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A recent report by Axis AMC shed light on the burgeoning Indian mutual fund industry. Since March 2021, the MF industry has grown at a CAGR (compounded annual growth rate) of 23.65%, touching an AUM (asset under management) of Rs 67.25 lakh crore in October 2024. <keyword id="20300870" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Equity-Mutual-Funds" source="keywords">Equity mutual funds</keyword>, which garnered Rs 41,886.69 crore during the month, saw a 58.96% YoY growth. The biggest contributor to the equity segment was sectoral funds, which captured 29.3% of net equity sales in October 2024. In all, they brought in Rs 12,278.78 crore during October 2024. The AUM of <keyword id="20890471" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Hybrid-Funds" source="keywords">hybrid funds</keyword> also stood at Rs 9.24 lakh crore during the month, registering an annual growth of 47.8% and inflows worth Rs 16,863.30 crore during October 2024. Amidst this, the arbitrage funds led in net sales, capturing 3.61% of their AUM with monthly inflows worth Rs 7,181.70 crores. There and more people are entering the Indian markets, as is evident in the growing SIP corpus (Systematic Investment Plans), which saw contributions worth Rs 25,323 crore in October 2024, a 54.7% year-over-year growth. In October 2024, about 63,69,919 new SIPs were registered, taking the number of SIP accounts to a record high of 10,12,34,212 The growth in equity investments was largely led by retail investors and HNIs (high-net-worth individuals). Since March 2021, the retail segment in mutual funds has seen a 31.2% CAGR, while banks and foreign investors have recorded a CAGR of 31.8% during the same period. Corporations were the biggest contributors to debt mutual funds. Notably, the AUM of debt funds grew 14.8% over the previous year to stand at Rs 10,65,037 crore as of October 2024. The category saw net sales worth Rs 47,699 crore last month. Also testimony to the growing interest of investors in mutual funds were the figures of <keyword id="23958398" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Passive-Mutual-Funds" source="keywords">passive mutual funds</keyword>, which recorded net sales worth Rs 8,025 crore during the month. Out of this, just index funds observed net sales of Rs 7,931 crore in the previous month. AUM from the top 30 Indian cities grew at 22.6% CAGR, whereas other cities grew at 27.8% CAGR since March 2021. FY25 also seemed to be the year where NFOs received an enthusiastic response from investors. So far, a total of 124 NFO schemes have managed to collect a total of over Rs 77,932 crore.

