Author: Purbalee Dutta

Analysts are optimistic about Axis Bank Ltd., projecting its share price could rise to ₹1,525 following its September quarter results announced after market hours on Wednesday. Among 51 analysts covering the stock, 41 have a "buy" rating, while the rest recommend "hold," with no "sell" ratings. A one-time provisioning of ₹1,231 crore affected the bank’s quarterly profits, but other key metrics surpassed expectations. Core income increased, asset quality improved, and slippages declined sequentially. HSBC upgraded its price target to ₹1,460 from ₹1,340, maintaining a "buy" rating, citing strong loan growth, margins, and asset quality despite the one-off provision. Jefferies raised its target to ₹1,430 with a "buy" call, highlighting positive trends despite RBI-mandated provisions. Be...

Renault has officially launched the much-anticipated Kwid EV in Brazil, where it will be marketed as the ‘Kwid E-Tech.’ Sharing its platform with the Dacia Spring EV, this electric version of the popular hatchback is a key part of Renault’s push toward electrification. Test vehicles have been spotted multiple times in India, suggesting an imminent launch there. The Kwid EV is expected to rival models like the Citroen e-C3 and Tata Tiago EV. Design-wise, the Kwid EV draws heavily from its Dacia counterpart. The front features a closed grille with vertical slats and projector headlights on either side of the bumper. The sides remain similar to the petrol version, with black wheel arch claddings, indicator lights on the ORVMs, black side cladding, and 14-inch dual-tone alloy wheels. At th...

The LG Electronics IPO began on a slow note on October 7 but gained momentum by the end of the day, reaching full subscription. With two bidding days remaining, investor interest remains strong. By the close of Day 1, the IPO was subscribed 1.04 times. In contrast, Tata Capital’s IPO, closing on October 8, was subscribed 75% by the end of its second day. Market experts have mixed views on both offerings. Tata Capital's IPO comprises a fresh issue of 21 crore shares and an offer for sale of 26.58 crore shares, with a price band of ₹310–₹326. Arun Kejriwal highlighted that this price is far below its earlier unlisted value of ₹1,100+, urging caution as this is the third major IPO priced significantly below its unlisted valuation. The LG Electronics IPO, an offer for sale of 10.18 crore s...

Two upcoming flagship smartphones — the OnePlus 15 5G and Realme GT 8 Pro 5G — are set to debut in China this month before launching globally. As the official unveilings approach, both companies have started teasing key specifications, while tipsters continue to leak exciting details. The most recent leaks highlight the camera specs, hinting at a close competition between the two devices. OnePlus 15 5G Camera DetailsPopular Chinese tipster Digital Chat Station (DCS) claims that the OnePlus 15 5G will feature a triple rear camera setup, headlined by a 1/1.5-inch main sensor — either the Sony Lytia LYT-700 or Sony IMX906. Additionally, it could sport a 1/2.76-inch Samsung JN5 sensor for its periscope telephoto lens, and a 50MP ultrawide camera using the same Samsung JN5 sensor. Interesti...

The Mahindra Thar Roxx, a five-door version of the popular three-door Thar SUV, combines practicality and spaciousness with the rugged off-road appeal of the original. Following recent GST revisions, the Thar Roxx has seen a price reduction despite the GST rate increasing from 28% to 40%. This is because the compensation cess, which previously added an extra 20%, has been removed, lowering the overall tax burden from 48% to 40%. As a result, the Thar Roxx is now more affordable, with prices ranging from ₹12.25 lakh to ₹22.06 lakh (ex-showroom). Price cuts vary between ₹74,000 and ₹1.33 lakh, with the base MX1 RWD MT petrol variant receiving the smallest discount, while the fully loaded AX7L 4WD diesel-automatic variant enjoys the highest. Alongside attractive festive offers from Mahindra ...

Accenture Plc is anticipating slower growth, even as artificial intelligence (AI) garners increasing interest from clients. CEO Julie Sweet acknowledged that while AI has quickly gained attention among CEOs and boards, its actual implementation and value delivery have been limited, particularly outside digital-native companies. As a result, Accenture is undertaking job cuts, citing a lack of viable reskilling options for some roles. The company remains largely unaffected by the H-1B visa changes under the Trump administration, as only 5% of its US workforce holds such visas. Accenture reported $69.7 billion in revenue for FY24, a 7% increase, outpacing the cumulative revenue growth of India’s top 10 IT firms. Despite this, it has forecast slower revenue growth of 2–5% in FY26. During J...

Artificial Intelligence (AI) contributes to less than 1% of the Bombay Stock Exchange’s (BSE) market capitalisation, according to Dr. Vikas Singh, adjunct professor at the Indian Institute of Public Administration. Notably, BSE and NSE do not classify AI as a standalone sector, and fewer than 15 listed companies have clear AI-related operations. Due to limited financial disclosure, it is difficult to gauge AI’s direct impact on revenues or profits. However, Dr. Singh noted AI’s influence may be more systemic in automation-heavy industries like finance, retail, logistics, and telecom. India’s AI investment is growing. The UNCTAD’s 2025 Technology and Innovation Report ranked India 36th out of 170 countries in AI readiness, with $1.4 billion in private investments. The country also impro...