NDTV Profit Pulse On March 25 —Top 8 Stories At 8 P.M. Under 8 Minutes

Among the top news of the day, experts are turning their attention to silver as an investment bet for 2025, even as gold continues to hit record highs. Meanwhile, India’s largest FMCG companies are ramping up acquisitions of digital-first brands to stay ahead in the evolving consumer market.

On the hiring front, the tech industry’s rebound has hit a roadblock, with job additions expected to fall short by 3 lakh in the next fiscal.

Here’s a roundup of news that made headlines today:

HUL and other FMCG majors are on an acquisition spree, targeting digital-first brands to strengthen their presence in the evolving market. Analysts say this allows legacy companies to tap into Gen Z’s preferences while giving smaller brands access to large-scale distribution.

Can big brands and D2C startups thrive together?

Gold’s rally past $3,000 per troy ounce in 2024 has kept it in focus, but silver is now emerging as a key investment theme for 2025. The Silver Institute predicts a fifth consecutive year of supply deficit, driven by stable demand from industrial use and retail investors.

Will silver shine brighter this year? 

Wall Street extended its recovery as traders awaited a key consumer confidence report for insights into the economy amid inflation concerns from US tariffs. The S&P 500 rose 0.2%, with most megacaps gaining. Trump Media & Technology Group surged on its new Crypto.com partnership.

Indian markets posted their seventh straight session of gains, the longest winning streak since September 2024. The NSE Nifty 50 ended 10.30 points higher at 23,668.65, while the BSE Sensex closed 32.81 points up.

The Indian tech sector is projected to add 3 lakh fewer jobs in fiscal 2026, as macroeconomic concerns—US tariff wars and recession fears—tighten corporate spending. UnearthInsight data suggests that hiring estimates have dropped from 12 lakh to 9 lakh for the fiscal year.

What’s behind the tech job slowdown?

UBS has lowered target prices for Indian IT stocks, citing company-specific challenges, but believes the recent selloff is overdone. The brokerage sees a near-term rebound in the sector, with stocks trading at a 5% discount to their five-year average.

Can IT stocks bounce back soon?

Government employees could see a median salary hike of Rs 14,000–19,000 per month when the 8th Pay Commission is implemented, says Goldman Sachs. The new pay panel is expected to be formed in April, with its report due by 2026 or 2027.

Who stands to benefit the most?

JSW Steel has overtaken global giants like Nucor and ArcelorMittal, with a market cap of $30.31 billion. The company plans to scale its steelmaking capacity from 35.7 MT to 51.5 MT by fiscal 2031, positioning itself for long-term growth.

What’s driving JSW Steel’s global dominance?

Delhi Capitals’ Ashutosh Sharma credited mentor Kevin Pietersen after his match-winning knock of 66 off 31 balls with a "switch hit" celebration, a shot popularised by the ex-England batsman.

NDTV Profit spoke to Pietersen, in an exclusive chat and he named his top five picks from the Delhi squad for the season, backing the team to go the distance.

Who made Pietersen’s must-watch list?

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