How is the Fitment Factor Calculated in the 8th Pay Commission?

The Union Cabinet has approved the formation of the 8th Pay Commission to revise the pay structure for over 50 lakh Central government employees just before the Union Budget 2025. This includes salary revisions and adjustments to the Dearness Allowance.

Salary Increase Under the 8th Pay Commission

The exact percentage of the salary hike under the 8th Pay Commission is yet to be revealed. However, looking at past pay commissions can give an idea of what to expect.

What is the Fitment Factor?

The fitment factor is a key multiplier used to calculate the revised basic salary and pensions for government employees. It determines the new pay by multiplying the current basic pay with the fitment factor.

How the Fitment Factor Works in Pay Hikes

In the 7th Pay Commission, a fitment factor of 2.57 was recommended, which increased the minimum basic salary for government employees to ₹18,000 per month from ₹7,000 (based on the previous pay commission). The same method will be applied for the 8th Pay Commission.

Purpose of Pay Commissions

Pay Commissions are set up by the government to review and recommend necessary adjustments to the salaries and pensions of government employees, taking into account inflation and other economic factors.

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.

Kirloskar Pneumatic Declares ₹3.50 Interim Dividend for FY25

Kirloskar Pneumatic Company Limited has declared an interim dividend of ₹3.50 per share (175%) for the financial year 2024-25. The record date to determine eligibility for the dividend is set for February 7, 2025, and the payment will be made on or before February 25, 2025.

Previous Dividend History

In the previous year (FY24), the company declared a final dividend of 200% and an interim dividend of 125%, totalling ₹6.50 per share (325%).

Q3 FY25 Financial Performance

For Q3FY25, Kirloskar Pneumatic reported a 3% YoY increase in profit after tax (PAT), which rose to ₹36 crore from ₹35 crore in the same period last year. However, net profit fell 46.6% sequentially compared to ₹67.5 crore in the previous quarter. Total income for the quarter increased 11% YoY to ₹346 crore, although it declined 21% compared to Q2FY25.

For the 9 months ending December 2024, the company’s net profit grew 78% to ₹130 crore from ₹73 crore last year, while total income rose 25.5% to ₹1,062.5 crore.

About Kirloskar Pneumatic Company Limited

Founded in 1958 and headquartered in Pune, Kirloskar Pneumatic designs and manufactures industrial air and gas compressors, pneumatic tools, and transmission products. The company serves industries including oil and gas, power, steel, chemicals, and marine, offering solutions like compressors, refrigeration systems, and CNG packages.

Stock Price Trend

Despite a 66% increase over the past year, Kirloskar Pneumatic share has dropped by about 29% in January 2025, following a 13% decline in December 2024. The stock closed at ₹1,105.40, 39% below its December 2024 peak of ₹1,817.50, but remains 81% higher than its 52-week low of ₹611 in March 2024.

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.

Hitachi Energy Shares Soar 20% After 498% Profit Jump

Hitachi Energy India’s shares surged 20% on Thursday, reaching ₹12,157.95 per share, after the company reported an impressive 498% increase in its profit after tax (PAT) for the December quarter.

Impressive Profit and Revenue Growth 

For Q3, Hitachi Energy posted a net profit of ₹137.38 crore, compared to a loss of ₹22.97 crore in the same period last year. The company’s revenue also grew by 27.8%, reaching ₹1,582.68 crore from ₹1,238.86 crore in Q3 of the previous year.

Record Orders and Backlog 

The company achieved its highest-ever quarterly order value of ₹11,594.3 crore in Q3, with a notable increase in exports, particularly in power quality, substation, and renewable orders from countries like Australia, Indonesia, Canada, and others. As of December 31, 2024, Hitachi Energy also recorded a record order backlog of ₹18,994.4 crore, ensuring strong revenue visibility in the coming quarters.

Company Overview 

Hitachi Energy is a global leader in energy solutions, specialising in electrification, automation, grid integration, and renewable energy technologies. The company is focused on advancing sustainable energy systems and supporting the transition to cleaner energy sources.

In the past year, Hitachi Energy shares have risen by 80.5%, outpacing the BSE Sensex, which rose 7.5%.

 

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.

 

Laurus Labs Shares Rise Over 8% After US Approval for HIV Treatment

Laurus Labs shares surged by over 8% on Thursday, January 30, after the United States approved an “emergency humanitarian waiver.” This waiver ensures that people across 55 countries can continue receiving HIV treatment funded by the US, which had been at risk due to a previous decision to halt the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).

