Author: Sreelatha M

Categories
Corporate

Zen Tech jumps 11% on licence win

Zen Technologies shares surged sharply after the company secured a government licence to manufacture arms and weapon systems, lifting investor sentiment and driving strong buying in the stock.

The defence technology company’s shares rose as much as 11% during trade, extending their recent rally. Over the past month, the stock has climbed around 33%, making it one of the stronger performers in the defence space.

Zen Technologies said it has received approval under the Arms Act, allowing it to manufacture 12.7mm, 23mm, 30mm and 40mm cannons. These systems are widely used in air defence, naval operations and anti-drone applications.

The development is seen as an important milestone for the company, which has so far been known mainly for defence training simulators and combat solutions. With this licence, Zen Tech can now expand into weapons manufacturing and tap larger opportunities in India’s defence sector.

Investors responded positively as the approval opens a new business segment and strengthens the company’s long-term growth story. The stock has also gained more than 17% in the last five trading sessions, showing continued momentum after the announcement.

Zen Technologies has benefited from India’s push for defence self-reliance and higher local manufacturing.

Also Read: Renewables meet global electricity demand in 2025

Categories
Corporate

Sensex drops nearly 300 points, Nifty slips below 24,500

Indian equity markets opened lower on April 22, 2026, as selling pressure across sectors weighed on investor sentiment. Both benchmark indices ended in the red, with the BSE Sensex falling around 292 points to close near 78,981, while the Nifty50 declined about 84 points to settle close to 24,492.

The session remained weak throughout the day, with early losses extending into mid-trade as global cues stayed mixed and investors continued to book profits after recent gains. Broader weakness was visible across banking, IT, and select large-cap stocks, which dragged the indices lower despite occasional buying in metals and power stocks.

Among heavyweight drags, IT stocks came under pressure, with names like HCL Technologies and Infosys contributing to the decline. Financial stocks also showed softness, adding to the downside momentum in the benchmarks. Market sentiment was further cautious due to global uncertainty and fluctuating crude oil prices.

However, the market was not entirely negative across the board. Select stocks such as ABB India witnessed strong buying interest, emerging as one of the top performers during intraday trade. Power and metal indices also saw intermittent strength, providing some cushion against broader losses.

On the global front, mixed Asian cues and cautious trading in US futures added to investor hesitation. GIFT Nifty signals earlier in the day had also indicated a weak opening, which aligned with the subdued performance seen in domestic markets.

Overall, the broader market tone remained cautious, with investors focusing on stock-specific action ahead of corporate earnings updates and global macroeconomic developments. Market experts suggest that near-term volatility may persist as traders react to global geopolitical developments, interest rate expectations, and crude oil fluctuations.

Also Read: UltraTech crosses 200 MTPA capacity mark

Categories
Corporate

UltraTech crosses 200 MTPA capacity mark

UltraTech Cement has crossed a major milestone by taking its production capacity beyond 200 million tonnes per annum (MTPA), making it the world’s largest cement company outside China.

The achievement comes after the company started operations at new grinding units in Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand and Andhra Pradesh. With these additions, UltraTech’s India capacity has moved above 200 MTPA, while its global capacity now stands at over 205 MTPA.

The milestone reflects the company’s rapid growth over the past few years. UltraTech had a capacity of around 100 MTPA in 2019 and has doubled that number in less than seven years through expansion projects, plant upgrades and acquisitions.

The company is part of the Aditya Birla Group and is already India’s largest cement manufacturer. By crossing the 200 MTPA mark, it has now strengthened its position among the biggest cement players in the world.

Industry experts say the company’s growth has been supported by rising demand for cement across India. Construction activity in housing, roads, railways, factories and public infrastructure projects has created strong demand for building materials.

As the government continues to invest heavily in infrastructure and urban development, cement demand is expected to remain healthy in the coming years.

UltraTech has also expanded by acquiring regional players, helping it build a wider manufacturing and distribution network across the country.

Analysts believe the larger scale gives the company several advantages, including lower production costs, stronger market reach and better pricing power.

The milestone is also being seen as a sign of India’s growing industrial strength, with a domestic company reaching a manufacturing scale comparable to global leaders.

Despite already crossing 200 MTPA, UltraTech is not slowing down. The company has announced plans to further increase capacity to around 240 MTPA over the next few years.

Also Read: OnePlus Ace 6 Ultra to launch with gaming controller

Categories
1 Minute-Read

Trustee issue emerges at Sir Ratan Tata Trust

Fresh governance concerns have surfaced at the Sir Ratan Tata Trust after reports said two of its three life trustees may need to resign to comply with Maharashtra public trust rules.

