CAGR Insights is a weekly newsletter full of insights from around the world of the web.

Chart Ki Baat

Gyaan Ki Baat 

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) concluded its meeting on February 7, 2025, announcing key decisions impacting the Indian economy12. This was the first MPC meet chaired by the newly appointed Governor Sanjay Malhotra12.

Key Decisions and Announcements:

1. Repo Rate Cut: The MPC voted to cut the repo rate by 25 basis points, bringing it down to 6.25%. This is the first rate cut in nearly five years, with the last cut occurring in May 2020134. The repo rate had remained unchanged at 6.5% since February 20234.
2. Unanimous Vote: The MPC voted unanimously to maintain a ‘neutral’ policy stance4.
3. GDP Growth Projection: For the financial year 2024-25, the RBI has projected India’s real GDP growth at 7.2%3.
4. Inflation Target: The MPC aims to continue improving macro-outcomes in the best interest of the economy and will use flexible inflation targeting to make the best macro decisions. The average inflation has been lower since flexible inflation targeting was adopted, and CPI has mostly stayed aligned with the target4. The RBI is aiming for a fiscal deficit of 4.8% of GDP for the current year and is targeting 4.4% in 2025-263.
5. Liquidity Boost: The RBI had previously infused approximately ₹1.50 trillion into the banking system through open market bond purchases, FX swaps, and a 56-day variable rate repo.

Personal Finance

• Old vs New Tax Regime: Which Is Better New or Old Tax Regime for Salaried Employees? The 2025 budget introduces new tax slabs with lower rates, enhanced rebates, and deductions under the new regime, aiming to simplify tax filing and reduce liabilities. Want to know which tax regime benefits you the most? Read on to make the smartest tax choice for your future! Read here

• RBI revises credit reporting rule: How it’s going to affect your credit score: RBI’s new 15-day credit reporting rule, effective from January 2025, ensures faster, more accurate credit scores. Borrowers will benefit from quicker updates on repayments, leading to better loan approvals and interest rates. Read here

• Big relief for home loan borrowers as EMIs to fall by 1.8% on a 20 year loan tenure as RBI reduced repo rate by 25 bps: In a major relief for home loan borrowers, RBI cuts the repo rate by 25 basis points after 5 years, expected to lower home loan interest rates. This move aims to support GDP growth and boost economic activity by reducing borrowing costs. Find out how this impacts your home loan rates! Read here

Investing

• Category I and II AIFs get tax clarity in the Budget FY26: The government has clarified that income from Category I and II AIFs will be treated as capital gains, taxed at 12.5%, instead of business income taxed at up to 39%. This move, effective April 2026, aims to boost investor confidence and provide tax relief. To know more about the changes. Read here

• End of Sovereign Gold Bonds – Alternatives to SGB Now (2025)? The government’s decision to phase out Sovereign Gold Bonds (SGBs) leaves investors looking for new gold investment opportunities. Gold ETFs, Mutual Funds, and physical gold are gaining attention. Want to know the best alternatives for your portfolio? Read here

• 5 Common Investing Mistakes That Destroy Your Returns: Successful investing requires starting early to harness compounding, resisting the urge to time the market, and managing emotional reactions like fear and greed. Align your risk tolerance with life stages and prioritize understanding your investments for long-term wealth creation. Discover the 5 key mistakes that could derail your investment journey. Watch here

Economy & Sectors

• Can a consumption boost save India’s slowing economy? India’s 2025 budget targets middle-class consumption with tax cuts, aiming to boost the economy. Despite a 1-trillion-rupee revenue shortfall, experts stress the need for broader reforms, like capital expenditure and job creation, to sustain growth amid challenges. Find out what’s next for India’s economy. Read here

• India’s insurance landscape: Poised for growth: The rapid growth in the insurance sector can be attributed to the increased participation of private players, use of technology, product innovation, improvement in distribution capabilities and improvement in operational efficiencies. Read here

• India budget opts for economic sugar rush over reform:  India’s 2025 budget, the first under PM Modi’s third term, focused on short-term relief with middle-class tax cuts but lacked long-term growth reforms. Despite forecasts of slower GDP growth (6.4%), experts argue more comprehensive agricultural, labor, and market reforms are needed for sustained growth. Find out how this budget impacts India’s economic future.Read here

Check out CAGRwealth smallcase portfolios

Our smallcase portfolios are ranking well in the smallcase universe in terms of 1-year returns.

