Strategy Financial News

The impact of Trump 2.0: The year saw a stark turn in US engagement, with Trump’s approach to the Indo-Pacific characterized by unpredictability at best and rent-seeking at worst.The recently-released US National Security Strategy was emblematic of this ambiguity, prioritizing quid pro quo ties over legacy commitments and the use of muscular rhetoric while offering little doctrinal clarity.This has sent out mixed signals on China, as its deterrence rhetoric coexists with policy fuzziness and even deference in some parts, with US partners struggling to identify US thresholds for action, particularly on high-stakes issues such as Taiwan.Despite the rhetorical turbulence emanating from Washington, alliance architectures did not collapse, although they didn’t sprint forward either.Traditional security partnerships with Japan, Australia, South Korea and the Philippines have endured amid a sobering realization of the magnitude of US capabilities, particularly vis-à-vis strategic concerns about China.Nonetheless, the pace and predictability of strategic cooperation have waned, which is telling in the context of a tenuous regional landscape.Hence, although formal alliances will continue to matter, their political meaning has shifted, with partner countries less willing now to outsource strategy entirely to Washington and more inclined to shape outcomes independently, reflecting a post-‘hub-and-spokes complacency’ mindset.Similarly, multilateral formats like the Quad persisted and adapted, but the coherence of their agenda often reflected leadership from partners as much as from Washington.Initiatives such as maritime domain awareness and cooperation on critical minerals, for example, were driven more on the ground by Canberra,

Dear reader, as 2025, a year of global tumult and volatility, rolls by, Mint's reporters and columnists look around the corner on what is coming in 2026—to help you know what to expect and prepare for it. Tell us what you think at [email protected]’s trade policy in 2025 unfolded against a challenging global backdrop of high US tariffs, geopolitical uncertainty and slowing global demand.

Bengaluru: Indian consumer branding is undergoing a quiet transformation, as companies adopt culturally familiar brand personas rather than Westernised ones to win shoppers.A new generation of homegrown labels, such as Nicobar, Gully Labs, and Vahdam Teas, is keeping Indian aesthetics, local languages, regional stories, and indigenous craftsmanship at the forefront of their products and communication. From design motifs inspired by traditional art to campaigns rooted in everyday Indian experiences, these firms are tapping into the growing consumer appetite for authenticity and cultural relevance.New Delhi-based Gully Labs, which sells modern sneakers for men and women, curates all its products with local artisans and derives its name from the Hindi word 'gully,' meaning street.

Climate finance is becoming an increasingly important topic, especially as we see more gaps in Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) commitments and rising surface temperatures. Countries outline their climate goals by labelling targets as either unconditional, achievable with their own resources, or conditional, relying on international support for finance, technology, or capacity building.

₹20 trillion as of November 2025, compared to hybrid and equity assets, which have grown 1.8 times over the same period.The total assets for hybrid funds stood at ₹11.4 trillion, and those for equity stood at ₹35.4 trillion as of November, according to data from the Association of Mutual Funds in India (Amfi).The reasons for lower inflows into debt mutual funds are primarily due to changes in taxation and lower awareness about the product, according to experts.On 1 April 2023, the government removed the indexation benefit on debt mutual funds. Before the removal of indexation, if one had invested in a debt mutual fund, they would have been taxed at 20% on long-term capital gains with indexation benefits.Currently, in debt mutual funds that invest less than 35% in equity purchased on or after 1 April 2023, the gains are taxed entirely at the applicable income tax slab rate of the unit holder, regardless of the holding period, without indexation benefits, which has disappointed investors.Sirshendu Basu, head of product management & strategy at Bandhan AMC, said that since debt mutual funds are taxed at the investor’s applicable marginal rate, post-tax returns have declined for most investors.“With AAA-equivalent debt funds offering around 6.75% pre-tax returns, investors are increasingly exploring hybrid fund categories in search of improved post-tax outcomes, while being mindful of the relatively higher risk involved,” he added.“Taxation changes impacted institutional investors because money invested before the change continues to enjoy indexation benefits through grandfathering,” said Basant Bafna, head of fixed income at Mirae Asset Investment Managers (India).

Dear reader, as 2025, a year of global tumult and volatility, rolls by, Mint's reporters and columnists look around the corner on what is coming in 2026—to help you know what to expect and prepare for it. Tell us what you think at [email protected] a year of testing the waters, India’s top law firms are heading into 2026 facing a decisive question: can artificial intelligence (AI) move from a promising pilot to everyday legal infrastructure? What began as cautious experimentation in 2025 is now shifting toward deeper, workflow-level integration, even as firms remain measured about governance, client confidentiality and the impact on pricing.

₹96,557 crore) in dividends and share buybacks and about $1.5 billion (around ₹14,000 crore) on acquisitions, Mint research showed. Earlier in FY22, the same companies spent about ₹27,000 crore on buyouts and gave ₹81,669 crore to shareholders.

True financial well-being doesn't start by asking what the market can give you. It starts by calculating what you need to get. It begins with the Required Rate of Return.When you create a financial plan that is dependent upon market return expectations, you are essentially creating a home without a solid foundation.

Following years of aggressive hoarding, Indian corporations are starting to dip into their cash reserves to fund dividend payouts and acquisitions, but not capital expenditure (capex).According to a Mint analysis of data from the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE), the pace of cash accumulation hit an eight-year low by September 2025.The analysis of CMIE data for a common sample of nearly 2,000 listed firms, excluding banking, financial services and insurance (BFSI) companies, showed that cash and bank balances rose just 1% year-on-year to about ₹5.4 trillion by September. The pace is a far cry from the pandemic period, when heightened uncertainty pushed median cash balances up by nearly 15% annually between September 2020 and September 2024.Companies are now sitting on a cash pile equivalent to nearly 5% of their total assets, up from 3.5% in September 2017 and 4% in September 2020, the analysis showed.

