TOPIC – 1

INDIA UP 5 SPOTS, AT 52 IN GLOBAL INNOVATION INDEX

India improved its rank in the Global Innovation Index to 52nd, in 2019, making a
significant jump of 5 places in a year. It was at 57th position in 2018.

The Index ranks innovative performances of 129 economies around the world on 80
indicators including political environment, education, infrastructure and business
sophistication.

India has been performing well in terms of innovation and newly-emerging technologies
and has fared its position by 29 places in the global index since 2015.

Switzerland retained its number-one spot on the index. The GII 2019 was released by
Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal in New Delhi today.

Addressing the gathering, Mr Goyal said, India has made a significant jump in the
innovation index. He said, the culture of innovation is taking the centre stage in the
country.

The Minister assured that the government will not rest until India achieves its target of
coming in the top 25 ranks of Global Innovation Index, and then making into the top 10
ranks.

This is for the first time that the GII was launched in an emerging economy.

The GII is considered as a charter for assessing the innovation capabilities of national
economies worldwide.

The theme this year is Creating Healthy Lives - The Future of Medical Innovation, which
aims to explore the role of medical innovation as it shapes the future of healthcare.

India improved its rank by five places to stand at 52nd on an index of the
world's most innovative economies and maintained its position as the top
exporter of IT services, according to a report released on Wednesday. The
country's three cities, Ben...

Read more at: https://www.deccanherald.com/national/india-jumps-5-places-

to-52nd-on-global-innovation-index-749415.html
TOPIC – 2 , ASIAN PAINTS – BRIGHT SHOW IN Q 1

Asian Paints, India's leading paint company, on Wednesday reported 17.7 per
cent year-on-year growth in consolidated net profit after minority interest at
Rs 655 crore for the first quarter ended June 30, 2019, helped by the double
digit volume growth in decorative business segment in India.
"The paint company had posted a consolidated net profit of Rs 556.85 crore in
the corresponding quarter last year," Asian Paints said in a filing to the
Bombay Stock Exchange.
Revenue from operations rose 16.6 per cent to Rs 5,130.63 crore in Q1FY20 as
compared to Rs 4,398.59 crore in Q1FY19.
Profit before depreciation, interest, tax and other income (PBDIT) jumped
24.4 per cent to Rs 1,156.25 crore from Rs 929.70 crore a year ago, the
company said.
Asian Paints' profit before tax (PBT) increased by 20.9 per cent to Rs 1,022.62
crore from Rs 846.12 crore in the year ago period.
On the standalone basis, the net profit grew 20.5 per cent YoY to Rs 652.45
crore, while total revenue from operations increased 18.2 per cent to Rs
4,380.16 crore during the April-June quarter.
Also Read: HUL Q1 profit rises 15% to Rs 1,755 crore on higher margins,
volume growth
Commenting on Q1 results, KBS Anand, Managing Director & CEO, Asian
Paints said: "The decorative business segment in India registered a high
double digit volume growth and delivered strong performance across regions.
The Automotive coatings JV (PPG-AP) business was effected by the severe
slowdown being witnessed in the automobile industry. Even the Industrial
Coatings JV (AP-PPG) business was impacted by demand slowdown. Benign
raw material prices, however, supported the margins for the entire coatings
business."
In the International operations, key units like Egypt and Sri Lanka continued
to witness challenging business conditions impacting the overall performance,
he said.
"Both the segments in the home improvement category viz. the kitchen (sleek)
and Bath (Ess Ess) business, performed well in the quarter," he added.
Following Q1 earnings, shares of Asian Paints were trading at Rs 1,465.15
apiece, up 2.58 per cent, on the BSE on Wednesday.
Revenue from operations rose 16.6 per cent to Rs 5,130.63 crore in Q1FY20
as compared to Rs 4,398.59 crore in Q1FY19