Category: Corporate

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Corporate

Sensex falls over 100 points, Nifty slips below 25,450

The equity benchmarks opened lower on Monday as the BSE Sensex slided over 100 points in early trade, while the NSE Nifty50 dipped below the 25,450 mark.

The weak start came despite mixed global cues. Asian markets traded cautiously, and Gift Nifty signalled a muted opening, keeping traders on edge at the start of the week.

Gainers provide limited support, where select banking and auto stocks managed to trade in the green, helping limit deeper losses. On the gaining side, Power Grid and HDFC Bank featured among the top performers, providing some support to the broader market. However, buying interest remained selective, indicating cautious market participation.

Heavyweights in the IT sector were among the top losers in early trade. Infosys and ICICI Bank were among the top losers in morning trade, dragging the indices lower. Energy and select consumer stocks reeled under the selling pressure as investors continued to book profits after last week’s sharp correction.

Last Friday, the Nifty had dropped more than 300 points, driven by weakness in IT, energy, and consumer sectors. Monday’s soft opening suggests that investors are still assessing global trends and domestic triggers before taking fresh positions.

Unless strong buying emerges, markets may continue to trade in a narrow range with high volatility.

Also Read: Apple’s 6th India store to open in Borivali on Feb 26

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Corporate

Cognizant warns AI could hit legacy services

Cognizant Technology Solutions has highlighted potential risks from artificial intelligence (AI) and automation in its latest annual report. The company warned that some traditional IT services could face lower demand or pricing pressures as clients increasingly adopt AI-driven solutions.

In its 2025 annual 10‑K filing, Cognizant noted that while AI offers opportunities, the notion that new AI tools can instantly replace large parts of enterprise IT work is “misplaced.” The firm emphasized that the transition to AI-enabled services will be complex and gradual.

The disclosure aligns Cognizant with other IT giants who are openly acknowledging AI’s potential to reshape traditional outsourcing and labor-intensive services. Analysts say this could pressure firms to rethink offerings, reskill employees, and adapt cost structures to stay competitive.

CEO Ravi Kumar S recently reiterated that while AI adoption is accelerating, its economic impact on existing enterprise IT workloads is not yet large enough to immediately replace legacy services.

Besides AI, Cognizant’s annual report also pointed to regulatory and reputational risks related to offshore outsourcing. Changes in laws or client perceptions could affect delivery models and workforce strategies, adding another layer of uncertainty to operations.

Despite these risks, Cognizant continues to invest in AI, cloud, and digital transformation services, aiming to help clients modernize and scale. The company is balancing growth opportunities with caution, ensuring emerging technologies do not cannibalize core business segments.

Also Read: Uday Kotak takes charge as Chairman of GIFT City

 

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Corporate

Tamil Nadu, KLA sign ₹3,600 cr R&D MoU in Chennai

The Tamil Nadu government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with US-based semiconductor equipment company KLA Corporation to set up a large research and development (R&D) and innovation campus in Chennai.

Under the agreement, KLA will invest up to $400 million (around ₹3,600 crore) over the next decade. The proposed campus will come up on about 12 acres and is planned to expand in phases, with the built-up area expected to eventually reach nearly 1.5 million square feet.

The MoU was signed in the presence of Chief Minister M. K. Stalin and Industries Minister T. R. B. Rajaa, along with senior government officials and representatives from KLA.

The upcoming facility is expected to generate up to 4,000 high-skilled jobs over the next 10 years. These roles will largely focus on advanced semiconductor research, software development, artificial intelligence (AI), high-performance computing, and engineering solutions that support chip manufacturing and process control.

Officials said the investment strengthens Tamil Nadu’s position in the global semiconductor value chain and reflects growing international confidence in the state’s industrial policies, infrastructure, and skilled talent pool. The government has been actively working to attract high-technology investments as part of its broader strategy to develop a strong electronics and semiconductor ecosystem.

KLA already has operations in Chennai, and the new campus will significantly expand its footprint in India. Company representatives said the proposed R&D and innovation centre will serve as a major hub for global engineering and AI-led semiconductor solutions, helping India play a larger role in advanced chip technologies.

The project is seen as a major step in boosting research-driven growth, high-value employment, and long-term technology development in the state.

Also Read: Reliance gets US permit to import Venezuelan oil

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Corporate

IndiGo to hire over 1,000 pilots

India’s largest airline, IndiGo, has announced plans to hire more than 1,000 pilots after facing a major crew shortage in December last year.

