Business

India's top cement producers are forecast to post robust volume growth during the fourth quarter of FY26. Analysts point to stronger construction activity and significant government capital spending as the primary catalysts driving demand.Despite the anticipated jump in consumption, profitability is expected to face persistent pressure. This challenge stems primarily from escalating fuel and packaging costs linked to the ongoing West Asian conflict.Domestic Demand Fuels Strong Volume Outlook The sector is backed by significant macroeconomic tailwinds. A recent report noted that capital-intensive sectors such as cement and metals stand to benefit substantially from the government's infrastructure spending initiatives.Total cement...

The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) witnessed a massive rout on Monday, plunging over 5,000 points. The sharp decline was directly attributed to the inconclusive nature of the US-Iran peace talks held in Islamabad. Investors reacted strongly to the lack of immediate diplomatic breakthrough, sending shockwaves through the market.KSE-100 Index Plunges Amid Heavy Selling Trading commenced on a highly cautious note, quickly giving way to heavy selling pressure by mid-day. The benchmark KSE-100 Index saw a precipitous fall of 5,353.67 points, representing a -2.73% drop.Within the first two hours of the trading session, the index fell sharply, closing at 162,624.06. While the market exhibited significant intra-day volatility, the index...

Adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) in the financial sector is set to reshape how institutions operate, but the Reserve Bank Deputy Governor warns that this powerful technology demands robust safeguards. Swaminathan J, speaking at SASTRA University, cautioned that utilizing AI without adequate checks could amplify existing financial weaknesses and create entirely new systemic problems.AI’s Transformative Promise in Financial Services Artificial intelligence is rapidly changing the way financial institutions manage customer interactions, assess creditworthiness, and process complex documents. The RBI representative noted that the speed of this change is remarkable, transforming core functions like risk monitoring and overall...

The National Stock Exchange (NSE) has achieved a major structural milestone, securing the Ministry of Corporate Affairs’ (MCA) nod to reserve the name "National Coal Exchange of India Limited." This development marks a critical step toward formalizing and modernizing India's coal trading ecosystem.The reservation follows NSE's board-approved commitment in February to establish a wholly-owned subsidiary for this highly anticipated initiative. The proposed names under consideration included "National Coal Exchange," "Bharat Coal Exchange," and "India Coal Exchange."MCA Green Light for National Coal Exchange The approval from the Ministry of Corporate Affairs signifies the institutional validation of the proposed venture. This name...

India's Shapoorji Pallonji Group is reportedly seeking investor approval to extend the maturity period of debt issued by its real estate and civil engineering unit, Goswami Infratech. The proposal relates to high-yield notes currently set to mature on April 30.The delay in refinancing plans has surfaced as the group navigates increased financial complexities, forcing the pushback of crucial funding timelines.Debt Maturity Concerns for Shapoorji Pallonji Group The core outstanding obligation needing attention is the high-yield notes maturing on April 30. Local rating agency Care Ratings has cited the outstanding amount for this debt at ₹83.43 billion, valued at $894.02 million.To manage this debt maturity, Goswami Infratech had...

The digital asset space saw distinct action on Monday as Gyftr, a multibagger stock, jumped over 7.24%. This surge occurred despite significantly weak market sentiments gripping Dalal Street. The stock opened at ₹ 170 apiece, hitting an intraday high of ₹ 193 on April 13, even as the broader market retreated.Meanwhile, the Nifty 50 index tumbled 2% on Monday. This broad market downward trend followed a rally over 6% the previous week. The general market dip was attributed to failed US-Iran war ceasefire talks and the announcement of a naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz by Donald Trump.Company Fundamentals Drive Gyftr's Momentum Gyftr recently underwent significant corporate and financial developments. In an official exchange...

Adani Enterprises shares saw a significant jump in Monday’s trading session, rising 2.07 percent to Rs 2,130.00, according to NSE data. The immediate boost appears linked to the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) adjourning the hearing pertaining to petitions filed by Vedanta against the company’s bid for Jaiprakash Associates.The appellate tribunal delayed the matter because of a change in the bench composition following the unavailability of a member. A new hearing date is expected to be announced shortly, keeping market focus fixed on the ongoing legal saga.NCLAT Adjournment Sparks Market Reaction The stock market reacted positively to the adjournment, propelling Adani Enterprises higher. This movement suggests...

