🚗 Tesla vs. Mahindra: The EV Battle Just Got Real (Feb 20)

It's Friday Junior, folks! Just one more day until the weekend, so power through with your steaming cup of Masala Chai—packed with everything you need to stay ahead in business, markets, and tech. Let’s get into it! 🚀

☕ Chai Shots

• 🎬 PVR Inox Fined ₹1.2 Lakh for Too Many Ads – A Bengaluru consumer court penalized PVR Inox for showing 30 minutes of excessive ads before a movie, causing delays for a viewer. The company plans to challenge the ruling.

• ⚡ Ola Electric's VAHAN Registrations Hit– Ola Electric is renegotiating contracts with Rosmerta and Shimnit India, causing a temporary dip in VAHAN registrations for February. The company reassured that sales remain strong, and the issue will be resolved soon.

• 📉 Sensex Ends Marginally Lower, Nifty Below 22,950 – Sensex dipped -0.04%, while Nifty 50 slipped -0.05%. IT giants TCS and Infosys fell 2% each, while financial stocks provided support.

• 💊 Trump’s 25% Tariff Threat Spooks Indian Pharma Stocks – Pharma stocks plunged after Donald Trump hinted at a 25% tariff on imported drugs. Dr. Reddy’s (-6%) and Aurobindo Pharma (-10%) were among the biggest losers, as Indian drug exports face increased risks.

📈 Market Masala

• 📉 Sensex slipped 28 points (-0.04%) to 75,939.18, while Nifty 50 fell 12.4 points (-0.05%) to 22,932.90, marking its third straight flat session.

  • 🏦 Winners: ICICI Bank (+1.5%), Nifty Bank (+1%), Nifty PSU Bank (+1.3%).

  • 💊 Losers: Nifty Pharma (-0.7%), IT sector (-1.3%).

• 📊 Foreign investors (FIIs) bought ₹4,786 crore worth of equities, while DIIs extended their buying streak, purchasing ₹3,072 crore worth of stocks.

• 🏡 OYO Launches DanCenter in India – OYO's European holiday home brand, DanCenter, has debuted in India, starting with premium villas and apartments in North Goa. The brand, which has 12,000 properties across Europe, is also in talks with Provident Group to launch serviced apartments in Goa.

🌍 Global Masala

• 📈 Wall Street Eyes Tariffs & Fed Moves – S&P 500 (+0.3%) and Nasdaq (+0.2%) edged higher despite Trump’s latest 25% tariff salvo on autos, chips, and pharma. Meanwhile, Fed minutes revealed officials are in no rush to cut rates, waiting for more progress on inflation.

• 🛍️ Forever 21 Faces Liquidation Talks – The struggling fast fashion giant is in discussions with liquidators as it struggles to find a buyer. Once a mall staple, Forever 21 has lost its "cool factor" to Shein and Temu, making a second bankruptcy filing increasingly likely.

• 💰 HSBC to Buy Back $2B in Shares as Profits Jump – HSBC reported a 6.5% rise in annual pre-tax profit, aided by the sale of its Canada business. The bank also announced a $2 billion share buyback, despite missing revenue expectations.

• 📉 Europe Stocks Mixed, Philips Tanks 12% – European markets were mixed as Philips shares plunged 12% after missing sales expectations due to China's economic slowdown. Meanwhile, BAE Systems (+14% revenue growth) saw gains amid increased global defense spending.

• 🌎 Trump’s Tariff Talk Rattles Global Trade – Donald Trump reaffirmed reciprocal tariffs, stating, "Whatever India charges, we’re charging them." The move is expected to escalate trade tensions and impact sectors like automobiles, semiconductors, and pharmaceuticals.

🧐 The Big Brew: Tesla vs. Mahindra – EV Battle Heats Up ⚡

Tesla is finally making moves in India’s EV market, but Anand Mahindra is ready to fight back—and he’s got experience on his side.

• 🚗 Tesla’s India Play: The EV giant has started hiring in India, is lobbying for tax cuts, and plans to sell imported EVs starting at ₹21 lakh. However, its manufacturing plans remain unclear, and local production will be key to long-term success.

• 🏎️ Mahindra’s Counterpunch: Mahindra has seen global giants like Ford, GM, and Hyundai enter India before—and survived. Now, with new XUV 9e & BE 6e EVs, it’s not just prepared, it’s ready to dominate.

• 🤔 What This Means:

  • For consumers: More EV choices, possible price wars, and improved infrastructure.

  • For Tesla: Regulatory hurdles, a tough local market, and competitors who know the terrain better.

  • For Mahindra & Tata: Increased pressure to innovate and keep market share against a global heavyweight.

Tesla brings global brand power, but Mahindra has deep roots in India. The race for EV dominance is on—who’s got the winning drive? 🚙⚡🔥

🚀 Startup Scoop

• 🩸 Healthfab Raises $1M for Period Panties – Healthfab, India’s first BIS-certified reusable period panty brand, raised $1M in pre-Series A funding led by Mistry Ventures, Aman Gupta, Vineeta Singh, and Peyush Bansal.

• 💎 Solitario Lab-Grown Diamonds Raises $3.6M – Solitario, co-founded by Vivek Oberoi, secured $3.6M pre-IPO funding to expand its retail network in India, Dubai, and Malaysia.

• ✈️ Atlys Expands to UK with Artionis Acquisition – Atlys, a digital visa startup backed by Peak XV & Elevation Capital, entered the UK market by acquiring Artionis, aiming to streamline visa processing.

• 🛒 Tata Sons Pushes BigBasket for Quick Commerce Play – Tata Sons is pushing BigBasket to raise $1B as it lags behind Blinkit & Zepto in quick commerce. Talks with investors are already underway.

🤓 Chai Break Trivia

Did you know? Reva Electric Car Company was the first Indian company to manufacture electric cars! 🚗⚡ Founded in 1994, it was later acquired by Mahindra and rebranded as Mahindra Electric, paving the way for India’s EV revolution.

🔮 What’s Brewing Next?

• 📜 RBI's MPC Minutes Release – Markets will watch for hints on future interest rate moves.

• ⚡ Tesla’s India Hiring Plans – More clarity expected on manufacturing vs. importing strategy.

• 📊 India’s Q3 GDP Data Next Week – Investors eye potential upside surprises.

☕ That’s a Wrap for Thursday!

Congrats, you’ve made it through another weekday! Friday Junior is almost over, and the weekend is within reach. Share this newsletter with your chai-loving friends, and let’s keep the business buzz going! 🚀🔥