In today’s briefing:
- Thematic Report- India’s Lab Grown Diamond Industry: Poised to Outpace the Natural Diamond Industry?
- US Banks – Weekly YoY Loan Growth Hits 3.0% Peak Since Early 2024
- Japan Strategy Weekly | Banks & Traders Rally
- #123 India Insight: Hero MotoCorp Execs Resign, Allianz Partners Jio, Bain to Buy Manappuram Stake
- AUCTUS ON FRIDAY – 21/03/2025
Thematic Report- India’s Lab Grown Diamond Industry: Poised to Outpace the Natural Diamond Industry?
- The global lab-grown diamond (LGD) market, dominated by the US, is rapidly expanding with a projected CAGR of 8.64%, driven by affordability and sustainability.
- India, already a major production hub with 15% global share, aims for robust growth through government incentives and rising domestic consumer demand and premiumisation.
- Consumer preference is notably shifting towards LGDs ,decreasing the gap between sales share of Natural and LGD’s driven by affordability, customization, and ethical considerations
US Banks – Weekly YoY Loan Growth Hits 3.0% Peak Since Early 2024
- Momentum in weekly HFD for loan growth at US banks is improving, now reaching 3.0% YoY for week 5 March data, a figure not reached since at least early 2024
- The growth rate in large time deposits continues to remain incredibly low now at 1.2% YoY in the most recent week – these funds are more expensive than other deposits.
- Loan loss reserves are still much higher than YE19 at 1.59% of loans there is a distinct bottoming and turning over of this ratio – suggesting better credit metrics.
Japan Strategy Weekly | Banks & Traders Rally
- The Japanese stock market posted solid gains over the past week, with the Topix rising 3.3% and the Nikkei advancing 1.7%
- The Bank of Japan maintained its key short-term interest rate at 0.5% in March, given a cautious view over the global macro outlook
- MHI shares rose 16% this week, driven by optimism over Japan’s nuclear energy expansion plans and rising defense commitments.
#123 India Insight: Hero MotoCorp Execs Resign, Allianz Partners Jio, Bain to Buy Manappuram Stake
- Two senior executives at Hero Motocorp (HMCL IN) , Reema Jain and Sameer Pande, resigned amid market challenges and leadership changes
- Allianz (AZSEY US) plans a new insurance partnership with Jio Financial, following the end of its 24-year tie-up with Bajaj Group.
- Bain Capital Specialty Finan (BCSF US) set to acquire 22% stake in Manappuram Finance (MGFL IN) , with plans to increase stake to 42%.
AUCTUS ON FRIDAY – 21/03/2025
- AUCTUS PUBLICATIONS ________________________________________ Chariot (CHAR LN)C; Target price of £0.10 per share: Significant power transaction highlights the value of the S.
- Africa electricity trading business – Etana Energy, the South African electricity trading business (49% held by Chariot) has arranged a US$55 mm guarantee finance facility through Standard Bank and secured an equity investment of up to US$20 mm from Norfund for working capital.
- In exchange, Standard Bank and Norfund will hold 10% and 20% of the project’s economics, respectively, via preferred equity.
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