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Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Australia's TPG Telecom flags $1.9 billion payout to reset structure, cut debt
By Rishav Chatterjee Australia 's TPG Telecom said on Tuesday it would return A$3 billion ($1.94 billion) to shareholders as part of a broader plan to streamline its capital structure and reduce debt, sending its shares to a three-year high. TPG finalised its A$5.25 billion transaction with Macquarie-backed Vocus in July, generating net cash proceeds of A$4.7 billion. Shares in TPG rallied as much as 4.2% to their highest since August 2022. To cushion the impact of the capital return on its free float, TPG will offer minority shareholders the option to reinvest their proceeds into new company shares. The re-investment is expected to raise A$688 million, lifting TPG's free float from 23% to around 30% at current prices, and allowing minority holders to increase stakes. The capital raise could be value-accretive by reducing debt, but flags potential dilution concerns depending on how the new shares are structured, Bell Direct senior market analyst Grady Wulff said. TPG's top shareholders, including CK Hutchison, Vodafone, Washington H Soul Pattinson, and the founding family, support the proposal and together hold around 77% of the register. The company added it would use A$1.7 billion from the Vocus proceeds and the A$688 million raised to repay up to A$2.4 billion in bank borrowings "We anticipate strong free cash flow generation over the coming years due to service revenue growth, operating cost efficiency, capital expenditure reductions, and lower borrowing costs," said CEO and managing director Inaki Berroeta. However, TPG cut its annual pro-forma earnings forecast to a range of A$1.61 billion to A$1.66 billion, down from A$1.95 billion to A$2.03 billion, reflecting the absence of earnings from the divested assets. Intensifying competition and new players are putting downward pressure on margins, and TPG's revised outlook highlights the broader challenges all telecom providers are now facing, added Wulff.
News18
2 hours ago
- News18
Decoding Modi's Indo-Pacific Strategy: How Ties With Philippines Have Grown
Written By : The timing of Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr's visit is significant, as the two countries conduct their first joint maritime exercise in the contested South China Sea Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr arrived in India on Monday afternoon, commencing a landmark five-day state visit that exemplifies the transformation of India-Philippines relations under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership. Welcomed by Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita at Palam Air Force Station, Marcos's arrival coincides with the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties and marks the first visit by a Filipino president to India since 2007. The timing is particularly significant, as Indian Navy warships conduct their first-ever joint maritime exercises with Philippine forces in the contested South China Sea. This historic visit reflects Modi's outreach to the Philippines since 2014, focusing on a broader Indo-Pacific vision that combines economic partnerships with security cooperation, moving beyond traditional alliance structures to embrace strategic autonomy. The bilateral relationship showcases Modi's multi-alignment strategy, demonstrating how maritime security cooperation, defence technology transfer, and trade expansion can advance India's pragmatic approach to regional leadership while maintaining strategic independence from great power rivalries. Modi's announcement of the Act East Policy in November 2014 at Myanmar's ASEAN Summit marked a decisive shift in India's approach to Southeast Asia. Unlike the economically focused Look East Policy of 1992, the Act East framework embodied a comprehensive strategy encompassing security, defence, and strategic dimensions alongside commercial interests. This transformation proved particularly significant for the Philippines' relations, which had remained relatively dormant despite seven decades of diplomatic ties established in 1949. The timing of this strategic pivot proved prescient. China's increasing assertiveness in the South China Sea created space for India to position itself as a balancing power committed to maritime security and a rules-based order. The Act East Policy enabled Modi to leverage India's growing economic strength and defence capabilities to establish meaningful partnerships with ASEAN nations, particularly those facing maritime security challenges. The policy's implementation demonstrated Modi's understanding that effective regional