Strong Growth in Key Mineral Production for FY 2024-25: What You Need to Know?

India is the world’s 2nd largest producer of aluminium, ranks among the top 10 producers of refined copper, and is the 4th largest iron ore producer globally. Production of key minerals in India has experienced strong growth during FY 2024-25 (April-January), following record production levels in FY 2023-24.

Iron Ore Production

Iron ore, which accounts for 70% of the total MCDR mineral production by value, continues to be a significant contributor. The production of iron ore reached 274 million metric tonnes (MMT) in FY 2023-24. Provisional data indicates a growth in iron ore production from 228 MMT in FY 2023-24 (April-January) to 236 MMT in FY 2024-25 (April-January), reflecting a healthy 3.5% increase.

Growth in Other Key Minerals

  • Manganese Ore: The production of manganese ore has risen by 11.1%, increasing to 3.0 MMT in FY 2024-25 (April-January) from 2.7 MMT during the same period last year.
  • Chromite: Chromite production has seen a growth of 8.7%, rising to 2.5 MMT in FY 2024-25 (April-January) from 2.3 MMT in the corresponding period of the previous year.
  • Bauxite: Bauxite production has increased by 5.6%, reaching 20.6 MMT in FY 2024-25 (April-January) from 19.5 MMT in FY 2023-24 (April-January).

Non-Ferrous Metal Sector Growth

  • Aluminium: Primary aluminium production in FY 2024-25 (April-January) grew by 1.2%, reaching 35.10 lakh tons (LT) from 34.67 LT in FY 2023-24 (April-January).
  • Copper: Refined copper production saw a significant increase of 7.4%, growing from 4.19 LT to 4.50 LT during the same period.

Conclusion

The continued growth in iron ore production this financial year highlights strong demand from industries such as steel. Along with the increase in aluminium and copper production, these trends suggest ongoing economic activity and growth in sectors like energy, infrastructure, construction, automotive, and machinery.

 

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.

Revised Guidelines on Specialised Investment Funds (SIF): Minimum Investment of ₹10 lakh, and More

On February 27, 2025, the capital market regulator, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) revealed a new regulatory framework for Specialised Investment Funds (SIFs), effective from April 1, 2025. The objective behind rolling out SIFs is to fill the gap between mutual funds and Portfolio Management Services (PMS) by offering enhanced portfolio flexibility.

Under the revised regulations, investors are required to make a minimum investment of ₹10 lakh across all SIF strategies, excluding accredited investors. For those using systematic investment plans (SIP), systematic withdrawal plans (SWP), or systematic transfer plans (STP), the total investment must remain above ₹10 lakh. If the market value falls below this threshold due to fluctuations, investors are allowed to redeem the remaining balance.

The rules also set limits on investments in company debt securities: up to 20% for AAA-rated securities, 16% for AA-rated, and 12% for A-rated or lower securities from any one company. Additionally, no more than 25% of the net asset value (NAV) can be allocated to a single sector.

Eligibility Criteria for SIF Establishment

To establish an SIF, a registered mutual fund must meet one of two eligibility criteria. The first option is for the mutual fund to have been active for a minimum of three years, with an average asset under management (AUM) of ₹10,000 crore over the last three years, and no regulatory action taken against the sponsor or AMC in the past three years.

The second option requires the mutual fund to appoint a Chief Investment Officer (CIO) with at least 10 years of fund management experience and an average AUM of ₹5,000 crore. Additionally, the fund must hire a Fund Manager with at least three years of experience and an AUM of ₹500 crore. No regulatory action should have been taken or initiated against the sponsor or AMC in the past three years. Approval from SEBI must also be obtained before setting up an SIF.

Investment and Risk Guidelines for SIFs

SIFs will be allowed to take up to 25% exposure in derivatives, excluding hedging activities, and may offset derivative positions on the same security in specific cases. Funds will have different subscription (buy-in) and redemption (withdrawal) frequencies, with a redemption notice period of up to 15 working days.

Closed-ended and interval funds must be listed on stock exchanges. Funds with non-daily redemption options will be categorized as “Interval Investment Strategies.” SIFs must adhere to a single-tier benchmark, such as the Nifty50 for equity and debt indices for debt funds. Risk will be classified into five levels (Risk Band 1 to 5), with monthly reviews.

