Latest news with #PuneetSharma
Hindustan Times
6 days ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
This Rakshabandhan, get Rakhi Delivery on your Train Seat on Zoop, ixigo and Confirm Tkt
Gurugram, 5th August 2025: In a heartfelt initiative to bridge distances and strengthen sibling bonds, ixigo Trains and ConfirmTkt have teamed up with Zoop to launch a special 'Rakhi Delivery on Trains'. From August 5 to August 10, passengers can surprise their loved ones by ordering Rakhis, chocolates, and tilak essentials (roli and chawal) straight to their train seat or berth. This Rakshabandhan, get Rakhi Delivery on your Train Seat on Zoop, ixigo and Confirm Tkt Passengers can now conveniently order Rakhi hampers with just a tap through the ConfirmTkt, ixigo Trains or Zoop apps. By navigating to the homepage or 'trip details' section and entering their PNR, travellers can view a list of eligible stations, select a Rakhi store on a station along the way, choose their preferred combo, and have it delivered directly to their train seat, making festive gifting seamless, even while on the move. Rakhi hampers will be available to order across several major railway stations in India, including New Delhi (NDLS), Varanasi (BSB), Nagpur (NGP), Bhopal (BPL), Surat (ST), Warangal (WL), Kota (KOTA), Kanpur (CNB) and many more. These hampers come in a variety of designs and thoughtfully curated combos, starting at just Rs.199, making it easy for passengers to find the perfect Rakhi surprise to suit every liking and budget. Speaking on this, Sripad Vaidya, COO, ixigo Trains and ConfirmTkt, said, 'Every year, millions of Indians travel by train to reunite with their families for Raksha Bandhan. But for those caught in the last-minute rush, buying Rakhi gifts while travelling no longer needs to be a stressful, offline hassle. With just a few taps, travellers can get Rakhi hampers delivered right to their train seat, making festive gifting more convenient and thoughtful, even while in transit. ' Puneet Sharma, CEO & Co-Founder, Zoop, added, 'We are already one of the leading food delivery aggregators that deliver to train seats and berths at over 200 stations across India. Now we are able to bring festive joy directly to train seats with this initiative.' About ixigo (NSE: IXIGO, BSE: 544192) Launched in 2007 by Aloke Bajpai & Rajnish Kumar, ixigo (Le Travenues Technology Limited) is a technology company focused on empowering Indian travellers to plan, book and manage their trips across rail, air, buses and hotels. ixigo assists travellers in making smarter travel decisions by leveraging artificial intelligence. The ixigo, ConfirmTkt and AbhiBus apps allow travellers to book train tickets, flight tickets, bus tickets, hotels, and cabs, and provide travel utility tools and services developed using in-house proprietary algorithms and crowd-sourced information. With over 54 crore Annual Active Users in Fiscal 2025, ixigo is the leading OTA for Next Billion Users in India. For more information, please visit Zoop is a leading IRCTC-authorized food delivery aggregator for food on trains. Zoop makes train journeys more convenient and enjoyable by delivering fresh, hygienic meals directly to passengers' seats across 200+ railway stations by working with 1000s of restaurants across India and through its own delivery partners at all major stations. The 'Food on Train' feature on ixigo trains and ConfirmTkt is powered by Zoop, enabling users to pre-order meals, track deliveries in real time, and cancel orders for free before the cut-off time. Zoop is a subsidiary of ixigo (Le Travenues Technology Limited). Note to readers: This article is part of HT's paid consumer connect initiative and is independently created by the brand. HT assumes no editorial responsibility for the content, including its accuracy, completeness, or any errors or omissions. Readers are advised to verify all information independently. Want to get your story featured as above? click here!