Escalating US-China Geopolitics Over Iran Aid Tensions spiked between the United States and China on Sunday following statements from U.S. President Donald Trump. Trump warned China regarding potential new tariffs on its goods entering the United States. These tariffs would be implemented if Beijing were to provide military assistance to Iran during the ongoing West Asia conflict.The warning was issued in response to reports citing U.S. intelligence. These reports suggested that China might be preparing to send weapons to Iran. This heightened concern surfaced despite a reported fragile two-week ceasefire.Unexpected Trump Pitch to China Over Oil Supply Amid the geopolitical warnings, President Trump made an unexpected proposition to...

Shares of Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd (MTNL) surged nearly 10% on Monday, capturing significant market attention. The rally followed the news that the government has successfully unlocked over ₹10,000 crore through a major asset monetization drive at state-owned telecom firms BSNL and MTNL.The successful monetization effort marks a major step in the revival package for the public sector units. The proceeds are crucial for servicing the companies' mounting debt and clearing outstanding bank dues.Monetization Milestone Unlocks ₹10,000 Crore for Telecom PSUs The asset monetization exercise is now reported as complete, realizing substantial capital for the telecom majors. Officials confirmed that approximately ₹3,000 crore was...

Apple's head of artificial intelligence, John Giannandrea, is set to leave the company next week, marking the end of an eight-year tenure. His departure concludes his strategic oversight of Apple's machine learning and AI initiatives, according to Apple's official statement.The transition is tied specifically to the April 15 stock vesting date, concluding an advisory role he assumed after announcing his retirement in 2025. CEO Tim Cook acknowledged Giannandrea's contributions, stating the company is thankful for his role in advancing Apple's AI work.John Giannandrea's Departure Details and Timeline Giannandrea originally joined Apple in 2018, coming from Google where he had managed the company's search and AI operations. During his...

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar concluded a crucial visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on April 13th. The visit was a high-level diplomatic engagement focused entirely on cementing and strengthening the India-UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Industry observers interpret the renewed focus as a major catalyst for increased bilateral trade and investment flow.Minister Jaishankar's discussions emphasized deepening cooperation across several pivotal economic sectors. The government signaled its commitment to solidifying a robust economic foundation between the two nations.Boosting India-UAE Economic Ties The core message emanating from the UAE trip underscores a shared vision for mutual growth. The bilateral dialogue...

SpiceJet shares hit the upper circuit for the fourth consecutive session on Monday, signaling a dramatic rebound for the airline. The stock soared over 21.4 percent in just four days, remaining locked at the 5 percent upper circuit level of Rs 12.88 in afternoon trading.The intense buying momentum shows a significant shift in investor sentiment, driving the stock to levels unseen during its recent period of weakness. The consistent upper circuit hits highlight sustained and aggressive participation in the counter.Analyzing the Momentum and Trading Activity The current rally has been supported by notably strong trading volumes, confirming deep market interest. Today’s traded volume was nearly equal to the 20-day average of around...

Global shipments of augmented reality (AR) smart glasses reached a monumental high in 2025, nearly doubling year-on-year (YoY). This massive industry boom underscores the rapid maturation of wearable computing technology. According to a comprehensive report, the overall global shipment climbed by 98 per cent throughout the year.The market showed exceptional momentum in the second half of 2025 (H2), where shipments soared an impressive 148 per cent YoY. This acceleration signals strong consumer and enterprise adoption of the technology.Analyzing the Explosive Growth in Wearable AR Hardware The market breakdown reveals dramatic differences across AR segments. Waveguide-based AR glasses, in particular, were the primary catalyst for...

