Zinka Logistics Hits 5% Upper Circuit, Surges 87% in Less Than 3 Months

Zinka Logistics shares price continued their strong rally, hitting the 5% upper circuit at ₹510.85 on Monday, February 10. The stock has been on a winning streak for 10 consecutive sessions.

Stock Performance

  • February Gains: Up 34% so far this month after a 20% dip in January.
  • December Rally: The stock surged 78% in December.
  • Overall Rise: Since its listing on November 22, 2024, the stock has gained 87% from its IPO price of ₹273.
  • All-Time High & Low: The stock hit a record high of ₹548 on December 27 and a low of ₹248.25 on November 27.

Financial Highlights

Zinka Logistics Solutions reported a net loss of ₹48 crore for the quarter ending December 31, 2024, higher than the ₹19.5 crore loss in the same period last year. However, this was a significant improvement from the ₹269 crore loss in the previous quarter (July-September).

 

The company’s revenue from operations surged 41% to ₹113.9 crore in Q3 FY25, compared to ₹80 crore in the same quarter last year. Total income also increased to ₹123 crore from ₹91 crore. Zinka Logistics made a modest stock market debut on November 22, 2024. Its shares were listed at ₹280.90 on NSE, a 2.89% premium, and at ₹279.05 on BSE, a 2.2% premium.

Through its BlackBuck platform, Zinka Logistics has become India’s largest digital network for truck operators, handling 413.34 million transactions and covering 27.52% of the truck operator market in FY24. The platform supports toll payments, fuel management, fleet tracking, and load matching for truck operators.

About Zinka Logistics

Zinka Logistics provides truck drivers with a digital platform called the BlackBuck app, which helps them manage freight, payments, telematics, and auto financing.

  • Market Reach: In FY24, around 9.63 lakh truck operators (27.52% of India’s total) used the platform.
  • Backed by Flipkart: The company’s IPO was open for subscription from November 13 to 18 and was subscribed 1.87 times.

Zinka Logistics continues to attract investor interest, with its stock showing strong momentum in recent months.

 

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.

 

Ircon International Shares Gains 2% on ₹194 Crore Order from Central Railway

Shares of Ircon International rose 2.22% to an intraday high of ₹193.20 on February 10, 2025, after the company secured a ₹194.45 crore contract from Central Railway.

New Order from Central Railway

Ircon International received a Letter of Acceptance (LoA) from Central Railway for the survey, design, supply, installation, testing, and commissioning of 665 towers for Kavach, an advanced safety system. The project must be completed within 14 months from the LoA issuance.

EPC Contract in Manipur

In a separate filing, Ircon announced that it has secured an EPC contract in joint venture (JV) with AMRIL (74%) – Ircon (26%) from the Public Works Department (PWD), Manipur.

The project involves the construction of Rigid Pavement and Lined Drain of selected roads under Highway South Division – Package 4, covering a total road length of 111.182 km. The contract is worth ₹531.9 crore.

About Ircon International

Founded in 1976 under the Indian Companies Act 1956, Ircon International Limited is a leading engineering and construction firm under Indian Railways. The company specialises in:

  • Railway projects (new lines, bridges, tunnels, stations, electrification, and signalling)
  • Highways
  • Metro rail systems
  • EHV sub-station projects
  • Turnkey infrastructure solutions

At 10:16 AM, Ircon International shares were trading 0.2% lower at ₹188.60, while the BSE Sensex was down 0.61% at 77,388.28.

 

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 Tax Changes After Budget 2025: What You Need to Know

The Union Budget 2025 has introduced several tax changes that will impact investors, taxpayers, and senior citizens. Here’s a simplified breakdown of the key updates:

ULIP Taxation Changes

The government has clarified that if the annual premium for Unit Linked Insurance Plans (ULIPs) exceeds ₹2.5 lakh, the redemption amount will be subject to capital gains tax. If held for more than a year, a 12.5% tax will apply, similar to equity mutual funds. Earlier, ULIP proceeds were tax-free under Section 10(10D) if the combined premium of all policies remained below ₹2.5 lakh per year.

