Latest news with #Baijal
Hans India
31-07-2025
- Business
- Hans India
Mfg PMI at 14-mth in H1
New Delhi: India's manufacturing sector hit a 14-month high amid logistics rents across Asia-Pacific held nearly flat in the first half of 2025 (H1 2025), dropping 0.4 per cent year-on-year (YoY) despite global trade tensions and heightened caution among occupiers, a report said on Wednesday. 'India's manufacturing sector hit a 14-month high with its S&P Purchasing Managers' Index reaching 58.4 in June, the strongest performance across the region, driven by rising international sales, higher output, and record-breaking employment growth,' Knight Frank said in its report. Despite a rise in vacancies across India's three largest logistics markets, rents climbed at a faster 3.4 per cent in H1 2025, up from 2.1 per cent six months ago. 'India's logistics sector continues to display strength and stability, driven by the manufacturing rebound, policy support, and sustained occupier interest,' said Shishir Baijal, Chairman and Managing Director, Knight Frank India. As global players reconfigure their supply chains, India offers a strategic alternative with a cost advantage and growing infrastructure base, Baijal added. Rents in Chinese mainland markets continued their downward trajectory, momentum for rental growth in Australia and Southeast Asia slowed considerably, the report stated. Most other regional markets registered modest gains, keeping the broader rent index in stable territory. As per the report, much of the region's stability in H1/2025 may also reflect strategic front-loading of shipments ahead of tariff deadlines, raising questions about occupier demand in the coming months. Companies are now reassessing costs and operational flexibilities to optimise their logistics portfolios. 'As firms weigh their strategic priorities, real estate portfolios are increasingly being reconfigured to support more resilient, regionalised supply chains,' said Tim Armstrong, global head of occupier strategy and solutions, Knight Frank. This includes investment in distribution hubs, proximity to ports or multimodal transit networks, and the integration of logistics infrastructure with office and support functions, he added.
Hans India
30-07-2025
- Business
- Hans India
India's manufacturing hits 14-month high as Asia-Pacific logistics rents stay flat in H1 2025
New Delhi: India's manufacturing sector hit a 14-month high amid logistics rents across Asia-Pacific held nearly flat in the first half of 2025 (H1 2025), dropping 0.4 per cent year-on-year (YoY) despite global trade tensions and heightened caution among occupiers, a report said on Wednesday. "India's manufacturing sector hit a 14-month high with its S&P Purchasing Managers' Index reaching 58.4 in June, the strongest performance across the region, driven by rising international sales, higher output, and record-breaking employment growth," Knight Frank said in its report. Despite a rise in vacancies across India's three largest logistics markets, rents climbed at a faster 3.4 per cent in H1 2025, up from 2.1 per cent six months ago. 'India's logistics sector continues to display strength and stability, driven by the manufacturing rebound, policy support, and sustained occupier interest," said Shishir Baijal, Chairman and Managing Director, Knight Frank India. As global players reconfigure their supply chains, India offers a strategic alternative with a cost advantage and growing infrastructure base, Baijal added. Rents in Chinese mainland markets continued their downward trajectory, momentum for rental growth in Australia and Southeast Asia slowed considerably, the report stated. Most other regional markets registered modest gains, keeping the broader rent index in stable territory. As per the report, much of the region's stability in H1 2025 may also reflect strategic front-loading of shipments ahead of tariff deadlines, raising questions about occupier demand in the coming months. Companies are now reassessing costs and operational flexibilities to optimise their logistics portfolios. 'As firms weigh their strategic priorities, real estate portfolios are increasingly being reconfigured to support more resilient, regionalised supply chains," said Tim Armstrong, global head of occupier strategy and solutions, Knight Frank. This includes investment in distribution hubs, proximity to ports or multimodal transit networks, and the integration of logistics infrastructure with office and support functions, he added. Although conditions in logistics occupational markets in the region have remained stable so far, part of this stability may be attributed to the frontloading of shipments ahead of US tariff deadlines, as occupiers strategically advance inventory to avoid additional costs, the report highlighted.
