Wednesday, December 3

Business

Regulatory reforms can reshape India’s tobacco market: PMI’s Frederic De Wilde
Business

Regulatory reforms can reshape India’s tobacco market: PMI’s Frederic De Wilde

Frederic De Wilde, President SSEA, CIS & MEA Region at Philip Morris International (PMI), has called for progressive regulations to enable science-backed, less harmful alternatives to smoking in India. Speaking at the Times Group ET NOW Global Business Summit 2025, De Wilde highlighted that despite 300 million tobacco users in India, with 100 million smokers, scientific innovation can transform public health outcomes. “The biggest challenge for any evolving industry is regulation. Science and technology are redefining the tobacco sector globally, but to create long-term impact, policies must reflect modern realities and innovation,” De Wilde said. He emphasized that regulatory modernization could accelerate industry transformation, encourage investments, and position India as a key...
Adobe shares downfall 5% in extended trading on sluggish revenue outlook and focus on AI tools
Business, News

Adobe shares downfall 5% in extended trading on sluggish revenue outlook and focus on AI tools

Adobe Inc. gave a disappointing forecast for revenue growth in the current quarter despite a recent focus on monetizing its new generative artificial intelligence features. Sales in the period ending in May will be $5.77 billion to $5.82 billion, the company said in a statement Wednesday. Analysts, on average, projected $5.8 billion. Excluding certain items, profit will be $4.95 per share to $5 per share, while the average projection is $5. Adobe, a top maker of software for creative professionals, is incorporating its AI model, Firefly, into apps such as Photoshop and Premiere. Investors have debated whether generative AI will make the products more attractive and indispensable or fuel the rise of AI-native competitors. During the quarter, Adobe announced it would charge about 50 c...
Bharti Airtel shares upsurge 3% on partnership with Starlink; JPMorgan says stock could surge 66%
Business, News

Bharti Airtel shares upsurge 3% on partnership with Starlink; JPMorgan says stock could surge 66%

Shares of telecom operator Bharti Airtel rose 3 percent in the early session on March 12 after the firm announced a partnership with billionaire Elon Musk-led aerospace company SpaceX to introduce Starlink satellite internet services in India. In a joint statement released on March 11, the companies highlighted that the agreement is Starlink's first formal partnership in India. However, its implementation is dependent on SpaceX securing the necessary authorisations to operate Starlink services within the country. By integrating Starlink into its offerings—along with its existing partnership with Eutelsat OneWeb—Bharti Airtel will strengthen its ability to provide coverage across the country, especially in underserved areas. According to international brokerage JPMorgan, the Starl...
Sun Pharma shares upsurge over 3% on positive brokerage outlook as firm to acquire US biotech company
Business, News

Sun Pharma shares upsurge over 3% on positive brokerage outlook as firm to acquire US biotech company

Shares of Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd rose over 3 per cent on Tuesday, March 11, after ICICI Securities upgraded the stock's rating to 'Buy'. This adds to the continued positive investor sentiment driven by the acquisition of Nasdaq-listed Checkpoint Therapeutics for $355 million. As of 1:30 pm, Sun Pharma shares were trading at Rs 1,655.95 per share, up 2.76 per cent. ICICI Securities upgraded its rating on the stock to 'Buy' from 'Hold'. In this, it has set a target price of Rs 1,895 based on 31x FY27 estimated earnings per share (32x FY26 estimated earnings per share). The brokerage further mentioned that the stock has declined ~10 per cent in the last two months. Meanwhile, both Motilal Oswal and HDFC Securities have reiterated a 'buy' rating with a target price of Rs 1...
Toyota Hilux Black Edition debuts in India: A bold blend of power and style
Business

Toyota Hilux Black Edition debuts in India: A bold blend of power and style

Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) has launched the Hilux Black Edition in India, reinforcing its dominance in the lifestyle utility vehicle segment. Priced at ₹37.90 lakh (ex-showroom), the Black Edition combines rugged off-road capability with premium styling, targeting adventure seekers and urban professionals alike. Powered by a 2.8L four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine delivering 500 Nm torque, the Hilux Black Edition offers a 6-speed automatic transmission and a robust 4X4 drivetrain. With best-in-class 700mm water-wading capacity and Toyota’s innovative multi-purpose vehicle (IMV) platform, the model is engineered for extreme terrains while maintaining daily-drive comfort. Safety features include 7 SRS airbags, Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Traction Control (TC), and advanced assist s...
Airtel Payments Bank honours women business correspondents for driving financial inclusion
Business

