RBI Reviewing Tata Sons’ Request for NBFC De-registration

On Thursday, January 16, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) announced that it is currently reviewing Tata Sons’ request for de-registration as a non-banking financial company (NBFC). This review does not impact its classification in the upper layer of NBFCs.

The RBI’s statement indicates that Tata Sons could still have an opportunity to avoid the central bank’s requirement for large NBFCs to list on the stock market by September 2025. If the RBI rejects Tata Sons’ application for de-registration, the company would likely need to consider an initial public offering (IPO) within the specified deadline.

In response to a Right to Information (RTI) query, the RBI confirmed that Tata Sons’ request to surrender its Certificate of Registration (COR) as a Core Investment Company (CIC) is still under review. RBI regulations mandate that upper-layer NBFCs must go public within three years of being classified.

Tata Sons was designated as an upper-layer NBFC in September 2022, meaning it has until September 2025 to meet the listing requirement. Tata Sons’ FY23 balance sheet reveals borrowings of approximately ₹20,270 crore. If the company reduces its debt to below ₹100 crore, it could potentially lose its classification as an upper-layer NBFC by the RBI.

 

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.

SEBI Focused to Increase Reach of Equities: Pushing ₹250 Monthly Investment Plans

India’s capital markets regulator, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) is encouraging fund houses to promote monthly investments as low as ₹250 (approximately $3) in order to broaden the reach of equity investing in the world’s most populous country. The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) is planning to simplify customer identification rules and reduce costs, aiming to make small-scale investments through mutual funds more accessible, as mentioned in the various news reports.

Objective of ₹250 SIP

Currently, around 225 million investors use systematic investment plans (SIPs), but most of them are from large cities. Introducing smaller SIP amounts would help expand financial investments into smaller towns, creating new markets for fund houses. The regulator is seeking to build on the success of SIPs, which saw average monthly inflows of 223.6 billion rupees ($2.59 billion) into Indian equities last year. This has helped stabilize the market amid a period of foreign investor sell-offs.

SEBI Chairperson Madhabi Puri Buch announced that ₹250 SIPs would soon be launched to foster financial inclusion.

Indian MF Industry Performance

For the financial year 2024-25, SIP investments have surged more than fourfold, reaching ₹2.1 trillion, up from 2016-17, according to data from the Association of Mutual Funds in India. India’s mutual fund industry now manages ₹66.93 trillion ($797.87 billion) in both debt and equity assets.

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.

LTIMindtree Shares Fell ~2% After Release of Q3FY25 Earnings

LTIMindtree Ltd reported its financial results for the quarter ended December 31, 2024, showcasing moderate growth in revenue, while profitability experienced some pressure. The company reported revenue amounting to ₹96,609 million, up by 2.4% QoQ and 7.1% YoY. Net profit stood at ₹10,867 million, showing a decrease of 13.2% QoQ and 7.1% YoY.

In USD terms, the company recorded a revenue of $1,138.7 million, marking a 1.1% increase quarter-over-quarter (Q-o-Q) and a 5.1% rise year-over-year (Y-o-Y). Operating margin (EBIT) stood at 13.8%, reflecting a stable performance. However, net profit in USD declined by 14.3% Q-o-Q and 8.8% Y-o-Y, amounting to $128.1 million.

Client Growth and Workforce Expansion

As of December 31, 2024, LTIMindtree reported having 742 active clients, indicating a steady demand for its services. The company continues to see significant growth in its high-value client base, with the number of clients generating over $5 million in annual revenue increasing by 3 to a total of 152. Additionally, the number of clients contributing over $10 million and $50 million in annual revenue also grew, reaching 90 and 13, respectively.

On the workforce front, the company added 2,362 professionals in Q3 FY25, bringing the total headcount to 86,800. However, the trailing 12-month attrition rate stood at 14.3%, indicating a need for further efforts in talent retention.

Key Deal Wins Focused on AI and Digital Transformation

LTIMindtree secured several significant deals during the quarter, with a particular focus on AI-driven solutions across multiple industries. Some of the notable wins include:

  • A global manufacturing company selected LTIMindtree to manage its IT landscape using the company’s AI in Operations platform.
  • A leading global investment firm chose LTIMindtree’s proprietary AI in Infrastructure platform to handle its infrastructure services.
  • LTIMindtree was also chosen by a prominent Middle Eastern nuclear energy company for end-to-end IT services using the AI in Operations platform, and by a major oil and gas company in the region to implement AI in cloud operations.

Additionally, LTIMindtree secured deals with clients across sectors like insurance, commercial property, and credit ratings, where it will deploy its AI and data management platforms.

