Lack of clarity on JB rail plans heightens bottleneck fears ahead of RTS Link launch
The issue of public transport infrastructure and congestion will likely be on the minds of voters ahead of the upcoming Johor state elections, analysts say.
"ANALYSTS" · 총 298건
필터 보기현재 지수
50.3
0 = 부정 우세
50 = 중립
100 = 긍정 우세
최근 7일 기준 88,908건을 분석한 결과, 뉴스 심리지수는 50.3(균형)입니다. 긍정 4,493건(5.1%)·중립 82,307건(92.6%)·부정 2,108건(2.4%)이며, 중립 비중이 뚜렷하게 높습니다. 성향 지수는 종합 15.1(중도 균형)입니다.
The issue of public transport infrastructure and congestion will likely be on the minds of voters ahead of the upcoming Johor state elections, analysts say.
Vienna, OPEC+ ministers decided Sunday to increase oil quotas by a total 188,000 barrels per day for July, in a move analysts said would be unlikely to have an impact on prices sent higher by the Mideast war.Jorge Leon, analyst at Rystad Energy, said ahead of the expected increase that it "means very little while the Strait of Hormuz remains closed".He added: "The market is not short of quota announcements; it is short of physical barrels that can actually move. In that sense, the 188,000 barrels per day increase would be more of a policy signal than a real supply boost."The hiked production output was agreed Sunday in a video meeting of oil ministers from key OPEC+ countries Saudi Arabia, Russia, Iraq, Kuwait, Kazakhstan, Algeria and Oman, a statement from the organisation said.The increase was similar to ones decided in previous months.The OPEC+ statement said the latest agreed hike was "to support oil market stability" but that the seven countries also saw an opportunity "to accelerate their compensation" in a time of historically high oil prices.It added that the ministers "reaffirmed the importance of adopting a cautious approach and retaining full flexibility to increase, pause or reverse the phase out of the voluntary production adjustments, including reversing the previously implemented voluntary adjustments announced in November 2023".Leon, at Rystad Energy, said that OPEC+ was wary in case the Mideast war changes, and Iran's stranglehold on the Strait of Hormuz eases."When the Strait of Hormuz reopens, the market could move very quickly from fear of shortage to fear of surplus," he said."Returning OPEC+ supply, a stronger US shale response and weaker demand after a period of very high prices could leave the market with a very large oversupply problem," he said.
Firings are part of a broader personnel purge under under the leadership of director Kash Patel, a Trump loyalist Several FBI analysts tied to the creation of a 2023 memo warning of a potential threat from Catholic “violent extremists” were fired on Friday, according to their lawyer, the latest wave of terminations under the leadership of its director Kash Patel. The fired employees included four intelligence analysts and a supervisory analyst. The FBI declined to comment. Continue reading...
The Buffalo Bills are being linked to New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara as trade speculation continues to grow around the veteran star’s future. Analysts believe Buffalo could pursue Kamara because of his connection to new Bills offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael, who previously coached him in New Orleans. While Kamara’s production has declined in recent years, his pass-catching ability still makes him valuable. The Saints are also facing salary cap pressure, which could push them toward considering a trade before the 2026 NFL season begins.
Investors seeking steady income can bolster their portfolios by adding dividend stocks with attractive yields.
A handful of Chinese biotechnology companies are expected to bring medications to consumers in Europe and the US under their own brand names within the next 10 to 15 years, according to policy and industry analysts. Amid China’s early-stage drug outlicensing boom, discussions have arisen among investor and analyst circles as to when – and which – Chinese biotechnology companies will start selling their own drugs internationally. Outlicensing agreements typically refer to a company granting...
President Xi Jinping is heading to North Korea on Monday with the aim of proving that China remains the best prospect for reviving his host country’s economy. The visit, Xi’s first in seven years, will focus on reinforcing ties with Pyongyang at a time when the denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula appears increasingly out of reach, according to analysts. The carefully timed sequence of diplomatic meetings also reflects Beijing’s growing confidence on the world stage and its ability to engage...
