SERVICES SECTOR
Economy on strong wicket after fiscal first quarter
India's economy showed strong first-quarter performance with surging manufacturing activity, robust GST collections, and record-high Sensex, alongside a rise in passenger car sales and new export orders from overseas markets, as highlighted by industry experts and economic indicators.
GST collection rises 8 pc to Rs 1.74 lakh cr in Jun
The June 2024 GST collection reached Rs 1.74 lakh crore, marking an 8% increase from May 2024. EY India Tax Partner, Saurabh Agarwal, emphasized the need for the next wave of GST reforms to tackle working capital blockages and implement sector-specific solutions.
IT stocks: A comeback which just needs a bit more confirmation; 7 stocks with an upside potential of up to 23%
Just before the expiry of the June series contract, bulls were seen in a segment of the market which has been long ignored by them — IT stocks. Because the upward movement was taking place at the end of expiry, one could not rule out the element of short covering. If one looks a bit deeper in the trend in IT stocks, two things have become clear. That while the news and opinion has been negative, the price action has not been so bad as has been painted. Now let's look at what happened in the IT sector and why there could be a case for contrarian buying. Yes, the sector has some headwinds which not many had thought would appear two years back. But the bigger question is whether this phase of underperformance is about to get over or not. It might be time to shed the bias of negativity around large IT players.
India economy likely to sustain high growth trajectory: ITC
Indian conglomerate ITC predicts the Indian economy will sustain its high growth trajectory in FY2024-25 due to strong momentum in fixed investments and private consumption. The growth is supported by a good Rabi harvest and normal monsoons. Factors like a favorable demographic profile, increasing affluence, rapid urbanisation, and accelerated digital adoption are key structural drivers of the Indian economy.
Extent and frequency of tariff revisions crucial for financial health of telcos
Following the increase in tariffs, the stock of Reliance Industries rose by 2.3% on Friday to close at Rs 3,131.9. On the other hand, stocks of Bharti Airtel and VIL were under pressure, falling by 1.8% to Rs 1,445.4 and by 3.4% to Rs 17.9 in that order amid profit booking after a recent surge in their prices.
Retail loans moderate for the 10th straight month
The Reserve Bank of India reported that bank lending to the retail sector moderated for the tenth consecutive month in May, reaching 17.8% from 19.1% a year ago. Corporate loans grew faster at 8.9% compared to 6% in May 2023. Non-food bank credit saw a 16.2% growth in May 2024 compared to 15.5% a year ago.
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IT union seeks probe on DXC Technology's 4,800 campus onboarding delays
Data from the IT employee union NITES showed that India’s leading IT firms including Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), Infosys, Wipro and LTIMindtree have delayed joining dates of than 10,000 freshers. Harpreet Singh Saluja, president at NITES said these young professionals well-being and careers are at risk, we have asked the ministry to act as soon as possible.
Not AI, IT hiring not picking up because of global slowdown in IT spend: Ramani Dathi, Teamlease Services
Ramani Dathi says there is no major uptick as far as demand for IT pros is concerned. There are a few set of clients, especially the GCCs and to some extent, who are able to maintain the current run rate of revenues and headcounts for Teamlease, but to show a massive growth or a double-digit growth, the IT services hiring has to be back on track.
RBI urges banks to address credit gaps for underserved sectors
Despite India's progress in banking access, micro and small business units, marginal farmers, and self-help group members still lack institutional credit and comprehensive financial services, as highlighted by the Reserve Bank of India.
Going forward, expect good growth from Aadifidelis Solutions: Shikhar Aggarwal, BLS International
Shikhar Aggarwal, Joint MD, BLS International Services talks about inclusion in Nifty tourism index, synergies from buying stake in Aadifidelis Solutions and more. Aggarwal also discusses the major contract renewals which are expected in the next six to nine months. He also says that in one, one-and-a-half years, multiple contracts are expected from European and North American markets
Will prefer to focus on domestic sectors vs external facing sectors: Sunil Koul
I mean there is obviously the broader structural kind of under penetration story behind it, but I think the sector had not done well in the last a couple of years because of these issues and both in terms of numbers but also in terms of the regulatory overhang.
India business activity rises in June, job creation at 18-year high
India's business activity expanded at a faster pace this month than in May, thanks to gains in manufacturing and services. The pace of job creation was at its strongest in over 18 years, marking a strong start to the country's economy this financial year. HSBC's flash India Composite Purchasing Managers' Index rose to 60.9 in June, marking nearly three years above the 50-level separating growth from contraction.
Reduce GST slabs, hike exemption threshold for firms with up to Rs 1.5 cr turnover: GTRI
The Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI) proposed several reforms to enhance India's Goods and Services Tax (GST) system on its 7th anniversary. Recommendations include raising the GST exemption limit to Rs 1.5 crore for firms (up from Rs 40 lakh), simplifying the tax structure by reducing slabs and eliminating state-wise registration requirements. GTRI highlighted GST's role as the world's largest indirect tax platform, with over 1.46 crore registrations.
