MacBook Air (M2 chip), you can save ₹8,000 instantly. Larger purchases such as the MacBook Pro (14-inch and 16-inch), the Mac Studio, and the iMac 24-inch all come with an appealing ₹10,000 cashback. Meanwhile, the Mac mini is available with a ₹4,000 discount. <h2>iPad Offers </h2> For tablet users, Apple’s iPad range also includes some enticing offers. The iPad Pro, available in 11-inch and 13-inch sizes, provides a cashback of ₹6,000. The iPad Air, also available in 11-inch and 13-inch sizes, offers a ₹4,000 instant discount. Buyers of the standard iPad can benefit from ₹2,500 cashback, while the compact iPad mini is on offer with ₹3,000 cashback. <h2>AirPods Promotions </h2> Fans of Apple’s audio products are not left out, as the AirPods range sees notable discounts too. The AirPods Pro are available with ₹2,000 cashback, while the AirPods 4 offer ₹1,500 off. For those opting for the AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation, there’s a ₹1,500 instant discount. Meanwhile, Apple’s premium AirPods Max headphones are being sold with a significant ₹4,000 cashback. <h2>Free Beats Solo Buds </h2> Apart from cashback, Apple is also giving away Beats Solo Buds for free. If you purchase an iPhone 15 from an Apple store, you can get your hands on the buds at no cost. However, this offer is only valid till tomorrow (October 4) so you better hurry. <h2 style="margin-bottom: 0.7em; line-height: 1.3; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 24px; background: 0px 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">More savings with Apple's trade-in programme </h2> Adding to the appeal, Apple’s Trade-In programme allows users to exchange their old devices for a discount on their new purchases. This, coupled with the cashback, makes for a compelling offer for those planning an upgrade. Additionally, with select purchases, Apple is providing three months of Apple Music, Apple TV+, and Apple Arcade subscriptions at no extra cost. With these offers, Apple’s Diwali Sale 2024 provides an excellent chance for customers to grab their desired devices at a lower price point. Whether you're upgrading or looking for gifts, this limited-time sale brings significant value, especially with the combined benefits of cashback, EMI options, and trade-in deals. For more information, you can head to Apple’s official website.

Apple Diwali sale in India goes live: iPhones, Macbooks and Airpods get discounts

<ul><li><keyword id="19901323" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Zomato" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Zomato" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Zomato">Zomato</keyword> has increased the platform fees to ₹10 per order.</li><li>The <keyword id="20299300" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="platform-fee" source="keywords">platform fee</keyword> is charged on each order irrespective of the order value or Zomato Gold membership.</li><li>With this, the platform fees has increased by five times within a year.</li></ul> The festive season is here and you are more likely to order food and sweets from apps like Zomato and Swiggy. Anticipating a rise in food orders, Zomato has hiked the platform fee from ₹6 to ₹10 and has renamed it to the “Festive season platform fee”. “This fee helps us pay our bills to keep Zomato running. To maintain services during festive rush, it has increased slightly,” a notification on the Zomato app said. <div type="image" title="Zo" msid="114496613" hostid="261" sizebytes="39238" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Festive season platform fee on Zomato&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> Zomato introduced platform fees in 2023, which began at ₹2 per order. This was then increased to ₹3 and then to ₹5 in April 2024. In July 2024, the fee was increased to ₹6 per order. Now, the platform fee has been increased to ₹10, marking a five-fold increase in just a year. The platform fee is different from other charges levied on orders such as GST, delivery charges and restaurant charges. Customers are required to pay this charge irrespective of Zomato Gold membership. Zomato recently approved a fundraising of ₹8,500 crore via a qualified institutional placement (QIP). This is aimed at boosting its cash reserves after its recent acquisition of ticketing business from Paytm. <h2>Zomato share price surges</h2>Zomato’s share price increased by 2.3% on Wednesday after the increase in platform fees. The company’s shares were trading at ₹262.25 at 11:50. The company’s share price has increased by over 140% in the past year. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/upi-refund-scam-to-digital-arrest-scam-here-are-most-common-online-scams-in-india/articleshow/114428011.cms">UPI refund to digital arrest scam, here are some online scams you need to be aware of</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/personal-finance/news/best-credit-cards-for-online-shopping-in-india/articleshow/114354358.cms">Best credit cards for online shopping this festive season</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/auto/news/the-ola-electric-saga-are-surge-in-complaints-and-declining-market-share-a-wake-up-call-for-bhavish-aggarwal/articleshow/114120828.cms">The Ola Electric Saga: Are surge in complaints and declining market share a wake-up call for Bhavish Aggarwal?</a>

Diwali gift from Zomato – Platform fee increased to ₹10 ahead of the festive season