Impact of the Waiver on Business

Earlier, Laurus Labs’ stock had dropped by over 15% after the US announced the suspension of PEPFAR, threatening to disrupt the supply of anti-viral medications for millions of people. However, Laurus Labs reassured investors, stating that any funding freeze would not significantly affect its business, as the Anti-Retro Viral (ARV) market is a small portion of its overall HIV funding. The market size of ARVs is around $1.5 billion, representing 10% of the total HIV financing budget.

Strong Financial Performance

Laurus Labs reported better-than-expected financial results for the December quarter, with EBITDA margins returning to 20% for the first time in seven quarters. The company also maintained its full-year growth guidance. Despite earlier concerns, the stock saw a positive response, gaining 6% and trading 4.1% higher at ₹565.9.

About Laurus Labs

Laurus Labs is a global pharmaceutical and biotechnology firm based in Hyderabad, India. Established in 2005 by Satyanarayana Chava, the company specialises in active pharmaceutical ingredients, generic formulations, custom synthesis, biotechnology, veterinary APIs, and agrochemicals.

Laurus Labs share price is currently trading at ₹587.85, showing a rise of ₹44.05 (8.10%) today, as of 11:13 AM on January 30. The stock opened at ₹565.95, reached a high of ₹589.90, and a low of ₹557.40. Over the past 52 weeks, its stock has ranged between ₹368.30 and ₹619.40. In the last six months, the stock has surged by 28.14%, while it has gained 58.72% over the past year. In the last five years, Laurus Labs Ltd’s stock has skyrocketed by 594.17%.

 

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.

 

Whirlpool India Shares Drop 20% as Parent Plans to Reduce Stake Further

Whirlpool of India share price fell 20% to ₹1,262.15 in Thursday’s intraday trade after its US-based parent, Whirlpool Corporation, announced plans to reduce its stake in the company to around 20% by mid-to-late 2025. The parent company will sell its shares through market transactions while remaining the largest shareholder.

Previous Stake Reduction

As of December 31, 2024, Whirlpool Mauritius, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Whirlpool Corporation, held a 51% stake in Whirlpool India. Earlier, on February 20, 2024, Whirlpool Mauritius had sold 30.4 million shares through an on-market trade, reducing its ownership from 75% to 51%. This sale generated around $468 million in gross proceeds.

Stock Performance and Market Impact

Whirlpool India’s stock had hit a 52-week low of ₹1,186.85 on February 27, 2024, but later surged 106% to a 52-week high of ₹2,450 on October 22, 2024. The latest announcement triggered a sharp decline in the share price.

India Remains a Key Market

Despite the planned stake reduction, Whirlpool Corporation sees India as a major growth market. The company remains committed to expanding its business in the country, including launching new products and integrating the recently acquired Elica India business.

Focus on Long-Term Growth

Whirlpool Corporation stated that reducing its stake will allow Whirlpool India greater flexibility to adapt to changing market conditions and focus on accelerated growth. The company will continue its brand licensing, technology agreements, and transition commitments to support Whirlpool India’s long-term success.

 

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.

 

Brigade Group Q3 FY25 Results: Profit Triples to ₹236 Crore, Revenue Up 27%

Brigade Group, a Bengaluru-based real estate company, reported a significant jump in its consolidated profit after tax (PAT) for Q3 FY25, reaching ₹236 crore. This marks a 322% year-on-year (YoY) increase. The company’s revenue grew by 27% to ₹1,530 crore, compared to ₹1,208 crore in the same quarter last year.

Real Estate Sales and Collections Rise

  • The company recorded net bookings of 2.19 million square feet in Q3 FY25, with a total sale value of ₹2,492 crore.
  • Real estate collections rose 36% YoY to ₹1,323 crore from ₹974 crore in Q3 FY24.
  • Revenue from the real estate segment increased by 31% YoY to ₹1,103 crore, while EBITDA stood at ₹258 crore.

Leasing Business Sees Steady Growth

  • Revenue from the leasing segment reached ₹280 crore, reflecting a 13% YoY increase.
  • EBITDA from leasing stood at ₹169 crore.
  • The company’s portfolio occupancy was at 98%, covering 8.55 million square feet (including hard options).

Future Expansion Plans

Managing Director Pavitra Shankar highlighted strong growth across all business segments. The residential segment saw rising demand, driven by premium project launches and a strong pipeline for upcoming quarters. Leasing activity also remained strong, particularly from technology, engineering, and manufacturing companies.

