Categories
Corporate

Eicher Motors rises to ₹7,200 after Q3 profit jump

Eicher Motors Ltd. saw its shares hit a record ₹7,200 on Wednesday after reporting strong results for the third quarter of 2025–26. The stock rose 6–7% in early trade, driven by healthy earnings and revenue growth.

For the quarter ended December 31, 2025, the company posted a net profit of around ₹1,421 crore, up 21% from the same period last year. Revenue grew about 23% to ₹6,114 crore, while EBITDA rose nearly 30% to ₹1,557 crore, reflecting better operational performance.

The growth was led by Royal Enfield motorcycles, which sold 325,773 units, a 21% increase from last year. Demand for mid‑size bikes and increased production capacity supported these strong numbers. The commercial vehicle division, VE Commercial Vehicles, also contributed with higher revenue and improved profits. To meet future demand, the board approved a ₹958 crore expansion of its Cheyyar plant in Tamil Nadu.

Despite the strong performance, broker views are mixed. Choice Institutional Equities upgraded the stock to ‘Add’ with a target of ₹7,650, citing growth and a strong product line. Motilal Oswal Financial Services maintained a ‘Sell’ rating, pointing to normalising demand and limited margin gains. Nuvama Institutional Equities kept a ‘Hold’ rating, raising its target to ₹8,100 based on higher sales expectations.

Also Read: Government to sell 5% stake in BHEL at ₹254

Categories
Corporate

Government to sell 5% stake in BHEL at ₹254

The Government of India has announced an Offer for Sale (OFS) to sell up to 5 per cent of its stake in Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (BHEL). This move is part of the government’s ongoing plan to reduce holdings in public sector companies and raise funds.

Under the offer, the government will first sell 3 per cent, with an option to sell another 2 per cent if demand is strong. The floor price is set at ₹254 per share, about 8 per cent lower than BHEL’s previous closing price. If fully sold, the divestment could generate around ₹4,422 crore.

Bids for institutional investors opened first, followed by retail investors. The government currently holds a 63 per cent majority stake in BHEL. This OFS is aimed at increasing public shareholding and market liquidity while helping the government meet its fiscal targets.

After the announcement, BHEL shares fell about 5–6 per cent in early trading, reflecting the market’s reaction to the discounted price and additional shares being offered.

BHEL is a key company in India’s power and infrastructure sectors, supplying electrical equipment and engineering services. Investors are closely watching the OFS as it affects both the stock price and overall market activity.

Also Read: Tata Motors, Stellantis strengthen 20-year partnership

Categories
Corporate

Tata Motors, Stellantis strengthen 20-year partnership

Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles (TMPV) and global auto major Stellantis have completed 20 years of their 50:50 joint venture and signed a fresh Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen and expand their partnership.

The joint venture, Fiat India Automobiles Private Limited (FIAPL), was established in 2006 and operates an integrated manufacturing facility at Ranjangaon near Pune. Over the past two decades, the plant has produced more than 1.37 million vehicles. It currently has an annual production capacity of around 2.22 lakh units and employs nearly 5,000 people.

The Ranjangaon facility manufactures several models for both companies. For Stellantis, it produces vehicles such as the Jeep Compass and Meridian, along with CKD versions of the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Wrangler. For Tata Motors, models including the Nexon, Altroz and Curvv are built at the plant. The facility also manufactures engines, transmissions and traction motors, with some output exported to international markets including Japan and South Africa.

To mark the milestone, the two companies signed an MoU on February 10, 2026. Under the new agreement, Tata Motors and Stellantis will explore opportunities for future collaboration across manufacturing, engineering and supply chain operations in India as well as overseas. While specific projects were not detailed, the move signals intent to build on the long-standing industrial alliance.

Stellantis Asia Pacific COO Grégoire Olivier said the partnership demonstrates what two strong organisations can achieve together and will continue to focus on innovation and future-ready manufacturing. Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles MD and CEO Shailesh Chandra described the joint venture as a relationship built on trust and shared vision, adding that both companies remain committed to strengthening the alliance further.

Also Read: Akasa Air co-founder Praveen Iyer quits

Categories
Corporate

Sensex up 50 points, Nifty holds above 25,950

The equity benchmarks traded in a narrow range on 11 February 2026, with the BSE Sensex posting modest gains and the Nifty holding firm above the 25,950 mark. The session began on a positive note, supported by firm global cues and steady trends across Asian markets, but momentum remained stock-specific as the day progressed.

Investor sentiment was aided by softer US bond yields and stable commodity prices, though caution persisted ahead of key global economic data. Gold and silver prices edged higher, reflecting a defensive undertone in global markets.

