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Economic slowdown: Moody’s cuts India’s growth forecast to 5.8 per cent

Moody’s slashed its growth forecast for India to 5.8% due to economic slowdown caused by long-lasting factors like rural fiscal stress and unemployment

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Moody’s Investor Services today – Thursday, Oct 10 – slashed its 2019-20 growth forecast for India to 5.8% from 6.2% earlier, saying the economy was experiencing a pronounced slowdown which is partly related to long-lasting factors, fiscal stress among rural households and muted job creation.

What began as an investment-led slowdown has broadened into consumption, driven by financial stress among rural households and weak job creation, said the rating agency.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1570707574002{border-top-width: 10px !important;border-right-width: 10px !important;border-bottom-width: 10px !important;border-left-width: 10px !important;padding-top: 10px !important;padding-right: 10px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;padding-left: 10px !important;background-color: #cecece !important;border-radius: 10px !important;}”]Moody’s projection is the most pessimistic so far, according to a media report, lower than Reserve Bank of India’s last week’s forecast of 6.1%, and comes ahead of International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) growth projections due next week.

Last month, Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Organisation of Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) lowered FY20 growth forecast for India by 50 basis points and 1.3 percentage points to 6.5% and 5.9%, respectively.

Last week, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) also slashed its growth projection for the economy by 80 basis points, from 6.9% to 6.1%, for 2019-20.

Rating agency Standard & Poor’s (S&P) has also cut down its India growth forecast to 6.3% from 7.1% earlier.

In June, Fitch cut India’s growth forecast for the current fiscal for a second time in a row to 6.6 per cent. It had earlier in March lowered the growth estimate for 2019-20 to 6.8 per cent, from 7 per cent projected earlier, on weak momentum of the economy.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Moody’s said in its report: “The drivers of the deceleration are multiple, mainly domestic and in part long-lasting.”

Moody’s said a prolonged phase of softer growth in India would dampen prospects for the government’s fiscal consolidation plans and hamper its ability to prevent a rise in the debt burden, thus constraining the country’s sovereign credit profile.

“While we expect a moderate pick-up in real GDP growth and inflation over the next two years supported by monetary and fiscal stimulus, we have revised down our projections for both. We forecast real GDP growth to decline to 5.8% in the fiscal year ending in March 2020 (fiscal 2019) from 6.8% in fiscal 2018, and to pick up to 6.6% in fiscal 2020 and around 7.0% over the medium term. Compared with only two years ago, the probability of sustained real GDP growth at or above 8% has significantly diminished,” it added.

The Indian economy is battling a severe demand slowdown and liquidity crunch which resulted in economic growth rate falling to a six-year low of 5% in the June quarter, while growth in private consumption expenditure slumped to an 18-quarter low of 3.1%.

The rating agency said what began as an investment-led slowdown has broadened into consumption, driven by financial stress among rural households and weak job creation. “A credit crunch among non-bank financial institutions (NBFIs), major providers of retail loans in recent years, has compounded the problem,” it added.

Moody’s said prospects for fiscal consolidation look limited, though rapid deterioration is also unlikely. “With the recently announced corporate tax cuts and lower nominal GDP growth, we now expect a central government deficit of 3.7% of GDP in fiscal 2019, marking a 0.4 percentage point slippage from its target. A prolonged period of slower nominal GDP growth not only constrains scope for fiscal consolidation, but also keeps the government debt burden higher for longer compared with our previous expectations,” it added.

India’s real GDP growth has declined in each of the past five quarters, falling to 5 per cent year-on-year in April-June 2019 from 8.1 per cent in January-March 2018.

“By international standards, 5 per cent real GDP growth remains relatively high, but it marks a low rate for India. Combined with a marked decrease in inflation in recent years, this has resulted in a material decline in nominal GDP growth from typical annual rates of 11 per cent or higher over the past decade, to around 8 per cent in the second quarter of 2019,” it said.

While private investment has been relatively weak since 2012, consumption — which makes up about 55 per cent of GDP — had remained robust. “However, private consumption growth has now also fallen quite sharply, to 3.1 per cent in the second quarter from 7.3 per cent in the first. This was the lowest rate of quarterly consumption growth since October-December 2014, and high-frequency consumption demand indicators (such as automobile, truck, two-wheeler and tractor sales) point to continued weakness,” it said.

The government has estimated that the corporate tax cut will reduce revenue by around Rs 1.45 lakh crore or about 0.7 per cent of GDP in 2019-20. “After factoring in exclusions for tax exemptions and the recent 0.3 per cent of GDP transfer of capital from the RBI, we expect a central government fiscal deficit of about 3.7 per cent of GDP in 2019-20, resulting in a slippage of 0.4 percentage points of GDP from the government’s target of 3.3 per cent,” Moody’s said.

As a result, the general government deficit, which at about 6.4 per cent in fiscal 2018 is already much larger than those of Baa-rated peers (median of 2.5 per cent), is likely to remain wider than Moody’s previously expected, it added.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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Video of Bill Gates enjoying Vada Pav with Sachin Tendulkar during Mumbai visit goes viral

Gates, currently touring India, has been making waves with high-profile engagements. Earlier this week, he touched down in New Delhi, where he held discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and several Union ministers.

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2 days ago

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March 21, 2025

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Microsoft co-founder and philanthropist Bill Gates delighted his followers by posting an Instagram video featuring Indian cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar, with the playful caption, “A snack break before we get to work.” The brief clip captures the duo relishing Mumbai’s beloved street food, vada pav, whilst perched on a bench, ending with a teasing “Serving soon” message splashed across the screen.