Extended Deadline for Updated ITR Filing

Taxpayers now have up to 4 years instead of two to file an updated Income Tax Return (ITR). However, refunds or reductions in tax liability will be restricted. The tax payable for updated returns will be:

  • 25% if filed within 1 year
  • 50% if filed within 2 years
  • 60% if filed within 3 years
  • 70% if filed within 4 years

New Tax Benefits for NPS Vatsalya

The NPS Vatsalya scheme, designed to support dependents with disabilities, will now enjoy the same tax exemptions as regular NPS. Parents can claim an additional ₹50,000 tax deduction under the old tax regime.

Higher TDS Limits

The government has increased Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) thresholds:

  • Senior citizens: Interest income exempted from TDS up to ₹1 lakh (previously ₹50,000)
  • Non-senior citizens: Exempted up to ₹50,000 (previously ₹40,000)
  • Rental income: TDS applicable only if annual rent exceeds ₹6 lakh (previously ₹2.4 lakh)
  • Dividend income: TDS threshold raised from ₹5,000 to ₹10,000

Changes in TCS Limits

  • The threshold for Tax Collected at Source (TCS) under the Liberalized Remittance Scheme (LRS) has been increased from ₹7 lakh to ₹10 lakh.
  • No TCS will be charged on education-related remittances made using a loan from recognised financial institutions.

Tax Relief on Second Home

Previously, if you owned a second self-occupied home, the tax was charged based on deemed rental income. Now, you can own two self-occupied properties without any additional tax liability.

Tax Exemption for NSS Withdrawals

From August 29, 2024, all withdrawals from the National Savings Scheme (NSS) will be tax-free, including both the principal amount and interest earned on deposits where deductions were previously claimed.

Simplified KYC Process

The government will introduce a revamped Central KYC (Know Your Customer) system in 2025. This new framework will make KYC verification easier and more efficient, with periodic updates streamlined for users.

These tax changes aim to simplify compliance, offer greater flexibility, and provide more tax benefits for investors and taxpayers.

 

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.

Markets Decline as Metal Stocks Fall; Trump’s Tariff Plans Weigh on Sentiment

Indian stock markets opened lower on Monday as concerns over global trade and weak international cues impacted investor sentiment. Metal stocks saw the biggest decline after U.S. President Donald Trump hinted at new tariffs on steel and aluminium.

Sensex and Nifty Drop

The Sensex opened at 77,789.30, slightly lower than its previous close of 77,860.19. It is currently trading at 77,409.34, down by 450.85 points (0.58%).
The Nifty opened at 23,559.95 compared to its previous close of 23,543.80 and is now at 23,416.15, losing 143.80 points (0.61%).

Metal Stocks Hit Hard

Metal stocks faced heavy selling pressure:

The decline followed Trump’s announcement of potential new tariffs on steel and aluminium imports.

Other Major Losers

  • Power Grid (-2.64%)
  • Cipla (-2.57%)

Gainers in the Market

Consumer goods stocks outperformed, providing some support to the market:

Impact of RBI Policy and FII/DII Activity

  • Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) sold stocks worth ₹470 crore on February 7
  • Domestic Institutional Investors (DIIs) bought ₹454 crore worth of stocks

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) recently cut the repo rate by 25 basis points, reducing it from 6.50% to 6.25%, marking its first rate cut in five years. This move aims to control inflation and boost economic growth, benefiting sectors like real estate, banking, and automobiles.

Upcoming Data to Watch

Investors are awaiting crucial inflation data from India and the U.S., scheduled for February 12, 2025.

The RBI expects GDP growth for FY26 at 6.7% and inflation to ease to 4.2%. However, rising global uncertainties could impact market stability in the coming weeks.

 

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.

EPFO Extends UAN Activation Deadline for ELI Scheme to February 15, 2025

The EPFO (Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation) has extended the deadline for activating the Universal Account Number (UAN) and linking bank accounts with Aadhaar to February 15, 2025. This extension allows employees more time to fulfil the mandatory requirements for availing benefits under the Employment Linked Incentive (ELI) Scheme. The announcement was made by the Ministry of Labour and Employment in a circular issued on February 2, 2025.

What is UAN, and Why is it Important?

The Universal Account Number (UAN) is a 12-digit unique ID assigned to EPFO members. It helps employees manage their provident fund (PF) accounts, check balances, track transactions, and withdraw funds easily.