Ah, <keyword id="18712" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Gold" source="Orion">gold</keyword>! The shiny metal that's been making humans lose their minds since time immemorial. And yet, from King Midas to our neighbourhood aunty and even our moms (and secretly dads), everyone seems to have a super soft spot for the bullion. But here's the kicker: right now, gold prices are breaking all records on their upward trajectory! As of today, prices of 24k carat gold have passed the Rs 80,000 mark per 10 grams. And if experts are to be believed, this train isn't stopping anytime soon! So, as shiny as gold might look, adding even a bit of its glitter as we start decking up for the festive season might not be so easy on your pockets. But let's admit it—we love our gold and can't live without it. No wonder India is the second-largest consumer of the yellow metal in the world, only behind <keyword id="1334" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="China" source="Orion">China</keyword>. Such is our fondness for the metal that the <keyword id="20195223" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="world-gold-council" source="keywords">World Gold Council</keyword> had to up our 2024 annual demand forecast to 850 tonnes, up from the previously estimated 750 tonnes. However, our love for gold isn't just about looking fabulously embellished and blinding people with its bling. Indians also see gold as a long-term, trusty investment, supporting our other hard-earned assets, especially when high <keyword id="22195" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Inflation" source="Orion">inflation</keyword> rates pull our returns down. After all, while inflationary pressures generally weaken the purchasing power of our regular paper money, gold is built differently. When the world is buckling to inflation, gold gains value during these times. This is also why it is considered a solid hedge against inflation. With Diwali and Dhanteras knocking at our doors, the inflation demon continued to bother India like a guest who refused to leave. Just last month, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) stood at 5.49%, much higher than the anticipated levels. Moreover, the diverging policy stances among central bankers worldwide, growing geopolitical tensions, tough job markets, and extreme weather events are only adding to the uncertainty. In such economically uncertain times, what should your gold strategy be this festive season? To buy or not to buy, that is the question. Well, let’s get to it. <h2><keyword id="20050894" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="gold-etfs" source="keywords">Gold ETFs</keyword> to the rescue</h2>See, buying physical gold jewellery is certainly a flex, but also a financial fuss. First, you pay a heavy amount to buy gold. Not to mention all those extra, hefty jewellery-making charges. And then you pay even more money to keep it safe in a bank locker, lest it get stolen. But what if we tell you that you can own pure <keyword id="3311599" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="24K-gold" source="Orion">24k gold</keyword>, minus all these frills? Welcome, Gold ETFs (Exchange Traded Funds). Simply put, gold ETFs are like the cool cousins of your traditional gold investments. Instead of stashing gold bars under your mattress like those maniac millionaires we see in Bollywood films, you can now invest and trade in gold through the stock market. It's basically buying units of an ETF on the stock exchange that directly mirror the ongoing domestic prices of gold. Generally, gold ETFs are equivalent to 99.5% pure physical gold bars, and each ETF unit denotes actual, one gram of gold. And let's face it, who would not want that golden glow in their lives? Gold ETFs have witnessed an over seven-fold surge in their AUM (assets under management) in just the last five years. From Rs 5,613.22 crore in September 2019 to Rs 39,823.50 crore in September 2024, gold ETFs seem to be in-thing. Inflows in gold ETFs have shot up by a whopping 2,695% over the last 5 years. In September 2019, gold ETFs had garnered a mere Rs 44.11 crore. Compare that to the inflows worth Rs 1,232.99 crore gold ETFs received last month. Talk about growing, or glowing popularity! In fact, in just 2024, inflows in gold ETFs have surged by nearly 88% since the beginning of this calendar year. From Rs 657.46 crore in January 2024 to Rs 1,232.99 crore in September 2024, good old gold is never out of season. <h2>So, how do these ETFs work? Should I invest in them now?</h2>All you need is a Demat account. Log into your account, choose the gold ETF scheme you want to invest in, and voila! You’re now a bullion-aire! All your gold ETF units will be stored in this account. Then, you can buy and sell gold ETFs just like you buy shares—in real-time. So, if gold prices inch upwards, which is where gold is currently going, the value of your ETF units will also rise in lockstep. Ashwini Kumar, Senior Vice President and Head of Market Data at ICRA Analytics, says that of late, gold ETFs have been increasingly gaining popularity among investors due to the liquidity, safety and transparency they offer. "With the escalating global geopolitical tensions boosting the ‘safe-haven’ appeal of the bullion, investors are preferring to park their funds in gold ETFs as compared to investing in physical gold, as there is no hassle of storing it. The heightened activity in gold ETFs is also driven by the prospects of an imminent further interest rate cut by the <keyword id="20078761" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="u-s-federal-reserve" source="keywords">U.S. Federal Reserve</keyword> in the coming months,” he added. “Investors with a short- to medium-term investment horizon may consider investment through gold ETFs. A buy-on-dips strategy here may help investors capitalise on a temporary correction in prices. Also, given the current market dynamics where equities are showing mixed trends, a modest, 5-10% allocation to gold may serve as a hedge against inflation and market volatility, which may help you balance risks in an optimum manner,” Kumar noted. <h2> Wait, there is no dearth of options</h2>But if ETFs make you go WTF, there’s always digital gold. You can invest in the yellow metal without actually physically holding it for as low as Rs 1. The best part? You can buy or sell this gold 24 X7 seamlessly via multiple apps without having to pay storage costs. On your behalf, your gold is stored in insured vaults by the seller. But remember, digital gold continues to remain unregulated territory in the country, where you venture at your own risk. In 2021, market watchdog SEBI had even asked its members to desist from selling digital gold. Then there are gold mutual funds and the Sarkari SGBs, or sovereign gold bonds. While gold mutual funds invest primarily in gold ETFs, SGBs are issued by the <keyword id="19899808" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="rbi" source="keywords">RBI</keyword> and are also a reliable substitute for holding physical gold. However, with the RBI currently putting brakes on issuing SGBs, investing in them is out of the question. Plus, you should only get your hands on SGBs if you're in for the long haul. Apart from a 2.5% p.a. interest, you don't have any yearly earnings from them. Moreover, no premature redemption is allowed before 5 years, and you'll have to wait a good 8 years to maximise your returns. <h2> Okay, tell me about returns</h2>In contrast, the seventeen gold ETF schemes currently present in the market offer an average one-year return of 29.12%. Stay with it a little longer, and you can end up with returns worth 16.93% and 13.59% over a 3 and 5-year period, respectively. If you look at it, these returns are comparable with the returns delivered by actual, physical gold. Data from Value Research indicates that gold, as a commodity, has delivered returns worth 27.24%, 16.53%, and 14.18% over a 1, 3, and 5-year period, respectively. So, worth investing, right? <h2>What are the risks?</h2>See, stock markets are as unpredictable as monsoons in Mumbai. One significant market correction can wash away your returns, and one sunny day or an upswing can leave you wallowing in wealth. Since your gold investments are directly linked to these markets, you should steel yourself up for some volatility. Plus, international gold prices are in dollars. So, if our rupee decides to take a nosedive, your returns might look a bit tarnished. Also, know that your ETF might not always perfectly mirror gold prices, which is also known as a tracking error. It's like expecting your Zomato-ordered food to look exactly like the picture on the menu—it's close, but not quite. Then there’s the taxation bit. The budget this year brought down the <keyword id="20552259" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="ltcg" source="keywords">LTCG</keyword> (long-term capital gains tax) on gold ETFs from the previous 20% to 12.5% (sans indexation). LTCG is what you pay if you sell your ETF units after 12 months. If you sell your gold ETF units within a year and make handsome returns, the tax you’ll have to pay will be equivalent to your income tax slab rate. <h2>Is gold just for old?</h2>A survey by fintech firm Moneyview thinks otherwise. Per their findings, over 85% of the 3,000 respondents it talked to considered gold to be a valuable asset for wealth preservation, with its intrinsic value and historical performance continuing to drive consumer confidence. Particularly, young investors in the age group of 25–40 years are also investing in gold via both physical and digital ways to build wealth for retirement and other long-term goals. So, young or old, everyone’s going for gold. So, this festive season, with gold prices going north, investing in gold can add that much-needed glitz to your financial attire. But remember, don't go overboard since gold isn't exactly a high-return-yielding asset. But whether you're a seasoned investor looking to diversify or a newbie trying to make their way in the markets, investing in gold offers you a glittering safety cushion. Just remember, while gold can make your portfolio shine, it's your smart investment decisions that truly make you golden. Disclaimer: The content on this website is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as investment advice. We recommend readers consult certified, qualified, and registered advisors for professional and personalised financial advice.

