Mumbai, 11 August 2025: The mounting trade tensions between India and the United States post the imposition of 50% tariffs are just trade disruptions. If not negotiated into moderation, they will massively impact many critical, yet vulnerable sectors that drive India’s affordable housing segment.

Dr. Prashant Thakur, Executive Director – Research & Advisory, ANAROCK Group, says, “This category of homes priced INR 45 lakh or less was already gravely hit by the COVID-19 pandemic and is still struggling to find any semblance of firm ground. Trump’s mercenary tariffs will snuff out even the dimmest ray of hope for this segment.”

India’s affordable housing segment is mainly driven by demand coming from the country’s MSMEs and SMEs which, despite their relatively modest scale, are deeply integrated into India’s export ecosystem. Their workforces are the primary clientele for affordable housing.

ANAROCK data finds that as of H1 2025, the sales share of affordable housing has dropped to mere 18%, or approx. 34,565 units of a total of 1.90 lakh units sold in the top 7 cities. The fact that affordable housing had an overall sales share of more than 38% in 2019 shows just how badly its momentum has faltered.

The post-pandemic demand decline in this segment, which caters to approx. 17.76% of India’s population of about 1.46 Bn, clearly reflects in the drop in supply of affordable housing. Its share of the total launches has plummeted from 40% in 2019 to just 12% in H1 2025.

MSMEs are a critical demographic of India’s economic landscape. Among its top employment and exports generators, they are India’s economic backbone. According to government estimates, MSMEs currently contribute nearly 30% to India’s GDP, and over 45% to its exports.

In exports, MSMEs have proliferated 228% in just the last four years – from 52,849 in FY 2020-21 to 173,350 in FY 2024-25. Together, MSMEs and SMEs formally and informally employ over 260 million Indians, particularly in labour-intensive industries like textiles, engineering goods, auto components, gems and jewellery, and food processing. When it comes to India’s growth story, editing out the SME/MSME chapter causes the entire narrative to collapse.

So far, the global economy presented a major opportunity to Indian MSMEs to seize new export markets, build global supply chains, and diversify revenue streams. The new tariff imposition, if it takes hold, puts a roadblock on what should be a no-limits speedway – and a chakka jam on the affordable housing vehicle that drives the homeownership dreams of the largest lower quadrant of the Indian population.

“Because of the disruption in this large workforce’s future income thanks to the tariffs, affordable housing demand may very possibly derail and further impact sales in this highly income-sensitive segment,” says Dr. Thakur. “Concurrently, such a drop in demand will curtail launches by developers, who will have to contend with tighter working capital due to lower sales. As it is, they have been grappling with serious input cost inflation since the pandemic.”

Housing finance institutions that cater to this segment’s home loans will look at a growing risk – of defaults at worst, and dampened disbursements on account of lower demand at best.

In short, the fate of India’s affordable housing segment hangs in the balance. How the government addresses the issue through coordinated policy, fiscal safeguards, and buyer-focused support measures will be pivotal. Affordable housing, the erstwhile poster child of a massive electoral exercise and the mainstay of every Indian’s dream of a financially stable future, hangs in the balance.

Bengaluru, 11th Aug, 2025: Royal Orchid Hotels Ltd. (ROHL) has announced the signing of their latest property at Bhopal, at the heart of Madhya Pradesh as its expansion in the Northern region. The strategic expansion aligns with the brand’s strategy of expanding in the less discovered and growing regions of India to boost tourism and hospitality in these smaller undiscovered destinations. Developed in association with Regenta Hotel Bhopal Airport, the 70-key resort will be operated under a management agreement. The property reflects ROHL’s asset-light model and its focus on offering guests an amazing stay.

The new 70 key business hotel, including four spacious suites, is strategically situated on Airport Road, just 1 km from Raja Bhoj International Airport. With a built-up area of 56,000 sq ft, the brownfield property is designed to serve the evolving needs of modern business travellers and MICE clientele. It features three fully equipped conference rooms, a rooftop bar and restaurant, and wellness amenities such as a spa, swimming pool, and gym – creating a perfect balance of business efficiency and leisure comfort.