Gates, currently touring India, has been making waves with high-profile engagements. Earlier this week, he touched down in New Delhi, where he held discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and several Union ministers. His itinerary then brought him to Mumbai, where he met Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. The tech titan’s visit underscores his ongoing fascination with India’s innovative spirit, a theme he expanded upon in a recent blog post.

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Writing on his personal site, Gates reflected on the trip’s impact: “I came away with fresh perspectives because India is brimming with clever, driven individuals addressing some of the globe’s toughest challenges in ingenious ways.” His words echo sentiments he shared ahead of the visit, when he praised Odisha’s farmers for leveraging artificial intelligence to boost agricultural outcomes—a story that’s garnered attention for its blend of tradition and technology.

The vada pav moment with Tendulkar, a national treasure, adds a light-hearted touch to Gates’s packed schedule. It’s not just a snack break; it hints at a potential collaboration, though details remain under wraps. For Indian fans, seeing two legends—one from tech, the other from cricket—share a casual bite is a rare treat, blending global influence with local flavour.

As Gates continues his journey, his interactions spotlight India’s dual role as a hub of innovation and a cultural powerhouse. Whether it’s AI-driven farming or a street-side snack with a sporting hero, his visit is proving to be a feast of ideas—and vada pav.

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Manappuram Finance shares hit record high after Bain Capital announces $508 million stake deal

Shares of Manappuram Finance surged to an all-time high after Bain Capital announced plans to acquire an 18% stake in the gold loan provider.

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2 days ago

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March 21, 2025

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Manappuram Finance shares rise after Bain Capital deal

India’s gold loan provider Manappuram Finance saw its shares soar to an all-time high on Friday after Bain Capital revealed plans to invest $508 million for an 18% stake in the company. The move, analysts say, brings clarity to Manappuram’s management succession strategy and paves the way for stronger strategic control.

Bain Capital, a U.S.-based private equity firm, will subscribe to Manappuram’s shares and warrants at Rs 236 per share — a 9% premium over Thursday’s closing price of Rs 217.5. Following the transaction, Bain will jointly control the company along with other key stakeholders, referred to as ‘promoters’ under Indian regulations.

As of 12:05 p.m. IST on Friday, Manappuram’s shares surged by as much as 6.3% to Rs 231.08, marking their highest level on record.

Founder to step back as Bain gains influence

Founder and CEO V.P. Nandakumar, who has led the company for nearly four decades, will transition to the role of non-executive chairman once the investment is finalized. With Bain Capital now having rights to influence strategic decisions and appoint key roles including the CEO, analysts at Jefferies and CLSA have responded positively.

CLSA noted that the potential for re-rating of Manappuram’s stock is strong as new leadership takes over. Jefferies and CLSA have both raised their target prices by 14.6% and 20%, respectively, maintaining bullish ratings of “buy” and “outperform.”

Deal to boost gold loan business, offset microfinance losses

The deal is expected to close in the upcoming financial year and is likely to accelerate growth in the company’s gold loan segment, which currently contributes around 75% of its total revenue. With gold prices at historic highs, the demand for gold-backed loans remains robust.

Additionally, analysts expect part of the capital raised through the deal may be used to cushion the losses in Manappuram’s microfinance division. The company confirmed that Asirvad Micro Finance, its microfinance subsidiary, will withdraw its IPO draft filing amid changing market conditions and regulatory scrutiny.

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Alphabet’s $32 billion acquisition of Wiz marks biggest cybersecurity push

Alphabet has announced a $32 billion deal to acquire Wiz, reinforcing its cloud security offerings as it competes with AWS and Microsoft Azure.

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4 days ago

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March 19, 2025

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Alphabet to acquire Wiz for $32 billion to boost cloud security

Alphabet, the parent company of Google, has announced its largest acquisition to date with a $32 billion deal to buy cybersecurity startup Wiz. The move signals Alphabet’s aggressive expansion in cloud security as it competes with Amazon Web Services and Microsoft Azure in the cloud computing market.

A strategic investment in cybersecurity

The acquisition will integrate Wiz into Google Cloud, reinforcing its security capabilities to help businesses mitigate cyber risks. The deal, which follows Alphabet’s previously unsuccessful $23 billion bid, underscores the company’s commitment to securing a stronger foothold in the cloud security space.

Wiz, an Israel-based firm, provides security solutions that work across major cloud providers, including Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud. The company has gained significant traction, boasting clients such as Morgan Stanley, BMW, and LVMH.

Regulatory scrutiny and financial impact

Despite the high price tag, Alphabet appears confident in securing regulatory approval under the new U.S. administration, which has maintained a watchful eye on major tech mergers. Notably, the termination fee—over $3.2 billion—stands among the highest in M&A history, signaling both parties’ commitment to closing the deal.

Alphabet’s stock dipped nearly 3% following the announcement, reflecting investor concerns over its heavy spending, particularly in AI and cloud computing. The company may need external financing, given its cash reserves of approximately $23.47 billion as of December 31, 2024.

Growing importance of cybersecurity

The acquisition highlights the increasing demand for cybersecurity solutions, especially in light of last year’s global CrowdStrike outage that disrupted businesses worldwide. Analysts suggest that for Google Cloud to compete effectively with Microsoft Azure, it must offer a more comprehensive suite of security services.

Alphabet expects the deal to be finalized in 2026, pending regulatory approvals. Meanwhile, Wiz will continue providing its services across multiple cloud platforms, potentially alleviating antitrust concerns.

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