Nifty Wipes Out Losses | Sebi Eases Rules, Investors Get More Freedom |
25.3.2025
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8:57
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This is Nelson John, and I'll bring you the top business and tech stories, let's get started.
Markets Rally as Nifty Erases Losses
Just weeks ago, Nifty was deep in the red. Now, it’s wiped out its losses for the year, riding a six-day rally that has made India one of the world’s best-performing markets this month. On Monday, Nifty surged 1.32% to 23,658, while Sensex rose 1.4% to 77,984. HDFC Bank, Reliance, SBI, and ICICI Bank led the charge. “The correction’s done—we could be heading toward record highs,” says veteran investor Ramesh Damani. Foreign investors are returning, pumping in over ₹8,000 crore in two days. However, some experts remain cautious, citing global trade tensions and volatility.
Sebi Eases Investment Rules, Boosts Transparency
India’s market regulator, Sebi, has revamped investment rules, doubling the disclosure threshold for foreign investors from ₹25,000 crore to ₹50,000 crore, allowing alternative investment funds to take more risks, and easing fee collection restrictions for advisors. The move, led by new chairman Tuhin Kanta Pandey, gives investors greater flexibility while maintaining oversight. Sebi has also set up a high-level committee to address conflicts of interest and strengthen governance, signaling a push for a more transparent and investor-friendly market.
Quick Commerce Becomes a Lifeline for Consumer Brands
For early-stage consumer brands, quick commerce is no longer just an add-on—it’s becoming their biggest sales channel. Startups like Sweet Karam Coffee and Wholsum Foods (Slurrp Farm) are restructuring supply chains to meet Blinkit, Zepto, and Instamart’s rapid delivery demands. Sweet Karam Coffee, for instance, shifted to regional hubs, leading to a sixfold revenue surge, with 50% of sales now coming from quick commerce. Investors like Fireside Ventures see this as their fastest-growing segment. However, challenges such as high marketing costs, limited shelf space, and operational complexities could threaten long-term profitability.
Car Insurance Discounts Come at a Hidden Cost
The car insurance market has transformed into a game of deep discounts and costly add-ons. Insurers lure customers with up to 80% premium cuts but recover profits by charging separately for essentials like zero depreciation, roadside assistance, and preferred garages. Some policies, especially for commercial vehicles, are issued at 95-99% discounts, distorting true pricing. While insurers claim add-ons offer flexibility, experts warn that the actual cost of insurance is now buried under multiple layers—leading to confusion and higher consumer expenses.
Lentils at the Center of India-US Trade Tensions
A new 10% import duty on pulses has put lentils at the heart of India-US trade talks. The US wants yellow lentils to be classified separately from red masoor to avoid the tax. Currently, both fall under the same harmonized system of nomenclature (HSN) code. India is considering duty-free US pulse imports, even as Washington prepares retaliatory tariffs on Indian goods next month. However, changing HSN classifications is a lengthy process. Despite rising domestic production, India still relies on imports, with Canada and Australia supplying the bulk of lentils. The fate of yellow lentils remains uncertain, keeping pulses a key issue in India’s global trade strategy.
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