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Urban Company Shares Drop 6% as Q2 Loss Hits ₹59 Cr

Urban Company shares fell nearly 6% on Monday after the home-services marketplace reported a wider consolidated net loss of ₹59.33 crore for the second quarter ended September 2025 (Q2 FY26), compared to ₹1.82 crore a year earlier. The loss came despite robust revenue growth, as elevated spending on new verticals, partner onboarding, and marketing weighed on margins.

Revenue from operations rose 37% year-on-year to ₹380 crore, reflecting continued momentum across beauty, home repair, and cleaning segments. However, total expenses surged to ₹462 crore from ₹384 crore in the same quarter last year, leading to an adjusted EBITDA loss of ₹35 crore.

A major drag on profitability was the company’s newly launched Insta Help vertical, which reported an EBITDA loss of ₹44 crore in the quarter. Excluding Insta Help, Urban Company’s core business delivered an adjusted EBITDA profit of ₹10 crore, or 0.9% of net transaction value (NTV).

Within India’s consumer services segment, excluding Insta Help, NTV grew 19% to ₹762 crore, while revenue increased 24% to ₹262 crore. The segment reported an adjusted EBITDA of ₹18 crore, equivalent to 2.4% of NTV, compared with 3.1% a year ago.

The company’s Native product category, featuring appliances such as water purifiers and smart locks, continued to expand rapidly. NTV jumped 164% year-on-year to ₹97 crore, while revenue climbed 179% to ₹75 crore. Despite this, the segment posted a smaller loss of ₹9 crore, indicating improved efficiency.

Urban Company’s international business, operating in the UAE and Singapore, also showed encouraging progress, with NTV rising 73% and revenue up 66% year-on-year, achieving near breakeven levels.

The company, which debuted on the stock exchanges earlier this year, reiterated its focus on long-term value creation through technology, service quality, and category diversification. Management said near-term losses reflect ongoing investments in scaling operations and enhancing partner experience.

Also Read: Ambuja Cements Q2 Profit Rises 364% to ₹2,302 Crore

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Ambuja Cements Q2 Profit Rises 364% to ₹2,302 Crore

Ambuja Cements Ltd, part of the Adani Group, posted a sharp 364% year-on-year jump in consolidated net profit to ₹2,302 crore for the quarter ended September 2025 (Q2 FY26), driven by higher sales volumes, improved realisations and lower costs.

Ambuja Cements reported a 21% rise in revenue to ₹9,174 crore, its best-ever second-quarter performance. Cement sales grew 20% to 16.6 million tonnes, far outpacing the industry. Operating profit rose 58% to ₹1,761 crore, and profit per tonne increased 32% to ₹1,060. The operating margin widened to 19.2% from 14.7% last year.

Ambuja Cements said it remains debt-free, with a net worth of ₹69,493 crore and top-tier credit ratings of Crisil AAA (Stable) and A1+. The company has raised its FY28 capacity target to 155 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) from 140 MTPA, with the additional 15 MTPA to come from low-cost debottlenecking projects at about USD 48 per tonne.

A 2 MTPA grinding unit has been commissioned at Krishnapatnam and trial runs have begun for a new 4 MTPA kiln line at Bhatapara in Chhattisgarh. Another 7 MTPA capacity across four locations is scheduled to come on stream in the third quarter. The company also added 200 MW of solar capacity during the quarter, taking its total renewable portfolio to 673 MW, which is expected to reach 900 MW by the end of FY26.

The company reported a 5% decline in overall costs, driven by lower kiln fuel, power and logistics expenses. It aims to bring total production costs down to ₹4,000 per tonne by the end of FY26 and further to ₹3,650 per tonne by FY28. Ambuja also launched its Cement Intelligent Network Operations Centre (CiNOC), an AI-based platform designed to improve operational efficiency across production, sales and logistics.

Despite disruptions caused by extended monsoons, the company expects cement demand to strengthen following the GST rate cut from 28% to 18%, supported by a favourable economic outlook. “Our capacity expansion is well-timed to capitalise on this positive momentum,” said Vinod Bahety, Whole-Time Director and CEO of Ambuja Cements.

Ambuja said it continues to advance its sustainability agenda, maintaining 12x water positivity, 100% waste recycling, and planting 7.1 million trees under the Adani Group’s commitment to grow 100 million trees by 2030.

Also Read: Adani Solar Ships 15,000 MW Modules Globally

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Adani Solar Ships 15,000 MW Modules Globally

Adani Solar, the solar manufacturing arm of the Adani Group, has achieved a significant milestone by shipping over 15,000 megawatts (MW) of solar modules globally. This marks a strong push toward India’s renewable energy ambitions and its Atmanirbhar Bharat vision.

