Business News: Rising Prices, Top Stocks, Hidden Fees, and Major Reforms: Key Developments Today

CNG and PNG rates in Mumbai were hiked with consideration to newer input costs. The cheapest CNG is now Rs 1.50 per kg costlier, and PNG is Re 1 per standard cubic meter dearer. This according to Mahanagar Gas Ltd, which explained that demand rise coupled with a shortfall in domestic gas supply necessitated sourcing more expensive LNG. Even after the hike, CNG is about 57% cheaper compared to petrol and 51% compared to diesel prices in Mumbai. A continuing advantage of convenience and environmental benefits would, however, remain with PNG.

Domestic markets showed caution on Monday, with stocks of companies like Dixon Technologies, Godrej Consumer, Swan Energy, and others remaining in the news on account of key developments. Dixon Technologies is going to sell its stake in AIL Dixon Tech. Godrej Consumer also expects strong growth in home care and personal care businesses. There have been stake buys in Swan Energy by Blackrock affiliates, while the royalty rate of Nestle India was sustained. Bajaj Finserv subsidiaries showed strong premium performance, Bandhan Bank rolled out new trade products and Maruti Suzuki said it had achieved a car delivery milestone through railways. RailTel recommended a dividend.

The credit card popularity is on a fast track, yet closing one's eyes to many charges levied on the same has become a regular affair. Credit card organizations and banks charge joining and annual charges, the finance charges for unpaid balance, cash advance fees against withdrawal from ATMs and surcharges at petrol pumps. There's a forex markup fee for international transactions, the fee for card replacement in case it gets lost, and an over-limit fee for spending beyond credit limits. Knowing what these charges are is of heavy importance in keeping track of expenses and staying away from unwanted ones.

Howard Schultz described how in 2008, he sat down with Steve Jobs, who told him to fire the entire leadership team at Starbucks—a suggestion Schultz was quite wary of at first. Jobs estimated it would take no more than months before they were all gone. Schultz finally listened to this and took action, effecting dramatic changes that helped raise Starbucks from crisis, vindicating Jobs' foresight.

Convenience, value have driven online grocery shop both in metros and Tier 4 towns of Indian cities. Results of a survey conducted by LocalCircles show that while 86 percent of respondents wanted good product quality, 73 percent wanted to save money and appreciated faster delivery. In 2024, the competition became fierce when apps started giving instant delivery options as well, but still, 67 percent opted for free delivery over speedy delivery. It noted a drift to on-demand purchases, with 57% made, compared to 23% since 2023. Another quirky attribute that came out about the spending nature of Gen Z was the fact that they would be willing to pay more if it would ensure instant delivery. Furthermore, the key preferences that surfaced in this research as reasons behind the willingness of buyers were related to refund automation and exclusive product offerings.

An expert group set up by Sebi is examining seven proposals. These relate to concerns such as tightening the regulatory framework and safeguarding the small investor in index and stock option trading. These include rationalizing weekly options, limiting strike prices, doing away with calendar spread benefits on expiry days, and upfront collection of option premiums. Other proposals relate to intra-day monitoring of position limits, increasing lot sizes and hiking margin requirements near contract expiry. These are measures to ensure the protection of retail investors participating in the phenomenal surge of investors' numbers and associated risks in the derivatives market.

The Election Commission of India has permitted the 'Nationalist Congress Party – Sharadchandra Pawar' to accept voluntary contributions from the public before the Maharashtra assembly elections. This has only temporary discretionary nature, and the party has to adhere to the provisions of Sections 29B and 29C of the Representation of People Act, 1951. Contributions above Rs 20,000 have to be declared. This decision has come right after a meeting with the ECI and will be applicable until the Supreme Court decides on the related petition.

According to the fact-finding committee report submitted to the Congress President, its candidates in Delhi simply blame the Aam Aadmi Party's game-changing factor for its defeat post the Lok Sabha elections. The result is therefore no alliance between Congress and AAP in the upcoming assembly elections in Delhi and Haryana. "Three Congress candidates — Udit Raj, JP Aggarwal and Kanhaiya Kumar — protested that AAP did not […]" The committee has reflected the sentiment of Congress workers also, where there was a feeling of over-dependence on AAP for support, impacting party performance.