Cash or credit? They’re both forms of payment, but according to experts, some forms are better than others when it comes to paying for holiday expenses. In a new survey from PwC, shoppers were asked about their preferred payment methods for holiday spending. According to survey respondents, debit cards were their No. 1 preferred payment method (55%), followed by credit cards (52%), cash (48%), gift cards/prepaid cards (27%), PayPal (27%) and loyalty points/rewards (17%). Read Next: Here’s How to Fix Your ...

Group 1 - Visa Inc. has shown significant growth over the past decade, with a compound annual earnings growth of 16% [1] - The company has a current market capitalization of nearly $700 billion and is expected to achieve a 14% growth this year [1] - Despite concerns about new payment platforms, they have not significantly impacted the major credit card networks like Visa [1] Group 2 - Visa is recognized as a payment technology company that processes digital transactions and offers various types of cards [2] - There is a belief that certain AI stocks may present greater upside potential and lower downside risk compared to Visa [2]

Core Insights - Banks and shadow banks are launching various offers to boost credit demand during the festive season, which has been relatively muted this year [2] - Lenders are reducing interest rates on loans for homes, vehicles, and personal use, while waiving processing fees and extending repayment tenures [2] Group 1: Offers and Discounts - Many banks have partnered with retailers and e-commerce companies to provide 'instant' EMI options, cashback deals, and discounts on purchases [3] - ICICI Bank is offering savings of up to ₹50,000 on transactions made through credit or debit cards, internet banking, and cardless EMI [4] - HDFC Bank is providing 'festive treats' with savings of up to ₹50,000 on various loans, including personal, business, and vehicle loans [5] - Axis Bank has launched 'Dil Se Open Celebrations' to offer discounts, cashback, and exclusive deals for upcoming festivals [6] Group 2: Specific Offers by Banks - State Bank of India is providing a 10% instant discount on credit card purchases made during Amazon's 'Great Indian Festival' sale [7] - Non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) are focusing on two-wheeler loans following a GST cut, targeting demand in Tier-II and Tier-III cities [8] - Shriram Finance plans to introduce schemes for gold, housing, and vehicle loans to capitalize on festival demand [9] - L&T Finance has announced three festival schemes for two-wheeler customers, including no-cost EMI and prompt payment rebates [10] Group 3: Market Trends - There is a noticeable increase in demand within the auto ecosystem, particularly for two-wheelers, three-wheelers, and passenger vehicles [9] - The overall sentiment indicates a steady underlying demand for credit, with expectations of increased borrowing across key segments due to GST rationalization [8]

Group 1: IPO Overview - The capital markets regulator SEBI has approved six initial public offerings (IPOs) that will collectively raise approximately ₹12,500 crore [1] - Canara Robeco Asset Management Company will conduct a complete offer for sale of 4.98 crore equity shares, with Canara Bank diluting 2.59 crore shares and ORIX Corporation Europe NV offering 2.39 crore shares [1] Group 2: Fund Profiles - Canara Robeco manages 25 schemes, including 12 equity schemes, 10 debt schemes, and three hybrid schemes, with a quarterly average AUM of ₹1,083.66 billion as of December-end [2] - Hero Motors plans to raise ₹1,200 crore through its IPO, consisting of fresh issuance of shares worth ₹800 crore and an offer-for-sale of shares worth up to ₹400 crore by promoters [2] - Manipal Payment and Identity Solutions has confidentially filed a Draft Red Herring Prospectus (DRHP) for an IPO that includes both an offer-for-sale and fresh share issuance [3] Group 3: Capital Use and Company Focus - A significant portion of the capital raised by Manipal Payment and Identity Solutions will be utilized to reduce debt at the promoter entity level [4] - Pine Labs aims to raise ₹2,600 crore through the issuance of new shares, while existing shareholders will sell 14.78 crore equity shares via offer-for-sale [5] - Orkla India will conduct an IPO comprising an offer for sale of 2.28 crore equity shares by promoters and other shareholders [6] - Emmvee Photovoltaic Power plans to raise ₹3,000 crore, with promoters selling shares worth ₹856 crore and the company issuing fresh shares worth ₹2,144 crore [6]

Group 1: UnitedHealth Group - UnitedHealth Group experienced a significant stock price drop of over 22% following a weak first-quarter report, marking its worst single-session decline since August 1998 [1] - The company was previously the largest component in the Dow Jones Industrial Average, but this position has now been taken over by Goldman Sachs [1][2] Group 2: Market Overview - Major indices including the Dow, S&P 500, and Nasdaq Composite are currently in correction territory, defined as a decline of at least 10% from recent highs [2] - Despite the downturn, there are potentially better dividend stocks in the Dow, such as Visa, Chevron, and Procter & Gamble, that investors may consider [2] Group 3: Visa - Visa operates a payment processing model that generates fees from credit and debit card transactions, maintaining partnerships with financial institutions [3] - The company boasts an impressive operating margin of 66.2% and a profit margin of 54.3%, indicating strong profitability [4] - Visa's business model allows it to remain profitable even during economic slowdowns, with a current dividend yield of 0.7% due to a focus on stock buybacks [5] - Visa is considered a safe investment option, especially in a declining stock market [6] Group 4: Chevron - Chevron offers a dividend yield of 5%, making it the second-highest yielding component in the Dow, with a history of 38 consecutive years of payout increases [7] - The company has faced a sell-off in 2025 due to falling oil and natural gas prices, influenced by macroeconomic concerns [8] - Key investment factors for Chevron include its reliable dividend, strong balance sheet with low debt, and improvements in operational efficiency [9] - The stock has declined by 16% over the last month, presenting a potential buying opportunity for income-focused investors [10] Group 5: Procter & Gamble - Procter & Gamble has shown resilience during market downturns, as consumer staples tend to maintain steady demand [11] - The company has significant international exposure, which makes it vulnerable to tariffs and currency fluctuations, but it has historically managed to pass on costs to consumers [12] - Procter & Gamble is set to report its fiscal 2025 third-quarter earnings soon, with investors keen on management's insights regarding tariffs and trade issues [13] - With 69 consecutive years of dividend increases and a yield of 2.5%, Procter & Gamble is viewed as a safe investment, although its valuation is considered high at 27.2 times earnings [14]