RURAL MARKET
Competitive intensity in used vehicle market to be on the rise: India Ratings
India Ratings and Research predicts that vehicle financiers will increase the share of used vehicles in their AUM due to rising new vehicle prices, food inflation, heat wave, moderation in capacity utilization due to elections, and slowing rural economy. The agency also expects a decrease in FY25 growth rates from FY24 levels. The agency expects non-bank finance companies to focus on used vehicles as assets class, presenting a favorable risk-return in terms of asset quality and pricing power.
States seek infra, rural push in pre-budget meet with FM Sitharaman
States presented demands for higher special assistance, increased allocations for rural schemes, and support for housing programmes to Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in the pre-budget meeting. Sitharaman highlighted the Centre's aid to states through timely tax devolution and release of GST compensation arrears. Andhra Pradesh requested central funds for various projects and initiatives, including the development of Amaravati as its capital.
FMCG spends up 18% in two years due to inflation- Kantar
Consumers have increased their spending on daily essentials, groceries, and household products by 18% in the first quarter of 2024 compared to two years ago, according to a recent Kantar report. Despite a recent softening in commodity prices, the prices for these goods remain nearly a fifth higher.
Auto, auto ancillary sector a good theme to play the rural recovery: Devang Mehta
Some of the FMCG participants also came in this analyst guidance that most of these companies are now trying to come back and there was a decent volume growth which is seen.
ETMarkets Smart Talk: Why FIIs are turning net sellers in Indian markets and it not because of election jitteriness, explains Niraj Kumar
While the incumbent government securing its third term bodes well for market stability, it does juxtapose them with some dependency on allies for imperative policy decisions.
As Indians acquire healthier tastes, food companies pack it in
Indians are increasingly shifting towards consumption of low-salt, low-sugar, and nutrition-fortified packaged food, reflecting a growing trend towards healthy eating habits. Sales of such products have risen in the last five years, with urban India leading the shift, although rural areas are also seeing an increase. This shift is driven by concerns over high levels of sugar, salt, and fat in processed goods, amidst rising health issues like diabetes and obesity.
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Green shoots seen in rural demand: Wipro Consumer CEO
Vineet Agrawal, CEO of Wipro Consumer Care and Lighting, noted positive signs of growth in rural demand and anticipates a recovery in the hinterland by September, supported by favorable monsoon conditions and a successful harvest. Furthermore, he suggests that stable government policies could potentially boost sales of discretionary products through continuity and consistency.
PM Modi shows rural bent, OKs ₹20kcr for PM Kisan Nidhi Scheme
The Prime Minister approved the 17th instalment of the PM Kisan Nidhi Scheme, benefiting 93 million farmers with around ₹20,000 crore. This move is seen as a boost to rural demand and consumer stocks. The new coalition government is expected to focus more on rural welfare, signaling a shift towards consumption-focused policies. Rural markets have shown growth, outpacing urban markets for the first time in five quarters, indicating a positive trend for the FMCG sector. The PM emphasized the government's commitment to farmer welfare and agriculture.
Modi 3.0: FMCG companies can cheer the new coalition government
In a symbolic move, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's first action after being sworn in for a third term was releasing the 17th PM-KISAN installment, providing financial relief to 9.3 crore farmers. With a weaker mandate, the government is expected to focus on rural welfare, potentially boosting FMCG sector growth and consumption.
Abneesh Roy's top four stock picks for strong returns over next year
It is a coalition government and in the past we have seen that whenever that happens spends on the rural do increase. Please note that in the coming months, there are three-four key state elections also. So, we do expect that farm subsidy, farm support programmes will see a higher outlay rather than just a pure play capex, infra spends.
Consumer sector in focus post-election results! D-Mart, Tata Consumer could give 12-18% in 1 year
We believe this rally in staple stocks is driven by not only its ‘defensive sector’ tag but also the underlying excitement, which was triggered by strong post-Q4 management commentary.
How brands should inspire politicians to move away from 'divide' and 'drown’ to ‘unify' and 'thrive’
Political parties should be emulating those marketers who have already cracked New India. To narrow-cast our population as a fundamental oneness, courtesy technology and aspiration. Then to engage experientially, with customer-centric regional empathy.
4 pharma stocks CA Rudramurthy is bullish on for near term
Let this volatility settle, let VIX come back to levels closer to the 12-13 mark, give another one week's time and then it will be more easier for people to understand the trend and the verdict of market much better based on all the political changes which might come up in the next one week and then taking positions will be much better.
A welfare reset can erode India's valuation premium
India's market valuation may decrease due to potential increase in government spending on social welfare schemes. Nifty 50 index trades at 19 times forward earnings, 20% above its long-term average, while S&P 500 and Taiwanese benchmark index are also highly valued.
Rural demand theme blooms
Investor money is shifting to defensive shares like FMCG, healthcare, and information technology following the lower-than-anticipated seats for the BJP in recent elections. Marico, Godrej Consumer, Nestle India, ITC, Britannia, HUL, and Dabur saw significant gains. The Nifty and NSE FMCG Index also rose.
