Category: Corporate

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Corporate

Airtel Q3 profit falls 55% to ₹6,631 cr

Bharti Airtel reported a mixed set of results for the third quarter, with strong growth in revenue and operating performance, even as net profit dropped sharply compared with last year.

For the quarter ended December, the telecom major’s consolidated net profit fell 55% year-on-year to ₹6,631 crore, down from a high base in the same period last year. The decline was mainly due to one-time gains recorded in Q3 last year, including benefits from the Indus Towers consolidation, and a one-off provision related to labour law compliance during the current quarter.

Despite the fall in profit, Airtel’s core business showed solid momentum. Consolidated revenue rose nearly 20% year-on-year to ₹53,982 crore, driven by steady growth in India operations and continued expansion in Africa. Higher data usage, premium plans, and postpaid customer additions supported the topline.

A key highlight of the quarter was the improvement in Average Revenue Per User (ARPU), which increased to ₹259, up from ₹245 a year ago. The rise in ARPU reflects better customer monetisation, tariff discipline, and higher adoption of data-heavy plans. Airtel continues to maintain one of the highest ARPUs in the Indian telecom sector.

Operating profitability also strengthened. EBITDA grew over 25% year-on-year to around ₹31,144 crore, with margins improving to nearly 58%, indicating better cost control and operating leverage. Sequentially, both revenue and EBITDA showed growth, underlining stable quarter-on-quarter performance.

During the quarter, Airtel continued to invest in its network, expanding 4G and 5G coverage, adding new towers, and strengthening its fibre footprint. The company also added more smartphone and postpaid users, supporting long-term revenue visibility.

Management said the underlying business remains strong, with improving cash flows and a healthier balance sheet, even though headline profit numbers were impacted by exceptional items and accounting factors.

Also Read: RBI says most ₹2,000 notes returned, still legal tender

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Corporate

Sensex slips 300+ points, Nifty dips below 25,550

Indian markets opened on a weak note on Friday, with the BSE Sensex falling over 350 points and the Nifty50 slipping below 25,550. Investors stayed cautious after the RBI kept interest rates unchanged at 5.25%, while global tech sell-offs and profit-taking added to the downward pressure.

IT stocks led the losses, with TCS and Infosys falling nearly 2%, and all ten Nifty IT constituents trading in the red. Metals and energy stocks, including Tata Steel and NTPC, also saw declines, further weighing on the market.

On the upside, Pharma and FMCG stocks gained as investors sought safer bets amid volatility. Companies like Sun Pharma, Divi’s Labs, and Hindustan Unilever posted modest gains, helping to partially cushion the broader market’s fall.

Global markets influenced domestic trading. Technology shares faced selling pressure in the US and Asia, while futures tied to the S&P 500 were lower, reinforcing the risk-off sentiment. Precious metals like gold and silver extended losses due to a stronger US dollar and weaker global demand.

Market participants are now focusing on upcoming corporate earnings and economic data for fresh cues. While the RBI’s policy was neutral, continued weakness in IT and metals, alongside gains in Pharma and FMCG, is likely to keep trading cautious in the near term.

Also Read: IndiGo faces CCI probe after ₹22 cr flight disruptions

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Corporate

Tata Motors PV Q3 loss ₹3,486 crore

Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles Ltd (TMPVL) reported a consolidated loss of ₹3,486 crore for the third quarter of FY26, a sharp reversal from a profit of ₹5,406 crore in the same period last year. Revenue from operations fell 26% to ₹70,108 crore, reflecting pressure across its business segments.

The decline was mainly driven by Jaguar Land Rover (JLR), Tata Motors’ UK-based luxury car subsidiary. JLR faced a cybersecurity breach that disrupted production and distribution for several weeks, resulting in lost sales and a significant one-time charge. Weak global demand, higher US tariffs, and challenging conditions in China further impacted performance.