Brigade Group is actively pursuing land acquisitions in key markets to expand its portfolio. A major highlight for the quarter was the successful launch of Brigade Gateway Hyderabad, a large mixed-use development featuring residential, office, retail, and hospitality spaces.

 

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.

 

KPIT Share Price Surge 6% After Strong Q3 FY25 Results

KPIT Technologies reported a strong performance in Q3 FY25, with a 20.4% increase in net profit, reaching ₹187 crore. The growth was driven by higher revenue and improved operational efficiency.

Revenue and Profit Growth

  • The company’s revenue from operations rose 17.5% to ₹1,478 crore, up from ₹1,257 crore in the same quarter last year.
  • Net profit (attributable to shareholders) stood at ₹187 crore, marking a 20.4% year-on-year (YoY) growth.

Higher EBITDA Margin Outlook

  • KPIT has raised its annual EBITDA margin outlook to over 21%, up from 20.5%+ projected earlier.
  • The company has maintained its constant currency revenue growth forecast in the range of 18-22%.

Co-founder, CEO, and MD Kishor Patil stated that Q3 revenue aligned with annual growth expectations. Operating profit improved due to a better revenue mix and increased productivity despite currency fluctuations.

Investments in AI for Growth

  • KPIT is investing in AI technologies tailored for the automotive sector.
  • Patil emphasised that their AI strategy focuses on human-centric, innovative, safe, and responsible solutions to create value for clients.
  • These AI investments will enhance KPIT’s talent pool and open new growth opportunities.

With strong financial performance and a focus on AI-driven innovation, KPIT Technologies continues to strengthen its position in the automotive and mobility ecosystem.

About KPIT Technologies Limited

KPIT Technologies Limited is an Indian multinational company specialising in engineering research and development (ER&D) services for the automotive industry. Headquartered in Pune, KPIT operates development centers across India, Europe, the USA, Japan, and China.

As of January 30, 9:38 AM IST, KPIT Technologies share price is trading at ₹1,452.65, up ₹82.60 (6.03%) for the day. The stock opened at ₹1,420.00, reaching a high of ₹1,479.00 and a low of ₹1,410.65. KPIT has a market capitalisation of ₹39,360 crore, a P/E ratio of 54.37, and a dividend yield of 0.46%. Over the past year, the stock has ranged between a 52-week high of ₹1,928.70 and a 52-week low of ₹1,223.25.

 

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.

Income Tax: Exemptions Under Old and New Tax Regimes

In FY 2023, the new tax regime became the default for all taxpayers. This means that unless you choose to opt-out, you will file your income tax return (ITR) under the new regime. The main benefit of the new regime is lower tax rates, but it does not allow several deductions available under the old regime.

To determine which tax regime is better for you, you can use an Income Tax Calculator. Below is a comparison of exemptions available under both regimes.

Exemptions Under the Old Tax Regime

  1. House Rent Allowance (HRA)
    • Tax exemption is available on HRA for salaried employees who live in rented accommodation.
  2. Section 80C Deductions (Limit: ₹1.5 lakh per financial year)
    • Investments in schemes like:
      • Equity Linked Saving Schemes (ELSS)
      • Public Provident Fund (PPF)
      • Life insurance premiums
      • Principal repayment of home loans
      • Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY)
      • National Savings Certificate (NSC)
      • Senior Citizens Savings Scheme
  3. Section 80D: Health Insurance Premium
    • Deduction of up to ₹25,000 for health insurance premiums.
  4. Section 80DD: Medical Expenses for a Dependent with Disability
    • Deduction of up to ₹75,000 for medical treatment, training, and rehabilitation.
  5. Section 80CCD (1): NPS Contribution
    • Deduction for contributions made to the National Pension System (NPS).
  6. Section 80G: Donations to Charity
    • Tax deduction is available for donations made to approved charitable organisations.
  7. Standard Deduction
    • Flat deduction of ₹50,000 from salary income.

Exemptions Under the New Tax Regime

  1. Standard Deduction
    • Higher standard deduction of ₹75,000 from salary income.
  2. Employer’s NPS Contribution (Section 80CCCD (2))
    • The deduction is available for employer contributions to an employee’s NPS account.
  3. Agnipath Scheme Exemption (Section 80CCH)
    • Tax exemption on income earned under the Agnipath recruitment scheme for the Indian Armed Forces.

By comparing these exemptions, you can decide which tax regime is more beneficial for you.

 

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.