SEBI requires that only certified distributors be authorized to sell SIFs. SIFs will need to regularly disclose portfolio details, liquidity risks, and scenario analyses on their websites. Any advertising related to SIFs must include a standardised risk disclaimer.

Conclusion

The regulatory updates by SEBI aim to provide enhanced flexibility for investors, ensuring effective risk management and transparency in an evolving investment environment.

Ready to watch your savings grow? Try our SIP Calculator today and unlock the potential of disciplined investing. Perfect for planning your financial future. Start now!

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.

PFC Shares to Trade Ex-Date on February 28: Interim Dividend of ₹3.50

On February 28, 2025, PFC shares to trade ex-date, meaning that the shareholders registered in the company’s books will be eligible for the ₹3.50 interim dividend.

PFC Dividend History

Ex-Date Dividend Type Dividend Amount (₹)
Nov 25, 2024 Interim 3.50
Aug 30, 2024 Interim 3.25
July 26, 2024 Final 2.50

PFC Q3FY25 Earnings Highlights

During Q3Fy25, the state-owned Power Finance Corporation (PFC) reported a growth of 23% in its consolidated net profit to ₹7,759.56 crore, up from ₹6,294.44 crore in the same period last year.

The company’s consolidated revenue from operations grew by 14%, rising to ₹26,798.04 crore from ₹23,571.83 crore year-on-year. Net Interest Income (NII) increased by 12.9% YoY to ₹4,694 crore, compared to ₹4,158 crore in Q3FY24.

Asset quality remained stable, with gross non-performing assets (GNPA) improving slightly to 2.68% from 2.71% in the previous quarter. Similarly, the net NPA (NNPA) stood at 0.71%, compared to 0.72% in Q2FY25.

 

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.

FPI Sell-Off Pushed Drop of 4% in Nifty50 in February 2025

The Nifty50 index has dropped over 4% in February 2025, primarily due to a sharp sell-off by foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) and weaker-than-expected Q3 earnings. This month, FPIs have offloaded more than $4.5 billion worth of Indian stocks, contributing to a total sell-off of $25 billion since September 2024. As a result, the index is on track to close in the red for the fifth consecutive month, marking the longest losing streak since 1996.

Why Market Fell During February 2025?

The initial decline in the market was triggered by concerns over stretched valuations and slowing economic growth. Recently, however, the sell-off has intensified, driven by rising US bond yields and a stronger US dollar, which have made Indian markets less appealing to foreign investors.

Foreign Investment Withdrawals

After an outflow of nearly $11 billion in October 2024, foreign investors pulled out an additional $2.7 billion in November and $8.4 billion in January 2025. However, December saw a reversal, with foreign investors turning net buyers, acquiring $1.3 billion in Indian shares.

On February 27, 2025, FPIs sold an additional $372 million worth of Indian shares, bringing the total outflows for the year to nearly $13 billion, as reported in various news reports

 

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.

16 Stocks Removed from F&O Segment: UBL, Bata, PVR Inox and More

Following the announcement made by the National Stock Exchange (NSE) on December 20, 2024, 16 stocks will be removed from the futures & options (F&O) segment and will only be available for trading in the cash market, starting Friday, February 28, 2025. As a result, no contracts will be available for trading from February 28, which will also be the monthly expiry day for the February series exclusion.

The below table shows the stock excluded from F&O contracts

Sector Stocks Excluded from Derivatives Segment
Entertainment & Media PVR Inox, Sun TV Network
Beverages United Breweries
Pharmaceuticals & Healthcare Abbott India, IPCA Laboratories, Dr. Lal Path Labs, Metropolis Healthcare
Chemicals Atul Ltd, Navin Fluorine International
Retail Bata India
Housing Finance Can Fin Homes
Fertilizers & Agrochemicals Coromandel International, Gujarat Narmada Valley Fertilizers and Chemicals
Banking & Finance City Union Bank
Gas Gujarat Gas
E-commerce & Technology IndiaMart Intermesh

Added 45 Stocks in F&O

This exclusion follows an announcement made by the In November, the NSE had added 45 stocks to the F&O segment. Futures and options contracts for companies such as Adani Energy, Adani Green, Angel One, Bank of India, BSE, CDSL, CESC, Delhivery, Avenue Supermart, HUDCO, Jio Financial, JSW Energy, NHPC, FSN E-Commerce, Tata Elxsi, Yes Bank, Varun Beverages, and Zomato, among others, began trading from November 29.