For JLR, revenue and profits tumbled, with its EBIT (earnings before interest and tax) turning negative, wiping out last year’s gains. Tata Motors expects JLR to recover gradually, but now anticipates a modest EBIT margin of 0–2% for the full year and continued free cash outflows. The British government has extended a £1.5 billion loan guarantee to support JLR’s operations and investment plans.

Despite international challenges, Tata Motors’ domestic passenger vehicle business performed well. Sales and exports in India rose 22% year-on-year, aided by lower GST rates, stronger market demand, and strategic incentives. This helped offset some losses from JLR and improved sequential performance quarter-on-quarter.

The company’s management said it expects production at JLR to normalise in the coming months, which should boost revenues and cash flows. Tata Motors is also focusing on new product launches, operational efficiency, and brand initiatives to strengthen both domestic and global segments.

Also Read: Anthropic’s AI Agents raise market concerns for Indian IT

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Corporate

Sensex drops 504 points, Nifty falls below 25,700

Markets fell sharply on Thursday, ending a three-day winning streak. The BSE Sensex dropped 504 points, while the Nifty50 slipped below 25,700 at the close. Investors booked profits after recent gains, causing widespread losses across sectors.

Most sectors ended in the red, with IT, metals, and consumer stocks among the hardest hit. Heavyweights like Reliance Industries, Eternal, Airtel, and Tata Hotels declined, while GIFT City and Tata Capital were among the few gainers.

Experts said multiple factors drove the decline: profit-taking after recent gains, global market weakness, and caution ahead of the Reserve Bank of India’s policy meeting. The expiry of index futures contracts also added to volatility.

Mid-cap and small-cap stocks fell, reflecting investors’ risk aversion. Metal stocks dropped in line with weaker global commodity prices. The technology sector also declined amid global demand concerns and valuation pressures.

Market volatility stayed high, with the India VIX signaling increased uncertainty. Investors are watching the RBI’s policy announcement and other economic cues for guidance. Thursday’s session highlighted broad-based selling, with gains limited to select stocks such as GIFT City and Tata Capital.

Also Read: Sensex drops 400+, Nifty dips below 25,650

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Corporate

Trent Q3 profit rises to ₹217 cr, revenue up 15%

Trent Ltd, the Tata Group retailer behind Westside, Zudio, and other brands, reported higher profit and revenue for the third quarter of the 2025‑26 financial year, though analysts cautioned that growth at existing stores could remain under pressure.

For the quarter ending December 31, 2025, Trent’s consolidated revenue rose about 15% to ₹5,345 crore, up from ₹4,657 crore a year ago. Net profit increased nearly 3% to ₹513 crore, compared with ₹497 crore in the same period last year. On a standalone basis, profit grew 36% to ₹640 crore, while revenue rose about 16%, reflecting stronger performance in the company’s core operations.

The company continued expanding its store network, adding 17 Westside and 48 Zudio outlets during the quarter, including its first Zudio store in the UAE. By December 2025, Trent operated over 1,100 stores across 274 cities, with Westside accounting for 278 stores and Zudio for 854, covering more than 15 million square feet of retail space.

Management said gross margins remained stable across both chains, and customer spending improved following economic measures such as tax cuts. Some one-time costs related to labour code changes slightly reduced overall profit.

Investor response was mixed. Trent’s shares rose modestly after the results, but brokerages highlighted that same-store sales,  sales at existing outlets,  may face pressure, creating uncertainty about future growth. While some analysts pointed to operational efficiencies and margin gains as positives, others urged caution due to slower growth compared with earlier quarters.

Also Read: Novo Nordisk sheds $50 bn as 2026 sales weak outlook

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Corporate

Novo Nordisk sheds $50 bn as 2026 sales weak outlook

Novo Nordisk, the Danish pharmaceutical major behind popular weight-loss and diabetes drugs Wegovy and Ozempic, saw its market value drop by nearly $50 billion after it issued a weaker-than-expected outlook for 2026. The guidance raised concerns about slowing growth and led to a sharp sell-off in the company’s shares.

