Shares of telecom giant Bharti Airtel are set to remain in focus on Tuesday, February 18, as its promoter group company, Indian Continent Investment, offloads shares worth ₹8,485 crores, representing approximately 0.84% stake in the company, through a block deal.

SingTel Board Sells Stake in Bharti Airtel

Bharti Airtel announced in an exchange filing that Indian Continent Investment Limited (ICIL), a promoter-group entity, has sold approximately 0.84% stake (~5.11 crore shares) in the company through a market transaction, generating around ₹8,485.11 crore. Bharti Telecom Limited, the primary promoter of Airtel, acquired ~1.20 crore shares (~24% of ICIL’s sales), ensuring that the overall allocation went to key global and domestic, marquee long-term investors.

This transaction follows Bharti Telecom’s recent acquisition of an additional 1.2% stake (~7.31 crore shares) from ICIL in November 2024. With this latest purchase, Bharti Telecom now holds approximately 40.47% of Airtel, reinforcing its strategic goal of consolidating its position as the principal vehicle for holding a controlling stake. The company focuses on gradually increasing its stake while maintaining a prudent leverage profile.

SingTel’s Presence in Bharti Airtel

SingTel is a leading communications group with services spanning mobile, broadband, and TV across Asia, Australia, and Africa. The company’s involvement in Bharti Airtel has been a significant part of its investment strategy.

In the December 2024 quarter, Bharti Airtel’s promoter group slightly reduced its holdings from 53.14% to 53.11%, while mutual funds increased their stake from 10.71% to 11.37%.

Previous Stake Sale and Financial Strategy

This isn’t the first time SingTel has offloaded shares in Bharti Airtel. In March 2024, the company sold a 0.8% stake to GQG Partners through a block window deal at a price of ₹1,193.70 per share. The upcoming stake sale is expected to follow a similar structure.

As of September 30, 2024, SingTel’s net debt stood at $7.8 billion. The company has been focusing on active capital management and asset monetization, with plans to explore a $6 billion (Singapore dollar) asset recycling pipeline.

SingTel’s Business Update and Future Plans

SingTel is expected to announce its business update for the December quarter on February 19, 2025. The report will likely provide insights into the company’s financial performance and ongoing restructuring efforts.

SingTel’s subsidiary, Pastel Limited, holds a 9.5% direct stake in Bharti Airtel, contributing to SingTel’s total interest of 28.9% in the company. SingTel has reiterated its commitment to capital efficiency, as highlighted in its investor presentation and annual report.

Stock Performance

On February 18, 2025, Bharti Airtel share price traded 0.03% lower at ₹1,675.10 at 9:22 AM (IST). Bharti Airtel’s share price reached a 52-week high of ₹1,778.95, and a 52-week low of ₹1,098. As per BSE, the total traded volume for the stock stood at 0.28 lakh shares with a turnover of ₹4.70 crore.

At the current price, Bharti Airtel shares are trading at a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 63.69x, based on its trailing 12-month earnings per share (EPS) of ₹26.29, and a price-to-book (P/B) ratio of 9.85, according to exchange data.

 

 

Disclaimer: This blog has been written exclusively for educational purposes. The securities mentioned are only examples and not recommendations. This does not constitute a personal recommendation/investment advice. It does not aim to influence any individual or entity to make investment decisions. Recipients should conduct their research and assessments to form an independent opinion about investment decisions.

Investments in the securities market are subject to market risks, read all the related documents carefully before investing.

On February 17, 2025, the National Stock Exchange (NSE) Nifty50 ended at 22,959.50, gaining by 30.25 points or 0.13%. During the session, it reached an intraday high of 22,974.20 and a low of 22,725.45. Meanwhile, the BSE Sensex surged 57.65 points or 0.08% to settle at 75,996.86 after touching a high of 76,041.96 and a low of 75,294.76 during the day.

Here are the top gainers and losers on February 17, 2025:

Top Gainers of the Day

• Adani Enterprises led the gainers, rising 3.93% to close at ₹2,237.30.
• Bajaj Finserv gained 2.65%, closing at ₹1,890.05.
• IndusInd Bank advanced 2.53% to settle at ₹1,050.30.
• Power Grid Corp inched up 2.23% to ₹263.10.
• Adani Ports and SEZ gained 2.11%, ending at ₹1,085.10.

Top Losers of the Day

• Mahindra & Mahindra was the biggest loser, dropping 3.45% to ₹2,841.
• Bharti Airtel fell 2.36% to ₹1,676.50.
• Infosys declined 0.72%, closing at ₹1,843.05.
• TCS dropped 0.68% to ₹3,908.00.
• ICICI Bank lost 0.67%, settling at ₹1,251.65.