Of the total capacity shipped, 10,000 MW were delivered to domestic projects, while 5,000 MW were exported to international markets. This translates to nearly 28 million solar modules, enough to power about five million homes and prevent an estimated 60 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions annually. Around 70 percent of these modules were manufactured using India-made solar cells, reinforcing Adani’s commitment to local production and sustainability.

With this feat, Adani Solar has become the first Indian company to cross the 15 GW shipment milestone and stands among the world’s top ten solar module manufacturers, as recognized by research firm Wood Mackenzie. The company plans to expand its current 4 GW annual manufacturing capacity to 10 GW in the next fiscal year, with an ambition to ship an additional 15 GW thereafter.

The company’s expansion aligns with India’s larger goal of becoming a global hub for solar manufacturing. The country’s total solar module capacity is projected to exceed 125 GW by 2025, well above the estimated domestic demand of 40 GW, opening vast export potential.

Adani Solar’s achievement underscores India’s growing self-reliance in renewable energy technology, reducing dependence on imports and strengthening the country’s position in the global clean energy supply chain. It also contributes to the creation of over 2,500 green jobs and supports the government’s mission to achieve 500 GW of non-fossil fuel-based power capacity by 2030.

Also Read: India Plans ₹7,000 Cr Boost for Rare-Earth Magnets

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India Plans ₹7,000 Cr Boost for Rare-Earth Magnets

India is set to triple incentives for rare-earth magnet manufacturing to nearly ₹7,000 crore ($788 million), aiming to reduce reliance on China and secure critical material supply for electric vehicles, wind energy, and defence.

The expanded PLI scheme, awaiting Cabinet approval, will support around five manufacturers through investment and production incentives. Rare-earth magnets, vital for EV motors and renewable technologies, are currently dominated by China, which controls about 90% of global refining.

To ensure a steady input supply, foreign miners such as Lynas Rare Earths (Australia), Rainbow Rare Earths (UK), and Iluka Resources have assured the government of rare-earth oxide availability under the plan.

This initiative aligns with India’s broader strategy to build supply-chain resilience and boost domestic capacity in clean-tech manufacturing.

Also Read: Sensex falls 100 pts, Nifty below 25,750

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ED Seizes ₹3,000 Crore Reliance Group Assets

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has attached assets worth over ₹3,000 crore belonging to the Anil Ambani-led Reliance Group, escalating its investigation into alleged money-laundering and diversion of bank funds.

The action covers more than 40 properties across Mumbai, Delhi, Noida, Pune, Hyderabad, Chennai, and Thane. The list includes commercial assets, land parcels, and Ambani’s Pali Hill residence in Mumbai.

According to the agency, the attachment follows a probe into Reliance Home Finance Ltd (RHFL) and Reliance Commercial Finance Ltd (RCFL). Both firms reportedly received loans of over ₹5,000 crore from Yes Bank between 2017 and 2019, a large portion of which was allegedly routed through shell or connected entities in the form of “round-tripping.”

Investigators say several loans were sanctioned and disbursed on the same day, often without proper documentation or collateral. Many recipient firms were financially weak or inactive, indicating possible misrepresentation and internal control lapses.

The ED has also extended its investigation to Reliance Communications Ltd (RCOM) and related companies, citing suspected fund diversion of about ₹13,000 crore. Some of these funds were allegedly moved through fixed deposits and mutual funds before returning to group-linked entities.

Officials said proceeds from the attached assets will help recover public money lost through these transactions. More attachment orders are expected as the money trail is traced.

Also Read: Gold at ₹1.21 Lakh, Silver at ₹1.49 Lakh as Dollar Weakens

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Gold at ₹1.21 Lakh, Silver at ₹1.49 Lakh as Dollar Weakens

Gold prices edged higher on Monday as a weaker U.S. dollar and steady physical demand supported sentiment in the bullion market. On the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX), December gold futures rose 0.39% to ₹1,21,708 per 10 grams, while silver futures gained 0.69% to ₹1,49,307 per kilogram.

Analysts said a softer dollar made gold more attractive to buyers holding other currencies, while stable domestic spot demand provided additional support. However, recent comments from U.S. Federal Reserve officials hinting at a cautious stance on rate cuts have capped major gains, prompting some profit booking in global markets.

Market experts see key support for gold at ₹1,20,600 and ₹1,19,800, with resistance levels at ₹1,22,000 and ₹1,22,700. For silver, support lies at ₹1,47,000 and ₹1,45,500, while resistance is expected near ₹1,50,000 and ₹1,51,500.

