Sona Comstar Ownership Battle Turns Explosive – Sanjay Kapoor’s Mother Speaks Out

Welcome Back Investor!

The Reserve Bank of India says it has “won the battle against inflation” after delivering an unexpected 50‑basis‑point rate cut in June. Yet, Governor Malhotra warns the broader war continues - price stability stays the top priority. With retail inflation at a six-year low, markets are watching whether declining demand triggers further cuts before the August 6 MPC meeting.

Let’s dive in!

But before we start!

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Today’s Market Menu

▪️ Impact News

▪️ Markets

▪️ Everything else you need to know today

▪️ Special

▪️ Mindset

▪️ Stock Screener to up your game

IMPACT NEWS

🌀 Power Struggles in Boardrooms: Sona Comstar's Family Feud Gets Public

In corporate India, boardroom battles are nothing new but rarely do they get as personal as the Sona Comstar saga.

A heated ownership dispute has erupted between Sanjay Kapoor, the non-executive chairman of Sona Comstar, and his mother, Madhu Kapoor. The core issue? Control over a ₹64,000 crore automotive tech company.

Madhu Kapoor alleges that “certain individuals” are trying to wrest control of the company and has raised serious concerns about governance.

This drama isn’t just about inheritance or internal friction it points to deeper issues around succession planning, family-owned business governance, and the fragile balance of power in professionally managed firms with legacy control.

🔍 Why it matters:

• Family disputes can spook investors

• Governance concerns can affect stock confidence

• Reputation risks now extend beyond financial metrics

In a world where startup founders are increasingly planning ESOPs and exit paths, this is a reminder for legacy businesses to put robust succession structures and transparent governance in place.

Family ties build empires. But without clarity, they can also shake them.

MARKETS

the Indian stock market closed in the red across major indices. The SENSEX dropped by 721.08 points (-0.88%) to 81,463.09, while the NIFTY 50 sank 225.10 points (-0.90%) to 24,837.00. The NIFTY Bank fell 537.15 points (-0.94%), and NIFTY Midcap 100 saw the steepest dip, sliding 951.25 points (-1.61%). This sharp correction signals cautious investor sentiment and possible profit booking across broader markets. Stay alert - volatility could dominate the coming sessions!
_{Closing figures as on 25.07.25 (3.30pm IST)}

🔎 In Focus

Stock Performance:

Top Gainers

✅ Cipla Surged ~3–4% following a strong Q1 print showing a 10% profit rise and record domestic sales above ₹3,000 crore, reassuring investors about its consistent growth momentum.

✅ SBI Life Insurance Gained ~2.5% on the back of a solid 14% YoY profit and premium growth, underscoring steady renewal inflows and robust new business momentum.

✅ Apollo Hospital Added ~1–2%, riding technical buy signals and positive sentiment around its Q1 outlook, supported by steady revenue growth and favorable healthcare demand trends.

✅ Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories Rose ~1–3% despite modest profit growth (+2% YoY), as revenue grew ~11%, and investors focused on future growth drivers like semaglutide rollout strengthening long-term outlook.

Top Losers

🔻 Bajaj Finance Shares plunged ~5–6% despite a 22% YoY profit rise, as investors reacted to rising asset-quality concerns NPAs creeping up and cautious commentary from brokers on MSME and auto loan stress.

🔻 IndusInd Bank Stocks fell ~2.8%, underperforming peers as Q1 results indicated a sharp drop in net interest income and potential asset quality issues, further denting confidence in its financial resilience.

🔻 Shriram Finance: Declined ~2.8–3%, continuing a recent slide even after reporting ~9% YoY PAT growth, as traders await detailed financials and remain wary amid volatility in the NBFC sector.

🔻 Bajaj Auto Dropped ~2.5–2%, as MD Rajiv Bajaj warned of zero EV output in August due to China’s rare‑earth magnet export constraints raising concerns over near-term production disruption.

