To get your dose of daily business news, tune into Mint Top of the Morning on Mint Podcasts available on all audio streaming platforms.⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/7x8Nv1RlOKyMV5IftIJwP1?si=bf5ecbaedd8f4ddc⁠

Bajaj Finance: Four Reasons to Cheer

Bajaj Finance delighted shareholders with a ₹56 dividend bonanza, a 1:2 stock split, and a 4:1 bonus share issue. The ₹44 final dividend and ₹12 special dividend come on the back of its Bajaj Housing Finance IPO. Financially, Bajaj Finance posted a 16% jump in net profit at ₹3,940 crore and a 21% rise in net interest income. Assets under management grew 26% to over ₹3 lakh crore, with stable asset quality. The company’s AGM is scheduled for July 24, and shares are already on a strong upward run.

Infosys Trims Trainees, Plans Big Fresh Hiring

Infosys laid off another 195 trainees in Mysuru after multiple failed assessment attempts, pushing total layoffs to around 800 since February. While it hasn’t confirmed the layoffs publicly, Infosys is offering free upskilling programs via UpGrad and NIIT, along with a month’s pay and relocation allowances. Interestingly, even as it trims entry-level staff, Infosys plans to hire over 20,000 freshers in FY26. Shares rose slightly post-results, signaling investor confidence.

ALTERRA Bets Big on India’s Green Energy

ALTERRA, the world’s largest private climate fund, invested $100 million into Mumbai-based Evren to power up renewable projects in Rajasthan and Andhra Pradesh. Backed by Brookfield’s Global Transition Fund II, Evren plans to develop up to 11 GW of solar, wind, and battery capacity. ALTERRA’s move marks its first direct investment in the Global South. With India targeting 500 GW of non-fossil power by 2030, and green investments projected to quintuple to ₹31 trillion, the clean energy race is heating up.

UltraTech Cement: Bigger, Leaner, Faster

UltraTech Cement is gearing up for double-digit volume growth in FY26, outpacing the industry’s 7–8% growth forecast. After a muted start due to heatwaves and a real estate slowdown, demand is expected to bounce back. Recent acquisitions—India Cements and Kesoram—are showing early wins, with India Cements hitting EBITDA break-even. UltraTech’s capacity is set to jump to 210.5 million tonnes by FY27, boosting its market share to 27%. Shares recently hit a 52-week high, gaining 19% over the past year.

Maritime Push: ₹25,000 Crore Fund Cleared

India’s shipbuilding ambitions just got a ₹25,000-crore boost with the clearance of the Maritime Development Fund (MDF) for FY26. The Centre will contribute around ₹12,250 crore, with major ports and global funds funding the rest. MDF will offer long-term loans and equity support for shipbuilding, port modernization, cruise tourism, and inland waterways. Experts see huge potential for India to grab market share from China, South Korea, and Japan, especially as global trade dynamics shift. Cabinet approval is expected soon.

Are you worried about the market crash and market volatility?

Do you want to know the secrets to handling market fluctuations and creating wealth in the long term?

In this episode of Stirring Up Economics, Ajay Lakhotia & Srinivas Jain, Executive Director & Head of Strategy at SBI Funds Management share their expert insights on investment strategies that work in a volatile stock market.

Learn how to manage market volatility like a pro, why quality, patience, and simplicity are the key ingredients to financial success, and why India's $10 trillion economy is your next big opportunity.

This episode we talk about- How to avoid panic selling How to focus on building wealth through a disciplined approach to equity research and mutual fund SIPs. Why IPOS aren't just a fast flipWhether you are a beginner or a stock market pro, this video will give you practical tips on how to build wealth and earn money in the stock market. So, watch their full conversation to avoid any investing mistakes amid market volatility.

