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M&M Reports 8-Fold Jump in Net Profit in Q2 – Top Indian Market News

Mahindra & Mahindra Q2 Results: Net profit jumps 785% YoY to Rs 1,432 crore

Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd reported a 785% YoY jump in net profit to Rs 1,431.7 crore for the quarter ended September (Q2 FY22). Net profit increased 67% compared to the previous quarter. Its revenue from operations rose 14.7% YoY (or 13% QoQ) to Rs 13,305.4 crore during the same period. The automaker sold 99,334 vehicles in Q2, an increase of 9% YoY. Tractor sales fell 5% YoY to 88,920 units. The surge in profit was aided by strong export volumes and by mitigating some impact from the severe global semiconductor shortage.

M&M has announced plans to launch 16 electric vehicles (EVs) by 2027 across SUV and light commercial vehicle categories to strengthen its position in India’s electric mobility segment. The automaker will invest Rs 3,000 crore into EV development. 

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Praj Industries partners with Indian Oil to produce cleaner fuel

Praj Industries Ltd and Indian Oil Corporation have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore opportunities in the production of alcohol to jet (ATJ) fuels, 1G & 2G ethanol, compressed bio-gas (CBG), and related opportunities in the biofuels industry. This MOU will boost ATJ fuel production capacity and its use in India to curb emissions emanating from the airplanes as per the International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) mandate. Indian Oil and Praj will also collaborate to set up biofuel production facilities, including biodiesel, and ethanol.

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MRF Q2 Results: Net profit falls 54% YoY to Rs 189 crore

MRF Limited reported a 53.9% YoY decline in consolidated net profit to Rs 189.06 crore for the quarter ended September (Q2 FY22). Its revenue from operations rose 15.62% YoY to Rs 4,907.81 crore during the same period. The tyre manufacturer’s board has declared an interim dividend of Rs 3 per share.

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BHEL Q2 Results: Net loss narrows to Rs 46 crore

Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (BHEL) reported a consolidated net loss of Rs 46.58 crore for the quarter ended September (Q2 FY22). It had posted a net loss of Rs 552.38 crore in the corresponding quarter last year (Q2 FY21). Its revenue from operations rose 42.6% YoY to Rs 4,910.62 crore in Q2 FY22. Total expenses stood at Rs 5,275.39 crore during the July-Sept quarter of FY22, an increase of 16.2% YoY.

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Tata Motors partners with Bank of India for vehicle financing

Tata Motors has partnered with Bank of India (BOI) to offer finance options to all its passenger vehicle customers. BOI will provide loans to Tata Motors’ customers at an interest rate starting from as low as 6.85%. The scheme will offer a maximum of 90% financing on the total cost of the vehicle, which includes insurance and registration. The offers through the partnership will be applicable on the ‘New Forever’ range of conventional cars, SUVs, and EVs for personal segment buyers.

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Indraprastha Gas Q2 Results: Net profit rises 30% YoY to Rs  crore

Indraprastha Gas Ltd (IGL) reported a 30% YoY increase in net profit to Rs 400.54 crore for the quarter ended September (Q2 FY22). The company’s turnover rose 39% YoY to Rs 2,005.07 crore during the same period. IGL registered an average daily sale of 7.24 million metric standard cubic meters per day (mmscmd) in Q2 FY22 compared to 5.50 mmscmd in Q2 FY21, recording a growth of 32%.

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IRCON International emerges lowest bidder for order worth Rs 5,142 crore

IRCON International has emerged as the lowest (L-1) bidder in a tender valuing approximately Rs 5,142 crore floated by National High-Speed Rail Corporation (NHSRCL). The order involves the design, supply, and construction of track and track-related works (including testing and commissioning) for the double-line high-speed railway between Zaroli village and Vadodara in Gujarat. The completion period of the project is approx. 6.5 years.

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IDFC Q2 Results: Net profit at Rs 262 crore

IDFC Limited reported a consolidated net profit of Rs 262.55 crore for the quarter ended September (Q2 FY22). During the quarter, the company had received Rs 200 crore as its share of profit from its associates and joint ventures. It had posted a net loss of Rs 146.68 crore in the corresponding quarter last year (Q2 FY21). 

The Board of Directors of IDFC Ltd has approved the merger scheme of IDFC Alternatives Ltd, IDFC Trustee Company Ltd, and IDFC Projects Ltd (wholly-owned subsidiary companies) into IDFC.

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PowerGrid Q2 Results: Net profit rises 9% YoY to Rs 3,376 crore

Power Grid Corporation of India reported a 9% YoY increase in consolidated net profit to Rs 3,376.38 crore for the quarter ended September (Q2 FY22). Its total income rose 7% YoY to Rs 10,514.74 crore during the same period. During the quarter, 2,100 circuit kilometers (ckm) of transmission lines and 14,000 megavolt-ampere (MVA) transformation capacity were added. 