Traders said gold may remain range-bound in the short term as investors await further economic cues from the US and upcoming inflation data. Despite near-term volatility, the underlying sentiment remains positive due to geopolitical risks and sustained central bank buying, keeping gold an attractive hedge for institutional and retail investors alike.

Also Read: Sensex falls 100 pts, Nifty below 25,750

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Sensex falls 100 pts, Nifty below 25,750

Indian stocks traded with high volatility on Monday, opening slightly lower as investors took profits after a strong rally in October. Weakness in private banks and FMCG shares pulled the markets down, though positive quarterly results and encouraging auto sales data helped limit the fall.

The mood in global markets also stayed cautious. A stronger U.S. dollar and the Federal Reserve’s cautious outlook on interest rate cuts made investors less willing to take risks.

On Friday, Indian markets had already ended lower for the second day in a row as traders booked profits following mixed corporate earnings. Financial stocks, especially HDFC Bank and ICICI Bank, faced pressure after the market regulator tightened some eligibility rules.

At close on Friday, the Sensex had fallen 465.75 points (0.55%) to 83,938.71, while the Nifty 50 lost 155.75 points (0.60%) to end at 25,722.10.

Analysts said the market could stay choppy in the short term as investors look for direction from global cues, crude oil prices, and upcoming earnings reports.

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Titagarh Rail Systems Secures ₹2,481 Crore Mumbai Metro Contract

Titagarh Rail Systems Ltd (TRSL) announced on Friday that it has secured a contract worth about ₹2,481 crore from the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) for work on the Mumbai Metro Line 5 project.

The contract covers the design, manufacture, supply and commissioning of 132 metro coaches, along with comprehensive signalling, telecommunication systems, platform screen doors, depot machinery, and five years of maintenance support.

The scope of TRSL’s assignment spans both Phase 1 (Kapur Bawdi to Kasheli to Dhamankar Naka) and Phase 2 (Dhamankar Naka to Bhiwandi to Kalyan APMC) of the Line 5 corridor, according to company statements.

The order also includes signalling for roughly 24.9 kilometres of track and telecommunication systems across 16 stations.

TRSL Vice Chairman and Managing Director Umesh Chowdhary said the contract underscores the company’s growing strength in delivering end-to-end metro rail solutions, adding that manufacturing will be done at their advanced Passenger Rail Systems facility in Uttarpara near Kolkata.

This award represents TRSL’s second major order for the Mumbai Metro network, following an earlier mandate for Line 6, signalling the firm’s rising profile in India’s metro manufacturing and systems market.

Analysts say the contract strengthens India’s domestic rail-coach and metro-systems ecosystem, aligning with the “Make in India” policy and reducing reliance on imports for high-technology transit systems.

TRSL’s manufacturing facility will deliver the rakes with stainless-steel car bodies and modern interiors, according to disclosures.

From a strategic standpoint, the deal provides TRSL with large-scale, long-term visibility in the urban transit segment, where orders are increasingly comprehensive, covering rolling stock, signalling and system integration.

Given the five-year maintenance component, the contract also locks in service revenue beyond delivery.

However, execution will carry challenges.

Delivering 132 coaches in line with strict technical and safety standards, integrating signalling and control systems across the corridor, and managing project timelines under the metro development schedule are all complex undertakings.

Market watchers note that delays or cost overruns remain risks in large infrastructure-equipment contracts.

For TRSL, the contract may bolster its order book substantially and enhance investor confidence.

But the company must deliver on quality, timely production, and maintenance performance to convert the opportunity into long-term business advantage.

Also Read: Nvidia CEO Completes $1 Billion Share Sale

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Nvidia CEO Completes $1 Billion Share Sale

Nvidia Corporation Chief Executive Officer Jensen Huang has completed a pre-arranged stock sale that has taken his total proceeds above $1 billion, according to regulatory disclosures and media reports.

The final transaction of 25,000 shares, reported this week, marks the conclusion of a plan adopted in March to sell as many as 6 million shares during the year.

Huang began executing the share sale in late June, when the value of the stake involved was around $865 million.

Since then, Nvidia’s stock price has climbed more than 40 percent, driven by soaring demand for artificial intelligence processors and the company’s expanding dominance in the semiconductor industry.

The timing coincides with Nvidia reaching a historic milestone: becoming the first company to hit a $5 trillion market capitalization in late October.

The share sale was conducted under a predetermined trading plan—commonly known as a Rule 10b5-1 plan—which allows executives to sell shares at preset intervals and prices, reducing the risk of insider trading accusations.