Indian benchmark indices witnessed a volatile session on Friday, June 5 and closed marginally lower as investors reacted to the RBI monetary policy outcome and continued FII selling. The central bank kept the repo rate unchanged at 5.25% and maintained its neutral policy stance, while raising its inflation forecast and lowering GDP growth projections, which kept market sentiment cautious throughout the session.Here's how analysts read the market pulse:"While the broader index trend remains weak, mixed performance among heavyweight stocks is limiting the pace of decline. In this backdrop, we maintain a cautious stance and prefer a sell-on-rise approach until the Nifty decisively reclaims the 23,700 level. At the same time, traders should focus on stock-specific opportunities across sectors and maintain balanced positions with disciplined overnight risk management," said Ajit Mishra, SVP – Research, Religare Broking.US marketsThe US stock market had its worst day since October on Friday as a sell-off in big technology companies weighed on the broader market and a strong jobs report boosted expectations that the Federal Reserve may be forced to hike interest rates at some point this year.The S&P 500 sank 2.6%, its biggest one-day drop since October 10, when the Trump administration threatened to impose a 100% tariff on imported goods from China. The losses pushed the benchmark index to its first losing week in the last 10. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 1.4%, while the Nasdaq Composite slumped 4.2%.European marketsEuropean shares ended the week lower, as uncertainty over Middle East peace efforts kept investors on edge and technology stocks paused after a blistering two-month rally.The pan-European STOXX 600 index fell 0.3% to 622.66 points and lost 0.5% for the week. Hopes for a breakthrough between the US and Iran appeared limited after the two countries exchanged strikes earlier in the week, while a US-brokered Israel-Lebanon ceasefire also looked fragile after Hezbollah rejected the pact. The resulting spike in energy costs has complicated the inflation outlook. Data this week showed euro zone inflation accelerated in May, prompting markets to price in a 25-basis-point interest rate hike from the European Central Bank.Tech ViewGoing ahead, the index is likely to consolidate in the 23,000-23,550 range in the coming week. Only a move above Tuesday’s high of 23,556 will open the upside towards the 23,750–23,800 resistance zone in the coming sessions.Most active stocks in terms of turnoverBSE (Rs 2,633 crore), ZEE (Rs 2,547 crore), RIL (Rs 2,303 crore), SBI (Rs 2,057 crore), Adani Enterprises (Rs 2,057 crore), HDFC Bank (Rs 1,660 crore) and Himadri Speciality (Rs 1,625 crore) were among the most active stocks on BSE in value terms. Higher activity in a counter in value terms can help identify stocks with the highest trading turnover during the day.Most active stocks in volume termsVodafone Idea (traded shares: 68.55 crore), Ola Electric (23.26 crore), ZEE (23.02 crore), YES Bank (14.9 crore), JP Power (9.09 crore shares) and Suzlon (7.28 crore shares) were among the most actively traded stocks in volume terms on BSE.Stocks showing buying interestZEE, Adani Green, Himadri Speciality, Jyoti CNC, Schneider, Kirloskar Bros and Saregama India were among the stocks that witnessed strong buying interest.52-week highsAmong the stocks that hit their 52-week highs were Himadri Speciality, Acme Solar, Adani Enterprises, Sai Life Science, Laurus Labs and Federal Bank.Stocks seeing selling pressureStocks that witnessed significant selling pressure included Wockhardt, Hindustan Zinc, Netweb Tech, HFCL, Nalco, Tejas and BSE.Sentiment meter favours bullsOut of the 4,399 stocks traded on the BSE on Friday, June 5, 1,993 advanced, 2,212 declined and 194 remained unchanged.
