Castrol Share Price Surged 5% After Saudi Aramco Begins Eyeing BP’s Lubricant Business

Castrol India share price soared by over 5% this morning following news reports that the world’s largest energy company, Saudi Aramco is planning to acquire BP Plc’s lubricant business to expand its reach in oil-consuming markets. 

On the Bombay Stock Exchange, Castrol India’s shares rallied by nearly 6% to ₹235.50. The business has a market capitalisation of US$2.5 billion and presents exciting growth opportunities for Saudi Aramco. 

BP Initiates Strategic Review of Castrol Lubricants Business Amid Corporate Restructuring

BP Plc has initiated a strategic review of its Castrol lubricants business as a part of its bigger corporate restructuring plans. Its business is currently valued at around US$ 10 billion. Industry reports suggest that Saudi Aramco plans to integrate the former’s assets with its existing Valvoline lubricants unit, which was acquired for nearly US$2.65 billion in 2023.

Castrol India Share Price Trend

On the Bombay Stock Exchange, Castrol India share price recorded an 8% monthly growth rate and a 12% rise on a year-to-date (YTD) basis. Over the past 3 years, the company has maintained an ROE (return on equity) of 45.40% and has largely remained debt-free. It has also reported an ROCE (return on capital employed)  of 59.67% over recent years. 

After witnessing a decline of over 40% during the past 22 weeks, Castrol India share price has now signaled a strong reversal. This has increased buying interest among investors, who are opting for a log position amidst a bullish outlook. Castrol India’s stock prices have risen by 9% year-on-year, and have garnered significant appeal among investors. 

Saudi Aramco Focuses on Expanding in India, China, and Southeast Asia to Boost Profitability

In 2024, Bloomberg reported that the Downstream President at Saudi Aramco, Mohammed Al Qahtani cited that India, China, and Southeast Asia are big markets for Saudi Aramco’s business. The company is focusng on acquiring more petrochemical companies to boost profitability, thereby favouring Castrol’s share prices indirectly. 

Conclusion

Castrol India’s share price has surged following reports of Saudi Aramco’s potential acquisition of BP’s lubricants business. With strong financials, growth potential, and investor optimism, Castrol India is poised for a promising future. Saudi Aramco’s strategic focus on expanding in key markets further enhances its appeal.

 

Disclaimer: This blog has been written exclusively for educational purposes. The securities mentioned are only examples and not recommendations. This does not constitute a personal recommendation/investment advice. It does not aim to influence any individual or entity to make investment decisions. Recipients should conduct their own research and assessments to form an independent opinion about investment decisions.

 

Investments in the securities market are subject to market risks, read all the related documents carefully before investing

 

City Union Bank Introduces a Co-Branded Credit Card in Partnership with Chennai Super Kings

City Union Bank (CBU), in partnership with Chennai Super Kings, introduced a co-branded credit card to increase customer loyalty and improve market penetration, especially in Tamil Nadu. 

City Union Bank’s latest product is expected to provide IPL fans a chance to enjoy special perks, including exclusive access to fan meetups and other events. Customers will also earn bonus points upon purchasing CSK merchandise, such as match tickets and T-shirts. 

Objective

In a recent event, CEO and Managing Director of City Union Bank, N Kamakodi, stated, “We found that a significant number of our existing liability customers were taking credit cards from other banks, increasing the risk of losing them. To bridge that gap, we identified credit cards as a missing product in our portfolio.”

As per the Executive Director of City Union Bank, Vijay Anandh, “This card offers more than just financial benefits—it’s a gateway to being a part of the CSK family with access to exclusive rewards and unforgettable experiences.” 

What’s Behind the Rise and Rise of Credit Cards?

The rising appeal for a high standard of living among younger consumers has fuelled the demand for credit cards. Based on industry reports, the number of active credit cards in India has surged by nearly 63% from Janaury 2020 (5.6 crore) to August 2023 (9.13 crore). The exponential rise of the e-commerce sector is also a key force behind credit cards’ popularity. 

City Union Bank Financials as of FY 2023-24

In FY 2023-24, City Union Bank recorded a business of ₹1,02,138 crore, recording a year-on-year growth of 6% from ₹ 96,369 crore. Based on its annual report, the company recorded an 8% year-on-year growth in profits that amounted to ₹1,016 crore. 