• CFF (launched in June 2022) – Ranked 1^st amongst smallcase with medium volatility.

• CVM (launched in May 2022) – Ranked among Top 20 across the Momentum smallcase universe.

Do check it out here

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That’s it from our side. Have a great weekend ahead!

If you have any feedback that you would like to share, simply reply to this email.

The content of this newsletter is not an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any security in any jurisdiction. The content is distributed for informational purposes only and should not be construed as investment advice or a recommendation to sell or buy any security or other investment or undertake any investment strategy. There are no warranties, expressed or implied, as to the accuracy, completeness, or results obtained from any information outlined in this newsletter unless mentioned explicitly. The writer may have positions in and may, from time to time, make purchases or sales of the securities or other investments discussed or evaluated in this newsletter.

CAGR Insights is a weekly newsletter full of insights from around the world of the web.

Chart Ki Baat

Gyaan Ki Baat 

As India approaches the Union Budget 2025, set to be presented on February 1, 2025, expectations are high across various sectors. Here are the key highlights and anticipated reforms:

Key Expectations from Union Budget 2025

1. Income Tax Reforms:
   1. There is speculation about potential changes in income tax slabs, including the possibility of introducing zero income tax for individuals earning less than ₹10 lakh annually. Additionally, a shift towards phasing out the old tax regime may be considered to simplify tax compliance and enhance disposable income for taxpayers.
2. Focus on Agriculture:
   1. The budget is expected to emphasize agricultural growth, with calls for increased Minimum Support Prices (MSP) and enhanced funding for rural development initiatives. This aligns with the government’s ongoing efforts to support farmers and boost food security.
3. Support for MSMEs:
   1. Recommendations include allocating additional funds to strengthen investments in renewable energy projects, particularly in compressed biogas and biomass sectors. This aims to make Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) more agile towards environmental compliance.
4. Housing Sector Reforms:
   1. The housing sector is likely to see significant reforms, including increasing the tax deduction limit on home loan interest payments from ₹2 lakh to ₹5 lakh. Granting infrastructure status to the housing sector could unlock new investment avenues and stimulate demand.
5. Infrastructure Investment:
   1. Continued emphasis on infrastructure development is anticipated, with proposals for substantial allocations towards roads, railways, ports, and digital infrastructure to enhance connectivity and stimulate economic activity across the country.
6. Healthcare Sector Support:
   1. The healthcare sector is hoping for a reduction in GST rates on health insurance and healthcare products. Increased funding for public health initiatives is also expected to address ongoing challenges within the healthcare system.
7. Green Energy Initiatives:
   1. With a focus on sustainability, the budget may include measures to bolster investments in renewable energy sources such as solar technologies and green hydrogen. Enhanced budgetary allocations for these sectors are seen as crucial for achieving India’s ambitious renewable energy targets by 2030.
8. Fiscal Responsibility:
   1. The government aims to maintain a fiscal deficit target of 5.1% of GDP for FY25, balancing the need for public spending with fiscal consolidation efforts.

Conclusion

The upcoming Union Budget 2025 presents an opportunity for the Indian government to address critical economic challenges while fostering growth across various sectors. Stakeholders from agriculture, MSMEs, housing, healthcare, and renewable energy are keenly awaiting reforms that will not only stimulate economic activity but also enhance overall quality of life in India.

