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Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Indian stocks to hit new highs despite concerns market is expensive: Reuters poll
By Vivek Mishra BENGALURU (Reuters) - India's stock market is forecast to hit a new high by the end of 2025 and rise further next year, according to a Reuters poll of equity analysts, although there were some concerns about lofty valuations and a possible correction over the next three months. Foreign investors turned net buyers in April for the first time in four months and the blue-chip Nifty 50 index has climbed nearly 15% from a 10-month low in early April, though it is below an all-time high of 26,277.35 hit in late September. That momentum came despite a sharp slowdown in economic growth, which likely cooled to 6.3% last fiscal year from over 9% the year before. U.S. President Donald Trump's renewed tariff threats have also stirred concerns for India's export-heavy sectors such as pharmaceuticals and chemicals. The Nifty 50 was forecast to rise 6% to 26,500 by end-2025 from Monday's close of 25,001.15, and then reach 27,300 and 28,450 by mid-2026 and end-2026 respectively, according to a May 15–27 poll of 31 analysts. That would mark the longest time the index has taken to recover from a correction in nearly a decade. The BSE Sensex is expected to climb to 86,100 by end-2025, 89,000 by mid-2026 and 95,000 by end-2026, the poll showed. "India is starting to look like a safer bet since there aren't many growth alternatives," said Yogesh Kalinge, associate director of research at A.K. Capital Services. "Trump's policy is not leading to the usual outflows toward the U.S. safe haven and is in fact making emerging markets look better...(But) if you look at valuations, they do look stretched." With an average price-to-earnings ratio of 23.52, the Indian stock market ranks among the world's most expensive, below the U.S. at 25.41 but far exceeding China's 12.00. Just over half of analysts who answered an additional question, 15 of 28, said a correction - usually defined as a decline of 10% or more - was very likely or likely. The other 13 said it was unlikely or very unlikely. "I expect a correction in the short term ... because of the inability of large caps to grow as expected. Large-cap index revenue growth is below India's nominal economic growth, which is worrisome," said Sreeram Ramdas, vice president at Green Portfolio PMS. A near 80% majority, 23 of 29, said corporate earnings growth in 2025 would be marginally higher, which included four who said significantly higher. Six said marginally lower or significantly lower. Profit growth for Nifty 50 companies also remained muted in the December quarter, with most missing estimates. Still, that was an improvement after three notably weaker quarters. "Earnings growth moderated due to a slower recovery in private sector investment. While some of these pressures have started to ease, the recovery has been insufficient to offset the overall slowdown in corporate performance," said Ajit Mishra, senior vice president of research at Religare Broking. "The earnings commentary is not very encouraging so far, so it's too early to say whether the worst is behind us." (Other stories from the Reuters Q2 global stock markets poll package) Sign in to access your portfolio
News18
13-05-2025
- Health
- News18
From An IISc Student Project To The Frontlines: How FIBROPLUG Stops Bleeding, Saves Lives
Last Updated: The silk-chitosan composite haemostat boasts a unique bio-composite formulation that swiftly clots blood while simultaneously forming a protective barrier over the wound What began as an IISc student's industrial project in a modest Bengaluru laboratory has now become a critical lifeline for Indian defence forces. FIBROPLUG, an ingenious haemostatic dressing developed through a dynamic collaboration between the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) and city-based start-up Fibroheal Woundcare Pvt Ltd, is providing rapid and effective bleeding control in urgent battlefield scenarios along the nation's borders. This patented technology, a silk-chitosan composite haemostat, boasts a unique bio-composite formulation that swiftly clots blood while simultaneously forming a protective barrier over the wound. This dual action makes FIBROPLUG an indispensable tool for military healthcare professionals operating in challenging, high-pressure environments where every second counts. A significant advantage of FIBROPLUG lies in its innovative design. Unlike traditional chitosan-based bandages that often adhere to the skin, causing potential re-bleeding upon removal, FIBROPLUG incorporates a layer of silk. This smooth interface prevents adhesion, allowing for easy and atraumatic removal without disrupting the healing process. The journey from concept to deployment began when Fibroheal approached IISc with a critical need in the homeostasis market. A student project in 2018-19, under the Prime Minister's Research Fellows (PMRF) scheme, laid the groundwork for FIBROPLUG. The product's patent is jointly held by IISc and Fibroheal, highlighting the success of this academic-industry partnership. Following rigorous testing and regulatory approvals, full-scale manufacturing commenced in late 2024. Today, FIBROPLUG is being utilised by Indian defence forces across 30 units, including field hospitals. 