GST Hike to 35% Proposed on Aerated Drinks, Tobacco, Cigarettes

Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, plans to reduce its global workforce by approximately 5%, equating to around 3,600 employees. CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced that the company will expedite the removal of underperforming staff, aiming for a 10% non-regrettable attrition rate. Affected U.S. employees will be notified by February 10, 2025, and will receive severance packages. This decision follows previous layoffs totaling 21,000 workers between 2022 and 2023, as part of Meta's ongoing efforts to enhance efficiency and focus on key technological advancements.

Gold prices in Delhi have surged to an all-time high of ₹81,000 per 10 grams as of January 13, 2025. The increase is driven by global economic factors, a weakening rupee, and strong demand during the ongoing wedding season. Jewellers report robust sales despite the steep prices, as gold continues to be a preferred investment and gift. The price rally reflects international market trends, where gold's safe-haven appeal has grown due to economic uncertainties.

In December, India's Wholesale Price Index (WPI) inflation rose to 2.37% year-on-year, up from 1.89% in November. This increase is mainly due to higher manufacturing costs, with manufacturing inflation reaching a 23-month high of 2.14%. Notably, 18 out of 22 manufacturing sub-sectors experienced price increases. Manufactured food items saw a significant rise, with inflation hitting a 32-month high of 9.7%. Conversely, sectors like non-metallic mineral products and basic metals recorded price declines.

Warren Buffett, the 94-year-old investment icon, has officially announced his son Howard Buffett as his successor to lead Berkshire Hathaway. Howard, a farmer and philanthropist, has been on Berkshire’s board since 1993 and is known for his strong ethical values. While he won’t be involved in day-to-day management, he will serve as a non-executive chairman, ensuring the company's stability. Warren highlighted Howard’s deep understanding of Berkshire's culture and his commitment to protecting its legacy, making him the perfect choice for the role.

Chinese scientists have simulated an operation targeting Elon Musk's Starlink satellite network, revealing potential vulnerabilities in the system. The simulation demonstrated that 99 Chinese satellites could approach approximately 1,400 Starlink satellites within 12 hours, potentially using lasers and microwaves for tracking and reconnaissance. This development underscores China's apprehensions about Starlink's military applications, especially following its use in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The simulation highlights the intensifying militarization of space and the potential threats to global satellite networks.

Top Loser:

• HCL Technologies: Lost by 8.84%, closing at ₹1,813.55.

• Hindustan Unilever: Lost by 3.39%, closing at ₹2,367.95.

• Apollo Hospitals: Lost by 1.94%, closing at ₹6,706.85.

• Titan Company: Lost by 1.78%, closing at ₹3,322.50.

• Tata Consultancy Services: Lost by 1.35%, closing at ₹4,233.05.

Top Gainer: -

1. Adani Enterprises: Gained by 6.98%, closing at ₹2,380.55.

2. Hindalco Industries: Gained by 4.82%, closing at ₹590.90.

3. Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone: Gained by 4.73%, closing at ₹1,117.10.

4. Shriram Finance: Gained by 4.41%, closing at ₹544.10.

5. NTPC Ltd: Gained by 4.09%, closing at ₹310.40.

Global brands Coca-Cola, Dabur, and ITC are all set to make a splash at the Maha Kumbh 2025, the world’s largest religious gathering, expected to draw over 250 million devotees.

Coca-Cola plans to roll out experiential marketing initiatives and engage with millions through customized campaigns. Dabur is focusing on promoting its health and Ayurveda products to align with the spiritual vibe. ITC aims to boost its brand visibility with targeted campaigns. These brands view the event as a golden opportunity to connect with a massive and diverse audience, ensuring a lasting impression.

Rail Vikas Nigam Ltd (RVNL) shares have dropped over 24% from their October high of ₹199, closing recently at ₹150.

Analysts attribute the decline to profit-booking after the stock’s stellar 370% rally in 2023. RVNL's current valuation and technical indicators, like the Relative Strength Index (RSI), suggest the stock is hovering near oversold levels, which may trigger a rebound. However, a key support level is ₹140, and resistance is around ₹170. Investors await RVNL's Q3 results to assess its future growth prospects.

Adani Group stocks surged up to 19% as the market snapped a four-day losing streak. Adani Power led the gains, jumping 18.85% to Rs 535, followed by Adani Green Energy, which rose 13.67% to Rs 1,011.55.