Mutual funds in spotlight: Industry grew at 23.65% CAGR since March 2021

It took something surprisingly small — something that's been described as "teeny tiny" and "ultra-cropped" — to propel <keyword id="19948011" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Prada" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Prada" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Prada">Prada</keyword> to its place as one of the year's few luxury winners. In fact, it measures under 10 inches long. <keyword id="20885719" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Miu-Miu" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Miu Miu" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Miu Miu">Miu Miu</keyword>'s micro miniskirt, which debuted in 2021 and subsequently went viral, taking over both TikTok and magazine front covers, is emblematic of the brand's show-stopping couple of years — and has no doubt helped its parent company, Prada, do what few luxury companies have been able to do this year: grow. "I think the 'miracle' at Prada is Miu Miu," Luca Solca, a senior analyst at Bernstein, told Business Insider. Thanks to <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/miu-miu-revenue-jumps-93-gen-z-asia-sales-prada-2024-7">Miu Miu's hot streak</a>, as well as a series of smart business moves at Prada itself — a focus on a controlled retail pipeline and store productivity, plus some experienced new hires — the company is <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/zara-inditex-pandora-thrive-amid-luxury-downturn-aspirational-consumer-trends-2024-9">bucking negative luxury trends</a>. It's selling well in Asia, its stock is up, and investors are excited. Net revenue for the first half of the year was 14% higher than in the same period in 2023 and 34% more than 2022. At luxury bellwethers LVMH and Kering, first-half sales fell 1% and 11%, respectively, compared to last year.Its stock is up more than 30% year-to-date, even more than that of <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/hermes-became-ultimate-status-symbol-2024-2">Hermès, luxury's perennial market leader</a>. Along with Moncler, it's one of only two buy-rated luxury stocks at HSBC. The 111-year-old, family-run, Milanese leather goods shop turned cutting-edge fashion superhouse is now enjoying one of its greatest runs in history. <h2>The trendy little sister</h2>As any elder sibling knows well, sometimes the flashy, fun younger sister can outshine even the most well-prepared eldest. Miu Miu is doing just that. The more experimental brand has become the "It" girl of the fashion industry. It's number two on The Lyst Fashion Index, a quarterly measure of the hottest fashion brands. Searches for Miu Miu are up 47% this year on luxury resale platform The RealReal. The micro minis that stormed the runway in 2021, a sneaker collab with New Balance, and the quilted Wander bags have become must-have looks. That's translated into impressive results: <keyword id="19957111" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="retail-sales" source="keywords">Retail sales</keyword> were up 50% in 2023 and 86% in the first half of this year. Last quarter, website traffic was up 110% year over year, Stifel's Rogerio Fujimori reported in his July note. The brand will likely hit $1 billion in revenue this year. <div type="image" title="Miu Miu micro miniskirt" height="3109" width="4663" msid="113815737" hostid="261"></div>Part of it is the brand's messaging. "Miu Miu is resonating with consumers because of a savvy mix of product and communication marketing," Solca said. In a recent note, he highlighted the brand's events — a tennis club, literary club, and film series — that go beyond just fashion to form a "cultural aesthetic." Miu Miu has embraced stars (Sydney Sweeney and Gigi Hadid were featured in recent campaigns), which has energized its following. The brand has also managed to tap into Asian markets — one of the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/china-luxury-retail-sales-slowdown-brands-fashion-2024-7">most challenging sectors for luxury brands</a>. Again, some smart marketing has helped. The brand enlisted K-pop icons as ambassadors and dressed Chinese stars Lexie Liu, Zhao Jinmai, and Wu Yanshu. It also increased spending on Little Red Book, a social media platform in China, and threw events in Tokyo, Taipei, and Nanjing. In short — pun intended — you can't get trendier than Miu Miu right now, and being trendy is good for business. <h2>The business behind the boom</h2>But Miu Miu's popularity, as attention-grabbing as it is, is only part of the story. The brand accounted for 15% of Prada's sales last year. HSBC analysts called its growth a "(big) cherry on the cake" — the cake being Prada (which didn't respond to a request for comment from Business Insider for this story). Behind Miu Miu's Mary Jane shoes and Arcade bags is a success story at its parent company. The group's namesake line is growing, albeit at a slower and steadier pace. Prada's retail sales were up 3% in the first half of the year compared to last year and 7% in 2023. It's been among Lyst's top five hottest brands since 2022. This didn't happen by accident: In 2017, Prada committed to a turnaround strategy following a few losing yearsand a drop in profitability. At more than 100 years old, Prada hadn't entered the new millennium: Its full product line wasn't available through e-commerce, and its advertising wasn't digitized. "In 2015, the tide really turned for them," Jelena Sokolova, a senior analyst for Morningstar, told Business Insider. "They fared worse than the industry: Sales were negative for a number of years; their earnings plummeted." In response, Prada focused on retail, a channel in which it can control prices and cut back on wholesale, which now represents only 11% of sales. It made an effort to cut down on discounts — a problem that has <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-burberry-became-fashions-biggest-fail-stock-drop-ceo-ousting-2024-8">plagued labels like Burberry</a> and Gucci and can lead to diminishing brand perception. At its retail stores, new CEO Andrea Guerra, who arrived in 2023 from LVMH, has drilled down on productivity, or how much money each square foot of retail space generates, by launching in-store installations, forming one-to-one relationships between sales associates and customers, and infusing stores with wearable pieces and collaborations. The company closed stores that weren't performing and renovated the ones that were. It's worked: Retail productivity has increased 32.5% between 2019 and 2023. <div type="image" title="Prada store" height="3333" width="5000" msid="113815742" hostid="261"></div>There has also been a slew of management changes. In 2020, the company brought on Raf Simons, heralded as one of the biggest stars in the design world, as co-creative director, sharing the title with Muccia Prada — the company's billionaire heiress who The New York Times has <a target="_blank" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/04/style/miu-miu-chanel-louis-vuitton-paris-fashion-week.html">referred</a> to as "the most influential woman in fashion." Prada now has more time to use her keen sense of design at Miu Miu. In the years following, it recruited talent from LVMH and Goldman Sachs to join its top ranks. And then there is the sheer cyclicality of fashion and the fact that, after a few years of being less-than-hot, Prada is once again on the rise. It has embraced the 1990s and Y2K aesthetic — a heyday for Prada — popular with Gen Z and was the most searched brand among the demographic on The RealReal. Hit products pushed the profitable leather goods category to revenues of more than $2 billion last year. There was a reimagining of the early 2010s it-bag, the Galleria, complete with a Scarlett Johansson-led campaign. Other handbag rereleases, like that of the Nylon, have taken off, while new purse styles like the Buckle and Arqué got callouts in last year's earnings report. That momentum gave the brand an upper hand going into the luxury downturn. "People prioritize which brands they want to spend on. With a limited budget, first, you drop the ones that were not hot to begin with," Sokolova said. <h2>Can Prada's hot streak last?</h2>Just as fashion comes in, it can come out. And Prada's story — particularly Miu Miu's rapid-fire growth — in some ways mimics that of <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/gucci-sales-profit-reputation-falling-luxury-kering-michele-china-2024-5">Gucci's hype-driven rise and plummeting fall under Alessandro Michele</a>. "You kind of become a victim of your own success," Sokolova said. Both Prada and Miu Miu are susceptible to volatility, though for different reasons. Miu Miu is still relatively small, meaning its brand identity is not yet established enough to withstand the whims of consumers. CEO Guerra has acknowledged that such incredible growth can lead to a challenge. "There appears to be a glass ceiling," Solca wrote in a recent note. "Being prominent brings fatigue: after a while, consumers feel they have seen and done enough with these brands and move on." Prada, meanwhile, is more exposed in the cyclical ready-to-wear category — which makes up 32% of sales — than other brands like Gucci and YSL. But there are signs of continued growth: Miu Miu is adding 10 to 15 stores next year, while Prada is adding five to 10, the company has said. The brand's retail footprint is particularly underpenetrated in the US. The company's beauty business is still nascent. Last year, it launched skincare and makeup through a partnership with L'Oréal, and there is more money to be made in that sector. With so much control of its sales chain, the company can raise prices and limit overexposure through low-end collaborations or expansion into cheap categories. Plus, the slowdown hasn't happened yet: Miu Miu website traffic and sales continued to grow between the first and second quarters, and the company maintains it's not a flash in the pan. "This is a result of many years of work on the brand, on the products, on the people," Guerra said about Miu Miu's success on the company's most recent earnings call. Meanwhile, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/prada-white-tank-top-status-symbol-2024-2">Prada has maintained its brand value</a>. But the woman Miuccia Prada herself knows the pressure is on. "I was very nervous for this show," she told reporters backstage at the line's fashion show earlier this month about the new collection, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/20/style/prada-fendi-milan-fashion-week.html">The New York Times reported</a>. "Much more than usual." September 30, 2024 — An earlier version of this story misspelled the name of Miuccia Prada.

