Author: Staff Writer

Infosys Ltd shares rallied over 2% in early trade on Thursday after the IT services major announced a substantial ₹18,000 crore share buyback,  its largest to date, in a move aimed at returning surplus capital to shareholders and boosting investor confidence.

The company’s board has approved the repurchase of up to 10 crore fully paid equity shares, representing approximately 2.41% of its total paid-up capital. The buyback will be conducted via the open market route at a maximum price of ₹1,800 per share, nearly 19% above Wednesday’s closing price of ₹1,509.50 on the BSE.

Following the announcement, Infosys stock opened higher and touched an intraday high of ₹1,544.65, before settling around ₹1,532 by 9:20 AM.

This marks the fifth buyback by the Bengaluru-based IT giant and nearly doubles the value of its 2022 program, which was capped at ₹9,300 crore. Backed by a strong balance sheet and steady cash flows, with a reported free cash flow of $884 million (₹7,805 crore) for the quarter ended June 2025, the company is well-positioned to fund the buyback without impacting its operational investments.

In a parallel development, Infosys also announced a long-term strategic partnership with U.S.-based HanesBrands Inc. The 10-year engagement is aimed at enhancing productivity and driving efficiency through AI-led digital transformation initiatives. This deal signals Infosys’ continued push to deepen client relationships and scale its AI offerings across verticals.

Despite the positive momentum, Infosys shares remain under pressure on a longer horizon, having declined 19% year-to-date and around 21% over the last 12 months. However, analysts view the buyback and the new client win as strong signals of management’s confidence in the company’s fundamentals and growth roadmap.

As India’s IT sector continues to navigate global macroeconomic headwinds, strategic moves like these could help Infosys sustain investor interest and reinforce its commitment to long-term value creation.

Marico Limited has announced its plan to acquire the remaining 46.02% stake in HW Wellness Solutions Pvt. Ltd., the parent company of the digital-first health food brand True Elements, for ₹138 crore. This transaction will increase Marico’s ownership from 53.98% to 100%, making HW Wellness a wholly-owned subsidiary. The acquisition is expected to be completed by September 30, 2025, subject to customary approvals.

Founded in 2013 by Puru Gupta and Sreejith Moolayil, HW Wellness has become a leading name in India’s healthy breakfast and snacks market. True Elements offers a diverse range of clean-label products such as oats, muesli, granola, and roasted seed mixes, aimed at health-conscious consumers. The brand has built a strong presence through online platforms and is now available in over 12,000 retail outlets across the country.

Marico’s initial investment in HW Wellness in May 2022, when it acquired a majority stake of 53.98%, marked its entry into the health foods sector. The full acquisition reflects the company’s broader strategy to strengthen its foothold in the fast-growing health and wellness segment by leveraging True Elements’ innovative product portfolio and digital-first approach.

True Elements has seen robust growth in recent years. Its turnover rose from ₹57.40 crore in FY23 to ₹76.42 crore in FY24 and further to ₹164.38 crore in FY25, underscoring the increasing consumer appetite for nutritious and convenient food products.

For Marico, this acquisition represents a strategic expansion that complements its existing portfolio. By integrating True Elements’ offerings with its established distribution network, Marico aims to enhance its position in the health foods market and tap into evolving consumer trends. The partnership will allow the company to scale operations, introduce new products, and strengthen its brand presence.

The acquisition also signals Marico’s commitment to diversifying its business and entering new growth areas. As health and wellness continue to be key consumer priorities, Marico’s strengthened presence through True Elements positions it well to meet these demands.

As the transaction moves toward completion, industry observers will watch closely to see how Marico leverages this acquisition to drive long-term growth and innovation in the health foods space. With this move, the company is poised to further capitalize on emerging trends and consumer preferences in India’s dynamic food industry.

India’s largest private port operator, Adani Ports and Logistics, has announced that vessels sanctioned by the United States, European Union, and United Kingdom will no longer be allowed at any of its 14 ports. The policy, which takes effect immediately, aims to align with international sanctions and avoid potential legal and commercial risks linked to vessels associated with Russian or Iranian shipping.

The directive requires vessel agents to provide written assurance that their ships are not subject to sanctions at the time of nomination. This step reflects Adani Ports’ commitment to adhering to global trade and security norms amid growing geopolitical tensions.

The decision follows increased scrutiny of maritime activities involving Russia and Iran, particularly the so-called “shadow fleet” used to transport crude oil. After sanctions by Western nations targeting Russian energy exports, these vessels have been used to sustain oil shipments despite restrictions. India, though not bound by unilateral sanctions, has been monitoring transactions and vessels involved in such trade.

The policy change could have far-reaching implications for Indian refiners that depend on Adani’s port facilities for importing crude oil. HPCL-Mittal Energy Ltd, which runs a 226,000-barrels-per-day refinery in Punjab, receives all its crude at Adani’s Mundra Port. Similarly, Indian Oil Corporation, the country’s largest refiner, imports crude at multiple ports, including those operated by Adani. The new restrictions may disrupt these supply chains and prompt refiners to explore alternative routes or suppliers.

Adani’s move reflects a cautious approach aimed at safeguarding its operations from sanctions-related penalties while ensuring compliance with evolving global standards. The decision aligns with broader efforts to curtail sanctioned trade and strengthen enforcement mechanisms across the maritime sector.

As trade dynamics continue to shift, Adani Ports’ policy adjustment highlights the growing challenges faced by global supply chains in balancing operational efficiency with regulatory compliance. With increased attention on oil shipments and financial sanctions, the port operator’s actions underscore the delicate balancing act between commercial interests and geopolitical responsibilities. 

The move is likely to influence how port operators, shipping companies, and energy suppliers navigate global trade frameworks in the coming years.

In a major push to boost digital infrastructure, the Maharashtra state government and Lodha Developers have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a Green Integrated Data Centre Park in Palava, near Mumbai. The project, with an investment of ₹30,000 crore, is set to position the state as a leading hub for sustainable data services.

The data centre park will cover 370 acres in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region and is designed to accommodate multiple international and domestic data centre operators. With a planned capacity of 2 gigawatts, it aims to meet the increasing demand for data storage and processing in the region. The project is expected to generate around 6,000 direct and indirect jobs, providing a significant boost to the local economy.

Aligned with Maharashtra’s Green Integrated Data Centre Parks policy introduced in October 2024, the project will rely on renewable energy sources and environmentally responsible infrastructure. The policy mandates that data centres operate using clean energy to reduce their carbon footprint. Lodha Developers has committed to achieving net-zero emissions across all its operations in the coming years, reinforcing its commitment to sustainable development.

This initiative forms part of a broader investment strategy by the Maharashtra government, which recently signed MoUs worth ₹1.09 lakh crore across various sectors including IT, food processing, logistics, and warehousing. These investments are expected to create approximately 48,000 direct jobs, underscoring the state’s intent to foster growth and attract global investments.

The Palava data centre park is expected to become a key digital infrastructure hub, drawing leading operators and contributing to Maharashtra’s reputation as a destination for large-scale industrial and technological developments. Its focus on sustainability and innovation sets new benchmarks for environmentally conscious projects in the country.

As the project progresses, it is likely to play a critical role in supporting Maharashtra’s digital economy and addressing the growing demand for data services, while promoting green and responsible infrastructure development.