Frrole: A social intelligence company

IIM Kozhikode graduate Amarpreet Kalkat came up with an idea to setup a social intelligence company in 2012. Frrole – a Bangalore based venture lets brands amplify engagement with customers over social media and is partnered with Twitter in India.

IIM Kozhikode graduate Amarpreet Kalkat came up with an idea to setup a social intelligence company in 2012. Frrole – a Bangalore based venture lets brands amplify engagement with customers over social media and is partnered with Twitter in India.

For more, watch accompanying video.

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Kyoorius' AM fest, Melt to be held on May 21 22

Kyoorius announced the dates for its two day advertising, marketing and media festival Melt. Conceptualised in partnership with D&AD, Group M and Zee, Melt will be held on May 21st and 22nd in Mumbai and will host exhibitions, seminars and workshops for industry members.

Kyoorius announced the dates for its two day advertising, marketing and media festival Melt. Conceptualised in partnership with D&AD, Group M and Zee, Melt will be held on May 21st and 22nd in Mumbai and will host exhibitions, seminars and workshops for industry members. Watch accompanying video for more details.

Also watch the big winner of the 5th edition of the Olive Crown Awards. Hosted by the International Advertising Association or IAA, Olive Crown Awards recognise excellence in communicating sustainability or green advertising.

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Nissan India sales decline 32.91% in March

Nissan sells various models in the country, including hatchback Micra, sedan Sunny and premium SUV Terrano.

Japanese car maker Nissan on Thursday reported 32.91 percent decline in its India sales at 4,717 units in March. It had sold 7,031 units in the year-ago period, Nissan Motor India said in a statement.

Nissan sells various models in the country, including hatchback Micra, sedan Sunny and premium SUV Terrano.

However, for the entire 2014-15 fiscal ended March 31, Nissan reported 24.21 percent jump in sales at 47,474 units as against 38,220 units in FY 2013-14. Nissan said this is the highest ever volume achieved by it in India in any fiscal and the company is amongst the top 3 gainers in the auto industry here.

"FY'14 has been a significant year when we re-established our India business with an independent sales and marketing organisation.

The growth we achieved was supported by the launch of 2 new models and fastest growing network," Nissan India Operations President Guillaume Sicard said.

The company is targeting 5 percent market share by FY'20, he added. Nissan Motor India Managing Director Arun Malhotra said that 2014 saw a huge focus on sales and marketing activities.

"Our sales network grew to 176 outlets with 60 outlets added in FY14. We also launched a host of innovative integrated campaigns to bring our vehicles closer to our customers," Malhotra added. 

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Diageo to buy Mallya's remaining 50% stake in African firm

Diageo has entered into an agreement to acquire the remaining 50 per cent share of United National Breweries (UNB) interest in the company, thereby making it a wholly owned subsidiary, the company said in a statement.

Diageo, the world's largest spirits maker today took full control of South African beer maker United National Breweries by acquiring the additional 50 percent stake in the company from Vijay Mallya-controlled Pestello Investments for an initial payment of USD 22 million.

Diageo has entered into an agreement to acquire the remaining 50 percent share of United National Breweries (UNB) interest in the company, thereby making it a wholly owned subsidiary, the company said in a statement.

"Diageo will acquire this further interest from Pestello Investments Inc for an initial payment of USD 22 million and a potential earn-out payment of up to USD 14 million," the statement added.

It further said that the transaction is 'conditional on consent from the South African competition authority', and it is expected to complete within the current fiscal.

Diageo, which is also a major producer of beer and wine and owner of popular brands such as Johnnie Walker, Guinness and Smirnoff had in January 2013 acquired 50 percent interest in UNB's traditional sorghum beer business in South Africa reportedly at USD 36 million.

In 1996 Mallya's UB Group had acquired 30 percent stake in UNB and later increased it to 100 percent.

In 2000, UNB had acquired beer business from Traditional Beer Investments (TBI), a subsidiary of South African Breweries.