 

Disclaimer: This blog has been written exclusively for educational purposes. The securities mentioned are only examples and not recommendations. This does not constitute a personal recommendation/investment advice. It does not aim to influence any individual or entity to make investment decisions. Recipients should conduct their own research and assessments to form an independent opinion about investment decisions.

Investments in the securities market are subject to market risks, read all the related documents carefully before investing.

Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) share price experienced a decline of 4.84% on Monday, February 17, closing at ₹2,955 apiece.

This drop came despite the company’s announcement on Friday that it had secured 30,179 bookings for its two new electric models—XEV 9e and BE 6.

The booking figure translates to a total value of ₹8,472 crore at ex-showroom prices, sparking concern among investors despite strong demand for electric vehicles.

Record Bookings for XEV 9e and BE 6

The Mumbai-based auto giant revealed that bookings for the new electric vehicles commenced on Friday, and the demand surpassed expectations.

In a tweet, Mahindra Group Chairman Anand Mahindra celebrated the success of the launch, calling the 30,179 bookings a new record for the EV category. The split between the two models was revealed to be 56% for the XEV 9e and 44% for the BE 6.

Notably, the top-end Pack Three variant, featuring a 79 kWh battery, accounted for 73% of the total bookings across both models.

The XEV 9e and BE 6 are priced between ₹18.9 lakh and ₹30.5 lakh (ex-showroom). Electric passenger vehicle sales in India stood at around 1 lakh units last year, indicating that Mahindra is well-positioned to capture a significant share of this growing market.

M&M’s Q3 FY25 Financial Performance

In addition to the electric vehicle news, Mahindra & Mahindra reported strong financial results for the December quarter. The company posted a 20% year-on-year increase in consolidated profit after tax (PAT), which reached ₹3,181 crore, up from ₹2,658 crore in Q3 FY24. This growth was driven by solid performance in both the automotive and farm sectors.

Revenue for the quarter grew by 17% year-on-year, rising to ₹41,470 crore from ₹35,299 crore in the same period last year.

The auto segment saw a 16% increase in quarterly volumes, with 245,000 vehicles sold. Of these, 142,000 were utility vehicles (UVs). Auto segment revenue for the December quarter was ₹23,391 crore, reflecting a 21% growth compared to the previous year.

Strong Performance Across Key Segments

Anish Shah, Managing Director & CEO of M&M, highlighted the strength of the company’s execution across key sectors. The auto and farm divisions showed solid market share growth and improved margins. Shah also pointed to the ongoing transformation at Tech Mahindra, which continues to gain momentum.

He further noted that Mahindra Financial Services (MMFSL) has effectively balanced asset quality with growth priorities, maintaining a Gross Stage (GS) under 4% while experiencing strong growth in assets under management (AUM).

Despite the drop in share prices, M&M’s overall performance in Q3 FY25 showcases its resilience and strategic execution across various business units.

 

Disclaimer: This blog has been written exclusively for educational purposes. The securities mentioned are only examples and not recommendations. This does not constitute a personal recommendation/investment advice. It does not aim to influence any individual or entity to make investment decisions. Recipients should conduct their own research and assessments to form an independent opinion about investment decisions.

Investments in the securities market are subject to market risks, read all the related documents carefully before investing.

Samvardhana Motherson International’s shares fell 3.8% on Monday, February 17, reaching an intraday low of ₹121.35 on the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE). The stock fell despite the company’s reported net profit of ₹879 crore in Q3 FY25.

Q3 FY25 Financial Performance

For the third quarter of FY25, the company posted a net profit of ₹879 crore, marking a 62% increase from ₹542 crore in the same quarter last year. Revenue from operations saw a nearly 8% year-on-year (YoY) rise, reaching ₹27,666 crore compared to ₹25,644 crore in Q3 FY24.

EBITDA improved to ₹2,776 crore, reflecting operational strength, while expenses grew by 7% to ₹26,559 crore. The company’s net profit margin expanded to 3.6% from 2.5% in the same period last year, signalling a notable improvement in profitability.

Acquisitions and Joint Ventures

During the quarter, Samvardhana Motherson International made strategic moves to expand and diversify its portfolio. The company acquired Japan-based Atsumitec and Brazilian auto component manufacturer Baldi Auto, a step aimed at enhancing its vertical integration.

Additionally, it formed joint ventures with Sanko and Matsui in Japan to strengthen its packaging segment under the logistics solutions division and to expand its footprint in process and industrial automation.