The company said it expects sales to fall between 5% and 13% in 2026, marking a significant slowdown after years of strong growth driven by global demand for obesity and diabetes treatments. The forecast came in well below market expectations and highlighted growing challenges in key markets, especially the United States.

Following the announcement, Novo Nordisk’s shares plunged about 16% on the Copenhagen exchange, while its US-listed stock fell more than 14%. The decline erased tens of billions of dollars in market capitalisation and marked one of the company’s steepest single-day losses in recent years.

Novo Nordisk attributed the weaker outlook mainly to pricing pressure in the US, where policy measures aimed at lowering drug costs are expected to impact revenues. The company is also facing intensifying competition, particularly from rival drugmaker Eli Lilly, which has gained momentum with its own obesity and diabetes medicines.

Another concern is the approaching patent expiries of some products in select international markets, which could open the door to cheaper alternatives and weigh on future sales. Together, these factors are expected to offset continued demand growth for GLP-1 drugs.

In its latest quarterly results, Novo Nordisk reported moderate performance. Sales of Wegovy rose by around 17% year-on-year, while Ozempic sales remained largely flat. Although the results broadly met expectations, investor focus remained firmly on the weaker forward guidance.

Company executives acknowledged that 2026 will be challenging but stressed confidence in the long-term outlook for obesity and diabetes care. Novo Nordisk said it will continue to invest in innovation, manage costs tightly and strengthen its product pipeline to protect growth over time.

Also Read: Washington Post in limelight after massive newsroom layoffs

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Corporate

Washington Post in limelight after massive newsroom layoffs

The Washington Post has come into the global spotlight after carrying out one of the largest newsroom layoffs in its history, affecting more than 300 journalists. The job cuts have drawn widespread attention as they include well-known reporters and international correspondents, raising concerns about the future of global journalism.

Among those laid off is Ishaan Tharoor, a senior international affairs columnist and son of Indian MP Shashi Tharoor. Ishaan had spent 12 years at the newspaper and was known for his widely read column WorldView, which explained complex global issues in simple terms for readers around the world.

Following the layoffs, Ishaan described the moment as heartbreaking and said he was deeply saddened for his colleagues, many of whom had worked together for years. Several other journalists also took to social media to share their shock and disappointment, calling the cuts a major blow to international reporting.

Reports suggest that the restructuring has hit the international desk the hardest, with multiple foreign bureaus being closed. The newspaper has also reduced or shut down coverage of sports and books, signalling a sharp shift in editorial priorities.

Owned by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, The Washington Post said the layoffs were part of efforts to adapt to a rapidly changing media environment. Like many legacy media organisations, the paper is facing challenges such as declining advertising revenue, digital competition and changing reader habits.

The developments have triggered a strong reaction from media professionals and readers alike, with many expressing concern that such deep cuts could weaken independent journalism and reduce in-depth global coverage. As an institution known for investigative reporting and democratic values, The Washington Post now finds itself at the centre of a wider debate about the future of quality journalism in the digital age.

Also Read: Nintendo stock slides 11% on Q3 profit miss

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Nintendo stock slides 11% on Q3 profit miss

Nintendo’s shares fell sharply by around 11% after the Japanese gaming giant reported disappointing third-quarter earnings, triggering concerns about shrinking profit margins despite strong hardware sales.

For the quarter ended December 31, 2025, Nintendo’s operating profit came in below market expectations, even as revenue rose sharply year-on-year. The company benefited from robust demand for its newly launched Switch 2 console, which has already sold more than 17 million units, making it Nintendo’s fastest-selling console to date. However, higher production costs reduced overall profitability.

Investors were particularly worried about rising component costs, especially memory chips, which are squeezing margins on hardware sales. Analysts noted that while Nintendo has priced the Switch 2 competitively to drive volumes, this strategy has limited its ability to generate higher profits from console sales.

Concerns were also raised about the software pipeline, with fewer blockbuster game launches expected in the near term. Strong game releases are critical for improving margins, as software typically delivers higher profits than hardware. Without a steady flow of major titles, analysts fear Nintendo may struggle to maintain earnings momentum.