In December 2025, the airline had to cancel thousands of flights within a week after new pilot duty and rest rules came into force. The stricter regulations reduced the number of hours pilots could fly, leading to an unexpected shortage of available crew. Many passengers were affected as flights were delayed or cancelled.

Following the disruption, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) reviewed the situation. The regulator found that IndiGo had not fully prepared for the impact of the new rules. The airline’s tight scheduling and limited standby crew left little room to manage sudden changes.

To prevent such issues in the future, IndiGo has decided to significantly increase its pilot strength. The hiring drive will include trainee first officers, experienced first officers, and captains. The airline is also accepting applications from pilots who may not yet have experience flying its Airbus A320 aircraft, expanding the pool of eligible candidates.

In addition to hiring, IndiGo has made changes to its operations. It has increased the number of standby pilots and added extra buffer time to its flight schedules. These steps are meant to ensure smoother operations even if unexpected challenges arise.

Pilot training takes time. New trainee pilots may need several months before they are ready to operate regular flights. At the same time, IndiGo continues to add new aircraft to its fleet, increasing the demand for trained cockpit crew.

Also Read: Indian Hotels reports ₹954 cr Q3 profit, ₹2,842 cr revenue

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Corporate

Indian Hotels reports ₹954 cr Q3 profit, ₹2,842 cr revenue

Shares of Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL) fell slightly on Friday, despite the company reporting robust financial performance for the third quarter (Q3FY26). The stock touched an intraday low of ₹683 on the National Stock Exchange, while the benchmark NSE Nifty50 index was down 0.91%. IHCL shares were trading around ₹703.55, with the company’s market capitalization exceeding ₹1 lakh crore.

IHCL posted a net profit of ₹954.2 crore in Q3FY26, up 50% from ₹635.2 crore in the same period last year. Revenue from operations grew 12.2% year-on-year, reaching ₹2,842 crore, supported by steady demand across hotel operations, airline and institutional catering, and emerging business segments. EBITDA rose 11.9% to ₹1,076 crore, with margins holding steady at 37.9%.

The hotel segment recorded its best quarterly EBITDA at ₹1,050 crore, while ongoing expansion initiatives, including acquisitions and partnerships, contributed to overall growth. IHCL continues to strengthen its presence in the hospitality sector, adding new properties and enhancing service offerings.

Analysts remain positive on the company’s outlook. Axis Securities noted that strong demand, ongoing expansion, and new business lines are expected to drive growth in the coming quarters. IHCL plans disciplined capital expenditure of around ₹1,000 crore, largely funded by internal accruals. The company aims to expand its portfolio to over 700 hotels by 2030, with emphasis on wellness, mid-market, and luxury segments.

Also Read: DGCA fines Air India ₹1 crore over safety

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Corporate

Sensex falls 1,048 points, Nifty dips below 25,500

The markets ended sharply lower on Friday, with benchmark indices seeing broad-based selling. The BSE Sensex tumbled 1,048 points to 82,627, while the Nifty 50 dropped below 25,500 to close at 25,471.

Major losers included Hindustan Unilever, Eternal, Tata Steel, Titan, Adani Ports, Reliance, Infosys, TCS, HCL Tech, and Wipro, which fell up to 4–5%. On the other hand, select pharma and FMCG stocks saw gains, partially cushioning the market decline.

Investors cited weak global cues, pressure on IT and metal stocks, and cautious sentiment in overseas markets as reasons for the fall. The drop erased substantial market capitalization, reflecting investor risk aversion amid volatile conditions.

The Indian rupee ended slightly lower against the dollar, while commodities had mixed movements during the session. Market participants continue to watch global trends and sector-specific earnings for guidance in the coming weeks.

Also Read: India’s January retail inflation at 2.75%

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Corporate

Muthoot Q3 profit jumps 95%, stock slides 10%

Muthoot Finance reported a strong set of numbers for the third quarter of FY26, with net profit rising about 95% year-on-year to nearly ₹2,650 crore. The jump in earnings was driven by sharp growth in its gold loan business and higher interest income.

The company’s gold loan assets under management (AUM) rose significantly compared to last year, supported by high gold prices and steady demand for secured loans. Total income also grew strongly, reflecting expansion in its core lending operations. Management has indicated healthy growth momentum and expects gold loan expansion to remain strong for the rest of the financial year.

However, despite the robust earnings, the stock saw selling pressure and fell around 10% after the results. Investors appeared cautious about certain underlying trends. Analysts pointed out that while the value of gold loans increased due to higher gold prices, the actual volume of gold pledged (in tonnage terms) showed some moderation sequentially. There were also concerns about whether such high profit growth can be sustained in coming quarters.

