Beauty startup Pilgrim raises Rs 200 crore in primary, secondary funding rounds

Beauty and personal care product startup Pilgrim has raised Rs 200 crore (approximately $23 million) in a mix of primary and secondary funding rounds.

Mutual funds are a great way to build wealth and serve as collateral for loans with competitive interest rates. Banks and financial institutions offer loans based on the type and value of the units, with repayment options of EMIs or lump sum. Eligibility requires Indian residency, regular income, and holding mutual funds.

State Bank of India, the country's largest lender, has postponed its plan to raise funds this fiscal year due to high bond yields and will now tap the market in the next financial year. The bank had planned to raise 150 billion rupees through bond sales, but will now reassess its funding needs in April. Other state-run banks have also faced challenges in raising funds through infrastructure bonds.

Tesla executives have shared information about the upcoming Cybercab, including a battery under 50 kWh with a range of 480 km, a unique teardrop shape for efficiency, and Gullwing doors. The self-driving car will launch in 2026 and can be wirelessly charged, accommodating two passengers without human input.

Tata Motors' stock rose by 2% after announcing a price hike on commercial vehicles from April 1. HSBC upgraded the stock rating to 'Buy' with a target price of Rs 840, citing potential margin expansion. The price hike aims to counter rising input costs, following in the footsteps of other major players like Maruti Suzuki.

The Indian AC industry is expected to experience significant growth in Q4FY25 due to an early summer and aggressive stocking. The Indian Meteorological Department has predicted above-normal heatwaves, leading to higher temperatures and optimism for increased AC sales. Cooling companies, such as Blue Star, are expected to benefit with over 30% industry volume growth.

Hong Kong has introduced new application fees and raised visa fees for talent and capital investment admission schemes for foreign workers. The new fee structure aims to attract more foreign workers and investors, as the number of applications for talent admission schemes has significantly increased in the past few years.

NYT Connections is a free word game on The New York Times' website and app that challenges players to find connections between 16 words split into four categories. Using linguistic knowledge and strategic thinking, players must sort the words correctly within four attempts. Tips for solving include identifying connected words and staying patient.

BYD, a Chinese EV manufacturer, has unveiled a super charger that can add 400 km of range in just 5 minutes, potentially decimating rivals like Tesla. The new "super e-platform" will have a peak charging speed of 1,000 kW, twice as fast as Tesla's super chargers. BYD plans to build over 4,000 ultra-fast charging units in China, initially available for two new models priced at 270,000 yuan.

The US is experiencing a new outbreak of the deadly H7N9 bird flu, leading to higher egg prices. The strain has a high death rate and could potentially cause a pandemic. The outbreak was found in a Mississippi farm, prompting an investigation and surveillance. Symptoms include fever, cough, and respiratory issues, and there is no vaccine.

Pronab Sen, former chief statistician, analyzes the recent revisions in national income data by the National Statistical Office and the current slowdown in growth. He also discusses the future prospects of the economy and the impact of global tariff wars on vulnerable sectors like agriculture.

Apple's upcoming release of the iPhone 17 Air will feature a sleek design and potential for a port-free model. While the company has opted to keep the USB-C charging port for now, this decision reflects their commitment to both style and functionality. The move also acknowledges the importance of compatibility with existing accessories and the ongoing development of wireless technology.

Android users now have the option to switch to ChatGPT as their default digital assistant. The latest beta version of the ChatGPT app allows for easy activation with the same gestures and buttons used for other assistants. However, there are limitations, such as no hotword activation and the fact that it is still in beta.

TSIL, a textile company established in 2010, acquired Bang Overseas Limited's Retail Division and is now listed on NSE and BSE with a market cap of Rs 320 cr. With 31 retail outlets, it has caught the interest of Ashish Kacholia and FIIs for its impressive ROCE and profitability. However, caution is advised.

The movie Chhava has revived growth in Indian cinema. Nuvama Institutional Equities predicts a 96% increase in PVR Inox's share price due to strong box office collections and upcoming releases. Promoters buying shares also suggest positive growth for minority investors. Q4 FY25 is expected to be strong with successful Bollywood and Hollywood releases.

RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra urged banks to stop repeatedly asking customers for KYC documents, stating that submitting them to a financial regulator allows access to a common database. He emphasized the need for better customer experience and for banks to strengthen their internal grievance redressal framework.

NMDC, India's largest iron ore producer, has announced its first interim dividend for FY25. Investors holding shares before March 21, 2025, will be eligible for the payout of Rs 2.30 per share with a face value of Rs 1. The company has a history of consistent dividend payouts, with a yield ranging between 3.6% and 9%.