Mint.The deal size is expected to be $50-60 million ( ₹449-538 crore) and would likely provide a full exit to the promoters, one of the people said, adding that the transaction is likely to close in the coming weeks.The acquisition is part of Pulsar’s broader strategy to build a food platform through the consolidation of multiple assets, the second person said.Both spoke on the condition of anonymity.The mid-market private equity firm has a strong footprint across India, West Asia and other emerging markets. Led by former TPG executive Vish Narain, Pulsar has backed several consumer-facing companies, including Biryani by Kilo and Blue Tokai, and earlier this year partnered with PJP Investments to bring Papa John’s Pizza to India.Pulsar and Nandhana did not immediately respond to Mint’s requests for comment.Founded in 2004 by Ravichandar Ramaswamy, Nandhana Palace is among the more prominent Andhra-style restaurant chains, with multiple outlets across Bengaluru and Chennai.

Dear reader, as 2025, a year of global tumult and volatility, rolls by, Mint's reporters and columnists look around the corner on what is coming in 2026—to help you know what to expect and prepare for it. Tell us what you think at [email protected] global trading system is undergoing a profound transformation.

Subscribe to enjoy similar stories. PNB Housing Finance Ltd has come full circle. Ajai Kumar Shukla took charge as managing director and chief executive officer on 18 December, bringing closure to the leadership vacuum created by the sudden resignation of Girish Kousgi on 31 July, an episode that had rattled investors.

Subscribe to enjoy similar stories. Some ideas look compelling on paper, but execution is a challenging task. A similar challenge is likely to surface in the Association of Mutual Funds in India’s (Amfi) plan to train one lakh postmen to sell mutual funds (MFs).

Subscribe to enjoy similar stories. India, the world’s tea-drinking heartland and home to sprawling tea estates, is witnessing a shift in consumer tastes as its youngest consumers embrace Southeast Asian variants like boba and matcha. Boba tea, which originated in Taiwan, is a cold, milk-based beverage featuring tapioca pearls, while matcha is finely ground green tea powder, most commonly consumed as an iced latte.

Bajaj Auto Ltd is crafting a turnaround for KTM, its biggest acquisition, to boost profitability even as it loses market share in its home market.Pune-based Bajaj Auto will look to discontinue smaller brands under KTM, rejig core operations and unlock synergies between the supply chains of Bajaj and KTM to reduce costs, according to management commentary during the earnings call and meetings with analysts.“After the KTM acquisition, Bajaj Auto would now focus on the restructuring of the core operations. They would also look to leverage synergy benefits in manufacturing operations, the supply chain, and the distribution network,” analysts at Motilal Oswal wrote in a 15 December note after meeting Bajaj Auto's leadership team.A revival plan for KTM is aimed at bolstering its premium offerings, as its exports remain profitable, while India’s fourth-largest two-wheeler maker’s domestic market share continues to decline.Bajaj Auto acquired struggling motorcycle maker KTM for about €800 million.

Subscribe to enjoy similar stories. Dear reader, as 2025, a year of global tumult and volatility, rolls by, Mint's reporters and columnists look around the corner on what is coming in 2026—to help you know what to expect and prepare for it. Tell us what you think at [email protected]. The year 2025 marked a shift in how small taxpayers approach investments and tax planning.

Gopal (Vittal) is one of those rare leaders who is equally left and right brained. I once barged into Gopal's office and found him listening to Kumar Gandharva while deep in his Excel sheets. — Sudhir Sitapati, managing director and chief executive officer (CEO) of Godrej Consumer Products.Over the last nine-ten years, India's telecom sector has been buffeted into submission by the entry of the country's richest and most powerful businessman into phone services.

Subscribe to enjoy similar stories. Dear reader, as 2025, a year of global tumult and volatility, rolls by, Mint's reporters and columnists look around the corner on what is coming in 2026—to help you know what to expect and prepare for it. Tell us what you think at [email protected]. India’s infrastructure sector is at an inflection point.

. The company ditched plans last year for its Cruise robotaxi program after spending $10 billion and a decade on its development. It has suffered setbacks around its EV and autonomous-driving strategies.

₹5 and ₹10, even as ₹1 candies continue to dominate the market. The shift is part of the company’s effort to balance its portfolio in a candy market still heavily skewed toward ultra-low-value purchases.Nearly 70% of Perfetti’s business in India comes from the ₹1 segment, which dominates small mom-and-pop stores and drives the bulk of category sales. The company plans to increase the share of its ₹5-and-above portfolio from about 30% over the next three to four years; this number stood at just 7% in 2019.

Impact investor Aavishkaar Capital is increasingly looking to complement its long-cycle carbon bets with newer, faster-return climate opportunities—areas where capital can turn over quicker, risks are easier to price, and revenues don’t hinge on 20-year biological curves. The shift comes even as the impact investor continues to build out its permanent capital vehicle for carbon sequestration, incorporated in 2024 as Aavishkaar Carbon, the firm’s founder, Vineet Rai and Santosh Singh, managing director at Intellecap, the advisory arm of The Aavishkaar Group, told Mint in a joint interview.Aavishkaar Carbon was set up to invest in growing trees on Indian farms to promote carbon sequestration and monetise it through the carbon trade market.