Best printers for Home

Best Mixer Grinder

Best wired Earphones

Best 43 Inch TV in India

Best Wi Fi Routers

Best Home Theatre in India

Smart Watch under 5000

Best Laptops for Education

Best Laptop for Students

The Reserve Bank of India's (<keyword id="30067" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="rbi" source="Orion">RBI</keyword>) Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) is expected to change its stance after taking a guard against inflation by delivering a 25 basis points (bps) hike in the repo rate on April 6, said economists. "There will be a 25 bps increase (in repo rate) and change in stance -- to neutral. The decision won't be unanimous as last time. There will be a pause after the hike," <keyword id="170005" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="madan-sabnavis" source="Orion">Madan Sabnavis</keyword>, Chief Economist, Bank of Baroda told IANS. The MPC is likely to change policy stance to 'neutral', with a non-committal forward guidance, said <keyword id="4921330" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="madhavi-arora" source="Orion">Madhavi Arora</keyword>, Lead Economist, Emkay Global Financial Services. <keyword id="176" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="arora" source="Orion">Arora</keyword> said, the neutral stance will give the MPC flexibility to be non-committal on forward guidance, yet subtly give direction on a 'pause'. "In our view, a 'hawkish pause' is less purposeful in sending clearer forward signaling, while a 'hawkish hike' makes even less sense from the policy perspective, amid limited macro levers and expected growth slowdown ahead," Arora said. "We reckon a part of the policy compulsion was emanating from the sharp &amp; consistent (upward) repricing of global rates and the consequent fear of INR (Indian Rupee) instability through capital account and the absent high risk-premia offered by India. Both fears are likely to diminish now, implying that the RBI can choose to pause ahead and keep policy flexibility amid a still-fluid global situation," Arora added. According to Pankaj Pathak, Fund Manager- Fixed Income, Quantum AMC, unseasonal rain, early forecasts of El-Nino, rising prices of milk and sugarcane and others are negative for the inflation outlook. On the other hand, the banking crisis in the US and Europe and the slowing growth outlook might also be considered by some members. Another 25 bps rate hike with a stance change to neutral looks like the most likely outcome, Pathak said. Continuing further he said, the bond market will focus more on the RBI's future outlook. A 25 bps rate hike is broadly in price while retention or change of stance will move the bond market. Retention of the current policy stance as 'withdrawal of accommodation' will be perceived as an indication of further rate hikes and thus will be negative for the bond market. The market will also look for the RBI's position on liquidity conditions. The banking system liquidity deficit is likely to increase during the April-June period. In absence of liquidity support from the RBI, the short-term rate can move higher meaningfully, Pathak said. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/corporates/news/tcs-infosys-hcl-tech-amongst-top-picks-of-analysts-heading-into-the-q4-earnings-season/articleshow/99235686.cms">TCS, Infosys, HCL Tech amongst top picks of analysts heading into the Q4 earnings season</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/corporates/news/adani-group-stocks-tumble-amid-reports-of-sebi-probe-group-market-capitalisation-falls-by-22000-crore/articleshow/99214962.cms">Adani group stocks tumble amid reports of SEBI probe: Group market capitalisation falls by ₹22,000 crore</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/corporates/news/india-incs-credit-quality-continues-to-shine-in-fy23-slowdown-concerns-could-impact-it-textile-sectors-says-icra/articleshow/99211589.cms">India Inc’s credit quality continues to shine in FY23: Slowdown concerns could impact IT, textile sectors, says ICRA</a>

After delivering 25 bps hike in repo rate, RBI to change its stance on April 6, say economists

There is a growing view that global central banks perpetuating a kind of ‘inequality’ ⁠— and it may be happening in India too

