Vedanta Considers IPO for Zambia Konkola Copper Mines to Fund $1 Bn Investment

Vedanta Resources, led by Indian billionaire Anil Agarwal, is exploring the option of listing its Zambian copper unit to raise funds for a $1 billion investment. The company regained control of Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) in Zambia after a lengthy dispute with the government, as per news reports. Now, Vedanta aims to revitalise the asset and increase production, leveraging the high-quality copper reserves. 

Vedanta’s $1 Billion Investment in Zambia Copper Mines 

After years of tension and a provisional liquidation by Zambia’s government, Vedanta regained control of KCM last year. The government had accused the company of inadequate tax payments and underestimating expansion plans. Following its return, Vedanta committed to investing $1 billion in KCM to boost its operations and increase copper production. 

Also Read: Vedanta Share Price Rises After Q4 Profit Surges 154%.

IPO Listing; Strategy to Fund Expansion 

To fund this investment, Vedanta is actively considering the option of listing its Zambian copper unit. While the company’s CFO, Ajay Goel, stated that a timeline is yet to be set, the IPO remains a key avenue to raise capital for the copper project. However, specifics about the size and location of the potential listing are still under discussion. 

High-Quality Copper Resources with Complex Operations 

Konkola Copper Mines is home to copper reserves that are richer in content than those found in South America, a global leader in copper production. However, extracting these resources is challenging due to the deposits being located deep underground, making the operation one of the wettest in the world. 

Conclusion  

Vedanta’s consideration of an IPO for its Zambian copper unit highlights the company’s commitment to investing heavily in the Konkola mines. This move aims to capitalise on the high-quality resources available while tackling operational challenges to boost production. 

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. 

Following Adani, Zoho Shelves $700 Mn Semiconductor Project Amid Challenges 

A year after announcing its ambitious plan into semiconductor manufacturing, Zoho has officially suspended its $700 million chipmaking plans. As per news reports, Founder and CEO Sridhar Vembu said the company lacked confidence in its current technology roadmap and could not justify seeking government support or taxpayer money without clarity. 

Zoho Faces Roadblocks in Semiconductor Partner Search 

Zoho’s decision was driven by its inability to secure a suitable technology partner for the highly specialised fabrication process. Despite extensive outreach efforts, the SaaS giant could not find a collaborator to help execute the complex project, which involves compound semiconductor manufacturing. 

PLI Scheme Incentives and Karnataka Fab Investment Also on Hold 

Zoho had earlier applied for incentives under India’s Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for semiconductors. It had also committed $400 million to set up a fabrication unit in Karnataka, under its associate firm Silectric.  

In December, the Karnataka government approved Silectric’s proposal to set up a semiconductor plant with an investment of ₹3,425.6 crore. The project was set to be Karnataka’s first semiconductor plant near Mysuru, promising 460 jobs. This too is now in limbo. 

Adani Group Also Pauses $10 Billion Semiconductor Project 

Zoho’s move follows a similar development from the Adani Group, which paused its $10 billion semiconductor venture with Israel’s Tower Semiconductor. Citing an internal assessment, Adani concluded that the project lacked strategic and commercial feasibility at this time. In September 2024, the Maharashtra cabinet approved this project of ₹83,947 crore, which was expected to create 5,000 jobs. 

Also Read: Adani Enterprises Shares in Focus: Revenue and PAT Surged in Q4FY25. 

India Semiconductor Mission Prepares for Second Phase 

As Zoho and Adani retreat from active chipmaking plans, India’s broader semiconductor strategy continues to evolve. The India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) has appointed Amitesh Kumar Sinha as its new CEO. The government is also preparing the next phase of ISM, which is expected to provide more support for chip design, fabrication, and essential elements like specialty gases and packaging infrastructure. 

Conclusion 

Zoho’s decision highlights the difficulties private companies face in India’s semiconductor sector, from technical expertise to global partnerships. While major projects face delays, the government’s semiconductor mission continues to drive efforts for a self-reliant chip ecosystem. 