According to Diageo: "Once completed, this transaction will give Diageo control of the leading traditional sorghum beer business in South Africa, including the ability to make investment decisions to support the continued growth of United National Breweries brands in the sorghum beer category." 

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Nissan India sales decline 32.91% in March

Nissan sells various models in the country, including hatchback Micra, sedan Sunny and premium SUV Terrano.

Japanese car maker Nissan on Thursday reported 32.91 percent decline in its India sales at 4,717 units in March. It had sold 7,031 units in the year-ago period, Nissan Motor India said in a statement.

Nissan sells various models in the country, including hatchback Micra, sedan Sunny and premium SUV Terrano.

However, for the entire 2014-15 fiscal ended March 31, Nissan reported 24.21 percent jump in sales at 47,474 units as against 38,220 units in FY 2013-14. Nissan said this is the highest ever volume achieved by it in India in any fiscal and the company is amongst the top 3 gainers in the auto industry here.

"FY'14 has been a significant year when we re-established our India business with an independent sales and marketing organisation.

The growth we achieved was supported by the launch of 2 new models and fastest growing network," Nissan India Operations President Guillaume Sicard said.

The company is targeting 5 percent market share by FY'20, he added. Nissan Motor India Managing Director Arun Malhotra said that 2014 saw a huge focus on sales and marketing activities.

"Our sales network grew to 176 outlets with 60 outlets added in FY14. We also launched a host of innovative integrated campaigns to bring our vehicles closer to our customers," Malhotra added. 

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Diageo to buy Mallya's remaining 50% stake in African firm

Diageo has entered into an agreement to acquire the remaining 50 per cent share of United National Breweries (UNB) interest in the company, thereby making it a wholly owned subsidiary, the company said in a statement.

Diageo, the world's largest spirits maker today took full control of South African beer maker United National Breweries by acquiring the additional 50 percent stake in the company from Vijay Mallya-controlled Pestello Investments for an initial payment of USD 22 million.

Diageo has entered into an agreement to acquire the remaining 50 percent share of United National Breweries (UNB) interest in the company, thereby making it a wholly owned subsidiary, the company said in a statement.

"Diageo will acquire this further interest from Pestello Investments Inc for an initial payment of USD 22 million and a potential earn-out payment of up to USD 14 million," the statement added.

It further said that the transaction is 'conditional on consent from the South African competition authority', and it is expected to complete within the current fiscal.

Diageo, which is also a major producer of beer and wine and owner of popular brands such as Johnnie Walker, Guinness and Smirnoff had in January 2013 acquired 50 percent interest in UNB's traditional sorghum beer business in South Africa reportedly at USD 36 million.

In 1996 Mallya's UB Group had acquired 30 percent stake in UNB and later increased it to 100 percent.

In 2000, UNB had acquired beer business from Traditional Beer Investments (TBI), a subsidiary of South African Breweries.

According to Diageo: "Once completed, this transaction will give Diageo control of the leading traditional sorghum beer business in South Africa, including the ability to make investment decisions to support the continued growth of United National Breweries brands in the sorghum beer category." 

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JSW Energy two promoters buy Rs 89cr shares from JSW Steel

Little over 75 lakh shares were acquired by Amba River Coke Ltd (ARCL) and JSW Steel Coated Products Ltd (JSWCPL) -- both entities are wholly-owned subsidiaries of JSW Steel.

Sajjan Jindal-led JSW Energy's  two promoter entities have acquired shares worth nearly Rs 89 crore from another promoter of JSW Steel  as part of meeting certain regulatory norms.

Little over 75 lakh shares were acquired by Amba River Coke Ltd (ARCL) and JSW Steel Coated Products Ltd (JSWCPL) -- both entities are wholly-owned subsidiaries of JSW Steel.

According to a filing made by JSW Energy to the BSE, these shares were acquired from JSW Steel in order to meet certain regulatory requirement with regard to captive power plants.