Time of India
19-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Axis Bank touts quality push, but market flags a host of concerns
Axis Bank tightened its asset classification and income recognition norms, signalling a more conservative credit approach that appears to have dented the lender's June-quarter profitability. An unexpected bottom-line shrinkage caused the stock to slump more than 5% Friday, forcing a retreat of the Nifty on which Axis Bank has the fourth-biggest weighting among private lenders. "Asset classification happens on a days-past-due (DPD) counter basis, but classification can also occur based on qualitative parameters," said Puneet Sharma, CFO of Axis Bank, during the post-earnings analyst call. "These are non-DPD-led parameters that have been tightened, resulting in higher slippages for the quarter." 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Under the new technical norms, such accounts are no longer upgraded until full settlement is made. The technical impact is largely confined to cash credit, overdraft products, and accounts under one-time settlements (OTS). This change has adversely affected the bank's profitability metrics , reducing profit after tax by ₹614 crore, return on assets (ROA) by 15 basis points, and return on equity (ROE) by 1.4 percentage points. One basis point is a hundredth of a percentage point. Live Events "The markets expected asset quality issues to be resolved this quarter as this has been a concern over the past year," said Dharmesh Kant, head of research at Cholamandalam Securities. "Despite the attractive valuations compared to its peers, the guidance for growth is not aggressive, which led to a disappointing quarter." The stock fell 6.4% during the day and closed 5.3% lower at ₹1,098.7. Kant said that while a further 2-3% decline cannot be ruled out, no major falls are likely since the stock has not performed a lot in the past year either. Nifty Heft Axis Bank has a 2.97% weighting on the Nifty, behind HDFC Bank and ICICI Bank, among lenders. It ranks ninth among the top 10 stocks by weighting on the most-tracked gauge. Out of the 12 stocks on the Bank Nifty Index, 10 declined and 2 advanced. The Bank Nifty slid 1%, while the benchmark Nifty declined 0.6%. Meanwhile, Axis Bank's collections team is now conducting a qualitative assessment of stressed accounts using credit bureau data, particularly by combing those borrowers holding multiple loans. Gross slippages for the quarter rose more than 70% to ₹8,200 crore, up from ₹4,793 crore in Q1FY25. After adjusting for technical impact, gross slippages stood at ₹5,491 crore. Of this, 75% originated from unsecured loans, while the remaining 25% came from the agriculture sector. 80% of these accounts are backed by 100% security cover. "These are particularly poor numbers, and the management commentary provided little confidence to expect a quick turnaround in either asset quality or growth," said Pranav Gundlapalle, head of India financials at Bernstein. "Even after adjusting for the one-off policy changes, Axis Bank's performance this quarter significantly lags its larger peers, weakening the case for any near-term re-rating." Brokerage Nuvama, meanwhile, downgraded Axis Bank to 'Hold' and reduced target price to 1,204 from 1,410, citing margin compression and higher credit costs . "We lower our estimates on credit growth, whereas slightly increase credit cost as asset quality becomes a key monitorable," said analysts at Nuvama in a note. "For a large banking franchise, the stock is trading at a discount to its peers, which we expect the gap to widen further given volatility in earnings and asset quality." To be sure, Bernstein has set a 12-month target price of ₹1,300, while Macquarie Capital expects the stock to reach around ₹1,450.
New Indian Express
17-07-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
Axis Bank opens earnings season on bad note, net income down 4% after one-time hit
MUMBAI: The third largest private sector lender Axis Bank opened the earnings seasons for the June quarter in the financial services space Thursday on a bad note, reporting a 4% decline in net income at Rs 5,806 crore despite a reasonable performance in its core business. The management said the red mark on the bottom-line is mainly due to a 'technical impact' as the bank had a one-time hit of Rs 614 crore related to how it classifies some loans as bad. More importantly, on a sequential basis, net profit fell more sharply to the tune of 18%. This technical loss came in after the bank recognized some cash credit, overdraft, and settled loan accounts as non-performing assets, which led to higher slippages and provisions. As a result, provisions more than doubled to Rs 3,948 crore in the June quarter from Rs 1,359 crore in the March quarter, Amitabh Chaudhry, the chief executive of the bank, told reporters in the earnings call Thursday. "Prudent application of technical parameters to recognise slippages and consequent upgrades impacted reported asset quality, including provisions and contingencies. Technical impact is largely restricted to cash credit and overdraft products and one-time settled accounts,' the chief financial officer Puneet Sharma said, adding 'without this one-off impact, net profit would have been stronger. The technical impact has adversely impacted net income by Rs 614 crore, RoA by 15 bps and RoE by 1.4%.' Still, the bank said most of the loans that slipped due to this issue are safe as '80% of individual contracts that slipped because of this technical impact though continue to remain NPAs as of June 30, are fully secured. Hence economic loss due to the technical impact will be minimal over the life of such contract.' Adjusted for this impact, gross NPAs stand at 1.41%, down 13 bps and net NPAs at 0.36%, up 2 bps, Sharma said. However, the overall business remained steady with its balance sheet growing 9% to Rs 16.03 trillion, and capital buffers staying strong with the capital adequacy ratio of 16.85.