leadership required moving beyond traditional diplomatic rhetoric to concrete action. The transformation from 'Look" to 'Act" signalled India's readiness to assume greater responsibilities in regional security architecture while maintaining its strategic autonomy. This approach laid the foundations for the comprehensive partnership now evident in Marcos's visit, where defence cooperation, economic integration, and strategic coordination converge in a single diplomatic engagement. BREAKTHROUGH: THE 2017 MANILA VISIT Modi's November 2017 visit to Manila was a watershed moment in bilateral relations, marking the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to the Philippines in 36 years. The visit occurred during the 15th ASEAN-India Summit and 12th East Asia Summit, providing an optimal platform for Modi to demonstrate India's commitment to multilateral engagement. The Manila visit served multiple strategic purposes. It reinforced India's position within ASEAN frameworks at a time when the grouping was celebrating its 50th anniversary and marking 25 years of ASEAN-India dialogue partnership. The visit enabled Modi to engage directly with the Philippines' leadership on shared concerns about maritime security and regional stability. Modi's bilateral meeting with then-President Rodrigo Duterte established personal rapport between the leaders and laid the groundwork for enhanced cooperation across multiple sectors. The visit also included engagement with the Indian diaspora and business community, reflecting Modi's comprehensive approach to relationship-building that extends beyond government-to-government ties. Modi's presence in Manila alongside leaders from the United States, China, and Russia demonstrated India's emerging status as a major regional player capable of engaging multiple powers simultaneously. THE BRAHMOS PARADIGM The January 2022 BrahMos missile deal represents perhaps the most concrete manifestation of Modi's pragmatic approach to regional partnerships. The $375 million agreement made the Philippines India's first international customer for the advanced supersonic cruise missile system, marking a significant milestone in India's defence export ambitions. Marcos's current visit occurs as the Philippines signals interest in acquiring additional Indian defence systems, including more BrahMos batteries and Akash missile systems. The BrahMos system's specifications — 290-km range, Mach 2.8 speed, and versatility across sea, land, and air platforms — provided the Philippines with a credible deterrent capability in the context of South China Sea tensions. For India, the deal demonstrated the maturation of its defence manufacturing capabilities and willingness to transfer advanced technology to strategic partners. The first batch delivery in April 2024 via Indian Air Force transport aircraft was followed by the sea-based delivery of the second batch. MARITIME SECURITY COOPERATION The August 2025 joint naval exercises between India and the Philippines in the South China Sea marked a qualitative shift from diplomatic engagement to operational cooperation. The bilateral maritime cooperative activity, conducted near the strategically significant Scarborough Shoal, demonstrated both nations' commitment to upholding freedom of navigation and challenging assertive territorial claims. The exercises began just as Marcos departed Manila for Delhi. Unlike previous Passing Exercises (PASSEX), the recent joint exercise demonstrated India's willingness to conduct operations in contested waters. The exercise also aligned with India's MAHASAGAR vision, which emphasises maritime cooperation as a cornerstone of regional stability. Moreover, the establishment of Track-1 Maritime Dialogue mechanisms and regular port visits by Indian naval vessels to the Philippines are signals of deeper institutionalised cooperation aimed at a long-term strategic partnership. TRADE EXPANSION AND INVESTMENT Modi's Philippines strategy achieved remarkable economic success, with bilateral trade growing from $1.89 billion in 2015-16 to $3.53 billion in 2023-24—an 86.6% increase. India maintains a consistent trade surplus, exporting $2.10 billion whilst importing $1.43 billion in 2023-24. Key sectors include pharmaceuticals, where India supplies 12-16% of Philippine imports, plus engineering goods and automotive components. Investment depth reflects genuine integration. Indian companies, including TCS, Infosys, and major pharmaceutical firms, established significant Philippine operations worth $5 billion. Philippine companies like AC Energy reciprocated with strategic Indian investments. Marcos's visit agenda includes business meetings in Delhi and Bengaluru, targeting further expansion. REGIONAL LEADERSHIP