Indian Conglomerates Set to Invest $800 Billion in Next Decade
Key Ideas
- Indian conglomerates are planning to invest around USD 800 billion in the next decade, nearly three times the amount spent in the previous ten years, focusing on growth and diversification.
- About 40% of the investment will go into new sectors like green hydrogen, clean energy, aviation, semiconductors, electric vehicles, and data centers, with leading groups like Vedanta, Tata, Adani, Reliance, and JSW at the forefront.
- While some conglomerates are expanding into new areas, others like Birla, Mahindra, Hinduja, Hero, ITC, Bajaj, and Murugappa groups will continue to invest in their established sectors for scale and profitability.
- S&P Global Ratings projects that investments in existing businesses could range between USD 400 billion and USD 500 billion over the next decade, emphasizing the need for continuous strengthening of core operations amidst rising debt levels.
Indian conglomerates, including Vedanta, Tata, Adani, Reliance, and JSW groups, are gearing up for a substantial investment wave with projected capital commitments of nearly USD 800 billion in the next decade. This plan, significantly higher than the previous decade's spending, highlights a strong focus on growth and diversification. Approximately 40% of the planned investment will be directed towards emerging sectors such as green hydrogen, clean energy, aviation, semiconductors, electric vehicles (EVs), and data centers. The shift towards these growth areas is notably led by major conglomerates, especially the Vedanta, Tata, Adani, Reliance, and JSW groups, who are collectively preparing to invest about USD 350 billion in these sectors over the upcoming years. While some conglomerates are exploring new ventures, others like Birla, Mahindra, Hinduja, Hero, ITC, Bajaj, and Murugappa groups are expected to focus on expanding their existing businesses for profitability and scale. S&P Global Ratings forecasts that investments in current operations could range from USD 400 billion to USD 500 billion over the next decade if companies maintain their current investment pace. This emphasis on strengthening core operations is deemed crucial for conglomerates as they manage the risks associated with the significant investment leap. As companies are likely to increase debt levels to support these growth strategies, maintaining strong core businesses is essential for sustaining credit profiles. Effective execution of growth plans will be critical to avoid negative impacts on credit metrics during the investment phase.