World weighs risks of Israeli retaliation Online gaming, payment apps most advertised brands in IPL
Bitcoin prices volatile; crude oil to spike; stocks may see losses
Financial markets will face the new week fretting about geopolitics with much riding on whether Iran’s unprecedented weekend strike on Israel triggers rounds of retaliation.
With investors already rattled by sticky inflation and the prospect of higher-for-longer interest rates, the escalation of the Middle East crisis is set to inject fresh volatility when trading resumes.
When Hamas attacked Israel in October, the biggest fear for many market participants was that Iran would ultimately be drawn into the fighting. Now as the conflict widens, many say oil could surpass $100 a barrel and expect a flight to Treasuries, gold and the dollar, along with further stock-market losses.
“Oil prices might spike at the opening, as this is the first time Iran struck Israel from its territory,” said Giovanni Staunovo, an analyst at UBS Group AG. “How long any bounce will last will also depend on the Israeli response.”
Bitcoin gave an early insight into market sentiment: The token sank almost 9% in the wake of the attacks on Saturday, only to rebound on Sunday and trade near the $64,000 mark.
NEW TRIGGER
ESCALATION of this crisis is set to inject fresh volatility in mkt
AS conflict widens, many say oil could surpass $100 a barrel
Iran launched armed drones and missiles against Israel, marking a new and more volatile phase of the Middle East conflict. The attack, in retaliation for a strike in Syria that killed top Iranian military officers, was the first time Iran has struck Israel from its soil.
Most of the more than 200 ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and attack drones fired by Iran were intercepted with the help of Israel’s allies before
IRAN
landing, Israeli military spokesman Daniel Hagari said early Sunday. He said the only impacts were a 10-yearold girl who was badly injured and
The Indian Premier League (IPL) is an intense battleground, not just for cricketers, but also for advertisers and brands. The intensity rose multi-fold in the first 23 matches of the current season, with 37 new categories and 86 new brands joining the fray on television.
Yet, consumers don’t recall most brands beyond the top 3-4 being advertised, ad rates are sluggish, and companies haven’t entirely loosened their purse strings, according to various reports on marquee cricket league, now in the 17th season. The story is no different on digital.
Even as various trends play out, the return of gaming as the biggest advertising category is the big takeaway so far. Food and beverage companies have joined the battle this year and, interestingly, pan masala advertising, though still present, hasn’t reached its peak of last season.
Dream11 is the most popular advertiser, said experts, while other top brands are Asian Paints, Vimal, Thums Up Charged, Havells, Joy Cosmetics, Dettol, Harpic, Vanessa, Amul, Groww, Rupay and HDFC PayZapp.
According to data from TAM Sports, a unit of TAM Media
Research, Parle’s biscuits and Airtel’s Xstream Fiber are among the top new brands this year are, but it is the gaming and wallet companies that have grabbed the most eyeballs.
Data from TAM indicates that about 55 product categories have emerged this season, growing 65% over last year’s number up till 23 matches. In total, 60 companies have advertised in the season so far, over last year’s 45.
Pan masala hasn’t hit the peak of last year yet, but it still pipped the smartphone category to fourth spot. Gaming companies and food product companies are the first and second categories this season on television, added TAM.
L.V. Krishnan, CEO of TAM Media Research, said that over the seasons of IPL, there have been significant shifts in advertising trends of categories on linear television and the factors influencing advertisers to showcase themselves in the IPL include the recency of launch of a new product or variant, among others. The tournament also helps brands get instantaneous reach and omni-presence across an entire season of high sales period.
“Delving deeper into the advertising categories, we saw initially that gaming, which had reached its peak during the 15th season, experienced a notable decline in season 16. But the current season exhibits a promising resurgence, showcasing growth compared to the preceding season. Conversely, pan masala surrogate ads
Road ministry to raise ₹60K cr from assets in FY25; TOT in focus The Union ministry of road transport and highways is looking to raise a record ₹60,000 crore from monetization in the current fiscal (FY25). The marque tolloperate-transfer (TOT) highways will form a large portion of the exercise.
PVR Inox scripts a new show with revamped biz strategy
One year after the merger of India’s top two multiplex players, PVR Inox Ltd is embarking on a strategic shift towards enhancing greater operational flexibility, and reining in expenses and debt. Ajay Bijli, MD of PVR Inox, outlined its roadmap for the next 12-18 months.