The Indian stock market ended last week in the red, with analysts flagging multiple factors that could keep pressure on Sensex and Nifty when trading resumes on Monday.On Friday, the Sensex closed 117 points lower at 74,243, while the Nifty 50 declined 50 points to settle at 23,367. Among the top laggards on the Sensex were Trent, TCS, Tata Steel, NTPC, HCL Tech, Bharti Airtel, Kotak Mahindra Bank and Reliance Industries, with losses of 1-2%.Here are five key factors likely to drive the stock market in the week ahead.1) Weak global cuesWall Street ended sharply lower on Friday, with the tech-heavy Nasdaq plunging more than 4% to log its steepest single-day decline since April 2025, after a stronger-than-expected US jobs report fuelled concerns that the Federal Reserve may keep interest rates higher for longer.The Nasdaq Composite tumbled 4.2%, dragged down by a more than 6% slide in Nvidia and an almost 8% drop in Broadcom. Broadcom’s weaker-than-expected guidance heightened concerns that AI-driven demand may not expand as rapidly as markets had anticipated. The Dow Jones fell 1.4%, while the S&P 500 dropped nearly 3%.European markets closed mixed, while Asian equities ended broadly lower. Japan’s Nikkei 225 and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng declined more than 1%, while South Korea’s Kospi plunged nearly 6%. China’s Shanghai Composite also ended about 1% lower.Also read: Why did Nasdaq plunge 4% to log worst day in over a year2) RBI policy impactReserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Sanjay Malhotra on Friday announced that the central bank’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) unanimously decided to keep the policy repo rate unchanged at 5.25%, as it assessed the impact of rising energy prices and supply disruptions linked to the West Asia conflict. The RBI also increased the investment limit for Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) and Overseas Citizens of India (OCIs) in equity instruments.Indian equity markets are likely to remain range-bound next week amid a mix of domestic and global triggers, according to Siddhartha Khemka, Head of Research, Wealth Management, at Motilal Oswal Financial Services.“While the Reserve Bank of India’s measures to attract foreign capital and the government’s tax relief for foreign investors in government securities could support sentiment, we expect market movement to be driven largely by bottom-up stock picking and sector-specific action in the near term,” he said.Khemka noted that the central bank raised its FY27 inflation forecast to 5.1% and lowered its FY27 GDP growth projection to 6.6%, reinforcing concerns over energy prices, geopolitical tensions in West Asia and weather-related uncertainties.“If inflationary pressures remain elevated and external risks persist, the possibility of a future monetary tightening cycle could increase, keeping investors cautious. Going forward, investors will closely track energy prices, developments in the West Asia conflict, monsoon progress, FII flows and the impact of RBI’s policy measures for further market direction,” he added.3) FII selling continuesForeign Institutional Investors (FIIs) remained net sellers in the Indian market during the first week of June, offloading shares worth Rs 31,120 crore, according to Pabitro Mukherjee, Deputy Vice President – Research at Bajaj Broking. Domestic Institutional Investors (DIIs), meanwhile, continued to provide support as net buyers.“Investor sentiment remained subdued amid persistent geopolitical tensions, which kept crude oil prices elevated. Heightened global uncertainty, coupled with prevailing macroeconomic challenges, led to cautious market participation. Going forward, institutional flows are likely to remain highly sensitive to developments in US-Iran relations and movements in oil prices,” he said.4) Iran-US tensions US forces struck Iranian coastal radar sites on Saturday after intercepting drones launched by Iran toward the Strait of Hormuz, the US military said. Reuters, citing a US official, reported that the military believes the four Iranian drones were targeting regional maritime traffic. US Central Command said on X that it subsequently struck Iran’s surveillance sites in Goruk and Qeshm Island, both located along the Strait of Hormuz.Meanwhile, Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps said it had targeted US bases in Kuwait and Bahrain in retaliation for the strikes and fired on four tankers attempting to cross the strait without its permission. The developments renewed concerns over escalating tensions in the oil-rich Middle East.Also read: GIFT Nifty tumbles 1.5% as US stock market plunges. Will Dalal Street crash on Monday?5) Bond yields Rising inflation concerns pushed US Treasury yields higher. The yield on the 2-year Treasury note, which is highly sensitive to expectations around Federal Reserve policy, climbed to a 15-month high. Elevated interest rates typically make bonds more attractive relative to equities, weighing on stock market sentiment.Technical view on NiftyThe benchmark Nifty index ended lower for the second consecutive week, reflecting the cautious undertone prevailing in the market, said Sudeep Shah, Head of Technical and Derivatives Research at SBI Securities.According to Rupak De, Senior Technical Analyst at LKP Securities, Nifty 50 has been moving within a defined range as markets digest the RBI’s policy announcement. He noted that sentiment remains weak, with the index continuing to trade below key moving averages. The Relative Strength Index (RSI) also remains subdued, indicating a lack of positive momentum.“In the near term, the index is likely to consolidate within the 23,300–23,500 range. A decisive breakout above 23,500 could trigger an upmove towards 25,700 and beyond, while a break below the 23,300 support level may result in a sharper correction,” he said.(With inputs from agencies)(Disclaimer: Recommendations, suggestions, views and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of The Economic Times)
