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ICICI Bank Q3 profit seen up 7.5%

ICICI Bank is expected to report a steady performance in the December quarter, with analysts forecasting up to 7.5 percent year-on-year growth in profit after tax.

The growth is likely to be driven by healthy loan expansion, especially in retail and small business segments. Net interest income is estimated to rise around 6–8 percent, supported by strong credit demand.

Net interest margins are expected to remain largely stable despite pressure from funding costs. Market participants will closely track asset quality, fee income and provisioning trends when the bank announces its Q3 results.

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Gates Foundation announces $9 billion spending plan

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has announced a record $9 billion budget for 2026, marking its highest-ever annual spending to support global health, disease prevention, women’s health, education, and technology-driven solutions such as artificial intelligence.

Alongside the expanded funding, the foundation said it will gradually reduce its workforce, cutting up to 500 jobs by 2030 to control administrative expenses. Operating costs will be capped at about 14 per cent of total spending.

The decision aligns with co-founder Bill Gates’s long-term plan to wind down the foundation by 2045 after distributing most of his wealth to philanthropic causes worldwide.

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Shadowfax technologies IPO to raise ₹1,907 crore

Shadowfax Technologies, a major Indian logistics and delivery platform, is set to launch its IPO on January 20, closing on January 22, 2026.

The price band is ₹118–₹124 per share, aiming to raise around ₹1,907 crore through a mix of fresh issue and offer-for-sale shares. The company recently turned profitable and has seen significant revenue growth.

Proceeds will fund network expansion, marketing, lease payments, and strategic initiatives. Share allotment is expected by January 23, with BSE and NSE listings planned for January 28.

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Tata Elxsi Q3 profit falls 45% amid labour code charges

Tata Elxsi reported a 45 percent year-on-year drop in consolidated net profit to ₹108.9 crore for Q3 FY26, down from ₹199 crore in the same period last year.

The decline was largely due to a one-time exceptional charge of ₹95.7 crore following India’s new labour codes, which increased employee benefit provisions. Despite this, the company’s revenue rose slightly by 1.5 percent to ₹953.5 crore, driven mainly by its transportation business segment.

Following the results, Tata Elxsi’s shares fell more than 3 percent. Analysts have noted the cautious outlook while keeping an eye on future growth prospects and cost management.

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HCL Tech Q3 revenue, margin seen rising

HCL Technologies is set to report a strong Q3 for December, with analysts expecting about 12% year‑on‑year revenue growth, supported by seasonal demand, engineering services, and large deal ramp‑ups.

Profit after tax may rise around 5%, as margin recovery offsets wage hikes and restructuring costs. Sequential revenue and margin improvements are also anticipated.

Market focus will be on deal wins, management’s FY26 guidance, and trends in GenAI and discretionary IT spending. Strong performance could reinforce investor confidence in HCL’s growth and operational strategy.

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FPIs sell ₹3,963 cr in Indian stocks

Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs) remained net sellers in the Indian equity market, pulling out nearly ₹3,963 crore during the past week.

The continued outflow was driven by growing global trade uncertainties and geopolitical tensions, which have made overseas investors cautious about emerging markets, including India. Data from depositories showed that selling pressure intensified towards the end of the week, weighing on overall market sentiment.

Despite the foreign sell-off, domestic institutional investors provided some support, helping limit sharper declines. Market experts say FPI behaviour is likely to remain volatile in the near term, depending on global economic signals and trade-related developments.

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Nestlé India confirms local formula safe for consumers

Nestlé India has clarified that the infant formula recalled globally is not sold in India. All baby formula brands available domestically are produced locally and comply with Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) regulations.

The company stressed that none of the recalled international batches are distributed in India. The global recall was a precautionary measure due to a quality issue in an ingredient, with no reported illnesses linked to the products.

Nestlé India reassures consumers that its locally made formulas remain safe for use and meet stringent safety standards.

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IREDA shares drop 4% ahead of Q3 FY26 results

Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA) is in focus as it prepares to announce its Q3 FY26 results. The stock has seen profit booking recently, losing nearly 4% over the week after earlier gains.

Analysts expect steady growth in renewable energy loans, stable earnings, and improved asset quality, supported by strong loan disbursements and approvals. Investors will closely watch net interest income, margins, and non-performing assets.

Technical trends indicate potential upside if key support levels hold, making the upcoming quarterly results critical for market sentiment around this PSU lender.

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HUL gets ₹1,560 cr tax demand

Hindustan Unilever Ltd (HUL), the Indian arm of global FMCG major Unilever, has received a tax demand of ₹1,560 crore (around $174 million) from Indian income tax authorities.

The order relates to the assessment year 2021–22 and includes issues linked to transfer pricing and certain tax disallowances.

In a regulatory filing, HUL said it disagrees with the assessment and will challenge the order through legal channels. The company added that the demand is not expected to have any significant impact on its financial position or ongoing operations. No penalties have been imposed at this stage.

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Trent revenue ₹5,220 cr, shares drop 8%

Tata Group’s retail arm, Trent Ltd, saw its shares fall over 8% after its Q3 FY26 update. The company reported ₹5,220 crore in standalone revenue, up 17% year-on-year, but growth was flat sequentially and below some analyst estimates.

Trent expanded its footprint, adding 17 Westside and 48 Zudio stores during the quarter. While Morgan Stanley maintained an overweight rating, other analysts flagged slowing demand and rising competition in the retail sector.

Investor caution led to a market value drop of roughly ₹13,000 crore, highlighting concerns over near-term performance despite overall revenue gains.