Can investing in gold this festive season add the much-touted Midas touch to your investments?

<div type="image" title="Save yourself the trouble of buying physical gold this Diwali, and instead, go digital with Gold ETFs!" height="900" width="1200" msid="114507055" hostid="261" sizebytes="439216" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Save yourself the trouble of buying physical gold this Diwali, and instead, go digital with Gold ETFs!&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> Ah, <keyword id="18712" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Gold" source="Orion">gold</keyword>! The shiny metal that's been making humans lose their minds since time immemorial. And yet, from <keyword id="23657519" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="king-midas" source="keywords">King Midas</keyword> to our neighbourhood aunty and even our moms (and secretly dads), everyone seems to have a super soft spot for the <keyword id="6384667" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Bullion" source="Orion">bullion</keyword>. But here's the kicker: right now, gold prices are breaking all records on their upward trajectory! As of today, prices of 24k carat gold have passed the Rs 80,000 mark per 10 grams. And if experts are to be believed, this train isn't stopping anytime soon! So, as shiny as gold might look, adding even a bit of its glitter as we start decking up for the festive season might not be so easy on your pockets. But let's admit it—we love our gold and can't live without it. No wonder India is the second-largest consumer of the yellow metal in the world, only behind China. Such is our fondness for the metal that the <keyword id="20195223" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="world-gold-council" source="keywords">World Gold Council</keyword> had to up our 2024 annual demand forecast to 850 tonnes, up from the previously estimated 750 tonnes. However, our love for gold isn't just about looking fabulously embellished and blinding people with its bling. Indians also see gold as a long-term, trusty investment, supporting our other hard-earned assets, especially when high <keyword id="22195" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Inflation" source="Orion">inflation</keyword> rates pull our returns down. After all, while inflationary pressures generally weaken the purchasing power of our regular paper money, gold is built differently. When the world is buckling to inflation, gold gains value during these times. This is also why it is considered a solid hedge against inflation. With <keyword id="188" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Diwali" source="Orion">Diwali</keyword> and <keyword id="4067" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Dhanteras" source="Orion">Dhanteras</keyword> knocking at our doors, the inflation demon continued to bother India like a guest who refused to leave. Just last month, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) stood at 5.49%, much higher than the anticipated levels. Moreover, the diverging policy stances among central bankers worldwide, growing geopolitical tensions, tough job markets, and extreme weather events are only adding to the uncertainty. In such economically uncertain times, what should your gold strategy be this festive season? To buy or not to buy, that is the question. Well, let’s get to it. <h2><keyword id="20050894" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="gold-etfs" source="keywords">Gold ETFs</keyword> to the rescue</h2>See, buying physical gold jewellery is certainly a flex, but also a financial fuss. First, you pay a heavy amount to buy gold. Not to mention all those extra, hefty jewellery-making charges. And then you pay even more money to keep it safe in a bank locker, lest it get stolen. But what if we tell you that you can own pure 24k gold, minus all these frills? Welcome, Gold ETFs (Exchange Traded Funds). Simply put, gold ETFs are like the cool cousins of your traditional gold investments. Instead of stashing gold bars under your mattress like those maniac millionaires we see in Bollywood films, you can now invest and trade in gold through the stock market. It's basically buying units of an <keyword id="19930506" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="etf" source="keywords">ETF</keyword> on the stock exchange that directly mirror the ongoing domestic prices of gold. Generally, gold ETFs are equivalent to 99.5% pure physical gold bars, and each ETF unit denotes actual, one gram of gold. And let's face it, who would not want that golden glow in their lives? Gold ETFs have witnessed an over seven-fold surge in their AUM (assets under management) in just the last five years. From Rs 5,613.22 crore in September 2019 to Rs 39,823.50 crore in September 2024, gold ETFs seem to be in-thing. Inflows in gold ETFs have shot up by a whopping 2,695% over the last 5 years. In September 2019, gold ETFs had garnered a mere Rs 44.11 crore. Compare that to the inflows worth Rs 1,232.99 crore gold ETFs received last month. Talk about growing, or glowing popularity! In fact, in just 2024, inflows in gold ETFs have surged by nearly 88% since the beginning of this calendar year. From Rs 657.46 crore in January 2024 to Rs 1,232.99 crore in September 2024, good old gold is never out of season. <h2>So, how do these ETFs work? Should I invest in them now?