 

Disclaimer: This blog has been written exclusively for educational purposes. The securities mentioned are only examples and not recommendations. This does not constitute a personal recommendation/investment advice. It does not aim to influence any individual or entity to make investment decisions. Recipients should conduct their own research and assessments to form an independent opinion about investment decisions.

Investments in the securities market are subject to market risks, read all the related documents carefully before investing.

Utkarsh Small Finance Bank share price plummeted nearly 15% on Monday, February 17, after the company reported a net loss of ₹168 crore for the third quarter of FY25. This marks a stark contrast to the net profit of ₹116 crore reported in the same quarter last year.

On February 17, 2025, the stock opened the trading session 13.51% lower at ₹24.31 per share and continued to slide, eventually touching an all-time low of ₹23.90, a loss of 14.97% by the end of the day.

Utkarsh Small Finance Bank Q3 FY25 Performance

The bank’s net interest income showed a marginal decline of 0.5%, falling to ₹480 crore in Q3 FY25 from ₹482 crore in the corresponding period last year.

The company’s overall asset quality also worsened significantly, with gross non-performing assets (NPAs) rising to 6.17% from 3.88% in the September quarter. The net NPA stood at 2.5%, a substantial increase from 0.89% in the previous quarter.

Despite these setbacks, Utkarsh Small Finance Bank reported a 16.2% growth in its gross loan portfolio, which reached ₹19,057 crore. The share of secured loans in the total loan portfolio increased to 41%, up from 38% as of September 30, 2024, and 34% as of March 31, 2024.

Challenges in Micro-Banking Lending

Govind Singh, MD and CEO of Utkarsh Small Finance Bank acknowledged that the operating environment for micro-banking lending remained challenging in Q3 FY25. This was primarily due to tightened credit supply to micro-banking borrowers following the implementation of guardrail norms.

Singh further explained that these norms had impacted disbursements, though he emphasised that they are a structurally positive step for the sector, with benefits expected to materialise soon.

 

 

Disclaimer: This blog has been written exclusively for educational purposes. The securities mentioned are only examples and not recommendations. This does not constitute a personal recommendation/investment advice. It does not aim to influence any individual or entity to make investment decisions. Recipients should conduct their own research and assessments to form an independent opinion about investment decisions.

Investments in the securities market are subject to market risks, read all the related documents carefully before investing.

Easy Trip Planners, an online travel service provider, reported a 26.3% year-on-year (YoY) drop in net profit for the third quarter of FY25, ending December 31, 2024. The company’s net profit for Q3 FY25 stood at ₹33.6 crore, down from ₹45.6 crore during the same period in FY24.

Along with the profit drop, revenue from operations declined by 6.5%, totalling ₹150.5 crores in Q3 FY25, compared to ₹160.9 crore in Q3 FY24.

EBITDA and Margin Contraction

The company also faced a dip at the operating level, with EBITDA (earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortization) falling by 21.8% YoY to ₹47.7 crore in Q3 FY25, from ₹61 crore in Q3 FY24. The EBITDA margin reduced to 31.7% from 37.9% in the same quarter last fiscal, reflecting decreased profitability.

Performance for the 9 months

For the nine months ending December 31, 2024, Easy Trip Planners reported a total revenue of ₹447.8 crore. The EBITDA for the period was ₹143.9 crore, with a margin of 31%. Profit after tax for the first nine months was ₹92 crore, maintaining a healthy margin of 20%.

Strong Growth in Gross Booking Revenue 

Gross booking revenue for the nine months stood at ₹6,499 crore, supported by strong growth across key business segments. For Q3 FY25, the gross booking revenue reached ₹2,148.9 crore.

A major contributor to this performance was the company’s non-air business, which continued to drive growth during the quarter.

Hotel and Dubai Operations Performance

In Q3 FY25, Easy Trip Planners saw impressive growth in its hotel business. Total hotel night bookings stood at 2.5 lakh, marking a 172% YoY increase. Additionally, other bookings grew by 32%, reaching 3.6 lakh.

The company’s Dubai operations also saw significant growth, with gross booking revenue for the quarter soaring to ₹170.5 crore, a 227% increase from ₹52.2 crore in Q3 FY24.

Chairman’s Remarks on Growth Strategy

Nishant Pitti, Chairman of Easy Trip Planners, commented on the company’s performance: “The non-air business segments remained key growth drivers this quarter, reinforcing the effectiveness of our diversification strategy. The hotels segment delivered strong performance, with total hotel night bookings reaching 2.5 lakh, reflecting a 172% year-over-year increase.”

