Colgate-Palmolive (India) reported a 17% decline in net profit for the September quarter due to GST-led disruptions. Revenue also saw a 6.3% decrease. The company's performance was below expectations, with a decline in both topline and bottomline. Despite this, investors remained optimistic and the company declared an interim dividend for 2025-26.
India's payment landscape is evolving, with a surge in digital transactions across all sectors. The Reserve Bank of India's latest report shows a considerable increase in debit and credit card usage, PoS terminal transactions, and QR code-based payments. This shift is fueled by a decrease in paper-based methods like cheques, pointing towards a move towards a cashless economy.
The 2025 Korea Popular Culture and Arts Awards celebrated 31 outstanding individuals and teams in entertainment. Hosted by Kim Min Kyu and Park Sun Young, the event featured a performance by BEBE. Industry veteran Kim Hae Sook received the top honor, while late comedian Jeon Yoo Sung was remembered. K-pop star G-Dragon also made history as the youngest recipient of the Jewel Order.
Maruti Suzuki's market share has reached a record low of 38.8% in H1FY26, despite releasing new models. Entry-level car sales have declined as customers turn to the pre-owned car market due to increased costs. However, the company's market share may improve with the introduction of the first electric SUV and the recent GST reduction on small cars.
Despite excess monsoon rainfall causing damage to standing crops in key kharif crop-growing states, the overall impact on the country's crop output is predicted to be minimal. Crisil forecasts a successful harvest if there are no adverse weather events and a healthy upcoming rabi season.
L&T, a leading engineering and construction company, is redirecting its attention to hydrocarbon, renewable energy, and power transmission in the energy sector following the sale of non-core assets.
The Indian government has taken action after the deaths of 25 children due to contaminated cough syrup. The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation has upgraded its online portal to monitor the supply chain and high-risk solvents used in manufacturing. Manufacturers must now register and submit data on each batch of solvents sold.
The Kia Syros and Skoda Kylaq were highly anticipated and received 40,000 bookings. However, the Skoda Kylaq has maintained steady sales while the Syros has seen a decline due to Kia's pricing strategy. Skoda's balanced pricing has led customers towards its competitor, the Sonet. U
The Unified Pension Scheme (UPS) has only been chosen by 4% of central government employees, possibly due to lack of awareness and resistance from certain staff. While UPS offers guaranteed pension and payouts to spouses, the obligation to invest in annuities has deterred some employees. The government is looking into providing additional retirement benefits to make UPS more appealing.
The Indian government is speeding up its National Data Centre Policy to meet the rising need for digital and AI computing power. The policy aims to simplify regulations and improve coordination between ministries to encourage private investments in data centres.
The wealth management industry in India is rapidly growing, with a projected size of $2.6 trillion. This has led to a high demand for experienced relationship managers, causing firms like InCred Group, 360One, and ASK Wealth to hire hundreds of RMs.
The government's food subsidy budget for FY26 is projected to increase by 10-15% due to rising grain stocks and the costs of distributing free grains to 810 million people under the PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana. The FCI has revised its projected expenditure to Rs 1.7 lakh crore for 2025-26 and has received Rs 75,921 crore from the finance ministry.
The government will launch a credit guarantee scheme for MSMEs in the next quarter to assist them in dealing with US tariffs and other challenges. The scheme will cover 100% of loans given by lenders, excluding deliberate defaulters. The ECLGS has been successful in improving asset quality and reducing loan defaults. The formalization of MSMEs has also aided banks in accessing reliable data.
Rural India's spending power has significantly increased in the past decade, surpassing the urban segment. The Monthly per capita expenditure (MPCE) in rural areas has tripled, indicating a shift towards more aspirational consumption. The gap between rural and urban spending has also narrowed, with a decrease in the share of food expenses for both sectors.
The Kerala government has launched 'Vision 2031' to transform the state into a major industrial hub and top investment spot. Structural reforms, industrial corridors, and innovation hubs will be set up to boost the secondary sector.
RBL Bank is in discussions with Zerodha to provide bank accounts for its 160 million broking customers, potentially unlocking Rs 40,000 crore in deposits and increasing the bank's CASA ratio. This would also mark RBL's foray into the broking and asset management sector after being acquired by Emirates NBD.
The "six seven" meme, popularized on TikTok through the song "Doot Doot" by rapper Skrilla, has caused confusion among parents and teachers. Considered "brain-rot" content, it holds no meaning to Generation Alpha and has been banned in several classrooms. Although not inappropriate, it is causing disruptions and is expected to eventually fade away.
Chhath Puja is a four-day festival in Bihar, Jharkhand, and eastern Uttar Pradesh, dedicated to Lord Surya and Chhathi Maiyya. It involves fasting and praying for family well-being, with the main focus on offering Arghya to the Sun. The festival also includes cultural activities and expressing gratitude for blessings like sunlight, food, and water.