Q4 RESULTS

^{Click on company name for result pdf} 

INDIA FRONTIER

Everything else you need to know today

🎯 Defense: India’s paint giant has filed suit to quash a CCI antitrust case, arguing the regulator mishandled its probe and tarnished its and its CEO’s reputation. The crux: allegations were published, then deleted within 24 hours both versions remain online, stirring market confusion. A Mumbai court will hear the case on August 6, raising the stakes in the $9.5B paints market showdown.

🧠 Resilience: Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella is downplaying the latest 9,000 layoffs, noting overall headcount remains “relatively unchanged.” He describes the move as the “enigma of success” profitable growth and AI investments alongside tough restructuring. The memo urges employees to embrace a growth mindset despite uncertainty, as Microsoft doubles down on AI and security.

💸 Liquidity: Bank deposits in India have doubled to ₹3.79 lakh crore in Q2 FY25, while public cash holdings jumped from ₹31K to ₹91K crore. Yet consumer borrowing and spending remain muted, especially outside urban centers. Strong rural growth seen in tractor sales and FMCG demand is fueling optimism that this liquidity wave will eventually ripple through GDP growth.

🔧 Divestment: Goodyear has engaged Citi to start the sale process for its Indian arm’s farm tyre business as part of its $2B “Goodyear Forward” cost‑cutting plan. With FY24‑25 revenue of ₹2,608 crore and ₹55 crore net profit, this strategic divestment aims to optimize its portfolio after divesting its OTR assets last year.

SPECIAL

📉 Small Caps Feel the Heat: IEX Leads the Slide

Volatility returned to small-cap stocks this week - and with force.

19 small-cap stocks declined between 5–30%, with Indian Energy Exchange (IEX) being the biggest loser after posting weak results.

This correction is a reality check for retail investors chasing momentum. Many had been piling into small-cap stories without factoring in business cycles, execution risks, or valuation overheating.

📉 What’s driving the pressure?

• Disappointing Q1 results across sectors

• High valuations not backed by earnings

• Sector rotation to defensives & large caps

IEX's fall was notable not just for the % drop, but also because it reflects a growing investor demand for visible, near-term profitability over speculative long-term stories.

🔍 Investor takeaway:

• Fundamentals always catch up with price

• Diversification matters

• Valuation discipline is not optional

Small-caps will remain attractive for wealth creation - but only for those who combine conviction with caution.

Sometimes, sitting out a FOMO rally is the most profitable move of all.

THE HANOOMAAN INSTITUTE

🔍 Signs You Were Born to Be a Loner - And Why That’s Your Hidden Superpower in Today’s World

In a world that glorifies constant networking, social buzz, and extroverted energy - being a loner is often misunderstood.

They value depth over noise, purpose over popularity, and clarity over chaos.

Some powerful signs you may be one:

• You recharge in solitude, not crowds.

• Small talk drains you; meaningful conversations light you up.

• You observe more than you speak.

• You crave creative freedom and inner peace.

In the entrepreneurial world, these traits aren’t flaws - they’re assets.

Loners often:
✅Think independently
✅ Build quietly but boldly
✅ Create meaningful work with focus
✅ Avoid herd mentality and hype cycles

In a hyperconnected, distracted world - the ability to be alone with your thoughts, process deeply, and act intentionally is rare.

So if you’ve ever felt “different” because you prefer solo walks over group chats - you’re not broken.

You’re probably built to build.

📌 Sometimes, the quietest minds make the loudest impact.

SUPERCHARGE YOUR INVESTING SKILLS

STOCK SCREENER TO UP YOUR GAME

Low on 10 year average earnings
by - Pratyush

Market Capitalization /  Average Earnings 10Year < 15 AND
Average dividend payout 3years > 20 AND
Debt to equity < .2 AND
Average return on capital employed 7Years > 20

Thanks for reading.

Until Sunday with our Startup Special!

Hanoomaan India Business team

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