Top Gainers and Losers on January 29, 2025: Shriram Finance, BEL Lead; ITC Hotels, Maruti Slip

On January 29, 2025, the BSE Sensex and NSE Nifty50 continued their upward trend for the second day in a row, closing higher. The Sensex rose 631.55 points (0.83%) to 76,532.96 after reaching a high of 76,589.93 during the day.

Similarly, the Nifty50 gained 205.85 points (0.90%) to settle at 23,163.10. It traded between 22,976.50 and 23,181.35 throughout the session.

Here are the top gainers and losers on January 29, 2025: 

Top Gainers of the Day

Symbol Open High Low LTP %chng
SHRIRAMFIN 531.15 555.65 530.25 551.2 3.98
BEL 259 268 259 267.85 3.72
TATAMOTORS 731.5 755 726.55 754.8 3.65
SBILIFE 1,419.50 1,470.10 1,410.50 1,465.90 3.27
TRENT 5,495.00 5,651.90 5,415.70 5,625.00 3.11
  • Shriram Finance surged 3.98% to ₹551.2, hitting a high of ₹555.65.
  • BEL rose 3.72% to ₹267.85, touching ₹268 intraday.
  • Tata Motors gained 3.65% to ₹754.8, after opening at ₹731.5.
  • SBI Life advanced 3.27% to ₹1,465.90, reaching ₹1,470.10.
  • Trent climbed 3.11% to ₹5,625, with a high of ₹5,651.90.

Top Losers of the Day

Symbol Open High Low LTP %chng
ITCHOTELS 180 180 171 173.65 -3.53
MARUTI 12,120.00 12,320.70 11,885.05 11,953.00 -1.41
ASIANPAINT 2,241.80 2,246.80 2,212.05 2,223.70 -0.81
BHARTIARTL 1,620.00 1,626.90 1,593.15 1,605.70 -0.78
BRITANNIA 5,100.00 5,100.00 4,991.00 5,030.50 -0.6
  • ITC Hotels dropped 3.53% to ₹173.65 after touching ₹171.
  • Maruti declined 1.41% to ₹11,953, hitting a low of ₹11,885.05.
  • Asian Paints fell 0.81% to ₹2,223.70, trading between ₹2,212.05 and ₹2,246.80.
  • Bharti Airtel slipped 0.78% to ₹1,605.70 after reaching ₹1,626.90.
  • Britannia edged down 0.6% to ₹5,030.50, with a low of ₹4,991.

 

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.

 

Anant Raj Shares Surge 10% Following Clarification on AI Impact

Anant Raj share price rose by 10% to ₹587.85, reaching the upper circuit limit on the BSE during the intraday session. This surge came after the company clarified its business model in response to concerns about the growing influence of AI technology, particularly a low-cost AI model introduced by DeepSeek, a Chinese company.

Company’s Clarification

On January 28, Anant Raj issued a clarification stating that it remains focused on real estate and data centre infrastructure. The company’s primary revenue comes from real estate development and its data centre services, including colocation and Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) for cloud solutions.

Data Center Industry Growth

Anant Raj acknowledged the rapid growth of India’s data centre capacity, which is driven by digitisation and data localisation trends. Despite India’s large share of global data, there is still significant under-penetration of data centres in the country. The company believes that the growing demand for data centre infrastructure will benefit its business, particularly as the global data surge, partly fueled by AI, drives demand for more data centres.

Impact of AI on Data Centers

The company sees AI tools increasing the need for data processing, which will boost demand for data centres. Additionally, as AI applications move closer to end-users through smartphones and IoT devices, a growing need for distributed computing infrastructure will increase demand for data centers.

No Impact on Real Estate Operations

Anant Raj clarified that developments in AI do not affect its real estate business. The company also assured investors that its focus on colocation in data centres, with continued capital expenditures to improve rack-level capacity, remains unchanged.

Anant Raj highlighted its new sovereign cloud offering, ‘Ashok Cloud,’ which focuses on IaaS without AI elements. The company clarified that it does not provide Platform as a Service (PaaS) or Software as a Service (SaaS), so AI advancements won’t affect its services.

Anant Raj share price is trading at ₹580.80 as of 12:16 PM on January 29, 2025, reflecting an increase of ₹46.30 (8.66%). The stock opened at ₹567.00, reached a high of ₹587.95, and a low of ₹542.65. The company has a market capitalisation of ₹19.86K crore, a P/E ratio of 55.63, and a dividend yield of 0.13%. Its 52-week high is ₹947.90, and the 52-week low is ₹281.00.

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.