Watch the full episode on YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iAKSooNnBWo

After India decided to put the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance, the panic-stricken Pakistani establishment has been making provocative statements. Recently, Pakistan's Minister for Railways, Muhammad Hanif Abbasi, issued a direct 'nuclear' threat to India. His statement was made around the same time Bilawal Bhutto declared, “I want to tell India that the Indus is ours and will remain ours. Either our water will flow through it, or their blood will.”In this interview, Shishir Gupta, Executive Editor, Hindustan Times, while talking to Abhishek Singh, Deputy Editor, Mint argues that the comments of the two ministers are proof that Pakistan is scared of India's retaliation for the Pahalgam massacre. He reveals how India has evolved militarily since the Balakot strike in 2019. He explains why India can make a big dent on Pakistan with its strikes and also has air defence systems that can easily neutralise any Pakistani missile. Watch the full episode on YouTube-https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJbqx8cwC9k

Until about a year ago, Marcellus Investment Advisors' Saurabh Mukherjea had invested 60% of his portfolio in Indian equities - but now, his asset allocation has changed considerably due to global events that have been taking place recently, especially courtesy Donald Trump.In this episode of Guru Portfolios, watch why Mukherjea has drastically changed his allocation, how his portfolio looks now and his outlook for the Indian stock market. He also talks about something that he's been drawing attention to for a while now - that the Indian middle class could be in GRAVE trouble.

Watch the full episode on YouTube-https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UlcZMAtm4D0&t=126s

Many parts of India are facing a brutal summer, and Indian cities are turning hotter with each passing year. In 2025, Delhi alone is on track to become the world's hottest capital according to IMD - and the heat index could hit a scorching 50°C this summer.

Besides all the other repercussions, it also means our electricity bills are likely to skyrocket. But...if you want to survive the summer without burning through your wallet, in this video, we talk about real, practical ways to keep your home cool, without insanely high electricity bills. Watch the full video on YouTube to know the 5 easy ways to do this, and exactly how much it'll cost you!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJBBz0Lk_4g

To get your dose of daily business news, tune into Mint Top of the Morning on Mint Podcasts available on all audio streaming platforms.https://open.spotify.com/show/7x8Nv1RlOKyMV5IftIJwP1?si=bf5ecbaedd8f4ddc

Banks across India will see scattered closures this week.

• April 29: Parshuram Jayanti (Himachal Pradesh)
  

• April 30: Akshaya Tritiya & Basava Jayanti (Multiple States)
  

• May 1: Nationwide shutdown for Labour Day, Maharashtra Day, and Gujarat Day. If you have urgent banking needs, act fast before the long break hits.
  

After a pause, Ather Energy is hitting the market with its IPO, priced between ₹304–₹321 per share.

• Subscription: April 28–30
  

• Grey Market Premium: ₹17 above issue price
  

• Listing: May 6 Proceeds will fund a new Maharashtra plant, R&D, marketing, and debt repayment. Early buzz suggests Ather could electrify the IPO street.
  

Cars24 has laid off over 200 employees in product and tech as part of a cost restructure, right after acquiring Team-BHP.

CEO Vikram Chopra called it a reflection of misplaced bets, not performance.

Employees will get severance, mentorship, and redeployment support.

Cars24 now focuses on becoming leaner in a tough auto-tech space.

TVS Motor is expected to post 13% revenue growth in Q4, thanks to strong scooter and EV sales.

EV sales soared 30%, while premium motorcycle models like Apache also saw double-digit growth.

Key investor focus areas:

• International expansion after Ion Mobility deal
  

• EV market defense against Ola and Bajaj
  

• Premiumization strategy for motorcycles TVS remains a stock analysts are bullish on for FY26.
  

RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra urged U.S. investors to back India, calling it a rare beacon of growth and stability amid global headwinds.

• Expected GDP growth: 6.5% in 2025
  

• RBI shifts to an accommodative stance, signaling more rate cuts Malhotra’s message: India remains the fastest-growing major economy, despite trade wars and global uncertainty.
  

River Mobility posted a 20x revenue surge to ₹104 crore but saw losses balloon to ₹176 crore in FY25.

Aggressive retail expansion (25 stores) boosted scooter sales but increased burn rates.

The goal:

• 100 stores by FY26
  

• Gross margin profitability by October
  

Bank Holidays: Plan Ahead!⚡ Ather Energy IPO: Full Throttle🚗 Cars24 Cuts 200 Jobs🛵 TVS Motor Speeds Past Rivals🇮🇳 RBI’s Pitch: India Is The Safe Bet⚡🛵 River Mobility: Racing with RiskEBITDA positivity at 15,000–20,000 units/month sales Yet, competition from giants like Hero and TVS, consumer safety concerns, and poor EV infrastructure pose serious survival challenges.