The bank recorded a Return on Equity (RoE) of 12.86% in FY 2023-24. It also recorded a Net Interest Margin of 3.65% and a Cost to Income ratio of 47.06%. It furthermore aims to achieve a growth rate of 15%-16% during FY 2025-26 by expanding its existing portfolio retail offerings. 

Conclusion

The bank’s management suggests that it aims to issue 80% of new credit cards to its existing customers and keep its credit card portfolio limited to just 1% of its loan book. 

As the company introduces new financial liability products, it is expected to significantly improve its customer retention rates, and expand its domestic outreach. This is expected to favourably impact their share prices by driving overall business growth. 

As of March 5, 2025, at 3.03 PM, City Union Bank’s share price was trading at ₹152.94. The share price reached an all-day high of ₹154.21, with its all-day low being ₹147.04.

 

Disclaimer: This blog has been written exclusively for educational purposes. The securities mentioned are only examples and not recommendations. This does not constitute a personal recommendation/investment advice. It does not aim to influence any individual or entity to make investment decisions. Recipients should conduct their own research and assessments to form an independent opinion about investment decisions.

Investments in securities market are subject to market risks, read all the related documents carefully before investing. (write in all articles related to stocks). 

Shriram Finance Share Price In Focus After Parag Sharma Discloses Future Plans

Parag Sharma, Chief Financial Officer and Managing Director of Shriram Finance, has stated that India’s biggest truck financier is seeking to raise a loan of $250 million over the next 3 years domestically. Excessive market volatility and increasing hedging costs overseas have driven it away from offshore loans, thereby marking a notable change in its capital-raising strategy. 

Growth of Credit Demand

In December 2024, Shriram Finance obtained a multicurrency loan worth $1.3 billion to finance its double-digit credit growth. In Q3 of FY 2024-25, its loan book recorded a year-on-year growth of 19%, with total credit lent reaching ₹2.5 trillion. The expected growth of the agricultural sector during FY 2025-26 can increase the Shriram Finance share price. 

Focus on MSMEs

As per the Small Industries Development Bank of India, Indian MESMEs have witnessed a 2x growth in credit demand over the past 5 years, which is currently estimated at ₹70 lakh crore. However, banks have formally lent them only ₹20 lakh crore, which pinpoints a significant credit gap of nearly ₹50 lakh crore. 

Shriram Finance plans to increase lending to Indian MSMEs, which account for 30% of India’s Gross Value Addition to the GDP. Parag Sharma also said, “We are seeing good demand from Tier 2, Tier 3 Indian cities for loans”, thereby indicating his intention to boost company’s presence in rural areas and driving business growth. 

Favourable Steps Taken By RBI

Last week, the Reserve Bank of India reduced the risk weights on loans lent by microfinance institutions and NBFCs from 125% to 100%. This is expected to reduce funding costs for high-rated shadow banks like Shriram Finance. Moreover, the company is expected to witness a 25% growth in credit demand, which is expected to favourably impact its share prices. 

Conclusion

Shriram Finance, widely regarded as India’s largest truck financier, is expected to benefit from increasing infrastructure development in rural areas and the growth of the MSME industry. As regulatory frameworks ease and credit demand rises, the bank is expected to witness steady growth. 

 

As of March 5, 2025 (12.39 PM), Shriram Finance’s share price was ₹632.75 on the Bombay Stock Exchange. 

 

Disclaimer: This blog has been written exclusively for educational purposes. The securities mentioned are only examples and not recommendations. This does not constitute a personal recommendation/investment advice. It does not aim to influence any individual or entity to make investment decisions. Recipients should conduct their own research and assessments to form an independent opinion about investment decisions.

 

Investments in the securities market are subject to market risks, read all the related documents carefully before investing.

How Is Zydus Lifesciences’ TVS Shigella Combination Vaccine Going to Be Revolutionary?

Zydus Lifesciences has announced plans to develop the TCV Shigella combination vaccine in collaboration with its research partner and the Gates Foundation for children aged under 5 years. This is expected to be the world’s first combination vaccine providing dual protection against such deadly enteric diseases that take over 4,00,000 lives globally. 