While the scale of the sale is sizable, analysts note that Huang continues to hold a substantial stake in the company, keeping his long-term interests aligned with Nvidia’s growth trajectory.

Investor reaction to the disclosure has been measured. The planned nature of the sale and the continued strength of Nvidia’s business have helped ease concerns that the transaction signals any loss of confidence in the company’s future.

However, the magnitude of the sale has drawn attention to the broader pattern of insider profit-taking among executives of companies driving the AI boom.

The timing of the transaction also reflects the extraordinary momentum behind Nvidia’s stock.

The company’s graphics processing units (GPUs) have become the backbone of the AI revolution, powering everything from cloud computing to advanced research applications.

Nvidia’s dominant position in the chip market has propelled its valuation to record heights, making it one of the world’s most valuable companies.

Some analysts suggest that Huang’s sale represents prudent personal financial management, given the company’s meteoric rise.

Others view it as part of a trend among technology executives seeking to diversify their holdings amid volatile market conditions.

Despite these differing perspectives, most agree that Huang’s continued ownership stake underscores his confidence in Nvidia’s long-term prospects.

For the company, the share sale coincides with a period of aggressive expansion and innovation.

Nvidia is deepening its investments in AI software ecosystems, cloud infrastructure, and next-generation chips while facing intensifying competition from rivals such as AMD and Intel.

The completion of Huang’s planned sale brings to a close one of the largest insider transactions in the company’s history.

It also highlights the balancing act facing tech leaders navigating historic market valuations—maintaining investor confidence while managing personal holdings responsibly.

As Nvidia continues to redefine the semiconductor landscape, Huang remains firmly at the center of one of the most transformative growth stories in the global technology sector.

Also Read: Google, Reliance Announce Free AI Pro Access

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Narayana Health Acquires UK Hospital Chain

Bengaluru-based Narayana Health has made a landmark move into the international healthcare arena by acquiring the UK-based Practice Plus Group Hospitals (PPG) in a deal valued at approximately ₹2,200 crore (GBP 188.78 million).

The acquisition gives Narayana full control of Practice Plus Group, the fifth-largest private hospital network in the UK, which operates 12 hospitals and surgical centres, boasting around 330 in-patient and outpatient beds.

According to disclosure filings, PPG generates the bulk of its revenues—approximately 93 percent—from contracts with the UK’s publicly funded National Health Service (NHS), with a focus on orthopaedics, ophthalmology, and general surgery.

In announcing the deal, Narayana’s founder-chairman Dr. Devi Prasad Shetty said the acquisition aligns with the company’s mission to deliver accessible, high-quality healthcare at scale

“The acquisition of Practice Plus Group hospitals and surgical centres is an incredibly exciting step for Narayana Health,” he said, noting that both organisations share a vision of serving patients who are “in between” those who can afford high-end private care and those who only have access to basic services.

PPG Chief Executive Jim Easton welcomed the move, saying the UK operations would benefit from Narayana’s operational expertise and human-centric approach to care.

Analysts say the acquisition is significant on multiple fronts. It marks Narayana Health’s first major foray into the mature UK healthcare market, giving the Indian group exposure to the advanced private care sector and a steady revenue stream linked to NHS contracts.

The deal also strengthens Narayana’s standing among India’s healthcare providers, elevating its global footprint and positioning it for further international expansion.

From a strategic perspective, the acquisition provides Narayana with several tangible benefits.

The UK assets bring modern surgical centres specialising in high-volume, high-margin treatments; access to skilled clinical personnel and infrastructure; and a foothold in a regulated, high-income market that can complement its core operations in India and the Caribbean.

The acquisition also allows Narayana to leverage its digital and efficiency-driven care model in a new geography, building on its earlier international presence through its facility in the Cayman Islands.

However, execution will carry its share of challenges. Integrating cross-border operations, aligning clinical quality and cost structures, and navigating UK regulatory and healthcare market dynamics will demand strong governance and local management capability.

Market watchers suggest that ensuring seamless assimilation of UK practices into Narayana’s large and diverse ecosystem will be critical to realising the anticipated synergies.

For investors and stakeholders, the acquisition signals Narayana’s intent to transform from a domestic budget-care pioneer into a global multi-specialty healthcare player.

It underscores the growing maturity of India’s healthcare sector and its leading firms’ readiness to look outward for expansion.

As the deal moves toward closure, attention will turn to how Narayana positions its UK business within its broader strategy, how quickly operational and financial benefits accrue, and whether this marks the beginning of further international investment.

Also Read: Hindustan Unilever Faces Tax Demand of ₹1,986 Crore