Crisil report predicts modest 5-6% revenue growth for India Inc in Q2 FY26, with power, coal, IT services, and steel sectors underperforming. Geopolitical uncertainties impact IT services, while steel prices decline affects steel sector's revenue. Pharmaceutical and telecom services sectors see growth, but overall operating profit margins compressed by up to 0.60%
The Defence Acquisition Council has approved military procurements worth Rs 79,000 crore for the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force. These include new missile systems, intelligence and logistics systems, warfighting and support systems, and a long-range strike system. The new procurements will enhance operational capabilities, strengthen surveillance and logistics, and enable joint missions.
UPI has emerged as the most popular retail fast payment system in India, with a significant increase in transaction volumes and values over the years. It accounted for 84.8% of total payment transactions in the first half of 2025. While RTGS still has the highest transaction value, UPI is preferred for its ease of use and availability.
Colgate-Palmolive India reported a 6.3% year-on-year drop in sales to Rs 1,507.24 crore in Q2 FY26, impacted by GST-led disruptions and a high base from last year’s strong growth. The company declared its first interim dividend of Rs 24 per share, amounting to Rs 652.8 crore, payable from November 19. CEO Prabha Narasimhan said the GST rate cut from 18% to 5% caused temporary distribution disruptions but will benefit consumers in the long run.
Five small-cap mutual funds Quant, Nippon, Tata, Bandhan, and Invesco have delivered 30%+ annualised returns over five years, beating benchmarks. With consistent performance and low expense ratios, they rank among the best small-cap mutual funds in India for 2025, offering high long-term growth potential.
Taapsee Pannu gave an exclusive interview to Hindustan Times where she shared details about her century-old home in Denmark. She and her husband, Mathias Boe, are currently restoring the historical property and have incorporated Indian traditions, such as living with elderly parents, into their Danish household. The home is filled with vintage furniture and decorations.
Amit Shah inaugurated new residential quarters for Gujarat MLAs, costing Rs 325 crore, and laid the foundation stone for a road project in Ahmedabad. The complex has 216 apartments with modern amenities, and the road project will improve connectivity to industrial centres. With 182 MLAs still living in the facility, it will provide better accommodation for the state's lawmakers.
Despite government efforts to boost domestic coal production, Coal India's subsidiary SECL is experiencing delays in 12 projects due to environmental clearances and land possession problems. However, 18 projects are progressing as planned. The company's report shows a wide range of project costs and a total of 73 approved projects with a sanctioned capital of Rs 44,571 crore.
Mira Kapoor's post on questioning the tradition of bursting crackers on Diwali sparked a debate on social media. While some praised her for speaking out, others called for a complete ban. Netizens also pointed out the hypocrisy of celebrities who own luxury cars and participate in firecracker events. Mira emphasized the need to stop normalizing this tradition.
SpiceJet flight bound for Patna returned to Delhi due to technical glitch, crew noticed issue mid-air. Alternate flight arranged, landed safely. In a separate incident, SpiceJet flight from Kandla to Mumbai landed safely after losing outer wheel. No injuries reported. SpiceJet reports net loss in Q1 FY26. Details of passengers not disclosed.
Indian-origin US assemblyman Zohran Mamdani has once again become the target of criticism for eating with his bare hands, this time for a picture of him enjoying biryani. The months-old video of him eating biryani with his hands resurfaced, sparking a debate on cultural differences and racism. While some defended Mamdani, others called it "barbaric" and "gross."
Jefferies reaffirmed its Buy rating on Sunteck Realty, setting a target price of Rs 575, implying up to 34% upside. The brokerage said the real estate stock continues to post strong pre-sales growth, rising collections, and expanding luxury projects in Mumbai, making it one of the best real estate stocks to buy in 2025.
Virat Kohli's consecutive duck in the second ODI against Australia has caused a stir among fans, with some speculating about his future in the game. While some believe he should retire now, others are defending him against critics. A few even said that it was his "final goodbye" to the game.
Over 60 people, mostly children aged 8-14, hospitalized in Bhopal due to injuries from calcium carbide guns used during Diwali. Some have lost eyesight and suffered burns. Families demand a ban and compensation. Administration taking action against manufacturers and sellers.
BEL, a leading defence company, has secured a Rs 633 crore order from Cochin Shipyard for supplying various items. This follows a series of major orders worth Rs 592 crore received in October. The company will also lead the Rs 30,000 crore QRSAM project for the Indian Army. With promising future orders and export prospects, all eyes are on BEL's Q2 FY26 results.