Commenting on the signing, Arjun Baljee, President, Royal Orchid Hotels Ltd., said, ” As we continue to grow our presence across India, cities like Bhopal play an important role in our journey, It’s a city on the rise, with a growing business landscape and a strong demand for quality hospitality. This new hotel is designed with today’s business traveller in mind, practical, comfortable, and well-connected. We’re proud to bring the Regenta experience to Bhopal in partnership with Sarla Builders & Developers and we eagerly await visitors looking for connectivity, comfort, and genuine hospitality”

Bhopal – the capital city of Madhya Pradesh – is a vibrant administrative and commercial centre with growing infrastructure, numerous regional offices, and increasing demand for organised hospitality offerings. Apart from its business appeal, Bhopal also attracts a steady influx of leisure travellers, thanks to its unique blend of serene lakes, cultural heritage, and historical monuments.

Mrs. Komal Punjabi & Mr. Manal Punjabi said “We’re excited to collaborate with Royal Orchid Hotels to bring the Regenta experience to Bhopal. This partnership reflects our shared commitment to offering guests an elevated stay experience – professional yet warm, efficient yet relaxed.”

New Delhi, August 8, 2025: Magicbricks, India’s leading real estate portal, has launched its inaugural “Pata Badlo, Life Badlo” report, a comprehensive study revealing the significant impact of migration on real estate ecosystem – demand, supply, pricing. The report highlights that moving to Tier-1 cities like Mumbai, Bengaluru, Delhi, Hyderabad, Gurugram, and Noida can be a pivotal financial decision, offering up to 1.95 times (30-60% more) salary growth compared to Tier-2 cities.

According to the report, strategic real estate investments in these cities have delivered remarkable returns—with markets like Noida from ₹6,300/sq.ft in 2020 to ₹13,300/sq.ft in 2025 (+111%), Greater Noida from ₹4,400/sq.ft to ₹9,029/sq.ft (+105%), and Gurugram from ₹8,600/sq.ft to ₹15,996/sq.ft (+86%) showing significant property price surges from 2020 to 2025. The report further underscores the rise of migrants as investors, not just renters. With rental yields and capital appreciation rising in tandem—especially in hotspots like Mumbai (RPGD: 3.6) and Greater Noida (RPGD: 2.3)—many migrants are choosing to invest early in their urban journey, turning mobility into a means of multiplying wealth.

Marriage is a significant driver of female migration in India, accounting for 86.8% of moves, while students frequently relocate for education, with 61% moving to Delhi NCR for undergraduate studies and 18% for exam preparation. Beyond these social factors, environmental and economic push factors like agricultural distress, climate shocks, and rural job scarcity, especially in states like Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, compel families to seek financial stability and better infrastructure in urban centers. While 18.9% of people move from rural to urban areas and 15.9% migrate within urban areas for affordability or job proximity, an emerging trend sees 10.2% of migrants shifting from urban to rural regions. This reverse migration is driven by rising housing costs, urban stress, and increased remote work opportunities, leading professionals to seek affordability, cleaner environments, and stronger community ties in smaller towns, redefining success beyond traditional urban ambition.

“The ‘Pata Badlo. Life Badlo.’ campaign stems from a very real insight: that the right move, to the right city or neighbourhood, can completely alter someone’s growth trajectory,” said Prasun Kumar, Chief Marketing Officer, Magicbricks. “Furthermore, this report illustrates how migration reshapes India’s real estate. This influx drives robust market activity, with property rates in Noida jumping 95.6%, Greater Noida 88.1%, and Gurgaon 77.7% between 2021-2022. Mumbai also led consistent growth, reaching ₹30,796/sq ft by 2025—a 58% increase from 2020. Even after the pandemic, cities like Delhi saw a remarkable 47.2% rebound in demand by 2022, and Bengaluru followed with an 18.8% increase. Migration is a powerful catalyst for value appreciation and dynamic market activity across urban India.”