Strategic Partnerships to Drive Innovation

LTIMindtree strengthened its position in the AI and cloud domains through several strategic partnerships. The company attained AWS GenAI competency, further solidifying its AI expertise on AWS platforms like Amazon Bedrock and Quicksight. This achievement marks LTIMindtree’s 11th AWS specialization and enhances its credibility in the AI innovation space.

Moreover, LTIMindtree and Microsoft have teamed up to drive AI innovation and digital transformation for global enterprises. The partnership will leverage Microsoft technologies like 365 Copilot and Canvas Sunshine.

LTIMindtree also launched a comprehensive solution for Oracle Database Migration to Azure Cloud, enabling smoother transitions and optimized performance for clients. In recognition of its prowess, LTIMindtree received several accolades, including ServiceNow’s ITOM visibility achievement and Boomi’s Asia Partner of the Year Award.

LTIMindtree shares opened at ₹5,780.30 and touched the day low of ₹5,780.30 at 09:20 AM, reflecting a fall of ~2% against the previous day close.

 

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

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

Havells Share Price in Focus: Posted Drop of 2% in Revenue During Q3FY25

Havells India, the country’s largest home appliances manufacturer by market value, reported a nearly 2% decline in Q3FY25 profit on Thursday, as higher labour and advertising expenses impacted margins.

Havells Q3FY25 Results: Revenue Rose 11%

The company’s profit for the three months ending December 31 fell to ₹283 crore, compared to ₹288 crore in the same period last year. Havells reported an 11% increase in revenue from operations, reaching ₹4,883 crore, while total expenses grew by 12.3% to ₹4,564 crore. The company’s EBITDA margin stood at 8.7% for the quarter, down from 9.8% in the corresponding period of the previous fiscal year.

Havells Segment Overview

  • The real estate and project business drove growth in the domestic switchgear segment, although industrial switchgear (IP) showed softness.
  • Power cables saw strong growth, with the Tumkur plant, still in its ramp-up phase, contributing to the increase.
  • The softness in copper prices led to channel destocking in wires, negatively affecting revenue.
  • Lighting showed decent volume growth, although revenues were impacted by persistent price deflation in LED products.
  • The ‘Others’ segment continued its growth momentum.
  • Lloyd’s performance remained steady during the quarter.

Havells Interim Dividend

The board of directors declared an interim dividend of ₹4 per equity share (400% on the equity share capital of ₹1 each). This dividend will be paid to shareholders whose names appear in the register of members as of the record date, January 22, 2025. Shareholders will receive the dividend on or before February 14, 2025.

Havells shares price opened at ₹1,544.95 and touched the day high of ₹1617.95 at 09:25 AM, reflecting a rise of ~1.14% against the previous day close

 

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

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

TCS Shares to Trade Ex-Date on January 17: Interim Dividend of ₹10

On January 17, 2025, TCS shares to trade ex-date, which means that the shareholders registered in the company’s books as of today will be eligible for the IT giant ₹76 interim and special dividend. On January 9, 2025, TCS announced a 3rd interim dividend of ₹10 and a special dividend of ₹66 per Equity Share of ₹1 for each of the Company.

TCS Dividend History

Announcement Date Ex-Date Dividend Type Dividend Amount (₹)
30 Sep, 2024 18 Oct, 2024 Interim 10
28 June 2024 19 July 2024 Interim 10
12 April 2024 16 May 2024 Final 28

TCS Leadership Take on Q3FY25 Earnings

During Q3FY25, TCS reported a revenue of ₹63,973 crore, marking a growth of 5.6% year-over-year (YoY), with a 4.5% increase in constant currency (CC). This growth was primarily driven by the Consumer Business Group, which grew by 1.1%, as well as by the Energy, Resources, and Utilities sector, which saw a 3.4% increase.

K Krithivasan, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director said: “We are pleased with the excellent TCV performance in Q3 which was well-rounded across industries, geographies and service lines lending good visibility to long-term growth. BFSI and CBG returning to growth, continued stellar run of Regional Markets and early signs of revival in discretionary spending in some verticals give us confidence for the future. Our continuing investments in upskilling, AI/Gen AI Innovations and partnerships set us up to capture the promising opportunities ahead.”

Samir Seksaria, Chief Financial Officer, said: “In a quarter that saw significant cross-currency volatility, TCS’s strong execution, cost management and deft currency risk management helped deliver healthy margin improvement and free cash flows. Disciplined investments in talent and infrastructure should lend good support to long-term business growth.”

Milind Lakkad, Chief HR Officer, said: “We promoted over 25,000 associates this quarter which brought the total promotions this financial year to more than 110,000. We continue to invest in employee upskilling and overall well-being. Our campus hiring for the year is going according to plan and preparations are afoot to onboard a higher number of campus hires next year”.

