Author: Neel Achary

Rupee Opens Lower, Falls 13 Paise to 94.81 on Oil Price Rise and Dollar Demand

Mumbai, Apr 29 (BNP): The Indian rupee traded weaker in early session on Wednesday, declining 13 paise to 94.81 against the US dollar, as higher global crude oil prices and persistent dollar demand weighed on market sentiment.

The currency opened at 94.79 in the interbank foreign exchange market and slipped further to 94.81 in initial deals, reflecting continued pressure from external factors.

Forex market participants said rising crude oil prices have increased import-related concerns, while month-end dollar demand and a cautious global risk environment have added to the pressure on emerging market currencies, including the rupee.

Traders also pointed to global developments, noting that investors are closely watching the upcoming US Federal Reserve policy decision. While no change in interest rates is widely expected, market attention remains focused on the central bank’s commentary for cues on future direction.

Overall, sustained strength in crude oil prices and global uncertainty continue to influence short-term movement in the rupee, keeping it under mild pressure.

Brevistay Partners with Unlimit to Simplify Digital Payments

Apr 29 (BNP): Brevistay has integrated with the unified payment infrastructure of Unlimit to simplify and accelerate its payment operations across India and global networks. The collaboration is designed to remove the complexities of fragmented payment systems and deliver a smoother, faster transaction experience for users.

By adopting Unlimit’s programmable payment layer, Brevistay gains seamless access to multiple payment rails, including UPI and international card networks, through a single integration. This eliminates the need for multiple system connections and reduces operational inefficiencies, enabling faster deployment and improved reliability.

The partnership comes at a time when the global payments landscape is becoming increasingly complex. While financial infrastructure is consolidating at the backend, customer-facing payment methods are becoming more localized and fragmented. For high-frequency platforms like Brevistay, which offers flexible, short-duration stays, ensuring fast and reliable payments is essential to maintaining user experience.

Unlimit’s infrastructure helps address this challenge by simplifying the underlying payment architecture and abstracting regional complexities into a unified system. This allows businesses to focus on scaling operations rather than managing technical and regulatory barriers.

Speaking on the partnership, representatives from Unlimit noted that payments form a core part of modern digital businesses and must function as a stable backbone for growth. By providing access to its global payment infrastructure, the company aims to help platforms scale across markets without being slowed down by fragmented systems.

From Brevistay’s perspective, the integration ensures that payment processing keeps pace with the speed of its booking model. The company highlighted that a seamless and efficient payment system is critical for delivering a smooth customer experience in the on-demand hospitality space.

As Brevistay prepares for further expansion, the partnership is expected to support its growth by offering a more flexible, scalable, and globally aligned payments framework.

Viksit Bharat Envisions Inclusive Growth Beyond GDP, Says Nirmala Sitharaman

Mangaluru, Apr 29 (BNP): Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said that India’s Viksit Bharat vision is centered on inclusive development and shared prosperity, moving beyond traditional measures of economic growth such as GDP.

Speaking at an event at NITTE, she stressed that India must view development as an ongoing journey rather than a finished goal. The long-term objective, she said, is to build a developed nation by 2047 through collective effort across all sections of society.

She explained that the vision of Viksit Bharat is fundamentally human in nature, focusing on improving quality of life through access to education, healthcare, meaningful employment, and a clean environment. According to her, true progress is reflected in people’s aspirations and opportunities, not just economic numbers.

Highlighting the changing mindset of India’s youth, especially young women, she noted that aspirations have shifted from basic survival to achieving excellence, global competitiveness, and professional success. This transformation, she said, reflects a confident and ambitious new India.

Sitharaman also emphasized inclusive development, stating that progress must reach farmers, fishermen, and tribal communities. She underlined the importance of equipping them with modern resources, financial security, and market access while preserving their cultural identity and way of life.

She further pointed out that India’s demographic advantage—nearly 900 million people under the age of 35—represents a major opportunity for growth and innovation if properly harnessed.

Calling Viksit Bharat a national mission, she said it requires active participation from the government, private sector, academia, and citizens. While policy provides direction, she added, the real momentum will come from the collective effort of India’s people.

In conclusion, she described Viksit Bharat as a model of development that prioritizes inclusion, dignity, and shared prosperity, ensuring that economic progress benefits every section of society.

Aimtron Reports Strong FY26 Performance, Revenue Nearly Doubles Year-on-Year, Driven by High-Value Manufacturing 

Vadodara, April 29: Aimtron Electronics Limited, one of India’s fastest-growing electronics design and manufacturing companies, announced its audited consolidated financial results for the half-year and year ended 31 March 2026, delivering a strong performance driven by continued momentum across its Electronics Manufacturing Services (EMS) and Electronics System Design & Manufacturing (ESDM) businesses. For H2 FY26, Aimtron Electronics Limited reported consolidated revenue from operations of ₹1,786 Mn, EBITDA of ₹369 Mn, and profit after tax of ₹257 Mn. H2 FY26 revenue grew 45.7% over H1 FY26, reflecting strong execution momentum during the second half of the year.

On a full-year basis, FY26 consolidated revenue from operations grew 89.2% year-on-year to ₹3,012 Mn, compared with ₹1,592 Mn in FY25. Profit After Tax increased 79.4% to ₹460 Mn, compared with ₹256 Mn in FY25. This growth was underpinned by robust order execution, an improved product mix, and increasing contribution from high-value design-led manufacturing programs, including ODM and box-build solutions across the Network Security, Green Energy, Industrial, IoT, and AI sectors, alongside sustained operational efficiencies at Aimtron Electronics Limited.

