Connect with us

Technology

INFLATION, ALONG WITH EXTERNAL HEADWINDS, POSES CHALLENGES TO INDIA’S GROWTH PROSPECTS – DUN & BRADSTREET

Published

on

MUMBAI, India, Dec. 6, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Dun & Bradstreet, a global leader in business decisioning data and analytics, has released its Economy Observer report for November 2024. Economy Observer is a monthly report that shares an in-depth analysis on key macroeconomic developments in India and provides a monthly forecast of key economic indicators, providing insight into the expected direction of the Indian economy for the upcoming month. 

Key economic forecast:

Real Economy:

India’s Index of Industrial Production (IIP) grew by 3.1% year-over-year in September 2024, recovering from a 0.1% contraction in August, driven primarily by a 3.9% expansion in the manufacturing sector due to rising demand and economic recovery. However, the outlook remains fragile as mining and electricity registered sluggish growth of just 0.2% and 0.5%, hampered by aging infrastructure, volatile commodity prices, rising fuel costs, and ongoing supply chain disruptions. Intermediate goods grew by 4.2%, indicating strong demand for manufacturing inputs, while consumer durables rose by 6.5%, reflecting robust demand in urban and rural markets. Despite these gains, Dun & Bradstreet expects IIP to slow down to 2.8% in October, citing weakened output in key sectors, persistent supply chain issues, and rising input costs, suggesting the recent growth may be short-lived.

Price Scenario: Consumer price inflation (CPI) rose to 6.2% in October 2024, up from 5.5% in September, while wholesale price inflation (WPI) increased to 2.3% from 1.8%. The main driver was a 13.5% rise in food prices, continuing the trend from September. The primary articles index, including food and essentials, grew 8.1%. Food and beverages, which account for 45.9% of CPI, remains a key inflation driver due to supply-side issues and high demand for cereals, oils, and vegetables. Global energy price hikes, especially of crude oil, have further contributed to inflation. Dun & Bradstreet forecasts WPI inflation to moderate to 2.5% in November 2024, but CPI is expected to remain high at 6.5%, well above the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) targets. Uncertainty around energy costs persists, though falling oil and gas prices amid geopolitical tensions could help ease some inflationary pressures.

Money & Finance: Investor confidence remains steady amid global uncertainties and inflation. Dun & Bradstreet expects the 91-day Treasury Bill yield to stabilise at 6.5% in November 2024, while the 10-year G-Sec yield will likely stay around 6.8%. Short-term yields have eased slightly, but long-term yields remain stable, suggesting a cautious outlook with no immediate rate hikes. Meanwhile global economic factors and geopolitical risks will continue to influence India’s bond market.

Credit growth is projected to moderate to 12.7% in November 2024, as the RBI prioritises inflation control and financial stability. Despite ample liquidity, tighter credit conditions are expected, reflecting the RBI’s cautious approach to prevent overheating and maintain asset quality. This balanced policy is expected to support growth while managing inflation risks.

External Sector: India’s external sector faces pressures from decelerating foreign portfolio investment (FPI) inflows, constrained export growth due to global competition and weaker demand, and a widening fiscal and current account deficit driven by high oil and commodity imports. This has increased demand for foreign currencies, contributing to the depreciation of the Indian Rupee (INR) against the US Dollar (USD), Dun & Bradstreet expects INR to reach 84.5 per USD by December 2024. Factors such as slower global growth, rising commodity prices, and a stronger USD will continue to weigh on the currency. However, India’s strong domestic growth prospects, resilient banking system, and diversified economy offer some protection against a sharper decline in the rupee.

Dr. Arun Singh, Global Chief Economist, Dun & Bradstreet said, “India’s economic outlook for November 2024 shows resilience amid challenges. While industrial production is indicating signs of recovery, growth will likely slow down due to seasonal factors and struggles in the mining and electricity sector. Inflation, driven by rising food and energy costs, remains a concern, which is likely to prompt the RBI to assume a cautious stance. A weaker rupee and falling foreign inflows add pressure on inflation, though strong forex reserves provide some buffer. The economy remains vulnerable to external shocks and rising import demand. Effective policy management is key to balancing inflation, external risks, and growth.”