Chennai, With the <keyword id="19899810" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="reserve-bank-of-india" source="keywords">Reserve Bank of India</keyword>'s (<keyword id="19899808" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="rbi" source="keywords">RBI</keyword>) Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) deciding to retain the repo rate at 6.5 per cent, economists are of the view that a rate cut may not happen any time soon or at least for next six months, said senior economists. In a 5:1 decision, the MPC which met on February 6-8, decided to hold the repo rate -- the rate at which the RBI lends to banks -- at 6.5 per cent. The RBI MPC also decided not to change its stance to 'neutral' from 'withdrawal of accommodation'. "It was no surprise that RBI MPC decided to keep the status quo on the interest rates for the sixth consecutive time. However, RBI continued to sound hawkish as against the market expectations and has not provided any indication of the timing of the change in monetary stance from withdrawal of accommodation," said <keyword id="20504468" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="suman-chowdhury" source="keywords">Suman Chowdhury</keyword>, Chief Economist and Head - Research, Acuite Ratings &amp; Research. "Given the tone of the MPC statement and the expectation of growth buoyancy, we believe that the likelihood of any rate cut by RBI has significantly reduced over the next six months," Chowdhury added. The RBI MPC will not cut the repo rate ahead of the US Federal Reserve, said Madhavi Arora, Lead Economist, Emkay Global Financial Services. "We understand that shifting debates on global narratives requires the RBI to be flexible as well. We have long maintained that the RBI's policy has been somewhat pegged to the Fed, specifically in the last two years, even as it formally targeted inflation. The swift turn of tone and action pivots of the RBI in the last two years have been influenced purely by global narrative. We do not see RBI preceding the Fed in rate cuts," Arora said. Predicting that RBI will remain cautious owing to high food inflation, CARE Ratings's Chief Economist Rajani Sinha said: "Healthy economic growth gives room to the Central Bank to maintain status quo for some more time." "However, in the second half of the year, as domestic inflationary concerns recede and the US Fed starts cutting rates, we can expect a shallow rate cut by RBI. On the liquidity front, RBI will continue to intervene through appropriate tools as required," Sinha said. <keyword id="20504469" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="sujan-hajra" source="keywords">Sujan Hajra</keyword>, Chief Economist &amp; Executive Director, Anand Rathi Shares and Stock Brokers, was also of view that rate cut may not happen any soon and RBI will be on wait and watch mode. "With RBI's inflation projection of 4.5% for FY25, any expectations of cuts coming in the current year become unlikely. We think the progress in food prices will be the key monitorable for RBI's tone in the upcoming policy. Like other central banks, higher growth for the current and next year gives RBI more headroom to be on a wait-and-watch mode," Hajra said. As to the 7% economic growth rate for FY25 stated by RBI Governor <keyword id="19913110" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="shaktikanta-das" source="keywords">Shaktikanta Das</keyword>, Chowdhury said: "They have significantly upgraded their growth prospects for the next fiscal to 7.0%, reflecting that there are minimal concerns on economic growth at this time." "RBI's assessment on global growth also appears to be positive versus last year and it also believes that central banks are unlikely to resort to a pivot within a short period. Our outlook on the domestic growth prospects are moderate with a base forecast of 6.3% for FY25, given the visible weakness in the private consumption growth which is estimated at 4.4% in FY24 in the NSO estimates," Chowdhury said. "On the inflation front, the base forecast for headline CPI in FY25 is set at 4.5% which in our opinion has significant upside risks if the growth really maintains such a high level of momentum and if there are even moderate risks in the monsoon behavior," Chowdhury added.

