CORPORATE
Karnataka ethanol row: DK Shivakumar alleges excessive blending, promises evidence and documents on Monday
Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has backed allegations of excessive ethanol blending in petrol sold in the state, claiming levels exceed the approved E20 limit. He said samples had been collected from 67 locations and an investigation was underway, with a minister set to present evidence and documents on Monday.
IOC to buy crude, LPG ships as West Asia crisis exposes shipping risks
Indian Oil Corporation aims to enhance control over its energy supply chain by acquiring crude oil carriers and LPG vessels. The company is also exploring domestic shipbuilding initiatives under the Make in India program. Amid increasing freight rates and tensions in West Asia, IOC has adjusted its shipping strategy significantly. It has diversified crude procurement, sourcing significant amounts from various countries, including Russia and Venezuela.
Workout after work: India Inc flexes its fitness muscle as employers make workplace wellness harder to skip
Indian companies are expanding workplace fitness programmes, offering employees access to office gyms, group exercise classes, personal training, sports facilities and memberships across multiple locations. Procter & Gamble, InMobi and Walmart Global Tech are among the employers investing in employee wellness, while fitness providers Cult for Corporates and Fit.Zone report growing corporate demand. The focus is increasingly shifting from offering fitness as an employee perk to encouraging greater participation and making healthy routines part of the working day.
Suits & Sayings: Legacy Matters
ET’s roundup of the wackiest whispers in corporate corridors
E20 petrol supplied by PSU oil firms meets prescribed quality standards: Oil Min
The government's statement confirmed compliance of 893 petrol samples with prescribed ethanol content standards. Karnataka's Department of Food contested these findings, claiming higher ethanol levels in some petrol samples. Oil marketing companies asserted their sampling procedures were not followed during inspections in Karnataka. They requested access to sampling documentation and proposed joint testing of the ethanol content.
Akhilesh Yadav targets BJP after part of Bismillah Khan's house demolished, Varanasi officials deny role
Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav criticised the BJP government for the demolition of Bismillah Khan's home. He expressed concerns about the loss of cultural legacy and the integrity of Bharat Ratna awardees. Municipal officials clarified that the family chose to demolish the structure independently after declining a museum proposal. The Varanasi Municipal Corporation had earlier issued a notice concerning the building's dilapidated condition.
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Rahul Gandhi questions Centre over excess ethanol in E20 petrol, seeks action against oil companies
Rahul Gandhi has raised concerns regarding high ethanol levels in petrol sold in Karnataka. He claims that numerous petrol samples exceeded the prescribed limit of 20%. Oil marketing companies have disputed these allegations, asserting their fuel meets regulatory standards. Karnataka authorities are seeking accountability and transparency regarding fuel quality. An investigation into the matter has been called for to protect consumer interests.
D Street lights up, ends Diwali week with a firecracker of a Friday
Indian stocks witnessed impressive growth, with the Sensex and Nifty surging over 2%, defying declines in Asian markets. This robust rally is fueled by strong corporate earnings coupled with declining crude oil prices, boosting investor morale significantly. Over the recent weeks, foreign portfolio investors have surpassed net purchases of $4 billion, enhancing the positive outlook.
OMCs reject Karnataka’s high-ethanol fuel claim, seek fresh tests
State-run oil marketers in India have rejected Karnataka's claims regarding excessive ethanol content in petrol sold. They argue that the state's testing procedures lack adherence to prescribed standards and were unverified. The oil companies assert that their E20 fuel adheres to Bureau of Indian Standards and undergoes strict quality checks. They highlighted that previous tests indicated compliance within the mandated ethanol blending range.
Art, culture and a personal touch shape new-age corporate gifting
This Diwali, corporate gifting is experiencing notable growth as companies prioritize personalized and curated hampers. Many businesses are increasing their budgets for gifts, ranging from INR 1,500 to INR 20,000. A trend towards incorporating cultural elements and sustainable options is emerging in corporate hampers this year. Organizations are also offering employees choices from curated catalogs, enhancing the overall gifting experience.
IOCL, BPCL, HPCL dispute Karnataka's claim of excess ethanol in petrol, seek fresh tests
Indian Oil Corporation, Bharat Petroleum Corporation, and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation have disputed Karnataka's ethanol content claims in petrol. They reported testing showing their supplies adhere to prescribed ethanol standards. The companies also raised concerns about the sampling and testing methods used by the state government. They noted discrepancies in density readings related to the alleged high ethanol content.
Karnataka finds ethanol content above E20 limit in petrol samples, seeks action against OMCs
The Karnataka government has accused oil marketing companies of exceeding the mandated ethanol content in petrol. Tests conducted on petrol samples showed levels surpassed the legal 20% threshold significantly. The government plans to submit its findings to the Centre and seek appropriate actions against the companies involved. It has also demanded a compensation fund and clearer disclosures at fuel stations.
Global investors push South Korea's chaebols to speed up reforms
Global investors are increasingly urging South Korea’s chaebols to adopt necessary corporate governance reforms to address the existing valuation gap. Despite solid market performance, many South Korean stocks are viewed as undervalued on the global stage. Notably, Samsung Electronics has attracted criticism for not providing adequate shareholder returns despite their record-breaking profits earlier this year. Financial institutions seem to favor shareholder-friendly measures, in contrast to larger conglomerates that exhibit resistance.