Current regulations limit life trustees to one-fourth of the total board strength. With six trustees on the board and three holding life positions, the trust may be above the permitted limit. The matter has reportedly reached the Maharashtra Charity Commissioner.

The development is significant as Tata Trusts remains the key shareholder of Tata Sons.

Categories
Beyond

RBI partially withdraws curbs on rupee trades

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has partially withdrawn restrictions on rupee derivative trading that were introduced earlier this month to contain sharp volatility in the currency market.

The earlier curbs were imposed after the rupee weakened to record lows against the US dollar. To reduce pressure, the RBI had restricted certain derivative transactions, including non-deliverable forward (NDF) contracts and rebooking of cancelled forward deals.

In its latest move, the central bank has allowed some of these transactions to resume, signalling that pressure on the rupee has eased.

However, the RBI has kept limits on banks’ net open currency positions, showing that it remains cautious about speculative activity.

Market experts say the easing will help companies and banks hedge foreign exchange risks more smoothly, especially importers and businesses with overseas exposure.

The rupee has recovered from recent lows and is now trading in a more stable range. Analysts believe the RBI is trying to balance currency stability with normal market functioning.

Also Read: Vedanta sets May 1 for demerger

Categories
Corporate

OnePlus Ace 6 Ultra to launch with gaming controller

OnePlus is getting ready to launch the OnePlus Ace 6 Ultra, a new smartphone aimed at mobile gamers, along with a dedicated gaming controller that can turn the device into a handheld-style console.

The company has confirmed that both products will be introduced in China on April 28.

The highlight of the launch is the new gaming controller, which is designed to attach to the phone for a more immersive gaming experience. It includes physical buttons, shoulder triggers and side grips, giving users better control than standard touchscreen gaming.

The accessory is expected to appeal to players of fast-paced shooting, racing and action games, where quick response times and physical controls can make a big difference.

OnePlus has also designed the controller to support extra cooling accessories, helping reduce heat during long gaming sessions. This is especially useful for users who spend extended time playing graphics-heavy games.

The Ace 6 Ultra itself is expected to come with powerful hardware. Reports suggest the phone may feature a high refresh rate OLED display, a flagship-level processor and a large battery for longer gameplay and everyday use.

These features indicate that OnePlus is positioning the device as a serious option for gaming enthusiasts, while still offering the benefits of a regular smartphone.

The launch reflects a wider trend in the mobile industry, where brands are increasingly focusing on gaming performance. As smartphone processors become more powerful, companies are trying to turn phones into all-in-one entertainment devices.

Instead of buying a separate gaming handheld, users may soon be able to use their phones for both communication and console-style gaming.

The target audience for OnePlus are younger consumers and competitive mobile gamers, especially in markets where esports and online gaming continue to grow rapidly.

So far, the company has only announced the launch for China, and there is no confirmation yet on global availability.

Also Read: Jio Financial falls 4% after weak Q4 profit

Categories
Corporate

Vedanta sets May 1 for demerger

Vedanta has confirmed May 1, 2026, as the record date for its much-awaited demerger, taking a big step towards splitting its businesses into separate listed companies.

The move is part of Vedanta’s larger restructuring plan aimed at creating independent companies focused on individual sectors such as aluminium, power, oil and gas, iron ore, and steel.

Under the scheme, shareholders who hold Vedanta shares on the record date will receive one share in each new company for every one Vedanta share owned. In simple terms, existing investors will automatically get shares in the newly formed businesses.

The company says the demerger is designed to unlock value and allow each business to grow on its own. Separate companies can raise funds independently, focus on sector-specific strategies and make faster decisions.

It is assumed that this kind of restructuring often helps investors better understand the real value of each business. Instead of being part of one large group, each unit can be judged on its own performance and growth potential.

The market reacted positively to the announcement. Vedanta shares rose sharply and touched record highs after the company provided clarity on the timeline.

For many investors, the key question had been when the demerger would happen. With the date now fixed, attention is shifting to the next phase,  the listing of the new companies on stock exchanges.

Experts believe the separate businesses could attract different categories of investors. Those interested in metals may focus on the aluminium and mining units, while others may prefer energy or power businesses.

The demerger is also expected to improve management efficiency, with each company having its own leadership and sharper business focus.

For shareholders, the main takeaway is clear: investors must hold Vedanta shares before May 1 to be eligible for the new share allotments.

Vedanta’s restructuring is being seen as one of the biggest corporate changes in India’s natural resources sector in recent years.