Sectorally, automobile, metal and energy counters led the advance, attracting buying interest on the back of earnings expectations and improved demand outlook. Select consumer stocks also saw steady traction. However, IT and financial stocks faced mild selling pressure, limiting the broader market’s upside.

Among the prominent gainers, Eternal Ltd rallied sharply, while Tata Steel and ONGC recorded healthy gains. Auto majors such as Bajaj Auto and Mahindra & Mahindra also traded in the green, contributing to the positive bias in the indices.

On the downside, HCL Technologies declined amid weakness in the IT pack, while Bajaj Finance witnessed profit booking. Stocks such as Dr Reddy’s Laboratories and Shriram Finance also closed lower, reflecting selective selling in pharma and NBFC counters.

Meanwhile, institutional activity remained strong, with major financial institutions including HUDCO, NaBFID and SIDBI announcing plans to raise funds through bond issuances. Changes in global index constituents also remained on investors’ radar.

Also Read: Tata Motors launches ₹9,000 cr JLR plant in Tamil Nadu

Categories
Corporate

SEBI halts NCDEX, MSE from equity derivatives launch

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has paused plans by the National Commodity and Derivatives Exchange (NCDEX) and the Metropolitan Stock Exchange (MSE) to offer equity derivatives. The move is part of the regulator’s effort to ensure that new exchanges first develop strong and liquid cash equity markets before venturing into derivatives trading.

Both NCDEX and MSE had applied to enter the equity market last year, seeking approval to list shares and launch options and futures contracts. SEBI, however, has told them to focus on building a robust cash market first. Officials indicated that the regulator wants these exchanges to demonstrate sufficient liquidity, price discovery, and trading activity in cash equities before allowing more complex derivatives products.

Both exchanges have been preparing for this expansion. NCDEX raised around ₹770 crore from domestic and foreign investors, aiming to diversify beyond agricultural commodity contracts. MSE secured roughly ₹1,200 crore from private equity and brokerage backers to strengthen its technology platform and infrastructure. Despite these efforts, SEBI wants them to prove their readiness in cash equities first.

The regulator has also emphasized technology upgrades as a prerequisite for derivatives trading, underscoring the importance of market stability and investor protection. This move comes amid increasing caution around derivatives, following recent government steps such as raising Securities Transaction Tax (STT) on futures and options to curb excessive speculation.

Sources say SEBI prefers a gap of at least six months between starting cash trading and offering derivatives. The decision reflects broader concerns in the Indian market, where derivatives trading is already nearly double the size of the underlying cash equity market, a figure much higher than international standards.

SEBI’s directive signals that while new players are welcome, they must first ensure a solid foundation in the cash segment before entering the fast-moving derivatives market. For now, established exchanges like the National Stock Exchange (NSE) and the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) remain the primary platforms for equity and derivatives trading.

Also Read: Eternal shares soar 7% on heavy trading

Categories
Corporate

Tata Motors launches ₹9,000 cr JLR plant in Tamil Nadu

Tata Motors and its luxury arm, Jaguar Land Rover (JLR), have officially opened a new manufacturing plant in Panapakkam, Ranipet district, Tamil Nadu. The ₹9,000 crore facility is the company’s largest investment in India and will produce premium cars for both domestic and international markets.

The first vehicle to roll off the assembly line is the Range Rover Evoque, marking the start of local production of luxury SUVs. The launch was flagged off by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. K. Stalin alongside Tata Group Chairman N. Chandrasekaran.

Spread over a large area, the plant is designed to be sustainable, with renewable energy use and water-positive processes, reflecting Tata’s commitment to environmentally friendly operations.

Initially, the facility will focus on assembling the Range Rover Evoque, but it is expected to gradually expand to produce other Tata and JLR models, including future electric vehicles. The company aims to reach a production capacity of 2.5–3 lakh vehicles per year over the next few years.

The plant will also create more than 5,000 direct and indirect jobs, offering opportunities for local suppliers and boosting the region’s economy.

Tata Motors said the Panapakkam plant strengthens India’s position in JLR’s global manufacturing network, complementing existing facilities in the UK, China, and Brazil.

Also Read: Belagavi tech company in Karnataka sues Anthropic over name

Categories
Corporate

Sensex gains 208 points, Nifty crosses 25,900

The market extended its rally for the third straight session on Tuesday,  with benchmarks closing higher amid broad-based buying. The BSE Sensex rose 208 points to settle near 84,274, while the Nifty 50 ended at 25,935, maintaining its position above the 25,900 mark.