 

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

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

Stocks That Hit Circuit Limits On January 16, 2025, Reliance Power, Aeroflex Industries and More

The Indian stock market extended the gains for the third straight day on January 16, 2025. The BSE Sensex closed 0.42% higher at 77,042.82, while Nifty50 rose 0.42% to 23,311.80. During the session, many stocks, including Reliance Power and Aeroflex Industries hit circuit limits, indicating significant price movements. Here is the list of stocks hitting lower and upper circuits today.

Stocks That Hit Lower Circuit on January 16, 2025

Company Name LTP (₹) % Change Price Band % Volume (Lakhs) Value (₹ Crores)
Diamond Power Infrastructure 115.89 -5 5 4.44 5.31
Delta Autocorp 152.80 -4.98 5 3.28 5.04
Kore Digital 1,531.75 -5 5 0.26 3.99
Bartronics India 22.11 -5.03 5 15.78 3.49
Teerth Gopicon Ltd 544.00 -2.81 5 0.42 2.29

Stocks That Hit Upper Circuit on January 16, 2025

Company Name LTP (₹) % Change Price Band % Volume (Lakhs) Value (₹ Crores)
Sterling and Wilson Renewable Energy 451.90 6.49 10 85.36 388.38
Aeroflex Industries 223.35 20 20 112.42 245.26
Reliance Power 41.20 4.99 5 175.56 71.93
GE Vernova T&D India 1,982.00 4.66 5 3.25 63.62
Spandana Sphoorty Financial 371.80 4.32 5 16.83 60.90

Overview of Companies Hitting Circuits Today

Sterling and Wilson Renewable Energy

Sterling and Wilson Renewable Energy shares hit a 10% upper circuit and reached the day high of ₹466.75 on NSE after opening at ₹430.00.

Aeroflex Industries

Aeroflex Industries shares hit a 20% upper circuit and reached a day high of ₹223.35 after opening at ₹202.60 on NSE.

Reliance Power

Reliance Power shares hit an upper circuit of 5% and reached the day high of ₹41.20 after opening the trading session at ₹40.05 on NSE on Jan 16, 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.

Praj Industries Shares Rose ~7%: Check Why

Praj Industries shares surged by up to 7% and touched the day high of ₹790.80 on January 16. The gain in Praj Industries shares came ahead of the Union Cabinet meeting and its anticipated decisions later in the day. According to CNBC Awaaz, a potential move to raise ethanol prices is expected.

Increase in Ethanol Prices

The proposed price increase includes ₹1.82 per litre for B-Heavy Molasses and ₹1.31 per litre for cane juice. Additionally, there is a suggestion to raise the price of C-Heavy Molasses by ₹6.87 per litre, bringing it to ₹56.28 from ₹49.41.

The government is already working toward a target of 20% ethanol blending in petrol by the end of the financial year, with the current blending rate standing at 15.83%. Praj Industries, an engineering firm, is a key player in providing solutions for distillery and brewery wastewater treatment and utilization. The company is also renowned for converting various sugar-based products—such as diluted juice, syrup, sugar, or B-Heavy Molasses—into ethanol.

Praj Industries Outlook

Praj Industries is targeting growth across various sectors, including sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), biopolymers, and energy transition & climate action (ETCA), with plans to triple its revenues by 2030. The company has built robust engineering expertise in modularisation and has established a state-of-the-art advanced manufacturing facility in Mangalore, Karnataka, with an investment of approximately ₹400 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 securities market are subject to market risks, read all the related documents carefully before investing.

Bharti Airtel and Indus Tower Shares in Focus After Favourable Judgement From Delhi HC

The Delhi High Court has ruled in favour of Bharti Airtel and Indus Towers, affirming that telecom towers qualify as “movable” property and are thus eligible for input tax credit (ITC) under tax laws.

In its ruling on December 12, the court rejected the tax department’s argument that telecom towers should be classified as “immovable” property, which would render them ineligible for ITC.

Impact of Judgement

The judgment described the denial of ITC on this basis as “wholly untenable” and quashed the show cause notices issued to the companies regarding the disallowance of ITC on inputs used to build passive telecom infrastructure, such as towers.

This decision is expected to bring relief to the telecom infrastructure sector, which has faced long-standing disputes over the tax classification of its assets.

On January 16, 2025, Bharti Airtel shares rose ~2%, reaching a day high of ₹1211.85 at 12:55 PM after opening at ₹1199.85 on BSE. While Indus Tower shares opened at ₹362.45, up ~1% and touched the day high of ₹362.45.