Both entities acquired the shares to "align the percentage of their equity holding in JSW Energy with their respective power consumption from Unit 3 and Unit 4 of the power plant of JSW Energy at Ratnagiri, to meet eligibility criteria for captive power plant status," the filing said.

ARCL acquired 39.36 lakh shares valued at Rs 47.23 crore while JSWCPL acquired 34.67 lakh shares worth Rs 41.60 crore. The shares were bought at a price of Rs 120 apiece.

Post transaction, JSW Steel's stake has declined to 5.58 percent from 6.03 percent in JSW Energy. The shareholding of ARCL and JSWCPL have increased to 0.35 percent and 0.27 percent, respectively. Shares of JSW Energy rose nearly one percent to close at Rs 119.60 per scrip on the BSE. 

JSW Energy stock price

On April 01, 2015, JSW Energy closed at Rs 119.60, up Rs 1.15, or 0.97 percent. The 52-week high of the share was Rs 126.40 and the 52-week low was Rs 50.85.

The company's trailing 12-month (TTM) EPS was at Rs 6.01 per share as per the quarter ended December 2014. The stock's price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio was 19.9. The latest book value of the company is Rs 42.70 per share. At current value, the price-to-book value of the company is 2.80.

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India Infrastructure Fund takes 23.5% stake in ONGC Tripura

Oil and Natural Gas Corp (ONGC) will continue to hold 50 percent stake in OTPC while IL&FS Energy Development Co Ltd (IEDCL) will have 26 percent and Government of Tripura 0.5 percent stake.

An ONGC -promoted company has sold 23.5 percent stake to India Infrastructure Fund-II for Rs 426 crore. With this stake sale, all of the equity of ONGC Tripura Power Co Ltd has been tied up.

Oil and Natural Gas Corp (ONGC) will continue to hold 50 percent stake in OTPC while IL&FS Energy Development Co Ltd (IEDCL) will have 26 percent and Government of Tripura 0.5 percent stake.

"ONGC, IEDCL and Government of Tripura, three promoters of OTPC, have entered into definitive agreements with India Infrastructure Fund II by which the latter will be acquiring 23.5 percent stake in OTPC.

The total consideration of the transaction is about Rs 426 crore," the company said in a statement here. This consummates the equity structure as was envisaged at the time of setting up the project.

ONGC formed OTPC for implementation of a gas based 726.6 MW combined cycle thermal power project at Palatana, Tripura.

The project was conceived to utilise the stranded gas reserves of ONGC found in the state so as to aid in the economic progress of the north-eastern states.

The project is backed by a long term gas supply agreement with ONGC, while the power off-take is tied up on long term basis with the seven north-eastern states.

OTPC also owns 26 percent stake in North East Transmission Company Limited (NETCL), a joint-venture company of OTPC, Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd and the 7 north-eastern states.

NETCL has commissioned a dedicated 665 km long 400KV DC line for evacuation of power from the OTPC plant. "This investment by India Infrastructure Fund II (through its manager- IDFC Alternatives Ltd) brings on board a credible infrastructure partner, further strengthening the core development theme of the project," the statement said. 

ONGC stock price

On April 01, 2015, Oil and Natural Gas Corporation closed at Rs 306.45, down Rs 0.35, or 0.11 percent. The 52-week high of the share was Rs 472.00 and the 52-week low was Rs 301.00.

The company's trailing 12-month (TTM) EPS was at Rs 21.84 per share as per the quarter ended December 2014. The stock's price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio was 14.03. The latest book value of the company is Rs 159.81 per share. At current value, the price-to-book value of the company is 1.92.

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eClerx to buy Italian co Clx for 25 mn euros

The city-headquartered company will be doing the acquisition through its British subsidiary and has signed an agreement to acquire the Italian company for the consideration, it said in a note.

Homegrown knowledge and business process outsourcing company eClerx  has agreed to acquire the Italian media content management company Clx Europe SPA for 25 million euros.

The city-headquartered company will be doing the acquisition through its British subsidiary and has signed an agreement to acquire the Italian company for the consideration, it said in a note.

