Mint Podcast

Simplifying personal finance for you - one step at a time! Tune into Mint Money Shots to know those little tips and tricks on how to manage your money smartly, be it mutual funds, or any other investment vehicle!Partnered with  @InvescoMutualFund 

Watch the full episode on YouTube-https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AOHtQ43NHgo

It's not easy to wake up everyday and see your portfolio in the red - and this seems to have gotten to people - in fact, the numbers prove it. In March 2025, India's mutual fund sector saw a surge in the number of people closing their SIPs or systematic investment plans. According to data by the Association of Mutual Funds in India or AMFI, 51 lakh SIP accounts were discontinued in March - and just about 40 lakh new SIP accounts were opened. The stoppage ratio surged to an unprecedented 127.5%. What does this mean for investors - and should you continue to stay invested?

Watch the full episode on YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x8OInL6MULw

To get your dose of daily business news, tune into Mint Top of the Morning on Mint Podcasts available on all audio streaming platforms.

This is Nelson John, and I'll bring you the top business and tech stories, let's get started.

Global Tech Tensions Rise as China Tightens Rare Earth Exports

The US-China trade war just escalated—with China targeting the backbone of modern tech. In response to US tariffs, Beijing has tightened export controls on rare earth elements like dysprosium, terbium, and gadolinium—crucial for EVs, semiconductors, fighter jets, and smartphones. These materials, now subject to longer permit delays, could disrupt US giants like Tesla, Lockheed Martin, Apple, and Honeywell. With China supplying nearly 90% of the world’s rare earths and the US having only one mine, this move is a strategic blow. Experts warn it could fast-track Western efforts to diversify supply chains—but that’s a long road. In this tech chess game, China just moved its queen.

Gold Shines, But Buyers Back Off Amid Sky-High Prices

Even India’s wedding season can’t compete with gold’s record prices. After a 6% weekly surge and a 30% year-on-year spike, gold demand has dropped by as much as 50%, say jewellers. At ₹93,375 per 10g, many are holding off until Akshaya Tritiya on April 30. What’s fueling the spike? Fears of a global slowdown, a possible trade war, falling bond yields, and the dollar’s instability have investors flocking to gold. While sales volumes are down, jewellers are seeing stable revenues due to higher prices. But as one industry voice puts it: “Buyers are in wait-and-watch mode.”

Health Insurance Set for a Speed Boost in India

No more endless waits for claim approvals—if the Centre’s plan works. The government wants health insurers to approve cashless claims within an hour, and settle final claims in three hours. The move, backed by Irdai, aims to reduce stress for patients and bring more people under insurance coverage by 2047. With 25 million claims still unsettled as of March 2024, faster processing is critical. But challenges remain—rising medical costs, inconsistent hospital paperwork, and coordination issues across TPAs and insurers. A new regulator, standardized forms, and digital platforms like NHCX are in the pipeline. Experts say this could restore consumer trust—if it’s enforced well.

Tata Capital IPO: A Big Leap for the Tata Legacy

After two decades, the Tata Group is back in the IPO game—this time with Tata Capital. In a confidential SEBI filing, Tata Capital gears up for a ₹15,000–₹18,000 crore IPO, marking only the group’s third listing in 25 years, after TCS and Tata Tech. Once a shaky lender plagued by bad infra loans, Tata Capital has transformed under N. Chandrasekaran and Rajiv Sabharwal, now boasting a ₹1.5 trillion loan book and a sharp retail focus. The RBI had set a September 2025 deadline for big NBFCs to list. As it preps for the market debut, all eyes are on whether Tata Capital can bring its legacy of trust into a hyper-competitive fintech world.

FIR Filed Against OYO for Inflating Hotel Revenues

OYO is in hot water again—this time over alleged fraud. Jaipur’s Samskara Resort has filed a police complaint accusing the hospitality startup of inflating its revenues and forging data, leading to a ₹2.66 crore GST notice. The resort claims OYO reported fake bookings worth ₹22.22 crore—years before any agreement existed—while actual revenue was just ₹10.95 lakh. The FIR names OYO founder Ritesh Agarwal and includes charges of cheating and criminal conspiracy. Industry insiders say Samskara isn’t alone—nearly 20 hotels have faced similar tax notices. OYO hasn’t responded yet, and the case could have wider implications for India’s travel-tech sector.

Has Trump adopted Clinton’s economic strategies?

Nilesh Shah, the MD of Kotak Mahindra Asset Management Co. Ltd while talking to Abhishek Singh, Deputy Editor, Mint explains the similarities in their plans.