The report also draws on real-life journeys of well-known personalities who have experienced transformational growth by changing cities. From Pankaj Tripathi’s move from Bihar to Mumbai to Deepinder Goyal’s leap from Punjab to Gurugram, and Kapil Sharma’s shift from Amritsar to Mumbai — these stories echo a shared truth: where you live can define what you become.

Mumbai, August 8, 2025: Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd. (HPCL) announced its financial results for the first quarter of FY26, highlighting a resilient performance in marketing margins despite headwinds in refining operations due to weaker-than-expected Gross Refining Margins (GRMs).

Financial Highlights:

• Refining Throughput: 6.66 million metric tonnes (mmt)
• Reported GRM: USD 3.08/bbl (vs USD 5.0/bbl in Q1FY25 and USD 8.4/bbl in Q4FY25)
• Implied Gross Marketing Margin (GMM): Rs 7.0/litre (vs Rs 3.0/litre in Q1FY25)
• Standalone EBITDA: Rs 76 billion – up 261% YoY
• Total Sales Volume (including exports): 13 mmt
• Debt Reduction: From Rs 633 billion at FY25-end to Rs 510 billion in Q1FY26

Despite a reported GRM miss—largely driven by a USD 3.5/bbl inventory loss—HPCL managed to deliver a strong YoY EBITDA growth, supported by healthy marketing margins. The reported GRM fell short of expectations (PLe: USD 6.2/bbl), though core GRM was higher at USD 6.6/bbl.

The company also incurred an under-recovery of Rs 21.5 billion on LPG sales during the quarter. Cumulative under-recoveries on LPG have reached Rs 130 billion. Industry experts believe that given the robust GMM on petrol and diesel, the LPG under-recovery may remain uncompensated.

Strategic and Operational Updates:

• Pre-commissioning underway at the Vizag bottom-upgradation project
• Barmer Refinery: 95% complete; Petrochemical complex 73% complete
• First crude expected at Barmer by FY26-end
• Targeting Rs 10–15 billion EBITDA improvement through operational efficiencies
• Inventory losses: Rs 14 billion in refining, Rs 6 billion in marketing
• Russian crude accounted for 13.2% of crude basket in Q1FY26
• LPG under-recovery stood at ~Rs 165 per cylinder
• Chhara LNG terminal utilization expected to rise to 35–40% in FY27 post breakwater completion

Outlook and Valuation:

The company expects GRMs to rebound to the long-term average of USD 5–7/bbl in FY26–27, and has built in USD 6/7 for FY26/27E in its forecasts. Similarly, GMM is projected at Rs 4.4/4.5/4.9 per litre for FY25/26/27E.

With improving marketing margins, reduction in debt, and anticipated recovery in refining margins, analysts have upgraded HPCL’s stock rating to ‘Accumulate’ with a revised target price of Rs 422 (earlier Rs 360), valuing the company at 1.3x FY27 PBV.

Delhi, 7th August 2025: Real estate sector across the National Capital Region (NCR) is on a robust revival trajectory on the back of macroeconomic stability, improving liquidity, and increased buyer confidence.

Aided by a cumulative 100 basis-point repo rate cut by the Reserve Bank of India along with sustained GST collections coupled with the current historically low consumer inflation, the region is regaining momentum after a year of cautious sentiment.

According to Star Estate, one of NCR’s leading real estate consultancy firms, there has been a 30% surge in buyer enquiries across Noida Extension, Sector 150, and Dwarka Expressway in the last two quarters. This growth is led by end-user demand in both mid-income and premium residential categories.

Mr. Vijay Jain, Managing Director, Star Estate said, “Delhi-NCR has always set the tone for Indian real estate. What we’re witnessing now is a shift from speculative activity to demand driven by real users.” He added that amore transparent ecosystem and confidence in long-term returns, coupled with favourable borrowing conditions are reviving buyer interest in key micro-markets.