'The incorporation of a silk layer to the chitosan base was key," explained professor Kaushik Chatterjee of IISc to CNN-News18. 'While chitosan is excellent for inducing blood clotting, its stickiness can cause issues. The silk layer ensures effective clotting without the risk of re-bleeding upon removal." Vivek Mishra, CEO of Fibroheal, emphasises the product's life-saving potential, stating, 'Excessive bleeding accounts for a significant percentage of battlefield fatalities. FIBROPLUG's rapid absorption and coagulation capabilities can dramatically improve survival rates." Bharat Tandon, founder of Fibroheal, sees this innovation as a significant step in leveraging local resources, particularly Karnataka's silk production, for advanced medical technology. FIBROPLUG stands as a testament to Indian scientific ingenuity and the transformative power of collaboration, bridging the gap between laboratory innovation and critical real-world applications, ultimately saving lives on the front lines. First Published: May 13, 2025, 15:28 IST
Time of India
11-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Lab bench to battlefield: Bengaluru innovation helps save lives
BENGALURU: An innovative haemostatic dressing developed by scientists at IISc and manufactured by a Bengaluru-based startup from its Doddaballapur unit is proving to be an asset for Indian defence forces , providing rapid bleeding control in emergency battlefield situations along the border. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The innovative product ( FIBROPLUG ), a patented technology developed through industry-academic collaboration — IISc and Fibroheal Woundcare Pvt Ltd — is a silk-chitosan composite haemostat. The product's unique bio-composite formulation facilitates rapid clotting while establishing a protective barrier over wound sites, making it an essential tool for military healthcare professionals operating in challenging conditions. Fibroheal co-founder Vivek Mishra told TOI that in just the past week, the startup has supplied 5,000 units of FIBROPLUG to 16 field hospitals spread across the western and northern dressing features a two-layered structure, with a base of chitosan (derived from shellfish) that quickly attracts blood cells and initiates clotting, topped with a layer made of silk fibroin infused with silica particles. 'This combination overcomes limitations of existing haemostatic products. While traditional chitosan-based bandages are often sticky and can cause rebleeding when removed, FIBROPLUG's silk layer forms a smooth barrier against the skin, preventing adhesion and allowing for easy removal without disturbing the healing wound,' Prof Kaushik Chatterjee from IISc, who lab developed the technology which has been transferred to Fibroheal, told TOI. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Laboratory tests on rats demonstrated the dressing's effectiveness, stopping bleeding in just over 30 seconds while leaving no residue or causing rebleeding. Human applications have shown similarly impressive results, with bleeding control achieved in under two minutes—significantly faster than conventional dressings. The product is available in four different delivery systems and various sizes, enabling effective haemorrhage control across a range of traumatic wounds, including difficult and deep injuries. Fibroheal, founded in 2017 by Mishra and Bharat Tandon, was established with the vision of addressing critical gaps in the Indian wound care and medtech segment by harnessing the biomaterial applications of silk proteins. The company approached researchers at IISc led by Prof Chatterjee in 2018, initiating a partnership that would eventually yield results. 'Our first engagement with the armed forces happened before. That was for a special forces unit, details of which we cannot share. I think once our product got qualified with them, the other orders started coming in," Mishra said. 'We started receiving orders from the last week of April.' While FIBROPLUG has proven very useful in military settings, its potential extends well beyond the battlefield. The same technology that saves lives on the front lines can be equally effective in civilian emergency scenarios, from car accidents and kitchen mishaps to playground injuries. The dressing's ease of use makes it suitable for inclusion in ambulances, hospitals, schools and homes, potentially democratising access to advanced wound care across India. While Fibroheal continues to expand production at its Doddaballapur facility, Vijay Singh, IP manager at IISc's IPTeL (Intellectual Property and Technology Licensing) said: '...The project goes on to show not only Indian scientific ingenuity but also a model for successful industry-institute collaboration that translates academic research into life-saving products with global potential.'