Informal manufacturing and services gained during FY23, trade share declined: Govt data
The gross value added of unincorporated manufacturing companies increased by 19.14% to ₹3.6 lakh crore in 2022-23 (October-September) compared with ₹2.77 lakh crore in 2021-22 (April-March), data released by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation showed.
GDP to grow 8% in FY25 on agriculture, services boost: CII
According to the industry body, the agriculture sector is likely to grow at 3.7% in the current fiscal, compared with 1.4% last year, whereas the services sector may see a growth of 9% against 7.9% a year back.
India's forex reserves at record $651 billion
India's foreign exchange reserves reached a record $651.5 billion as of May 31, 2024, bolstered by robust services exports and strong remittances. RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das highlighted the resilience of India's external sector. The rise in global capability centers and consistent foreign portfolio investments have also strengthened the economy's external financing position.
Services activity growth eases to 5-month low in May
India's services sector output growth moderated in May, reaching its lowest level in five months, according to the HSBC India Services Business Activity Index. The index slipped to 60.2 from 60.8 in April, indicating a softening in services activities due to factors like severe heat waves and price pressures. While domestic new orders eased slightly, they remained robust, supported by strong demand conditions and successful advertising. Export demand also provided support, with new orders rising at the fastest pace in nearly a decade.
Yields pare losses as services sector rebounds
The business activity index is "really driving that whole index higher," said Ellis Phifer, managing director of fixed income research at Raymond James in Memphis, Tennessee.
US services sector activity beats expectations in May
Activity in the US services sector rebounded in May, surpassing expectations, with the ISM services index rising to 53.8%. Chair Anthony Nieves noted higher business activity, new orders growth, and employment challenges.
India's services sector softens to five-month low in May: PMI report
India's services growth slowed to a five-month low in May due to weaker domestic demand, despite record export growth and a 21-month high in job creation. The services PMI fell to 60.2 from 60.8 in April. Input costs rose, intensifying price pressures and possibly delaying interest rate cuts by the RBI.
Indian economy likely grew at weakest pace in a year in Jan-March, says Reuters poll
India's economy likely experienced its slowest growth in a year during the January-March quarter, attributed to weak domestic demand, according to a Reuters poll of economists. This follows a surprising 8.4% GDP growth in the October-December quarter, boosted by a sharp drop in subsidies that artificially increased net indirect taxes, while gross value added (GVA) grew by 6.5%. For the January-March period, GDP growth is expected to have slowed to 6.7%, with GVA growth at 6.2%.
Growth momentum likely to stay in Q1FY25: FinMin
The finance ministry's April report predicts strong economic activity in FY25, with rising industrial activity and fixed investments. Positive macro-economic indicators include a bright manufacturing outlook and improved services sector, supported by increased capacity utilization and EPFO data.
Private sector activity picks up to 61.7 in May, according to HSBC Flash PMI
The HSBC Flash India Composite Output Index rose to 61.7 in May compared with 61.5 in the previous month. “The latest data showed strength in new export orders for both sectors, which rose at the fastest pace since the series started in September 2014,” said Pranjul Bhandari, chief India economist, HSBC.
Compensation gap between private & public sector widens in FY23
Total compensation of employees working with private corporations increased to 13.5% of the GDP in FY23 from 12.8% in the previous year while households, which largely represent the informal sector, saw their wages rise to the highest level in nine years to 8.5% of the GDP in FY23 from 8.4% in FY22.
Indian economy likely grew at a 4-quarter low in Q4: ICRA
Economists predict India's economy to grow at a four-quarter low of 6.7% in Q4FY24. The growth in 3 FY24 was 8.4%. Agricultural GVA is likely to contract for 2nd straight quarter, amid rabi output concerns. Overall GVA growth expected to ease to 5.7% in Q4, driven by industrial and services sectors. ICRA forecasts FY2024 GDP and GVA growth at 7.8% and 7.0%, respectively.
India needs to create 115 million jobs by 2030, research shows
India needs to create 115 million jobs by 2030 to boost services and manufacturing for economic expansion. The country must generate 16.5 million jobs annually, 10.4 million from the formal sector, to address high youth unemployment and low labor force participation rate.
GDP growth likely to be 6.2 pc in Q4; 7 pc in FY24: Ind-RA
India Ratings and Research forecasts India's GDP growth rate at 6.2% for the March quarter and 6.9-7% for 2023-24 fiscal year, per economist Sunil Kumar Sinha. The government is to release Q4 GDP numbers and fiscal estimates on May 31.
Service activity eased slightly to 60.8 in April
India's service sector maintained strong growth in April, easing slightly to 60.8. Service exports, notably to the Middle East, drove new orders and domestic demand. FY24 projects a 4.4% rise to $339.6 billion.
India's services sector shows strongest growth rates in around 14 years: PMI data
In April, India's services sector saw a slight moderation, but maintained strength due to robust domestic and international demand, boosting business confidence to a three-month high. Despite a dip in the HSBC Services PMI to 60.8 from March's 61.2, it remained among the fastest growth rates in nearly 14 years.
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