• Water, hydropower projects may get only Rs179bn in PSDP • Officials say at least Rs500bn is needed; warn low allocation may slow major dam, power projects • Ex-Wapda official fears Diamer-Bhasha, Dasu may miss timelines • Wapda says eight mega projects are under construction, expected to double hydel generation by 2030 THE country’s persistent failure to invest adequately in water storage and hydropower infrastructure has once again come into focus, as the government is expected to earmark only Rs179 billion under the proposed Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) 2026-27 for a sector considered critical to the nation’s water, food and energy security. The proposed allocation has raised concerns over the pace of work on major ongoing hydropower projects, reservoirs and flood mitigation schemes at a time when the country is struggling with recurring floods, shrinking per capita water availability and high electricity costs. Officials and experts say accelerated investment in water infrastructure is essential for managing the impact of climate change and producing clean, reliable and low-cost electricity needed for sustainable economic growth. They argue that the country needs at least Rs500bn to speed up four major ongoing hydropower projects and start civil work on new water storage projects, especially in view of concerns over upstream water developments by India. “At a time when our country faces mounting water scarcity and growing need for affordable and clean energy, the water and power sectors appear to have received less attention in public investment priorities, with development allocations falling short of the resources required for the timely completion of critical ongoing projects and the launch of new water infrastructure schemes,” a senior official of the Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) said. The official, who requested anonymity, said the proposed allocation of Rs179bn would be insufficient for multibillion-dollar dams and hydropower projects already losing their required fast-track pace due to meagre funding of around Rs106bn under the PSDP 2025-26. “What will we do with this limited allocation for such major ongoing projects?” the official asked, adding that the government should place the water and power sector at the top of its budget priorities by allocating at least Rs500bn. “With just Rs179bn, we may not be able to start work on new dams, including the Chiniot Dam on the Chenab, which is currently at an advanced stage ahead of its launch,” the official said. Pakistan urgently needs additional reservoirs, hydropower projects and flood mitigation infrastructure to enhance water security, reduce the impact of floods and droughts, adapt to climate change and provide affordable electricity to consumers. The challenge has assumed greater significance amid growing concerns over upstream developments on the western rivers, particularly the Chenab, where Indian plans for additional water infrastructure have heightened calls for accelerating domestic investments in water storage and river management capacity. Analysts warn that delays in expanding the country’s water infrastructure could deepen existing water and energy challenges and limit Pakistan’s ability to respond effectively to emerging regional and climate-related pressures. Projects at risk At present, Wapda is executing several major water and hydropower projects, including Mohmand Dam, Tarbela 5th Extension, Diamer-Bhasha Dam, Dasu Hydropower Project and the K-IV Greater Karachi Bulk Water Supply Scheme. The Mohmand Dam Project is being constructed on the Swat River. It is designed to store 1.29 million acre feet (MAF) of water, generate 800MW of low-cost and environment-friendly electricity and provide 300 million gallons per day of water to Peshawar for municipal use. The Tarbela 5th Extension project is also under construction, with work progressing on the intake structure, connecting tunnel, penstock, low-level outlet, powerhouse, tailrace culvert, tailrace canal and switchyard. The project has an installed generation capacity of 1,530MW. The World Bank and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank are providing $390m and $300m, respectively, for its construction. After completion, Tarbela’s installed power generation capacity will increase from 4,888MW to 6,418MW. The Diamer-Bhasha Dam is considered one of the most vital projects for Pakistan’s water, food and energy security. It is being constructed across the Indus River to store 8.1 MAF of water and generate 4,500MW of clean and affordable electricity. On completion, the project is expected to irrigate an additional 1.2m acres of land and contribute 