Activating UAN gives employees access to EPFO’s online services, such as:

  • Checking and downloading PF passbooks
  • Submitting online claims for withdrawals, advances, or transfers
  • Updating personal details
  • Monitoring the status of PF claims

Understanding the ELI Scheme

The Employment Linked Incentive (ELI) Scheme aims to boost formal employment and ensure that benefits are transferred directly to employees’ Aadhaar-linked bank accounts.

In the Union Budget 2024, FM, Nirmala Sitharaman introduced 3 types of ELI schemes (A, B, and C). Employees must activate their UAN and link Aadhaar by November 30, 2024, to be eligible for benefits.

Why Linking Aadhaar and Bank Account is Important

EPFO has emphasised the need to link Aadhaar and bank accounts to enable smooth disbursement of benefits under the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) scheme. This ensures that incentives and PF benefits are credited directly to the beneficiary’s bank account without delays.

Steps to Activate UAN Online

To activate UAN and link Aadhaar before the deadline, follow these steps:

  1. Visit the EPFO Member Sewa portal
  2. Click on ‘Activate UAN’ under the ‘Important Links’ section
  3. Enter your UAN, Aadhaar number, date of birth, and mobile number
  4. Verify your details using OTP sent to your Aadhaar-linked mobile number
  5. After successful verification, your UAN activation will be completed

Final Reminder

Employees must complete their UAN activation and Aadhaar linking before February 15, 2025, to avoid issues with EPF withdrawals and ELI Scheme benefits. Delays in updating these details could result in difficulties accessing funds and other employment-related incentives.

 

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.

Corporate Actions in Focus: Dividends, Stock Splits, and Bonus Issues This Week (February 10)

Several companies, including Hero MotoCorp, Cochin Shipyard, ITC, MRF, Torrent Power, and NHPC, will trade ex-dividend starting Monday, February 10, according to data from the BSE.

What is the Ex-Dividend Date?

The ex-dividend date is when a stock no longer carries the value of its upcoming dividend. Shareholders who hold the stock until the record date will receive the dividend. After the ex-dividend date, the stock price typically adjusts to reflect the payout.

Stocks Declaring Dividends This Week

  • February 10: Companies like Aster DM Healthcare, GPT Infraprojects, Indian Toners & Developers, and Suraj Ltd. will trade ex-dividend.
  • February 11: CMS Info Systems, Disa India, and Symphony Ltd. will adjust for dividend payouts.
  • February 12: Companies including Hero MotoCorp, ITC, Minda Corporation, Torrent Power, Cochin Shipyard, and others will go ex-dividend.
  • February 13: NHPC, Page Industries, Sun TV Network, Eris Lifesciences, and United Van Der Horst Ltd. will trade without dividend eligibility.
  • February 14: Major firms like Alkem Laboratories, Bharat Dynamics, Cummins India, Escorts Kubota, Gulf Oil Lubricants, MRF, and REC Ltd. will be among those trading ex-dividend.

Bonus Issues Scheduled for This Week

Some companies will reward existing shareholders with additional shares instead of cash dividends:

  • February 11: EFC (I) Ltd will issue bonus shares in a 1:1 ratio.
  • February 14: Richfield Financial Services and Transformers & Rectifiers (India) Ltd will also issue bonus shares at a 1:1 ratio.

A bonus issue means shareholders receive additional shares based on the number of shares they already own, effectively increasing their holdings without changing the stock’s overall value.

Stock Splits to Take Effect

Companies splitting their stocks this week aim to make shares more affordable and increase liquidity:

  • February 12: T T Ltd will split its shares from ₹10 to Re 1.
  • February 14: Ascensive Educare Ltd will also implement a stock split from ₹10 to Re 1.

A stock split increases the number of shares while maintaining the company’s total market value, making it easier for investors to buy and sell shares.

Other Important Corporate Actions

Apart from dividends, stock splits, and bonus issues, several companies have scheduled rights issues, income distributions, and extraordinary general meetings (EGMs):

  • February 10: Jyoti Structures Ltd will issue rights shares, while National Highways Infra Trust will distribute income under the InvIT structure.
  • February 11: Rights issues will be conducted by ETT Ltd, Thangamayil Jewellery Ltd, and Kairosoft AI Solutions Ltd.
  • February 13: GDL Leasing & Finance Ltd and Wanbury Ltd will hold EGMs.
  • February 14: Ashutosh Paper Mills Ltd has scheduled an EGM.

