Author: Staff Writer

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Leaders

Indra Nooyi’s CEO remark sparks row

Former PepsiCo CEO Indra Nooyi has sparked a lively debate after saying she does not believe she could have become the head of a major company had she spent her entire career in India. Her remarks, made during a recent interaction, have drawn both support and criticism on social media.

Reflecting on her professional journey, Nooyi said the opportunities she received in the United States played a significant role in helping her reach the top of the corporate world. She suggested that the environment, workplace culture and leadership opportunities available there were different from what she might have experienced had she remained in India.

The comments quickly went viral, with many users agreeing that global workplaces often provide broader opportunities for women and professionals from diverse backgrounds. Supporters argued that merit alone does not always determine career growth and that organisational culture, mentorship and equal opportunities also play an important role.

Others, however, disagreed with Nooyi’s assessment, pointing to the growing number of Indian companies led by women and the country’s evolving corporate landscape. Critics said India has changed significantly over the years and now offers increasing leadership opportunities for talented professionals across sectors.

The discussion soon expanded beyond Nooyi’s personal experience, with many people debating whether career success depends more on individual ability or the ecosystem in which professionals work. Some viewed her remarks as an honest reflection on her own journey rather than a criticism of India, while others felt the statement unfairly overlooked the progress made by Indian businesses.

Nooyi has long been recognised as one of the world’s most influential business leaders. Her rise from Chennai to leading one of the world’s largest multinational companies has inspired professionals across generations, particularly women aspiring to leadership roles.

Also Read: Gold at ₹1.46 lakh, Silver at ₹2.34 lakh

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1 Minute-Read

Bank of Baroda settles NMC case

Bank of Baroda has agreed to pay $600 million (around ₹5,700 crore) to settle legal claims related to the collapse of UAE-based healthcare company NMC Health.

The settlement brings to an end years of litigation in Abu Dhabi and London over loans extended before the company’s 2020 collapse. The bank said the decision was taken after assessing the costs and risks of prolonged legal proceedings and will provide certainty by resolving all outstanding claims.

Bank of Baroda has already made provisions for much of the settlement, limiting the impact on its financials and allowing it to focus on its core business.

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Corporate

DMart slides 5% as Q1 disappoints

DMart shares fell nearly 5% on Thursday after the supermarket chain’s first-quarter business update failed to impress investors. While the company continued to grow its sales, the pace was slower than what the market had expected, triggering a sell-off in the stock.

Avenue Supermarts, which owns and operates DMart stores, reported standalone revenue of ₹18,343.49 crore for the quarter ended June 30, up 15.1% from ₹15,932.12 crore a year earlier. During the quarter, the retailer opened three new stores, taking its total network to 503 outlets.

Although the numbers reflected steady growth, analysts said they fell short of expectations. Investors were also disappointed by the slower pace of store expansion, raising concerns about the company’s near-term growth.

Several brokerages maintained a cautious view after the update. Goldman Sachs retained its ‘Sell’ rating, saying revenue growth remained weaker than expected despite favourable pricing trends in the FMCG sector. Macquarie also continued with its ‘Underperform’ rating, pointing to slower sales growth and fewer store additions than anticipated.

Morgan Stanley said the softer revenue performance could weigh on the stock in the near term, while HSBC kept its ‘Reduce’ rating after the company missed estimates. UBS, however, remained positive on the long-term story, retaining its ‘Buy’ rating despite describing the quarter as subdued.

DMart has long been regarded as one of India’s strongest retail success stories, known for its value-driven business model and loyal customer base. However, the company is now facing increasing competition from quick-commerce platforms and changing consumer spending patterns, making growth more challenging.

Also Read: Parle Products plans $1 bn IPO

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Corporate

Parle Products plans $1 bn IPO

Parle Products is preparing to take its nearly century-old business to the stock market with an initial public offering (IPO) that could raise more than $1 billion. The proposed issue is expected to value the company at over $10.5 billion (around ₹1 lakh crore), making it one of the biggest IPOs by an Indian FMCG company.

The company has appointed Kotak Mahindra Capital, Axis Capital and HSBC Securities to manage the proposed public issue. It is also looking to add another investment bank to the advisory team as it moves ahead with the listing process. The IPO is still in the early stages, and its final size and timeline will depend on market conditions.

Parle Products has not officially confirmed its listing plans. The company has said it remains focused on growing its business and continues to evaluate opportunities that can support its long-term expansion.

For FY25, Parle Products reported operational revenue of ₹15,568.49 crore, up 8.5% from the previous year. Net profit, however, declined 39% to ₹979.53 crore.

Founded in 1929, Parle Products is one of India’s best-known food companies. Its portfolio includes household brands such as Parle-G, Monaco, KrackJack, Hide & Seek, Melody and Mango Bite. Over the years, it has also expanded into categories such as cakes, rusk, atta and breakfast cereals.

The company has built a strong presence beyond India, exporting its products to several countries while operating manufacturing facilities across Africa, Asia and North America.