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. 

JioStar Adds 1.5 Mn TV Households in First 10 Days of IPL 2025; Eyes 3-5 Mn by Season-End

JioStar, the media powerhouse formed after the Reliance–Disney merger, has reported impressive early milestones across TV and digital platforms, according to news reports. During Reliance Industries’ Q4 earnings call, Kevin Vaz, CEO–Entertainment, revealed that JioStar added 1.5 million TV households in just 10 days of IPL 2025 and expects 3–5 million more by the end of the tournament. 

JioStar Strong Q4 Financials

In its first-ever financial statement post-merger, JioStar reported ₹9,497 crore in revenue and ₹266 crore in EBITDA. Despite macroeconomic headwinds, the broadcaster saw strong sports-led growth, driven by marquee events like the ICC Trophy and IPL. 

Also Read: Jio Financial Shares in Focus On Strong Q4 Performance, Dividend Announcement. 

JioStar Claims 34% Market Share in Indian TV Broadcasting

Vaz highlighted that JioStar holds a dominant 34% share in India’s TV space. With a content library of over 3.2 lakh hours, six times that of Netflix or Amazon, the company is leveraging both scale and diversity to deepen its reach across India. 

Smooth Launch of JioHotstar and User Migration

Launched on February 14, JioHotstar merged the best of Disney+ Hotstar and JioCinema. Within 3 months, over 500 million users and 3.2 lakh hours of content were successfully migrated to the unified platform, including 250 exclusive titles. 

Sports and Entertainment Dominance across platforms

With 24 sports channels and major properties like IPL, ISL, Pro Kabaddi, and Wimbledon, JioStar leads in live content. The company operates over 100 channels in 10 languages and reaches 35.8 crore daily viewers across platforms. 

Subscriber Base Rivals Global Streaming Giants – Netflix, Amazon

In just 3.5 months, JioStar secured 280 million paid subscribers and a monthly active user base of over 503 million. Vaz stated the platform is close to Netflix in scale, making it one of the most widely accessed entertainment networks globally. 

Record-Breaking Live Sports Viewership

JioHotstar set a global streaming record with 61 million concurrent viewers during the India–New Zealand Champions Trophy final, four times higher than America’s Super Bowl peak viewership. 

Conclusion

JioStar’s rapid expansion and massive content ecosystem underscore its ambition to dominate India’s media and streaming landscape. With IPL fueling subscriber growth and record-breaking viewership, the company is well-positioned for long-term market leadership. 

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. 

Mutual Funds’ Cash Levels at 15-Year High in March 2025

Mutual funds in India are now sitting on their highest cash reserves in 15 years, with holdings surging to nearly ₹1.96 lakh crore as of March 2025, as per a news reports. This cautious positioning reflects fund managers’ reluctance to invest aggressively in a market where valuations appear stretched. 

Why are Mutual Fund Managers Increasing Cash in a High-Valuation Market? 

Fund managers are choosing to hold cash rather than invest in expensive equities, waiting for better entry points. This strategy is seen as prudent capital preservation, not necessarily a sign of pessimism. 

Large, Mid, and Small-Cap Equity Mutual Funds All Raising Cash  

Data shows that large-cap schemes held 4.8% in cash by February 2025, the highest since June 2023. Mid-cap schemes pushed their cash allocation to 6.7%, the most since 2020, while small-cap schemes also hit a high not seen since October 2023. 

In absolute terms, mid-cap funds held ₹24,800 crore and small-cap funds ₹22,340 crore in cash, indicating a broad-based rise in liquidity buffers across categories. 

AMCs Take Cautious Calls on Cash Allocation 

Most major asset management companies (AMCs) such as SBI Mutual Fund, ICICI Prudential, and Motilal Oswal have increased cash allocation in early 2025. Parag Parikh Mutual Fund made frequent adjustments, reducing allocation in late 2024 and raising it again in early 2025. 