Adani Energy Solutions climbed 13.01% to Rs 778, fueled by a strong Q3 FY25 update, highlighting a 29.7% expansion in its transmission network and improved collection efficiency at 102.57%. Adani Total Gas, Adani Enterprises, and others gained between 2% and 10%, reflecting market recovery and speculative overseas fundraising buzz.

Indian Railways is set to handle an estimated 40 crore pilgrims during Maha Kumbh 2025, with 5 crore expected on January 29 (Mauni Amavasya).

Over 3,000 special trains—4.5 times more than 2019—will run, including 706 long-distance and 1869 short-distance trains. To ensure smooth travel, 554 ticket counters (151 mobile) and 1176 CCTV cameras are operational across 9 stations in Prayagraj. A 12-language announcement system, 48 platforms, 23 holding areas for 1 lakh pilgrims, and Rs 5,000 crore in rail upgrades enhance services for this grand event.

HDFC Asset Management Company (HDFC AMC), Network18 Media, and nine other companies are set to announce their Q3 earnings today. Investors are keenly watching HDFC AMC's performance, as it plays a pivotal role in India's mutual fund industry. Network18’s results will shed light on trends in the media sector. Other companies include Aarti Surfactants, Best Agrolife, and Jayant Agro Organics. These reports are expected to highlight the impact of market volatility on diverse sectors. Analysts and stakeholders anticipate detailed updates on growth strategies and operational efficiencies.

TikTok has denied claims of selling its US operations to Elon Musk, calling it "pure fiction." Reports suggested Beijing officials might consider Musk as a buyer if ByteDance fails to prevent a ban by January 19. With over 170 million US users, TikTok faces pressure to sell its US stake under a new law. Bloomberg hinted at Musk's X (formerly Twitter) merging with TikTok to boost ad revenue. However, legal, technological, and political hurdles remain. President-elect Trump seeks a resolution to balance national security with users' rights before taking office on January 20.

Apple has achieved a significant milestone, exporting iPhones worth ₹1.08 lakh crore ($12.8 billion) from India in 2024, a 42% year-on-year increase. Local production also surged by 46%, reaching ₹1.48 lakh crore ($17.5 billion). Local value addition grew to 15-20% from 5-8%, driven by the government's PLI scheme for smartphones. In 2023, Apple exported $9 billion, representing 75% of domestic production. With iPhone sales expected to rise 20% to 15 million units in 2025, Apple aims for $30 billion annual production, raising India’s global iPhone share to over 26%.

Afcons Infrastructure Ltd., part of the Shapoorji Pallonji Group, saw its shares partially recover after emerging as the lowest bidder for Rs 4,800 crore worth of road projects in Pune.

These include the Pune Ring Road (East) Packages PRR E5 and E7, valued at Rs 2,718.50 crore and Rs 2,068.70 crore, respectively. Earlier, shares dipped 6.66% to an intraday low of Rs 465.55 but later traded at Rs 482, down 3.37%. The tender was issued by MSRDC to improve Pune's road connectivity.

In a month marked by sharp market declines, 50 stocks from the BSE 500 index, including MRF, IOC, L&T Finance, and SAIL, hit their 52-week lows due to sustained selling pressure.

The BSE 500 fell 8.1%, underperforming the Sensex, which dropped 6.5%. Key factors include softening economic growth, a ₹22,260 crore sell-off by FIIs in January, and cautious investor sentiment as companies report earnings. Stocks like IOC, down 14% in a month, were impacted by rising crude prices. Analysts highlight fiscal challenges and growth concerns ahead of the Union Budget.

HDFC Asset Management Company (HDFC AMC), Network18, and nine other companies are set to announce their Q3 results today. Investors and analysts will closely monitor their performance, as these updates provide insights into sector-specific growth and challenges. The market is particularly focused on HDFC AMC's financial stability and Network18's media business outlook. Other companies expected to release earnings include BF Utilities, GIC Housing Finance, and Tinplate Company. These results could impact market sentiment, offering clues about broader economic trends and sectoral health in India.

The Indian rupee has fallen to a historic low of ₹86.59 against the US dollar, raising economic concerns nationwide.

Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi, recalling Modi's past remarks linking the rupee's value to previous leadership. Ramesh highlighted that when Modi became Prime Minister, the rupee was at ₹58.58 per dollar; now, as Modi approaches 75 years of age, the rupee has declined past ₹86.