How Prada is beating the odds and bucking the luxury slump 

The <keyword id="21233022" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indian-textile-industry" source="keywords">Indian textile industry</keyword> is set to experience developments in 2024, driven by improving demand in <keyword id="21017131" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="export-markets" source="keywords">export markets</keyword>, resilient consumer spending in key sectors, and favourable geopolitical conditions, according to the B&amp;K Securities report. In the ready-made garments (RMG) sector, the demand offtake in export markets is anticipated to show substantial improvement in 2024. While domestic demand is expected to remain moderate due to lower discretionary spending and overstocking from the previous fiscal year, the recovery in export demand is promising. The domestic market could see a boost in the second half of FY25, supported by an increase in wedding days and festive season, although the rise in realisations is likely to be marginal. The export growth in RMG is expected to be driven by a combination of factors including restocking by Western retailers, increased demand for spring-summer collections, and a general uptick in retail sales. The anticipated interest rate cuts in the US will further stimulate demand. India's RMG exports will also benefit from stable cotton prices and uninterrupted supply, enhancing cost competitiveness on the global stage. The ongoing crisis in Bangladesh, a major player in the global RMG market, presents a temporary tailwind for Indian exporters. However, the benefits for India are expected to be short-lived due to differences in product portfolios and Bangladesh's trade agreements with the European Union. Over the medium to long term, India could see more substantial gains as global buyers continue to diversify their <keyword id="19959553" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="supply-chains" source="keywords">supply chains</keyword> away from China and Bangladesh, particularly as Bangladesh faces challenges such as rising wages and the loss of its Least Developed Country (LDC) status by 2029. The <keyword id="21356289" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="home-textiles" source="keywords">home textiles</keyword> segment is poised to continue its growth trajectory, primarily driven by robust consumer spending in the United States, which accounts for approximately 60 per cent of India's home <keyword id="21353395" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="textile-exports" source="keywords">textile exports</keyword>. The market share of Indian players in the US has been steadily increasing, supported by the China+1 strategy adopted by big box retailers to diversify their supply chains. India's competitive advantage in raw material costs and increased domestic capacity will likely sustain its dominance in the US home textiles market. The Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations with the UK and the European Union offer additional opportunities for growth, potentially leading to higher margins and increased market share for Indian players. While the industry is on a positive trajectory, it faces near-term challenges such as logistical disruptions due to the Red Sea crisis and uncompetitive domestic cotton prices. Moreover, as sustainability becomes a major theme in <keyword id="21977676" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="western-markets" source="keywords">Western markets</keyword>, <keyword id="804823" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indian-textile" source="Orion">Indian textile</keyword> companies will need to invest in compliance with these evolving norms to remain competitive. (ANI)

Indian textile exports to remain strong amid global shifts; FTA negotiations with EU to offer growth opportunities