Shares of major players in the food delivery and quick service restaurant sector saw a notable decline in Monday's trade. The downturn was fueled by mounting geopolitical anxieties and specific corporate updates, causing key stocks like Swiggy to fall sharply.The broader industry faced downward pressure due to escalating tensions in West Asia. This instability is raising concerns over the Strait of Hormuz, directly impacting crude oil prices and fueling fears of operational hurdles for the entire F&B logistics chain.Geopolitical Risks Triggering FMCG Sector Downturn Market sentiment took a hit amid renewed geopolitical tensions in West Asia. The uncertainty surrounding the Strait of Hormuz, following inconclusive Iran-US peace...

Mumbai, April 13: Shares of Jyoti CNC Automation fell sharply on Monday, amidst news that its French subsidiary is facing an intense investigation. The stock dropped 15.5 per cent during the trading day, hitting an intra-day low of Rs 692 on the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE).The dramatic slide came after the company disclosed that its French entity, Huron Graffenstaden SAS, is currently under scrutiny by French authorities. While the stock later showed a slight recovery, trading at 13.59 per cent lower at Rs 707.9 during the noon trade.Scope of French Investigation and Charges The investigation initiated by the French authorities relates to alleged violations of European Union export control laws. Specifically, the probe concerns...

In a significant development regarding regional stability, major sticking points have emerged in the ceasefire talks, specifically concerning the conflict between Israel and Lebanon over Iran-backed Hezbollah. This heightened tension raises critical questions about the scope and duration of temporary peace agreements in West Asia.Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asserted that Israeli forces have successfully eliminated the threat of an invasion posed by Hezbollah militants during a recent visit to troops in southern Lebanon. Netanyahu confirmed that the war, according to his statement, continues within the security zone located in Lebanon.A major point of contention highlighted by Israeli officials is that the temporary...

Escalation Risks Surge Amid Tensions Over Strait Access Geopolitical tensions involving Iran and the United States reached a critical point on April 13 in New Delhi. Iran's leadership issued firm warnings, indicating a refusal to yield to external pressure. The internal political statements suggest a hardening stance regarding regional security and diplomatic engagement.Iran's Parliament Speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, explicitly stated that Tehran would not bow to any pressure. Meanwhile, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) raised the stakes significantly. The IRGC responded directly to Donald Trump's rhetoric, issuing a clear military warning.Military Warning Sets Stage for Potential Conflict The IRGC warned that any...

Concerns are mounting in the pharmaceutical sector as industry leaders warn of imminent price escalations. Mankind Pharma Ltd., a leading drugmaker, cautioned that medicine prices in India could rise within the next month due to severe energy supply shocks stemming from geopolitical conflicts.Arjun Juneja, the Chief Operating Officer of the New Delhi-based firm, stated that while the sector initially benefited from older inventory reserves, the full impact of the cost crunch is now unavoidable. He advised that the price hikes are fundamentally linked to global disruptions in oil and petrochemical supplies.Rising Input Costs Drive Pharma Price Hikes Juneja warned that the full effects of the energy shortages would become apparent...

The Citius TransNet Investment Trust InvIT has set its Initial Public Offering (IPO) price band between ₹99 and ₹100 per unit. The launch marks a significant fundraising opportunity aimed at channeling substantial capital into the transport infrastructure sector. The issue is scheduled for subscription from April 17 to April 21, with total gross proceeds estimated at ₹1,105 crore.The IPO is strategically structured for diverse participation. It allocates a substantial 75% of the public issue shares to Qualified Institutional Buyers (QIBs), while the remaining 25% is reserved for Non-Institutional Investors (NIIs). The standard lot size for the InvIT is set at 150 units.Citius TransNet InvIT IPO Subscription Timeline Investors can...

Ola Electric has dramatically altered the Indian electric mobility landscape with the launch of its new S1 X+ 5.2 kWh scooter. The vehicle, which is powered by the company's indigenously developed 4680 Bharat Cell, has been introduced at an introductory price of ₹1,29,999. This move signals a major acceleration in making high-performance EV technology accessible to the mass Indian consumer base.The company stated that launching this model brings its advanced in-house cell technology to a far wider market segment. The introductory pricing is valid until April 15, establishing the S1 X+ 5.2 kWh as a significant milestone in Ola Electric's vision for scaling EV adoption.Powering the Future: Strategic Use of Indigenous Technology The...