Stocks to watch for today's trading session include Tata Motors, Religare Enterprises, IREDA, Swiggy, Bank of Maharashtra, IRCON International, Aditya Birla Real Estate, JM Financial, Suryoday Small Finance Bank, and NBCC India. Indian stock markets closed positively on March 17, with both Sensex and Nifty ending higher.

Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis of Maharashtra has appealed for calm and warned against spreading rumours after violence broke out in Nagpur. The incident was triggered by a right-wing protest and resulted in stone pelting and clashes with the police, leading to injuries. The government has taken action to restore peace and arrested 15 people.

Bajaj Finserv has acquired Allianz SE's 26% stake in their joint ventures BAGIC and BALIC for Rs 24,180 crore, marking the end of their 24-year partnership. Allianz had expressed its intent to exit the JVs, and with this acquisition, Bajaj Group's holding in both companies will rise to 100%. The deal is expected to take several months to close and is subject to regulatory approvals.

The Google Pixel 8a has received a massive price cut in India ahead of the launch of its successor, the Pixel 9a. Flipkart, one of Google's sale partners, is selling the 128GB variant for Rs 15,000 less and the 256GB variant for Rs 15,000 discount. This discount will be in the form of cashback.

Maruti Suzuki and Tata Motors to increase prices for commercial vehicles from April 1, 2025, citing rising costs. Maruti Suzuki's third price hike in 2025, while Tata Motors will see up to 2% increase. Exact percentage not disclosed, but will vary by model and variant. Rising raw material and manufacturing costs cited as reasons.

2025 will see the launch of new and updated compact SUVs, including Maruti Suzuki's Fronx hybrid, Hyundai Venue, Tata Punch facelift, and Mahindra 3X0 EV. The Fronx will be the most affordable strong hybrid in India, while the Venue will feature a new design language and retain its current powertrain options. while the Punch will receive updates to its exterior, interior, and engine.

Forever 21 has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy for the second time due to declining sales. Liquidation sales will be held and a sale of assets is being considered. International fast-fashion companies have affected their customer base. Assets are valued at $100 million to $500 million, but liabilities are over $5 billion. Sparc, Simon Property, and Brookfield are involved.

The S&P 500 has experienced a significant drop, entering correction territory due to concerns about Trump's policies and trade war. Despite this, corrections can be advantageous for investors as past data shows that stocks tend to rebound over longer time frames. The market's future returns will be impacted by factors such as Trump tariffs, the US economy, and Fed rate cuts.

Incyte's experimental drug povorcitinib has shown positive results in two late-stage studies for the treatment of hidradenitis suppurativa, reducing symptoms by at least 50% in patients after 12 weeks. The drug is also being tested for other conditions such as vitiligo and prurigo nodularis. Hidradenitis suppurativa is a painful skin condition similar to acne.

Traders’ body Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) has called for comprehensive policies and regulations for both e-commerce and quick-commerce platforms to ensure strict compliance with Indian laws.

Religare Enterprises (REL) has announced a governance review of REL and its subsidiaries, RFL and RHDFCL. The company has engaged a law firm and a consultancy to review past practices, suggest improvements, and identify any misconduct by current or former employees.

Rishabh Pant, skipper of LSG, recalled a moment from the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy when Sunil Gavaskar criticized his reckless shot selection. Gavaskar famously called it a "stupid" mistake, urging Pant to play more responsibly. Despite this, Pant's aggressive batting style has earned him praise. In a video, he can be seen mimicking Gavaskar's commentary but breaks into laughter.

UBS India forecasts a 50 bps reduction in RBI's repo rate in April to boost domestic growth amidst global uncertainties. February saw a 7-month low of 3.61% in CPI inflation, with vegetable prices decreasing. UBS India predicts an average CPI inflation of 4.2% in FY26, lower than RBI's projection. Core inflation slightly rose to 4% in February.

Apple's budget-friendly iPhone 16e, which is being hailed as the successor to the iPhone SE 3, has already received a major price reduction within a month of its launch. The phone features a powerful A18 chip and Apple Intelligence, making it a more affordable option in the iPhone 16 lineup.

A new study has found that changes in visual processing may be an early sign of dementia, 12 years before a diagnosis. Researchers examined 8,623 healthy people and found that those who developed dementia were slower to see a triangle on a screen. They believe vision tests could detect deficits before memory tests, and also improve memory through eye movements.

The government data released on March 17 shows a 13.13% growth in net direct tax collection to Rs 21.27 lakh crore this financial year. Corporate tax collection was at Rs 9.69 lakh crore and non-corporate tax collection at Rs 11.01 lakh crore. Net collections from securities transaction tax (STT) stood at Rs 53,095 crore.

