🤝 Tata & Pepsi’s Snack Wars: Could Haldiram Be Next? (Jan 20)

☀️ Happy Monday, Chai Lovers!

It’s the start of a brand-new week, and we’re here to caffeinate your day with all the spicy, crunchy, and sassy updates you need. Whether you’re diving into work or just surviving till chai o’clock, we’ve got your back. Let’s sip, scroll, and savor!

Chai Shots ☕

• 🎧 TikTok is back: After briefly going dark, TikTok U.S. is restoring service following a last-minute reprieve from President Trump, giving the app 90 more days to sort out its future.

• 💃 Meta’s new app ‘Edits’: Meta is launching Edits, a rival to CapCut, as demand for video editing tools grows in the wake of TikTok’s temporary U.S. ban. CapCut is owned by TikTok’s parent ByteDance, resulting in the app being banned as TikTok went dark.

• 🚫 Hindenburg controversy: Court documents allege that short-seller Hindenburg colluded with hedge funds to prepare bearish reports, raising questions about its impartiality.

• 💻 Tech hiring slump: The top five Indian IT firms saw a headcount reduction of 2,587 in Q3, reflecting a shift as automation takes over simpler tasks. With a focus on skilled professionals, hiring may remain subdued despite rising revenue productivity.

🍵 The Big Brew: When Kurkure Met Ching's Secret

What happens when Kurkure shakes hands with Ching’s Secret? A snack-ocalypse of flavors! PepsiCo and Tata Consumer Products have teamed up in a spicy new collaboration that’s aiming to dominate India’s booming snack market, projected to hit a whopping ₹95,521.8 crore by 2032.

Pepsi brings the crunch with its iconic Kurkure, while Tata’s Ching’s Secret adds the zing of masalas. This isn’t their first partnership rodeo—they had a joint venture in beverages years ago. Now, they’re ready to ride the snack wave, leveraging fusion flavors to compete against heavyweights like Haldiram’s, ITC, and Parle.

Why now? The ethnic snacks market is growing over 20% annually, and regional players are spicing things up with D2C models and lower prices. PepsiCo’s latest move shows they’re serious about snacking, even reportedly exploring a minority stake in Haldiram’s. Could we see more surprises?

What’s next? Depending on how snack-happy consumers react, this venture could expand to more products from both portfolios. For now, one thing’s certain: your snack aisle is about to get a lot crunchier and zestier!

Why does it matter? With competition heating up and consumer tastes evolving, this partnership is a bold play to win the battle of the crunch. Keep an eye out for the fiery fusion hitting stores soon. Plus, whispers about PepsiCo’s talks with Haldiram could make this snacks war even spicier!

📊 Market Masala: India in Focus

🔎 What to Watch This Week

• 📈 Corporate earnings bonanza: Over 245 companies are announcing their Q3 results, including big names like HDFC Bank, Hindustan Unilever, ICICI Bank, and Zomato. Keep an eye on Blinkit’s growth impact on Zomato’s performance.

• 🏛️ Domestic cues: PMI flash numbers and forex reserves data on January 24 will offer insights into India’s economic health.

• 📊 Budget buzz: Customs duty cuts on raw materials and an amnesty scheme to settle disputes could boost ‘Make in India’.

📊 Key Numbers to Note

• Resistance and support levels: Nifty is eyeing critical resistance at 23,400. A fall below 23,000 could signal a broader correction.

• IPO buzz: Watch for the debut of Laxmi Dental on Monday and new IPOs like Denta Water and Infra Solutions opening for subscription.

🚗 High-end EV ecosystem boost

The government is turbocharging its Scheme for Manufacturing Electric Cars (SMEC) by including R&D investments and funding for EV assembly lines in existing factories. Hyundai, Škoda-VW, and Mercedes Benz India have shown interest, with guidelines expected soon.

🌎 Global Masala: Eyes on the Week Ahead

Market Outlook

• 🇺🇸 Trump Era 2.0 Begins: President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration on January 20 will set the tone for markets as investors watch for announcements on tariffs, tax policies, and trade. Expect volatility as “Trump trades” in small caps, energy, and financials take center stage.

• 📊 Corporate Earnings Watch: Over 43 S&P 500 companies, including Netflix, United Airlines, Johnson & Johnson, and 3M, will report results this week, providing insight into key sectors like tech and healthcare.

• 🌌 Global economic data watch: Key reports from the U.S., U.K., and Japan on manufacturing, services, and inflation could influence global trends.

• 🏦 Santander Exit Drama: Santander’s potential withdrawal from the U.K. has stirred up the banking world. The Spanish lender is reportedly reconsidering its 20-year presence in Britain as it eyes higher growth markets like the U.S.

🔥 California’s Wildfire Woes Spotlight a Bold Startup
When flames roar, innovation rises! California’s devastating wildfires have put insurance startup Stand in the limelight—literally. Founded in 2024, Stand leverages AI to assess wildfire risks and tailors property protection plans to keep homes safe. With traditional insurers fleeing high-risk zones, Stand’s tech-driven solutions are a breath of fresh air. CEO Dan Preston revealed that demand for their service skyrocketed 10x overnight as wildfires ravaged the state.

Why it matters: With wildfires becoming a grim norm, Stand could revolutionize how insurance works in danger zones, blending tech smarts with safety.

🚀 Startup Scoop

• 🏢 WeWork India raises INR 500 Cr: The co-working giant is making bold moves to strengthen its position. The fresh funds will help repay debt, reduce capital costs, and fuel future growth. With over 1 lakh desks across 63 locations in eight cities, including Bengaluru, Mumbai, and Delhi, WeWork India is pushing for long-term sustainability and leadership in the workspace solutions market.

• TreZix raises $2M: The SaaS startup is digitizing export-import operations, eyeing growth in India and the U.S.

• Indian startups in Indo-U.S. defense program: KaleidEO, EtherealX, and Shyam VNL join a groundbreaking collaboration with U.S. defense agencies.

• Zomato’s Q3 preview: Revenue is expected to jump 66% YoY, driven by Blinkit’s rapid store expansion.

🔹 Chai Break Trivia

Did you know Kurkure’s name comes from the Hindi word for "crunchy"? A perfect fit for a snack collaboration with Tata’s zesty Ching’s Secret!

🚜 What’s Brewing Next?

• Budget buzz: Key announcements to streamline customs duties and boost ‘Make in India’ expected on February 1.

• IPO season: Watch out for the debut of Laxmi Dental and ongoing IPOs like Denta Water and Infra Solutions.

• Global policies: Trump’s first moves as president could shake up trade and tariff dynamics.

That’s your brew for today! Stay sharp, stay informed, and we’ll see you next time with more piping hot updates! ☕