EBITDA margin stood at 22.6% in FY26, with the modest compression reflecting early-stage investments in the company’s newly established international and manufacturing subsidiaries. PAT margin stood at 15.3% in FY26, with the variance attributable to higher tax provisions and consolidation of subsidiary operations.

Commenting on the performance, Mr. Mukesh Jeram Vasani, Chairman, Aimtron Electronics Limited, said

“FY26 was an important year in Aimtron’s growth journey, marked by nearly doubling our revenue, establishing deeper customer relationships, and accelerating our strategic initiatives. Our focus on design-led, high-reliability manufacturing continues to open new opportunities across domestic and international markets. As we enter FY27, we remain committed to scaling with discipline, strengthening our capabilities, and delivering long-term value to our customers, partners, and shareholders.” 

Looking ahead, the company remains confident of maintaining its growth momentum, supported by a strong pipeline of opportunities, continued expansion into global markets, and increasing demand for integrated electronics design and manufacturing solutions.
Key Financial Highlights (Consolidated) — FY26 vs FY25

India Likely to Stay Stable Despite Global Uncertainty, Says Bank of Baroda

New Delhi, Apr 29 (BNP): India is expected to remain relatively stable and resilient despite increasing uncertainty in the global economy, according to a report by the Bank of Baroda.

The report highlights that the global economic environment is currently facing several challenges, including geopolitical tensions, fluctuating commodity prices, and tighter financial conditions. These factors have created volatility across many economies. However, India is seen as better prepared to deal with such external pressures.

One of the key reasons for this resilience is strong domestic demand, which continues to support economic activity within the country. In addition, India’s banking and financial systems remain stable, helping maintain confidence among investors and businesses.

The report also points to prudent government policies and ongoing reforms that have strengthened the country’s economic foundation over time. These measures are expected to help India absorb global shocks more effectively and avoid major disruptions.

While risks from the global environment still remain, the overall outlook for India is positive. The country’s strong macroeconomic fundamentals are likely to act as a cushion, supporting steady growth in the near and medium term.

In essence, even as the global economy faces uncertainty, India is well-positioned to manage challenges and sustain its growth momentum.

SBI Urges Structural Reforms to Tackle Rupee Slide, Inflation Pressures, and External Deficit

New Delhi, Apr 29 (BNP): India must adopt a comprehensive and long-term policy approach to address the growing risks arising from currency depreciation, imported inflation, and a widening balance of payments (BoP) deficit, according to a recent report by the State Bank of India.

The report underscores that the primary concern is not just immediate external shocks, but their “second-round effects” on the broader economy. When the rupee weakens, the cost of essential imports such as crude oil and raw materials rises. Over time, businesses transfer these higher costs to consumers, resulting in sustained inflationary pressures.

It further notes that continued capital outflows are adding to the strain on the rupee, creating a cycle where depreciation fuels inflation, and inflation, in turn, weakens economic stability.

Importantly, the report points out that the current depreciation of the rupee appears misaligned with India’s macroeconomic fundamentals. This makes it crucial for policymakers to intervene with structural solutions rather than relying solely on short-term measures.

A central issue highlighted is the widening balance of payments deficit. A deficit occurs when a country’s total outflows—such as payments for imports, services, and investments abroad—exceed its inflows from exports and foreign investments. This imbalance can erode foreign exchange reserves and put downward pressure on the national currency.

The implications are far-reaching. A persistent deficit can lead to higher inflation, reduced investor confidence, and increased vulnerability to global financial shocks. It may also constrain the country’s ability to sustain stable economic growth.

The report calls for targeted structural reforms aimed at stabilizing the currency, managing inflation expectations, and reducing external imbalances. Addressing these challenges proactively will be essential to safeguarding India’s economic resilience amid an uncertain global environment.

Sensex, Nifty Edge Higher as Investors Look Past Global Uncertainty

Mumbai, Apr 29 (BNP): Indian stock markets opened higher on Wednesday, holding firm despite rising crude oil prices and ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.

The BSE Sensex gained around 400 points, or 0.52%, to trade at 77,289.55 in early deals. The Nifty 50 also moved up by 0.53%, reaching 24,123.55.

Gains were seen across several sectors, with auto stocks leading the rally. Chemicals, real estate, oil & gas, and IT stocks also saw steady buying interest, reflecting positive investor sentiment in domestic markets.

However, not all stocks participated in the rally. Companies such as Hindalco Industries, JSW Steel, Dr Reddy’s Laboratories, Tata Steel, ICICI Bank, Asian Paints, and SBI Life faced selling pressure during the session.

Despite tensions in the Gulf region, markets remained stable for now. Analysts say investors are closely watching developments related to global energy supply, especially after disruptions linked to the Strait of Hormuz.

Crude oil prices continued to rise amid reports that the United States may extend restrictions on Iranian ports, which could tighten global supply. There are also concerns that changes within major oil-producing groups could further impact availability.

Brent crude was up 0.63% at $111.97 per barrel, while US WTI crude rose 0.81% to $100.74.

Global cues were mixed. Japan’s Nikkei declined, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng posted gains and South Korea’s Kospi traded slightly higher. In the United States, markets ended lower, with both the Nasdaq and S&P 500 closing in the red.