Smriti Led from the Front – Stacy-Ann King on Her Terrific Innings

Speaking exclusively on Amul Cricket Live on JioHotstar, Mithali Raj shared her thoughts on RCB’s dominant performance: “Right from the first over when Renuka Singh dismissed Shafali Varma, RCB took control of the game. From that moment on, Smriti Mandhana has not put a foot wrong. Every bowling change she made resulted in a breakthrough. The way she led the innings, along with Danni Wyatt, provided a strong foundation for their batting line-up.”

Speaking on Amul Cricket Live on JioHotstar, Stacy-Ann King praised Smriti Mandhana’s performance: “She was outstanding tonight. The way she maneuvered and executed her shots was exceptional. We saw several strokes on the leg side, but her elegance through the off side was truly remarkable. She pierced the field with precision, going up and over when needed. After missing out in the last match, she made amends today, leading from the front as a true captain.”

Speaking on Amul Cricket Live on JioHotstar, Mithali Raj highlighted the significance of Danni Wyatt-Hodge’s 42-run innings: “She was a bit tentative at the start, but once she got a few runs, she settled in. The way she lifted her bat and accumulated runs showed her class. As the innings progressed, she played with more conviction, adjusting to every move and variation from the opposition. She steadily grew in confidence, making full use of every opportunity presented to her.”

Speaking on Amul Cricket Live on JioHotstar, Stacy-Ann King analyzed Delhi Capitals’ performance and where they fell short: “I think they couldn’t post the total they aimed for, primarily due to losing wickets at crucial junctures. While they had a few big overs, they weren’t able to maximize their scoring opportunities. The loss of key wickets at critical moments hindered their momentum, affecting both their run rate and their ability to build strong partnerships. Moving forward, they will need to focus on constructing solid partnerships to achieve better results.”

CREDAI Hyderabad releases a Comprehensive Report on Hyderabad’s Real Estate

Hyderabad 19th February 2025: CREDAI Hyderabad, in collaboration with CRE Matrix, presents an in-depth zone-wise analysis of the city’s office and housing markets, highlighting key trends, demand patterns, and future growth potential. The Hyderabad Office Market Report – Q4 CY’24 and Hyderabad Housing Market Report – Q4 CY’24 unveil a comprehensive analysis of the city’s real estate landscape.

The hosing report unveils comprehensive trends for the North West, North East, South West and South East of Hyderabad. Hyderabad North West emerged as the dominant market, contributing 64% of total sales value, with transactions amounting to ₹19,826 Cr. Additionally, Hyderabad South West continued to lead in pricing, recording the highest per square foot value at ₹11,277 in Q4 CY’24, showcasing strong demand for premium residential spaces.

These in-depth reports offer valuable insights into the evolving dynamics of the office and residential markets, underscoring Hyderabad’s strong growth potential and resilience in a rapidly changing environment and investor confidence. With a surge in co-working demand, declining office vacancy rates, and strong housing sales momentum, the reports highlight key market trends shaping the city’s future.

Speaking about residential real estate trends Mr. V. Rajashekar Reddy, President, CREDAI Hyderabad, said “Hyderabad’s housing market reflects strong buyer confidence, with a 17% increase in average ticket size and a 14% improvement in inventory absorption. Premium housing demand remains high, with Hyderabad North West and South West emerging as key micro-markets. As the city continues its rapid development, CREDAI Hyderabad is committed to ensuring sustainable and transparent growth in the real estate sector.”

Adding about Commercial real estate Mr. Reddy said “Hyderabad’s commercial real estate market remains on a strong growth trajectory, with 2.2x increase in large office transactions, a 26% surge in co-working demand, and a 1.5% reduction in Grade A/A+ vacancy rates. Moreover, the strong 1.1x demand-to-supply ratio further reinforces the positive market sentiment. These indicators showcase the city’s strength as a thriving business hub. With a business-friendly ecosystem, proactive governance and strong occupier confidence, Hyderabad continues to attract large-scale investments, reinforcing its position as a premier destination for global enterprises.”

N. Jaideep Reddy, President-elect, CREDAI Hyderabad, said Residential: “Hyderabad continues to establish itself as a leading real estate hub, with strong demand for premium housing and sustained growth across key markets. The city’s expanding infrastructure and employment opportunities further enhance its appeal, making it a preferred destination for homebuyers and investors. Moreover, Hyderabad’s office market is experiencing significant expansion, driven by strong occupier confidence and increasing demand across key business districts. The city’s strategic development and investor-friendly policies are shaping it into a thriving corporate destination, ensuring long-term momentum in commercial real estate.”

