#general: Patanjali not only singeing Dabur, Emami; HUL, Colgate feel the heat
After a yearlong onslaught on their market share, margins and loyal customer base, Patanjali has finally received the acknowledgement of the Goliaths of India’s FMCG industry.
India’s Body Shop, Patanjali, has been a predator for most established FMCG firms, which are today battling with declining margins, drop consumer demand and rising input costs. (Link)
#general: India gears up for early onset of Southwest Monsoon 2016
The wait for Southwest Monsoon has finally come to an end as India gears up for its early onset. Weather conditions are favourable for the onset of Monsoon 2016 that too slightly before the official onset date of June 1.
On April 12, 2016, Skymet Weather had released its first Monsoon 2016 forecast, sighting the timely appearance of Monsoon 2016. As per the latest updates, we expect Monsoon to reach Indian mainland between May 28 and May 30. (Link)
#general: The ‘tech bubble’ puzzle
(Link)
#general: Germany had so much renewable energy on Sunday that it had to pay people to use electricity
On Sunday, May 8, Germany hit a new high in renewable energy generation. Thanks to a sunny and windy day, at one point around 1pm the country’s solar, wind, hydro and biomass plants were supplying about 55 GW of the 63 GW being consumed, or 87%. Power prices actually went negative for several hours, meaning commercial customers were being paid to consume electricity. (Link)
#macronomics: The Man Who Would Be King in Saudi Arabia
The thirtysomething prince who is running the show in Riyadh is looking to use guns and oil to flex Saudi muscle. (Link)
#general: On Modi’s Watch, 20,000 Crores Vanished. The Big “Gas Scam”
(Link)
#macronomics: The World’s Most Extreme Speculative Mania Unravels in China
Now, as Chinese authorities introduce trading curbs to prevent surging commodities from fueling inflation and undermining plans to shut down inefficient producers, speculators are retreating as fast as they poured in. It’s the latest in a series of boom-bust market cycles that critics say are becoming more extreme as China’s policy makers flood the financial system with cash to stave off an economic hard landing. (Link)
#general: ED to ask depositories to freeze shares owned by Vijay Mallya
The enforcement agency is looking to ensure that no big deals or transactions, such as the one Mallya struck with Diageo for Rs 500 crore, take place. (Link)
#macronomics: Saudi Aramco Finalises IPO Options, Plans Global Expansion
Saudi Arabia’s state-owned oil giant is finalising options for its partial privatisation and will present them to its Supreme Council soon, its chief executive said about the centrepiece of the kingdom’s efforts to overhaul its economy.
The company has a huge team working on the proposals for the initial public offering (IPO) of less than 5 per cent of the company’s value, which include a single domestic listing and a dual listing with a foreign market, CEO Amin Nasser said on Tuesday. (Link)
#general: Some FAQs on the Mauritius tax treaty
The changes in the double taxation avoidance agreement between India and Mauritius their impact on investors. (Link)
#general: Toyota sees end to run of record annual profits on yen strength
Toyota Motor Corp (7203.T) forecast a bigger-than-expected 35 percent tumble in net profit for the current year due to the sharp appreciation of the yen, ending three straight years of record profits driven in part by a weak currency.
The Japanese automaker said on Wednesday profit for the year ending in March 2017 will fall to 1.5 trillion yen ($13.81 billion) from 2.31 trillion yen in the prior year, far short of the average 2.25 trillion yen for the current year estimated by 28 analysts, according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S. (Link)
#general: North Goa collector allows banks to take over Kingfisher Villa
In a major setback to liquor baron Vijay Mallya, revenue officials in Goa today allowed the lenders to Kingfisher Airlines to take physical possession of `Kingfisher Villa’ in Candolim.(Link)
#general: Get DND flyway operator audited: Principal secy to Noida CEO
Chief minister Akhilesh Yadav’s principal secretary Anita Singh has written to the Noida authority asking it to order an audit of the operator of the Delhi Noida Direct (DND) Flyway. In her letter to Noida authority chief executive officer (CEO) Rama Raman, she said that a fair audit of the NTBCL be conducted by the comptroller and auditor general (CAG). She added that the authority must attempt to remove clauses in favour of NTBCL in its agreement with the company and make the expressway completely toll-free. (Link)
#general: Real Estate Was A Dud In 2015; The Business Model Is On Its Last Legs
Real estate – especially in Mumbai – has been one big flop in the last two years. The short-term price changes of a house may not matter much if you have bought it to live in it, for real estate – like gold – could well hold its own against inflation over the long term. But if you are an investor seeking real returns you would have faced a loss if prices didn’t keep moving up.(Link)
#stocks: At about $250 million, government is big business for TCS
(Link)
#stocks: Bayer Said to Explore Bid for $40 Billion Seed Company Monsanto
Bayer AG is exploring a potential bid for U.S. competitor Monsanto Co. in a deal that would create the world’s largest supplier of seeds and farm chemicals, according to people familiar with the matter.
The German firm has held preliminary discussions
internally and with advisers about buying Monsanto, which has a market value of almost $40 billion, said the people, who asked not to be named because the deliberations are private. (Link1) (Link2)
#macronomics: Mauritius tax treaty leaves out derivatives
Text of the agreement is silent on derivatives, which account for a large share of equity trading; analysts say debentures may be exempt as well. (Link)
#general: Sebi to make P-Notes less lucrative
Increased disclosure requirements and restrictions on transferring P-Notes among changes being considered by Sebi. (Link)
#general: Doctors break silence on rot in India’s medical sector
(Link)
#general: Oh gold! Why is Rakesh Jhunjhunwala asking you to invest in yellow metal
(Link)
#backtobasics:
Debit Spreads – Link