D&B’s Economy Observer Forecast

Variables

Forecast

Latest Period

Previous period

IIP Growth

2.8% Oct-24

3.09% Sep-24

-0.14% Aug-24

Inflation WPI

2.5% Nov-24

2.36% Oct-24

1.84% Sep-24

CPI (Combined)

6.5% Nov-24

6.21% Oct-24

5.49% Sep-24

Exchange Rate (INR/USD) **

84.5 Dec-24

84.4 Nov-24

84.03 Oct-24

91-day T-Bills*

6.5% Nov-24

6.46% Oct-24

6.64% Sep-24

10-year G-Sec Yield*

6.82% Nov-24

6.79% Oct-24

6.84% Sep-24

Bank Credit

12.7% Nov-24

13.1% Oct-24

13.0% Sep-24

*Weekly Average ** Dun and Bradstreet Forecasts

About Dun & Bradstreet:

Dun & Bradstreet, a leading global provider of business decisioning data and analytics, enables companies around the world to improve their business performance. Dun & Bradstreet’s Data Cloud fuels solutions and delivers insights that empower customers to accelerate revenue, lower cost, mitigate risk and transform their businesses. Since 1841, companies of every size have relied on Dun & Bradstreet to help them manage risk and reveal opportunity. For more information on Dun & Bradstreet, please visit www.dnb.com.

Dun & Bradstreet Information Services India Private Limited is headquartered in Mumbai and provides clients with data-driven products and technology-driven platforms to help them take faster and more accurate decisions across finance, risk, compliance, information technology and marketing. Working towards Government of India’s vision of creating an Atmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India) by supporting the Make in India initiative, Dun & Bradstreet India has a special focus on helping entrepreneurs enhance their visibility, increase their credibility, expand access to global markets, and identify potential customers & suppliers, while managing risk and opportunity.

India is also the home to Dun & Bradstreet Technology & Corporate Services LLP, which is the Global Capabilities Center (GCC) of Dun & Bradstreet supporting global technology delivery using cutting-edge technology. Located at Hyderabad, the GCC has a highly skilled workforce of over 500 employees, and focuses on enhanced productivity, economies of scale, consistent delivery processes and lower operating expenses.

Visit www.dnb.co.in for more information.

Click here for all Dun & Bradstreet India press releases.

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2314099/DB_Logo.jpg

 

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/in/news-releases/inflation-along-with-external-headwinds-poses-challenges-to-indias-growth-prospects–dun–bradstreet-302324653.html

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Technology

THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE ENHANCES NATIONAL RESILIENCE THROUGH SMART DEFENCE TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION

Published

on

By

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, April 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — On April 20, The Prime Minister of Malaysia, YAB Dato’ Seri Anwar bin Ibrahim, officiated the Defence Services Asia (DSA) & National Security (NATSEC) Asia 2026 Opening Ceremony at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC).

Themed “Enhancing Capabilities and Resilience Through Technology”, the 19th Edition of the DSA 2026 Exhibition will run for four days from 20 to 23 April 2026. This exhibition aims to enhance defence capabilities and drive future technology to ensure national resilience through innovation, international cooperation and the development of the local defence industry ecosystem.

The main focus of this event is on the evolution of defence technology that has shifted from conventional assets to smart systems. Emphasis is placed on mastering technology that is capable of facing the security threats of the new millennium which are asymmetric and hybrid in nature.

Among the core advanced technologies featured :

a) Autonomous & Robotic Systems: Exhibition of various variations of unmanned systems (UAV, UGV, and UUV) equipped with Artificial Intelligence (AI) for long-distance monitoring and detection operations.

b) Digital & Cyber Defence: Application of new generation encryption technology and cybersecurity platforms to protect the country’s data sovereignty and critical infrastructure.

c) Sensor & Electronic Technology: High-precision radar and sensor systems that enable ATM readiness to be at an optimal level in monitoring space, maritime, and land in real-time.