18bn units of low-cost electricity to the national grid every year. The 4,320MW Dasu Hydropower Project is also under way and planned to be completed in two stages. Wapda is currently constructing Stage-I, with an installed capacity of 2,160MW and annual generation of 12bn units of low-cost and environment-friendly electricity. The World Bank is providing financial assistance worth $1.57bn for Stage-I, which is expected to start electricity generation in December 2027. Work on the K-IV Project, or Greater Karachi Bulk Water Supply Scheme Phase-I, is also in progress. These projects are scheduled to be completed in phases from 2026 to 2030, targeting a combined increase of 9.7 MAF in water storage and over 9,000MW in clean hydropower. However, funding availability and local coordination remain the primary factors determining whether these timelines can be met. Chenab storage concerns The need for new water storage projects is particularly urgent on the Chenab River, which is vital for Pakistan’s agriculture under the Indus Waters Treaty. “As far as new dam projects are concerned, the Chenab is very important because we have no dam to store its water,” another Wapda official said. The planned water reservoir projects on the Chenab include Chiniot, Shah Jeewna, Mid Ranjha and Wazirabad dams. However, officials say work on Chiniot Dam should begin immediately. The proposed Chiniot Dam site is located on the Chenab River about five kilometres from Chiniot city and around 100 metres upstream of the existing railway bridge. The project has a gross storage capacity of 0.9 MAF, including 0.85 MAF of live storage, and is also expected to generate 80MW of electricity. Inadequate allocations are expected to delay these projects and lead to further cost escalation. The Wapda official said Pakistan had last year asked India to refrain from any unilateral manipulation of river flows and fulfil its obligations under the Indus Waters Treaty after fluctuations were observed in Chenab flows from Dec 9 to 18. According to the official, the river’s upstream control is handled by Indian authorities through various run-of-the-river hydropower projects. He said that sudden flushing of water from upstream structures without informing Pakistani authorities could sharply increase flows downstream in Pakistan, while holding water for days could massively reduce flows. Neelum-Jhelum delay Officials and experts also point to the Neelum-Jhelum Hydropower Project as an example of how delays in repair work, funding and accountability can deprive the country of vital hydropower generation. Although the project’s first unit was commissioned in 2018, the contractors reportedly failed to complete pending works, fulfil contractual obligations and supply spare parts needed for smooth operation. The Auditor General of Pakistan, in its performance audit report for 2022-23 submitted to parliament last year, raised questions about the quality and design of the project after a major collapse in the tailrace tunnel of the powerhouse a few years after construction. The 969MW project has remained shut since the collapse in the tailrace tunnel, while repair work has yet to be launched despite the passage of several years. “This project has been closed for the last three years due to delay in repair work at the affected portion. Until when will we continue holding inquiries and fixing responsibilities in the wake of this 969MW project?” asked Jawaid Latif, a former member (water) of Wapda. Talking to Dawn, Mr Latif said he was not against accountability, but the government should have provided funds to Wapda to launch repair work, including concrete lining of the tunnel, alongside conducting inquiries and fixing responsibility. “Had this been done earlier, hydel power generation from this vital project would have resumed well on time,” he said, adding that he had heard the repair project was currently passing through the award process. Mr Latif also criticised meagre PSDP allocations for the water and power sector, saying the government lacked an effective policy framework under which strategic projects were given priority with adequate funding and work on a war-footing basis. “I am not seeing Bhasha or Dasu Dam and other projects being completed on time, as the government seems to be giving less attention to the water and power sector despite knowing about water aggression and violations of the Indus Waters Treaty by India,” he said. He said water and power sector projects should be given top priority among projects of national interest, while the country should also keep a close watch on upstream activities by India. When contacted, a Wapda spokesperson said the authority had been playing a pivotal role in national development since its inception in 1958. In a statement, he said Wapda was committed to Pakistan’s water, food and energy security and was implementing its largest development portfolio, comprising eight mega projects in the water and hydropower sectors. These projects, he said, were destined to “revolutionise the economic landscape of Pakistan” by providing much-needed water and affordable hydel electricity for a green and bright Pakistan. Published in Dawn, June 7th, 2026
Even if the cartel members vow to ramp up output by thousands of barrels per day, analysts say geopolitical realities mean they probably won't move prices.