<keyword id="19896380" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Reliance-Industries" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Reliance Industries" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Reliance Industries">Reliance Industries</keyword>, under the leadership of <keyword id="19916798" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Mukesh-Ambani" source="keywords">Mukesh Ambani</keyword>, showcased its vision for the future during the company’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) that was held today (August 29). During the AGM, <keyword id="19936674" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="reliance" source="keywords">Reliance</keyword> laid out ambitious plans that span across its diverse businesses. The conglomerate, which has interests ranging from oil to telecom to retail, is positioning itself as a key player in India’s growth story, with a particular focus on <keyword id="20239522" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="technological-innovation" source="keywords">technological innovation</keyword>, energy security, and retail expansion. <h2>Not chasing short-term profits</h2><keyword id="19898589" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="ambani" source="keywords">Ambani</keyword>, during his speech, said that Reliance is not merely chasing short-term profits but is dedicated to creating long-term wealth for the nation. He reiterated the company’s commitment to providing high-quality products and services that enhance the lives of Indian consumers. The chairman announced that the company’s board will consider issuing bonus shares on September 5, further rewarding shareholders as Reliance continues to grow. <h2>Transforming into a deep-tech company</h2>A major theme of the AGM this year was Reliance’s transformation into a deep tech company, with advanced manufacturing capabilities at its core. Ambani described this shift as essential to securing a place in the global top-30 companies in the near future. He highlighted the company’s strategic adoption of artificial intelligence (AI), calling it one of the most transformative events in human history. AI, he noted, opens up new avenues to address complex problems, making Reliance a net producer of technology. Reliance has been making significant strides in R&amp;D, with over ₹3,643 crore invested in FY24 alone, taking the total research expenditure to over ₹11,000 crore in the last four years. This investment is driving innovations in various areas, including bio-energy, solar power, green energy, and high-value chemicals. The company has also been active in digital research, filing patents in 6G, 5G, AI, and IoT, among others. Ambani assured that this tech-driven transformation would propel Reliance into a new phase of hyper-growth, multiplying its value in the coming years. <h2><keyword id="20337020" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="retail-business" source="keywords">Retail business</keyword> to double</h2>In addition to technological advancements, Reliance Retail, the company’s retail arm, is set to double its business in the next three to four years. Isha Ambani, Director of Reliance Retail, shared that the retail segment recorded a gross revenue of ₹3.06 lakh crore for the financial year ending March 31, 2024, marking a 17.8% growth over the previous year. The retail business has rapidly expanded, with Reliance opening 1,840 new stores in the past year, bringing the total to 18,836 stores across 79 million square feet of retail space. This growth has positioned Reliance Retail among the top-5 global retailers in terms of store count and among the top-10 in market capitalization globally. Isha Ambani emphasised that much of this growth is driven by a focus on smaller towns, where two-thirds of the new stores have been opened. Reliance Retail is also focused on creating high-quality, affordable products through its Consumer Brands business, which has seen the re-launch of popular brands like Campa, Lotus Chocolates, and Sosyo. Mukesh Ambani concluded by underscoring Reliance’s mission to provide energy security to India while also contributing to a cleaner and greener world. As the global landscape becomes increasingly uncertain, he expressed confidence in India’s role as a key growth engine in the global economy. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) projects that India will become the world’s third-largest economy by 2027, surpassing Japan and Germany. Ambani affirmed that Reliance will continue to be a driving force in India’s march toward becoming a developed nation.

Reliance AGM 2024: Company aims to double retail business, Mukesh Ambani says not pursuing short-term profit

India's services sector showed robust expansion in October, per the <keyword id="22267674" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="HSBC-India-Services-PMI" source="keywords">HSBC India Services PMI</keyword> (Purchasing Managers' Index), which rose to 58.5 last month, up from September's ten-month low of 57.7. October's figures managed to exceed even the long-run PMI average of 54.1, largely on the back of a strong sales pipeline and elevated demand. Employment, or job creation in this sector accelerated to its fastest growth rate in 26 months. Anticipating solid, sustained demand in the near term, firms added new employees at the most rapid pace in over 2 years. October also saw <keyword id="23834175" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="input-costs-rise" source="keywords">input costs rise</keyword> at their fastest pace in 3 months, indicating renewed demand and economic activity in the country. The ISM Services PMI, an indicator of the economic health of the US, also exceeded expectations, reaching 56.0 compared to the forecasted 53.8, suggesting strong growth within the services sector. "During October, the Indian services sector experienced strong expansions in output and consumer demand, as well as job creation, which achieved a 26-month high," said Pranjul Bhandari, Chief India Economist at HSBC. The sector saw increased business activity across multiple fronts, with export sales showing significant growth and companies reporting stronger demand from international markets including Africa, Asia, the Americas, the Middle East, and the UK. However, industry experts remain cautiously optimistic about the sector's prospects. Suman Chowdhury, Chief Economist at Acuité Ratings &amp; Research, noted that while the October recovery is promising, several factors warrant careful monitoring. “The recovery in the PMI indices in October 2024 is promising for the second half of the fiscal after the dip in several high-frequency indicators in September 2024. Industrial and service activity has expectedly received a boost from the anticipated spike in consumption demand in Q3 FY25, driven by the festivities and the marriage season," she said. Chowdhury added that it will be crucial to monitor the sustainability of these PMI indices at these elevated levels, given the reported weakness in urban demand in Q2 as flagged by FMCG companies. She also noted that potential increases in wholesale and core retail inflation, combined with higher input costs and wage pressures, could delay expected interest rate cuts. RBI governor Shaktikanta Das also noted that inflation and CPI figures for October might be elevated, pushing ahead any chances of interest rate cuts in the near future. Acuité Ratings &amp; Research maintains its GDP growth forecast at 7.0% for FY25 while acknowledging the multiple downside risks that will require close observation in the coming months.