With multiple corporate actions planned for this week, investors should review their portfolios and stay updated on important dates to maximise benefits from dividends, bonus issues, and other stock movements.

 

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.

OpenAI CEO Praises India’s AI Growth, Predicts 10x Drop in AI Development Costs

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, during his recent visit to New Delhi, praised India’s growing role in Artificial Intelligence (AI). He called India a major market for AI and highlighted its potential to become a global leader in the AI revolution. Altman acknowledged that India is OpenAI’s second-largest market and shared that the company had tripled its user base in India over the past year.

Meeting with Industry Leaders

Altman took the opportunity to meet several prominent Indian industry figures, including Paytm’s Vijay Shekhar Sharma, Snapdeal’s Kunal Bahl, Unacademy’s Gaurav Munjal, and other key leaders from companies like Ixigo and Accel. His visit comes amid the Indian finance ministry’s directive against using AI tools like ChatGPT in government offices due to security concerns.

Progress in AI Technology

Altman discussed the significant progress in AI technology, particularly in the development of low-cost foundational models. While it is still expensive to train these models, he believes the cost will significantly decrease in the coming year. He projected that the cost of developing AI models could fall by 10 times in just a year, which would make AI technology more accessible and lead to greater innovation.

AI’s Future and Cost Reduction

Altman referred to advancements in the “distillation” of AI models, which has made it more feasible to develop advanced AI systems at lower costs. He explained that, unlike traditional models where increasing hardware was the focus, AI models will now require less hardware. This reduction in cost is expected to make AI more widely usable, transforming industries and applications globally.

OpenAI’s Investment and Global Developments

OpenAI has committed significant investment to AI, with billions directed towards the development of foundational models and applications like ChatGPT. The company is also setting up new infrastructure in the U.S. through its Stargate Project, with a planned investment of $500 billion over the next four years.

Competition in the AI Space

Altman addressed the growing competition from platforms like China’s DeepSeek, which claims to have developed an AI platform with just $6 million in investment. DeepSeek recently surpassed ChatGPT in app rankings on Apple’s App Store, challenging the AI development cost narrative. This has led to a significant drop in stock valuations of U.S. tech companies, as AI investments are questioned.

 

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.

Weekly Market Recap: Nifty Volatility, RBI Rate Cut and Q3 FY25 Earnings Week Ended Feb 07

The NSE Nifty 50 and BSE Sensex experienced significant volatility throughout the week ending Friday, February 7, 2025.

The NSE Nifty 50 remained volatile during the week ending Feb 7, 2025. On Feb 3, it opened at 23,319.35 and closed 0.52% lower at 23,361.05. Feb 4 saw a 1.62% gain, with Nifty hitting 23,762.75 before closing at 23,739.25. On Feb 5, selling pressure pushed Nifty down 0.18% to 23,696.30. The decline continued on Feb 6, with the index falling 0.39% to 23,603.35. On Feb 7, Nifty touched a weekly low of 23,444.40, closing at 23,589.95, down 0.06% for the day.

Key Highlights of RBI MPC Meeting

On February 7, 2025, RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra announced a 25 basis point (bps) cut in the repo rate, reducing it from 6.5% to 6.25%—the first rate reduction after 12 consecutive policy reviews. The Standing Deposit Facility and Marginal Standing Facility were also lowered by 25 bps, while the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) maintained a neutral policy stance.

Governor Malhotra projected GDP growth at 6.7% for FY26, with quarterly growth rates of 6.7%, 7%, and 6.5% in subsequent quarters. Inflation is expected to moderate, with CPI at 4.4% for the current quarter and 4.2% for FY26. He emphasised that while growth is recovering, it remains lower than the previous year.

Major Q3FY25 Earnings This Week

  • Asian Paints‘ net profit for Q3FY25 fell by 23.3%, reaching ₹1,110 crore. The company’s net sales dropped 6.1% year-on-year to ₹8,522 crore, primarily due to sluggish demand, downtrading, and a subdued festive season.
  • ITC’s Q3 FY25 results revealed a 7% drop in net profit to ₹4,935 crore, while revenue increased by 8% to ₹20,350 crore. 