RBI may not cut repo rate any soon or for six months: Economists

The Indian <keyword id="6355302" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="rupee" source="Orion">rupee</keyword> plunged to a 12-month low of 83.28 against the US dollar on Monday amid rising oil prices and uncertainty in global markets due to the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. The <keyword id="30067" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="rbi" source="Orion">RBI</keyword> has been intervening periodically to sell dollars in the market to prevent the rupee from going into a free fall, according to traders. The benchmark Brent crude was hovering at close to $91 a barrel after having jumped nearly 6 per cent on Friday. While Israel is poised to carry out its ground attack in Gaza, there are fears that the tensions may escalate into a wider geopolitical crisis with the US and Iran getting involved. This could lead to a disruption in the flow of oil from the Middle East region. The US has already moved two aircraft carriers into the Mediterranean Sea, while Iran has issued statements in support of Hamas while criticising Israel. Oil prices soared nearly 30 per cent in the three months to September, the biggest third-quarter gain in almost two decades. With rising crude oil prices in the international market pushing up the demand for dollars, the Indian rupee has slumped to record lows below 83 against the US greenback. India's current account deficit (CAD) jumped seven-fold to $9.2 billion in the April-June quarter compared to the corresponding figure of $1.3 billion in the preceding quarter, according to the latest RBI data released last week. The continuing surge in oil prices and slowing exports due to a decline in demand in global markets, which is expected to widen further, will bring the rupee under further pressure. CAD for April-June quarter of 2023-24 was 1.1 per cent of the GDP. According to Emkay Global Financial Services lead economist Madhavi Arora, the July-September quarter will see a "substantial widening of CAD" to 2.4 per cent of the GDP on account of higher oil prices, higher core imports and further slowing of services exports.

Rupee plunges to 12-month low against dollar

<ul><li><keyword id="30067" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="rbi" source="Orion">RBI</keyword>’s MPC keeps <keyword id="6371181" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="interest-rates" source="Orion">interest rates</keyword> unchanged in the first policy of FY25.</li><li>Most experts had expected the RBI to maintain the status quo on interest rates.</li><li>A few, however, expected it to soften its hawkish forward guidance. </li></ul>The Indian central bank’s rate-setting panel, the <keyword id="6357126" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="monetary-policy" source="Orion">Monetary Policy</keyword> Committee (MPC), kept the repo rate unchanged at 6.5% on Friday. It remained focused on the withdrawal of accommodation in the first monetary policy of FY25. Both these decisions were taken with a majority of five to one. “Two years ago, around this time, when CPI inflation had peaked at 7.8% in April 2022, the elephant in the room was inflation. The elephant has now gone out for a walk and appears to be returning to the forest. We would like the elephant to return to the forest and remain there on a durable basis,” said Shaktikanta Das, governor of the Reserve Bank of India. The second advance estimate (SAE) placed real GDP growth at 7.6% for the recently concluded FY24 — the third successive year of 7 per cent or higher growth. RBI projects FY25’s real GDP growth at 7%. “Robust growth prospects provide the policy space to remain focused on inflation and ensure its descent to the target of 4%. Under these circumstances, monetary policy must continue to be actively disinflationary to ensure anchoring of inflation expectations and fuller transmission of the past actions,” said Shaktikanta Das, governor of the Reserve Bank of India. His speech pointed out that uncertainties in food prices continue to pose challenges especially as temperatures are expected to be above normal. The MPC remains vigilant to the upside risks to inflation that might derail the path of disinflation. “Elephant moves slowly, and last mile inflation