Jagannath Rao Bandari, General Secretary, CREDAI Hyderabad, said “Hyderabad’s real estate market continues to attract strong investor and homebuyer interest. With 16,644 units sold in Q4 CY’24 and the new launches at 11,081 units, the sector remains vibrant and adaptive to evolving market needs. The continued demand for high-quality residential spaces, combined with strong infrastructure growth, is shaping the city’s dynamic housing landscape.”

Adding about Commercial Real Estate Mr. Rao said: “Hyderabad’s commercial real estate sector is undergoing rapid expansion, with total Grade A office stock reaching 151.1 million sqft and 82.9 million sqft under construction. The city’s strong leasing momentum, supported by increasing demand for office spaces, reinforces its attractiveness for global enterprises. Sustained economic activity and infrastructure enhancements will continue to drive commercial real estate growth, solidifying Hyderabad as a powerhouse for business and investment.”

FinX, KBP Modern College Partner for B.Com in Capital Markets

19th February 2025, Mumbai: FinX has signed an MoU with KBP Modern College (Mumbai University, NAAC A++) to introduce a B.Com program in Capital Markets, marking a significant step towards bridging the BFSI talent gap. With over 50% of graduates deemed unemployable due to a lack of practical exposure (India Skills Report), the industry is in urgent need of job-ready professionals. Through this collaboration, FinX is bringing real-world training, expert mentorship, and industry exposure into mainstream education, ensuring that students are well-prepared for careers in investment banking, wealth management, and financial markets.

Speaking about the initiative, Himanshu Vyapak, CEO of FinX, highlighted the need for industry-aligned education. “The BFSI sector needs professionals who can hit the ground running. Traditional courses tend to focus heavily on theory, but what the industry truly requires is hands-on learning, market simulations, and direct interaction with financial experts. This MoU is a step towards ensuring that students graduate with the practical skills and industry experience needed to thrive.”

The program has been designed with employability at its core, blending technical knowledge with real-world applications, including market simulations, industry-led mentorship, and internship opportunities.

By integrating financial education with practical experience, FinX and KBP Modern College are not only strengthening India’s capital markets but also shaping a highly skilled workforce to support the country’s fast-growing £10 trillion economy.

How Can By-products from Stainless Steel Manufacturing Be Effectively Utilized

By Neeraj R. Kochhar, Chairman of Viraj Profile PVT LTD

Stainless steel manufacturing is the backbone of industrial development, catering to the growing demands of infrastructure, automotive, and numerous other sectors. India, being one of the largest producers of stainless steel globally, generates millions of tonnes of stainless steel annually. Alongside this production, however, comes a significant amount of by-products. Traditionally viewed as waste, these materials now represent untapped opportunities for sustainability, economic value, and resource conservation. With India’s push towards circular economies and sustainable practices, it’s time to explore how these by-products can be effectively utilized.

Understanding Stainless Steel By-products
Stainless steel manufacturing generates a range of by-products, including steel scrap, slag, mill scale, and dust. These materials, often considered liabilities in the past, are now emerging as valuable resources due to technological advancements and a stronger focus on sustainability.

•  Steel Scrap: This is one of the most vital by-products and serves as a key resource for recycling. Using scrap steel not only reduces the need for virgin raw materials but also cuts down carbon emissions significantly.
•  Slag: Generated during the smelting process, slag is rich in calcium and silicon. It has proven applications in infrastructure projects as a component in cement, road aggregates, and even as a soil conditioner in agriculture.
•  Mill Scale: A by-product of the hot rolling process, mill scale is used as a raw material in sintering plants or in the production of ferroalloys.
•  Steel Dust: Though often classified as hazardous, steel dust can be treated to extract valuable metals such as zinc and iron through advanced technologies like plasma smelting.

Circular Economy in Action
Leading Indian stainless steel manufacturers, such as Viraj Profiles, are setting examples in sustainable practices. More than 90% of the raw materials used by Viraj Profiles are derived from recycled steel scrap, showcasing how industries can embrace circularity. Additionally, by-products from the production process are reintegrated into manufacturing, creating a closed-loop system that minimizes waste.

This circular approach not only reduces environmental impacts but also enhances operational efficiency. Such practices align with India’s broader goals of promoting green industries and reducing reliance on finite natural resources.

Applications Beyond Manufacturing
The potential of stainless steel by-products extends beyond the industry itself:

1.  Road Construction: Steel slag, with its durability and strength, is being increasingly used in road-building projects. It improves the quality of infrastructure while reducing the demand for conventional aggregates.
2.  Wastewater Treatment: Slag’s filtering properties make it an excellent medium for wastewater treatment, addressing India’s growing need for clean water solutions.
3.  Fertilizer Production: Certain types of slag have been found effective as soil conditioners, contributing to sustainable agriculture.
4.  Metal Recovery: Advanced technologies are enabling the recovery of valuable metals from steel dust, which can be reused in production processes, ensuring no material is wasted.