Why Is This Significant?

As per the World Health Organisation’s list of global priority endemic pathogens for vaccine research and development (R&D), Shigella bacteria is a significant concern in Southeast Asia, Africa, Europe, the Americas, and the Eastern Mediterranean region. 

Moreover, over 16 million people annually suffer from typhoid and paratyphoid fever worldwide. This has prompted Zydus Lifesciences Limited to perform early-stage development and preclinical toxicology studies for vaccine development, which is expected to positively impact its share prices. 

Cost of India’s Childhood Immunisation Programs

Vaccination is one of the key methods of controlling and preventing the spread of diseases. With financial support from the Gates Foundation, Zydus Lifesciences Limited is expected to perform animal immunogenicity studies to check the safety and efficacy of the TVS Shigella combination vaccine. 

In 2020, the government of India spent nearly $1.73 billion on children’s vaccination, with the cost of basic vaccination coverage being $784.91 million. The development of the TVS Shigella combination vaccine can present a viable solution for crowded, unsustainable, and expensive childhood immunisation programs in countries like India. 

India’s Pharma Ambitions

In 2025, India’s pharmaceutical industry was valued at $55 billion. By 2047, it is expected to reach a size of $450 billion. Its share in the global pharmaceutical market is expected to increase from 3%-3.5% currently to 5% by 2030. 

Since 2018, India’s pharmaceutical exports have increased at an annual rate of 8% and amounted to $27 billion in 2023. With the development of the TVS Shigella combination vaccine by Zydus Lifesciences Limited, India is expected to enhance its global dominance in pharmaceutical production, and sustain its position as the “pharmacy of the world”.

As of March 5, 2025, at 11:22 AM, Zydus Lifesciences share price was ₹879.10. 

Conclusion

Zydus Lifesciences’ development of the TVS Shigella combination vaccine could revolutionise global health by addressing deadly enteric diseases, particularly for children under 5. Backed by the Gates Foundation, this innovation not only strengthens India’s pharma industry but also aids in affordable and sustainable childhood immunisation programs worldwide.

 

Disclaimer: This blog has been written exclusively for educational purposes. The securities mentioned are only examples and not recommendations. This does not constitute a personal recommendation/investment advice. It does not aim to influence any individual or entity to make investment decisions. Recipients should conduct their own research and assessments to form an independent opinion about investment decisions.

 

Investments in the securities market are subject to market risks, read all the related documents carefully before investing. 

 

Government of India Launches 5 Pilot Projects Under the National Hydrogen Mission

The government of India introduced the National Green Hydrogen Mission in January 2023 with a total outlay of ₹19,744 crores with an objective of achieving 5MMT of annual production capacity. It aims to achieve 100% self-sufficiency in energy production by 2047 and become a net-zero carbon-emitting country by 2070.

Rising Demand for Heavy-Weight Trucks

As per a report from the Global Carbon Project, the transportation industry accounted for over 10% of India’s overall greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in 2020.

During 2005-2020, freight movement in India surged to nearly 2,250 billion tonne kilometers, thereby increasing the demand for heavy-weight trucks. In 2020, trucks accounted for nearly 65% of the total freight movement across India.

Based on industry reports, the demand for freight transportation services is further expected to increase to 10,000 billion tonne km in 2050, thereby recording a five-fold growth from 2,000 billion tonne km in 2020. The switch towards hydrogen is expected to increase the fuel efficiency standards of Indian trucks and reduce Scope 3 emissions for logistics companies.

Growing Government Support 

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy of India has approved 5 pilot projects for driving sustainable growth in India’s transportation industry. By sanctioning approval for the construction and operation of 9 hydrogen refuelling stations and trial run of 37 hydrogen vehicles (including trucks and buses), it has bolstered its commitment towards sustainable economic development.

The government is expected to provide ₹208 crore to companies like TATA Motors Ltd, NTPC, Reliance Industries Limited, Ashok Leyland, and BPCL as financial support. The trucks and buses are expected to run across 10 different routes in India, covering regions like Greater Noida – Delhi – Agra and Bhubaneshwar – Konark – Puri, among others.

