Business
Why Sameer Arora Is Betting On Loss-Making Companies: The Logic Behind His Strategy
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Sameer Arora credits these companies’ success to resilience, noting that most competitors exited early, leaving only the strongest players in the market
Sameer Arora remarks that the valuations of unlisted startups remain high because they are not yet publicly traded. (News18 Hindi)
In a recent statement, Helios Capital founder and renowned investor Sameer Arora emphasised three essential factors for investing in new companies today: survival, penetration, and monetisation.
Reflecting this philosophy, Helios Capital has persistently invested in emerging technology companies such as Eternal, Paytm, Ola, Ather, and Swiggy. By August, they had notably increased their stakes in One97 Communications (Paytm), Swiggy, Delhivery, Ola, and Ather Energy. The firm is also investing in CarTrade and PB Fintech.
Sameer Arora attributes the success of these companies to their resilience during challenging times. He recalls that in the early stages, these companies faced competition from hundreds of rivals. Over time, however, most competitors have exited, leaving only a select few.
For instance, the food delivery industry once had 20 players, but now only two remain. Hence, Arora’s strategy focuses on investing in companies that have emerged as winners in this competitive landscape.
Why Sameer Arora Is Betting Big On Quick Commerce
Arora has a particular interest in Quick Commerce. He explains that instead of focusing on the sector’s overall growth, he prioritises the rapid adoption of new features by consumers. He believes that consumers will increasingly prefer Quick Commerce over traditional stores due to the convenience of fast delivery at minimal cost. These companies earn Rs 8-10 per order, with Rs 5 from margins and Rs 3-4 from advertising.
Arora holds a similar view on digital companies like Paytm, noting that consumers are simply shifting their existing expenses to the app, not creating new ones. His team has observed a 70-75 percent profit from their investment in Ather. They also invested in Ola when its market capitalisation was $2 billion, by which time the company had 500 outlets and a solid production system.
Investment Outlook On Loss-Making Companies
Arora remarks that the valuations of unlisted startups remain high because they are not yet publicly traded. He advises making small investments in companies that are not incurring daily losses, as these companies will gradually grow over time.
According to Arora, the market has humbled the founders of such companies, who were previously overconfident. He suggests waiting a year or two before investing in any new company unless it has a particularly compelling story.
Uncertainty Over Consumer Spending Patterns
Arora also shared his views on the GST rate cut. He mentioned that he purchased Hero Motors stock with the GST cut in mind. He believes that when the scheme was announced on August 15, many people delayed buying vehicles to benefit from the price adjustment, causing a temporary halt in sales in late August and early September.
Arora underscores that the real benefit depends on how people choose to spend their money. While there is money in the system, which is positive for consumption, it is not guaranteed that people will buy products from the companies in which they have invested. They could invest in SIPs, pay off debt, or purchase an AC from a foreign brand. Therefore, it is crucial to carefully consider which companies will truly benefit.
September 26, 2025, 19:18 IST
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Business
Stock market today: Which are the top losers and gainers on March 6- check list – The Times of India
Benchmark equity indices Sensex and Nifty fell sharply on Friday, retreating by more than 1 per cent after a brief recovery in the previous session as escalating tensions in West Asia and surging crude oil prices weighed on investor sentiment.The 30-share BSE Sensex declined 1,097 points, or 1.37 per cent, to close at 78,918.90. During the session, it had plunged 1,203.72 points, or 1.50 per cent, to 78,812.18. The NSE Nifty dropped 315.45 points, or 1.27 per cent, to settle at 24,450.45.
