All posts by Neel Achary

Indian Markets Extend Weekly Gains as Crude Prices Fall, Q1 Earnings Boost Sentiment

Mumbai, Aug 8: Indian equity markets posted gains for the second consecutive week, supported by a sharp correction in crude oil prices and strong Q1 FY27 corporate earnings.

The Nifty rose 0.77 per cent during the week to close at 24,570, despite falling 0.27 per cent in Friday’s session. The Sensex declined 455 points, or 0.58 per cent, on Friday to end at 78,499, but gained 0.52 per cent for the week.

Broader markets outperformed, with the Nifty Midcap100 rising 0.87 per cent and the Nifty Smallcap100 advancing 2.73 per cent. Small-cap stocks benefited from strong earnings momentum, while PSU banks, metals and automobiles emerged among the better-performing sectors.

Lower crude prices helped improve the macroeconomic outlook and eased concerns over inflationary pressures. Markets also stabilised after initial volatility following the introduction of the new F&O Closing Auction Session.

Domestic sentiment was further supported by the RBI’s growth outlook and lower inflation projections, while better-than-expected Q1 FY27 earnings encouraged broad-based buying.

Globally, softer US labour market data reduced expectations of an immediate Fed rate hike, pushing bond yields and the dollar lower.

Investors will now track upcoming US labour and inflation data, along with India’s CPI, WPI and credit growth figures, for further cues on the market’s direction.

FIIs Extend Buying Streak in Indian Equities for Second Straight Week

Mumbai, Aug 8: Foreign institutional investors (FIIs) continued to buy Indian equities for the second week in a row, while strong domestic institutional buying provided additional support to the market amid improving investor sentiment.

FIIs made net purchases of Rs 2,911 crore during the week, following buying worth Rs 5,949 crore in the previous week, according to provisional exchange data.

Domestic institutional investors (DIIs) were even more active, recording net purchases of Rs 7,768 crore during the week. DIIs were net buyers in four of the five trading sessions.

Analysts attributed the continued institutional buying to easing geopolitical tensions, which have helped improve investor confidence and lifted sentiment across the market.

“The sustained buying by both FIIs and DIIs was largely driven by the de-escalation of geopolitical tensions, which helped strengthen investor confidence and supported positive market sentiment,” said Pabitro Mukherjee, Deputy Vice President–Research, Bajaj Broking.

FIIs reverse four-month selling trend

The latest weekly inflows come after a significant turnaround in foreign investor activity in July.

FIIs turned net buyers in July after remaining net sellers for four consecutive months since March. They bought Indian equities worth around $2.5 billion during the month.

The return of foreign investors coincided with a positive performance by the domestic market. The Nifty rose 2.2 per cent in July, following a 1.4 per cent gain in June.

Foreign investors were active in both primary and secondary markets during the month. The primary market recorded net FII inflows of around Rs 123 billion, while the secondary market saw net inflows of approximately Rs 110 billion.

Domestic institutions increasingly cushion foreign outflows

The growing strength of domestic institutional investors has emerged as an important feature of India’s equity market.

FII ownership of Indian equities has declined from 20 per cent in July 2016 to 14.3 per cent in July 2026. Meanwhile, DII ownership has risen steadily, reaching 18.7 per cent in March 2026.

Over the last 12 months, Indian primary markets attracted approximately $7.8 billion in net FII inflows. However, foreign investors remained net sellers in the secondary market, with outflows of around $42.5 billion.

The data points to a gradual shift in the ownership structure of Indian equities, with domestic institutional capital playing a larger role in supporting the market.

Nifty ends week higher

Indian equities maintained a positive bias for most of the week as easing geopolitical tensions supported investor sentiment.

The Nifty closed at 24,570.65, up 187.05 points from the previous week’s close of 24,383.60.

With FIIs returning to the buying side and DIIs continuing to deploy capital, institutional flows are providing a supportive backdrop for the Indian market. Investors will now watch whether the positive trend in foreign inflows continues in the coming weeks.

Dalmia Bharat Foundation Strengthens Rural Water Security in Kadapa Through a New Community Water Infrastructure

Kadapa, Aug 08: Dalmia Bharat Foundation (DBF), the CSR arm of Dalmia Bharat Ltd., has inaugurated a household water supply system in Pedda Komerla village, Kadapa district, providing reliable access to safe drinking water for nearly 80 households. The initiative addresses the deterioration of the village’s decade-old water supply infrastructure, which had become unreliable due to ageing pipelines, leakages and blockages. To restore dependable access, DBF installed a 10,000-litre HDPE water storage system, integrated with the existing pipeline network to ensure a safe and consistent water supply for daily household use. As per the project, the water will not only be used for drinking purposes but will also cater to domestic use and support the rearing of more than 200 livestock, ensuring the availability of water for animals as well.The project is expected to improve sanitation, public health and the overall quality of life for residents.

