IndusInd Bank Honoured by Ministry of Finance for Excellence in Digital Payments

Bank awarded at Vigyan Bhavan for achieving 120% of its digital transaction target in FY 2023–24, a feat making it the top-performing private bank

Published on: June 25, 2025

IndusInd Bank has been awarded the Digital Payments Award 2023–24 by the Department of Financial Services (DFS), Ministry of Finance, for its outstanding contribution to digital payments. The bank was honoured at a prestigious ceremony held at Vigyan Bhavan in New Delhi, graced by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, alongside other senior government dignitaries.

IndusInd Bank secured third position among private sector banks, achieving an impressive 120% of its digital transaction target for FY 2023–24 — the highest among all private sector institutions.

The award was received by Mr. Ritesh Raj Saxena, Head of Direct Banking, and Mr. Dev Ratan Suri, Head of SDG (Payments, Cards & Government Business), highlighting the bank’s relentless focus on delivering secure, scalable, and innovative digital payment solutions for millions across the nation.

Exits Rock IndusInd Bank’s Microfinance Arm Amid Scrutiny, Audit Fallout

Top officials from Bharat Financial Inclusion resign as bank grapples with incorrect balances, rising provisions, and regulatory investigations.

Published on: June 25, 2025

IndusInd Bank’s microfinance subsidiary, Bharat Financial Inclusion, has witnessed a wave of high-profile exits following the discovery of significant accounting irregularities and rising loan losses. Chief Operating Officer Vikas Muttoo and Joint COO Anujeet Varadkar have stepped down as the bank intensifies scrutiny of its microfinance book.

The bank has been forced to write down over Rs 2,000 crore due to misclassifications and incorrect accounting of Rs 674 crore in interest income and Rs 173 crore in fee income. This comes as part of a larger internal and external review conducted by EY and an internal audit team.

These exits compound troubles at the bank, which is also dealing with leadership changes and a SEBI probe into alleged insider trading related to a Rs 2,000 crore derivatives loss.

Hindustan Copper to Bid for Critical Mineral and REE Blocks with IOCL, GAIL, RITES

State‑Run Miniratna to Sign Non‑Binding Agreements as Part of Its Diversification Push

Published on: June 24, 2025

Hindustan Copper Ltd (HCL), a Miniratna PSU under the Ministry of Mines, is set to expand its focus beyond copper by bidding for critical mineral and rare earth element (REE) blocks.

According to a top official, HCL will soon sign non‑binding agreements with Indian Oil Corporation (IOCL) and GAIL (India) for a joint foray into these mineral auctions, alongside RITES.

The move marks a significant diversification step for HCL as it aims to secure access to strategic mineral resources vital for future growth and the energy transition.

Vedanta, Polycab, and Alkyl Amines Trade Ex‑Dividend Today

Vedanta to Reward Shareholders with a 7%+ Yield as Polycab and Alkyl Amines Final Dividends Come into Focus

Published on: June 24, 2025

Vedanta, Polycab India, and Alkyl Amines Chemicals will trade ex‑dividend on Tuesday, June 24, 2025, making it a pivotal date for income‑seeking investors. Vedanta has announced its first interim dividend of Rs 7 per equity share (face value Rs 1), totaling approximately Rs 2,737 crore for FY 2025–26, offering a robust yield of over 7%.

Polycab India has recommended a final dividend of Rs 35 per equity share (face value Rs 10), while Alkyl Amines Chemicals has announced Rs 10 per share (face value Rs 2), subject to shareholder approval. Investors must have purchased these shares before the record date — June 24 for Vedanta and June 25 for Polycab and Alkyl Amines — to be eligible for the dividend payout.

Adani Airports Secures $1 Billion to Fund Mumbai International Airport

Apollo, BlackRock, and Standard Chartered Lead Global Syndicate Backing India's Largest Private Airport Operator

Published on: June 24, 2025

Adani Airports Holdings Limited (AAHL), a wholly‑owned subsidiary of Adani Enterprises and India’s largest private airport operator, has raised $1 billion through a project finance structure to fund the construction of Mumbai International Airport.