Conclusion

With this pilot project, the government is focusing on developing commercially viable technologies that support the integration of clean energy sources, such as hydrogen, into India’s transportation sector. This initiative is expected to drive the phased deployment of green hydrogen as a major fuel source for trucks and buses, thereby creating a safe future for India’s energy sector.

 

Disclaimer: This blog has been written exclusively for educational purposes. The securities mentioned are only examples and not recommendations. This does not constitute a personal recommendation/investment advice. It does not aim to influence any individual or entity to make investment decisions. Recipients should conduct their own research and assessments to form an independent opinion about investment decisions.

Investments in the securities market are subject to market risks, read all the related documents carefully before investing. (write in all articles related to stocks).

How Is the RBI Managing the Liquidity Deficit in India’s Banking Sector?

As per a report by the State Bank of India, ₹1.6 lakh crore worth of systemic liquidity deficit was observed in the Indian economy, with an average liquidity deficit estimated at ₹1.95 lakh crore at the end of February.

This situation is a sharp downturn from the liquidity surplus observed by the banking industry in November 2023 (₹1.35 lakh crore), which quickly plummeted to ₹65,000 crore in the next month and amounted to ₹2.07 lakh crore by January 2024.

Major FPI Outflows

As per the National Securities Depository Limited, foreign portfolio investors withdrew nearly ₹ 1 lakh crore during January-February 2025. This was attributed to the comeback of President Donald Trump in the US elections and the increasing appeal of US bond yields among investors.

In February 2025, foreign portfolio investors offloaded ₹ 23,710 crore worth of equities in the stock market. In 2024, India recorded a y-o-y decline of 99% in net investments, thereby creating a significant liquidity deficit.

Sustained Growth in Credit Demand 

As per a report by HSBC Securities and Capital Markets, Indian banks are expected to witness a 12.5% year-on-year growth in credit demand during FY 2025-26. This can be attributed to the increasing demand for retail loans, non-food credit, gold loans, and corporate loans, among others.

Based on industrial analyses, the demand for non-food credit and retail loans recorded a year-on-year growth of 12.2% and 13.3% respectively in November 2024. MSME lending also grew by 13.8% year-on-year, while corporate lending increased by 9.6%. This highlights that the burgeoning demand for credit is outpacing existing systemic liquidity, thereby creating problems.

Measures Taken

To curb this situation, RBI has taken the following steps:

  1. RBI has carried out Open Market Operations worth ₹1.38 lakh crore. By purchasing government securities, the RBI aims to improve the liquidity crunch within the banking industry by fuelling it with more money.
  2. The RBI has organised Variable Repo Rate (VRR) auctions to enable banks to meet their short-term liquidity needs by lending them at affordable interest rates.
  3. It has reduced the repo rate by 25 basis points to make borrowing even cheaper for banks, thereby improving their liquidity position.
  4. The RBI has also made USD-INR swapping arrangements to manage fluctuations in the exchange rate and improve the overall economic situation.

Conclusion

Despite these measures, SBI research suggests that the RBI should inject ₹1 lakh crore by March into the Indian economy to tackle the challenges posed by the liquidity crunch. Moreover, if the situation continues, the bank may have to take more serious measures in the coming future.

 

Disclaimer: This blog has been written exclusively for educational purposes. The securities mentioned are only examples and not recommendations. This does not constitute a personal recommendation/investment advice. It does not aim to influence any individual or entity to make investment decisions. Recipients should conduct their own research and assessments to form an independent opinion about investment decisions.

Emerald Finance Expected to Raise Over ₹15 Crore via Preferential Allotment

Emerald Finance Limited (EFL), a Chandigarh-based fintech company renowned for its Early-Wage-Access Scheme, announced its decision to convene an EGM on March 25, 2025, for obtaining shareholder approval for the issuance of 11,48,900 equity shares through a preferential allotment scheme.

Prominent companies such as BAYA Finserve Technologies Pvt Ltd. and Saint Capital Mauritius are participating in EFL’s preferential allotment due to its robust financial fundamentals and innovative fintech ideas.

Why Is EFL Opting for Preferential Allotment?

Under preferential allotment, companies issue equity shares at a discounted price to a select group of investors (such as existing shareholders) to raise capital for financing business expansion plans.