Sectoral buying was strong in autos, metals, and mid-cap stocks, supporting the overall market sentiment. Among the gainers, Eternal Ltd surged over 5%, Tata Steel climbed around 3%, and Mahindra & Mahindra and Tech Mahindra added more than 1.5% each. On the losing side, HCL Technologies, Bajaj Finance, Bharti Airtel, and Adani Ports saw modest declines during the session.

Foreign institutional investors continued net buying, which helped sustain the market’s uptrend. The broader indices, including mid-cap and small-cap segments, outperformed, showing participation beyond just the frontline stocks. Positive cues from global markets and selective corporate earnings also bolstered investor confidence.

A decisive move above these levels could continue the recovery. Strategists suggested selective accumulation in fundamentally strong stocks while monitoring earnings trends for sustained gains.

Also Read: Sensex gains 300+, Nifty climbs past 25,950

Categories
Corporate

BSE shares jump 6% to yearly high after strong Q3

Shares of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) climbed sharply on Tuesday, rising over 6% to hit a 52-week high, after the company posted strong results for the third quarter of 2025‑26. Investors reacted positively to BSE’s higher-than-expected earnings and optimistic outlook from brokers.

BSE reported a net profit of ₹602 crore, up around 174% from ₹220 crore in the same period last year. Revenue also grew about 62%, reaching ₹1,244 crore, helped by increased trading activity and more participation in different markets.

The growth came mainly from derivatives trading, mutual fund transactions, and new listings, which boosted transaction charges and overall revenue. Analysts said the results show BSE’s strong position in India’s capital markets and its ability to generate consistent income across business segments.

On the stock market, BSE shares traded at nearly ₹3,175 each, marking their highest level in a year. This rally reflected strong investor confidence in the exchange’s performance and growth prospects.

Brokerages also reacted positively. Nuvama raised its target price and recommended buying the stock, while Jefferies increased its target price and suggested holding it, citing BSE’s growing market share and earnings momentum.

Also Read: US soybean prices drop as Brazil boosts supply

Categories
Corporate

WPP unites Ogilvy, VML, AKQA under one banner

British advertising giant WPP is consolidating its three major agencies, Ogilvy, VML, and AKQA, under a single umbrella called WPP Creative. The agencies will retain their distinct brands and client services but operate within a unified framework to simplify offerings and enhance collaboration.

This move, led by CEO Cindy Rose, aims to make WPP’s creative services more integrated and accessible to global clients. It follows earlier restructurings, including unifying WPP’s media and production arms, as the company adapts to rapid changes in advertising, including the growing role of AI technologies.

WPP Creative is expected to be officially announced later in February 2026. Executives believe this alignment will strengthen the company’s competitiveness, streamline operations, and make it easier for clients to leverage the full range of WPP’s creative capabilities.

The consolidation reflects WPP’s ongoing strategy to simplify its network, improve efficiency, and respond to evolving client demands, positioning the group for stronger performance in a fast-changing global market.

Also Read: Trump’s chip tariffs may spare big tech, pressure TSMC

Categories
Corporate

Trump’s chip tariffs may spare big tech, pressure TSMC

The US government under President Donald Trump is planning a new approach to semiconductor tariffs that could shield major American technology companies from higher costs, while putting greater pressure on global chipmakers, especially Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC).

According to media reports, the proposed plan would exempt Big Tech firms such as Amazon, Google and Microsoft from fresh tariffs on imported chips used in artificial intelligence (AI) data centres. These companies are investing billions of dollars in AI infrastructure, and higher chip prices could slow the expansion of cloud computing and AI services in the US.

The idea behind the carve-out is to protect America’s AI ambitions while still using tariffs as a tool to strengthen domestic manufacturing. Advanced chips are essential for AI systems, and most of these are currently produced outside the US, mainly by TSMC in Taiwan.

At the same time, the tariff strategy is expected to increase pressure on TSMC to speed up its shift of manufacturing to the US. TSMC has already committed around $165 billion to build and expand chip factories in Arizona. Under the proposed framework, tariff relief for US tech firms would be linked to how much chip production TSMC moves to American soil.

In simple terms, the more chips TSMC makes in the US, the more flexibility it may have to help its US customers avoid tariffs. This approach allows Washington to push for local manufacturing without directly harming its own technology giants.

However, the plan is still under discussion and has not yet been formally approved by President Trump. Details on how exemptions would work, how long they would last, and whether smaller tech companies would benefit remain unclear.

Industry experts say the policy reflects a balancing act. The US wants to reduce its dependence on overseas chip supply chains and boost national security, but it also wants to ensure that American tech leaders remain globally competitive in AI.

Also Read: AI safety expert quits Anthropic, warns world at risk