The financing was led by Apollo‑managed funds and backed by a global syndicate of institutional investors and insurers, including BlackRock‑managed funds and Standard Chartered, reflecting strong global confidence in India’s infrastructure growth and Adani Airports’ operational strength.

This landmark transaction will enable AAHL to expand its Mumbai airport and further cement its role in the nation’s aviation sector.

Markets Surge as Sensex Jumps 930 Points Amid Global Rally, Oil Price Dip

Nifty Reclaims 25,250 Level as Hopes of Middle East De‑escalation Spur Strong Opening Trade

Published on: June 24, 2025

Indian equity indices surged sharply in early trade on Tuesday, mirroring strong global market cues and a drop in crude oil prices, amid hopes of a potential de‑escalation in the Middle East conflict. The 30‑share BSE Sensex surged 930.7 points to 82,827.49, while the 50‑share NSE Nifty rose 278.95 points to 25,250.85.

Among the top gainers were Adani Ports, UltraTech Cement, Mahindra & Mahindra, Larsen & Toubro, Axis Bank, and Asian Paints, underscoring the strong sentiment across sectors as the market responded positively to easing global tensions.

Markets Rebound: Sensex Surges 900 Points as Iran–Israel Ceasefire Hopes Spur Rally

Nifty Reclaims 25,250, Rupee Strengthens as Global Cues and De‑Escalation Signals Buoy Investor Sentiment

Published on: June 24, 2025

Indian equity indices surged over 1% on Tuesday, clawing back losses from the prior session amid positive global cues and tentative signs of easing tensions between Iran and Israel. The Nifty rose 1.12% to 25,250.85, while the Sensex jumped 1.15% to 82,835.39, with broader markets also participating — the Nifty Midcap 100 gained 1.16% and Smallcap 100 rose 1.25%. The volatility index (VIX) dipped by 1.33%.

The rally came as US President Donald Trump announced a tentative Israel‑Iran ceasefire, despite mixed signals from Tehran, prompting a global shift towards riskier assets. Oil prices fell sharply, with Brent slipping to $69.08 per barrel, while the rupee strengthened by 64 paise to Rs 86.11.

Analysts noted strong buying interest at lower levels and emphasized that the overall trend remains bullish as long as the Nifty holds above the 24,700–24,750 range. Meanwhile, global equity markets gained, with the S&P 500, Nasdaq, and Dow Jones rising, and Asian and European indices posting strong early gains.

Adani Group Stocks Rally Ahead of AGMs, Adani Ports Leads with 4% Surge

Gautam Adani to Outline Group’s Growth Plans as Investors Push Adani Enterprises, NDTV, and Other Group Firms Higher

Published on: June 24, 2025

Shares of Adani Group companies surged on Tuesday, with Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone leading the rally with a 4% rise ahead of its Annual General Meeting (AGM). Adani Enterprises and New Delhi Television gained 2% and 1.98%, respectively, while other group firms like Adani Green Energy (3.07%), Adani Energy (2.32%), ACC (1.09%), and Adani Power (1.71%) also witnessed strong buying interest.

Adani Total Gas gained 2.01%, and cement-related firms Ambuja Cements, ITD Cementation, and Sanghi Industries rose between 1.19% and 1.35%. The AGMs, beginning at 10:30 a.m. for Adani Enterprises and 12:30 p.m. for Adani Ports, will feature Group Chairman Gautam Adani addressing shareholders and sharing crucial announcements and future growth outlooks for the group.