Commenting on the initiative, a Mr. Arpan Dilipkumar Parekh, Unit Head, Dalmia Cement (Bharat) Ltd. said, “Every community deserves dependable access to basic services that enable people to live with dignity. At Dalmia Bharat, we work closely with local communities to identify practical infrastructure needs and create solutions that deliver long-term value. Initiatives like this reflect our commitment to supporting inclusive rural development through partnerships that make a meaningful difference in people’s everyday lives.”

The project was inaugurated by Mr. Somala Venkata Gopal Reddy, HR Head, Kadapa Plant, in the presence of other officials from Dalmia Bharat along with more than 40 villagers from Pedda Komerla, Kadapa District.

The initiative reflects Dalmia Bharat Foundation‘s commitment to improving rural infrastructure through community-focused CSR programmes that enhance access to essential services and contribute to healthier, more resilient communities.

Capacit’e Infraprojects Reports 7 percent Revenue Growth in Q1 FY27, Order Book Swells to Rs.13,532 Crore

Mumbai, August 7, 2026: Capacit’e Infraprojects Limited (“Company”), a fast-growing construction company providing end to end services for residential, commercial, and Institutional building with a presence in Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), Gandhinagar, Pune, Goa, Chennai, National Capital Region (NCR), Hyderabad and Bengaluru today announced its financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2026.

Key Financial Highlights (Consolidated) are as follows:

Consolidated Performance highlights for Q1 FY27

Revenue from for Q1 FY27 stood at ₹ 629 crores, up by 7% as compared to ₹ 589 crores in Q1 FY26. The revenue growth momentum was impacted due to shortage of workmen during first half of the quarter.

EBIDTA for Q1 FY27 stood at ₹ 99 crores, moderated by 3% as compared to ₹ 102 crores in Q1 FY26. EBIDTA margin for Q1 FY27 stood at 15.7% as compared to 17.2% in Q1 FY26.

EBIT for Q1 FY27 stood at ₹ 80 crores, down by 8% as compared to ₹ 87 crores in Q1 FY26. EBIT margin for Q1 FY27 stood at 12.5%.

PAT for Q1 FY27 stood at ₹ 40 crores, as compared to ₹ 47 crores in Q1 FY26. PAT margin for Q1 FY27 stood at 6.2%.

Gross Debt as at June 30, 2026 stood at ₹ 522 crores, with Gross Debt to Equity at 0.27x. Net Debt to Equity stood at 0.16x.

Order book on standalone basis stood at ₹ 13,535 crores as of June 30, 2026. Public sector accounts for 55% while private sector accounts for 45% of the total order book.

On the performance Mr. Rohit Katyal, Executive Chairman commented, “FY2026 was a defining year for the Company, setting new benchmarks in execution and business development. Building on this momentum, Q1FY27 delivered improved revenue growth, though performance was impacted by workmen shortages and BMC order restricting water supply to construction sites in Mumbai. With execution now normalised, we are confident of achieving our guided performance over the remaining three quarters of FY27.

Order awarding momentum has also strengthened, supported by a robust pipeline of quality bids, marquee client trust, and enhanced financial flexibility. The Company continues to be on an accelerated growth phase. Our strengthened order book, improved credit profile, and disciplined financial management provide substantial headroom to scale execution.

With operational discipline and consistent performance across multiple quarters, we are well positioned to deliver sustainable long‑term value creation and establish new performance benchmarks in the years ahead.”

Telangana’s IT and Industry Minister inaugurates HIPLEX 2026, India’s Third-Largest Plastics Expo

Hyderabad, Aug 07: Calling the plastics and polymers sector a “salient engine of India’s economic growth,” Telangana Minister for Information Technology, Electronics, Communications, Industries & Commerce D. Sridhar Babu appealed to industry stakeholders to join hands with the government in making Telangana a leading hub for plastics and polymer manufacturing.

The Minister inaugurated HIPLEX 2026, South & Central India’s largest plastics exhibition and India’s third-largest plastics expo, at the HITEX Exhibition Centre on Friday.

The four-day international exhibition, organised by the Telangana and Andhra Plastics Manufacturers Association (TAAPMA), features over 550 exhibitors and is expected to attract more than 55,000 business visitors from India and abroad.