</h2>All you need is a Demat account. Log into your account, choose the gold ETF scheme you want to invest in, and voila! You’re now a bullion-aire! All your gold ETF units will be stored in this account. Then, you can buy and sell gold ETFs just like you buy shares—in real-time. So, if gold prices inch upwards, which is where gold is currently going, the value of your ETF units will also rise in lockstep. Ashwini Kumar, Senior Vice President and Head of Market Data at ICRA Analytics, says that of late, gold ETFs have been increasingly gaining popularity among investors due to the liquidity, safety and transparency they offer. "With the escalating global geopolitical tensions boosting the ‘safe-haven’ appeal of the bullion, investors are preferring to park their funds in gold ETFs as compared to investing in physical gold, as there is no hassle of storing it. The heightened activity in gold ETFs is also driven by the prospects of an imminent further interest rate cut by the <keyword id="20078761" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="u-s-federal-reserve" source="keywords">U.S. Federal Reserve</keyword> in the coming months,” he added. “Investors with a short- to medium-term investment horizon may consider investment through gold ETFs. A buy-on-dips strategy here may help investors capitalise on a temporary correction in prices. Also, given the current market dynamics where equities are showing mixed trends, a modest, 5-10% allocation to gold may serve as a hedge against inflation and market volatility, which may help you balance risks in an optimum manner,” Kumar noted. <h2>Wait, there is no dearth of options</h2>But if ETFs make you go WTF, there’s always digital gold. You can invest in the yellow metal without actually physically holding it for as low as Rs 1. The best part? You can buy or sell this gold 24 X7 seamlessly via multiple apps without having to pay storage costs. On your behalf, your gold is stored in insured vaults by the seller. But remember, digital gold continues to remain unregulated territory in the country, where you venture at your own risk. In 2021, market watchdog SEBI had even asked its members to desist from selling digital gold. Then there are gold mutual funds and the Sarkari SGBs, or sovereign gold bonds. While gold mutual funds invest primarily in gold ETFs, SGBs are issued by the RBI and are also a reliable substitute for holding physical gold. However, with the RBI currently putting brakes on issuing SGBs, investing in them is out of the question. Plus, you should only get your hands on SGBs if you're in for the long haul. Apart from a 2.5% p.a. interest, you don't have any yearly earnings from them. Moreover, no premature redemption is allowed before 5 years, and you'll have to wait a good 8 years to maximise your returns. <h2>Okay, tell me about returns</h2>In contrast, the seventeen gold ETF schemes currently present in the market offer an average one-year return of 29.12%. Stay with it a little longer, and you can end up with returns worth 16.93% and 13.59% over a 3- and 5-year period, respectively. If you look at it, these returns are comparable with the returns delivered by actual, physical gold. Data from Value Research indicates that gold, as a commodity, has delivered returns worth 27.24%, 16.53%, and 14.18% over a 1, 3, and 5-year period, respectively. So, worth investing, right? <h2>What are the risks?</h2>See, markets are as unpredictable as monsoons in Mumbai. One significant market correction can wash away your returns, and one sunny day or an upswing can leave you wallowing in wealth. Since your gold investments are directly linked to these markets, you should steel yourself up for some volatility. Plus, international gold prices are in dollars. So, if our rupee decides to take a nosedive, your returns might look a bit tarnished. Also, know that your ETF might not always perfectly mirror gold prices, which is also known as a tracking error. It's like expecting your Zomato-ordered food to look exactly like the picture on the menu—it's close, but not quite. Then there’s the taxation bit. The budget this year brought down the LTCG (long-term capital gains tax) on gold ETFs from the previous 20% to 12.5% (sans indexation). LTCG is what you pay if you sell your ETF units after 12 months. If you sell your gold ETF units within a year and make handsome returns, the tax you’ll have to pay will be equivalent to your income tax slab rate. <h2>Is gold just for old?</h2>A survey by fintech firm Moneyview thinks otherwise. Per their findings, over 85% of the 3,000 respondents it talked to considered gold to be a valuable asset for wealth preservation, with its intrinsic value and historical performance continuing to drive consumer confidence. Particularly, young investors in the age group of 25–40 years are also investing in gold via both physical and digital ways to build wealth for retirement and other long-term goals. So, young or old, everyone’s going for gold. So, this festive season, with gold prices going north, investing in gold can add that much-needed glitz to your financial attire. But remember, don't go overboard since gold isn't exactly a high-return-yielding asset. But whether you're a seasoned investor looking to diversify or a newbie trying to make their way in the markets, investing in gold offers you a glittering safety cushion. Just remember, while gold can make your portfolio shine, it's your smart investment decisions that truly make you golden. Disclaimer: The content on this website is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as investment advice. We recommend readers consult certified, qualified, and registered advisors for professional and personalised financial advice.