HDB Financial Services IPO Goes Live: Rs 12,500 Crore Issue Opens June 25

HDFC Bank-backed NBFC aims for biggest listing of the year with Rs 12,500 crore IPO

Published on: June 24, 2025

HDB Financial Services, the NBFC subsidiary of HDFC Bank, is set to launch its Rs 12,500 crore IPO on June 25. The three-day issue, priced between Rs 700 and Rs 740 per share, includes a Rs 2,500 crore fresh issue and a Rs 10,000 crore offer for sale from HDFC Bank, its promoter.

This marks the biggest NBFC IPO of the year and one of the top five IPOs in the past two decades. Despite a nearly 11% GMP, the pricing is roughly 50% lower than its earlier unlisted market price, implying a notional loss for early unlisted shareholders.

The fresh issue aims to fund the company’s expansion, while the offer for sale allows HDFC Bank to monetize its stake. Investors should note that HDB Financial operates under the HDFC brand via a licensing agreement, which may present long‑term risk if altered.

Swiggy Falls 3% After Block Deals; New Concierge App Fails to Halt Decline

Share price retreats despite premium service launch, with analyst consensus hinting an 8.4% potential upside

Published on: June 23, 2025

Swiggy’s shares dropped nearly 3% on Monday following block trades of 620,728 shares within the Rs 380–389 range, offsetting a 6.6% rally seen on Friday after it unveiled its new lifestyle and travel concierge app, Crew. The app aims to tap into India’s premium consumer base, offering bespoke services like international driving permits, tailored travel planning, and curated gifting.

The stock briefly fell to Rs 378.05 before recovering to Rs 390.10, down 0.15% as of 11:28 AM, compared with a 0.65% drop in the Nifty 50. Over the past year, Swiggy has shed 14%. According to Bloomberg data, 17 of 23 analysts recommend a ‘buy’, three advise ‘hold’, and three suggest ‘sell’, with an average 12‑month target implying an 8.4% upside.

Nifty IT Index Slides as Accenture Flags Growth Uncertainties

Cautious global outlook and weaker deal wins at Accenture trigger selling across Indian IT firms

Published on: June 23, 2025

The Nifty IT Index dropped over 1% on June 23 as weaker-than-expected growth cues from Accenture weighed on Indian technology firms. The U.S.-based IT bellwether reported Q3 revenues of $17.7 billion, slightly above estimates, but flagged rising global economic and geopolitical uncertainties, along with a 6% drop in new bookings.

This cautious outlook put pressure on Indian IT stocks, with Infosys, TCS, and HCL Technologies falling between 1.6–2.5%. Despite a recent recovery in the past month, the Nifty IT Index has underperformed the Nifty 50 over three and six months, reflecting subdued global demand and earnings downgrades.

Brokerages remain selectively bullish on certain firms like Infosys, Coforge, and Cognizant, expecting a revival contingent on macroeconomic improvement, especially in the U.S.

Strong FY25 Results Position Indian Banks for Sustainable Growth: Fitch

Robust capital buffers and improved asset quality set the stage for a loan growth rebound and stronger credit profiles in FY26

Published on: June 23, 2025

Fitch Ratings has said that strong FY25 results have bolstered the credit profiles of Indian banks, with improved asset quality, stronger capital buffers, and stable profitability positioning the sector for sustainable growth despite cyclical pressures. The rating agency projects loan growth to recover to 12–13% in FY26, supported by accommodative monetary policy and easing funding conditions.

State-owned banks outpaced private peers with 12.4% loan growth in FY25, a trend expected to continue as private lenders manage higher loan‑to‑deposit ratios and unsecured loan stresses. The sector’s impaired‑loan ratio fell by 60bps to 2.2% in FY25 and could drop a further 20bps in FY26.

Fitch anticipates that a focus on secured loans, lower bad loan additions, and recovery efforts will help mitigate credit risk, supporting strong loss‑absorption buffers and resilience for rated banks.