Time of India
26-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Equity investing not about overnight returns: Puneet Sharma on geopolitical issues and 2025 sector picks
Geopolitical conflicts and market swings can rattle even seasoned investors, so where does that leave retail participants? Puneet Sharma , CEO of Whitespace Alpha , shares insights on what moves the markets, why trying to time them is a trap, and how everyday investors can build a resilient portfolio in 2025. From FMCG tailwinds to ETF-based diversification, here's what you need to know to stay one step ahead. Excerpts: Q. How are Indian equity markets reacting to the current geopolitical situation? Puneet Sharma: Globally, a lot is happening in quick succession—constant news flow, unexpected events—so markets are reacting rapidly. Indian markets, in particular, have responded positively despite recent volatility. Take yesterday, for instance—there was uncertainty when the market opened, and no one really knew how things would unfold. The equity markets are closely tracking global developments. Expectations around corporate earnings get quickly factored into share prices. It's an exciting time for those on the sidelines, but it can be tricky for active investors navigating through the volatility. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 立ち上がれないトラの中身に驚愕、獣医が超音波を見て警察に連絡 Undo Q. What about the global picture? How do you think the Iran-Israel conflict and the US involvement are impacting global equity markets? Puneet Sharma: The most immediate impact is on crude oil prices, which we've seen spike recently. Since much of the world's oil supply flows through the Iran region, any disruption causes risk for shipping routes. That fear is reflected in oil prices. In India, oil marketing companies saw a sharp fall yesterday but bounced back today, most are up around 2.5%. Events like these trigger short-term volatility and impact investor sentiment globally. We've seen this earlier too, when the U.S. announced tariffs and the India-Pakistan conflict escalated, volatility spiked with 2–2.5% swings in the Indian indices. But now, with the ceasefire between Iran and Israel, we expect this turbulence to be short-lived. Markets should stabilize, and the focus will return to economic fundamentals and growth. Live Events Q. While wars are unfortunate, some sectors do benefit during such times. Which sectors could outperform while this geopolitical chaos plays out? Puneet Sharma: It's a tough call. Initially, we saw a broad sell-off, triggered partly by FIIs pulling out money, which also led to INR depreciation. IT, for example, felt the heat due to forex impact on margins. However, as stability returns, IT could see a recovery. Oil and energy remain directly impacted. Auto is another sector to watch, fuel price hikes haven't yet hit retail prices hard, but if crude crosses $75 a barrel, it could eventually dent demand, especially for auto companies. Still, this might be temporary. In the long term, this episode might just be a footnote. So, I'd advise investors not to try timing the market. If you've built a long-term, curated portfolio, stay invested and trust the process. Q. What are some 2025 themes to watch? Based on domestic factors, which sectors or types of funds should retail investors consider? Puneet Sharma: Monsoons are expected to be average or slightly better, which bodes well for rural demand. Historically, when rural incomes rise, FMCG benefits significantly, so I'd bet on FMCG. The government's tax relief for those earning up to ₹12 lakh a year also increases disposable income. Combine that with monsoon-driven demand, and you have a strong case for both FMCG and entry-level auto, especially two-wheelers and budget cars. Automobile ancillaries should benefit too. Another theme is insurance—health and life insurance demand is picking up as financial awareness grows. Q. For someone entering the markets in 2025, how can they build an 'all-weather' portfolio that withstands both geopolitical and domestic turbulence? Puneet Sharma: Investors today have access to highly diversified options. For an all-weather portfolio, I recommend starting with ETFs like Nifty 50 or BSE 500. These provide broad exposure across sectors and include large-, mid, and small-cap stocks. BSE 500 even includes emerging companies that could turn into multibaggers. ETFs are a great way to gain diversification without stock-picking. But remember, no portfolio is completely immune to market corrections. There will be dips like we saw in October 2024 or March 2025. The key is to stay invested through those phases. Equity investing is not about overnight returns; it's about wealth creation over time. Patience is everything. Q. Would you recommend a specific asset allocation ratio for medium to high-risk investors right now? Puneet Sharma: At Whitespace Alpha, we're focused on long-term capital appreciation via equities, so our fund is 100% equity. But I believe a 60:40 split between equity and debt is healthy for most medium to high-risk investors. It provides some cushion while allowing meaningful equity participation. For more aggressive investors, a higher equity allocation makes sense. Q. What should investors do right now? Should they rebalance or wait it out? Puneet Sharma: My advice is to stay the course. If you've done your research, believe in the companies you're invested in, and understand their business fundamentals, don't react to short-term events. Timing the market rarely works in the long term. Many studies confirm that even missing just a few good days can significantly impact your overall returns. Rather than trying to exit at the top and re-enter at the bottom—which is often just guesswork—stick with your long-term philosophy. If something fundamentally changes about a company or sector, by all means, reassess. But don't make investment decisions solely based on short-term events or noise.