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Mazagon Dock delivers 4th Scorpene Submarine ‘Vela’ to Indian Navy

Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd (MDL) has delivered the fourth Scorpene Submarine of Project P-71 to the Indian Navy. It will be commissioned as INS Vela. With the delivery of Vela, MDL has lived up to its reputation as one of the country’s leading shipyards and reaffirmed India’s membership in the exclusive club of submarine-building nations.

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Market News Top 10 News

Grasim Gets Rs 8,334 crore Income Tax Demand – Top Indian Market News

Grasim Industries gets Rs 8,334 crore income tax demand

The Income Tax (IT) department has raised a demand of Rs 8,334 crore against Grasim Industries Ltd (GIL) as capital gains tax for the assessment year 2018-19. The demand by the IT department is related to the scheme of GIL’s merger with Aditya Birla Nuvo and Aditya Birla Financial Services. GIL said it would “take appropriate action against the order, which it believes is against the spirit of tax laws.”

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Reliance incorporates subsidiary in UAE for trading oil

Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) has incorporated a wholly-owned subsidiary, Reliance International Limited (RINL), in Abu Dhabi Global Market, United Arab Emirates (UAE). RIL has invested Rs 7.42 crore in cash in 10 lakh equity shares of $1 each of Reliance International Ltd. The subsidiary was set up for trading crude oil, petroleum products, petrochemicals, and agricultural commodities.

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ZEEL moves Bombay HC against Invesco’s demand for EGM

Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd (ZEEL) has filed a civil suit in the Bombay High Court against Invesco, one of its largest shareholders. ZEEL has requested the court to declare that the requisition notice sent to the company by Invesco Developing Markets Fund and OFI Global China Fund is illegal and invalid. On September 11, the major shareholders had called for an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) to remove CEO and MD Punit Goenka and two other directors from ZEEL’s board.

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Indian Bank acquires 13.2% stake in NARCL

Indian Bank has picked up a 13.27% stake in the proposed bad bank National Asset Reconstruction Company Ltd (NARCL). The lender has subscribed to 1.98 lakh equity shares of NARCL for cash consideration of Rs 19.80 crore. The investment of an equity stake of 13.27% would be reduced to 9.90% by December 31, 2021. State Bank of India, Union Bank of India, and Punjab National Bank had picked up over 12%  stake each in NARCL on Thursday.

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Banks in favour of RBI-led resolution for SREI Group: Report

According to a report from CNBC-TV18, a consortium of lenders led by UCO Bank has reached out to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), seeking a DHFL-like resolution for SREI Group. The group, along with SREI Infrastructure Finance and SREI Equipment Finance, collectively owe the consortium ~Rs 36,000 crores. State Bank of India, Bank of Baroda, Bank of India, Indian Bank, PNB, Axis Bank are some of the other lenders to SREI Group. 

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Petrol, diesel prices rise to record highs

Petrol and diesel prices surged to new record highs across the country on Saturday after rates were hiked again by 25 paise and 30 paise a litre, respectively. According to a price notification of state-owned fuel retailers, the price of petrol in Delhi rose to its highest ever level of Rs 102.14 a litre and Rs 108.19 per litre in Mumbai. The price hike follows international oil prices soaring to a near three-year high as global output disruptions forced energy companies to draw more crude oil out of their stockpiles.

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Indraprastha Gas hikes CNG prices by 5%, PNG by 7%

Indraprastha Gas Ltd (IGL) has raised the prices of compressed natural gas (CNG) by 5% and piped natural gas (PNG) by 7% following a sharp increase in domestic natural gas price by the government. The rate of CNG (used for transport) has been hiked by Rs 2.28 per kg to Rs 47.48 per kg in Delhi. The price of PNG (used for cooking) has been increased by 2.10 per standard cubic meter (SCM) to Rs 33.01 per SCM.

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DoT amends telecom licence norms to relax penal provisions

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has amended licence norms to rationalise the interest rate for delayed payment of licence fees. This move will ease the financial burden on the telecom sector and promote ease of doing business. The DoT will now charge 2% interest above the one-year marginal cost of lending rate (MCLR) of State Bank of India (SBI) for the delay in payment of licence fees or any other statutory dues, and the interest will be compounded annually. Earlier, telecom firms were required to pay 4% interest above the one-year MCLR of SBI, and the interest was compounded monthly.

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Editorial

Government’s Boost for Natural Gas in India

India is currently the third-largest energy consumer in the world. Our country is highly dependent on oil and natural gas for its further development and growth. Around 58% of the total energy consumed in India comes from coal, while petroleum and other liquids make up 26% of the energy basket. Unfortunately, the share of natural gas is just 6%, while that of renewables is less than 2%. To ensure sustainable growth, it is high time that our country shifts its focus to greener energy sources. 

Recently, PM Modi announced huge plans to boost the supply of natural gas in India. Over the next decade, we would be able to witness significant changes in our consumption of this clean fossil fuel. Let us understand how the government proposes to achieve its targets. Let us also take a look at a few listed firms that could benefit from these expansion plans.