In line with this global technology exposure, the government continues to strengthen the Industrial Collaboration Programme (ICP) as the main mechanism for technology transfer. Through the ICP, the involvement of international industry players is required to contribute to the development of local talent and research and development (R&D) in the high-tech sector.

Among the key segments highlighted are the CBRNe Arena, focusing on technologies related to chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive threats; the Firearms and Tactical Equipment Segment, showcasing the latest operational capabilities and equipment; and the Coalition of Defence Industry Malaysia (CDIM) Pavilion, which highlights the capabilities of the country’s defence industry. The DSA & NATSEC Asia Lab also showcases innovation initiatives by providing a platform for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and start-ups to introduce their innovations on the international stage.

This edition recorded the participation of 1,456 companies from 63 countries, including 37 international pavilions, as well as approximately 600 official delegations and 50,000 trade visitors from more than 114 countries within the 48,000-square-metre exhibition space. This scale of participation reflects the strategic importance of the exhibition at the global level and further demonstrates Malaysia’s position as a strategic meeting point for defence and security cooperation.

Also present were the Minister of Defence, YB Dato’ Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin; Chief Secretary to the Government, Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar; Speaker of the Dewan Rakyat, Tan Sri Dato’ Dr. Johari bin Abdul; Chairman of DSA Exhibition and Conference Sdn Bhd, Tan Sri Asmat Kamaludin; Chief of Defence Force, General Datuk Haji Malek Razak bin Sulaiman; Secretary-General of the Ministry of Defence, Datuk Lokman Hakim bin Ali; Deputy Minister of Defence, YB Adly Zahari; as well as top management and senior officers of the Ministry and the Malaysian Armed Forces.

– END –

“‘MALAYSIA MADANI” “BERKHIDMAT UNTUK NEGARA”
”PERTAHANAN NEGARA, TANGGUNGJAWAB BERSAMA”

Ministry of Defence Malaysia
20 April 2026

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/the-ministry-of-defence-enhances-national-resilience-through-smart-defence-technology-innovation-302749464.html

SOURCE DSA & NATSEC ASIA

Continue Reading

Technology

Grantd Launches Platform to Help Employees Understand Their Equity, Build Confidence in Their Financial Plan, and Connect to Advice When They Need It

Published

on

By

New Platform Gives Every Equity Recipient a Personalized View of Their Awards — and a Clear Path to Understand, Act, and Get Advice on Them

DENVER, April 21, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Grantd, an AI-powered equity compensation platform whose advisor platform helps advisors manage over $14 billion in assets under administration for more than 400 registered investment advisory firms and 14,000 clients, today announced the launch of its issuer platform, Grantd for Work. The platform is built to give employees a clear, personalized understanding of their equity compensation — what they have, what it’s worth, how it fits into their broader financial picture, and what they should consider doing about it. Equity compensation is complex, and for most employees, it has been difficult to navigate without dedicated resources and support. Grantd for Work changes that — providing the tools, education, and guidance employees need to understand their awards with confidence, and connecting them to a financial advisor when they’re ready to take the next step.

“It gives every employee a real, personalized view of their equity — what it means for their financial goals, what actions they should consider, and a direct line to advice when they need it.”

The launch marks a significant expansion of Grantd’s reach — from individual equity recipients and their financial advisors to the employers and employees inside the companies that grant those awards. It also helps HR and compensation administrators gain better visibility into their programs, reduce the volume of manual employee questions, and identify where engagement and retention may be at risk.

“Equity is one of the most powerful forms of compensation companies offer — but for most employees, it’s also one of the least understood,” said Brian McDonald, Founder & CEO of Grantd. “An employee might receive an RSU grant, watch it vest, and still have no idea what the tax implications are, whether they should sell or hold, or how it changes their financial picture. Grantd for Work changes that. It gives every employee a real, personalized view of their equity — what it means for their financial goals, what actions they should consider, and a direct line to advice when they need it.”