While some AMCs maintained or even reduced their cash holdings, the broader trend reflects defensive positioning amid limited attractive stock ideas. 

What Does this Mean for SIP Investors and Market Timing? 

Higher cash levels may signal lower short-term returns as funds stay partially uninvested. However, they give fund managers the flexibility to invest when valuations turn more favorable, possibly offering better medium-term returns. 

According to BankBazaar CEO Adhil Shetty, funds with higher cash buffers may be well-positioned to take advantage of any market corrections, while fully invested funds could be more vulnerable in a downturn. 

Choose Funds Based on Risk Appetite and Horizon 

For conservative or tactical investors, funds maintaining elevated cash levels might offer peace of mind. Meanwhile, long-term investors willing to weather volatility can stay with fully invested funds if they believe in the underlying strategy. 

The key lies in aligning fund choices with your personal risk profile, goals, and time horizon, not in chasing short-term performance. 

Conclusion 

The surge in mutual fund cash holdings suggests fund managers are preparing for better buying opportunities ahead. Investors would do well to take a cue, stay disciplined, review portfolios carefully, and prioritise quality and allocation over impulsive moves. 

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. 

8th Pay Commission: Basic Salary Was Hiked 157% From 6th to 7th Pay Commission

In the last two decades, central government salary structures have changed significantly. The 6th and 7th Pay Commissions revised basic pay, allowances, and pensions. The 8th Pay Commission is expected to take effect from January 1, 2026. Here’s a look at how basic pay changes between 6th and 7th commissions, along with the percentage jump in basic pay. 

6th and 7th Pay Commissions: Salary Revision for Government Employees 

One of the most impactful changes introduced by the 7th Pay Commission in 2016 was the hike in minimum basic salary. Here’s a breakdown: 

6th Pay Commission (2006): 

  • Minimum basic salary: ₹7,000 
  • Fitment factor: Initially 1.74, later increased to 1.86 
  • Introduced running pay bands and consolidated various grades

7th Pay Commission (2016): 

  • Minimum basic salary: ₹18,000 
  • Fitment factor: 2.57 
  • Replaced pay bands with a Pay Matrix, simplifying salary structures

Therefore, the minimum basic salary will increase by 157.14% from the 6th to the 7th Pay Commission.   

6th and 7th Pay Commissions: Allowances and Pension Enhancements 

Both commissions also introduced major updates in allowances and pensions: 

Dearness Allowance (DA): 

  • 6th CPC: Increased from 16% to 22% 
  • 7th CPC: Reached 53% of basic pay as of 2024

Pensions: 

  • 6th CPC: Minimum pension increased to ₹3,500 
  • 7th CPC: Minimum pension hiked to ₹9,000 
  • Fitment factor also applied to pensioners for uniform revision

Other benefits included health insurance for employees and pensioners (introduced in the 7th CPC) and rationalisation of risk and transport allowances. 

Also Read: 8th Pay Commission Calculator: Here’s What Govt Employees’ Salaries Could Look Like at 2.0 Fitment Factor.

What to Expect from the 8th Pay Commission? 

Although this article focuses on the 6th and 7th CPCs, it’s worth noting that the 8th Pay Commission, set to be implemented from January 1, 2026, could further transform pay structures. Early projections suggest: 

  • Minimum basic salary could rise to ₹41,000–₹51,480 per month 
  • Fitment factor expected: 2.28 to 2.86  
  • Estimated salary hikes: 20% to 35%  
  • Pension revisions and enhanced allowances are also on the cards  

The minimum basic salary increase translates to a potential salary hike of up to 186% over the existing basic pay. 

Conclusion 

The shift from the 6th to the 7th Pay Commission marked a 157% increase in the minimum basic pay, from ₹7,000 to ₹18,000, alongside structural reforms in salary matrices, allowances, and pensions. With the 8th Pay Commission on the horizon, central government employees and pensioners can expect another significant financial uplift. However, the final figures depend on the government’s assessment and the officially approved fitment factor. 

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.