Simply put: Can investing in gold this festive season add the much-touted Midas touch to your investments?

New Delhi: <keyword id="22930355" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Janmashtami-festivities" source="keywords">Janmashtami festivities</keyword> across the country led to a <keyword id="22930356" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="business-surge" source="keywords">business surge</keyword>, with transactions exceeding Rs 25,000 crore, according to the Confederation of All India Traders (<keyword id="20143308" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="CAIT" source="keywords">CAIT</keyword>). These figure highlight the robust consumer spending during the festival driven by the vibrant celebrations of <keyword id="20126824" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="janmashtami" source="keywords">Janmashtami</keyword>, marking one of the most commercially active periods of the year. CAIT's National General Secretary and Member of Parliament from Chandni Chowk, Praveen Khandelwal, stated that during this significant festival, large-scale sales were observed, particularly in flowers, fruits, sweets, deity costumes, decorative items, fasting sweets, milk, curd, butter, and dry fruits. Khandelwal said that festivals like Janmashtami are an important part of the Sanatan economy, which strengthens the nation's economy. CAIT's National President, BC Bhartia said that Janmashtami was celebrated with great enthusiasm across the country, especially in North and West India, where the festival was celebrated with much joy. <keyword id="20187217" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Krishna-Janmashtami" source="keywords">Krishna Janmashtami</keyword> was celebrated on August 26 this year across the country. Devotees traditionally fast and decorate temples and homes with flowers, diyas, and lights. Temples were decorated attractively, and there were large crowds of people visiting them. He highlighted that the special attractions of the Janmashtami festival included digital tableaux, selfie points with Lord Krishna, and many other delightful scenes. In cities, there were numerous bhajans, religious dances, and discourses by saints and sages. Various social organizations also organized large-scale Janmashtami celebrations. According to scriptures, Janmashtami is celebrated on the eighth day of the dark fortnight of the month of Bhadrapada. It is the day Lord Krishna was born. Earlier this month, the CAIT anticipated a festive trade of over Rs 12,000 crore across the country during the Rakhi festival. In 2022, the business during the Rakhi festival stood at around Rs 7,000 crore, in 2021 it was Rs 6,000 crore, in 2020 it was Rs 5,000 crore, in 2019 it was Rs 3,500 crore, and in 2018 it was Rs 3,000 crore, as per Khandelwal. The trade body said that the markets are witnessing a massive rush for shopping, and people are very enthusiastic about the festival.