tends to be sticky,” said Das at the RBI press conference. RBI sees FY25’s consumer price inflation (CPI) inflation, assuming a normal monsoon, at 4.5%. The RBI had repeatedly insisted that it intends to bring down retail inflation below 4%. “It is essential, in the best interest of the economy, that CPI inflation continues to moderate and aligns with the target on a durable basis. Till this is achieved, our task remains unfinished,” said Das pointing to frequent incidences of supply chain shocks. He also added that the crude oil price movements in the last few days. GDP growth &amp; inflation projections by RBI for FY25 <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;">Time period </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;">Real GDP growth </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;">CPI inflation </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;">FY25 </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;">7% </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;">4.5% </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;">Q1 FY25 </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;">7.1% </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;">4.9% </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;">Q2 FY25 </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;">6.9% </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;">3.8% </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;">Q3 FY25 </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;">7% </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;">4.6% </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;">Q4 FY25 </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;">7% </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;">4.5% </td></tr></tbody><tbody></tbody></table> Hot inflation keeping RBI in wait-and-watch mode say economists This is the seventh consecutive policy review cycle where the MPC has chosen to keep the repo rate unchanged at 6.5%. Most experts have been expecting the RBI to maintain the status quo. Its current decision, most say, is a balanced approach towards growth while being vigilant over headline inflation. “This careful stance reflects concerns over potential inflationary pressures arising from volatile food prices, recent upticks in oil prices, and robust economic growth. While there was some anticipation of rate cuts by the end of 2024, the RBI seems inclined to adopt a wait-and-see approach before initiating a rate cut cycle,” says Sujan Hajra, chief economist &amp; executive director at Anand Rathi Shares and Stock Brokers. Volatile food inflation in the last few months has been worrying economists. The ongoing heatwave combined with the persistent El Niño impact brings back worries about cereal and pulse price hikes. While the wheat crop has by and large been harvested, vegetable prices also pose an additional worry. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted higher-than-normal maximum temperatures across the country this summer. While core inflation has been softening, in the last few days, crude oil prices have inched up to cross $90 per barrel. "The monetary policy stance announced today reflects that the RBI is evenly balancing the two divergent objectives of growth and inflation. It seems a case of full commitment to growth with an even higher commitment to inflation targets. I hope we will see sustained growth and softened inflation,” Anu Aggarwal, president &amp; head of corporate banking, Kotak Mahindra Bank. The RBI governor’s stance on bringing down inflation has made economists delay their rate cut expectations as far as Q3 of FY25. The Bank of Japan has recently ended its negative interest rate policy and the US Fed has also delayed its much anticipated easing cycle. Most economists believe that RBI policy is pegged to the Fed, especially in the last two years, even as it formally targeted inflation. “External dynamics have been fluid, implying that the policy prerogative needs to be flexible for ensuring financial stability. We maintain the RBI’s tone will slowly tiptoe to ‘Gracklish’ from the usual ‘Hawk-Dove’ signaling, implying a non-committal stance and limited definite forward guidance ahead,” said Madhavi Arora, lead economist, Emkay Global Financial Services.

