Business Today

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The Consumption Paradox

Business Today

BULLION BULLS • GOLD AND SILVER DELIVERED SUPERLATIVE RETURNS TO INVESTORS SO FAR IN 2024, AS GEOPOLITICAL TENSIONS, INDICATIONS OF RATE CUTS BY GLOBAL CENTRAL BANKS, AND GENERAL ELECTIONS IN INDIA SPARKED RALLIES IN THESE METALS. HERE’S A LOOK AT THE NUMBERS:

EBBING TIDE • FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT (FDI) DECLINED FOR THE SECOND CONSECUTIVE YEAR IN FY24, DROPPING TO $70.95 BILLION. ANALYSTS BLAME HIGH INTEREST RATES IN DEVELOPED ECONOMIES AND THE LOK SABHA ELECTIONS FOR DETERRING FOREIGN INVESTORS. WITH THE NARENDRA MODI-LED NDA GOVERNMENT WINNING A THIRD TERM AT THE CENTRE, SIGNALLING POLICY CONTINUITY, THE TREND MAY REVERSE IN THE COMING YEARS, SAY EXPERTS. LET’S TAKE A LOOK AT THE FDI TRENDS:

TAKING CHARGE • The NDA 3.0 Council of Ministers is larger than in its last two terms, but there is enough continuity

FACT SHEET

Caring for Health • The NDA government’s flagship healthcare programme—Ayushman Bharat—needs to address concerns of streamlining the scheme and open its doors to private players

ROOM FOR GROWTH

A TIME TO DEMERGE • With ITC’s hotels business reporting its best quarter, the timing seems right for the business to demerge, improving returns for the conglomerate

Adani’s Solid Foundation • Group firm Ambuja Cements’ buyout of Penna Cement will strengthen its position in the South and give it an opportunity to leverage the sea advantage

Flying High • News of Google looking to set up a drone manufacturing facility in India has got the domestic industry’s hopes soaring

Link prioritizes the brand’s own unique growth path over competition: Anil Bhardwaj • Anil Bhardwaj, President, Link Locks Pvt. Ltd., Aligarh, is strategically maneuvering the company established in 1970 to cross Rs 580 crore mark this FY. Bringing technology into play, the portfolio with premium offers fit for global export. The brand is aggressive on its expansion and diversification plans with many new and exciting products to be unveiled soon.

A Sporting Chance • The T20 World Cup has received a warm welcome in the US, but it needs big backing from advertisers

PITCH REPORT

All The Right(s) Moves • Celebrities—from Amitabh Bachchan to Anil Kapoor—have been moving courts to protect their personality rights. The latest to join the list is Jackie Shroff

THE CONSUMER SPENDING RIDDLE • ONCE GROWING AT A FAST CLIP, THE RURAL MARKET AND THE MASS-MARKET CONSUMER GOODS CATEGORIES HAVE BEEN UNDER STRESS FOR THREE YEARS. WHILE GREEN SHOOTS ARE VISIBLE, WITH RURAL GROWTH RETURNING FOR FMCG AND TWO-WHEELERS, MANUFACTURERS’ HOPES ARE RIDING ON A GOOD MONSOON AND GOVERNMENT SPENDING

TIGHTENING PURSE STRINGS

WITH SWAJAL PROJECT, ADANI FOUNDATION HELPS FARMERS MAKE BARREN LAND FERTILE • Kamshriben Karshanbhai Galvaa of Zarpara village in Kutch district of Gujarat turned adversity into triumph by turning her arid land into a fertile patch by digging a well and irrigating her fields. Kutch, which gets insufficient rainfall, faces the challenge of depleting water resources.

‘‘Our vision is to be the travel stack of India” • Digi Yatra Foundation CEO Suresh Khadakbhavi on the technology behind the app, data security, and what’s in store

COALITION MATH • There may be policy continuity with the NDA returning to power. But its economic agenda would also be shaped by its allies’ priorities as well as pressing issues like unemployment. For now, pointers are awaited in the Union Budget

A NEW DEAL

KEY CHALLENGES AND ASKS

MAINTAINING MOMENTUM • THE NDA IS EXPECTED TO GO FULL THROTTLE ON...