On March 1, 2025, EFL’s Board of Directors decided to issue equity shares with a face value of ₹10 at a premium of ₹121. The objective behind raising nearly ₹15.05 crore is to facilitate loan repayments, enhance the reach of their EWA program, and utilise funds for other general corporate purposes.

Key Offerings of Emerald Finance Limited

Based on various reports, 75% of working professionals spend their earnings before the end of the month. EML’s EWA scheme provides employees with early access to 50% of their salary, and requires a basic smartphone and a bank account with minimum KYC. This has been a significant breakthrough in fintech.

Various consumer studies suggest that 50% of working professionals face significant financial stress, and 64% of them believe that early access to salary can resolve their problems.

EFL’s Performance Over the Past 3 years 

Emerald Finance Limited has maintained an ROA of nearly 5.82% in recent times. Its operating income has risen at a CAGR of nearly 41.46% with growth rate of profit climbing to nearly 44%.

With the availability of more capital, the company is expected to expand its business outreach beyond retail lending and offering MSME credit to make a significant impact on individuals’ financial health. This is creating a favourable market outlook for it.

Conclusion

Emerald Finance Limited is expected to emerge as one of the most innovative fintech start-up companies of this decade. By choosing to raise its capital availability by preferential allotment, it is well on its way to become a leading fintech company focused on technological innovation and customer centricity.

 

Disclaimer: This blog has been written exclusively for educational purposes. The securities mentioned are only examples and not recommendations. This does not constitute a personal recommendation/investment advice. It does not aim to influence any individual or entity to make investment decisions. Recipients should conduct their own research and assessments to form an independent opinion about investment decisions.

Investments in the securities market are subject to market risks, read all the related documents carefully before investing.

Did You Also Receive This Email From Axis Bank?

In Q2 of FY 2023-24, Axis Bank issued over 1 million new credit cards and became India’s fourth-largest credit card issuing company. However, a technical glitch in its Edge Rewards Program has threatened to destabilise its financial position by allowing its customers to make high-value transactions for free. How did this happen?

In 2023, a technical glitch in Axis Bank’s reward points allocation system enabled its credit card users to achieve higher reward points without actually spending any money. This happened when consumers placed high-value orders to earn reward points and later cancelled the transaction, which remained undetected by the system.

What Happened?

On Monday morning, Axis Bank mailed its customers, stating, “Due to a technical issue, EDGE REWARD points corresponding to cancelled/reversed/EMI transactions on your Axis Bank Credit Card/s during April’23-Jan’24 were not reversed. These points have now been deducted from your EDGE REWARDS account.”

“Since you redeemed X excess reward points beyond what was rightfully accrued by your transactions, we request you to pay INR Y to the bank as per the MITC clause.”

Axis Bank has justified this action by saying that these transactions were made unfairly and were not aligned with its most important terms and conditions (MITC). Moreover, the bank has also threatened its customers to take legal action if their negative points balance is not settled, thereby raising significant concerns over customer rights as laid down by the RBI.

Customer Backlash: What Went Wrong?

  1. Axis Bank’s Edge Rewards program has been frequently challenged by technical glitches, yet the RBI has made no regulatory intervention for securing customer rights.
  2. Axis Bank is demanding ₹0.40 per reward point misused by credit card users, which was initially worth ₹0.20. This has highlighted its inconsistent policy of reward point pricing, thereby raising questions of fairness and transparency.
  3. Former credit card users of Axis Bank are also subject to the new rules, thereby raising legal questions regarding reward points settlement in cash since the rules did not exist in 2023.

Conclusion

The Axis Bank reward points controversy has sparked significant debate over fairness, transparency, and customer rights. While the bank seeks to recover excess reward points redeemed due to a technical glitch, its approach has raised legal and ethical concerns.

The demand for repayment, especially from former customers and at an inflated rate, questions the fairness of its policies.

 

Disclaimer: This blog has been written exclusively for educational purposes. The securities mentioned are only examples and not recommendations. This does not constitute a personal recommendation/investment advice. It does not aim to influence any individual or entity to make investment decisions. Recipients should conduct their own research and assessments to form an independent opinion about investment decisions.

Investments in the securities market are subject to market risks, read all the related documents carefully before investing.

