RBI's New App Simplifies Data

• Indian markets saw another volatile session as an early sell-off on February 19 was quickly reversed, with the Sensex and Nifty 50 recovering to end flat. Gains in financial stocks offset declines in pharma and IT, each pressured by different factors.

• Analysts attribute the shift toward banking stocks to uncertainty over tariffs.

• IT stocks came under pressure after Capgemini posted weaker-than-expected 2024 results, while pharma stocks declined following U.S. President Donald Trump's threat of tariffs on drug imports.

Hindalco +2.70%

• Hindalco and National Aluminium Company shares rose up to 4% intraday as EU envoys approved the 16th sanctions package against Russia, including a ban on Russian primary aluminium imports and the listing of 73 shadow fleet vessels.

• The move comes just days before the third anniversary of the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Adani Enterprises (1.95%)

• Adani Group stocks declined after a report stated that the U.S. SEC sought assistance from Indian authorities in its investigation into alleged securities fraud and bribery involving Gautam Adani and Sagar Adani.

• RBI launches an app for access to economic and financial data. (BS)

• SEBI proposes SIM-binding for trading accounts to curb unauthorized transactions. (YS)

• Mid and small enterprises are adopting the GCC model, a study finds. (YS)

Why is Paytm Acquiring a 25% Stake in Dinie?

Per the news, Paytm’s investment in Brazil-based fintech Dinie (via its parent company Seven Technology) is pegged as a strategic move to expand its financial services portfolio.

Paytm’s broader international ambitions, as highlighted by recent announcements:

1️⃣ Paytm’s sale of its stake in Japan’s PayPay: In December 2024, Paytm sold its 5.4% stake in PayPay Corporation to SoftBank for approximately $280 million (around ₹2,364 crore).
2️⃣ Establishment of international subsidiaries: In January 2025, Paytm announced the creation of subsidiaries in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Singapore via its wholly owned arm, Paytm Cloud Technologies Limited (PCTL).
3️⃣ Now, a 25% Stake Buy of Dinie: The company enables digital/e-commerce platforms to provide digital financial services solutions to micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in Brazil.

Paytm said in a disclosure, “This investment would help in understanding the merchants’ business landscape and opportunity in the Brazilian market.”

Paytm’s global ambitions are encouraging for the broader Indian fintech market. Providing quality solutions to international markets may just be the next leg of growth for many companies.

The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) is also actively working to expand UPI's global reach. Countries such as Bhutan, France, Mauritius, Nepal, Singapore, Sri Lanka, and the UAE have already implemented UPI.

The successes of Paytm’s global ambitions are crucial to maintaining the optimism echoed by brokerages despite the stock being down close to 22% year-to-date (YTD) 📉

• Hexaware Tech shares closed 7% above the IPO price on listing day. (MC)

This week’s mainboard IPO schedule

• Quality Power Electrical Equipments

  • Offering Period: 14 February - 18 February, 2025

  • Listing Date: 21 February, 2025

  • Issue Price: 401-425

  • Lot Size: 26

M&A / Investments

• NCLT has approved the ₹6,000 crore ($690Mn) sale of Chenani Nashri Tunnelway to Cube Highways. (ET)

• Visa processing startup Atlys has acquired UK-based Artionis. (EN)

VC