Janhvi Kapoor, in a chat with Kajol and Twinkle, discussed her approach to cosmetic procedures and the importance of being transparent but not promoting unrealistic beauty standards. She cautioned young girls against chasing perfection and emphasized the need for proper guidance and caution when considering such procedures.
Shobha De, in a recent appearance on Barkha Dutt's podcast, revealed shocking details about Shilpa Shetty's restaurant brand Bastian. The Dadar outlet, called Bastian - At The Top, reportedly earns Rs 2-3 crores every night, with high-end cars and expensive tequila bottles being a common sight.
Tata Trusts' long-standing differences seem to be easing as trustees show signs of reconciliation. Mehli Mistry responded positively to Venu Srinivasan's mail, stating that the dispute was about transparency. However, Mistry has given a conditional approval for Srinivasan's reappointment and calls for unanimous approval for all future trustee renewals.
Vikram Solar, a top solar module manufacturer, secures a 148.9 MW order from Sunsure Energy for their advanced M10R N-Type TOPCon modules with a power rating of 595 Wp. The modules will be used in projects in Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh. This is one of the many recent orders for Vikram Solar, who is also increasing their production capacity to meet growing demand.
Tom Homan, the US President's 'border czar', announced plans to deport over 600,000 illegal immigrants by the end of the year. He warned all those in the country illegally that they will be arrested if found. The majority of those arrested by ICE are criminals, while others are national security threats.
POWERGRID, a state-owned company, has acquired two projects worth Rs 3,375 crore to improve India's energy transmission network. These projects will enhance power reliability, decongest transmission corridors, and support renewable energy transfer. The company has also acquired two SPVs through competitive bidding, contributing to India's clean energy and grid stability goals.
Trump's sanctions on Russian oil giants Rosneft and Lukoil will lead to a decrease in oil flows to Indian refiners, causing a 3% increase in crude prices. Indian buyers may have to cut back on Russian oil purchases, with PM Modi agreeing to reduce them by 40% by the end of the year. Reliance Industries has confirmed adjusting their Russian oil imports, along with other Indian refiners.
UCO Bank is committed to growth in southern and western India, with a focus on mid-corporate credit and wealth management. They have achieved steady progress, with a 38% CASA ratio and plans to maintain a 12-14% credit growth and 2.9% NIM. The bank is actively lending in emerging sectors and expanding its reach through acquisition financing.
Kajol and Twinkle Khanna's chat show, Two Much With Kajol & Twinkle, featured Karan Johar and Janhvi Kapoor as guests. The trio's close friendship was evident as they joked and teased each other, with Karan confessing his crush on Twinkle. They also discussed Karan's weight loss and his love for high-carb dishes. Janhvi's foodie side was also revealed as she indulged in her favourite dish.
Indian Express Online Media's Adventure Tourism Meet (ATM) 2025 in Shillong saw industry leaders discussing the future of adventure tourism in India, emphasizing safety, training, and sustainability. The event showcased Meghalaya's adventure circuit and called for responsible practices and long-term sustainability.
Infosys share price jumps over 4% on Nifty, promoter group opts out of Rs 18,000 crore buyback. This is the largest ever buyback announcement for the company, with promoters holding 13.05% of equity. Previous buybacks have aimed to return surplus cash to shareholders while meeting operational and strategic needs.
28-year-old Alexandr Wang, hired by Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg to lead the company's AI arm, has defended the recent layoffs in an internal memo. The company is laying off around 600 employees in its AI lab to streamline decision-making. However, the newly formed TBD Lab unit will remain untouched. Wang is confident in the ongoing projects.
Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL) reported a 3.8% YoY profit growth in Q2 FY26, with a consolidated net profit of Rs 2,694 crore. The company's revenue also saw a moderate growth of 2.1% YoY, reaching Rs 16,034 crore. Despite this, HUL has announced an interim dividend of Rs 19 per equity share, with a record date of November 7 and payment on November
Indian-origin entrepreneur and Ohio gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy has denied allegations of hiring H-1B visa holders for his campaign. His campaign manager, Jonathan Ewing, clarified that they have not hired any H-1B workers and called out the false post that went viral. Ramaswamy has been vocal about the H-1B issue and has proposed a merit-based system to replace the lottery system.
Vivek Oberoi, Bollywood actor and real estate developer, is making a comeback to the big screen with Riteish Deshmukh on November 21. However, he has other sources of income, including an agriculture and fintech startup in India and a celebrity real estate business in Dubai. In an interview, he gave a glimpse of his lavish Dubai villa to Kamiya Jani from Curly Tales.
A deep depression over the southwest Bay of Bengal is intensifying and expected to hit the northern Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and southern Andhra Pradesh coasts in the next 24 hours. It started as a low-pressure area and has now become a deep depression, causing heavy rainfall and thunderstorms. The RMC and IMD have issued warnings and advised fishermen to take precautions.