Road sector slowdown, battery makers in tough spot; all this and more on Moneycontrol Pro

Finally, some great news! India’s fastest-growing financial subscriptions service, Moneycontrol Pro, is available both on the website and mobile apps.Moneycontrol Pro offers curated markets data, independent equity analysis, insights into investment styles and exclusive trading recommendations. In sum, all the information you need for wealth creation.Roads sector: Another growth engine slams the brakesThe road construction sector, the poster boy of the government’s developmental work, has hit a road-block if not a dead-end. Various reports have now pointed out that the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) has been growing at a pace that is way above the safety limit. A recent report by rating agency Ind-Ra says that nearly 35-40 percent of the total order book of construction companies under its radar have exposure to NHAI and state authorities and are not seeing any increase in orders. Where do we go from here? Click here to read more.Ruchi Soya LBO could be Patanjali’s make or break momentThe NCLT has approved the Patanjali group’s Rs 4350-crore resolution plan for Ruchi Soya. Some years down the road, this move will prove to be a brave one showing foresight or just the opposite. A special purpose vehicle is being created in which Patanjali and other group companies will invest Rs205crore as equity capital, Rs450crore as preference shares and Rs450crore as non-convertible debentures. This SPV will later be merged with Ruchi Soya. The acquisition comes at a time when the group’s flagship FMCG business is not doing well. Click here for an analysis of the deal structure and what could work for or against Patanjali.[caption id="attachment_6847201" align="alignleft" width="380"] Representational image[/caption]Battery maker stocks: Down but not out?Battery makers are in a tough spot. There is a weakness in demand from auto makers. However, replacement demand has helped in recent times. Falling lead prices have help companies boost operating profitability. While the automotive segment outlook is sluggish in the near term, there are positive in the long term as well, for instance, the electric vehicles revolution should help entrenched players. But what should investors do in the meantime? What are valuations saying? Click here to read our analyst’s take.DB Corp: Is it a worthy bet in the times of increasing digitisation?Print media has been saddled with multiple problems in recent years but mostly owing to the o the digital disruption. Globally too, print has been on a downward trend. DB Corp has seen multiple de-ratings. Its revenue outlook is muted given the overall economic slowdown. Still, operating efficiency and lower newsprint prices are expected to drive earnings over the medium term. Its current valuations also price in most concerns. Does that make it a buy? Click here to read more.Picks from our technical analystsTata Motors: The stock is in a sideways trend. It is expected to continue in sideways movement or go bearish. Click here to find a low-risk option trade.Dabur: The directional movement index is showing a strongly trending price action for Dabur. Click here to know how to trade its futures.