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
India economic outlook dims further as US tariffs dent business sentiment: Reuters poll
By Vivek Mishra and Pranoy Krishna BENGALURU (Reuters) - The Indian economy will grow a bit slower than previously thought this fiscal year, according to economists in a Reuters poll who said U.S. tariffs have negatively impacted business sentiment, raising concerns about already weak private investment. Gross domestic product (GDP) growth in the world's fifth-largest economy is expected to average 6.3% this fiscal year, according to an April 15-24 Reuters poll of 54 economists, the same pace as expected for the year just ended. This fiscal year's forecast is a downgrade from 6.5% in a March poll but is slightly above the International Monetary Fund's recently-updated forecast for 6.2%. But it is a dramatic slowdown from the fiscal year 2023-24 when the economy grew 9.2%. Economists say beneath the headline growth numbers is an economy not generating enough well-paying jobs for millions of young people entering the labour market every year. Despite the government stepping up its infrastructure spending, private sector investment has largely remained stagnant over the past decade which has generated growth well below the economy's true potential. A proposed 26% U.S. tariff on Indian goods imports, currently paused for 90 days, is also not helping even though most of India's exports to the U.S. are services. "Middle-class Indians are struggling. Residential building sales, passenger vehicles and two-wheelers (sales) have declined... It is important domestic policies focus on the root cause," said Kunal Kundu, India economist at Societe Generale. Kundu said "India needs a 1991 moment," referring to a landmark campaign by former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, then finance minister, to open up the economy to encourage foreign investment and competition. "We believe the tariff war offers a perfect opportunity for India to embark on this much-needed journey. Otherwise, despite being the fastest-growing large economy in the current low global growth environment, India is likely to fall significantly short of its long-term objective of becoming a developed nation." Asked how U.S. tariffs have affected business sentiment in India 60% of economists, 21 of 35, said the impact was negative or very negative. Fourteen said it was neutral. "Business sentiment has certainly taken a hit because no business today wants to take a call under an uncertain and volatile environment...(and) investment is the most adversely affected component on account of trade tariffs," said Kanika Pasricha, chief economic advisor at Union Bank of India. "Sectors that were actually willing to invest like renewables, refineries, steel and cement to some extent are unlikely to elongate their capital expenditure plans." With U.S. recession fears rising and consumer inflation remaining below the 4% medium-term target for the past two months the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) mild rate-cutting cycle is expected to end in August at 5.50%, a quarter-point lower than the previous survey. The RBI is widely expected to cut rates for a third consecutive meeting in June to 5.75%. "The unexpected drop in inflation... has created greater scope for monetary policy support to growth," said Dhiraj Nim, economist at ANZ. Consumer inflation was expected to average 4.0% this fiscal year before rising to 4.3% next year. (Other stories from the April Reuters global economic poll) Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Indian rupee to slide again after brief recovery, erasing nearly all gains
By Vivek Mishra BENGALURU (Reuters) -The Indian rupee will erase nearly all of the gains it has made against the U.S. dollar in the last two months and tumble back toward an historic low over the next 12 months, according to a Reuters poll of 36 foreign exchange analysts. The partially-convertible rupee has gained around 3% over the past two months, ending a five-month losing streak and marking its largest monthly gain since November 2018, supported by a weaker dollar and renewed foreign capital inflows into equities. However, most analysts in a latest Reuters poll expect the rupee's recovery against the dollar to be short-lived based on slowing economic growth and expectations the dollar will not weaken much further in the coming months. [EUR/POLL] The analysts also said expectations for the shortest easing cycle on record, with the Reserve Bank of India cutting interest rates by a total of 75 basis points, are likely to exert further mild downward pressure on the rupee. The rupee was forecast to drop 1.9% to 87.18 per dollar in three months, then trade at 87.50 in six months and decline 2.6% to 87.80 by the end of March 2026, the poll found. "The rupee has appreciated due to an unexpected slide in the broad dollar index and year-end inflows. The fundamental view is still of weakness, especially on account of potentially higher U.S. tariffs that can hurt exports and warrant a weaker currency," wrote Dhiraj Nim, FX strategist at ANZ. "Beyond the tariff-related adjustment, the path for the USD/INR could gradually trend higher. There is no merit in letting the currency appreciate meaningfully, especially given the need to recoup lost foreign exchange reserves," he added. Analysts in the poll said the rupee's near-term outlook depends on U.S. President Donald Trump's expected reciprocal tariff on major trading partners, set for April 2 and their impact on India's exports and economic growth, which is already slowing. Trump has singled out India as the country with the highest average tariff rates among the United States' leading trading partners. According to Michael Wan, senior currency analyst at MUFG, the key factor driving expectations for a weaker rupee is the likelihood that growth will underperform consensus forecasts. "We think markets are underpricing the risks of reciprocal tariffs on India right now. While India is generally more domestically-oriented to begin with, reciprocal tariffs, if raised to a meaningful level, will still have a negative impact on India's growth prospect in 2025." (For other stories from the April Reuters foreign exchange poll) Sign in to access your portfolio