Grantd for Work is built around the employee experience. Key capabilities include:

A personalized equity dashboard showing each employee’s total portfolio value, vested and unvested equity broken down by grant, external holdings, and concentration risk — giving them a complete, real-time picture of what they own, what it’s worth, and how it fits into their overall financial picture.AI-powered document reading that automatically extracts holdings from any brokerage statement or equity award summary — from any provider — so the platform is accurate and fully populated from day one, with no manual entry required.Financial goal tracking that maps each employee’s equity directly to their personal financial goals — financial independence, early retirement, a home purchase — showing whether they’re on track, what’s at risk, and how upcoming vests and exercises could change the outcome.A full equity planning toolkit, including concentration analysis, price target modeling, growth scenario projections, exercise planning, withholding analysis, and trading window tracking — alongside pre-built strategy templates like sell-to-cover, diversification sell-down, and automated trading plans.Ask Grant, an AI equity guide built directly into the platform that answers employees’ most pressing questions — from how RSU income is taxed at vest to what the ESPP 15% discount means for their tax situation — in plain language, on demand.AI agents that work for every employee — Grantd’s AI agents don’t wait to be asked. They continuously analyze each employee’s equity portfolio and surface timely, personalized insights. Every insight is specific to that employee — not generic equity education, but guidance grounded in what they actually hold.A learning center with articles and guides covering equity basics, tax and finance, investing strategy, and company-specific plan guides — so employees can build real confidence in their equity, not just access to it.A direct connection to financial advice when employees are ready to go beyond self-service — with their complete equity profile already structured and ready to share with an advisor.

For HR and compensation administrators, the platform also provides visibility into how equity programs are performing across the organization — including a live dashboard of total equity wealth created by employee, department, and level; proactive retention signals for employees with expiring grants or low engagement; and competitive equity modeling tools to help design compelling offers for prospective hires.

The new platform arrives at a time when industry leaders are rethinking equity program design and employee share plan strategy. Grantd will further that conversation at the Global Equity Organization’s (GEO) 27th Annual Conference in Austin, taking place April 21–23, 2026. On Wednesday, April 22, Brian McDonald will join the expert panel, “Strategic Shifts in Employee Share Plans: How Companies Are Redesigning Equity for 2026 and Beyond,” alongside fellow Grantd Advisory Board members Billy Vitense of Starbucks, Christine Zwerling of Asana, and Melissa Howell of Nike.

To learn more about Grantd for Work or schedule a demonstration, visit Grantd online at https://www.grantdequity.com/.

About Grantd:

Founded by Brian McDonald, Grantd is an AI-powered equity compensation platform built to simplify how equity is understood, managed, and acted on. Its advisor platform manages over $14 billion in assets under administration for more than 400 registered investment advisory firms, 2,600 advisors, and 14,000 clients. With the launch of Grantd for Work, the company now serves the full equity ecosystem — from individual equity recipients and their advisors to the employees who hold those awards and the HR and compensation teams who design and run the programs. Grantd is headquartered in Denver, Colorado.

Media Contact

Jane Kim, Grantd Equity, 1 (303) 515-3158, jane.kim@grantdequity.com, grantdequity.com

View original content:https://www.prweb.com/releases/grantd-launches-platform-to-help-employees-understand-their-equity-build-confidence-in-their-financial-plan-and-connect-to-advice-when-they-need-it-302745530.html

SOURCE Grantd Equity

Continue Reading

Technology

FERMI PROVIDES BUSINESS UPDATE

Published

on

By

DALLAS, April 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Fermi Inc. (d/b/a Fermi America) (NASDAQ: FRMI) (LSE: FRMI), operating as Fermi America™ (“Fermi” or the “Company”), subsequent to the Company’s announcement of Fermi 2.0 on April 20, 2026, has received significant and positive feedback from multiple potential tenants, the Company’s landlord, the Texas Tech University System, as well as suppliers, vendors, contractors, financing sources, and other partners. The Company is gratified by that feedback and is pursuing Fermi 2.0’s business and leadership objectives with all deliberate speed.