Also Read: Hyundai, TVS join hands for electric 3-wheelers

Categories
Corporate

Hyundai, TVS join hands for electric 3-wheelers

Hyundai Motor Company and TVS Motor Company have joined hands to develop electric three-wheelers for India, in a move aimed at tapping the country’s fast-growing clean mobility market.

The two companies have signed a joint development agreement to design and build electric three-wheelers suited for Indian roads and everyday transport needs. These vehicles are expected to serve both passenger travel and cargo delivery segments.

Under the partnership, Hyundai will bring its global expertise in design, engineering and future mobility technologies. TVS Motor will contribute its manufacturing strength, local market knowledge and experience in two- and three-wheeler mobility. TVS is also expected to handle production and sales in India.

The collaboration comes at a time when demand for electric three-wheelers is rising rapidly across the country. These vehicles are increasingly being used for city transport, last-mile connectivity, and e-commerce deliveries because of their lower running costs compared with petrol or diesel models.

India is already one of the world’s largest markets for three-wheelers, and the shift towards electric models has gained momentum with government incentives and growing environmental awareness.

The companies had earlier displayed a concept electric three-wheeler at an auto expo, and the new agreement now moves that idea closer to commercial launch.

The upcoming vehicles are likely to be designed specifically for Indian conditions, with features such as better ground clearance, durable batteries, and practical cabin space for passengers or goods.

The alliance is also expected to increase competition in India’s electric three-wheeler segment, where several companies are already expanding aggressively.

No official launch date or pricing details have been announced so far.

Also Read: Groww profit jumps 122% in strong Q4

 

 

 

 

Categories
Corporate

Groww profit jumps 122% in strong Q4

Investment platform Groww reported a strong set of quarterly results, with profit more than doubling in the January-March period as more users traded and invested through its platform.

For the fourth quarter of FY26, the company posted a net profit of ₹686 crore, up 122% from ₹309 crore in the same quarter last year. Revenue from operations also rose sharply to ₹1,505 crore, showing strong growth compared with the previous year.

The company’s performance was supported by rising participation from retail investors, higher trading volumes and growing interest in digital investing products. Groww has continued to attract new users as more people use mobile platforms for stocks, mutual funds and other investments.

The quarter also showed improvement in operating efficiency. Groww reported stronger margins as revenue growth outpaced expenses, helping profitability rise significantly.

The company said it continued to gain traction across key business segments, including equities, mutual funds and derivatives trading. Its growing market share in mutual funds reflects its increasing presence in India’s retail investment market.

Customer assets on the platform stood at around ₹3 lakh crore at the end of March, highlighting steady growth in assets despite fluctuations in the stock market. Active users also increased during the quarter.

Analysts say Groww’s latest results show the continued strength of India’s digital wealth and trading industry, where online platforms are benefiting from growing financial awareness and easier access to investing tools.

The company has also been expanding into newer areas such as lending, wealth management and broader financial services, which could support future growth.

While competition in the fintech sector remains intense, Groww’s strong brand and expanding customer base are seen as key advantages.

Market watchers will now focus on whether the company can maintain this growth momentum in the coming quarters, especially if trading activity slows or market volatility increases.

Also Read: Apple names John Ternus CEO, Cook Chairman

Categories
Corporate Leaders

Apple names John Ternus CEO, Cook Chairman

Apple has announced a major leadership transition, naming John Ternus as its next Chief Executive Officer, while current CEO Tim Cook will become Executive Chairman from September 1, 2026.

The move marks the first change at the top of Apple since 2011, when Cook succeeded company co-founder Steve Jobs. After leading the tech giant for 15 years, Cook will remain closely involved in guiding Apple’s long-term direction in his new role.

During Cook’s tenure, Apple grew into one of the world’s most valuable companies. Under his leadership, the company expanded far beyond the iPhone, building successful businesses in wearables and digital services. Products such as the Apple Watch and AirPods became major growth drivers, while Apple’s services business also expanded rapidly.

Ternus, who currently heads Apple’s hardware engineering division, has been with the company for about 25 years. He has played a central role in the development of many of Apple’s flagship products, including the iPhone, iPad and Mac.

He was also deeply involved in Apple’s transition to its own custom-designed chips for Mac computers, a move widely seen as one of the company’s most successful strategic decisions in recent years.

Industry analysts view Ternus as a steady and experienced executive with strong technical expertise. His appointment suggests Apple wants to place product innovation and engineering at the centre of its next growth phase.

The leadership change comes at an important time for the company. Apple is facing increasing pressure to strengthen its position in artificial intelligence, as rivals continue to invest heavily in AI-powered products and services.

Also Read: Jio Financial falls 4% after weak Q4 profit