Janmashtami festivities drive business across India, sales exceed Rs 25,000 crore: CAIT

New Delhi, <keyword id="471847" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="gold-exchange-traded-funds" source="Orion">Gold exchange-traded funds</keyword> (ETFs) attracted Rs 1,028 crore in August, making it the highest inflow in 16 months, amid continued hikes in interest rates in the US, which led to a slowing down in growth rate there. With this, the year-to-date inflow in the category has reached more than Rs 1,400 crore, data with the Association of Mutual Funds in India (Amfi) showed. Apart from inflow, the asset base of <keyword id="57156" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="gold-etfs" source="Orion">Gold ETFs</keyword> and investors' account or folio numbers increased in the period under review. According to data, gold-linked ETFs have seen an inflow of Rs 1,028 crore in August. This came following an inflow of Rs 456 crore in the segment in July. Before that, Gold ETF saw inflow to the tune of Rs 298 crore during the April-June period after three quarters of consecutive outflow. The category saw a withdrawal of Rs 1,243 crore in the March quarter, Rs 320 crore in the December quarter, and Rs 165 crore in the September quarter. The month of August witnessed the highest monthly inflow into Gold ETFs since April 2022 when the category attracted Rs 1,100 crore on the back of the Russia-Ukraine war. Flows into Gold ETFs have been subdued since then as the US Federal Reserve embarked on its tightening cycle. "As the end to the Fed's tightening cycle is now coming close, prospects for gold are looking good. The metal has held its ground despite US yields and the US dollar being on an upward trajectory lately. A potential US recession, central bank gold buying, geopolitical tensions, rising US debt levels are all supporting interest in the precious metal," Ghazal Jain, Fund Manager - Alternative Investments at Quantum Mutual Fund, said. Moreover, gold prices in recent times have come off from its all-time high levels, thereby providing some buying opportunity, particularly after a sharp rally it witnessed since March this year, Melvyn Santarita, Analyst - Manager Research at Morningstar India, said. "With the continued hike in interest rates in the US, inflation still higher than expectations, and growth rate slowing down, the appeal of gold as a safe haven and hedge against inflation is expected to continue," Santarita added. Gold, with its superlative performance over the last few years, has attracted significant investor interest and the consistent surge in its folio numbers is a testimony of the same. Investor accounts in Gold ETFs climbed by 20,500 folios to 47.95 lakh in August from 47.75 lakh in the preceding month. This shows that investors have become more inclined toward gold-related funds. Further, the assets under management of Gold ETFs surged by over 4 per cent to Rs 24,318 crore in August from Rs 23,330 crore in the preceding month. Gold ETFs, which track the domestic physical gold price, are passive investment instruments that are based on gold prices and invest in gold bullion. In short, Gold ETFs are units representing physical gold which may be in paper or dematerialised form. One Gold ETF unit is equal to 1 gram of gold and is backed by physical gold of very high purity. They combine the flexibility of stock investments and the simplicity of gold investments.