Currently, there are derivatives available for 227 individual securities in the F&O segment.

Stocks Under F&O Ban

Additionally, Manappuram Finance is currently under the F&O trade ban. As of Tuesday, its Market Wide Position Limit (MWPL) stood at 85%, with an open interest (OI) of 43.5 million, a decrease of 10.7% from the previous session.

A stock enters the F&O trade ban when its open interest exceeds 95% of the MWPL. The ban is lifted once the open interest drops below 80%.

 

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 to Accumulate ₹1 Crore by Investing ₹5,000, ₹7,000, or ₹10,000?

Have you ever wondered how long it would take to build a corpus of ₹1 crore with monthly investments? In this article, we look at setting aside a fixed sum every month, whether it’s ₹5,000, ₹7,000, or even ₹10,000, and watching it grow over time. At first glance, reaching ₹1 crore might seem like a distant dream. But you can map out this journey with the right planning.

The below table helps you understand, how different scenarios can help you accumulate ₹1 crore:

Person Monthly Investment (₹) Expected Rate of Return Investment Duration (Years) Total Value Generated (₹) Total Investment (₹) Estimated Return (₹)
Arjun ₹5,000 15% 22 ₹1,03,53,295 ₹13,20,000 ₹90,33,295
Amit ₹7,000 15% 20 ₹1,06,11,685 ₹16,80,000 ₹89,31,685
Shrikant ₹10,000 15% 18 ₹1,10,42,553 ₹21,60,000 ₹88,82,553

Compounding Power: How Small Investments Grow Bigger?

One of the most important factors to consider when investing is the power of compounding. This is where your investment doesn’t just grow based on the money you put in, but also on the interest earned on that interest. Over time, compounding can lead to exponential growth, making even smaller, consistent investments grow significantly. For instance, if you invest ₹5,000 per month, the initial amount might seem small, but as your returns accumulate and compound, your wealth builds faster than you might expect.

Conclusion

As you can see, consistent investments paired with the magic of compounding lead to growing wealth over time. By starting early and staying disciplined, you can unlock the power of compounding and pave your way to financial independence.

 

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.

Best Gold Stocks For March 2025: Sky Gold, KDDL and More Based on 5Y CAGR

Gold has long been considered a safe haven for investors, especially during times of economic uncertainty. While owning physical gold can be an attractive option, investing in gold stocks offers a unique set of advantages and opportunities. In this blog, we will explore the best gold stocks in India based on 5Y CAGR

Best Gold Stocks in India – Based on ROE

Name Market Cap (In ₹ crore) 5Y CAGR (%)
Sky Gold Ltd 5028.84 102.90
Goldiam International Ltd 4197.05 66.19
KDDL Ltd 3582.53 60.07
Thangamayil Jewellery Ltd 5790.74 53.58
PC Jeweller Ltd 6760.60 46.01

Note: The stocks have been selected based on market cap of over ₹3,000 Crore and sorted based on 5Y CAGRas of February 27, 2024

Overview of Best Gold Stocks in India

1. Sky Gold Ltd

Sky Gold Limited is involved in the designing, manufacturing, and marketing of gold jewellery. The co. follows a B2B model where the products are mainly sold to mid-range jewellers and boutique stores. During Q3FY25, the company successfully onboarded Aditya Birla Novel Jewels’ Indriya, marking a significant milestone and reflecting its capability to cater to large-scale, premium projects. Sky Gold is actively expanding its distribution network in the Singapore market to further boost its export revenue

Key Metrics:

  • ROE: 23.2%
  • ROCE: 18.6%

2. Goldiam International Ltd

Goldiam International Ltd is involved in the manufacturing and exporting of gold and diamond jewellery to global retailers. The company’s lab-grown diamond jewellery share in Q3 FY25 export revenue was 80% visà-vis 58% in Q3FY24. As of December 31, 2024, the order book size was ₹1,750 million and it is expected to be executed in the next 3-4 months.

Key Metrics:

  • ROE: 14.9%
  • ROCE: 19.8%

3. KDDL Ltd

KDDL manufactures watch components like dials, hands and precision engineering goods under the brand name, Eigen. During Q3FY25, the Bracelet division has shown encouraging performance and is expected to improve further. In addition, the precision engineering revenue accounted for 40% in Q3FY25 and 38% in 9MFY25.