Ola Electric Tops Electric Two-Wheeler Sales in February 2025

The increasing demand for electric scooters in tier III and tier IV cities across India has made Ola Electric the biggest player in India’s EV industry. In February 2025, the company sold nearly 25,000 units of two-wheelers and captured over 28% of the market share, thereby surpassing its competitors, like Bajaj Auto and TVS Motor Company (at around 20,000 units).

The presence of a robust sales and service network in semi-urban areas, coupled with the use of clever marketing strategies, allowed it to succeed in the face of stiff competition. Moreover, its continuous focus on innovation and customer-centricity has allowed it to become exceedingly popular. Other factors behind its successes are:

Competitive Pricing Strategies

Despite the withdrawal of government subsidies on e-scooters, Ola Electric has maintained its pricing strategies to ensure continued sales in a price-sensitive market like India. This enhanced its popularity among Indian consumers, thereby driving its overall performance.

Expansion of Its Existing Retail Network

Ola Electric operates nearly 700 company-owned stores and 4,000 sales-and-service networks across India. Based on numerous industry reports, it owns India’s largest retail network of electric vehicles.

Investments in Research and Development

The introduction of advanced features such as cruise control in Ola Electric’s two-wheelers has significantly bolstered their market adoption. The increasing government focus on ensuring road safety has also increased their demand, thereby influencing overall business performance positively.

Focus on Enhancing Value for Money

Ola has exhibited impressive growth due to the rising appeal of its S1 Pro electric scooter model. It can run for nearly 195 km on a single charge and can reach a speed of 120 km/h. It also provides an 8-year warranty on the battery pack, which distinguishes its offering from its competitors.

Based on market analysis, Ola Electric is expected to retain its market position by making substantial investments in capacity expansion and accelerating product innovation efforts.

On March 3, 2025, the stock price of Ola Electric was trading at ₹56.83, as of 1:36 PM.

 

Disclaimer: This blog has been written exclusively for educational purposes. The securities mentioned are only examples and not recommendations. This does not constitute a personal recommendation/investment advice. It does not aim to influence any individual or entity to make investment decisions. Recipients should conduct their own research and assessments to form an independent opinion about investment decisions.

Investments in the securities market are subject to market risks, read all the related documents carefully before investing.

Key Financial Deadlines to Note for March FY 2024-25

As we approach the closing of FY 2025-26, investors should review their investment strategies and insurance plans to minimise their tax liability and avail themselves of various benefits provided by government insurance schemes. Some of the critical deadlines you must NOT MISS are as follows:

15 March 2025: To Avail ELI Benefits

The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation of India (EPFO) has extended the deadline for the activation of the UAN (Universal Account Number) for working professionals up to 15 March 2023. Make sure to seed your Aadhaar numbers with your personal bank accounts to provide adequate financial coverage for your families in the event of any adversity (under the ELI scheme).

31 March 2025

Here are the most important things to do before this date:

  • File An Updated ITR

An updated ITR can help you avoid unnecessary trouble from income tax authorities in case you have missed reporting additional income previously. An updated ITR can be filed any time from 2 years after the end of the assessment year. However, the deadline for FY 2022-23 is approaching fast, so make sure to tick this off your to-do list.

  • Invest In Special FDs

With the RBI’s recent decision to reduce the repo rate by 25 basis points, banks are expected to switch towards offering regular interest rates on their FDs, thereby putting a stop to their special schemes. However, special FDs offer higher interest rates for an average investor, which makes them an attractive investment instrument. Hint: Explore the SBI Amrit Kalash scheme.

  • Invest in Tax Saving Instruments

As you eagerly explore these options, don’t forget to avail deduction for your investments under the Income Tax Act! By investing in tax saving schemes like the Equity Linked Savings Scheme, National Pension System, Public Provident Fund, and Employees Provident Fund, you can reduce your tax liabilities and increase the size of your retirement corpus substantially.

Be careful to meet these deadlines to ensure maximum returns on your investments and provide a reliable safety net to your families before adversity occurs.

 

Disclaimer: This blog has been written exclusively for educational purposes. The securities mentioned are only examples and not recommendations. This does not constitute a personal recommendation/investment advice. It does not aim to influence any individual or entity to make investment decisions. Recipients should conduct their own research and assessments to form an independent opinion about investment decisions.