Blackstone's partnership with Kolte Patil has boosted the company's share price by 4% and raised Rs 417.03 crore. Blackstone will hold approximately 40% ownership in KPDL and plans to acquire an additional 26% from the public. This move marks Blackstone's entry into the Indian residential market and is expected to accelerate Kolte Patil's growth.

India's trade deficit in February was the lowest in over three years at $14.05 billion, much lower than expected. Imports fell due to global uncertainty, with gold and crude oil imports decreasing. Services exports and imports also saw a decline. India is working towards a trade pact with the U.S. to avoid potential tariffs. Trade officials are looking into the details of the import fall.

Inzamam-ul-Haq, former captain of Pakistan's national cricket team, is worried about the team's poor performance and blames the cricket board's mistakes. He warns that without proper planning and learning from past mistakes, the team's decline will continue. He supports current captain Babar Azam and stresses the need for teamwork to identify and fix issues.

Domestic key equity indices ended the day on a positive note, with Nifty 50 and BSE Sensex rising by 0.50% and 0.46% respectively. Nifty Pharma and Nifty Financial Services were the top gainers among sectoral indices, while Nifty Bank and BSE Midcap also saw a surge in points. In the broader markets, small and micro-cap stocks closed in the green, while India VIX increased by 1.01%.

Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India (HMSI) has launched the updated Shine 100 at a price of Rs 68,767. The 2025 Honda Shine 100 gets cosmetic and mechanical updates, with an OBD2B-compliant engine delivering 7.28 bhp and 8.04 Nm of torque. It comes with new body graphics, blacked-out alloy wheels, and a single-piece seat. The bike also features a diamond-type frame, telescopic front

The UFBU has declared a two-day strike on March 24 and 25 after talks with the IBA were unsuccessful. The strike will be nationwide.

Ice baths, also known as "cold water immersion", are becoming popular in the fitness world. They require submerging the body in cold water for a specific time, usually ranging from 10-15°C. While they aid in muscle recovery, experts advise against excessive or prolonged use as it may diminish the benefits and cause cold shock.

Motilal Oswal recommends buying Kirloskar Oil Engines and Bharti Airtel stocks, citing potential for growth in the powergen segment and improved profitability. The brokerage firm also highlights Bharti Airtel's strong performance in terms of AGR and ARPU growth. They believe that both companies have the potential to gain market share at the expense of their competitors.

The Marquez brothers dominated the Argentina GP, with Marc taking the win and Alex coming in second. This marks their fourth consecutive win, with Marc also equaling Angel Nieto's record of 90 MotoGP wins. Franco Morbidelli surprised with a podium finish, while Francesco Bagnaia struggled and finished fourth. Morbidelli's tire choice paid off, while Bagnaia struggled with his feeling on the track.

Mahindra has launched the new Ebony Edition of the XUV700, priced between Rs 19.64 lakh and Rs 24.14 lakh (ex-showroom). It features an all-black exterior and interior, with a dual black-and-silver aesthetic. The SUV also comes with top-of-the-line features and safety systems, and is available in both petrol and diesel engine options.

A study from the University of Copenhagen has found a strong link between Western-style diets during pregnancy and the development of neurodevelopmental conditions like autism and ADHD in children. Even small shifts towards unhealthy diets were linked to an increased risk. However, the study also showed that a healthy diet during pregnancy can have positive outcomes for children.

Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway has increased its holdings in five major Japanese trading houses, including Mitsui & Co, Mitsubishi Corp, Sumitomo Corp, Itochu and Marubeni. This move, mentioned in regulatory filings, aligns with Buffett's long-term investments in Japan's commodity firms. The trading houses, also known as "sogo shosha", play a significant role in various industries.

The Indian housing market is dynamic, making the choice between renting or buying a property a fluid one. ANAROCK's data reveals that capital values in top cities have increased by 128% from 2021 to 2024, while rental values have not experienced the same growth. This trend is observed in Bengaluru, MMR, NCR, and Hyderabad, while Pune shows the opposite trend.

Canada has stopped providing subsidies for Tesla products due to trade tensions with the U.S. and high sales in January. This decision is part of Canada's response to U.S. tariffs. The Canadian Automobile Dealers Association accuses Tesla of taking advantage of the subsidies before they were discontinued, leaving little for other automakers and their customers under the iZEV program.

Angel funds cannot exercise their pre-emptive rights to make additional investments and increase stakes in their existing portfolio companies if they have lost their startup status, according to the market regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI). 

Swiggy Instamart has expanded to 100 cities to meet the growing demand for 10-minute deliveries, especially in tier 2 and 3 cities. The platform is also introducing 'megapods' to increase its darkstore network and offer a wider range of products to customers, including non-grocery items and local brands.