#1. Brokerage incomes may shrink by Rs 2,000 crore after order on uniform fees

The share price of several brokerages slumped by up to nearly 9 percent after the Securities and Exchange Board of India instructed stock exchanges, clearing corporations, and depositories to not differentiate among clients based on volumes from October 1, the Economic Times reported. The order for stock exchanges to collect uniform levies could shrink brokerage incomes by more than Rs 2,000 crore.

Why it’s important: The order will impact discount platforms and zero-brokerage plans. It could force discount brokerages to drop zero-payment plans or raise rates, sacrificing either margins or client base.

#2. Singapore’s Temasek in lead to buy Rs 900 crore stake in medical equipment firm Tynor

Temasek, the private equity arm of the Singapore government, is the frontrunner to purchase a 30-35 percent stake in medical equipment maker Tynor Orthotics for $100-120 million (Rs 850-900 crore), the Mint reported. Tynor, backed by Lighthouse Funds, is being valued at Rs 3,000 crore. Other bidders include Warburg Pincus and Norwest Venture Partners.

Why it’s important: India’s fragmented medical equipment and devices industry is expected to grow in double digits over the next 5-6 years to around $20 billion, attracting strong investor interest.

#3. Capgemini to invest Rs 1,000 crore in new 5,000 seat facility in Chennai

Capgemini is set to invest Rs 1,000 crore in three years to set up a 5,000-seat capacity facility in Chennai that will span nearly 6 lakh sq ft, the Hindu Businessline reported. It will support Capgemini’s specialist teams ranging from financial services, engineering, digital, cloud, and artificial intelligence. The facility, slated for completion in April 2027, will be set up at Sipcot, Siruseri.

Why it’s important: Capgemini’s investment plans are another instance of multinational IT and consulting firms expanding their global capacity centers in India, a segment that is seeing tremendous growth.

#4. Food watchdog steps up scrutiny of quick commerce dark stores on hygiene concerns

The government has increased unscheduled audits and spot checks on dark stores of top quick commerce platforms, especially for packaged foods, after several hygiene lapses came to light in recent weeks, the Economic Times reported. Besides these warehouses, direct-to-consumer food brands also have received surprise visits from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India.

Why it’s important: Quick commerce has been expanding at a breakneck speed in urban areas. They will need to be careful about hygiene as well as adding small-scale new-age brands to their platforms.

#5. Government to tweak housing scheme for middle-income urban households

The central government may rejig the criteria and classification of middle-income groups for beneficiaries of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban), with the changes likely to be presented in the upcoming budget, the Mint reported. The middle-class housing scheme, announced in the interim budget, is likely to be a part of the PMAY-U scheme, with the government likely to reintroduce an interest subsidy for its urban housing schemes.

Why it’s important: Affordable housing has become a huge challenge for the middle class in India, with most property developers concentrating on the higher end of the real estate market. It remains to be seen if the government’s push could bring in any meaningful change.

#6. Cryptocurrency companies call for regulation by multiple agencies ahead of unified framework

India’s cryptocurrency firms have suggested that regulating the sector may require the involvement of multiple agencies, given the approaching deadline to develop a unified framework, the Business Standard reported. The International Monetary Fund’s Financial Stability Board, which developed a global policy framework for crypto assets, has set a deadline to address data gaps by the end of 2025.

Why it’s important: Given the rapid rise of crypto assets and the complexities involved, creating comprehensive legislation through a single regulator could be time-intensive ahead of the 2025 timeline.

#7. Auditor at loggerheads with Paytm Payments Bank over business viability

Paytm Payments Bank is at loggerheads with auditor JC Bhalla & Company, which has told the lender that it will have to qualify certification of accounts for 2023-24 with remarks that reflect concerns over viability, given that business has come to a virtual standstill due to regulatory curbs, the Economic Times reported. The auditor’s qualifications relate to whether the company is a going concern or not.

Why it’s important: The struggling bank has opposed the auditor’s suggested qualification, arguing that the Paytm brand is robust enough to support a revival plan. It will be interesting to see how this plays out.

#8. Fewer Boeing deliveries may scrimp fleet expansion plans of Air India Express and Akasha

Boeing Company may deliver sharply fewer aircraft to Indian airlines next year as it slows production, the Mint reported. Air India Express and Akasa Air will not be able to get their hands on promised Boeing Max planes on time for planned fleet expansion. Although Boeing has guaranteed Max deliveries till December, the delivery outlook beyond December 2024 is uncertain.

Why it’s important: The upcoming delay in aircraft deliveries would be a setback to India’s aviation industry when seen in the context of the bankruptcies of Jet Airways and GoFirst, followed by the grounding of many aircraft by IndiGo and SpiceJet.

#9. India’s software services sector may see green shoots in the June quarter on an order uptick

An increase in large cost take-out deals signed over recent quarters, coupled with no further deterioration of the macro environment, could see the Indian IT services sector post an improvement in the first three months of 2024-25, the Business Standard reported. The June quarter is usually considered as a seasonally strong period for the Indian IT sector.

Why it’s important: Despite sequential growth, caps on discretionary spending in key western markets mean the June quarter could rank among the weakest first quarters over the past decade.

#10. Lack of skilled and unskilled manpower undermining India’s push to build infrastructure

An acute shortage of skilled and unskilled workers is threatening to hold back India’s infra boom, with the scarcity hitting the country's engineering and capital goods firms the hardest, the Business Standard reported. Recently, for instance, Larsen & Toubro flagged a shortage of 25,000-30,000 laborers at a time when L&T’s clients are hastening project execution.

Why it’s important: The shortage or skills gap, primarily due to a mix of India’s growing order book and increasing demand, has been a persistent issue in the industry. A marathon general election and extreme heat have only worsened the problem.