Adding to investor disappointment, Nintendo maintained its full-year profit forecast, which remains below market estimates. The lack of an upgrade signalled management caution about the months ahead, even after a strong holiday sales season.

The sharp fall in Nintendo’s stock pushed it to its lowest level since April 2025 and weighed on broader market sentiment. Analysts said the reaction reflects growing scepticism over whether Nintendo can balance volume growth with profitability in a competitive and cost-inflationary environment.

Despite the sell-off, some market watchers remain positive on Nintendo’s long-term prospects, citing its strong brand, loyal customer base and successful console launch.

Also Read: Nintendo switch tops sales record

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Corporate

Sensex drops 400+, Nifty dips below 25,650

Markets fell sharply on Thursday, ending a three-day winning streak as investors booked profits and turned cautious. The BSE Sensex slipped more than 400 points in early trade, while the NSE Nifty 50 dropped below the key 25,650 level, reflecting broad selling pressure across sectors.

The decline was led by metal and banking stocks, which remained under pressure throughout the session. Weak global cues and uncertainty over commodity prices weighed on metal shares, while select financial stocks also saw selling. Pharma stocks traded lower as well, adding to the overall weakness in the market.

Among the major losers on the Sensex were IndiGo, Axis Bank, Tata Steel, Bharat Electronics (BEL) and Larsen & Toubro, with losses ranging between 1 and 2 per cent. These stocks pulled the benchmarks down as investor sentiment remained cautious.

On the other hand, a few stocks managed to stay in positive territory despite the broader fall. Hindustan Unilever (HUL), Trent, NTPC, Infosys and TCS were among the top gainers, rising up to 2 per cent. Gains in these stocks provided limited support to the indices but were not enough to offset losses elsewhere.

The broader market also mirrored the negative trend. Mid-cap and small-cap stocks slipped, showing that selling was widespread and not limited to large-cap stocks alone. Several stocks also reacted to quarterly earnings announcements, leading to stock-specific volatility.

Global markets offered mixed signals. Asian markets were mostly lower, while US market cues were uncertain. Volatility in commodity prices, especially a sharp fall in silver and easing gold prices, also affected investor sentiment.

Market experts said the fall was largely due to profit booking after the recent rally. They added that while the long-term outlook for Indian markets remains positive, short-term volatility may continue as investors track global developments and corporate earnings.

Also Read: Walmart strikes $1 trillion market value

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Corporate

Walmart strikes $1 trillion market value

Walmart Inc., the world’s largest retailer, has reached a $1 trillion market capitalization, becoming the first traditional retailer to join the exclusive club of U.S. companies valued at a trillion dollars. The milestone puts Walmart alongside tech giants like Apple, Microsoft, Amazon, and Alphabet.

The company’s shares have risen roughly 26% over the past year, reflecting investor confidence in its digital transformation and growth strategies. Analysts say Walmart’s success shows that a combination of technology investments and strong retail fundamentals can create significant shareholder value.

Walmart has invested heavily in artificial intelligence (AI) to improve supply-chain efficiency, inventory management, and customer experience. The retailer has also expanded its online marketplace, offering over half a billion items, and introduced services like one-hour delivery and the Walmart+ membership program, aiming to compete with Amazon Prime.

In addition, Walmart has built a digital advertising business, generating higher-margin revenue and strengthening its competitive edge. The company’s focus on value pricing and convenience has attracted a broad customer base, appealing to both traditional bargain shoppers and digitally savvy consumers.

Walmart is only the second non-tech company to reach the trillion-dollar mark after Berkshire Hathaway, highlighting its transformation from a conventional retail chain into a tech-powered omnichannel retailer.

Walmart’s leadership is also evolving, with new initiatives aimed at innovation and technology-driven growth to stay ahead of competitors such as Amazon, Target, and other discount retailers.

The milestone is seen as a signal that traditional companies can thrive in the digital era without losing their core business strengths.

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