Market will soon start acting and reacting to economic fundamentals
The unexpected election results and resulting uncertainty have triggered market jitters, reminiscent of similar situations in 2004 and 1991
Should market worry about whether policy continuity is here to stay or not? Swaminathan Aiyar explains
And I would say managing the coalition again becomes much easier if you stick to continuity. If you want to have sudden changes of policy, various people can have objections because any sudden change of policy creates losers and politicians hate to have the losers, even if there are going to be winners later on.
Is it time to buy large-cap stocks after yesterday's market drop? Arvind Sanger answers
We invest in companies where we feel promoters' interests are aligned with shareholder interests for long-term value creation and we will have to see in the current coalition government what are going to be the new areas of emphasis and what is going to be the continuity.
BJP-led NDA's narrow majority shifts focus to rural spending and increased private investments
The recent election results in India saw the ruling BJP-led NDA secure a majority, though narrower than expected. A Bernstein report predicts increased focus on direct social schemes, especially in rural areas. Private sector investments are expected to drive the capex cycle, with implications for economic growth and market dynamics. Market volatility is anticipated due to policy uncertainty, while financials remain a key sector.
Will the pace of the rally in PSU sector cool down? Sandip Sabharwal answers
My base case is that the current government will continue. So, if that doesn't happen, which I believe is a remote possibility, then I think the post-election strategy has to be very different.
Consumption demand remained subdued in Q4, rural India recovered after several quarters: ITC
FMCG major ITC notes subdued Q4 consumption but rural demand recovery. Q4 profit below estimates at Rs 5,190 crore; revenue up 2% to Rs 19,446.5 crore. Cigarette revenue rises 7.7%, FMCG (excluding cigarettes) up 7.2%, impacted by low priced Chinese supplies and trade restrictions on agri commodities affecting agri business segment.
Uneven rainfall affected rural demand, says HUL chairman Nitin Paranjpe
Hindustan Unilever (HUL) reported a strong performance in the last fiscal year despite challenges in the macroeconomic environment, including erratic rainfall affecting agricultural output and rural demand. Chairman Nitin Paranjpe noted a gradual deflation in commodity prices but highlighted sustained high inflation. HUL's managing director Rohit Jawa's remuneration increased by 4% to Rs 22.39 crore, with his salary being 153 times higher than the average employee's remuneration. HUL's permanent employee count increased to 7215 from 6697 the previous year, with a 7.38% rise in median employee remuneration.
Not all Indians are brushing teeth! Colgate Palmolive sees big scope to grow toothpaste market
Colgate Palmolive India aims to improve oral hygiene practices in India, where many do not brush regularly. With just a fifth brushing twice daily in cities and over half not brushing daily in villages, the company sees a mission in boosting oral care awareness. Despite the challenges, the company grew 10.6% in the last quarter. It emphasizes premium products for higher margins and aims to reclaim market share in premium segments. Plans include diversifying beyond oral care into personal care products.
Sweltering heat pushes up demand for temporary workers in rural markets
There is a 20% year-on-year increase in rural job vacancies, according to executives at recruitment services and consumer companies. They estimate 20,000-50,000 new temporary jobs are being created this year thanks to robust summer season demand in rural and semi-urban areas while companies with a large focus on rural businesses are looking to bolster sales and distribution presence in the hinterlands.
FMCG companies to see muted demand in June quarter, recovery likely in H2
Overall volumes, which indicate the number of products consumers bought, expanded 5.2% in the March quarter, unchanged from the three months to December. Sales volumes in rural markets climbed 5.8%, and in cities by 4.7%, from a year earlier, data from Kantar showed. Kantar monitors branded and unorganised products, including unpackaged voluminous commodities. Nielsen, on the other hand, tracks primarily branded retail sales.
FMCG companies expect volume growth in FY25 with improvement in revenue
The companies were forced to slash prices as prices of major commodities had fallen, which had in turn impacted their topline and value growth in the last two quarters of FY24.
FMCG, auto companies break the jinx as rural growth rises above urban
Rural FMCG demand outpaced urban markets in Jan-Mar 2024. Car companies reported higher rural sales. NielsenIQ noted 7.6% rural growth. Factors include robust rabi crop and government measures. Maruti Suzuki saw record rural sales.
Rural FMCG sales outgrew urban for the first time in 5 quarters in Q1: NielsenIQ
In the January-March ’24 quarter, rural markets surpassed urban consumption for packaged consumer goods for the first time in five quarters, with rural growth at 7.6% while urban demand declined by 5.7%. Overall FMCG sector value grew by 6.6% driven by consumption, with flat price growth at 0.1%. NielsenIQ highlighted the growth in the FMCG industry being driven by consumption trends, with rural areas leading the growth. By volume, the sector grew by 6.5% nationally, with non-food sector sales growing at 11% compared to 4.8% for food. Home and personal care categories outperformed food categories, with larger pack sizes driving growth.
Dabur explains why rural demand for its brands is growing at a faster clip than urban
FMCG giant Dabur has increased its rural footprint, driving demand for its brands by nearly 400 bps compared to urban areas. The company has increased investments in consumer activation in rural areas and launched newer affordable and rural-specific packs to cater to these markets. CEO Mohit Malhotra noted that Dabur's rural distribution is the highest in the industry, giving it a distinct advantage in driving rural growth.
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