OPEC+ ministers meet Sunday to weigh higher production quotas in a bid to cap oil prices that have surged since the Iran war effectively choked off Gulf crude shipments.But even if the cartel members vow to ramp up output by thousands of barrels per day, analysts say geopolitical realities mean they probably won't move the needle on prices.Also read: OPEC+ leaders expected to up July oil output target despite Hormuz disruption, sources sayWith the crucial Strait of Hormuz shut since US and Israeli attacks on Iran in late February, oil prices have nearly doubled, igniting inflation pressures worldwide.Ministers from the 21 member states of OPEC+, the main oil producing nations and their allies, are holding their quarterly meeting online.The group is likely to beef up its production quotas by "188,000 barrels a day", said Jorge Leon, analyst at Rystad Energy, similar to recent increases. But in reality, only seven members -- Saudi Arabia, Russia, Iraq, Kuwait, Kazakhstan, Algeria and Oman -- have the capacity to do so.Dwindling supply Tehran's threats of retaliatory attacks to US and Israeli strikes have virtually blocked the vital Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly a fifth of global oil and gas supplies normally pass.That is equivalent to about 20 million barrels a day. But with key Gulf producers shut out of the global market, pledges to raise output in a bid to ease spiralling prices are unlikely to sway traders. "Any announced production increases or changes to output targets will have limited practical value," said Ole Hansen, a commodities analyst at Saxo Bank."There is very little OPEC can do," he told AFP.OPEC+ itself says daily production has plummeted to just 33 million barrels a day as tankers remain stuck, compared to nearly 43 million before the conflict.A US blockade on Iranian ports means "it will be even less than that" in reality, said Homayoun Falakshahi, head of crude oil analysis at data firm Kpler.Also read: Oil prices fall on mounting hopes for de-escalation in US-Iran WarUAE slams the door The United Arab Emirates' recent decision to quit OPEC further saps away at the cartel's influence, given its huge excess production capacity.And Abu Dhabi has made clear it wants to boost output."They don't want to be dictated to, they want to maximise their revenues," said Lawrence Haar, a lecturer in finance at the University of Brighton in England. And the cartel risks seeing other countries follow the UAE's example."If Iraq were to leave, it could mark the end of OPEC+," Falakshahi said.Saudi Arabia, by far the cartel's most influential member, "is going to do what it takes to stop anyone else from leaving," Falakshahi predicted.That could translate into more flexible output quotas or decreased penalties for any excess production.But "for now, the compensation framework has effectively become irrelevant due to widespread production shut-ins," Hansen said.As a result, the Iran war has largely neutralised the cartel's stated mission "to secure an efficient, economic and regular supply of petroleum to consumers, and a steady income to producers". For Falakshahi, the only factor limiting further oil price spikes at the moment is China, "which is buying less oil than normal" by tapping into its vast strategic reserves.
The push to revive Muafakat Nasional is seen as reflecting a PAS strategic need more than a renewed push for Malay-Muslim unity.
Tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has collapsed by 90% to 95% compared to pre-war levels, analysts concur. Some oil cargoes continue to trickle through the critical chokepoint, but under increasingly opaque operating conditions, complicating the tracking of oil and gas flows and obscuring the visibility of how much energy supply actually reaches buyers these days. Traffic appears to have ramped up in recent weeks, according to an analysis of shipping data by Reuters energy columnist Ron Bousso. More vessels are leaving the region after…
Unpopularity of the war may affect the US approach to the conflict and hurt Republicans in the elections, analysts say.
Critics and legacy news outlets are pouncing on the Trump administration and Director Kash Patel for the Friday firing of Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) analysts connected to the creation of a 2023 memo warning of a potential threat from “extremist” traditional Catholics. The post Critics, Media Defend FBI Analysts Kash Patel Fired for 2023 Memo Portraying Catholics as Dangerous Extremists appeared first on Breitbart.
As SpaceX prepares for the biggest public debut in history, some analysts warn that the company’s “moonshot” projections could fall short.
A major political development has unfolded in Tamil Nadu as K. Annamalai has stepped away from the BJP to launch a new political movement focused on youth participation, governance reforms, and grassroots engagement. The move has sparked intense debate across political circles, with supporters viewing it as the beginning of a new chapter in Tamil Nadu politics, while critics question whether distancing himself from the BJP could limit his political influence.Annamalai's decision is expected to reshape political equations in the state, particularly among young voters seeking alternative leadership and fresh political ideas. Political analysts are closely watching how the new movement evolves and whether it can emerge as a significant force in Tamil Nadu's highly competitive political landscape. n18oc_breaking-newsn18oc_Indian18oc_politicsNews18 Mobile App - https://onelink.to/desc-youtube
For nearly a decade, India's carmakers chased the sport utility vehicle (SUV) dream.Higher margins, aspirational buyers and a growing appetite for larger vehicles pushed manufacturers to flood showrooms with sport utility vehicles and compact SUVs, steadily relegating hatchbacks — once the backbone of India's passenger vehicle market — to the sidelines.Also Read: Tata Motors PV launches next-gen Tiago from Rs 4.69 lakh, Tiago.ev from Rs 6.99 lakh with lifetime battery warrantyThe strategy worked. Utility vehicles now account for well over half of all passenger vehicle sales in India and contributed nearly two-thirds of the 4.3 million vehicles sold in FY25.But as economic pressures mount, vehicle prices climb and first-time buyers struggle to enter the market, India's biggest automakers are beginning to acknowledge a reality they may have overlooked: the country's next wave of growth could come from the very segment they left behind.From Maruti Suzuki's renewed commitment to entry-level cars to Tata Motors' ambitious reinvention of the Tiago, hatchbacks are once again finding themselves at the centre of boardroom conversations.Also Read: Small cars strike back: Maruti Suzuki bets on mass mobility while costs squeeze fourth quarter profitsAnd this time, carmakers are betting that small cars no longer have to feel small.The forgotten customerThe shift is being driven by a growing recognition that India's passenger vehicle market cannot rely indefinitely on premiumisation.While SUVs have transformed the industry's revenue mix, they have also pushed average vehicle prices steadily higher, making car ownership increasingly difficult for millions of households.Maruti Suzuki Chairman R. C. Bhargava recently signalled the company's intent to rebalance its portfolio."We are planning to develop both small cars and SUVs. The small car market is growing. India is a country where small cars have a long-term future," Bhargava said.The comments mark a notable shift in tone from an industry that spent years focusing on larger and more expensive vehicles.For Maruti, which built its dominance on models such as the Alto, WagonR and Swift, the renewed emphasis reflects confidence that affordability will remain central to India's mobility story."A large part of the population… need small cars" for basic mobility, Bhargava said.Industry analysts say the opportunity remains substantial."In the small cars segment, there is a much bigger conversion pool that carmakers can navigate. Hence, there is this renewed push towards small cars and that segment," said Hemal Thakkar, Senior Director, Crisil Intelligence."India is a price sensitive market and hence, small cars will stay and