Manufacturing PMI falls to 52.3 in August
Manufacturing activity in India fell in August as a result of Covid-induced curbs and rising input costs. The IHS Markit India Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) stood at 52.3 in August, compared with 55.3 in July. However, manufacturing production and new orders increased for the second straight month in August, but at a softer pace. PMI is a month-on-month calculation, and a value above 50 represents an expansion when compared to the previous month.
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Auto sales data for August 2021: Highlights
India’s largest car manufacturer, Maruti Suzuki India, posted a 19.2% month-on-month (MoM) decline in total sales to 1.30 lakh units in August 2021. Sales from its utility vehicle segment and exports fell 24.5% and 2.8%, respectively.
Tata Motors Ltd registered a 7.1% MoM decline in passenger vehicle sales to 28,018 units in August. The automaker’s commercial vehicle sales increased 25% MoM to 29,791 units. Overall domestic sales rose 4.2% MoM to 54,190 units.
Mahindra & Mahindra’s passenger vehicles division posted total sales of 15,973 units in August, a decline of 24% over July. M&M’s farm equipment segment posted a 21.5% decline in sales to 21,360 units.
Bajaj Auto Ltd posted a 1.1% MoM increase in total sales to 3.73 lakh units. Meanwhile, TVS Motor Company posted a 4.2% MoM rise in total sales to 2.90 lakh units in August.
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Equitas SFB launches digital fixed deposits on Google Pay
Equitas Small Finance Bank (SFB) will now enable users to open fixed deposits (FDs) on Google Pay. The deposits in Equitas SFB are covered by a deposit guarantee of up to Rs 5 lakh per depositor. Customers can enjoy returns of up to 6.35% for an FD of one year. On maturity, the proceeds will automatically go to the user’s existing Google Pay linked bank account. Recently, US tech giant Google had partnered with fintech startup Setu to allow users to open FDs through its digital wallet platform.
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IEX power market reports highest-ever monthly volume in August
The electricity market at the Indian Energy Exchange (IEX) achieved a record all-time high monthly volume of 9,538 million units (MUs) in August, a growth of 74% YoY. The day-ahead market traded 6,649 MU volume (with the average price of electricity at Rs 5.06 per unit), recording a 48 % YoY growth. The term-ahead market comprising intra-day, contingency, daily & weekly contracts recorded a 401% YoY growth in trading volumes at 617 MU during the same month.
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Minda Corp to acquire 26% stake in charging solutions startup EVQPOINT
Minda Corporation Ltd, through its subsidiary Spark Minda Green Mobility Solutions, has entered into definitive agreements for acquiring a 26% stake in charging solutions startup EVQPOINT Solutions. This investment will make Spark Minda EVQPOINT’s exclusive technology and manufacturing partner for battery chargers and EV supply equipment. The strategic partnership will position Spark Minda to capitalise on the accelerating shift to electric mobility and further boost its position as a one-stop shop for comprehensive charging solutions for EVs.
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EPL partners with Colgate-Palmolive to create recyclable toothpaste tubes
EPL Limited (formerly known as Essel Propack Ltd) has partnered with Colgate-Palmolive India to produce recyclable toothpaste tubes in India. This first set of recyclable tubes is the starting point for converting to 100% recyclable tubes for Colgate-Palmolive. EPL has innovated a first-of-a-kind Recyclable Platina Tubes for the oral care brand, keeping in mind superior functionality and no compromise on key product attributes and value.
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Ramco Systems partners with Draken International
Ramco Systems Ltd will implement its Aviation M&E MRO Suite V5.9 across Draken International’s global operations in the US. Draken International is a leading provider of tactical fighter aircraft for contract adversary air (ADAIR) services to the defense industry. Ramco Aviation Software will offer a one-stop solution for managing Draken’s global operations and support its rapid expansion plans.
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Hindustan Zinc extends shutdown of roaster at Rajasthan’s Chanderiya smelter
Hindustan Zinc Ltd (HZL) has extended the planned shutdown of one of the roasters at Chanderiya lead-zinc smelter in Rajasthan. The shutdown is required for the repair and overhaul of major structural components to avoid operational risks in the future. HZL said the shutdown would result in a production loss of 25,000 tonnes of zinc. The company expects the roaster to come back to operation by the mid of next month.
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BHEL secures order worth Rs 10,800 crore from NPCIL
Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (BHEL) has received its largest-ever order worth Rs 10,800 crore from Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL). The order includes the engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) of a Turbine Island for six units of 700-megawatt electric (MWe). Four units of 700 MWe will be established at Gorakhpur, Haryana, and two units of 700 MWe at Kaiga in Karnataka.
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GMR Group to invest Rs 520 crore in Hyderabad Airport metro link project
GMR Group, which operates the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA) in Hyderabad, will invest Rs 519.52 crore by 2024 in a metro rail link project for connectivity across the city. The Rs 5,000 crore project proposed by the Telangana government will span 31 kilometers in total. The metro rail link project will be extended to RGIA to create accessibility for people living in different areas of Hyderabad.
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Vedanta announces interim dividend of Rs 18.5 per share
The Board of Directors of Vedanta Ltd has approved an interim dividend of Rs 18.5 per share for the financial year 2021-22, amounting to Rs 6,877 crore. The record date for the purpose of payment of the dividend is September 9. Vedanta Ltd is one of the world’s leading diversified natural resource companies with business operations in India, South Africa, Namibia, and Australia.
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