Airtel Payments Bank honours women business correspondents for driving financial inclusion

Airtel Payments Bank celebrated International Women’s Day by recognizing the contributions of women business correspondents (BCs) in Assam and Meghalaya who are transforming financial access in rural and underserved areas. The event, held in Guwahati, acknowledged five outstanding BCs—Wansuk Thangkhiew, Lanopat N Sangma, SmritiMili, Ajami Nara Khatun, and Queen Marry Keot Bhuyan—for their dedication to expanding banking services. With over 100,000 women BCs across India, Airtel Payments Bank operates 500,000 neighborhood banking points. In Assam and Meghalaya alone, the bank has 24,600 BCs, including 2,600 women, with over 80% serving unbanked regions. These correspondents facilitate essential financial services, including account openings, cash withdrawals, money transfers, bill payme...
Aavas Financiers shares upsurge 9%, trading volumes surge
Business, News

Aavas Financiers shares upsurge 9%, trading volumes surge

Aavas Financiers shares jumped nearly 9 per cent in morning trade on March 10 to hit an intraday high of Rs 1,845 per share. The stock was among the top gainers on the BSE Smallcap index. The gain came on the back of strong buying demand from investors. At 10.40 am, around 1.78 lakh shares of the company were actively traded. This is 12 times the stock's 10-day average trading volume. The Jaipur-based housing finance company has seen a strong surge in its share price in the past few months and is now hovering around its 52-week high of Rs 1,979 per share, reached on June 19 last year. Earlier in February, domestic brokerage Prabhudas Lilladher had retained its 'accumulate' rating on the stock with a target price of Rs 1,900 per share. Notably, this is around 3 per cent higher tha...
Toyota Kirloskar Motor Expands Legender Lineup with New 4X4 Manual Transmission Variant
Business

Toyota Kirloskar Motor Expands Legender Lineup with New 4X4 Manual Transmission Variant

Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) has expanded its premium SUV portfolio with the launch of the Legender 4X4 Manual Transmission (MT) variant. Priced at ₹46.36 lakh (ex-showroom), the new model is designed for driving enthusiasts who seek greater control and engagement while experiencing Toyota’s signature luxury and off-road capabilities. Equipped with a powerful 2.8L diesel engine, the Legender 4X4 MT delivers 204 PS of power and 420 Nm of torque. The 6-speed manual transmission ensures precision driving, while Toyota’s advanced 4X4 technology enhances performance on rugged terrains. The SUV’s striking design features Catamaran-inspired front and rear bumpers, a sleek piano-black grille, and signature LED lighting. It is available in a Pearl White with Black roof (dual-tone) finish. Co...
Hexaware Technologies shares increase 3% after it partners with Major League Cricket’s San Francisco Unicorns
Business, News

Hexaware Technologies shares increase 3% after it partners with Major League Cricket’s San Francisco Unicorns

Hexaware Technologies shares rose 3 per cent to Rs 828 after the company announced a partnership with Major League Cricket (MLC) team San Francisco Unicorns. The collaboration will run until the 2026 season, including Hexaware branding on the team's helmets and caps as well as perimeter signage at matches. The IT services firm said the partnership is in line with its focus on community engagement and digital solutions in sports. The San Francisco Unicorns, who reached the final of the 2024 MLC Championship, are preparing for their third season in 2025, with matches scheduled to be played in the Bay Area, Texas and North Carolina. Welcoming Hexaware Technologies as an official partner, San Francisco Unicorns co-owner Anand Rajaraman said the company's focus on innovation and excel...
Toyota Kirloskar Motor pushes for gender diversity in auto industry
Business

Toyota Kirloskar Motor pushes for gender diversity in auto industry

Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) marked International Women’s Day with a strong commitment to gender diversity and inclusion, reinforcing its goal of achieving 30% female representation by 2030. The company hosted a special event at its Bidadi facility, celebrating the contributions of over 500 women employees through leadership discussions, cultural programs, and recognition ceremonies. Aligned with this year’s theme, #AccelerateAction, TKM continues to enhance workplace inclusivity with initiatives focused on skilling, infrastructure development, and ecosystem transformation. The Toyota Technical Training Institute (TTTI) now reserves 50% of its 1,200 annual intakes for women, ensuring broader opportunities in the automotive sector. Additionally, TKM’s Women’s Marathon Team secured 10th ...