RBI Eases Project Finance Norms: Brokerages Bullish on Banks, Auto and Pharma

Analyst calls highlight lending boost for PSU banks and NBFCs, auto sector tailwinds, and top stock picks across sectors

Published on: June 20, 2025

The Reserve Bank of India’s new project financing norms have sparked bullish sentiment across sectors, with brokerages citing long‑term benefits for PSU banks, NBFCs, and infrastructure firms. The central bank has slashed the standard provision requirement for under‑construction projects from 5% to 1–1.25%, making it significantly easier for firms like REC and PFC to support infrastructure financing.

Emkay, Citi, and Bernstein have termed the move a catalyst for boosting project lending and easing capital constraints, especially for PSU banks and NBFCs. Meanwhile, Morgan Stanley identified ICICI Bank, Kotak Mahindra Bank, HDFC Bank, Axis Bank, and AU Small Finance Bank as top picks, forecasting a re‑rating for strong private and public sector lenders.

In the auto space, Macquarie expects tractors and two‑wheelers to lead growth this fiscal, while CLSA sees long‑term opportunities in affordable EVs like Bajaj’s Chetak. In the consumer and QSR segment, Citi retained its ‘buy’ ratings for Swiggy and Jubilant FoodWorks, citing operational improvements and margin expansion potential.

In pharma, BofA reaffirmed its ‘buy’ rating for Dr. Reddy’s, highlighting improved EBITDA prospects and new high‑value product launches. Meanwhile, Jefferies noted strong demand for Infosys and SBI despite near‑term headwinds, and Goldman Sachs favored Varun Beverages for its long‑term growth in the ready‑to‑drink segment.

With improved liquidity, easing regulations, and rate cuts aligning, brokerages remain optimistic about a recovery in corporate capex and growth across these key sectors.

Trent Ltd. Reaffirms 25% CAGR Growth Guidance; Analysts Maintain Ratings

Macquarie and Morgan Stanley stay optimistic as Trent focuses on store expansion, micro-market strategy, and multi-brand positioning

Published on: June 19, 2025

Trent Ltd. has reiterated its ambitious plan to achieve a 25% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) over the next five to ten years, as outlined during its recent investor meet. Following this, leading brokerages Macquarie and Morgan Stanley maintained their respective ratings and target prices for the stock.

The company’s growth strategy centers around increasing store density, expanding into adjacent categories, and implementing cost-control measures. However, analysts caution that higher store density could impact same-store sales and moderate growth, as observed in the previous financial year.

Trent is also adopting a micro-market approach and positioning itself as a multi-category retailer. Its flagship brands—Westside, Zudio, and Samoh—cater to varied customer segments across different price points. Despite strong performance in emerging business areas over the last three years, concerns remain, particularly around customer retention and growth in the Star Grocery segment.

Macquarie expressed skepticism about Star's prospects, citing fierce competition from quick commerce players and challenges with private label success in the grocery format.

Vedanta Shares Drop 3% After Declaring ₹7 Interim Dividend for FY26

Stock slips post dividend announcement and stake sale in Hindustan Zinc amid ongoing demerger plans

Published on: June 19, 2025

Vedanta Ltd. shares fell over 3% to ₹442.3 on Thursday following the company’s announcement of a ₹7 per share interim dividend for FY26, totaling approximately ₹2,737 crore. The dividend, approved during a board meeting on Wednesday, comes with a record date set for June 24, 2025, and will be paid within the statutory timeline.

The announcement coincided with a strategic ₹3,028 crore stake sale in subsidiary Hindustan Zinc Ltd. through an institutional block deal involving 66.7 million shares. This sale is part of Vedanta's broader effort to deleverage its balance sheet and boost financial flexibility ahead of its proposed demerger into sector-specific entities.

Despite Vedanta's reputation as one of India’s top dividend payers—with a ₹32.50 per share dividend in the previous fiscal year yielding 7.11%—investor sentiment appeared cautious. The stock, while marginally up 0.88% over the past year, has declined 4% in the past three months and 10% over six months, reflecting broader market concerns amid ongoing structural changes within the group.