Also Read: Meta’s AI glasses get subscription tier

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Technology

Meta’s AI glasses get subscription tier

Meta has introduced a paid subscription for some of the most advanced AI features on its smart glasses, signalling a broader shift towards subscription-based wearable technology.

The affected tools are powered by on-device artificial intelligence, allowing the glasses to process information locally instead of sending requests to remote servers. This approach offers quicker responses, better privacy and improved performance when internet access is weak or unavailable.

Under the updated model, users who want access to these premium AI capabilities will need to subscribe to Meta’s paid AI service. The change has surprised many existing customers who had become accustomed to using some of the features without additional charges.

The announcement has triggered mixed reactions across the technology community. While some users understand the need to fund expensive AI development, others argue that premium hardware should include all advertised features without recurring payments.

Meta maintains that subscription income is necessary to sustain rapid AI innovation. The company says the additional revenue will help improve existing features, introduce more capable AI assistants and deliver regular software upgrades.

The change reflects a wider trend across the consumer technology industry. Smartphones, smartwatches and productivity software increasingly offer premium features through subscriptions, and wearable AI devices now appear to be following the same path.

Technology experts say companies are looking for stable recurring revenue as artificial intelligence becomes more resource-intensive. Instead of treating devices as one-time purchases, manufacturers are building long-term ecosystems that combine hardware with paid digital services.

For customers, the decision raises questions about the future cost of AI-powered gadgets. Buying a device may no longer guarantee access to every feature, with some of the most advanced capabilities reserved for paying subscribers.

Also Read: PM Modi, Japan PM inaugurate Maruti’s Kharkhoda plant

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Corporate

Sensex jumps 500 points, Nifty closes above 24,300

The markets ended the week on a strong note, with benchmark indices posting solid gains as investors cheered robust buying in technology, financial and infrastructure stocks.

The BSE Sensex surged 541 points to close at 80,792, while the NSE Nifty50 climbed 168 points to settle above the 24,300 mark. Positive global cues, steady foreign investor interest and optimism around corporate earnings supported the market throughout the session.

Technology stocks led the rally after HCLTech announced a $1.14-billion artificial intelligence deal with a Europe-based Fortune Global 50 company. The announcement boosted investor sentiment, helping IT shares outperform the broader market.

Among the day’s top gainers were HCLTech, Adani Enterprises, Infosys, Tech Mahindra and Power Grid Corporation. Adani Enterprises also remained in focus after expanding its Qualified Institutional Placement (QIP) from ₹10,000 crore to ₹15,000 crore following strong institutional demand.

On the other hand, Trent, Tata Consumer Products, Titan Company, Asian Paints and Nestlé India were among the major laggards, as investors booked profits in select consumer-facing stocks.

Broader markets also ended in positive territory, with the Nifty Midcap and Smallcap indices registering gains, reflecting improved investor confidence beyond frontline stocks.

Market participants said easing concerns over global crude oil prices and expectations of stable domestic economic growth continued to support buying interest. Investors also remained optimistic ahead of the upcoming corporate earnings season, hoping for healthy quarterly results from major companies.

Trading volumes remained healthy as investors increased exposure to sectors expected to benefit from rising technology spending and infrastructure investments.

Also Read: PM Modi, Japan PM inaugurate Maruti’s Kharkhoda plant

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Leaders

PM Modi, Japan PM inaugurate Maruti’s Kharkhoda plant

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi jointly inaugurated Maruti Suzuki India’s new manufacturing facility at Kharkhoda in Haryana on Friday, marking a major milestone in the country’s automotive sector and the long-standing partnership between India and Japan.

Built with an investment of around ₹35,000 crore, the Kharkhoda plant is Maruti Suzuki’s fourth manufacturing facility in India and one of its largest. The project is expected to significantly boost vehicle production while creating thousands of direct and indirect employment opportunities in the region.

The new facility has been designed with advanced manufacturing technologies and modern automation systems to improve production efficiency and support Maruti Suzuki’s future growth. The company plans to gradually expand the plant’s production capacity, helping meet rising domestic demand as well as export requirements.

Addressing the gathering, Prime Minister Modi said the plant reflects global confidence in India’s manufacturing capabilities and reinforces the country’s emergence as a preferred destination for industrial investment. He highlighted the government’s continued focus on infrastructure development, ease of doing business and policies aimed at making India a global manufacturing hub.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi described the project as another symbol of the strong strategic and economic partnership between India and Japan. She said the two countries continue to deepen cooperation across sectors including manufacturing, technology, infrastructure and clean energy.

Maruti Suzuki said the Kharkhoda facility will play a key role in its long-term expansion strategy as the company prepares for growing demand in India’s passenger vehicle market. The plant is also expected to support the production of cleaner and more fuel-efficient vehicles in line with changing consumer preferences and environmental goals.

