In this week’s wrap-up, we discuss whether Apple should consider killing Siri already, the HDB Financial Services IPO, why banks can’t seem to keep up with their climate commitments, whether the Indian Government’s dividend portfolio can help retail investors like you and me and finally, why Iran can’t shut down the Strait of Hormuz.

And in this week’s Markets edition, we tell you why IndiaMART InterMESH’s stock has been on a roll lately. Click here to read the full markets story.

But before we head over to the wrap, here’s a quick sidenote. We’ll be taking a break from our regular Sunny Side Up editions for the next few Sundays. But don’t worry, it’s just a temporary pause and we’ll be back with Sunny Side Up by the end of July.

With that out of the way, let’s recap what we wrote over the week.

Should Apple kill Siri?

Last year, Apple promised us a smarter, sassier Siri. But what we got instead was a deeper integration with ChatGPT.

So… what happened to the AI-powered upgrade?

Turns out, Siri’s fall from grace has a lot to do with Apple’s perfectionist mindset. And while competitors like Google and Microsoft have already moved on with shiny new assistants, Apple still seems to be stuck in the past.

Is it time for a rebrand? Or will Apple’s slow and steady approach finally pay off?

Read Monday’s newsletter to find out what’s really going on behind the scenes.

Understanding the HDB Financial Services IPO

Back in 2007, HDFC Bank quietly launched HDB Financial Services to lend where traditional banks couldn’t.

Fast forward to today, that shadow arm has made headlines with a ₹12,500 crore IPO — India’s biggest NBFC listing yet. It’s profitable, growing and backed by HDFC’s credibility.

But here’s the twist. Despite solid numbers, some folks are questioning the price tag.

Is HDB just another vanilla lender or a long term bet on India’s credit boom? And why is HDFC rushing this to the market now?

Find out in Tuesday’s newsletter.

Are banks lying to us?

In 2021, banks around the world made big climate promises like cutting funding to fossil fuel companies and backing renewables. But a new report reveals that they’ve poured over $3.3 trillion into coal, oil and gas ever since.

Even banks with climate pledges are quietly lending to companies expanding fossil fuel operations. Some call it “transition finance”, while others call it greenwashing.

So, are banks helping the climate crisis or fuelling it?

Click here to read the full story. Also, fair warning: It’s not what the headlines are telling you.

The subtle art of dividend investing

The RBI’s record surplus transfer and a string of hefty PSU dividends aren’t just happy coincidences. They reveal a clever strategy.

With tax hikes and extra borrowing off the table, the government is quietly tapping dividends to keep its finances in check.

And now, with a small but telling tweak in dividend tax rules, even retail investors are getting a taste. But does that mean it’s time to chase dividend-paying stocks?

Check out Thursday’s newsletter to understand why some payouts might not actually be green flags.

Why Iran can’t shut down the Strait of Hormuz

A few days ago, Iran’s parliament just voted to shut down the Strait of Hormuz. And at first glance, that sounds like the kind of thing that could send oil prices soaring and economies spinning. After all, it’s a chokepoint for 20% of the world’s oil.

But scratch beneath the surface, and the story gets murkier. Iran depends on the Strait too. And while a full shutdown is unlikely, even minor disruptions are already jacking up shipping costs and insurance premiums.

So the real danger might not be a hard stop, but the creeping economic impact that ripples quietly into everything from airline tickets to stock prices.

Read our Friday’s newsletter to see how.

Finshots Weekly Quiz 🧩

It’s time to announce the winner of our previous weekly quiz. And the winner is…🥁

Vikram Jha! Congratulations. Keep an eye on your inbox and we’ll get in touch with you soon to send over your Finshots merch.

And for the rest of you, here’s your chance to win some exclusive Finshots merch. All you have to do is click on 👉🏽this link, answer all the questions correctly by 12 noon on July 4th (Friday) and tune in here next week to check if you got lucky.

That’s it from us this week. Have a great weekend!

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