The oil and gas industry is hoping for budget announcements that support green energy transition and reforms to promote cleaner fuels in India. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present the budget on February 1, but major decisions may be postponed until after a new government is formed. The industry is also advocating for petroleum products to be included under GST.

Gita Renewable Energy recently reported its standalone quarterly results, showing a decline in key financial metrics. Net sales decreased by 65% to Rs. 0.02 crore in December 2023 from the previous year, while net profit saw a significant decrease of 93.01%. EBITDA also dropped by 93.04%, and EPS decreased from Rs. 15.24 to Rs. 1.07.

Interim Union budget for 2024-25 may bring changes to the affordable housing sector, with potential increase in the threshold limit and area limit for affordable housing units. This has been a long-standing demand of real estate developers and homebuyers. The industry hopes for a separate affordable housing index for Tier-1 and 2 cities, as well as incentives for affordable rental housing schemes.

Kamat Hotels (India) reported a 1.49% decrease in Net Sales, but a significant increase of 79.99% in Quarterly Net Profit in December 2023 compared to December 2022. The company's EPS has also increased from Rs.9.75 to Rs.16.78 and their shares have given a return of 36.62% over the last 6 months and 147.15% over the last 12 months.

India's export of petroleum products fell to a 15-month low in Jan due to tensions over the Red Sea, causing exporters to hold back shipments. Many tankers opted for the longer route via the Cape of Good Hope, resulting in higher shipping costs. Top buyers were UAE, Netherlands, and Malaysia. India's own domestic consumption is also expected to see only a modest 3% growth in the next fiscal year.

KEC International reported standalone quarterly numbers for December 2023, with a 13.71% increase in net sales at Rs. 4,397.76 crore. The net profit saw a significant growth of 198.73% at Rs. 44.05 crore, compared to the same period last year. EBITDA also increased by 30.9%. The company's EPS has risen to Rs. 1.71.

Reported Standalone quarterly numbers for Larsen & Toubro are: Net Sales at Rs 31,600.92 crore in December 2023 up 13.73% from Rs. 27,785.41 crore in December 2022. Quarterly Net Profit at Rs. 2,136.18 crore in December 2023 up 17.02% from Rs. 1,825.44 crore in December 2022. EBITDA stands at Rs. 3,684.65 crore in December 2023 up 16.98% from Rs. 3,149.81 crore in December 2022.

Voltas reported strong standalone quarterly numbers, with net sales at 1,587.50 crore in December 2023, up 11.59% from the same period last year. Net profit also saw a significant increase of 119.61% to Rs. 97.33 crore, while EBITDA jumped 95.73% to Rs. 143.43 crore. EPS has increased to Rs. 2.94 and the stock closed at 1,094.05.

Cheviot Company's standalone quarterly results for December 2023 showed a decrease in net sales by 16.37% from the same period in 2022, but an increase in net profit by 40.55% and EBITDA by 31.25%. The EPS also increased to Rs.29.78 from Rs.21.19. The company's shares closed at 1,471.70 on January 31, 2024.

Nirmala Sitharaman's budget speech on February 1 may address the issue of making the National Pension System (NPS) more appealing to central government employees, who had previously received a guaranteed pension under the Old Pension Scheme (OPS). A committee headed by Finance Secretary TV Somanathan is expected to release a report during the Budget session.

The consumer durable industry is hopeful for changes in the upcoming interim budget that could accelerate growth. This includes a possible reduction in GST rates and extending schemes such as Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana. Slashing import duties on components and expanding PLI schemes may boost production and sales.

Swan Energy reported a decrease in quarterly performance with net sales at Rs. 68.00 crore, down 26.57%, and net profit at Rs. 0.36 crore, down 19.34% compared to the same period in 2022. EBITDA also declined by 23.62%. The EPS has decreased to Rs. 0.01 and the stock closed at Rs. 639.05, giving 191.27% returns over 6 months.

RBI's restrictions on Paytm Payments Bank have led to downgrades from brokerages, with Jefferies lowering target price to Rs 500/share citing reputational risks. EBITDA expected to be down by 46% in FY25/26E due to cuts in payments and lending revenues. Macquarie also expects significant long-term impact on revenue and profitability.

In December 2023, Arvind reported standalone quarterly numbers showing a decrease in net sales by 4.99% from the previous year but an increase in net profit by 11.64%. EBITDA also saw a rise of 13.17%. EPS has increased to Rs. 3.47. The company's shares closed at 315.00 and have given a return of 128.10% over the last 6 months.

Top Microsoft and Alphabet executives are visiting India to promote AI adoption and court the country's millions of programmers. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella will address developers in Bangalore and Mumbai, while Google's Jeff Dean will speak at a fireside chat. Both express the importance of India in the AI sector, with its large pool of talented programmers.