Infrastructure development continues to be a major catalyst across the region. The upcoming Noida International Airport, rapid progress on Dwarka Expressway and the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor together with the expansion of metro and highway connectivity are transforming the outlook for residential and commercial assets alike.

“Infrastructure is unlocking value in peripheral markets that were once considered fringe. From Noida’s new sectors to Gurugram’s emerging corridors, we’re seeing a fundamental shift in how people evaluate location and lifestyle,” added Mr. Jain.

Commercial real estate is also gaining traction with IT, fintech as well as co-working firms consolidate operations in the region. Grade-A office properties in Gurugram and Noida are witnessing consistent leasing on the back of high demand for green offices.

The convergence of better access to credit, increasing end-user optimism and the re-entry of the institutional investors are altogether positioning the NCR realty market for a healthier growth phase.
Regulatory reforms, digital transactions, and RERA compliance have further increased transparency and professionalism in the market.

“With macro indicators stabilising and policy tailwinds supporting development, NCR real estate is heading into a new era of demand-led growth. For buyers and investors alike, this is a compelling window to make long-term commitments,” concluded Mr. Jain.

By – Shiwang Suraj, Founder & Director of Gurugram-based property consulting firm InfraMantra:

The surge in demand for luxury homes (Rs 5 crore and above) in NCR, especially Gurugram firmly establishes the region as a hub for luxury housing in the country.
Its two most outperforming micro markets, namely Dwarka Expressway and Southern Peripheral Road, contribute significantly to Gurugram’s positioning as most of the new launches have been in the luxury segment. The region’s massive infrastructure development, increased aspirations and employment opportunities and desire to own bigger homes with new-age amenities and specifications are the reasons for the growth of luxury housing.

By – Vijay Harsh Jha, founder and CEO of property brokerage firm VS Realtors:

The NCR luxury real estate market has been growing steadily with demand surge pointing to the region’s rising preference amongst homebuyers. Owing to massive infrastructure development like Dwarka Expressway, Delhi-Mumbai Expressway and proposed rapid raid and metro expansions, the region is fast emerging as an employment hub, a trigger for strong residential demand. Rising size of homes and per sq. ft. rate have elevated the price of homes in the region. However, this has been complemented by builders by providing world-class amenities and facilities within the housing complex.

Mumbai, 6th August 2025: This Raksha Bandhan, Sweet Truth — the much-loved dessert brand from Rebel Foods — is dishing out more than just delicious treats. With their exciting new festive campaign #ABondSoSweet, they’re celebrating the delightful, chaotic, and enchanting bond between siblings. Think indulgent dessert hampers and a plantable Rakhi that blooms into wildflowers, adding a thoughtful and eco-friendly twist to the festivities.

From playful jabs like “Even if I’m sending you this Rakhi, I’m still Mom’s favorite” to a gift box made for two (but designed to tempt you into stealing that last bite), this campaign shines a light on the sibling shenanigans, little squabbles, and sweet bribes that many of us know all too well.

Commenting on the campaign, Nishant Kedia, CMO at Rebel Foods, said “With #ABondSoSweet, we aimed to go beyond the usual gifting. It’s all about capturing the real essence of siblinghood – the teasing, the playful blackmail, the shared desserts – and packaging it in a way that tells a story. The plantable Rakhi is a meaningful touch that continues to grow long after the festival is over – just like the bond itself.”

Available in over 90+ cities across India, the limited-edition Sweet Truth Rakhi hamper features two rich desserts (choose between brownies or dessert jars), a plantable Rakhi, a sachet of roli-chawal, to make siblings chuckle, tease, and maybe even share a bite.

#ABondSoSweet Rakhi is now available to order and a limited edition Gift hamper will be live for the Rakhi weekend on Swiggy, Zomato, and EatSure, with order open ahead of Raksha Bandhan on August 9th.