Hamilton Spectator
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Hamilton Spectator
Are you heading to Hillside Festival 2025 in Guelph? Here's what you need to know
Hillside is back and it's time to get ready for the annual celebration of music and community at Guelph Lake Island. The festival runs from Friday, July 18 to Sunday, July 20 and will have five stages for shows, all kinds of body and mind workshops, a food bazaar, artisan market, children's area and more. Artistic director Samir Baijal said there will be performers from across Canada as well as from all over the world. 'I hope you enjoy the weekend on the island, discover some artists who you have never seen or heard before, and make some new friends,' Baijal said in a press release. Here's the Hillside Festival lineup for 2025. And for the first time, guest curator Classic Roots — an Indigenous DJ, producer and performer from Thunder Bay, representing the Long Lake 58 First Nation, selected some artists, too. Those featured are Celeigh Cardinal, Drezus, Joel Wood & Tonia Jo Hall and Sebastian Gaskin. 'Let the festival be a space where cultures collide, spirits soar, and our shared rhythm leads us forward,' Roots said. Festival goers enjoy the beach and lake. Here are a few more things you might need to know. The weather this weekend won't be as steamy — but the Weather Network is calling for some rain. The high of 26 degrees will be a welcome cool-down for folks spending the weekend outdoors. Pack your umbrella for Saturday night and Sunday, because they are calling for some showers. You can still get day passes for all three days of the festival. Organizers said as of July 15, the festival was 85 per cent sold out overall, so you might want to grab your tickets online now. There are youth and senior options, and children under 12 get in for free with an adult. The food pavilion will have local and regional chefs and artisans creating locally sourced, organic, sustainable menus. But don't worry, there will be ice cream from Mapleton's Organic Dairy and your favourite popsicles from Laza Food and Beverages Inc. A full list of vendors is also available online. The complete line up and schedule of performances on all the stages is available now so you can plan ahead. Some main stage shows over the weekend include sets by Ruby Waters, Tim Baker, the Devin Cuddy Band, Son Rompe Pera, Femi Kuti & the Positive Force, Hurray for Riff Raff, and Lucius. You can drive and park, especially if you are camping, but if you're coming from Guelph, there is a shuttle bus to and from downtown. You can even exchange your ticket for a wristband when you board the bus and stay on it the whole way to the island entrance. Otherwise, you will have to stop at the main gate tent to get your wristband or badge. Bring your bike and you can park it in Henry Kock's Bike Lot. Volunteers will show you where to lock it up and can even help with tools if you need them. The Guelph Off Road Bicycling Association conducts rides leaving the festival from the bike area. Don't forget to bring your reusable water bottles to fill at the Water Wagon. At the festival you will also be able to use reusable dishes that are washed by volunteers. Hillside is a green festival leader in the country and around the world, and it's important we leave the conservation area the way we found it (or better!) The Hillside Festival welcome sign shines in the sun by Guelph Lake. Learn more at You can also download the app on your phone to navigate and plan your experience. Happy Hillside, everyone!
Hans India
25-06-2025
- Business
- Hans India
Home purchases are more affordable now
Mumbai: The house purchase affordability of homebuyers has improved in the first half of 2025 as the RBI slashed the repo rate by 100 basis points during this period, according to real estate advisory firm Knight Frank India. According to the Knight Frank Affordability Index, Ahmedabad is the most affordable housing market among the top eight cities, with a ratio of 18 per cent, followed by Pune at 22 per cent and Kolkata at 23 per was the least affordable city with a ratio of 48 per cent. However, the city's affordability index level improved by over 2 percentage points, moving from 50 per cent in 2024 to 48 per cent in H1 2025.' This is the first time in the history of the index that Mumbai has come below the threshold of the 50 per cent mark, which is considered the outer point of affordability. Mumbai's market, which has always been above the threshold, has now become more affordable due to the reduced home loan rates,' the report said. Affordability levels have marginally worsened in the National Capital Region during the same period, with households now needing to pay 28 per cent of their income for acquiring an average property in the city instead of 27 per cent in 2023. This can be attributed to the steep increase in residential prices, which have eclipsed the impact of the interest rate cuts in the NCR, according to the report. Knight Frank India's Affordability Index is based on the EMI (Equated Monthly Instalment) to income ratio for an average Baijal, CMD, Knight Frank India, said, 'As incomes grow and the economy gains strength, financial confidence among end-users improves, motivating them to commit to long-term investments such as home ownership. Given the RBI's healthy 6.5 per cent GDP growth estimate for FY 2026 and a favourable interest rate scenario, affordability levels are expected to be supportive of homebuyer demand in 2025.'
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India.com
03-06-2025
- Business
- India.com
Another RBI Rate Cut To Spark Affordable Real Estate Momentum: Experts
New Delhi: As the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) prepares for its monetary policy committee (MPC) meeting this week, industry experts said on Tuesday that the transmission of rate cuts into lower borrowing costs is vital to sustain residential real estate demand — particularly in the affordable housing segment, which is sensitive to interest rate movements. Given the prevailing benign inflation environment and the GDP growth of 6.5 per cent recorded in FY2025, the Reserve Bank is likely to proceed with a 25-bps repo rate cut this Friday (June 6). 'The case for a rate cut is further supported by the revival in the liquidity conditions to a surplus of Rs 3.6 lakh crore, which enhances the effectiveness of monetary transmission. Additionally, the softening of G-sec yields reflects bond market confidence in the RBI's inflation and liquidity management and strengthens the rationale for easing rates,' said Shishir Baijal, Chairman and Managing Director, Knight Frank India. With the anticipated rate cut, the cumulative reduction in the policy rate in this cycle would be 75 bps. However, the focus must now shift to the pace and breadth of transmission. 'While some commercial banks have begun to lower their MCLR and base rates, the adjustments have been modest. With liquidity conditions stabilising, there is now greater scope for commercial banks to accelerate the pass-through of policy easing to borrowers. This will be key to spurring consumer demand and private investment, ultimately supporting economic growth,' Baijal noted. The Central Bank is projected to cut the repo rate by another 50 basis points (bps) this fiscal (FY26), after the 50 bps cut until April this year. Bank lending rates have begun easing, which should support domestic demand, according to a latest Crisil note. Experts said that with EMIs constituting a significant share of monthly income in affordable category, even a modest reduction in lending rates can influence buying decisions, providing the necessary momentum to support this price-sensitive demand segment.
