Four big corporate moves to watch

1. The New Brew in Town

For those who take their cup of caffeine seriously, there's good news. Starbucks, the world's biggest coffee brand, is likely to make its Indian debut in the first half of 2012. A formal announcement of their retail JV with Tata Coffee is likely next month and those in the know say a search for the country head is underway and an appointment is imminent. Howard Schultz, the company's iconic CEO, is expected to arrive in Mumbai to open the first restaurant, most likely inside the Army Navy building near Colaba. This will be shortly followed by its first restaurant in the capital.

2. HUL's Fast Act

FMCG (fast moving consumer goods) warhorse Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL) has begun to regain some of its old spark. The stock has already climbed 25 percent through last year. And 2012 could well be the break-out year. Insiders say that the ingredients for success are now in place. Above all else, under CEO Nitin Paranjpe, HUL's top team is gelling together well and is focussed on 'doing the right things'. That includes expanding its rural direct distribution after almost a decade, focussing on squeezing growth out of its core categories and giving execution in the marketplace just as much importance as strategy. Stay tuned for the action from this counter.

3. Hero and Honda

Make sure to watch out for the battle royale between Hero Motors and its erstwhile partner Honda. Come April 2012, Honda is expected to launch its 100cc motorcycle, which will directly target Hero's most profitable commuter bike, Splendor. That's not all. At the 2012 Auto Expo next month, Rajiv Bajaj is set to unveil redesigned variants of Pulsar to seal out the top end of the mobike market. How Hero plans to use its large cash hoard to defend its turf in this three-way epic battle will be worth watching.

4. Steely Ispat

Sajjan Jindal would be hoping for a bounce-back next year after a rather sudden turn in fortunes in 2011, following his much heralded acquisition of Ispat Industries, which made him the largest steelmaker in the country. The subsequent ban on mining in Karnataka and high interest rates spelt trouble for the Ispat turnaround, with the JSW Steel stock eroding by almost half. As a result, Jindal might have to give in to his partner JFE's demand to dilute more equity and raise money. The Japanese steelmaker at present has 15 percent in JSW Steel. Jindal's seven-member team is scouting the globe for iron ore and coal and initial results of that search might start showing in early 2012. There's every chance that his first acquisition might come from South Africa.