The Need for Innovation and Collaboration
Despite these advancements, challenges remain. Not all by-products can be reused immediately, and processing them often requires significant resources. Tackling these issues demands a collective effort:

•  Technological Advancements: Innovations in processing techniques can make the reuse of by-products more efficient and economically viable.
•  Industry Collaboration: Partnerships between the steel industry and other sectors, such as construction, agriculture, and manufacturing, can open new avenues for utilizing by-products.
•  Government Support: Policy frameworks that incentivize investments in recycling technologies and mandate the use of by-products in specific industries can accelerate progress.

India’s Path to Zero Waste
The Indian stainless steel industry is poised to lead the charge toward a zero-waste future. Companies like Viraj Profiles exemplify what’s possible when sustainability is prioritized. With supportive policies, innovative technologies, and cross-industry collaboration, the vision of a circular economy can become a reality.

By leveraging the full potential of by-products, the stainless steel sector can balance growth with environmental responsibility, paving the way for a greener, more sustainable industrial landscape in India. The journey may be challenging, but the rewards—both economic and ecological—are undeniably worth the effort.

Emkay Institutional Equities Projects Volatile Near-Term for Indian Equities, with Recovery in H2CY25

Mumbai, February 18, 2025: Emkay Institutional Equities, a part of Emkay Global Financial Services Limited held a virtual media webinar on the outlook for the Indian equity markets. The research house expects near-term weakness and heightened volatility for Indian equities in Q1CY25. However, a gradual consumption recovery is anticipated in H2CY25, led by an improvement in employment trends, a revival in unsecured lending, and an uptick in welfare spending. Emkay Institutional Equities project Nifty to be at levels of 25,000 by December 2025, and FPI selling to subside by Q2CY25.

Key sector calls

Emkay Institutional Equities maintains an Overweight stance on Discretionary, Real Estate, and Healthcare, while remaining Neutral on Industrials, IT, and Energy. Financials, Staples, and Materials are designated as Underweight due to structural concerns and valuation pressures.

The firm anticipates discretionary consumption recovery within 2-3 quarters, underpinned by a rebound in IT hiring, better liquidity conditions, and an improvement in retail lending dynamics. Additionally, state-led women-centric welfare schemes and robust winter crop sowing are likely to bolster consumption trends.

Sectoral shifts include a downgrade of Energy and Technology to Neutral, an upgrade of Consumer Discretionary to Overweight, and continued Underweight positioning on Financials and Staples.

Top investment calls

The firm’s top investment ideas include Lupin, Zomato, Tata Motors, IndusInd Bank in large caps. Escorts, Paytm, Metropolis in midcaps, and Stovekraft, and Quess Corp in the small cap segment.

Capex growth

Following a 31% CAGR in capex growth between FY21-24, a slowdown to 10-13% is anticipated, primarily due to election-related spending constraints. However, a rebound in FY26 is expected as policy certainty returns. While capital-heavy sectors face challenges, green energy continues to be a bright spot.

FPI selling expected to subside

Despite persistent selling pressures, FPI activity is likely to stabilize post-1QCY25, with valuations having moderated and earnings forecasts bottoming out over the next 2-3m. A peak in the U.S. Dollar Index (DXY) should also ease rupee depreciation concerns and help stem FPI selling. The RBI’s liquidity injection could stimulate domestic equities and benefit the BFSI sector.

Corporate Earnings

The earnings downgrade cycle appears to be concluding, with consensus Nifty estimates for FY26 already adjusting downward by 3.9% since January 2025. The firm remains constructive on mid-teens earnings growth for FY26, driven by Financials, Metals, and Energy.

Commenting on the outlook, Nirav Sheth, CEO – Institutional Equities, Emkay Global Financial Services stated: “Markets tend to over-react and overextend on both, the upside and the downside. The bottoming process is usually volatile which we are currently witnessing. Our macros are solid, given the low and stable CAD, fiscal deficit under control, and a more accommodative monetary policy now. We estimate that the worst of the earnings downgrade cycle is behind us and expect a recovery in the second half of the fiscal – triggered by renewed government spending and tax relief led consumption spend. It is time to buy.”

Seshadri Sen, Head of Research and Strategist – Institutional Equities, Emkay Global Financial Services added “Despite short-term headwinds, the structural investment case for India remains intact. The shift in sectoral dynamics presents opportunities, particularly in Discretionary, Real Estate, and Healthcare, where we see strong growth potential.”