Key Metrics:

  • ROE: 17.2%
  • ROCE: 18.6%

4. Thangamayil Jewellery Limited

Thangamayil Jewellery Limited operates a chain of retail jewellery stores across several districts in Tamil Nadu, a state that has the largest share (40%) of India’s total gold consumption. During FY24, the company reported a record turnover of ₹3,82,678 lakhs with an all-time high EBITDA profit of well over ₹21,777 lakhs.

Key Metrics:

  • ROE: 17.2%
  • ROCE: 18.6%

5. PC Jeweller Limited

PC Jeweller is engaged in the business of manufacturing, sale and trading of gold jewellery, diamond-studded jewellery and silver items and operates in different geographical areas.

Key Metrics:

  • ROE: -19%
  • ROCE: -1.74%

Gold Demand in India

Total gold demand, including OTC investment, increased by 1% year-on-year in Q4, setting a new quarterly record and contributing to a historic annual total of 4,974t. Annual investment reached a four-year peak of 1,180t, marking a 25% increase. Gold ETFs played a major role, as 2024 was the first year since 2020 where holdings remained mostly stable, a stark contrast to the significant outflows seen in the previous three years. Gold jewellery consumption saw a notable decline, falling 11% year-on-year to 1,877t, as consumers could only afford smaller quantities. However, spending on gold jewellery rose by 9%, reaching US$144bn.

Conclusion

Investing in gold stocks can offer a strategic way to gain exposure to the precious metals market while benefiting from the potential growth of mining companies. While gold itself is often seen as a safe haven during economic uncertainty, gold stocks can provide the added advantage of leveraging operational efficiencies and growth potential.

 

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.

Mid-Day Top Gainers and Losers on February 27, 2025: Shriram Finance and Bajaj Finance Led Gainers

On February 27, 2025, as of 12:00 PM, the BSE Sensex was down 0.01% at 74,599.83, while the Nifty 50 was down 0.08% at 22,529.30. The mid-day top gainers and losers for the day are:

Mid-Day Top Gainers 

Symbol Open High Low LTP %chng
SHRIRAMFIN 581.3 604.2 580.3 601.6 4.76
BAJFINANCE 8,542.60 8,739.00 8,542.60 8,698.00 2.46
BAJAJFINSV 1,882.15 1,938.80 1,881.00 1,915.00 2.13
INDUSINDBK 1,046.90 1,063.30 1,042.70 1,050.15 1.54
HDFCBANK 1,682.55 1,701.90 1,682.55 1,700.15 1.06

Shriram Finance

Shriram Finance shares surged by ₹20.3 to ₹601.6, marking a 4.76% rise from its opening at ₹581.3.

Bajaj Finance

Bajaj Finance shares climbed ₹155.4 to ₹8,698.00, reflecting a 2.46% increase from the opening price of ₹8,542.60.

Bajaj Finserv

Bajaj Finserv shares saw an uptick of ₹32.85, closing at ₹1,915.00, a 2.13% gain from ₹1,882.15.

IndusInd Bank 

IndusInd Bank shares gained ₹3.25 to ₹1,050.15, marking a 1.54% rise from its opening at ₹1,046.90.

HDFC Bank

HDFC Bank shares rose by ₹17.6 to ₹1,700.15, up 1.06% from the opening price of ₹1,682.55.

Mid-Day Top Losers

Symbol Open High Low LTP %chng
ULTRACEMCO 10,800.00 10,800.00 10,264.40 10,330.60 -5.78
M&M 2,837.00 2,840.00 2,710.00 2,710.75 -2.42
TRENT 4,951.00 4,959.00 4,818.00 4,848.95 -2.24
HEROMOTOCO 3,808.15 3,810.30 3,741.10 3,744.30 -2.19
GRASIM 2,373.00 2,379.30 2,317.10 2,332.00 -1.99

Ultra Tech

Ultra Tech Cement shares dropped ₹469.4 to ₹10,330.60, marking a 5.78% decline from its opening at ₹10,800.00.

M&M

M&M shares fell by ₹126.25 to ₹2,710.75, a 2.42% drop from its opening price of ₹2,837.00.

Trent

Trent shares saw a decline of ₹102.05, closing at ₹4,848.95, down 2.24% from ₹4,951.00..

Heromoto Corp

Heromoto Corp shares decreased by ₹63.85 to ₹3,744.30, reflecting a 2.19% fall from its opening at ₹3,808.15.