India's Services Index jumps to 58.5 in October as employment grows the fastest in 26 months

Indian companies across multiple sectors have reported disappointing results in the second quarter of fiscal year 2025, notes a new JM Financials report. Consequently, their poor performance has triggered stock price corrections for affected companies. The brunt of this weaker than expected earnings was largely borne by consumer centric sectors like FMCG (fast moving consumer goods), retail, and auto, which slacked largely due to dampened urban demand. For instance, India's largest automaker, Maruti Suzuki, reported a 5% YoY decline in its total domestic passenger vehicle wholesales, largely on the back of pent-up inventory. Similarly, Honda reported a staggering 23% YoY dip in its total sales during October 2024. A recent report by Bernstein noted that around 48% of the companies listed on the NSE100 index missed their earnings estimate for Q2FY25, the highest since March 2020. Most companies have mentioned deteriorated domestic demand, urban slowing, macroeconomic risk, and margin pressures as the main reasons behind the dip. "The quarter's earnings have made investors nervous," noted the JM Financials report. The challenging environment stems from multiple factors: softening consumer demand, rising input costs, and companies' limited ability to increase prices. Moreover, this is not limited to just one quarter. Companies have been reporting weak, single-digit earnings growth for the last six consecutive quarters. Data from India Data Hub also suggests that corporate profits of listed companies plunged by as much as 3.4% during the quarter ended September 30, 2024. This is in stark contrast to the year-ago period, where they had shot up by over 40% The oil and gas sector had a difficult quarter, with refiners hit by weak margins and city gas distributors struggling with higher input costs. Financial institutions showed mixed results. While government-owned banks reported strong numbers, microfinance institutions and some private lenders faced massive difficulties with their unsecured loans. Most notable amongst this was the case of IndusInd Bank, which saw its net profits dip by 40% amidst burgeoning provisions, which climbed 87% to Rs 1,820 crore in Q2, as against Rs 974 crore reported in the year-ago period. <h2>Markets head southwards</h2>The selling trend by FPIs has dragged down the major Indian indices, the Nifty 50 and Sensex, both of which have dropped by around 8% since the beginning of this selling spree in October. According to National Securities Depository Ltd. (NSDL) data, FPIs offloaded equities worth a significant Rs 19,994 crore in just the first five trading sessions of November last week. The impact is clearly visible on Indian stock markets. Data suggests that while every sector in October closed the month in red, auto, oil and gas, and consumer durables were the most badly hit, each declining by as much as 10% during the month. Another indicator underlining the inherent weakness of the market was that the month saw only 242 stocks hit their 52-week high, significantly below the usual monthly average of 310.

India Inc. stares at an earnings dearth in Q2, FMCG, auto, and consumer durables falter

The <keyword id="21572647" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indian-auto-retail-sector" source="keywords">Indian auto retail sector</keyword> recorded a robust 27 per cent year-on-year (YoY) growth for April 2024, according to Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (<keyword id="20108734" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="FADA" source="keywords">FADA</keyword>) <keyword id="21572648" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="vehicle-retail-data" source="keywords">Vehicle Retail Data</keyword>. The report highlights positive market sentiments, driven by stable fuel prices, a positive monsoon outlook, festive demand, and the marriage season. According to FADA President Manish Raj Singhania, the <keyword id="19948209" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="two-wheeler" source="keywords">two-wheeler</keyword> (2W), three-wheeler (3W), <keyword id="20163833" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="passenger-vehicle" source="keywords">passenger vehicle</keyword> (PV), tractor (Trac), and <keyword id="20032571" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="commercial-vehicle" source="keywords">commercial vehicle</keyword> (CV) segments witnessed growth. Singhania said, "In April 2024, the Indian <keyword id="21572646" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="auto-retail-sector" source="keywords">Auto Retail sector</keyword> achieved a robust 27 per cent YoY growth. The two-wheeler (2W), three-wheeler (3W), passenger vehicle (PV), tractor (Trac) and commercial vehicle (CV) segments grew by 33 per cent, 9 per cent, 16 per cent, 1 per cent, and 2 per cent, respectively. While some attribute this growth to the shift in Navratri to April instead of March last year, the overall increase was significant. Comparing combined March and April 2024 with the same period last year shows a 14 per cent YoY growth for the entire industry." Singhania attributed this growth partly to the shift in Navratri to April from March last year, but noted that the overall increase was significant. When comparing combined March and April 2024 with the same period last year, the industry recorded a 14 per cent YoY growth. In the two-wheeler segment, significant growth was driven by improved supply and increasing demand for 125cc models. Positive market sentiments, supported by stable fuel prices and a favorable monsoon outlook, contributed to this rise. New model launches also played a role in driving growth, despite some delays in supply. The passenger vehicle category experienced double-digit YoY growth, aided by enhanced model availability and positive market sentiments, particularly around festive events like Navratri and Gudi Padwa. Despite strong bookings and customer flow, challenges such as high competition, excess supply, and discounting posed hurdles for sustained growth. Additionally, the lack of new models in some portfolios impacted market traction. The commercial vehicle segment showed a modest 2 per cent YoY growth and a 0.6 per cent month-on-month (MoM) decline, indicating varied market conditions. Positive momentum was found in bulk and corporate deals, as well as school bus demand, although elections dampened sentiment, leading customers to delay expansion plans. Limited finance options and regional challenges, such as water scarcity, further impacted performance. Looking ahead to May 2024, several positive indicators are shaping the near-term outlook. Improved vehicle supply and strategic planning in the two-wheeler segment have led to rising customer bookings and better market sentiment. In the passenger vehicle segment, new model launches and favorable monsoon forecasts are expected to stimulate customer interest. Challenges remain, with election uncertainty affecting market sentiment and financial constraints posing growth hurdles. Extreme temperatures and overcapacity in the commercial vehicle segment could further slow growth. Despite these challenges, the auto industry remains cautiously optimistic, with market opportunities arising from rising customer interest in new models. Monitoring election-related uncertainty and financial constraints will be crucial for navigating the evolving market effectively. 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Indian auto retail sector records 27% YoY growth in April: FADA