Indus Tower Q2FY25 Performance

During Q2FY25, Indus Towers reported consolidated revenue of ₹7,465 crore for the quarter, reflecting a 4.7% year-on-year (Y-o-Y) growth. Consolidated EBITDA reached ₹4,907 crore, a 42.0% increase Y-o-Y, with an EBITDA margin of 65.7%. Net profit for the quarter stood at ₹2,224 crore, marking a 71.7% Y-o-Y increase.

The Return on Equity (Pre-Tax) improved to 38.9%, compared to 20.4% on a Y-o-Y basis, while the Return on Equity (Post-Tax) increased to 29.0%, up from 15.1% Y-o-Y. Return on Capital Employed also improved to 22.9%, from 14.0% Y-o-Y. Additionally, the Q2 FY25 results included a write-back of ₹1,077 crore in provisions for doubtful receivables, driven by collections against past overdue amounts.

 

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

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

Kirloskar Family Dispute: SAT to Hear Matter on January 16, 2025

January 16, 2025, marks the critical juncture for the prolonged dispute among members of the Kirloskar family. The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) directive is at the center of the dispute, which mandates Kirloskar Oil Engines Limited (KOEL) to disclose a 2009 Deed of Family Settlement (DFS). The case highlights the tension between corporate governance requirements and familial agreements within promoter-driven businesses.

Kirloskar Dispute: Key Points For Investors

The Deed of Family Settlement (DFS)

The DFS, signed in 2009, was established to allocate business ownership and responsibilities among the Kirloskar family members. This included the distribution of assets and control within the family business. A key component of the agreement was the sale of shares, including:

  • KOEL: In line with the family settlement, KOEL sold Toyota JV shares worth Rs 250 crore to Vikram Kirloskar and his nominees, adhering to the terms outlined in the DFS.
  • Kirloskar Brothers Limited (KBL): Sanjay Kirloskar, Chairman of KBL, also sold his stake and transferred funds in accordance with the settlement.

Alleged Violations and Mounting Tensions

  • Allegations Imposed by KBL: KBL has accused KOEL of violating the DFS due to its acquisition of La Gajjar Machineries in 2017, which they argue directly competes with KBL’s pump business. KBL escalated the issue to the Supreme Court, where the matter remains unresolved.
  • SEBI’s Directive: SEBI has insisted that the DFS has material implications for shareholders under the Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements (LODR). The capital market regulator stated that non-disclosure of the DFS creates “information asymmetry” and undermines regulatory certainty.

KOEL’s Appeal to SAT

KOEL stated that the DFS is a private family agreement and is not relevant to the obligations of a listed entity. They have dismissed SEBI’s directive as an “ignorant interpretation” of laws. In addition, KOEL has filed an appeal with the Securities Appellate Tribunal (SAT), which was submitted on January 4, 2025. The hearing is scheduled for January 16, 2025, when the tribunal will assess the case.

 

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.

Why Transrail Lighting Shares Soared Over 6%?

On January 16, 2025, Transrail Lighting shares rose over 6%, reaching the day’s high of ₹662.90 after opening at ₹627.65 at 11:05 AM. The gain in Transrail Lighting shares came after the company released its Q2FY25 earnings. During the period, the company reported a 19.07% year-on-year increase in consolidated profit after taxes (PAT), rising to ₹55.11 crore from ₹46.28 crore in the same quarter of the previous financial year.

Transrail Lighting Q2FY25 Review and Order Book

The company’s revenue from operations grew by 11.6%, reaching ₹1,068.3 crore, compared to ₹957 crore in the corresponding quarter of the previous year. At the operating level, EBITDA increased by 23.3%, totalling ₹120.5 crore in Q2FY25, up from ₹97.7 crore in the same period last year. The EBITDA margin stood at 11.3%, up from 10.2% in Q2FY24.

As of June 30, 2024, the company’s order book stood at ₹10,213 crore, with 64% of the orders being international (high-margin) and 36% domestic. The order book-to-sales ratio for FY24 is 2.5x, ensuring robust revenue visibility in the medium term.

1HFY25 Performance Overview

In its financial report for the six months ended September 30, 2024, Transrail Lighting reported an 8.36% increase in revenue from operations, reaching ₹1,965.23 crore, compared to ₹1,813.53 crore in H1FY24. The PAT for this period rose by 25.88%, totalling ₹106.85 crore, up from ₹84.88 crore in H1FY23.

About Transrail Lighting Ltd

Transrail Lighting is a prominent Indian engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) company, primarily focused on the power transmission and distribution sector. The company also has integrated manufacturing facilities for lattice structures, conductors, and monopoles, with a presence in over 58 countries.

 

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

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