Addressing a gathering of over 500 industry leaders, entrepreneurs and exhibitors, the Minister said the exhibition represents much more than machines and products.

Everyone presents here has experienced plastics in one form or another throughout life’s journey. This exhibition is not merely about products and machinery. It reflects dreams, entrepreneurship, innovation and the courage to invest in the future, he said.

He said almost every manufacturing sector today depends on plastics and polymers in some form.

“The plastics and polymers industry is a salient engine of India’s economic growth. It provides direct employment to nearly 50 lakh people and indirect employment to over one crore. In Telangana alone, nearly two lakh families depend on this industry for their livelihood.”

He observed that as manufacturing grows, industries expand, employment increases and the country’s economy prosper.

Referring to the challenges faced by the sector, the Minister said the industry has successfully navigated geopolitical uncertainties, volatile crude oil prices, fluctuating polymer prices, logistics disruptions, energy challenges and labour shortages.

“Industries are not built in easy times. They are built in difficult times. Your resilience has made you stronger than ever.”, he added.

Assuring continued government support, he said: “The Telangana Government is your partner in progress. Your success is our success. Whenever policy intervention is required for the betterment of the industry, the Government will stand with you.”

Highlighting Telangana’s industrial growth story, the Minister said the State has already established itself as a leader in IT, ITeS, Electronics, Pharmaceuticals, Global Capability Centres (GCCs), Defence and Aerospace.

“We now want to replicate the same success in the plastics and polymers sector. The future belongs to industries that innovate responsibly, embrace sustainability and adopt green manufacturing practices. Let us together make Telangana the preferred destination for plastics and polymer manufacturing.”

The Minister also released the HIPLEX 2026 Show Directory.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Raju Desai, President, Plastindia Foundation, said India’s plastics industry has grown into a ₹4.5 lakh crore industry, expanding at 6-9 per cent annually, with similar growth expected through 2031.

The industry today employs nearly 55 lakh people, while exports are expected to cross ₹1.4 lakh crore this year.

He said India recycles nearly 60 per cent of the plastics it consumes, placing the country among the global leaders in plastic recycling.

Dr. Desai noted that packaging continues to account for nearly half of the industry’s demand, while healthcare, pharmaceuticals and medical devices are among the fastest-growing segments. The automotive sector, driven by lightweight materials and electric vehicles, contributes around 15 per cent of consumption.

Arvind Mehta, Chairman, Governing Council, All India Plastics Manufacturers’ Association (AIPMA), said the industry must now focus on four strategic priorities—exports, technology adoption, skill development and sustainability.

 

 

He observed that India has enormous potential to significantly expand exports of plastic products and become a stronger global manufacturing base.

Anil Reddy Vennam, Senior Vice President, AIPMA, appealed to the Governments of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh to establish a dedicated Plastics Park with world-class infrastructure that would enable MSMEs to set up manufacturing units.

He also requested the allocation of 250 acres for a Recycling Cluster with a Common Effluent Treatment Plant.

He urged both State Governments to encourage investments in infrastructure, water management, packaging and medical plastics, with the goal of increasing plastics consumption in the two States to two million tonnes by 2030 and raising their share in the national market to over 8 per cent.

He said HIPLEX has been provided with a dedicated 2 MW power supply to enable exhibitors to conduct live demonstrations of advanced processing machinery, recycling systems, bio-polymers and next-generation polymer technologies.

Narendra Baldwa, President, TAAPMA, said the 55-year-old association, representing more than 1,000 members, has consistently promoted technology, innovation and sustainability in the plastics sector.

Meela Jayadev, Convener, HIPLEX 2026, said plastics have become indispensable to modern life.

“From a pin to an aeroplane, plastics are everywhere. The real question is not whether plastics should exist, but how responsibly they should be produced, used and recycled.”

He noted that India’s per capita plastic consumption is around 7 kg, compared with 24 kg in China, indicating tremendous growth potential.

One of the biggest attractions at HIPLEX 2026 is the Dedicated Recycling Pavilion, where visitors can witness how discarded plastics are transformed into high-value products such as roads, railway sleepers, furniture, construction materials and even garments.

The exhibition also features live machinery demonstrations, technical conferences, knowledge sessions and business networking events covering emerging raw materials, recycling technologies, sustainability, automation and future manufacturing trends.

HIPLEX 2026 is spread across seven exhibition halls covering over 26,000 square metres and will remain open to visitors until August 10, from 10.00 am to 6.00 pm each day.