A day before the official release of India's Gross Domestic Product (<keyword id="35050" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="GDP" source="Orion">GDP</keyword>) figures for <keyword id="21593310" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Q1-FY25" source="keywords">Q1 FY25</keyword>, a report by <keyword id="20548750" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Anand-Rathi" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Anand Rathi" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Anand Rathi">Anand Rathi</keyword> research estimates the GDP to grow by 7 per cent, primarily driven by the robust performance of the services sector. The financial advisory firm also maintains its full-year <keyword id="19972825" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="GDP-growth" source="keywords">GDP growth</keyword> projection at 7 per cent, though it warns of potential downside risks. Utilities GVA is expected to rise by 11.5 per cent, while the construction sector has slowed due to election-related disruptions and the impact of heat. The mining sector remains strong, supported by increased coal production. The services sector is expected to be the primary driver of GDP growth in Q1 FY25. Despite reduced <keyword id="20155204" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="government-spending" source="keywords">government spending</keyword> ahead of the elections, which is likely to dampen growth in some service sectors, financial, real estate, and professional services are expected to have performed well. This performance is attributed to strong market activity and credit growth. However, the trade and transport sectors present a mixed picture, with some indicators showing improvement while others remain moderate. Overall, Services Gross Value Added (GVA) is expected to grow by 8.2 per cent in Q1 FY25. As per the report, Investment was a key growth driver in FY24, fuelled by government infrastructure projects and a real estate upswing. However, the momentum appears to have slowed in Q1 FY25 due to pre-election restrictions. Despite this, the report predicts a significant rise in government capital expenditure in the coming months, supported by greater budget allocations. The report highlights the changing dynamics of private consumption in India. FY24 saw weak consumption, especially in rural areas, with final consumption expenditure growing by just 3.8 per cent. However, as FY25 begins, there are signs of a rural revival. Indicators such as increased two-wheeler sales and improving Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) volume growth signal a rebound in rural demand. In contrast, urban demand continues to show signs of sluggishness. The muted sales of passenger vehicles, weaker retail credit transfers, and flat Goods and Services Tax (GST) collections underscore this trend. While consumption is not expected to see a significant rise in Q1 FY25, the outlook for the remainder of the year appears positive. This optimism is bolstered by anticipated higher agricultural output and sharper government focus on rural areas. The agriculture sector is expected to post a subdued growth of 2.1 per cent in Q1 FY25, affected by scorching heat and uneven rainfall last year, which led to lower reservoir levels and hindered farming activities. However, the outlook is more promising for the remainder of the fiscal year, with better rains and improved sowing conditions expected to boost agricultural output Additionally, a rebound in stamp duty collections suggests buoyant real estate sales. Private capital expenditure, which was previously subdued, is expected to expand in FY25, driven by rising capacity utilisation and strong order books. The industrial sector, which grew by 9.5 per cent in FY24, is expected to see a shift in growth drivers in Q1 FY25. The focus is now moving towards utilities and mining, with manufacturing growth slowing. While government infrastructure projects and private capital expenditure will continue to support industrial growth, the global growth slowdown poses potential risks.

Anand Rathi anticipates Q1 FY25 GDP growth at 7%, a little lower than RBI's estimate of 7.1%