PM Modi’s Announcement

On January 5, 2021, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that the share of natural gas in India’s energy basket will be more than doubled. He stated that energy sources will be diversified, and the nation will be connected with one major gas pipeline grid. Work is in progress to set up 16,000 kilometres of a new gas pipeline, which will be completed over the next 5-6 years. This would help in providing affordable fuel to millions of people, as well as vital industries. The new line would provide the foundation for 700 compressed natural gas (CNG) stations. 

PM Modi stated that the share of natural gas is targeted to be raised to 15% by 2030. The government plans to spend around $60 billion (~Rs 4.4 lakh crore) to create and improve gas infrastructure throughout India. This includes new pipeline projects, liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals, and city gas distribution (CGD) networks.

On the date of the announcement, the Prime Minister was inaugurating the 450-km long natural gas pipeline between Kochi and Mangaluru. This new line will help take the fuel to industries such as petrochemical plants and fertiliser units. It will also provide fuel for city gas projects for supply of CNG to automobiles and piped cooking gas to households in cities along the route. The pipeline has a design capacity of 12 million standard cubic meters per day. The cost of this project was around Rs 3,000 crore.

Listed Companies in Focus

As mentioned above, the demand for natural gas in India will get a major boost from the government’s plan to establish a large pipeline network. The sale of piped natural gas (PNG) for cooking and compressed natural gas (CNG) for fueling vehicles will grow rapidly in the years to come. India has prominent listed companies that distribute natural gas to end-consumers. Let us take a look at a few of these: 

GAIL (India) Ltd

GAIL (India) Limited is the largest state-owned natural gas processing and distribution company in India. The public sector undertaking (PSU) comes under the administrative control of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas. The company was incorporated in 1984 and was initially known as the Gas Authority of India Limited. Over the years, they have strategically expanded and diversified into various allied activities. 

Currently, the main business segments of GAIL include natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) transmission, petrochemical city gas distribution, exploration & production, and electricity production. The company has constructed some of the largest natural gas pipeline projects and has also developed city gas distribution networks throughout India. It has an existing gas pipeline network of over 12,500 km, which has a capacity of 204 Million Metric Standard Cubic Meter Per Day (MMSCMD). GAIL’s existing natural gas pipeline network covers 18 States.

Indraprastha Gas

Incorporated in 1998, Indraprastha Gas Ltd (IGL) took over Delhi City Gas Distribution Project from GAIL in 1999. The company has established a strong distribution network of natural gas in the National Capital Region (NCR) of Delhi. It distributes the essential clean fossil fuel to consumers in the domestic, transport, and commercial sectors. IGL gave out a record 2.72 lakh new connections for piped cooking gas (PNG) to household kitchens during the financial year 2019-20. It supplies PNG to nearly 14 lakh households. The company also has a network of 557 CNG stations. It sells CNG to over 11.5 lakh vehicles in NCR through this network.

Adani Total Gas

Adani Total Gas Ltd develops city gas distribution (CGD) networks to supply PNG to the industrial, commercial, domestic (residential) sectors. It also distributes CNG to the transport sector. The company has strategically set up CGD networks in Ahmedabad and Vadodara in Gujarat, Faridabad in Haryana, and Khurja in Uttar Pradesh. In November 2020, the company signed a definitive agreement for the acquisition of the business undertaking of city gas distribution and retail sale of CNG in the areas of Jalandhar, Ludhiana, and Kutch (East). 

Adani Gas supplies PNG to approximately 4.4 lakh customers through a connected pipeline network of approximately 7,600 km. The company also has over 115 CNG filling stations. 

Gujarat Gas

Gujarat Gas Ltd also engages in the distribution of city natural gas in India. The company operates a network of approximately 24,400 kilometers of gas pipeline and 403 CNG stations. It supplies natural gas to approximately 14.4 lakh residential consumers and 12,600 commercial customers. It operates in 21 districts of Gujarat, 7 districts of Punjab, and 5 districts of Madhya Pradesh. Gujarat Gas also has a significant presence in Rajasthan, Maharashtra, and Haryana.

Conclusion

Historically, we have seen that these companies often receive contracts from the Centre and state governments to develop natural gas distribution networks. With the announcement of such a large initiative, we could see these companies reporting a higher increase in their revenue growth. The households and industries that are located within the vicinity of the proposed natural gas pipeline projects would be able to obtain the required fuel at cheap rates. Also, we may see the use of natural gas benefiting to reduce pollution levels in the country. Compared to renewable energy sources like solar and wind, natural gas is much cheaper, which may benefit a country like India.

Within 2030, petrol will be doped with as much as 20% of ethanol extracted from sugarcane and other agro products. [Companies such as EID Parry, Uttam Sugar Mills, and Balrampur Chini Mills could benefit from this]. On the other hand, the construction of the world’s biggest hybrid renewable plant (that combines wind and solar power) has started in Gujarat. The manufacturing of biofuels and electric mobility will also be given greater importance. All these projects would help our country to become self-sufficient in meeting energy needs. India will also be able to significantly cut down its carbon emissions. Let us look forward to seeing how India implements this huge task.