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Frontloading infra spend could bring faster growth: Crisil

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India’s Union Budget FY23’s investment led push in infra sector is expected to usher in faster economic growth, ratings agency Crisil said.

The majority of Budget 2022-23 massive Capex outlay — Rs 7.50 lakh crore — will be spent on infrastructure development.

Besides, the budget steered clear from a definitive consumption push to support economic recovery.

Instead, it batted for investment spend, with an eye on the medium term.

“On the one hand, the lift in the consumption cycle is now tied to a broad-based pick-up in economic activity, which the government is trying to engineer through a focus on investments,” it said.

“Pursuing this path would enhance the growth potential and, it is hoped, will bring endurance to growth in the medium term.”

However, it pointed out that in the short terms, refraining from giving a direct consumption support could keep the pace of economic recovery slow.

Notably, the latest National Statistical Office (NSO) estimates for India’s GDP for this fiscal indicate that household consumption demand is lagging fiscal 2020 levels by 2.2 per cent.

“That makes it the worst performer among the demand components of GDP post-pandemic. To boot, private consumption was already slowing before the pandemic. It is a similar story with household incomes.”

“The current consumption slowdown also stems from the pandemic-induced income inequality. So, some direct support to consumption and incomes could have provided a faster lift to growth, besides providing people the means to survive.”

Moreover, consumer sentiment is an important cue for firms embarking on investment.

“Thus, policy support to ensure a sustained revival in consumption in this budget would also have incentivised manufacturers to invest in expanding capacities to meet what they perceive as rising demand.”

“The stage is otherwise set for an investment revival, large capex push by the government which would crowd in private investment, soft lending rates, other government policy measures such as the PLI scheme, and healthier corporate balance sheets.”

Furthermore, increased allocation for labour-intensive schemes such as the ‘PM Awas Yojana’, ‘PM Gram Sadak Yojana’ will support incomes consumption.

“From that perspective, the next fiscal should see the rural economy lead the recovery in consumption, with majority of these schemes benefitting the hinterland. Similarly, higher allocation for ‘National Highways Authority of India’ (NHAI) also favours employment creation.”

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CEAT shares tumble over 9 pc after Q1 profit slumps 96 pc

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Shares of tyre maker CEAT fell more than 9 per cent in early trade on Friday after the company reported a sharp decline in net profit in its June quarter earnings, with higher input costs squeezing margins despite healthy revenue growth.

The stock dropped as much as 9.3 per cent to an intraday low of Rs 3,473.05 on the BSE by 10:18 a.m., compared with its previous close of Rs 3,829.30.

The company reported a 96 per cent year-on-year decline in consolidated net profit to Rs 4 crore in the first quarter of FY27, from Rs 112 crore in the corresponding period last year.

However, revenue from operations rose 22.4 per cent year-on-year to Rs 4,318 crore from Rs 3,529 crore, reflecting healthy demand across business segments.

According to the company, profitability came under pressure due to higher raw material costs triggered by the ongoing conflict in West Asia.

Managing Director and CEO Arnab Banerjee said the company increased tyre prices in phases to partially offset the rise in input costs while maintaining demand and market share. He added that raw material prices are expected to remain elevated during the second quarter.

The company’s operating performance remained under pressure, with EBITDA declining 5.7 per cent to Rs 365 crore from Rs 387 crore a year earlier. EBITDA margin contracted to 8.5 per cent from 11 per cent.

Over the past one year, CEAT shares have declined around 8 per cent, underperforming the broader market. The stock has fallen more than 8 per cent in the last six months and nearly 6 per cent so far this year.

The stock has touched a 52-week high of Rs 4,431.60 and a 52-week low of Rs 3,006.50 on the BSE.

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Govt proposes new fuel economy norms for cars from April 1, 2027

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New Delhi, July 16: The Ministry of Power on Thursday circulated the draft Corporate Average Fuel Economy 2027 Norms (CAFE-III) for stakeholder consultation, which propose a fresh five-year fuel efficiency regime for passenger vehicles, beginning from April 1, 2027.

The draft norms apply to M1 category vehicles, a classification that covers passenger cars carrying up to eight people besides the driver, which includes all hatchbacks, sedans and SUVs sold for personal use. The category excludes commercial goods carriers and buses, according to an official statement.

The existing CAFE-II norms are likely to lapse on March 31, 2027. Compliance under CAFE-III will be assessed in two phases, the first covering three years and the second the remaining two, with fuel efficiency targets progressing to more stringent levels through each passing year.

The framework, overseen by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency under the Ministry of Power, aims to bring down average fleet emissions from current levels to a significantly lower threshold by FY32, according to earlier drafts reported in the media.

Compliance credits have been priced at Rs 2,500 each, rising by Rs 500 every year through the period, with unused credits expiring once the compliance period ends. Automakers that fail to meet targets could face penalties, though the detailed amounts have not been mentioned. Manufacturers selling fewer than 1,000 vehicles annually will remain exempt.

Industry has differed in its response to earlier versions of the draft. The Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) has backed the proposal as balanced, while some carmakers have pushed for relief on small petrol cars and others have opposed differentiated treatment for that segment.

The ministry has invited suggestions from stakeholders and the public. Feedback can be sent to the Under Secretary, Energy Conservation, at the ministry’s New Delhi office, or can be emailed.

The last date for submissions is August 6, 2026. The draft norms will also be uploaded on the websites of the Ministry of Power and the Bureau of Energy Efficiency shortly, the statement said.

M1 vehicles are subject to stringent fuel efficiency and emission targets under Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) norms, which are regularly updated to reduce greenhouse gases.

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Govt hikes windfall duty on diesel, ATF exports

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New Delhi, July 16: The Centre has raised windfall taxes on exports of diesel and aviation turbine fuel (ATF) while lowering the levy on petrol exports, as surging global oil prices driven by the escalating US-Iran conflict boosted refining margins, with the revised rates taking effect from Thursday.

According to a Finance Ministry notification, the export duty on diesel has been increased to Rs 15.5 per litre from Rs 8.5 per litre, while the levy on aviation turbine fuel has been raised to Rs 14.5 per litre from Rs 7.5 per litre.

At the same time, the government has reduced the export duty on petrol to Rs 2.5 per litre from Rs 4 per litre.

The revised rates came into effect from July 16, according to the notification.

The latest revision comes amid a sharp rise in global crude oil prices following an escalation in hostilities between the United States and Iran.

Oil prices climbed on Wednesday before easing slightly after US President Donald Trump reimposed a naval blockade on all Iranian ports, prompting Iran to launch retaliatory strikes on US infrastructure in the region.

Earlier this month, the government had revised the windfall tax on exports of petroleum products by raising the levy on petrol while reducing the duties on diesel and aviation turbine fuel.

The Special Additional Excise Duty (SAED) on petrol exports was increased to Rs 4 per litre from Rs 1.5 per litre. At the same time, the export duty on diesel was reduced to Rs 8.5 per litre from Rs 14 per litre, while the levy on ATF exports was cut to Rs 7.5 per litre from Rs 12.5 per litre.

The government reviews windfall taxes on domestically produced crude oil and exports of petroleum products at regular intervals to align the levies with changes in international crude prices and refining margins.

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