 

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.

Closing Bell: Stock Market Recap: Sensex Falls 198 Points, Nifty Closes at 23,560 on February 07, 2025

On February 7, 2025, Indian stock markets ended lower despite the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) cutting the repo rate by 25 basis points (bps) to 6.25%. The central bank, however, kept its policy stance unchanged, with RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra stating that the focus remains on controlling inflation while supporting economic growth.

The BSE Sensex fluctuated throughout the day, touching a high of 78,357 before falling to an intra-day low of 77,476, nearly 900 points down. It eventually closed 198 points lower at 77,860, marking its third consecutive losing session. However, for the week, the Sensex still gained 354 points.

Similarly, the NSE Nifty 50 moved between 23,694 and 23,443 before settling at 23,560, down 43 points.

Top Gainers and Losers

Among Sensex stocks, ITC surged 4.5%, while Bharti Airtel gained 3.5% after reporting a fivefold increase in Q3 profit. Other notable gainers included Zomato, Mahindra & Mahindra, UltraTech Cement, IndusInd Bank, Tech Mahindra, and NTPC.

On the downside, ITC and SBI dropped over 2% following their Q3 results. Adani Ports, TCS, ICICI Bank, Reliance Industries, and Power Grid also ended lower.

Sectoral Performance

The FMCG and PSU Bank indices declined by about 1.5% each, while the Oil & Gas index lost nearly 1%. However, the Nifty Metal index saw strong buying, rising over 2% during the session.

Broader Market Trends

MidCap stocks managed to close slightly higher, while SmallCap stocks saw mild losses. The India VIX, which measures market volatility, dropped by 4%.

Overall, market sentiment remained weak, with more stocks declining than advancing. Out of 4,057 stocks traded on the BSE, 2,433 ended lower, while 1,478 posted gains.

Oil Prices

As of February 07, 2025, at 03:55 PM, Brent Crude was trading at $74.97, up by 0.87%.

 

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 Q3 FY25 Results: Loss Widens to ₹564 Crore, Revenue Falls 19%

Ola Electric reported a net loss of ₹564 crore in Q3FY25, rising from ₹376 crore in the same quarter last year. In the previous quarter (Q2FY25), the company had a net loss of ₹495 crore.

The company’s revenue from operations fell 19.36% year-on-year (YoY) to ₹1,045 crore, compared to ₹1,296 crore in Q3FY24. Ola Electric’s EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest, Tax, Depreciation, and Amortisation) loss widened to ₹460 crore in Q3FY25, up from ₹301 crore in the same period last year.

Market Challenges and Recovery Plans

Ola Electric cited strong festival sales in October, but overall quarterly performance was weak due to competition and service issues. The company claims to have resolved these problems and expects an improved market share and gross margin of 26% in January, up from 20.4% in Q3FY25.

Auto Segment Performance

Automotive gross margin improved by 20 basis points quarter-on-quarter (QoQ) to 20.8%, despite a 14% QoQ revenue drop to ₹1,075 crore. The company benefited from lower bill of materials (BOM) costs and Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) accruals, which contributed a 5 percentage point margin boost.

Higher Costs Impact EBITDA

Excluding exceptional costs like warranty expenses and one-time employee-related costs, consolidated EBITDA fell to -29.2% in Q3FY25 from -19.4% in Q2FY25. Auto segment EBITDA (excluding exceptional items) declined to -18.5% from -12.8% in Q2FY25. Increased marketing expenses, network expansion, and weaker operating leverage were key factors affecting EBITDA.

About Ola Electric Mobility Limited

Established in 2017, Ola Electric Mobility Limited is a company focused on electric vehicles. It manufactures EVs along with key components like battery packs, motors, and vehicle frames at its Ola Futurefactory.

Ola Electric shares, which were listed in August 2024 at ₹76 per share, are currently trading below the IPO price. The stock was listed at ₹76 on NSE and ₹75.99 on BSE. It hit an all-time high of ₹157.53 on August 20, 2024, and a record low of ₹64.68 on January 28, 2025. The stock has declined 13% in the past month and 20% year-to-date (YTD). At 1:45 PM, Ola Electric shares were down 2.50% at ₹70.06 on BSE.

 

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.