In a rather dampened <keyword id="19915531" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="forecast" source="keywords">forecast</keyword> for the Indian economy, <keyword id="19908266" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="ICRA" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="ICRA" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="ICRA">ICRA</keyword> has forecast a sharp <keyword id="20637625" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="slowdown" source="keywords">slowdown</keyword> in India's <keyword id="19972825" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="GDP-growth" source="keywords">GDP growth</keyword>. The credit rating agency has projected a year-on-year expansion of 6.0% in <keyword id="22106354" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Q1-FY2025" source="keywords">Q1 FY2025</keyword> — the lowest in the last six quarters. In Q4 FY2024, India recorded an impressive 7.8%. The Reserve Bank of India had expected the growth momentum to continue this financial year as well. Earlier this month, the RBI governor had projected a 7.1% growth in Q1, while the growth rate for the entire financial year FY2024-25 was projected to be at 7.2%. The central bank had attributed this potential robust growth to improved agricultural activity, sustained buoyancy in services activity, healthy balance sheets of banks and corporates, thrust on capex by the government, visible signs of pick up in private investment, and improving prospects of global trade. However, RBI’s growth projections for this financial year were slightly moderated due to lower-than-anticipated corporate profitability, general government expenditure, and core industries output. As per ICRA, the sharp drop in GDP growth is primarily due to parliamentary elections and a contraction in government capital expenditure weakening urban consumer confidence. Another main cause could be the weakening urban consumer confidence, which reported a surprising downtick in the May and July 2024 rounds of the Central Bank’s Consumer Confidence Survey. “The lingering impact of last year’s unfavourable monsoon and an uneven start to the 2024 monsoon prevented a broader improvement in rural sentiment. Lower volume growth combined with diminishing gains from commodity prices weighed upon the profitability of some of the industrial sectors. The heat wave also affected footfalls in various service sectors, even as it provided a significant boost to electricity demand,” said Aditi Nayar, Chief Economist at ICRA. Despite the Q1 slowdown, ICRA expects economic activity to pick up in the latter half of FY2025, projecting an overall GDP growth of 6.8% for the full year, with a potential to exceed 7% in the second half. The agency expects decelerated growth in Gross Value Added (GVA) as well, easing to 5.7% in Q1 FY2025 from 6.3% in the previous quarter. This slowdown is primarily attributed to a decline in industrial growth, which is predicted to moderate to 6.4% from 8.4%, along with slight reductions in the services sector's growth and a modest improvement in agricultural GVA. The difference between GDP and GVA growth is expected to narrow to around 30 basis points (bps) in Q1 FY2025, down from 148 bps in the previous quarter, due to lower growth in net indirect taxes amid a rise in government subsidies. ICRA's analysis indicates that industrial GVA growth is likely to moderate in Q1 FY2025, with a slowdown in manufacturing and construction offset by growth in electricity, mining, and quarrying. Additionally, a contraction in government and state capital expenditure, along with a significant drop in new project announcements, has contributed to the overall slowdown. Manufacturing profit margins have also been under pressure due to rising global commodity prices and narrowing deflation in input costs, which, combined with slower growth in manufacturing output, suggests a deceleration in manufacturing GVA growth. In the agricultural sector, GVA growth is projected to be modest at 1.0% in Q1 FY2025, amidst declining output from most rabi and summer crops and a deficient rainfall in June 2024. With growing concerns around inflation and unemployment in India and across the world, the latest forecast could further fuel the fears around recession and slowdown in major economies. However, a much clearer picture will emerge with the actual quarterly estimates of GDP for Q1 from the National Statistical Office (NSO) next week. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/digital-initiatives-to-triple-indian-retail-borrowing-to-usd-2-5-trillion-by-2030-sp-global/articleshow/112263945.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">Digital initiatives to triple Indian retail borrowing to USD 2.5 trillion by 2030: S&amp;P Global</a>

ICRA forecasts slowdown in India's economy: GDP growth expected to hit six-quarter low in Q1 FY2025

<keyword id="19938772" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Reliance-Industries-Ltd" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Reliance Industries Ltd" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Reliance Industries Ltd">Reliance Industries Ltd</keyword> on Monday reported an almost flat March quarter net profit, while its annual earnings hit a record high on the back of a recovery in its core oil and petrochemicals business and sustained momentum across the consumer-facing telecom and retail businesses. The oil-to-telecom-and-retail conglomerate's consolidated net profit stood at Rs 18,951 crore, or Rs 28.01 per share, in January-March quarter of the 2023-24 fiscal compared to Rs 19,299 crore, or Rs 28.52 a share, a year ago, according to a company's stock exchange filing. The profit was, however, higher quarter-on-quarter when compared to Rs 17,265 crore in October-December period. For the full fiscal FY24 (April 2023 to March 2024), Reliance posted a record net profit of Rs 69,621 crore as compared to Rs 66,702 crore earnings in the preceding financial year. Reliance also became the first Indian company to hit Rs 10 lakh crore turnover in FY24 when revenue from operations rose 2.6 per cent from Rs 9.74 lakh crore in 2022-23. The oil-to-chemicals (O2C) business, the main milch cow, posted a rise in profitability annually as well as sequentially, while retail business' earnings rose on new store openings despite lower footfalls. The firm helmed by billionaire <keyword id="19916798" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Mukesh-Ambani" source="keywords">Mukesh Ambani</keyword> saw telecom revenues soar as it outpaced competition in subscriber addition and data traffic. While quarterly EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization) was up 14.3 per cent year-on-year to Rs 47,150 crore, registering growth across all businesses, the revenue from operations rose almost 11 per cent to Rs 2.64 lakh crore. The mainstay oil refining and petrochemicals business, called O2C, posted a 11 per cent rise in revenue and a 3 per cent higher EBITDA at Rs 16,777 crore in Q4. This was primarily because of "advantageous" sourcing of feedstock (crude oil) for refining business and use of ethane for making chemicals as well as higher domestic product placement, a company statement said, adding exports were down 8.5 per cent. With the consumer base swelling to 481.8 million from 470.9 million at the end of December on a flat per-user revenues of Rs 181.7, Reliance <keyword id="21397660" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Jio-Infocomm-Ltd" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Jio Infocomm Ltd" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Jio Infocomm Ltd">Jio Infocomm Ltd</keyword> - the digital services business - posted a 12 per cent rise in net profit at Rs 5,583 crore in the fourth quarter of FY24. Also, aiding the business was rise in data traffic to 40.9 billion GB in January-March from 38.1 billion GB in the preceding quarter. For the full year, Jio posted a profit of Rs 21,424 crore as compared to Rs 19,124 crore in FY23. Profits from the retail business climbed 11.7 per cent to Rs 2,698 crore as store count rose to 18,836 from 18,774. Store footfalls dropped to 272 million from 282 million in October-December 2023 but were higher than 219 million recorded in January-March 2023. Oil and gas EBITDA soared 47.5 per cent to Rs 5,606 crore as higher gas volumes partly offset lower price realisation. The firm's flagship KG-D6 block in Krishna Godavari basin in the Bay of Bengal is now producing about 30 million standard cubic metres per day of gas and 23,000 barrels a day of oil/condensate. The company said its outstanding debt rose to Rs 3.24 lakh crore from Rs 3.11 lakh crore in December-end. After accounting for cash in hand, net debt at Rs 1.16 lakh crore as on March 31 was lower than Rs 1.25 lakh crore a year back. Mukesh Ambani, Chairman and Managing Director of <keyword id="20076630" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="reliance-industries-limited" source="keywords">Reliance Industries Limited</keyword>, said all segments of business have posted a robust financial and operating performance. "This has helped the Company achieve multiple milestones. I am happy to share that this year, Reliance became the first Indian company to cross the Rs 1 lakh-crore threshold in pre-tax profits," he said. Performance of the digital services segment has been boosted by accelerated expansion of subscriber base, supported by both mobility and fixed wireless services, he said. "With over 108 million True 5G customers, Jio truly leads the 5G transformation in India." <keyword id="19901342" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="reliance-retail" source="keywords">Reliance Retail</keyword>, he said, continued to provide customers endless choices through its robust omni-channel presence. "We continue to offer product differentiation and superior offline experience through stores re-modelling and revamping of layouts. Our digital commerce platforms also provide newer solutions to users with a broad brand catalogue," Ambani said. Strong demand for fuels globally, and limited flexibility in refining system worldwide supported margins and profitability of the O2C segment. "Downstream chemical industry experienced increasingly challenging market conditions through the year. Despite headwinds, maintaining leading product positions and feedstock flexibility through our operating model that prioritises cost management, we delivered a resilient performance," he said. "We remain committed to our projects and initiatives, including those in the new energy segment, which will bolster the company, and help it deliver sustainable growth for the future," he added. 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Reliance Industries quarterly profit stays flat; annual earnings hit record at ₹69,621 crore