We want the elephant of inflation to walk back to the forest: Shaktikanta Das

<ul><li>While the market seems to be focusing on the brighter side, here are some triggers impacting the economy and markets that need to be noted.</li><li>From expectation of low monsoon to decline in <keyword id="46211" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="auto-sales" source="Orion">auto sales</keyword> there are various factors indicating a slowdown.</li><li>Meanwhile, Indian stock markets are continuing to hit record highs with growing liquidity in the market.</li></ul>While the market participants seem to be enjoying the euphoria of frequent record highs, there are some concerning triggers to be noted. While data has shown a <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/policy/economy/news/opinion-indias-economy-may-be-growing-faster-than-expected-as-the-second-wave-of-the-pandemic-was-less-damaging-than-most-had-feared/articleshow/85811841.cms">better-than-expected recovery</a> in the April-June quarter, the economy is not back to the level it was before the pandemic. Between agriculture and automobile manufacturing, nearly two-fifth of the country’s economy is in doldrums. But the Nifty is still hovering around its <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/nifty-50-hits-historic-high-and-tops-17000-points/articleshow/85791229.cms">record high</a> that it hit on August 31. Here are some of the triggers to take notice: Monsoon deficit Poor rains in August have widened the monsoon deficit in the country. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has indicated that the overall monsoon is likely to be at the ‘lower end of the normal’ in the country. Weak monsoons have a cascading effect on the agriculture segment, which makes for 20% of India’s gross domestic product (<keyword id="35050" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="gdp" source="Orion">GDP</keyword>) and supports the livelihood for more than 100 million people, directly or indirectly, according to NABARD All India Rural Financial Inclusion Survey 2016-17. The impact of less-than-expected rains reflected in the decline in tractor sales of some of the manufacturers like Mahindra &amp; Mahindra and Escorts in August compared to the month before it. Tractor sales in some of these auto makers dipped in August. <table style="border-width: initial; border-style: none;" class="redcator-table-advance"></colgroup><tbody><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.75pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Tractor sales </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.75pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Month-on-month growth </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.75pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Year-on-year growth </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.75pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Mahindra &amp; Mahindra </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.75pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">-21.60% </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.75pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">-12.70% </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.75pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Escorts </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.75pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">-13.30% </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.75pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">-21.70% </td></tr></tbody><tbody></tbody></table> Broking firm CLSA reportedly expects a month-on-month decline of 18% for tractors in Q2. A report by JM Financial indicates that these slowing trends may revert soon. “The irregular pattern of rainfall in July-Aug 2021 however impacted agri-related investments including tractor sales but the overall growth trend is likely to revert back, as our checks suggest,” said the report. Declining auto sales Auto sales in August 2021 saw a month-on-month decline in volumes across most segments as automobile makers cut production amid a worsening global chip shortage. Auto companies’ growth counts in a major way as it contributes 7.1% to the country’s GDP. Analysts expect the slowdown in vehicle sales to continue in coming months as auto part manufacturers face semiconductor shortages. The COVID-19 pandemic has reportedly driven up demand for semiconductor chips that are used in cars and computers and so on. <table style="border-width: initial; border-style: none;" class="redcator-table-advance"></colgroup><tbody><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.75pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Auto makers </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.75pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Month-on-month growth </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.75pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Maruti Suzuki </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.75pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">-19.55% </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.75pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Tata Motors </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.75pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">4.25% </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.75pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">M&amp;M </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.75pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">-23.20% </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.75pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Hero MotoCorp </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.75pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">5.77% </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.75pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Bajaj Auto </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.75pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">-8.35% </td></tr></tbody><tbody></tbody></table> “Semiconductor availability remains a challenge for most original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and will lead to a demand-supply mismatch in the upcoming festive season as channel inventory is already below normal,” said a report by BOB Capital Markets. Analysts at broking firm CLSA reportedly see further month-on-month decline for passenger vehicles, commercial vehicles and tractors. Fall in government spending Government spending that supported GDP growth since the start of the pandemic has started to come down. Government expenditure declined 4.8% in the June quarter of 2021. “Government spend this year would likely be in the form of transfer/subsidies payments, with no material contribution to GDP,” said Madhavi Arora, Lead Economist, Emkay Global. Weak consumer demand The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) data for August shows that the consumer confidence remained weak and at an all-time low due to lower incomes and higher level of price. “Driven by substantial improvements in the outlook for general economic situation and employment scenario after the waning of the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, the future expectations index (FEI) returned to optimistic territory; respondents placed higher confidence on household income going forward,” said RBI’s consumer confidence survey. Signs of rising COVID-19 cases Rising COVID cases is another risk haunting the economy with fear of an imminent third wave. On September 2, India reported 47,092 new infections, the biggest single-day rise in two months. About 509 deaths were recorded during the past 24 hours, according to the Health Ministry. Moreover, resurgence of infections in countries like the US are seens as signs of another wave for other countries. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/corporates/news/zomato-is-shutting-down-its-singapore-and-uk-based-subsidiaries/articleshow/85858611.cms">Zomato is shutting down its Singapore and UK-based subsidiaries</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/personal-finance/news/common-financial-mistakes-to-avoid/articleshow/85856175.cms">Common financial mistakes to avoid in your 30s</a>

Sobering signals that Indian stock markets may be ignoring in this euphoria

For the past four months, <keyword id="157271" type="COMPANY" weightage="80" keywordseo="PVR-Ltd">PVR Ltd</keyword>'s Group President, Pramod Arora, has been clocking up air miles as he travelled the world looking for inspiration. In fact Arora travelled so far and wide that he could be soon be dubbed Ryan Bingham - the character played by <keyword id="11804" type="PERSON" weightage="40" keywordseo="George-Clooney">George Clooney</keyword> in the film Up in the Air. 
 
Multiplexes are generally not known to be citadels of innovation but in a country where cricket and movies are a religion it is important to keep pioneering to stay relevant. At the heart of this exercise is one of PVR's one of the most ambitious and largest projects till date - the 15 screen 'Superplex' in Noida. 
 
