India’s state-owned iron ore miner is digging itself into a profitability hole. Higher output can’t compensate for soaring costs and weak pricing power. NMDC is learning a that in commodities, volume isn’t everything. India’s largest iron ore producer posted impressive production numbers in the December quarter—14.7 million tonnes, up 44%Continue Reading

India’s second-largest paint maker is chasing market share at the expense of profitability, why that may not paint a good hue on the stock Berger Paints India is discovering that winning the volume war doesn’t necessarily translate into shareholder value. The country’s second-largest decorative paints company delivered 8.5% volume growthContinue Reading

India’s hotel operator is mastering the art of rate increases while learning the hard way that filling new inventory takes time. . For Chalet Hotels, the average room rates surged 16% year-on-year in the December quarter while revenue per available room climbed 12%, according to Philip Capital. But occupancy slippedContinue Reading

Morgan Stanley’s harsh downgrade signals a structural shift threatening the state aerospace champion’s monopoly India’s state-owned aerospace champion may be losing altitude. Hindustan Aeronautics stock tumbled 6% on February 4 as investors digested a reality: the company that once monopolized India’s military aviation is being systematically sidelined by private competitors.Continue Reading

India’s consumer lending giant is front-loading provisions in a bet that pessimism today beats nasty surprises tomorrow. Investors aren’t convinced—yet. Bajaj Finance delivered a textbook example of financial prudence. Net profit fell 6% year-on-year to Rs 40.7 billion in the December quarter as provisions surged 77%, driven by what PhilipContinue Reading

India’s largest private port operator is shifting gears from mere cargo handler to end-to-end supply chain powerhouse—and investors are taking notice Adani Ports & Special Economic Zone is no longer content being just a gateway for India’s trade. The company reported consolidated revenue growth of 22% year-on-year in the DecemberContinue Reading

Rising costs and tepid demand cloud near-term prospects for SAIL, even as long-term bets hinge on execution Steel Authority of India Ltd is caught in a perfect storm of margin pressure and execution uncertainty. Two recent broker reports paint a picture of a company treading water—delivering volume growth but strugglingContinue Reading

Stationery maker’s diverse bets deliver growth, but 60x earnings multiple leaves little room for slip-ups DOMS Industries Ltd. isn’t reinventing the wheel—it’s just making better pencils, pens, and now premium bags. The third-quarter performance exemplifies the company’s steady-as-she-goes approach: consolidated revenue climbed 18% year-over-year to Rs5.92 billion, EBITDA grew 18%,Continue Reading

New plant costs and commodity pressures squeeze margins even as export machine roars to life Hyundai Motor India Ltd.’s third-quarter earnings tell two stories at once. Revenue climbed a respectable 8% year-over-year to Rs179.7 billion, powered by robust export demand and fresh product launches. Yet profitability stumbled, with EBITDA ofContinue Reading

Food major’s ad spending surge delivers record volumes albeit with a little margin squeeze  Nestle India is spending money on advertising. The maker of Maggi noodles and KitKat chocolates just posted its strongest volume growth in five years, but it came at a price: margins compressed as the company pumpedContinue Reading