It's Wednesday, February 19th, 2025. This is Nelson John, let's get started.

The Indian stock market is currently experiencing a notable downturn, raising concerns among investors about whether this is a temporary correction or the onset of a prolonged bear market. Since reaching its peak in September 2024, the Sensex has declined by approximately 12%. Mid-cap and small-cap indices have been hit harder, with declines nearing 20%, placing them on the cusp of bear market territory. Now generally a bear market is defined as a decline of 20% or more from recent highs. Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs) have been significant sellers, offloading $21 billion worth of Indian equities over the past four months. This selling spree is attributed to concerns over slowing corporate earnings and high valuations. Despite this, FPIs have only reduced their holdings by about 3%, suggesting that the magnitude of selling isn’t alarming yet. This downturn hasn’t spared any sectors. The power sector has suffered the most, with a decline of 33.2%, followed by oil and gas at 29.4%, and public sector undertakings (PSUs) at 28.6%. These significant drops reflect widespread investor caution across various industries.  While the current market trajectory is uncertain, experts advise focusing on companies with strong earnings, robust balance sheets, and competent management. These attributes are expected to help such companies navigate the downturn effectively and emerge resilient. The Indian stock market is navigating a challenging phase marked by significant corrections and cautious investor sentiment. Whether this phase deepens into a full-blown bear market remains to be seen, but strategic investment in fundamentally strong companies may offer a prudent path forward.

India is shifting its focus from traditional energy sectors to cutting-edge technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), quantum computing, and semiconductors. This strategic transition aims to position the country as a global leader in these emerging fields. Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal highlighted this transition during the India-Qatar Business Forum, emphasizing the move from energy-based trade to technology-driven collaborations. He stated, “We are now looking at a new future where we will transition from energy being the hallmark of our trade to new-age technologies.” This shift is anchored on promoting eco-friendly practices in technology development, encourages innovation and supports startups in tech sectors by integrating advanced technologies, Investing in research and development for AI, IoT, and semiconductors. While India is making significant strides, challenges such as low private R&D investment and the need for a specialized workforce persist. However, with government initiatives and international partnerships, India aims to overcome these hurdles and establish itself as a global hub for AI, IoT, and semiconductor technologies. 

ITC Ltd., a prominent Indian conglomerate, is set to acquire a 100% stake in Prasuma, a well-known frozen food and ready-to-cook brand, over the next three years. The initial phase involves purchasing a 43.8% stake for ₹131 crore, expected to conclude by March 2025. This strategic move aims to bolster ITC’s presence in India’s burgeoning frozen foods market, currently valued at over ₹10,000 crore and anticipated to grow rapidly. Prasuma, recognized for its popular momos and a diverse range of frozen snacks, operates under brands like ‘Prasuma,’ ‘Meatigo by Prasuma,’ and ‘Prasuma Momo Kitchen.’ With a footprint in over 100 cities through both online and offline channels, Prasuma has achieved an annual revenue run-rate of approximately ₹200 crore. This acquisition aligns with ITC’s strategy to expand its portfolio in high-growth categories, complementing its existing ‘ITC Master Chef’ brand, which offers a variety of frozen foods across 200 towns. The integration of Prasuma’s offerings is expected to enhance ITC’s market position, providing consumers with a wider array of convenient and high-quality food products.

Pickleball, a dynamic blend of tennis, badminton, and table tennis, is rapidly gaining popularity in India, transforming from a niche pastime into a burgeoning business opportunity. This surge in interest has captured the attention of startups, investors, and major brands, all eager to tap into the sport’s potential. India’s pickleball scene has witnessed a remarkable 275% increase in active players over the past three years, with projections estimating participation will surpass 1 million by 2028. The sport’s appeal lies in its accessibility and inclusivity, attracting players across various age groups and fitness levels. This widespread enthusiasm has led to a proliferation of pickleball courts, especially in urban apartment complexes, fostering community engagement and social interaction. Recognizing the sport’s potential, several startups have emerged to cater to the growing demand. In a report by Soumya Ramasubrmanyan, the Bengaluru-based GoRally, which operates 15 pickleball courts across four centers and has plans to expand into Chennai and New Delhi, has recently secured $750,000 in pre-seed funding from prominent investors, including Udaan founder Sujeet Kumar and Tracxn’s Abhishek Goyal. Similarly, Goodland Pickleball raised ₹80 lakh for a 6% equity stake plus a 0.5% royalty from boAt founder Aman Gupta on Shark Tank India Season 4. These investments underscore the confidence in pickleball’s growth trajectory and its commercial viability. Despite the enthusiasm, industry experts advise cautious investment, emphasizing the need for sustainable growth and infrastructure development. The next few years will be crucial in determining pickleball’s integration into mainstream sports and its potential inclusion in major tournaments. As the sport continues to evolve, strategic partnerships and community engagement will play pivotal roles in solidifying pickleball’s presence in India’s sporting landscape.

Niche OTT platforms in India, such as Sun NXT, are choosing to offer content exclusively in original regional languages without dubbing or subtitles. This strategy aims to foster audience loyalty and maintain cultural authenticity. By focusing on native language content, these platforms cater to viewers who value genuine regional narratives, setting themselves apart from larger, more generalized services. This approach is also cost-effective, allowing more resources to be allocated toward producing and acquiring original content, reports Lata Jha. However, experts suggest that for sustained growth, a hybrid model incorporating selective dubbing or subtitling could help expand reach while preserving core identity. For instance, starting with subtitles and gradually introducing dubbing for content with broader appeal can attract new subscribers without significant investment. Ultimately, understanding audience preferences and strategic content investment are crucial for the long-term success of these regional OTT services.