Business

Bata India Ltd’s performance in the September quarter (Q2FY26) disappointed investors, dragging its shares down 4% on Tuesday as the results fell short on multiple fronts. The footwear company struggled with growth throughout the quarter, and with costs remaining elevated, it failed to meet expectations across key metrics. Revenue declined 4% year-on-year to ₹801 crore, marking the weakest showing in the last ten quarters, compared with estimates of around ₹860 crore by JM Financial Institutional Securities and Motilal Oswal Financial Services. Bata cited early transmission of GST benefits to consumers, aimed at clearing inventory ahead of official rate cuts, as one factor. Deferred purchases from channel partners and consumers following GST rationalization, along with a temporary disr...

The inauguration of the new Science, Technology & Innovation (STI) Hub at Mizoram University by Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, in partnership with Mizoram University and the Department of Science and Technology (DST), represents a significant step in leveraging technology for rural economic development. The facility provides dedicated laboratories, training spaces, and innovation centers designed to address the state’s unique geographical and socio-economic challenges. Since its inception two years ago, the hub has benefited over 9,000 residents, with more than 70% of beneficiaries being women. Programs in food processing, bamboo craft innovation, digital literacy, and health awareness have fostered grassroots entrepreneurship and self-reliance. By integrating technologies from Amrita...

Vodafone Idea shares surged up to 9.5% on October 27 after the Centre informed the Supreme Court that it was open to reconsidering the company’s plea in the adjusted gross revenue (AGR) case. The apex court, led by Chief Justice B.R. Gavai with Justices K. Vinod Chandran and Vipul M. Pancholi, allowed the government to review the issue, stating there was “no reason” to prevent it. Vodafone Idea shares hit a one-year high of ₹10.57 on the NSE before profit booking trimmed gains, with the stock up 1.5% at 1:10 p.m. The Solicitor General, Tushar Mehta, said the Centre now holds 49% equity in Vodafone Idea and serves nearly 20 crore customers, justifying its willingness to revisit the matter. The bench observed that the government’s involvement warranted reconsideration. Following this,...

Tata Motors’ subsidiary, Jaguar Land Rover (JLR), is estimated to face a loss of £540 million (₹6,300 crore) due to the September cyberattack, equating to roughly a third of its 2024-25 profits, according to the Cyber Monitoring Centre. At the group level, this could erase nearly a quarter of Tata Motors’ ₹28,149 crore profit for FY25. The attack halted production at JLR’s UK plants—Solihull, Halewood, and Wolverhampton—as well as facilities in Pune, India, and Nitra, Slovakia, for about five weeks. During this period, UK output dropped by roughly 5,000 vehicles weekly, resulting in estimated weekly losses of £108 million from fixed costs and lost profits. Production resumed gradually from late September, with a full return expected by January 2026, though lingering IT and supply chain...

The development of a new cancer care facility at Tata Memorial Centre's Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research & Education in Cancer in Navi Mumbai has begun, according to a statement released by ICICI Bank and TMC. The facility, which will be one of India's largest radiation therapy centers and be furnished with state-of-the-art cancer treatment technologies, was funded by the Bank's ₹625 crore CSR donation. According to the bank, this is a part of the ₹1,800 crore it has committed to TMC for the construction of three cutting-edge cancer care facilities: one each in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh; Mullanpur (New Chandigarh) in Punjab; and Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra. On Sunday, October 19, 2025, the "ICICI Foundation Block for Radiation Oncology" was officially opened with a gr...

Wipro shares dropped over 4% on Friday, October 17, following the release of its September quarter results a day earlier. Among the 47 analysts covering the stock, 16 recommend a “sell,” 13 suggest a “buy,” and 18 maintain a “hold,” reflecting a divided outlook on the company’s performance. Nomura retained a buy rating with a target price of ₹280 per share, implying a 10% upside from Thursday’s close. The brokerage said Wipro’s Q2 results exceeded expectations across most metrics, with robust deal wins. It noted that the company aims to keep its EBIT margins steady despite headwinds, and highlighted a 4% FY27 dividend yield. The stock trades at about 19.8 times FY27 estimated earnings. Jefferies, however, maintained an underperform rating with a target of ₹220, signaling a potential...

In order to improve international payments, Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Sanjay Malhotra advised other central banks to adopt and promote Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) rather than stablecoins on Wednesday. Malhotra also reaffirmed the Indian central bank's position on cryptocurrencies while speaking at the World Bank Group and International Monetary Fund (IMF) annual meeting in Washington, DC. He claimed that the use of cryptocurrencies has consequences for money laundering, capital account flows, and monetary policy. "We won't experience the advantages of CBDC in terms of cross-border payments unless other nations also embrace it. Therefore, in an interview with Krishna Srinivasan, the Director of the IMF's Asia and Pacific Department, Malhotra urged everyone in atte...

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...

Annapurna Ghee, the Northeast’s highest-selling ghee brand for over 70 years, is making strategic moves to expand across India. Known for its rich aroma, ‘danedar’ texture, and authentic taste, the brand has been a symbol of purity and trust for more than three generations. Annapurna Group aims to consolidate its stronghold in existing Eastern and Northeastern markets while gradually entering North India, with plans for a PAN-India presence. The company has appointed Shehnaaz Gill as the brand ambassador for Annapurna Cow Ghee, reinforcing its promise of purity and reliability in a region where food traditions are deeply rooted. Every jar is crafted through stringent quality processes, from sourcing premium raw materials to advanced processing and packaging, maintaining the brand’s hal...

Medanta – The Medicity, six-time Newsweek Best Private Hospital in India, is leveraging digital storytelling to transform women’s health awareness with its film, Banno Ki Rasm, which has already crossed 8 million views across social media. As part of the hospital’s “Jaanta Hai Medanta” initiative, the 2-minute 28-second video reimagines self-breast exams as a monthly ritual, combining tradition, self-care, and preventive healthcare in a format designed for maximum engagement. Dr. Naresh Trehan, Chairman & Managing Director, said, “Through this campaign, Medanta aims to empower women while addressing the stigma around breast cancer.” Dr. Kanchan Kaur, Senior Director of Breast Cancer, added that early detection through self-exams and screenings improves survival outcomes and reduces...