Festive shine: Gold ETF inflows hit 16-month high at ₹1,028 crore in August

<ul><li><keyword id="412367" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="consumer-sentiment" source="Orion">Consumer sentiment</keyword> has improved and Indians are eager to celebrate this <keyword id="36208" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="festive-season" source="Orion">festive season</keyword>, says a survey.</li><li>Consumers are keen to splurge on luxury goods, beauty and personal care products, consumer durables and more.</li><li>With a surge in inquiries, real estate players expect 20% growth in sales this season.</li><li>Online retailers are also expected to see 18-20% in gross merchandise value. </li></ul>Indians are gearing up for the festival season that kicks off with Ganesh Chathurthi this week. As the auspicious months arrive, the real estate sector is upbeat with new launches and more, but the shadow of the monsoons lingers over automobile dealers and jewellers. This season, Indians are not shying away from high-profile purchases this festive season as the real estate sector has reported healthy inquiries – thanks to the high consumer sentiment due to heightened economic activity. “As we approach the festive season, we are already witnessing a surge in inquiries and we are expecting around 20% growth compared to last year’s festive season. This naturally offers a context for consumers to go in for their dream homes as the overall climate is geared towards sustained demand,” said Ramani Sastri, chairman &amp; MD of Sterling Developers. The demand for new homes has been growing and has hit an all-time high, and realtors expect a windfall this season, aided by growth in new launches especially in the mid and luxury categories. Rising homeownership amongst millennials, aided by the higher disposable income and willingness to upgrade to larger, luxurious spaces equipped with better amenities. “Developers are optimistic about the desire for homeownership and anticipate that with attractive schemes and offers, the uptake for homes across cities will be healthy. Further, the unchanged repo rates and the appraisal cycle that coincides with the festive season, will provide a much-needed boost to the residential sales figures in the coming months,” said Kanika Gupta Shori, founder and COO, Square Yards. Consumer goods are also expected to see traction this season, thanks to the underlying need to improve living standards combined with the surge in the need for comfort in households. “People are upgrading to a more premium lifestyle and our products, with their distinct combination of technology, ultra-modern look and cutting-edge features, will continue to find traction. The focus on launching new products, coupled with good deals and enhanced distribution, especially in the tier-2 and tier-3 cities, should help brands during the festive season ahead,” said Parag Kulkarni, senior VP-international and president, A O Smith India, who are known for their water heaters and purifiers. Better than last year The festive mood is also high for other purchases like clothes, luxury goods and more. A survey by global technology company The Trade Desk says that 70% of Indians are ready to spend more this Diwali – that’s a 35% higher than last year. The year of 2022 was one of the first festival seasons which was not masked by fear of Covid-19 in the last few years. This year, sales are expected to be better. “With the broader economy coming back to business-as-usual levels, this festive season is likely to catalyze online consumption demand,” said a report by Redseer. With regards to online shopping, the growth in gross merchandise value (GMV) of sales is expected to be 18-20% higher than what it was in the 2022 festival season – which saw a 10% growth. “The planned increase in consumer spend is led primarily by consumers’ bullish view that their financial situation has improved according to 53%, and consumers’ eagerness to celebrate a lot more this year as per 49%,” The Trade Desk says. A significant majority ie. 84% expressed interest in buying luxury goods and apparel, with 80% on gold, as per Trade Desk survey. Amongst those who plan to spend more, 68% are more likely to spend more on new clothes, the rest on food items, gifts for family and more. Within e-tailing, beauty and personal care products, home and general merchandise, fashion are expected to see high demand – with persistent premiumization. Auto and gold sales rely on rural demand for growth uptick After an upbeat August sales when sales of passenger vehicles and three-wheelers hit an all-time high, the outlook for auto sales too is upbeat. “Based on the performance of last month (August) , we are even more optimistic for demand to pick-up during the festive season, enabled by positive economic outlook and the revival of monsoon after a deficit in August,” said Vinod Aggarwal, the president of industry body Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM). Two-wheeler sales, however, remained dull due to subdued rural demand on account of insufficient rainfall that could temper sales growth going ahead, as per experts. Consumer demand in this segment has remained ‘ambivalent’ according to yet another industry body Federation of Automobile Dealers Association (FADA). The monsoons have been in a deficit for most of the season, while a pick-up is expected in September. Without that pick-up, combined with low reservoir levels can have both direct and indirect effect on consumption both in rural and urban areas. Low sowing across two cropping seasons can have a devastating effect on inflation — driving down consumer sentiment across auto and other sectors. “After a prolonged period of stagnation, rural demand is showing signs of a positive resurgence. However, this recovery remains tenuous, contingent on the performance of the final phase of the monsoon season. Such developments would be particularly inopportune as they would coincide with the peak of India's festive season, notably Navratri and Deepawali, traditionally periods of heightened consumer activity,” said FADA. Jewellery sales too could be clouded by inflation, say experts, even as the yellow metal’s prices have been inching down on account of various macro economic factors. “With the start of the festive and wedding season, domestic gold demand is expected to gain impetus. However, higher inflation and weaker rural income on account of a less than ideal monsoon could potentially weigh on demand,” says Ghazal Jain, fund manager, alternative investments at Quantum Mutual Fund. Others, however, feel that consumers would be keen on addition to their physical old portfolio driven by the lower prices. Their prices have come down from a high of ₹61,750 per 10 gm in May to ₹59,000 per 10 gm currently — a healthy 20-25% drop from the recent surge. “Festive seasons have consistently witnessed a surge in physical gold demand, particularly in the realm of ornamental jewellery, as consumers seek the latest and trendiest designs. After a period of subdued festivities, the recent years have seen a resurgence in celebrations, rekindling the enthusiasm for gold,” said Jateen Trivedi, VP-research at LKP Securities. SEE ALSO <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/careers/news/over-43-of-indian-employees-are-struggling-with-anxious-depressed-or-isolated/articleshow/103661485.cms">More than half of Indian employees are logging off from work exhausted</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/news/soap-opera-fmcg-players-kick-off-price-war-to-bring-back-whats-lost/articleshow/103657469.cms">Soap Opera: FMCG players kick off price war to bring back what’s lost</a>