Brokerages remain largely positive on the company’s long-term prospects. They cite its strong franchise in the gold loan segment, improving margins, and disciplined cost management as key strengths.

Also Read: Hindalco Q3 profit slumps 45% on one-time hit

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Corporate

Hindalco Q3 profit slumps 45% on one-time hit

Hindalco Industries reported a sharp decline in its third-quarter profit, even as its revenue showed healthy growth. The company’s consolidated net profit fell 45% year-on-year to ₹2,049 crore for the December quarter, mainly due to a large one-time expense.

The drop in earnings was caused by an exceptional charge of ₹2,610 crore linked to disruptions at its Oswego aluminium facility in the United States. The plant is operated by Hindalco’s subsidiary Novelis, which faced fire-related disruptions during the quarter. This significantly affected overall profitability.

Despite the fall in net profit, the company’s operational performance remained steady. Revenue from operations rose 14% year-on-year to ₹66,521 crore, supported by improved realisations and stable demand across its aluminium and copper businesses.

When adjusted for the one-time impact, Hindalco’s underlying profit before exceptional items actually increased compared to the same period last year, indicating resilience in its core business operations.

The India business continued to perform well, benefiting from better metal prices and cost efficiencies. The copper segment also contributed positively during the quarter.

The results reflect a mixed quarter for the metals major, strong revenue growth and stable core operations on one hand, but a significant one-off setback affecting reported profit on the other.

Also Read: AI jitters trigger global stock market selloff

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Corporate

Rolls-Royce bets bigger on India after PM Modi meet

A day after meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, British engineering powerhouse Rolls‑Royce announced an ambitious plan to deepen its presence across India’s air, land and sea defence sectors.

The company’s CEO Tufan Erginbilgic outlined a roadmap that goes beyond business expansion, it signals a long-term bet on India’s talent and industrial strength. Rolls-Royce plans to more than double its India workforce from around 4,000 to nearly 10,000 employees in the coming years. It also aims to sharply increase sourcing from Indian suppliers, creating fresh opportunities for MSMEs and local manufacturing partners.

At the heart of the expansion is defence collaboration. Rolls-Royce has proposed co-developing a next-generation combat jet engine in India with full transfer of technology, including intellectual property rights and this aligns with India’s push for self-reliance in critical defence technologies. The proposal could play a key role in powering India’s future fighter aircraft programmes.

The company is no stranger to India’s defence ecosystem. More than 1,400 Rolls-Royce engines already power key Indian military platforms, from Jaguar fighter jets and Hawk trainer aircraft to naval vessels and even the Arjun battle tank. The new expansion aims to build on this decades-long partnership.

Beyond defence, Rolls-Royce is looking at strengthening its footprint in civil aerospace, power systems and digital engineering. Its Global Capability and Innovation Centre in Bengaluru is expected to become a hub for advanced engineering and research.

Also Read: Global tech leaders gather for India AI Summit

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Corporate

Sensex drops 750+ points, Nifty slips below 25,600

Markets opened sharply lower on Friday, February 13, 2026, with the BSE Sensex dropping over 750 points and the NSE Nifty50 slipping below 25,600. Weak global cues and a heavy sell-off in IT stocks led the steep decline, creating broad-based bearish sentiment across Dalal Street.

The IT sector bore the brunt of the selling. Large-cap technology names, including Infosys, Tata Consultancy Services, and Wipro, were among the top losers, as investors grew concerned about slowing global demand and pressure on margins. This dragged the broader market lower, with all major indices trading in the red.

In contrast, banking and financial stocks showed relative resilience. Shares of State Bank of India, HDFC Bank, and ICICI Bank gained, providing some cushion to the market. Defensive stocks in sectors such as FMCG also saw minor gains, reflecting investors’ cautious rotation into safer bets amid volatility.

Analysts attributed the fall to multiple factors. Global markets were weaker, particularly in the tech space, following disappointing U.S. data and softer cues from Asian markets. Investors also remain watchful of domestic indicators and sector-specific headwinds, including regulatory developments and corporate earnings reports.

The sharp market slide wiped out significant wealth from investor portfolios, with estimates suggesting multi-lakh-crore losses across the indices. Traders advised caution, noting that the market could remain volatile in the coming sessions as it absorbs both domestic and global developments.

Also Read: Adani Power launches unit to enter nuclear energy