Stock Performance 

On February 17, 2025, Easy Trip Planners share price traded 3.43% lower at ₹11.53 at 10:14 AM (IST). Easy Trip Planners’s share price reached a 52-week high of ₹25.95 on February 27, 2024, and a 52-week low of ₹11.35 on February 17, 2025. As per BSE, the total traded volume for the stock stood at 16.97 lakh shares with a turnover of ₹1.97 crore.

At the current price, Easy Trip Planners shares are trading at a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 48.04x, based on its trailing 12-month earnings per share (EPS) of ₹0.24, and a price-to-book (P/B) ratio of 5.79, according to exchange data.

 

Disclaimer: This blog has been written exclusively for educational purposes. The securities mentioned are only examples and not recommendations. This does not constitute a personal recommendation/investment advice. It does not aim to influence any individual or entity to make investment decisions. Recipients should conduct their own research and assessments to form an independent opinion about investment decisions.

Investments in the securities market are subject to market risks, read all the related documents carefully before investing.

On Monday, February 17, 2025, GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals (GSK Pharma) share price surged by 18.73%, reaching ₹2395.75, following the company’s strong financial results for Q3 FY25. The pharmaceutical giant delivered a strong performance across its key product portfolios, with notable increases in both profit and revenue.

GSK Pharma Q3 FY25 Performance

For Q3 FY25, GSK Pharma reported a 34.7% year-on-year increase in net profit before exceptional items and tax, amounting to ₹308.1 crore, up from ₹228.7 crore in the same period last year.

Revenue also saw a significant 17.9% growth, rising to ₹949.4 crore, compared to ₹805.3 crore in Q3 FY24. This growth reflects sustained demand for the company’s core brands, which continued to perform well in the market.

EBITDA and Margin Expansion

The company’s EBITDA (earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortisation) rose by 33.8%, reaching ₹291.9 crore, up from ₹218.1 crore in Q3 FY24. The EBITDA margin also saw a notable expansion, increasing to 30.7% from 27.1% in the same period last year, indicating improved operational efficiency and profitability.

Key Segment Highlights

• General Medicines Portfolio 

GSK Pharma’s flagship brands, including Augmentin, Ceftum, and T-Bact, maintained strong market positions, further solidifying their leadership in the sector.

• Respiratory Portfolio 

The company’s innovative respiratory portfolio, driven by Nucala and Trelegy, continued to grow strongly, enhancing patient access to treatment across India.

• Vaccines Business

GSK Pharma maintained its leadership in the self-pay private market for paediatric vaccines. The adult vaccines segment also saw strong growth, with the Herpes Zoster Vaccine, Shingrix, driving adoption and expanding adult immunisation efforts in India.

Management’s Confidence in Growth

Bhushan Akshikar, Managing Director of GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals, expressed confidence in the company’s future growth. “Our strong third-quarter results reflect our unwavering commitment to delivering innovative healthcare solutions to patients across India,” Akshikar stated.

He added that the company’s focus on core brands, coupled with accelerated digital transformation and innovative go-to-market strategies, continues to enhance its market presence while ensuring broader access to vital medicines and vaccines.

With the solid performance in Q3 FY25, GSK Pharma is positioned for sustained growth as it continues to strengthen its leadership in the Indian pharmaceutical market.

 

 

Disclaimer: This blog has been written exclusively for educational purposes. The securities mentioned are only examples and not recommendations. This does not constitute a personal recommendation/investment advice. It does not aim to influence any individual or entity to make investment decisions. Recipients should conduct their own research and assessments to form an independent opinion about investment decisions.

Investments in the securities market are subject to market risks, read all the related documents carefully before investing.

The Supreme Court has dismissed review petitions filed by telecom giants Vodafone Idea and Bharti Airtel, seeking corrections in the calculation of their Adjusted Gross Revenue (AGR) dues.

With this ruling, the 2021 judgment remains unchanged, leaving the companies with no further legal recourse and making government intervention their only hope for relief.

Supreme Court Upholds 2021 Verdict 

A three-judge bench comprising Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna, Justice Abhay S. Oka, and Justice Sanjay Kumar ruled that there was no basis for reviewing the court’s July 23, 2021 order. As a result, the pleas from Vodafone Idea and Airtel were rejected outright. “Pending applications, if any, shall stand disposed of,” the court stated in its verdict.

Telecom Companies Allege Calculation Errors 

Both Vodafone Idea and Bharti Airtel argued that the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) made substantial errors while computing their AGR dues. They claimed the calculations failed to consider payments already made and erroneously included non-core revenues, leading to an inflated liability.

Vodafone Idea, in particular, asserted that these “glaring errors” had unfairly increased its financial burden by nearly ₹25,000 crore. The company hoped for a recalibration of dues, which could have provided significant relief to its stressed financial position.