customers are looking for upgrades within vehicles. If carmakers can provide small cars with new features and upgrades, then there will be more customers for the small car space," he added.Making hatchbacks aspirational againIf Maruti is signalling a strategic return to small cars, Tata Motors is attempting something more ambitious — making hatchbacks desirable again.The company this week unveiled the next-generation Tiago and Tiago.ev, positioning them as technology-rich products aimed at reviving a segment many in the industry had effectively written off."Hatchbacks remain the gateway to personal mobility for millions of Indian families and yet, for far too long, this segment received scarce attention from the industry, when it genuinely deserved far more," said Shailesh Chandra, Managing Director and CEO, Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles.Calling the new Tiago "not an evolution but a full reinvention", Chandra said the vehicle brings substantially upgraded design, connected technologies and safety features that were once largely reserved for more expensive categories.The next-generation Tiago gets a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system, wireless smartphone connectivity, a dual-screen dashboard, wireless charging and a segment-first 360-degree surround-view camera."The feeling of wow shouldn't be reserved for expensive cars," Chandra said."Today hatchback customers want far more than mobility, they want design, tech, safety and pride of ownership. A car they want to flaunt."The company has also positioned the Tiago.ev as an affordable electric mobility option, offering a lifetime battery warranty and fast-charging capability that can add up to 100 kilometres of range in 18 minutes."Tiago will make EV more accessible," Chandra said.Why affordability is back in focusThe renewed interest in hatchbacks comes as affordability re-emerges as a key concern across the industry.Vehicle prices have risen sharply in recent years because of stricter regulations, higher commodity costs and the addition of new safety and technology features.That has increasingly pushed first-time buyers out of the market.According to Srikumar Krishnamurthy, Senior Vice President and Co-Group Head, Corporate Ratings, ICRA Limited, hatchbacks continue to play a critical role in expanding the customer base."Hatchbacks remain a preferred segment, particularly for first-time buyers and households seeking a second vehicle, as affordability and comfort are key purchase considerations," he said."From an original equipment perspective, a presence across segments also helps improve reach, especially in Tier 2/3 cities."Krishnamurthy added that rising vehicle costs are forcing manufacturers to revisit their entry-level offerings."With input costs rising and vehicle prices expected to increase further, affordability is becoming even more important, especially in the mass-market segment. In response, OEs are looking to reposition entry-level hatchbacks and compact SUVs through new launches and refreshed variants that offer a stronger value proposition to consumers."Beyond SUVsThe industry's renewed focus on hatchbacks does not mean SUVs are going away.Far from it.Utility vehicles remain India's dominant passenger vehicle category and continue to drive growth and profitability for manufacturers.What is changing, however, is the recognition that growth cannot come solely from moving customers up the value chain.To sustain volumes, carmakers need to bring new buyers into the market.That is especially important as India adds millions of young consumers entering the workforce, many of whom are seeking their first personal vehicle but remain highly sensitive to price.Affordable electric hatchbacks could further strengthen the segment's appeal in coming years."Affordable EV hatchbacks could become an attractive proposition as charging infrastructure improves, range-anxiety concerns ease, and the financing environment becomes more supportive," Krishnamurthy said.For much of the past decade, India's hatchbacks were treated as yesterday's story while SUVs became the industry's obsession.Now, as automakers search for their next growth engine, the segment that once put millions of Indians behind the wheel is beginning to look relevant again.The future of India's auto market may still be taller, bolder and SUV-shaped. But increasingly, carmakers are recognising that the road to scale may once again begin with a hatchback.
The Reserve Bank of India's recent monetary policy measures aim to bolster the rupee by attracting significant capital inflows, estimated between $40-75 billion. Despite rising inflation and revised growth forecasts, the Monetary Policy Committee is expected to maintain the repo rate at 5.25% with a neutral stance in August, prioritizing stability and external sector defense.