Former Indian Army Chief General V.P. Malik, in a conversation with Livemint's Abhishek Singh, condemned the horrific terror attack in Pahalgam that claimed the lives of 26 tourists. The former COAS emphasised the need for a multi-pronged and comprehensive strategy to tackle the persistent security threats in the popular Kashmir tourist spot. General Malik also stated that all terror groups operating in Pakistan are under the control of the Pakistan Army.

He further asserted that the Pahalgam attack marked a crossing of the red line by Pakistan, warranting a firm and decisive response.

Watch the full episode on YouTube-https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L22yFsLs7RM

To get your dose of daily business news, tune into Mint Top of the Morning on Mint Podcasts available on all audio streaming platforms.https://open.spotify.com/show/7x8Nv1RlOKyMV5IftIJwP1?si=bf5ecbaedd8f4ddc

A day after suspending the Indus Waters Treaty, India triggered a sharp response from Pakistan, which called the move an “Act of War.” PM Shehbaz Sharif rolled out retaliatory steps—halting trade, expelling Indian diplomats, closing airspace, and pausing the 1972 Simla Agreement.

But can Pakistan afford a war? The numbers say no. Foreign reserves sit at just $11.09 billion, barely enough to fund two months of imports. With $131 billion in debt and $100 billion due in four years, Pakistan’s economy is on life support. It’s leaning heavily on a $7B IMF bailout, while U.S. aid via USAID remains frozen. Add political turmoil, and Islamabad’s threats may be more noise than strategy.

Pakistan’s closure of its airspace to Indian airlines has triggered turbulence. Flights to Europe, the US, and the Middle East must now reroute via the UAE or Iran, adding an hour of flying time.

The result? Analysts predict fare hikes of 35–40%. While ICAO rules allow airspace restrictions for security, they recommend bilateral coordination—now off the table. India also suspended visa services for Pakistani nationals, while hospitals rush to treat Pakistani patients before the May 1 deadline.

India is considering a total trade freeze with Pakistan. The move could choke critical imports like pharmaceuticals, chemicals, and sugar, much of which flow indirectly via third countries.

India’s exports to Pakistan surged 127% in 2024 to $1.21 billion, led by $208 million in pharma. Experts believe essential supplies may still continue on humanitarian grounds, but the broader message is clear: diplomatic frost is deepening.

As U.S. stocks falter under Trump’s tariff wave, Indian investors are shifting bets. Platforms report rising interest in China Tech, EV, and energy ETFs, alongside renewed focus on Brazilian equities.

“People are rotating out of crowded U.S. trades,” says Vested Finance CEO Viram Shah. Brazil is attractive thanks to stable macro tailwinds, low global tariff exposure, and OECD growth projections of 2.5–3% for 2025.

Even as tensions with the U.S. rise, China’s domestic strength and EU alignment are offering a resilient alternative. For Indian investors, diversification is the new north star.

Bharti Airtel has asked the government to convert its ₹40,000 crore AGR dues into equity, possibly giving the Centre a 3.5% stake.

Under the 2021 telecom relief package, telcos can convert deferred AGR dues—not spectrum payments—into equity. Airtel has already prepaid ₹66,665 crore of spectrum liabilities, making it eligible. The move echoes the Vodafone Idea deal, where the government took a 49% stake.

Analysts call it a win-win—Airtel saves on interest, and the government could cash out at a premium. But with the moratorium ending this year and telecom minister Scindia ruling out new relief, the clock is ticking.

After a strong start to FY25, Maruti Suzuki is bracing for a slowdown. The carmaker is expected to post just 7% revenue growth and a 4% dip in profits for Q4.

Margins are under pressure from higher discounts and ad spends, with inventory rising from 9 to 40+ days. Analysts are watching:

• The demand outlook amid tax cuts and rate relief
  

• Export risk from Trump’s 25% auto tariff
  

• The reception to Maruti’s EV debut, e-Vitara, which has had a muted response
  

Still, Maruti stock is up 6% in 2025, outperforming the broader Nifty Auto index. Whether it can maintain that lead will hinge on today’s earnings call.

India-Pakistan Standoff: War of Words, Weak EconomicsAirspace Closure Sends Fares Soaring India May Halt All Trade With Pakistan Indian Retail Investors Pivot to China, Brazil Airtel Wants to Swap ₹40,000 Cr Dues for Equity Maruti Suzuki Hits Speed Bump in Q4