No Further Legal Options Left 

With the Supreme Court refusing to allow any corrections or modifications to the AGR dues, both telecom firms have exhausted all judicial avenues. Their only remaining hope now lies in potential government intervention, such as policy measures or financial relief, to alleviate their financial burden.

Stock Performance 

On February 17, 2025, Vodafone Idea share price was trading 1.10% higher at ₹8.30 at 9:41 AM (IST). The stock reached a 52-week high of ₹19.15 and a 52-week low of ₹6.60. According to the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), the total traded volume for Vodafone Idea was 110.88 lakh shares, with a turnover of ₹9.06 crore.

Meanwhile, Bharti Airtel share price was trading 0.85% lower at ₹1702.50 at 9:44 AM (IST). The stock had a 52-week high of ₹1778.95 and a 52-week low of ₹1,098. BSE data indicated a total traded volume of 0.22 lakh shares for Bharti Airtel, with a turnover of ₹3.75 crore.

 

 

Disclaimer: This blog has been written exclusively for educational purposes. The securities mentioned are only examples and not recommendations. This does not constitute a personal recommendation/investment advice. It does not aim to influence any individual or entity to make investment decisions. Recipients should conduct their own research and assessments to form an independent opinion about investment decisions.

Investments in the securities market are subject to market risks, read all the related documents carefully before investing.

IT major Wipro announced on Friday, February 14, the appointment of Amit Kumar as Managing Partner and Global Head of Wipro Consulting, effective immediately. In his new role, Amit will report directly to Wipro’s CEO and Managing Director, Srini Pallia, and will also become a member of the Wipro Executive Board.

Amit Kumar’s Vision for Wipro Consulting

As the new head of Wipro Consulting, Amit will lead the company’s efforts in consulting-led, AI-driven growth strategies, guiding clients through rapid business and technology transformations. He aims to leverage Wipro’s strengths in AI, data, and industry-specific solutions to help businesses scale and navigate digital disruptions effectively.

“We are delighted to welcome Amit Kumar to Wipro’s leadership team,” said Srini Pallia, CEO and MD of Wipro. “His experience in driving exponential business growth, combined with his passion for innovation and results-driven approach, makes him the ideal leader to propel our consulting business into an exciting new future and deliver superior value to our clients.”

Amit Kumar on His New Role

Expressing his enthusiasm, Amit Kumar highlighted the immense potential in AI and consulting-driven transformations. “The evolving AI landscape presents unprecedented opportunities for businesses to innovate and lead. I look forward to collaborating with the talented team at Wipro to build on our success and set new benchmarks for consulting excellence globally,” he stated.

Extensive Global Experience in Consulting 

Amit Kumar brings over 24 years of consulting experience spanning North America, Europe, and the Asia-Pacific regions. He has expertise across multiple industries, including High-Tech, Chemicals, Energy, Retail, Automotive, and Consumer Goods.

His core competencies lie in Business Transformation, Operational Excellence, Engineering, Manufacturing Digitisation, and Supply Chain Management.

Previous Role at Accenture Consulting 

Before joining Wipro, Amit served as Managing Director at Accenture Consulting, where he played key roles in the Americas Market and Industry X Consulting over his 17-year tenure. His leadership at Accenture focused on digital transformation, industry-specific consulting, and innovation-driven business growth.

Academic Background Of Amit Kumar

Amit Kumar is an alumnus of St. Stephen’s College, Delhi, and holds a master’s degree in management from the Symbiosis Institute of Business Management, Pune. He will be based in the greater New York area as he takes on his new responsibilities at Wipro.

Stock Performance 

On February 17, 2025, Wipro share price traded 0.03% lower at ₹308 at 9:23 AM (IST). Wipro’s share price reached a 52-week high of ₹324.55 on January 23, 2025, and a 52-week low of ₹208.40 on June 04, 2025. As per BSE, the total traded volume for the stock stood at 0.35 lakh shares with a turnover of ₹1.08 crore.

At the current price, Wipro shares are trading at a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 31.16x, based on its trailing 12-month earnings per share (EPS) of ₹9.88, and a price-to-book (P/B) ratio of 5.10, according to exchange data.

 

Disclaimer: This blog has been written exclusively for educational purposes. The securities mentioned are only examples and not recommendations. This does not constitute a personal recommendation/investment advice. It does not aim to influence any individual or entity to make investment decisions. Recipients should conduct their own research and assessments to form an independent opinion about investment decisions.

Investments in the securities market are subject to market risks, read all the related documents carefully before investing.