Watch the full episode on YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5zxqIRj4cOY&list=PL2A-r6Y8n7prviOoxUrtbPs4XgX8AovG1&index=2

Nilesh Shah On Market Crash | Stock Market Crash | Share Market Crash | Share Market Down | Stock Market Down | Stock Market News | Share Market News | Sensex | Nifty 50 | Nifty | MD of Kotak Mahindra Asset Management Co. Ltd | Nilesh Shah | Bull Market | Market Updates | Share Market Updates | Black Monday | Trump Tariffs | US News | India News

Green Corridor, 600 Tons Of iPhones & Custom Clearance: How Apple Strategized To Beat Trump TariffsTech giant Apple chartered cargo flights to ferry 600 tons of iPhones, or as many as 1.5 million, to the United States from India, after it stepped up production there in an effort to beat President Donald Trump's tariffs, a Reuters report stated.

Watch the full episode on YouTube-https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dkt_kHMUxUA

To get your dose of daily business news, tune into Mint Top of the Morning on Mint Podcasts available on all audio streaming platforms.

This is Nelson John, and I'll bring you the top business and tech stories, let's get started. 

Heads up, traders! Indian stock markets will be closed on April 14 (Ambedkar Jayanti) and April 18 (Good Friday). Plan your trades accordingly.

Ola’s Invoice Mystery Deepens

Ola Electric is under fire for a massive mismatch in its February numbers. It claimed 25,207 confirmed e-scooter orders, but only generated invoices for 9,206 vehicles. That leaves over 13,500 unaccounted for—blamed on disruptions during a switch to in-house registration teams.

“Invoices are generated upon vehicle availability,” Ola told the road ministry. But experts are skeptical—under GST law, invoices must be issued before goods move. The VAHAN portal showed just 8,600 registrations that month.

The ministry has asked for repeated clarifications, while rivals Bajaj Auto and TVS are gaining ground. March FADA data placed Ola in third spot, and investors aren’t happy—Ola’s stock has tanked over 17% since the saga began.

💥 U.S.–China Tariff Tensions Escalate

The tech and pharma trade war between the U.S. and China just flared up again. U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick announced sector-based tariffs on smartphones, semiconductors, and electronics, coming within a month.

“We can’t rely on China for essentials like semiconductors and medicines,” Lutnick said. Pharma tariffs are next, aiming to bring manufacturing back to American soil.

This follows a temporary reprieve on Chinese electronics from Trump’s 145% tariffs—one that helped companies like Apple avoid massive pricing hikes (think $3,500 iPhones!). China is urging a rollback, but the pressure’s on—and so are global supply chains.

💰 Gold Hits High, Investors Book Profits

Gold hit an all-time high of $3,235/oz, and retail investors took that as a cue to cash out. AMFI data shows ₹77 crore net outflows from gold ETFs in March—the first in over a year.

“Those who entered 6–12 months ago are locking in gains,” said Kotak MF’s Satish Dondapati. Gold has delivered 23% returns in 2024, outperforming all major assets. But ETF inflows have cooled: +83% in Jan, halved in Feb, reversed in Mar.

Experts expect more redemptions as geopolitical jitters—including China’s 125% tariffs on U.S. imports—drive demand for safe havens. “Gold thrives on uncertainty,” says Kotak’s Kaynat Chainwala. But tread carefully—“Don’t go all in,” warns JM Financial’s Pranav Mer. “Wait for a correction.”

🛂 Green Card Dreams Delayed

It’s a tough month for Indian green card aspirants. The May 2025 U.S. Visa Bulletin shows major retrogressions—especially for the EB-5 investor visa, now pushed back over 6 months to May 1, 2019.

Retrogression means high demand is pushing priority dates backward, not forward. EB-2 remains stuck at Jan 2013, EB-3 creeps to April 2013, and EB-4 is completely unavailable.

With Indians making up a large chunk of global applicants, immigration experts advise staying alert, exploring faster routes like EB1 or NIW, and keeping valid work status. But for now, many will have to wait a bit longer for their American dream.

🌏 Indians Flock to Cooler Destinations

Scorching summer? Indians are heading out! Outbound travel is up 15–20% year-on-year, say visa firms. Top picks: Europe, U.S., Canada, and now, Southeast Asia (hello Thailand, Vietnam).

“Demand is strong across tourism, work, and study,” says BLS International’s Shikhar Aggarwal. Visa applications have risen 11% in 2024, and the peak travel season may now stretch till October.

The travel industry is bullish. AI is being tapped for faster visa processing, but airlines will need to step up on pricing and capacity. One thing’s clear—Indians aren’t staying put this summer. They’re going global.