"The combined companies' capabilities are highly complementary, and now form a continuous value chain of creative asset development, digital multi-channel production, data management and analytics," it said.

Clx Europe creates, manages and delivers creative assets globally to the multi-channel market for luxury brands and major retailers.

The acquisition will be funded by internal accruals and post-acquisition, CLX will operate as a subsidiary of Eclerx, it said. CLX's current management will continue to manage the day-to-day operations with support from Eclerx, it said.

"The acquisition strengthens eClerx's positioning and capabilities to service enterprises' rapidly increasing focus on digital content creation, management and delivery," said Puneet Shivam, an executive director at Avendus Capital, which advised eClerx for the deal.

The eClerx scrip corrected by 1.33 per cent to close at Rs 1,589.75 on the BSE, compared to the 0.07 per cent dip in the 30-share Sensex.

eClerx Services stock price

On March 31, 2015, eClerx Services closed at Rs 1589.75, down Rs 21.5, or 1.33 percent. The 52-week high of the share was Rs 1719.35 and the 52-week low was Rs 1045.00.

The company's trailing 12-month (TTM) EPS was at Rs 75.24 per share as per the quarter ended September 2014. The stock's price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio was 21.13. The latest book value of the company is Rs 177.47 per share. At current value, the price-to-book value of the company is 8.96.

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Mobile call, service rates can go up by 12-15%: COAI

Mobile call and service rates can go up by 12-15 per cent to make up for the Rs 1,09,874.91 spectrum price telecom operators need to pay to government, industry body COAI said on Tuesday.

The Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), which represents all telecom companies that won spectrum in recent auction, contested the analysis shared by Telecom Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad and seconded by Telecom Secretary Rakesh Garg that there will an impact of only 1.3 paise per minute on call rates.

"While the industry would be happy to review this calculation by the DoT, the industry's analysis of the financial implications of the auction indicates an increase of more than 12-15 per cent on the present tariffs, to make up for the cash outflows of the operators," COAI said in a statement.

It said that the analysis shared by DoT does not seem to have factored in inflation, which is inevitable over a long period of 20 years. "It is confusing for the industry, that after taking all the factors such as inflation, high spectrum costs, high cost for equipment and substantial regulatory costs, combined with low returns, how a hike of 1.30 paise per minute in tariffs would address the industry's financial woes," COAI said.

In the auction, Idea has bought spectrum for Rs 30,306.98 crore, Airtel at Rs 29,130.20 crore, Vodafone at Rs 29,959.74 crore, Reliance Jio Infocomm at Rs 10,077.53 crore, Reliance Communication  at Rs 4,299.13 crore, Tata Teleservices  at Rs 7,851.33 crore and Aircel at Rs 2,250 crore.

Sharing the analysis of load on telecom operators due to spectrum payment, Prasad had said that companies have option to pay in parts and the annual load on telecom operators would be around Rs 5,300 crore.

Telecom operators are required to make upfront payment between 25-33 per cent depending on the kind of spectrum purchased by them and rest in 10 yearly installments after two years of moratorium. "At the current average annual inflation rate of 6-7 per cent, it seems to be a considerably hefty sum, further hiking up the tariffs significantly," COAI said.

It said that the Indian mobile telephony industry, in terms of costs, has been investing in spectrum prices which are above the international average and operators in India pay nearly 60-70 times the cost of spectrum in other countries.

"The government also seems to have missed out on the element of interest on the debt that needs to be raised to meet the current spectrum requirements of the industry and spectrum purchases to be made in the future," COAI said.

Bharti Airtel stock price

On March 31, 2015, Bharti Airtel closed at Rs 393.90, up Rs 4.35, or 1.12 percent. The 52-week high of the share was Rs 419.90 and the 52-week low was Rs 304.00.

The company's trailing 12-month (TTM) EPS was at Rs 28.61 per share as per the quarter ended December 2014. The stock's price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio was 13.77. The latest book value of the company is Rs 166.93 per share. At current value, the price-to-book value of the company is 2.36.

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