Business

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has yet to release its report on the ongoing IndiGo crisis. The aviation regulator had formed a four-member committee on December 5 to investigate the matter, with a submission deadline of December 20. However, the committee could not complete its investigation on time. Sources now indicate that the committee’s report is expected to be submitted by December 26. The committee, led by Joint DG Sanjay Kumar, was originally mandated to submit its findings within 15 days of formation. Although the deadline has been extended, DGCA has not made a public announcement regarding the delay. What the Committee is InvestigatingThe panel is tasked with determining the reasons behind the consecutive grounding of IndiGo flights in the first week of De...

After prolonged negotiations, China’s Haier has received government approval to sell a 49% stake in its Indian unit, Haier Appliances India. The move clears the way for a joint venture between Sunil Mittal’s Bharti Enterprises and Warburg Pincus to acquire the stake, marking a significant development in India’s consumer electronics sector. Deal Details and ValuationThe formal announcement is expected soon, with the valuation of Haier India estimated at around ₹15,000 crore (approx. $1.5 billion). Under the agreement, Haier will retain 49%, Bharti Enterprises and Warburg Pincus will jointly hold 49%, and the remaining 2% will go to Haier Appliances India employees. The partnership between Bharti and Warburg is likely to be evenly split. Timeline and Management ChangesAll parties are e...

The year 2025 has been turbulent for the stock market, particularly for small-cap shares, causing losses even for seasoned investors. Amid this market volatility, veteran investor Mukul Agrawal has managed to shine, with five of his portfolio stocks delivering multibagger returns, despite a minor overall dip in his holdings. Portfolio PerformanceAgrawal’s portfolio, valued at ₹7,237 crore in December 2024, saw a slight decline to ₹7,214 crore by December 2025. However, several stocks in his portfolio more than doubled in value, highlighting his strategic investment acumen during a challenging market. Top Multibagger Stocks OSEL DevicesAgrawal acquired a 7.6% stake in September 2025. The company, which manufactures LED display systems and hearing aids, has seen investor returns mo...

Gurugram-based Juniper Green Energy Ltd has officially commenced commercial production at its Bikaner Merchant Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) project, marking a major milestone for the company. The project is being operationalized in phases. Commercial Operations BeginThe company has activated 60 MWh of its 100 MWh merchant BESS project through its subsidiary, Juniper Green Cosmic Private Limited. After completing trial runs, the facility received approval from the Northern Regional Load Dispatch Centre (NRLDC). Commercial operations began on 24 December 2025, with the remaining 40 MWh expected to go online soon. Once fully operational, this will be one of India’s largest battery energy storage systems. The Bikaner BESS project will generate merchant revenue through peak arbitr...

India’s healthcare sector is undergoing a significant transformation, with private hospitals reporting a sharp rise in revenue. The growth is driven by increasing health insurance coverage and the rising demand for high-tech treatments for critical illnesses. Rapid Growth in Hospital EarningsData from 2024–25 shows that the per-bed revenue (ARPOB – Average Revenue Per Occupied Bed) of the country’s top 10 private hospital chains has jumped from ₹40,015 per day last year to ₹49,304 per day—a 23% increase. Analysts say this reflects a major shift in India’s healthcare sector. Advanced treatments such as cancer therapy, cardiac surgeries, and robotic operations are becoming more common, and more patients are able to afford them thanks to health insurance. Which Treatments Drive Revenue?...

Gold has witnessed a remarkable rally this year, surging over 70%—its best performance in nearly four and a half decades. However, for jewellery companies, the story has been quite the opposite. Among India’s top 10 jewellery firms by market capitalization, eight have seen their stock prices decline, with only Titan and Thangamayil Jewellery delivering positive returns. Titan’s shares rose by 17%, while Thangamayil Jewellery surged 72%. In contrast, other major players have faced steep declines, with losses reaching up to 44%. PC Jeweller’s stock suffered the most, down 44% over the year and trading close to its 52-week low. Senco Gold fell 43.5%, Kalyan Jewellers dropped 35%, and Sky Gold & Diamonds declined 38%. Newly listed PN Gadgil saw a 15% drop, Bluestone Jewellery fell 1%, a...

New Delhi: India’s soap market has witnessed a major shake-up. Wipro Consumer Care and Lighting (WCCL) claims that its flagship soap brand Santoor has now become the largest soap brand in the country, surpassing Hindustan Unilever’s Lifebuoy. According to WCCL, Santoor generated ₹2,850 crore in revenue in 2025, edging past Lifebuoy, while Lux continues to hold the third spot. However, exact brand-wise revenue figures are not mandatory for companies to disclose, making independent verification challenging. Market Share DataA report by The Times of India cited WCCL’s statement that the company gathered data from multiple sources and is confident about its leading position. WCCL CEO Vineet Agarwal said, “There is a significant gap between us and Lifebuoy.” According to AC Nielsen data f...

Traveling internationally often involves connecting flights, and missing one can be stressful. Even a small delay at the first airport can disrupt your entire travel plan. Here’s what travelers need to know to manage such situations. If All Flights Are on a Single Ticket (PNR) When all legs of your journey are booked under the same PNR, the airline is generally responsible for rebooking you on the next available flight to your destination. This holds true even if the flights are operated by different airlines. Typically, no additional payment is required. What to Do: Immediately visit the airline’s help desk or transfer desk at the airport. Airline staff will check your booking and provide the next steps. Some airlines may offer meal vouchers or overnight hotel accommoda...

Gold and silver prices continue their remarkable rally, reaching record levels not seen in decades. Gold has risen 70% this year, while silver has jumped nearly 140%, marking their best performance in years. Record-Breaking Prices In Asian markets, following global record-breaking trends, precious metals hit new highs. On the MCX, gold for the February 5 delivery opened at ₹1,38,166 per 10 grams, rising as high as ₹1,38,676 in early trading. By 11:00 AM, it was trading at ₹1,38,509, up ₹624 (0.45%). Silver for March 5 delivery surged by ₹3,651, trading at ₹2,23,304, reaching an intraday high of ₹2,23,887. Meanwhile, copper prices crossed $12,000 per ton for the first time. International Impact Globally, gold touched $4,500 per ounce, a historic first. Silver also reached an ...

In the wake of massive flight cancellations by India’s largest airline, IndiGo, the government is taking steps to ensure passengers have more options. Recently, the Ministry of Civil Aviation fast-tracked the issuance of No Objection Certificates (NOC) to two new airlines, allowing them to operate in India’s skies. IndiGo’s Recent Crisis IndiGo currently commands about 65% of the domestic market share. However, thousands of its flights were recently cancelled, causing significant inconvenience to travelers. Learning from this, the government has expedited approvals for new players to enter the market, aiming to expand India’s aviation ecosystem beyond the dominance of IndiGo and Air India. New Airlines Cleared Union Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu announced that over the past...