Nifty50 top gainers
- Bharat Electronics (1.84%)
- Reliance Industries (1.11%)
- ONGC (0.95%)
- Sun Pharma (0.84%)
- NTPC (0.68%)
- Hindalco (0.42%)
- HCL Tech (0.20%)
- Infosys (0.20%)
- Bajaj Auto (0.12%)
- Nestle India (0.12%)
Nifty50 top losers
- ICICI Bank (-3.26%)
- Eternal (-3.16%)
- Shriram Finance (-3.08%)
- Axis Bank (-2.47%)
- UltraTech Cement (-2.45%)
- Kwality Wall’s (-2.42%)
- InterGlobe Aviation (-2.41%)
- Adani Enterprises (-2.36%)
- HDFC Bank (-2.36%)
- HDFC Life (-2.31%)
BSE Sensex top gainers
- Bharat Electronics (1.84%)
- Reliance Industries (1.11%)
- Sun Pharma (0.84%)
- NTPC (0.68%)
- HCL Tech (0.20%)
- Infosys (0.20%)
BSE Sensex top losers
- ICICI Bank (-3.26%)
- Eternal (-3.16%)
- Axis Bank (-2.47%)
- UltraTech Cem. (-2.45%)
- Kwality Wall’s (-2.42%)
- InterGlobe (-2.41%)
- HDFC Bank (-2.36%)
- SBI (-2.27%)
- Bajaj Finserv (-2.25%)
- L&T (-2.21%)
The decline came as Brent crude, the global oil benchmark, jumped 2.53 per cent to $87.57 per barrel, raising concerns about inflation and macroeconomic stability.“Indian equity markets extended their decline following the prior session’s relief rally, as escalating US-Iran tensions disrupted key Middle Eastern oil and gas supplies, driving crude prices higher. A sustained rise in oil prices could weigh on investor sentiment and adversely affect India’s twin deficits, inflation trajectory, and the RBI’s monetary stance,” said Vinod Nair, Head of Research, Geojit Investments Ltd, PTI quoted.Elsewhere in Asia, South Korea’s Kospi, Japan’s Nikkei 225, Shanghai’s SSE Composite index and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index ended higher.European markets, however, were trading in the red, while US markets ended lower on Thursday.Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) sold equities worth Rs 3,752.52 crore on Thursday, while Domestic Institutional Investors (DIIs) purchased stocks worth Rs 5,153.37 crore, according to exchange data.On Thursday, the Sensex had rebounded 899.71 points, or 1.14 per cent, to settle at 80,015.90, snapping its four-day losing streak. The Nifty had climbed 285.40 points, or 1.17 per cent, to close at 24,765.90, ending its three-day decline.
As the US and Israel continue strikes on Iran, and with retaliatory strikes hitting nearby Middle East states, key shipping routes are being disrupted. Oil and gas production in the region is also being affected.
The BBC’s Nick Marsh examines how the war could cause a rise in living costs around the world.
Business
Stock Market Updates: Sensex Tanks 1,100 Points, Nifty Tests 24,450; India VIX Jumps Over 11%
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The Nifty50 and the Sensex declined at open amid weak global cues.
Sensex Today
Indian benchmark equity indices extended their losses in a volatile trading session on Friday as investors remained cautious amid escalating tensions in West Asia linked to the US-Iran conflict.
As of 3:19 PM, the Nifty50 was trading 1.21 per cent or 300 points down at 24,465, and the Sensex was trading 1,136 points or 1.42 per cent down at 78.879.
Market volatility spiked during the session, with the India VIX rising as much as 11.31% to 19.88.
Among Nifty50 constituents, InterGlobe Aviation, ICICI Bank, and Max Healthcare Institute were the top losers. On the other hand, Bharat Electronics Limited, Reliance Industries, and NTPC Limited were among the top gainers.
Broader markets also traded lower, with the Nifty Midcap 100 and Nifty Smallcap 100 declining 0.47% and 0.06%, respectively.
On the sectoral front, the Nifty IT Index was the only major gainer, rising 0.34% on the back of gains in Persistent Systems and Infosys.
Meanwhile, the Nifty Realty Index emerged as the worst-performing sector, falling nearly 2%, dragged down by losses in Godrej Properties, The Phoenix Mills, and Prestige Estates Projects.
The Nifty Private Bank Index and Nifty Financial Services Index were also among the major laggards during the session.
Global cues
Most markets across the Asia-Pacific region traded in the red as crude oil prices climbed amid rising concerns over supply disruptions linked to the escalating conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran.
In Asia, mainland China’s CSI 300 Index slipped around 0.1%, while South Korea’s Kospi Index declined 1.6%.
Overnight on Wall Street, the S&P 500 fell 0.57%, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 1.61%. The Nasdaq Composite ended 0.26% lower.
Market uncertainty also intensified after Letitia James and attorneys general from 23 US states reportedly filed another lawsuit seeking to block tariff measures announced by Donald Trump.
Oil and gold prices
Oil prices surged as traders remained concerned about potential supply disruptions. According to a Reuters report, Brent crude futures rose nearly 5% to $85.41 per barrel in the previous session.
During the Asian trading session, Brent Crude Oil was trading 0.15% higher at $84.16 per barrel.
Meanwhile, safe-haven demand pushed Gold Futures up 1.34% to $5,146.39, supported by ongoing geopolitical tensions.
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March 06, 2026, 09:20 IST
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Stock market today: Which are the top losers and gainers on March 6- check list – The Times of India
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