Personal Finance

• UPI transaction won’t work from Feb 1 if ID contains special characters: The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has said that from February 1 people can’t use special characters in Unified Payments Interface (UPI) identity (ID). All such information has to be alphanumeric. Read here

• 8th Pay Commission approved: Central government employees may see 186% rise in pension: The 8th Central Pay Commission (CPC), which will come into effect from January 1, 2026, will revise salaries, pensions, and allowances, benefiting more than one crore central government employees and pensioners. Read here
  
  
• EPF members can now use Digilocker to submit Joint Declaration (JD) requests for profile related changes: The Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has issued a circular outlining a simplified method for submitting Joint Declaration (JD) requests, which replaces the existing SOP Version 3.0 dated July 31, 2024. Read here

Investing

• Consumer Lending Unlocked: Opportunities and Risks in a $27 Trillion Market: Consumer lending is booming, fuelled by tech and evolving consumer behaviour. With a $27T market, it spans traditional mortgages to BNPL loans. While offering exciting opportunities, risks like transparency issues and subprime exposure demand careful investor scrutiny and regulatory adaptation. Read here

• Lower budget borrowing may add to India cash boost cheer: India will likely reduce its net borrowings for the second consecutive year, which may extend the rally in Indian bonds as the government aims to adhere to its fiscal consolidation path. The central bank’s measures have brought bond yields to a three-year low, with major purchases expected to ease cash deficits and support the financial market. Read here     

• Foreign investors are fleeing India’s stock market — but analysts see long-term potential: Indian equities have been dragged down by a cooling economy and an exodus of foreign investors. Analysts suggest the downturn could be a healthy correction, and opportunities in India’s market remain. Read here                                                               

Economy & Sectors

• India’s finance minister faces a tough choice crafting the annual budget — boost growth or cut deficit? As the Indian government walks a tight rope between fiscal prudence and reviving growth, experts suggest it will likely favour cutting deficit in its annual budget over spending aimed at turbocharging Asia’s third-largest economy. Read here

• US Fed Keeps Benchmark Rate Unchanged: What It Means for India’s Economy? The US Fed held rates at 4.25-4.50%, signalling caution on inflation despite a strong job market. For India, this could mean RBI rate cuts, a stronger rupee, lower inflation, cheaper imports, and shifting foreign investments influencing stock market sentiment. Read here

• India’s digital economy to contribute one-fifth of overall economy by 2030: Over the past decade, digital-enabling industries have grown at 17.3 per cent, significantly higher than the 11.8 per cent growth rate of the economy. Digital platforms have expanded rapidly, with an anticipated growth rate of approximately 30 per cent in the coming years. Read here

Check out CAGRwealth smallcase portfolios

Our smallcase portfolios are ranking well in the smallcase universe in terms of 1-year returns.

• CFF (launched in June 2022) – Ranked 1^st amongst smallcase with medium volatility.

• CVM (launched in May 2022) – Ranked among Top 20 across the Momentum smallcase universe.

Do check it out here

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That’s it from our side. Have a great weekend ahead!

If you have any feedback that you would like to share, simply reply to this email.

The content of this newsletter is not an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any security in any jurisdiction. The content is distributed for informational purposes only and should not be construed as investment advice or a recommendation to sell or buy any security or other investment or undertake any investment strategy. There are no warranties, expressed or implied, as to the accuracy, completeness, or results obtained from any information outlined in this newsletter unless mentioned explicitly. The writer may have positions in and may, from time to time, make purchases or sales of the securities or other investments discussed or evaluated in this newsletter.

CAGR Insights is a weekly newsletter full of insights from around the world of the web.

Chart Ki Baat

Gyaan Ki Baat 

ESG Investing: A New Era of Responsible Investment

ESG investing focuses on environmental, social, and governance factors, aiming to support companies that align with sustainable, ethical practices. It considers a company’s impact on the environment, its treatment of people, and its governance standards. ESG investing can offer long-term financial benefits by promoting better risk management and innovation. As investor interest grows, more funds are available to align portfolios with ethical values, contributing to a more sustainable and equitable world while potentially yielding strong returns.