<ul><li><keyword id="20313645" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="retail-leasing" source="keywords">Retail leasing</keyword> in the sector is expected to sustain at 6-6.5 million square feet in 2024, says CBRE.</li><li>By the year-end, 5-6 mn. sq. ft. of investment-grade mall space will become operational in <keyword id="21259569" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="tier-I-cities" source="keywords">tier-I cities</keyword>.</li><li>Domestic brands are expected to turn cautious, but <keyword id="20322579" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="global-brands" source="keywords">global brands</keyword> are continuing to expand, according to the report.</li></ul><keyword id="20020606" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indian-brands" source="keywords">Indian brands</keyword> are turning cautious with their retail expansion. Hence, the leasing in the sector is expected to sustain at 6-6.5 million square feet in 2024, according to the latest report by the commercial real estate firm CBRE. The saturation follows the remarkable growth in 2023, as brands absorbed a little over 7 million sq ft. The supply environment in terms of retail space like malls and high streets is also expected to be stable in the current year. By the year-end, 5-6 mn. sq. ft. of investment-grade mall space will become operational in tier-I cities. “Retailers, including anchor tenants and established brands, are expected to proceed cautiously with expansion plans. They will prioritize locations with high visibility, strong foot traffic and favourable consumer demographics. As a result, rental growth is expected to rationalize across both primary and secondary locations,” the report says. But, there is a silver lining! Luxury and premium brands, especially global brands, are choosing to spread their wings in top cities despite the global macroeconomic and sectoral challenges. “Foreign luxury retailers are entering India through partnerships with local players. The upcoming launches of a few brands underline this trend. This reflects a renewed optimism in India's <keyword id="71937" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="retail-sector" source="Orion">retail sector</keyword>,” said Ram Chandnani, managing director, advisory &amp; transactions Services, CBRE India. Retail demand across investment-grade malls, prominent high streets and standalone developments has grown consistently since 2020. Tier-I cities remain key expansion hubs, and promising tier-II markets are attracting new players. Malls are transforming into experiential centres, offering a mix of entertainment, dining and shopping. “Fuelled by pent-up demand and strategic expansion, India's luxury retail sector is experiencing a leasing boom, attracting both established brands deepening their presence and new international players entering the market. This expansion reaches beyond Delhi and Mumbai to the newer markets like Hyderabad and Ahmedabad,” said Anshuman Magazine, chairman &amp; CEO of India, South-East Asia, Middle East &amp; Africa, CBRE. In 2024, the home décor segment is likely to expand in both online and offline formats, while fashion and apparel players will continue expanding in tier-I cities across malls and high streets, the report adds. It also sees good traction from domestic jewellery brands as well as the entertainment category.

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