Leading FMCG companies reported a decline in margins in the September quarter on account of higher input costs and food inflation, which ultimately slowed down the pace of urban consumption. Rising prices of commodity inputs such as palm oil, coffee and cocoa were also accentuated and some FMCG firms have hinted at a price hike. HUL, Godrej Consumer Products Ltd (GCPL), Marico, ITC, and Tata Consumer Products Ltd (TCPL) have expressed concerns over squeezing urban consumption, which according to industry experts forms 65-68 per cent of FMCG total sales. "We think this is a short-term hit and we will recover the margins through judicious price increase and stabilising of costs," said GCPL Managing Director and CEO Sudhir Sitapati in a Q2 earning statement. GCPL, makers of Cinthol, Godrej No 1, HIT had a steady quarter given the headwinds of oil costs and tough consumer demand in India and its standalone EBITDA margin was lower, caused entirely by high inflation in palm oil. The rur
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Balance between inflation & growth is well-poised, the Indian economy reflects a picture of stability and strength, said Shaktikanta Das
The Congress on Friday said inequality, wage stagnation and inflation were "structurally corrosive" to India's long-term growth prospects and urged the government to address concerns over the growing financialisation of the Indian economy. Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh said the centrality of increasing the rates of private investment as a percentage of GDP in order to sustain higher rates of economic growth was incontrovertible. These rates have fallen from 33.4 per cent (2004-2014) to 28.7 per cent (2014-2023), he said. Ramesh shared an article by a noted public finance economist and said it revealed issues that were a further cause for concern. Citing the article, Ramesh said the share of passive income -- income from rent, dividends, capital gains, etc -- in the total reported income had increased from 16 per cent in 2016-17 to 24 per cent in 2023-2024. For the corporate sector, the share of passive income (income outside of operating profits
Headline inflation likely to remain on track throughout 2025-26
The developments come at a time when the markets are already grappling with geopolitical developments in West Asia and the uncertainty surrounding the outcome of the US presidential polls
While the September inflation print may see a significant pick-up as base effects turn adverse and food prices register an upturn, food inflation, the RBI said, is expected to ease by Q4:2024-25
Food price inflation surged to 11.53 per cent during the month compared to 3.11 per cent in August, data released by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry on Monday showed
In a press statement after the RBI's Monetary Policy announcement, RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das said the inflation worries have eased but there is a need for greater vigilance
The policy remains open-ended on the future possibility of rate cut, which sounds reasonable given that the future course of inflation is hard to gauge
Governor Shaktikanta Das has so far dismissed calls for rate cuts, concerned that high food prices will prevent inflation from staying at the 4 per cent target level on a sustainable basis
Apprehensions have been expressed in public domain of a slowdown in money supply on the back of an inadequate reserve money expansion and this could play a role in growth slowdown
The Central government in a slew of measures late last week eased some of the export curbs on key commodities
Central bank in no rush to cut rates as projections say inflation is moderating, says Shaktikanta Das
Although food prices, which make up nearly half the inflation basket, have eased significantly in the last two months, erratic monsoon rains across India could harm crop yields
Changing the components of the consumer price index is a detail-oriented exercise that requires the attention of all stakeholders
Rising food costs, especially for vegetables, and hikes in telecom tariffs last month were offset by a higher base from July last year
According to a poll conducted by Business Standard ahead of the meeting, the central bank is expected to maintain a status quo for the ninth consecutive policy review
Economic Survey 2024 LIVE news: The Economic Survey stated that short-term inflation outlook benign, but India faces persistent deficit in pulses