India switches on its shopping mode as festivals approach, sales set to jump 20%

<ul><li>The trading holiday changed after the Maharashtra government declared June 29 a public holiday, as opposed to June 28 earlier. </li><li>The equity, F&amp;O, and currency markets will remain closed on June 29, revised from 28, on account of Bakri Eid. </li><li>Commodity account balances on June 29 will not include the credits from profits realised and marked to market from trades or positions in commodity derivatives on June 28. </li></ul><keyword id="17825962" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="Indian-stock-exchanges" source="Denny">Indian stock exchanges</keyword> BSE and the National Stock Exchange (NSE) will remain shut on June 29 due to Eid al-Adha, also known as Bakrid. Earlier, the holiday was scheduled for June 28. The change came after the Maharashtra government declared June 29 a public holiday as the festival of Bakrid falls on this day instead of June 28 declared earlier. Bakrid is an Islamic festival celebrated by Muslims across the world. As per online stock broker Zerodha, this will affect the futures and options (F&amp;O) contracts. “The trading holiday on account of Bakri-Id has been revised to Thursday, 29th June 2023 from Wednesday, 28th June 2023. All <keyword id="17825960" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="FO-contracts" source="Denny">F&amp;O contracts</keyword> will expire on Wednesday,” it said. The equity, F&amp;O, and currency markets will remain closed on June 29. <keyword id="17825961" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="Commodity-markets" source="Denny">Commodity markets</keyword> will be closed for the first half, and trading will be open only in the evening session i.e. 5:00 pm onwards. The revised expiry date and maturity date of all F&amp;O contracts, which includes stock F&amp;O, Nifty and Bank Nifty, is June 28, 2023. “Since it's also a settlement holiday, your commodity account balance on June 29 will not include the credits from: profits (realised and marked to market) from trades or positions in commodity derivatives on June 28; and credits from exiting option positions on June 28,” Zerodha said. Also, funds withdrawn on June 29 will be processed on June 30 and the funds will be received by 2 PM on July 1, 2023. Profits and credits received from trades or exiting positions in the derivatives segment (F&amp;O and CDS) on June 28, will be available for withdrawal on June 30, by end of day. (With PTI inputs)

Bakrid trading holiday changed to June 29: Here’s how it will affect your F&O contracts

Beverage major Coca-Cola is going to have its highest-ever spending on brands in the second half of 2023 in India, when the ICC Men's <keyword id="3859" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="cricket-world-cup" source="Orion">Cricket World Cup</keyword> is coinciding with the festive season, which is expected to boost the consumption, a top company official said on Friday. Though the company has not shared the quantum of spending but said it is a "big part of overall <keyword id="6355120" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="investment" source="Orion">investment</keyword>" that they are going to make during the ICC World Cup, which provides "a very big platform" for their business expansion, Coca-Cola India and South-West Asia Vice President, Marketing Arnab Roy, said. Coca-Cola, which had a "challenging summer" this year due to unseasonal rains, expects people will spend money across categories during the festive season despite challenging macro conditions, and affordable packages would do well. When asked if Coca-Cola can make up for a slower second quarter, Roy said: "Probably based on the trends we are seeing both in Q3 and the beginning of Q4, we feel very positive and encouraged, with the way we hopefully end this year." <keyword id="49792" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="festival-season" source="Orion">Festival season</keyword> has already begun in some parts of the country, where Coca-Cola has started off brand activation. Coca-Cola is also doing the same in neighbouring markets such as Nepal, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka during the ICC Cricket World Cup, he said. "This is going to result in one of the largest investments we have ever done in Q3 and Q4 combined, in the history of our company in India," Roy said at a virtual media round table. The investment would be from Coca-Cola and its bottling arm Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages, he added. When asked about the investments, Roy said: "<keyword id="389052" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="ad-spends" source="Orion">Ad spends</keyword> in the December quarter as a percentage of overall spending are 5-7 per cent higher compared to a year ago." Coca-Cola India's Advertising promotional expenses were at Rs 737.97 crore in FY22, according to the financial data accessed by the business intelligence platform Tofler. Coca-Cola, which is the exclusive non-alcoholic beverage partner of the ICC until 2023, has activated its brand Thums Up along with Limca Sportz, the hydration drink from Coca-Cola India's home-grown brand Limca, as the event is in India, he added. It is also adding Sprite, a lime-flavoured beverage, the second brand in India to breach the USD 1 billion mark in annual sales. "The ICC World Cup is in India, which is the largest sporting event in the country after almost 11-12 years. So it is very big for us... to activate our brands, our entire system and obviously ensure that we are able to leverage this big platform to continue the business momentum," Roy said. According to Roy, this is not only for "classic brand marketing investments but also the investments on shopper marketing, trade marketing, working with our customers, working with retailers or distributors. So the whole ecosystem it was important for us to activate" taking over all DME (Direct Marketing Expense) higher. It is a combined effort between two brands as "Thums Up is leading all the work in ICC World Cup and brand Coca-Cola... around the festivals" with a regional approach. Coca-Cola faced a "challenging summer" this year due to early rains but Roy said, "long-term metrics are looking very strong, therefore it was very important for us to continue investing in the business ...in our brands, so that we do not lose the momentum." Regarding the benefits, Roy said typically in the second half of a year, you do not have business expansion. But "with the ICC World Cup, especially as you go to small town and rural India, whether you can start increasing your numeric distribution from what you have had in the past, in this particular period." On the demands, Coca-Cola sees it to be "very robust" across both urban and rural. The company is optimising its demand through affordable packs, giving a quantitative push. Coca-Cola is expanding its returnable glass bottle business across parts of India, which is important to hold and ensure the market at Rs 10 and 20 price points. "We would have to optimise everything in our supply chain and work on pack mix so that your overall profitability is not going down. So Rs 10 and Rs 20 ...will continue to be important in the year 2024," he said. Besides, Coca-Cola is also a lead sponsor of Disney Star which has exclusive broadcast and media rights for linear and digital platforms of ICC Men's Cricket World Cup. It has signed for both linear and digital streaming for OTT platform Disney+ Hotstar.

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