Cover Story
- The market cap of BT 500 companies rose 23.4 per cent during 2017/18, but things could get difficult going ahead.
Top 5 IT firms hired over 37,000 people in Q2, the highest since Sept 2015
Tata Consultancy Services, Infosys and Wipro, collectively added 28,748 employees to their rolls, a nearly 130% jump against the hiring figures for Q1FY19.
In a Hurry
Former SBI chief Arundhati Bhattacharya's joining the RIL board can't technically be faulted. India, due to a surge in oil prices and a falling rupee, is at the top of FPIs' selling radar. Jet Airways is perhaps one step away from being dragged to the bankruptcy proceedings by its lenders or trade partners. Electric car sales in fiscal 2018 declined 40 per cent - just 1,200 units, even as the government is pushing for at least a third of all new car sales by 2030 to be EVs. Reliance Jio is prepping for a mega fight in the wired broadband market. Recently, the telecom company acquired majority stakes in DEN Networks, Hathway Cable, and Datacom. Recently, Google updated the Google Play developer policy and limited the access third party apps get for user data. When the company launched the video chat feature in June this year as part of its in-app direct messaging system, it supported four people. Hashtag campaigns continue to push issues often neglected by the mainstream.A Marketplace For Rental Businesses
The Bengaluru-based firm enables renting out of goods, ensures vendor support and provides bespoke customer care. The jump in the direct taxes-to-GDP ratio may have taken place because the stock market was doing well, people were trading more and paying higher STCG taxes. Net profit of 126 BSE500 companies that had declared results as of October 26 evening rose 14.1 per cent year-on-year on the back of 25.3 per cent jump in net sales. If the entire quantity of crops produced this winter is purchased at the government fixed MSP, farmers will indeed benefit; but this is unlikely. The US has only offered replacement of cargoes from Saudi Arabia to Indian refiners.Consumer Sentiment Takes A Hit
Survey after survey shows that consumers are feeling gloomy about their prospects. that is something the government should worry about.
The Makeover Saga
A dive into the role of coal in a world dominated by renewables. Mi Air Purifier 2S, from the house of Xiaomi, can be considered a great buy for its smart functionality and competitive pricing. Of the three iPhones announced recently, the iPhone XR is the most affordable. Indians are mighty footloose, and a new book underlines the scale of the phenomenon. From exotic beach holidays to iconic museum tour to sporty and stylish couture, it is time for immersive experiences. As tech giants integrate voice assistants with third-party hardware, one can enjoy these smart services without spending a fortune. At 10 trillion frames per second, this new camera seemingly freezes time as you watch a dynamic phenomenon in super slow motion. A little alertness and some healthy changes in lifestyle can go a long way in dealing with cancer risks. Researchers at the University of Washington have been working on bringing connectivity to 3D-printed objects.
On Right Track
An analysis of BT 500 data shows double-digit income growth and improvement in debt-servicing capabilities, though valuations are on the higher side. Five out of six debutants in the top 100 rankings are from the financial services sector. In the early days we based it on the market cap of the companies as on March 31. Like in everything else, there is change. A big transformation is happening in the global generic pharmaceutical industry. As a result, stocks of most major drug companies have done badly in the past one year. RIL bounces back to the No. 1 position after seven years, thanks to Jio and petchem expansion. Strides Pharma Science attributes its underwhelming performance to a confluence of headwinds and execution challenges. China's crackdown on polluting steel plants helped HEG's graphite electrode business grow more than nine times. Strategies such as localisation as well as premiumisation and an entrepreneurial work culture have enabled HUL become the fifth most valuable company in BT 500. The oil explorer burnt cash to buy HPCL, pay large dividend and is now being pushed for a share buyback to help meet the governments disinvestment target. Can increase in crude oil prices rebuild market sentiment? While American biggies Amazon and Walmart fight for their pound of flesh in India, Indian retailers have quietly stolen the show.BT 500: India's Most Valuable Companies
Reliance Industries dethroned Tata Consultancy Services from the top spot, clocking growth of 50.8%. HDFC Bank retained the third position.
On Cusp Of Change
Odisha has done well on GSDP growth. It is now looking to attract value-added players in the metals space and rev up its MSME sector. As the wave of #MeToo transcends over India Inc., companies will have to get their act together to provide a safe and secure work environment to all employees. Around $2.71 bn value of minerals produced in Odisha in April 2017 to February 2018. The state accounted for the largest share of India's mineral production.