"As plans for the Superplex were drawn, I visited every cinema hall in every part of the world to experience the best practices that we can pick up. At the end I realized cinema industry may not be the correct industry to look at. By looking at the cinema industry we realized that either we were ahead of what others were doing or at par with what they were doing," says Arora. 
 Arora turned elsewhere for insights. "In terms of benchmark we decided to compare ourselves to the hospitality industry and also looked at companies like <keyword id="6354427" type="CITY" weightage="40" keywordseo="Apple">Apple</keyword>. People say there are no similarities between Apple and the cinema industry but there are immense commonalities. 
 
Arora says the trick lies in making sure the consumer is deriving satisfaction from the product you are selling in the minimum possible time and how a company is able to retain the consumer, once he is serviced, for the maximum possible time. "In this minimum and maximum lies your ability to monetize and this is what we are trying to master. For us it was picking up the thread from various industries across the globe," says Arora. 
 
PVR now plans to invest Rs. 250 crore to add 100 new screens this fiscal. It currently has 444 screens in 101 properties spread across 43 cities and targets to touch 1,000 screens by 2017-18. The Superplex is expected to be operational by end of March 2015 and the 15 screen complex would cost the company about Rs. 50 crore to develop. 
 
Inception: 
 According to a <keyword id="50041" type="CITY" weightage="40" keywordseo="KPMG">KPMG</keyword> report Multiplexes, as of today, account for approximately 25 percent of the total number of screens in the country with a low screen density of 8 screens per million in comparison with 117 per million in the US. "Given the low screen penetration, India has the potential to significantly increase the number of existing multiplex screens in the country over the next decade without causing an oversupply of screens," says the KPMG report. 
 
In 2013, the industry added approximately 150-200 screens, with major growth coming from expansion of multiplexes in tier II and III cities. Occupancy levels for major multiplexes players have risen from approximately 23-27 percent in 2011 to more than 30 per cent in 2013. 
 
"In India movie watching theoretically begins from the age of 5. If we look at cinema halls we will see that we do not provide anything for five year olds except sit on their mother's lap and cry or disturb others around them. We have realized that the categories of ages 5-9 need to be addressed," says Arora. 
 Arora says PVR Superplex will have a special auditorium designed called the 'PVR Playhouse'- an exclusive fun and <keyword id="4578" type="COMPANY" weightage="40" keywordseo="entertainment">entertainment</keyword> destination for children. PVR Playhouse will witness a space exclusively for kids to be at their natural best. The auditorium will have half dim light - brighter lighting than other formats, cartoon characters both on and off screen and special seating facilities like bean bags to create a comfortable environment. "For younger kids, PVR will provide visual attractions like play seats, playful interiors and the middle alley will resemble a slope just like a slide for kids to enjoy. Keeping in mind the safety of kids, the flooring will have a rubberized surface for an easy topple," says Arora. 
 
PVR will also operate on the opposite end of the age spectrum as the new multiplex would also have a different screen for senior citizens. 
 
<div style="page-break-after: always;">
	&#xa0;</div>
Avatar: 
 
PVR is well aware that technology changes fast and multiplexes in days to come may not be the preferred medium for cinema as home theater screens are becoming better and bigger. "For example HD has become table stake today and we have understood that if we do not make our medium more immersive, it is not really going to deliver the bang for the buck for the consumer," says Arora. 
 For an immersive movie viewing PVR is addressing the sound and the elctroacoustics in a much more superior way. "<keyword id="16674" type="PERSON" weightage="40" keywordseo="George-Lucas">George Lucas</keyword> has done this in the US for time immemorial but why people have not taken it up is because it is expensive," says Arora. 
 
He adds that PVR took two years to re-engineer the technology at a fraction of a cost. "For example if it rains in the movie, you currently hear it from the surround system or from the speakers behind the screen. For you to be able to feel rain the sound must come from the top and when it falls to the ground, the sound must come from the bottom. From an engineering perspective, it is a very big problem but we have worked on it and managed to reduce the cost associated with it," says Rao. 
 