The Company also acknowledges receipt of a letter from Mr. Toby Neugebauer, and has reviewed a press release issued by him, calling for the initiation of a process for the immediate sale of the Company. As Mr. Neugebauer indicated in his press release, he was removed from his position on April, 17, 2026,  after careful consideration by the Company’s Board of Directors in accordance with its fiduciary duties. Given recent changes in leadership, which position the Company for its next chapter of growth and evolution from a startup to a scaled enterprise, the Company firmly believes a sale is not in the best interest of its continued momentum on Project Matador, ability to serve potential tenants and long-term value creation for shareholders. The Board, consistent with its fiduciary duties, will carefully review all avenues to maximize shareholder value, which include continued execution of its business plan, strategic investments from third parties, joint ventures or other transactions.

About Fermi America™

Fermi America™ (NASDAQ & LSE: FRMI) (fermiamerica.com) is pioneering the development of next-generation private electric grids that deliver highly redundant power at gigawatt scale, required to create next-generation artificial intelligence. Co-founded by former U.S. Energy Secretary Rick Perry and Co-Founder and former Co-Managing Partner of Quantum Energy Toby Neugebauer, Fermi America™ combines cutting-edge technology with a deep bench of proven world-class multi-disciplinary leaders to create the world’s largest, 17 GW next-generation private HyperGrid campus. Project Matador is expected to integrate the nation’s biggest combined-cycle natural gas project, one of the largest clean, new nuclear power complexes in America, utility grid power, solar power, and battery energy storage, to deliver hyperscaler artificial intelligence.

Additional Information and Where to Find It

If the Company determines to hold a special meeting of shareholders, the Company will file a proxy statement on Schedule 14A, an accompanying white proxy card and other relevant documents with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) in connection with the solicitation of proxies from the Company’s shareholders for such meeting. SHAREHOLDERS OF THE COMPANY ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO READ THE COMPANY’S DEFINITIVE PROXY STATEMENT (INCLUDING ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS THERETO), IF ANY, AND ALL OTHER DOCUMENTS FILED WITH THE SEC CAREFULLY AND IN THEIR ENTIRETY, IF AND WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION. Investors and shareholders may obtain a copy of any definitive proxy statement of the Company, an accompanying white proxy card, any amendments or supplements thereto and other documents filed by the Company with the SEC if and when they become available at no charge at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Copies will also be available at no charge in the “SEC Filings” subsection of the Company’s Investor Relations website at https://fermiamerica.com/ or by contacting the Company’s Investor Relations Department at IR@fermiamerica.com, as soon as reasonably practicable after such materials are electronically filed with, or furnished to, the SEC.

Participants in the Solicitation

If the Company determines to hold a special meeting of shareholders, the Company, its directors and certain of its executive officers may be deemed participants in the solicitation of proxies from the Company’s shareholders in connection with matters to be considered at such special meeting of shareholders. Information regarding the direct and indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, of the Company’s directors and executive officers is included in the Company’s final prospectus, filed with the SEC on October 1, 2025, the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025, filed with the SEC on March 30, 2026, and in the Company’s Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC from time to time. Changes to the direct or indirect interests of the Company’s directors and executive officers are set forth in SEC filings on Initial Statements of Beneficial Ownership on Form 3 or Statements of Change in Ownership on Form 4. These documents are available free of charge as described above. Updated information regarding the identities of potential participants and their direct or indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, in the Company will be set forth in the definitive proxy statement for the Company’s special meeting of shareholders and other relevant documents to be filed with the SEC, if and when they become available.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements contained in this press release which are not historical facts, such as those relating to future events, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Fermi undertakes no duty to publicly update or revise such forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. Investors should consult further disclosures and risk factors included in our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, the Registration Statement on Form S-8 and other documents filed from time to time with the SEC by Fermi.

 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/fermi-provides-business-update-302749474.html

SOURCE Fermi Inc.

Continue Reading

Trending