Also Read: OpenAI weighs 5% US government stake

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Corporate

Adani Enterprises raises QIP size to ₹15,000 cr

Adani Enterprises has increased the size of its Qualified Institutional Placement (QIP) from ₹10,000 crore to ₹15,000 crore after receiving an overwhelming response from institutional investors, underlining strong confidence in the company’s growth strategy.

The flagship company of the Adani Group attracted bids worth nearly ₹38,000 crore, making the issue about 3.8 times oversubscribed. Encouraged by the strong demand, the company decided to raise an additional ₹5,000 crore through the share sale, making it one of the largest QIPs by an Indian company in recent years.

The institutional share sale was offered at an indicative price of ₹2,883 per share, representing a discount to the prevailing market price, a common practice in such fundraising exercises to attract large investors.

A Qualified Institutional Placement allows listed companies to raise capital from institutional investors such as mutual funds, insurance firms, pension funds and foreign portfolio investors without launching a public issue. The route is widely used by companies seeking to raise funds quickly for expansion and business growth.

The fresh capital will help Adani Enterprises strengthen its balance sheet while supporting investments across its fast-growing businesses. The company has been expanding aggressively in sectors such as airports, roads, data centres, green hydrogen, renewable energy and manufacturing, all of which require significant long-term investments.

The strong investor participation is seen as a vote of confidence in the company’s future prospects despite market volatility over the past few years. Analysts believe the successful fundraising demonstrates continued institutional appetite for large infrastructure and energy-related businesses with long-term growth potential.

The announcement also comes at a time when Indian companies are increasingly tapping capital markets to finance expansion amid rising investment opportunities across infrastructure, clean energy and digital businesses.

While Adani Enterprises shares witnessed some movement after the pricing details were announced, market experts said such fluctuations are common following QIP launches. They added that discounted pricing is a standard feature aimed at encouraging participation from institutional investors.

Also Read: E20 cuts mileage slightly, says Hardeep Singh Puri

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Beyond

Gold hits at ₹1.47 lakh, silver tops ₹2.36 lakh

Gold and silver prices edged higher across India on Friday, supported by firm global trends and renewed safe-haven demand after weaker-than-expected US economic data strengthened expectations of a pause in interest rate hikes.

According to the latest retail rates, 24-carat gold was priced at around ₹1.47 lakh per 10 grams in most major cities, while 22-carat gold traded above ₹1.35 lakh. Silver also remained firm, with 999 purity silver quoted at over ₹2.36 lakh per kilogram.

In Delhi, 24-carat gold was available at ₹1,47,730 per 10 grams, while 22-carat gold was priced at ₹1,35,419. Mumbai recorded slightly higher rates, with 24-carat gold at ₹1,47,990 and 22-carat gold at ₹1,35,658. In Kolkata, 24-carat gold stood at ₹1,47,740, while the 22-carat variety was priced at ₹1,35,428. Chennai continued to report among the highest prices, with 24-carat gold selling at ₹1,48,360 per 10 grams.

Silver prices also remained elevated across the country. The metal was retailing at ₹2,36,730 per kg in Delhi, ₹2,37,130 in Mumbai, ₹2,36,700 in Kolkata, and ₹2,37,710 in Chennai, reflecting strong global momentum and steady domestic demand.

The rise in bullion prices comes as global investors shifted towards safe-haven assets after fresh US labour market data pointed to a slowing economy. The data reinforced hopes that the US Federal Reserve may delay further interest rate hikes, making non-interest-bearing assets like gold more attractive. A weaker US dollar also supported international bullion prices, which in turn lifted domestic rates.

Also Read: Sensex soars 500 points, Nifty crosses 24,300 mark

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Corporate

Sensex soars 500 points, Nifty crosses 24,300 mark

Markets opened on a strong note on Friday, with benchmark indices extending their gains for a third straight session as buying in information technology stocks and positive global cues lifted investor sentiment. The BSE Sensex surged over 500 points in early trade, while the NSE Nifty climbed above the 24,300 mark, reflecting optimism across sectors.

IT stocks led the rally, with HCLTech emerging as the top gainer after attracting strong investor interest. Tech Mahindra, Tata Steel, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) and Infosys also posted healthy gains, helping push the benchmark indices higher. Buying was also seen in select banking and financial stocks, adding strength to the market’s upward momentum.

Among the laggards, Adani Ports, NTPC, Mahindra & Mahindra, State Bank of India and Kotak Mahindra Bank traded lower in early deals. However, losses in these stocks were outweighed by gains in heavyweight technology shares, keeping the overall market firmly in the green.

The rally was supported by positive global developments. Softer-than-expected US jobs data fuelled hopes that the US Federal Reserve may hold off on further interest rate hikes, improving the outlook for emerging markets. Lower crude oil prices also boosted sentiment, as easing energy costs are seen as favourable for India’s economy and corporate profitability.

Investors were further encouraged by continued buying from domestic institutional investors, which has helped cushion the impact of foreign fund outflows in recent sessions.

Also Read: IndiGo launches lite fare