Economic Times
26-06-2025
- Business
- Economic Times
Equity investing not about overnight returns: Puneet Sharma on geopolitical issues and 2025 sector picks
Geopolitical conflicts and market swings can rattle even seasoned investors, so where does that leave retail participants? Puneet Sharma, CEO of Whitespace Alpha, shares insights on what moves the markets, why trying to time them is a trap, and how everyday investors can build a resilient portfolio in 2025. From FMCG tailwinds to ETF-based diversification, here's what you need to know to stay one step ahead. Excerpts: ADVERTISEMENT Q. How are Indian equity markets reacting to the current geopolitical situation?Puneet Sharma: Globally, a lot is happening in quick succession—constant news flow, unexpected events—so markets are reacting rapidly. Indian markets, in particular, have responded positively despite recent volatility. Take yesterday, for instance—there was uncertainty when the market opened, and no one really knew how things would unfold. The equity markets are closely tracking global developments. Expectations around corporate earnings get quickly factored into share prices. It's an exciting time for those on the sidelines, but it can be tricky for active investors navigating through the volatility. Q. What about the global picture? How do you think the Iran-Israel conflict and the US involvement are impacting global equity markets? Puneet Sharma: The most immediate impact is on crude oil prices, which we've seen spike recently. Since much of the world's oil supply flows through the Iran region, any disruption causes risk for shipping routes. That fear is reflected in oil prices. In India, oil marketing companies saw a sharp fall yesterday but bounced back today, most are up around 2.5%. Events like these trigger short-term volatility and impact investor sentiment globally. We've seen this earlier too, when the U.S. announced tariffs and the India-Pakistan conflict escalated, volatility spiked with 2–2.5% swings in the Indian indices. But now, with the ceasefire between Iran and Israel, we expect this turbulence to be short-lived. Markets should stabilize, and the focus will return to economic fundamentals and growth. Q. While wars are unfortunate, some sectors do benefit during such times. Which sectors could outperform while this geopolitical chaos plays out? Puneet Sharma: It's a tough call. Initially, we saw a broad sell-off, triggered partly by FIIs pulling out money, which also led to INR depreciation. IT, for example, felt the heat due to forex impact on margins. However, as stability returns, IT could see a recovery. ADVERTISEMENT Oil and energy remain directly impacted. Auto is another sector to watch, fuel price hikes haven't yet hit retail prices hard, but if crude crosses $75 a barrel, it could eventually dent demand, especially for auto companies. Still, this might be the long term, this episode might just be a footnote. So, I'd advise investors not to try timing the market. If you've built a long-term, curated portfolio, stay invested and trust the process. ADVERTISEMENT Q. What are some 2025 themes to watch? Based on domestic factors, which sectors or types of funds should retail investors consider? Puneet Sharma: Monsoons are expected to be average or slightly better, which bodes well for rural demand. Historically, when rural incomes rise, FMCG benefits significantly, so I'd bet on FMCG. ADVERTISEMENT The government's tax relief for those earning up to ₹12 lakh a year also increases disposable income. Combine that with monsoon-driven demand, and you have a strong case for both FMCG and entry-level auto, especially two-wheelers and budget ancillaries should benefit too. Another theme is insurance—health and life insurance demand is picking up as financial awareness grows. Q. For someone entering the markets in 2025, how can they build an 'all-weather' portfolio that withstands both geopolitical and domestic turbulence? ADVERTISEMENT Puneet Sharma: Investors today have access to highly diversified options. For an all-weather portfolio, I recommend starting with ETFs like Nifty 50 or BSE 500. These provide broad exposure across sectors and include large-, mid, and small-cap 500 even includes emerging companies that could turn into multibaggers. ETFs are a great way to gain diversification without stock-picking. But remember, no portfolio is completely immune to market corrections. There will be dips like we saw in October 2024 or March 2025. The key is to stay invested through those phases. Equity investing is not about overnight returns; it's about wealth creation over time. Patience is everything. Q. Would you recommend a specific asset allocation ratio for medium to high-risk investors right now? Puneet Sharma: At Whitespace Alpha, we're focused on long-term capital appreciation via equities, so our fund is 100% equity. But I believe a 60:40 split between equity and debt is healthy for most medium to high-risk investors. It provides some cushion while allowing meaningful equity more aggressive investors, a higher equity allocation makes sense. Q. What should investors do right now? Should they rebalance or wait it out? Puneet Sharma: My advice is to stay the course. If you've done your research, believe in the companies you're invested in, and understand their business fundamentals, don't react to short-term the market rarely works in the long term. Many studies confirm that even missing just a few good days can significantly impact your overall returns. Rather than trying to exit at the top and re-enter at the bottom—which is often just guesswork—stick with your long-term something fundamentally changes about a company or sector, by all means, reassess. But don't make investment decisions solely based on short-term events or noise. Disclaimer: Recommendations, suggestions, views and opinions given by the experts/brokerages do not represent the views of Economic Times. 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