Grasim

Grasim shares fell by ₹41.00 to ₹2,332.00, down 1.99% from ₹2,373.00.

 

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.

Havells, Polycab and KEI Industries Shares Fell Upto 10%: Check Why?

On Thursday, February 27, 2025, shares of wires and cable companies such as Polycab Ltd., Havells India Ltd., KEI Industries Ltd., RR Kabel Ltd., and Finolex Cables Ltd. witnessed a fall of up to 10% The significant fall follows the announcement by UltraTech Cement about entry into wires and cable sector.

Shares of KEI Industries and Havells are both trading at the maximum 10% lower circuit limit. At the start of trading, Havells India shares dropped by 8%, while RR Kabel and Finolex Cables saw declines of over 5% and 4%, respectively.

UltraTech’s New Business Plan 

On Tuesday, UltraTech Cement revealed plans to expand its presence in the construction value chain by entering the wires and cables market, with a capital expenditure of ₹1,800 crore over two years.

The wires and cables sector in India has been experiencing compound annual revenue growth of nearly 13% from FY 2019 to 2024. UltraTech may also have an advantage in sourcing raw materials like copper and aluminum through its group companies, such as Hindalco.

Ultra Tech Increased Cement Capacity

UltraTech Cement has recently announced the commissioning of an additional 0.6 MTPA slag-based grinding capacity at its existing facility in Karur, Tamil Nadu. This follows the earlier commissioning of a 2.7 MTPA greenfield grinding capacity at the same location on April 2, 2024. With this expansion, the total capacity of the plant reaches 3.30 MTPA. The increased capacity will strengthen the Company’s ability to meet the growing demand for composite cement in the Southern region, thereby improving its blended cement ratio.

UltraTech’s ongoing efforts to enhance the clinker conversion ratio align with its long-term growth objectives, and these strategic investments are key to driving operational efficiency and sustainability. As a result, the Company’s total domestic grey cement manufacturing capacity now stands at 166.91 MTPA. Including its overseas capacity of 5.4 MTPA, UltraTech’s total global capacity is 172.31 MTPA.

 

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.

SEBI Introduces New Measures to Regulate Equity and Index Derivatives

The capital market regulator, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) suggested a set of new rules aimed at tightening the regulation of derivatives trading. The proposals include linking market-wide position limits for single-stock derivatives to the liquidity in the cash markets, as well as implementing stricter criteria for index derivatives (excluding Nifty 50 and Sensex) to prevent market manipulation. These changes follow SEBI’s decision to raise entry barriers for derivatives trading in October 2024.

New Limits for Single-Stock Derivatives

SEBI’s proposal introduces market-wide position limits for single-stock derivatives. The limits would be capped at the lower of 15% of the free-float market capitalization or 60 times the average daily delivery value. This move is designed to ensure that derivatives positions are in line with the liquidity of the underlying cash markets, thereby reducing the risk of market manipulation.

Stricter Rules for Index Derivatives

In addition, SEBI suggested that index derivatives should only be offered if the underlying index contains at least 14 constituent stocks. This requirement aims to prevent over-reliance on a small number of heavy-weight stocks, which could distort the market. Furthermore, SEBI proposed that no single stock should have more than a 20% weight in any index, and the combined weight of the top three stocks should not exceed 45%. These measures are intended to maintain market balance and reduce manipulation risks.

Pre-Open Session Proposed for Futures Market

SEBI also recommended extending the pre-open session mechanism, currently used in the cash market, to the futures market. Initially, this will apply to current-month futures for both single stocks and indices, helping with price discovery and reducing excessive volatility.

Following Up on October 2024 Margin Increase

These proposals build upon SEBI’s October 2024 decision to raise margin requirements and restrict entry into the derivatives market. The tightening of rules is intended to better protect retail investors and minimize the influence of speculation on broader market trends.

Addressing Growing Concerns Over F&O Market Impact

Concerns about the impact of the futures and options (F&O) market on the cash market have grown, especially following the sharp market corrections in Indian equities after the record highs in September 2024. SEBI believes these proposed changes will help mitigate volatility driven by speculative activities.

Before implementing these changes, SEBI is inviting feedback from stakeholders, seeking input on how the new measures could affect the derivatives market and broader market stability. The regulator aims to align derivatives trading with the liquidity and integrity of the underlying stocks and indices.

 

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.