AND ENGAGEMENT India's humanitarian aid during Philippine natural disasters, COVID-19 assistance, and capacity-building through the ITEC programme—training over 1,000 Filipino professionals—reflects comprehensive engagement. Cultural ties include 8,800 Indian students in Philippine medical colleges and a 70,000-strong diaspora. The Philippines' role as ASEAN-India Dialogue Coordinator (2024-2027) provides Modi a crucial partner for advancing regional agendas. This coincides with India's 2026 BRICS chairmanship, creating multilateral cooperation opportunities. Modi's ASEAN engagement during Brazil's BRICS Summit, including FTA discussions with Malaysia's Prime Minister, demonstrated this approach. top videos View all President Marcos Jr's arrival today, accompanied by joint South China Sea naval exercises, represents the culmination of Modi's systematic India-Philippines transformation since 2014. From the Act East Policy announcement to a comprehensive partnership worth over $3.5 billion annually, this relationship exemplifies strategic autonomy in practice. The BrahMos deal, trade expansion, and naval cooperation demonstrate how shared strategic interests translate into concrete partnerships enhancing both nations' security and prosperity. As Indian warships patrol contested waters alongside Philippine forces whilst leaders chart new cooperation pathways, this approach reflects Modi's understanding that effective 21st-century regional leadership requires balanced relationships, pursuing national interests through mutually beneficial partnerships rather than zero-sum competition. About the Author Sohil Sinha Sohil Sinha is a Sub Editor at News18. He writes on foreign affairs, geopolitics along with domestic policy and infrastructure projects. tags : the philippines view comments Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: August 05, 2025, 08:00 IST News opinion Opinion | Decoding Modi's Indo-Pacific Strategy: How Ties With Philippines Have Grown Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Economic Times
3 hours ago
- Economic Times
Hims & Hers Q2 revenue drop shakes stock—Hims crashes 11% after first-ever revenue decline, is the weight-loss drug hype finally fading?
Hims & Hers Health (NYSE: HIMS) saw its stock plunge over 11% after the company reported its Q2 2025 earnings, marking its first-ever sequential revenue decline. While revenue jumped 73% year-over-year to $544.8 million, it still fell short of Wall Street's expectations of $552 million, and notably dropped from $586 million in Q1. The miss has rattled investor confidence, especially as GLP-1 weight-loss drug sales, a key growth driver, showed signs of slowing amid regulatory pressure and legal setbacks. Synopsis Hims & Hers stock dropped a sharp 11% after the company missed Q2 2025 revenue estimates, raising concerns about its booming weight-loss drug business. While year-over-year sales jumped 73%, revenue fell sequentially for the first time, causing investor worry. The company brought in $544.8 million, short of forecasts, with much of it tied to its GLP-1 obesity drug offerings. Hims & Hers Health (NYSE: HIMS), the fast-growing telehealth company known for its personalized care plans and buzzy entry into the weight-loss market, saw its stock drop by over 11% after reporting second-quarter 2025 earnings. While revenue jumped 73% year-over-year, the company missed Wall Street expectations and posted its first-ever sequential revenue decline, raising questions about the future of its GLP-1 obesity drug business. ADVERTISEMENT Despite its rapid annual growth, Hims & Hers posted Q2 revenue of $544.8 million, missing the analyst estimate of $552 million. The real concern? Revenue dropped from $586 million in Q1, marking the first quarter-over-quarter decline since the company went public. The stock currently trades at $63.35, regaining some ground after hitting an intraday low of $54.82. Despite opening at $64.00, it remains volatile, with an intraday high of $65.54. ALSO READ: Bullish IPO debut: Peter Thiel-backed crypto giant targets $4.2B valuation—is the new crypto wave knocking on Wall Street's door? The market reacted sharply to the company's revenue miss—$544.8 million vs. $552 million expected—even though earnings per share beat expectations and subscriber numbers remained strong. Most of the company's revenue stemmed from its GLP-1-based obesity and diabetes treatments, a booming but increasingly scrutinized business segment. ALSO READ: Palantir stock soars after $1B Q2 earnings crush forecasts as AI demand fuels 110% YTD surge—now S&P 500's top performer ADVERTISEMENT With regulatory pressures, lawsuits from Novo Nordisk, and tighter FDA rules on compounded semaglutide, Hims faces