Bandhan Life is among a very few life insurance companies which sell a higher number of term insurance plans than ULIPs or traditional policies. They sell term plans to self-employed too. In an interview with Mint, Satishwar B, Managing Director and CEO, Bandhan Life, sheds light on difference between term and other life insurance products and how to expand its coverage for better protection of Indian families.Watch the full episode on YouTube-https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sYVg7Zrxg7k&sttick=0

In this episode of Mint Money, we take you through the story of Global stock markets from 1990 till today.

By looking at the global market cap of countries, one thing hits hard - that if you're only investing in Indian stocks, it's like investing only in small-caps if you look at a global perspective - here's how

Watch the full episode on YouTube-https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYBYuGBCQgg

This is Nelson John, and I'll bring you the top business and tech stories, let's get started.

Markets Whiplash on Tariff Confusion

Wall Street’s Wednesday rally didn’t last long. By Thursday, markets tanked after a White House clarification revealed tariffs on Chinese imports would rise to 145%, not the expected 125%. The S&P 500 fell 3.46%, the Dow lost 1,014 points, and the Nasdaq tumbled 4.31%, led by a tech sell-off—Tesla dropped 8%, Meta and Nvidia 7% each, and Apple over 4%. A tame inflation report failed to calm nerves as fears of a prolonged trade war resurfaced. At one point, the Dow was down more than 2,100 points. The message? Markets are fragile—and volatility is here to stay.

India Preps for a Market Pop—But Risk Lurks

With Indian markets closed for Mahavir Jayanti, Gift Nifty hinted at a 600–700 point gap-up on reopening. That’s thanks to President Trump pausing tariffs on most U.S. trade partners—except China. But experts advise caution. “Don’t let the pop cloud your judgment,” warned Ambareesh Baliga. Nilesh Shah of Kotak AMC called for disciplined asset allocation, while Shankar Sharma flagged policy flip-flopping. FIIs have hedged positions, but retail traders shorting calls might feel the burn. RBI’s rate cut also drew a lukewarm response. The bottom line? The rally might be real, but the risk is too.

Indian Pharma Feels the Heat Despite 90-Day Tariff Pause

Pharma stocks aren’t celebrating the temporary tariff breather. A White House note on April 2 specifically targeted pharmaceuticals—triggering a 10% fall in Biocon and Aurobindo, and a 5% dip in Dr Reddy’s. Sun Pharma has been more resilient, down just 3.6%. India supplies half of the U.S.’s generics, making it extremely vulnerable. Experts warn that if companies can’t absorb the costs, they may pull out—leading to shortages similar to the COVID era. Nomura notes that making generics in the U.S. is up to 8x costlier. So while the pause buys time, uncertainty lingers.

Siemens CEO and Family Killed in Helicopter Crash

A family vacation turned tragic on April 10 as Siemens Mobility Southwest Europe CEO Agustin Escobar, his wife, and three young children died in a helicopter crash over the Hudson River. The Bell 206 went down upside-down at 3:15 pm local time. Just hours before, they’d posed smiling in front of the chopper. Witnesses saw the tail and rotor fall mid-air, sending the aircraft into a deadly spin. “They were dead as soon as whatever happened happened,” said aviation expert Justin Green. The FAA and NTSB are probing the crash. Escobar, a 25-year Siemens veteran, was also VP of the German Chamber of Commerce in Spain. His death leaves a void in the global infrastructure and energy sectors.

Kohli Ditches Puma, Bets Big on Agilitas

Virat Kohli is stepping off the pitch and into the boardroom. As his ₹110 crore contract with Puma ends, Kohli is joining Agilitas—a homegrown sportswear brand started by ex-Puma India MD Abhishek Ganguly—as an investor and brand ambassador. Agilitas will take over manufacturing and global scaling of Kohli’s lifestyle label One8. The goal? Build a world-class Indian challenger to global giants. Puma acknowledged the split and wished him well. Over the past year, Kohli’s been seen in neutral gear—signaling a transition. With ₹530 crore in funding and brands like Lotto and Mochiko under its belt, Agilitas is on the rise. For Kohli, this isn’t just brand building—it’s business building.

As relentless deportations continue under the Trump 2.0 government, a recent research report by a PHD candidate and a professor at Johns Hopkins University has thrown light on something interesting. The fact that where you are from in India actually plays a big role in your immigration journey, at least in the United States. While Gujarati-speaking people have a higher average income, more Punjabi speakers get to stay in the United States. Why's that, and what more insights does this report offer? Watch the full episode on YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vCK-8PVCwkg&list=PL2A-r6Y8n7prPdZIRMk2hK9JsXVyp-mUc&index=3&t=7s