Personal Finance

• Invest Wise: Turning Your Passion into a Financial Plan: As people increasingly seek to retire early and pursue passions, financial planning must account for these aspirations. Unlike traditional goals, passion-driven goals may require higher risk investments like equities for growth, but as the goal nears, funds should shift to lower-risk assets to ensure stability and avoid delays. Read here
  
  
• Taxation of Mutual Funds in India: Mutual fund gains, including dividends and capital gains, are taxable. Debt mutual funds are taxed at the investor’s slab rate without indexation. Tax rules vary based on the fund type (equity, debt, hybrid) and holding period, with longer holding periods often resulting in lower taxes. Read here
  
  
• Government Plans NPS Reforms to Enhance Pension Coverage for Gig Workers: The Atal Pension Yojana (APY), launched in 2015, aims to provide pensions to unorganised sector workers. With over 61 million subscribers, the government is considering increasing the minimum pension amount in the upcoming budget to enhance the scheme’s appeal. The PFRDA has requested a budgetary proposal for this hike. Read here

Investing

• Gold Rises to $2,750 Driven by Trade Uncertainty and Fed Rate Cut Expectations: Gold prices surged to $2,750, the highest since November 1, driven by safe-haven demand amid US tariff threats and global uncertainties. Declining US Treasury yields and expectations of Fed rate cuts support the rally. However, a recovery in the US Dollar and potential Bank of Japan rate hikes may cap gains. Read here
  
  
• Zerodha Explains Information Ratio: Is Your Investment Worth the Risk: The Information Ratio (IR) measures the risk-adjusted return of equity mutual fund schemes, helping assess a fund manager’s performance relative to its benchmark. SEBI mandates its daily disclosure to enhance transparency. IR evaluates both returns and risk, guiding investors to make informed decisions by considering consistency and performance. Read here
  
  
• Sebi Considers Allowing Pre-Listing IPO Trading to Curb Grey Market Activity: SEBI is considering a “when-listed” trading period for IPOs to curb grey market activity and enhance transparency. Chairperson Madhabi Puri Buch emphasized the importance of ethical governance and investor trust. SEBI is also focusing on improving transparency around Related Party Transactions and promoting ethical wealth creation in India’s growing IPO market. Read here

Economy & Sectors

• Steel and Cement Cartels Hindering Infrastructure Development, Says Nitin Gadkari: Union Minister Nitin Gadkari criticized steel and cement industry cartels for hindering infrastructure development, urging the use of fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP) as a cost-effective alternative. He called for a 20-25% price reduction in FRP, emphasized domestic R&D, and highlighted plans to make India a global auto hub and energy exporter. Read here
  
  
• Government Disburses Rs 1,596 Crore Across Six PLI Schemes in April-September FY25: The government disbursed Rs 1,596 crore under Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes for six sectors in the first half of fiscal 2024. The largest allocation went to electronics (Rs 964 crore), followed by pharma. PLI schemes have attracted Rs 1.46 lakh crore in investments, boosting production, employment, and exports. Read here
  
  
• Union Budget to Focus on Fiscal Consolidation and Growth; Capital Expenditure Projected at Rs 11-11.5 Lakh Crore: The 2025-26 Union Budget will balance fiscal consolidation and growth, with capital expenditure rising to Rs 11-11.5 lakh crore. Priorities include boosting consumption, private investments, and key schemes. Fiscal deficit is expected to reduce, while subsidies will decline slightly. Initiatives for MSMEs, infrastructure, and sustainable tourism are also anticipated. Read here

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Check out CAGRwealth smallcase portfolios

Our smallcase portfolios are ranking well in the smallcase universe in terms of 1-year returns.

• CFF (launched in June 2022) – Ranked 2^nd amongst smallcase with medium volatility.

• CVM (launched in May 2022) – Ranked among Top 20 across the Momentum smallcase universe.

Do check it out here

****
That’s it from our side. Have a great weekend ahead!

If you have any feedback that you would like to share, simply reply to this email.

The content of this newsletter is not an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any security in any jurisdiction. The content is distributed for informational purposes only and should not be construed as investment advice or a recommendation to sell or buy any security or other investment or undertake any investment strategy. There are no warranties, expressed or implied, as to the accuracy, completeness, or results obtained from any information outlined in this newsletter unless mentioned explicitly. The writer may have positions in and may, from time to time, make purchases or sales of the securities or other investments discussed or evaluated in this newsletter.