With respect to screens the ones in cinemas today is flat. PVRs new screen would be curved or concave, which would provide a more immersive and greater viewing area. PVR says there is a perceptible difference in viewing. "These Silver screens are more expensive to the tune of about 200 percent but since it lasts for about 20 years so it's worth it," says Arora. 
 
Five formats and a playhouse: 
 
This will be the first time PVR brings all its brands under one roof. PVR currently runs five brands ranging from IMAX, ECX (enhanced cinema experience), PVR Premier, Directors Cut, PVR 4DX in India and with the addition of PVR Playhouse will operate six formats, all under one roof. "PVR stands as a strong mother brand and we were looking to introduce the other brands of cinemas. IMax is one of them and then we go on incorporating multiple other brand that PVR straddles under one roof. This way failure of one brand will never be able to define or shape the final outcome of the mother brand," says Arora. 
 According to Emkay Global Financial Services research report, PVR enjoys a <keyword id="34527" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="40" keywordseo="market-share">market share</keyword> of 20-22 percent and 30-35 percent of <keyword id="143" type="CITY" weightage="40" keywordseo="Bollywood">Bollywood</keyword> and Hollywood box-office film revenues, respectively. This provides better negotiating power for content sharing with distributors/producers. Its right location strategy and aggressive expansion plans would continue to drive footfalls and revenues, going forward. Emkay also sees robust growth in F&amp;B and advertisement, which would help drive revenue/EBITDA at a <keyword id="107168" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="40" keywordseo="CAGR">CAGR</keyword> of 17 percent/23 percent over FY14-16 (estimate), resulting in healthy cash generation. 
 
Chocolat: 
 
As discretionary spends on eating out is on a rise, if cinemas go on serving the consumer with Soda and popcorn, it is not going to take them far. "The consumer is ready to pay money but they need quality and service. In a cinema environment it is challenging to provide gourmet chef driven menu but we have decided to push ahead. We have decided to come up with a menu that change with the season and that is being mastered now and by the time the complex is open, he would be ready to cater to all," says Arora. 
 
A multiplex has limited retail space to display food items so PVR will push information on food on cinema goers' mobile phones and through specialized tablets. "We will have a large base kitchen in the multiplex and once you order your food through the PVR app or through the tablets we will have in the multiplex, fresh food will be delivered to your seats. Different strokes for different folks as senior citizens will get large plasma screens to make their food choice," says Arora. KPMG says currently, an exhibitor's revenue comprises of 70 percent of ticket sales, 20 percent of food and beverages and 10 percent of cinema advertising. 
 
<div style="page-break-after: always;">
	&#xa0;</div>
A. I. Artificial Intelligence: 
 
Major corporate houses have multiple Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems running but when it comes to engagement most companies in India have been going wrong. "Forget about going into predictive intelligence, many have not even been able to identify the sex of the individual whose mobile number they have in their database," says Arora. 
 
The mobile app of PVR, developed in-house, now uses predictive intelligence where it knows what you have been watching, what you like, what you did not and a plethora of data around an individual's movie watching habits. "We envisage a situation where you are a part of a community that wants to watch a movie like Mughal-e-Azam, which is not running in the cinemas; you should be able to book a cinema for that movie if say 60 such individuals decide to watch it on a particular date and time," says Arora.

You Searched For "madhavi arora emkay global" and got 7 results

After delivering 25 bps hike in repo rate, RBI to change its stance on April 6, say economists

IANS

There is a growing view that global central banks perpetuating a kind of ‘inequality’ ⁠— and it may be happening in India too

Sriram

Katya

RBI may not cut repo rate any soon or for six months: Economists

IANS

Rupee plunges to 12-month low against dollar

IANS

We want the elephant of inflation to walk back to the forest: Shaktikanta Das

Katya Naidu

Sobering signals that Indian stock markets may be ignoring in this euphoria

Bhakti Makwana

Lord Of The Screen: How PVR Is Innovating To Stay Ahead

Pranbihanga Borpuzari

Popular Keywords

Buying Guides