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Navigating the Waves: From IPOs to H1-B Hurdles, A Look at India’s Economic Landscape

The past week has been a whirlwind for the Indian business and financial world, with a flurry of activity spanning initial public offerings (IPOs), market fluctuations, and strategic government moves. As major companies prepare to list and the broader market grapples with global pressures, it’s a critical time for investors and industry watchers to stay informed. Here’s a comprehensive look at the key developments from the last week.

WeWork India and Tata Capital: The IPO Spotlight

The IPO market is heating up with two major players set to go public. WeWork India is preparing to float its ₹3,000 crore IPO, with a schedule that includes anchor bidding on October 1 and the public issue opening from October 3 to October 7. The entire offering is an “offer for sale” (OFS), meaning the company itself will not receive any proceeds, but it will provide liquidity and visibility to existing shareholders, including promoter group Embassy Buildcon LLP. The company, which operates 77 lakh SFT of space, is looking to capitalize on the growing demand for flexible workspaces.

Hot on its heels is Tata Capital, which is launching what is expected to be the biggest IPO of 2025. The ₹15,000+ crore issue will open on October 6 and close on October 8, with anchor allocation set for October 3. The offering will include a fresh issue component as well as an OFS, and its listing is being undertaken to comply with RBI regulations for upper-layer NBFCs.

Another notable IPO in the pipeline is from Laser Power & Infra, which has filed its DRHP for a ₹1,200 crore IPO. The issue includes a fresh issue of ₹800 crore to repay high-cost debt and a ₹400 crore OFS.

Market Downturns and Global Headwinds

While the IPOs generate excitement, the broader market faced significant headwinds. The 10 most valuable companies on the NSE collectively lost ₹2,99,661 crore in market capitalization. The IT sector took the hardest hit, with TCS and Infosys suffering major losses, primarily due to the steep H1-B visa charges announced by the US government.

The IT sector’s woes are directly linked to a new US policy that will likely penalize companies, including major American tech giants and Indian firms like TCS, for relying on H1-B visas while laying off American workers. The financial penalty of $100,000 per H1-B visa is a clear choice to make these visas less attractive and could force companies to rethink their talent strategy.

In the pharmaceutical sector, a sharp fall of 4% to 7% was seen in many stocks after President Donald Trump announced 100% tariffs on branded drugs. While the tariffs are limited to branded and patented drugs, sparing most of India’s generic exports, the announcement still soured market sentiment for the entire sector, which closed the week down by 5.2%.

Strategic Moves in Key Sectors

In a significant push for “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” (self-reliant India), the government is focusing on key sectors. The Indian ports sector is set to attract investments of ₹1.82 trillion, with a strong emphasis on building a robust ecosystem for shipbuilding, repairs, and breaking. This initiative, championed by Minister Sarbhananda Sonowal, aims to save nearly ₹4.50 trillion in global payouts by relying more on Indian-made ships.

The defense sector also saw a major development with Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL) securing a ₹30,000 crore deal to supply DRDO’s Anant Shastra to the Indian Army. This move reinforces the push for greater indigenization of defense purchases and strengthens national security.

Conclusion

The week’s developments underscore a dynamic and complex market environment. From the buzz of major IPOs to the challenges posed by global protectionist policies and visa changes, investors must remain vigilant. The government’s strategic initiatives in ports and defense signal a long-term vision for self-reliance and economic growth, even as global factors continue to influence the short-term market outlook.

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