headwinds in its fastest-growing segment. However, with a market cap of over $6.5 billion, a P/E ratio of 39.93, and forward-looking confidence via its Zava acquisition, the company is still betting big on growth in both the U.S. and Europe. Current Price : $63.35 : $63.35 Day Range : $54.82 – $65.54 : $54.82 – $65.54 Open : $64.00 : $64.00 Market Cap: $6.56 Billion P/E Ratio : 39.93 : 39.93 Volume: 35.5M Investors were caught off guard, as the slowdown came amid soaring demand for weight-loss drugs like semaglutide, a compound similar to the active ingredient in Wegovy and Ozempic. ADVERTISEMENT On the profit front, Hims reported an adjusted EPS of $0.19, beating the Street's expectation of $0.15. However, the revenue miss overshadowed this earnings win. Investors appeared more concerned about the underlying business momentum, particularly in the obesity treatment space, which has been a major driver of Hims' recent growth. ADVERTISEMENT Hims' biggest growth story in recent quarters has been its expansion into GLP-1 weight-loss treatments, which brought in around $190 million in Q2 alone. However, a few red flags have emerged: Regulatory uncertainty : With the FDA rolling back flexibility on compounded versions of semaglutide, questions are mounting about how long Hims can rely on this segment for revenue. : With the FDA rolling back flexibility on of semaglutide, questions are mounting about how long Hims can rely on this segment for revenue. Legal challenges : The company recently ended its supply relationship with Novo Nordisk , the maker of Wegovy, and is now facing lawsuits over how it marketed compounded alternatives. : The company recently ended its supply relationship with , the maker of Wegovy, and is now facing lawsuits over how it marketed compounded alternatives. Competitive pressure: Big players like Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk are dominating the branded drug market, making it harder for telehealth companies offering generics to compete on pricing and trust. Despite the Q2 shortfall, Hims & Hers stuck to its full-year outlook. The company reaffirmed its 2025 guidance of $2.3 billion to $2.4 billion in revenue and $295 million to $335 million in adjusted EBITDA. ADVERTISEMENT A big reason? The Zava acquisition, a European telehealth platform, which is expected to contribute around $50 million in new revenue this year. This suggests Hims is betting heavily on international growth to offset some of its domestic uncertainty. One bright spot in the report was Hims' growing subscriber base. The company now serves over 2.4 million active subscribers, with nearly 70% enrolled in personalized treatment plans that span weight loss, hair care, sexual health, and mental wellness. CEO Andrew Dudum emphasized that the company is leaning deeper into its long-term strategy of personalized digital healthcare, aiming to build loyalty and customer lifetime value across multiple product categories. If you're following Hims & Hers stock or investing in telehealth companies focused on the obesity drug boom, here are four key things to monitor: Future of compounded GLP-1s: Regulatory and legal outcomes could limit Hims' ability to sell compounded semaglutide at scale. Profitability trends: Will margins hold up as more competition floods the market and Hims scales its personalized offerings? Subscriber growth and retention: Continued engagement in non-weight loss categories will be key to long-term stability. Zava integration: The success or failure of this acquisition could make or break Hims' international ambitions. Hims & Hers Health has come a long way as a digital-first wellness brand with a bold strategy around weight-loss drugs and personalized healthcare. But the 11% stock drop shows investor sentiment is shifting, especially as its flagship obesity business faces regulatory hurdles and supply uncertainty. For now, the company's strong year-over-year growth and firm 2025 guidance offer some reassurance. But with rising competition, tighter FDA rules, and legal pressure, Hims will need to prove that its success isn't just tied to a single product wave—but a durable, trusted digital care ecosystem. What caused Hims & Hers stock to fall 11% after Q2 earnings? The company missed revenue estimates and saw its first-ever sequential drop in sales. Is the Hims weight-loss drug business facing trouble in 2025? Yes, due to FDA scrutiny and legal issues around compounded semaglutide. (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel) (Catch all the US News, UK News, Canada News, International Breaking News Events, and Latest News Updates on The Economic Times.) Download The Economic Times News App to get Daily International News Updates. NEXT STORY