Life Insurance Corp of India reports higher premium income in H1, net profit rises around 22%
Life Insurance Corporation of India reported a 21.52% increase in net profit for the first half of FY27. Total premium income rose by 11.64%, reaching Rs 2,74,269 crore during this period. Individual new business premium income increased by 14.86%, while renewal premium income grew by 4.68%. LIC sold approximately 70.97 lakh individual policies, reflecting a minor decrease from last year.
Bus, milk fare hikes hit people in Karnataka ahead of Diwali season
Karnataka's Congress government has announced a bus fare hike across all four state-run transport corporations from November 5, with increases averaging 23% for KSRTC and 33-35% for BMTC. Chief Minister DK Shivakumar defended the move, citing mounting losses and operational costs, while challenging the Centre to reduce fuel prices.
India-EU FTA to simplify and reinforce corporate cooperation, says Swedish Ambassador Petra Menander
The proposed India-European Union Free Trade Agreement (FTA) will simplify and reinforce bilateral corporate collaboration, said Sweden's Ambassador to India Petra Menander, pointing to expanded opportunities for technology transfers and joint industrial initiatives.
Minda Corp Q2 Results: Net profit jumps 68% to Rs 143 crore on strong revenue growth
Minda Corporation Ltd has reported a significant 68.2% year-on-year increase in consolidated net profit for Q2. Revenue from operations also increased by 42.6% year-on-year, reaching Rs 2,189 crore. The company's Chairman highlighted continued progress in their growth strategy across key vehicle segments. Electric vehicle-related products contributed around 35% of new order wins during this quarter. Minda plans to enhance its product offerings and invest in R&D and manufacturing capabilities.
Corporate bond issuances top Rs 17,000 crore as yields ease
Corporate debt issuances have seen significant growth as many companies seek to capitalize on favorable borrowing conditions. The aggregate debt proposed to be raised this week surpasses Rs 17,000 crore. Experts suggest that current bond yields below 7.30% may not remain stable for long. The outcome of upcoming US midterm elections may influence future market conditions significantly.
Indian oil refiners expect healthy margins amid global supply disruptions
A combination of these factors offer Indian refiners an opportunity to capitalise on stronger diesel, gasoline and aviation turbine fuel (ATF) cracks. Reliance Industries (RIL), Bharat Petroleum Corporation (BPCL), Indian Oil Corporation and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation (HPCL) reported record refining performances in the September quarter (Q2) and expect the run to continue.
Corporate India's white-collar hiring rises 14% in October, led by manufacturing
Corporate India's white-collar hiring showed a 14% increase in October compared to the previous year. Notably, production and manufacturing roles experienced a significant growth of 39%. The demand for AI/ML skills also remained strong, leading to a 32% increase in hiring. Various sectors such as automobiles and BPO/ITeS witnessed substantial hiring increases as well. Overall, metropolitan areas like Hyderabad and Pune led in job growth during this period.
PSU oil firms float tender to buy 150 mn litres of biodiesel at Rs 88/litre
Indian oil marketing companies are inviting bids for 150 million litres of biodiesel over a three-month period. The procurement will begin in November 2026 and aims to reduce dependence on imported crude oil. Supplies will be sourced from used cooking oil and other feedstocks, enhancing the domestic biodiesel market. Vendors must meet strict quality and delivery requirements throughout the procurement phase.
PNB Housing aims for a 4x growth in corporate loan book to Rs 3,000 crore
PNB Housing Finance aims to expand its corporate loan book significantly by the end of March 2027. The company intends to maintain a focus on retail housing finance while growing its corporate lending portfolio. Currently, the corporate loan book stands at Rs 689 crore, contributing to 3 percent of overall loans. Loan growth guidance of 18-20 percent for the financial year remains unchanged, despite interest rate increases.
IOC, BPCL, HPCL clock Rs 30,106 cr Q2 profit, nearly 39 pc of last year's annual earnings
In the third quarter, spanning July to September, India's three major state-run fuel retailers announced a combined net profit of Rs 30,106 crore, reversing a previous loss of Rs 18,150 crore. This profitability surge defied the ongoing freeze on petrol and diesel prices since May. Indian Oil Corporation achieved its highest standalone quarterly net profit, buoyed by strong refining margins, yet faces ongoing challenges related to fuel under-recoveries.
Corporate offsites, incentive trips make a comeback as companies resume travel plans
Corporate offsites and incentive trips are witnessing a revival as companies resume travel plans. Businesses are now scheduling deferred trips alongside new programmes for enhanced team engagement. Popular destinations include both domestic locations like Goa and international options such as Japan and Thailand. Companies aim to create curated experiences that foster collaboration and learning among employees. The focus remains on building connections and strengthening team culture during these offsites.
Bank lending rises as corporate bond fundraising falls amid higher yields: Finance Ministry
Bank lending witnessed a significant surge during April-August FY27, contributing to financial resources for businesses. Non-food bank credit rose to Rs 9.8 lakh crore, indicating strong lending activity across major sectors. In contrast, corporate bond issuances fell sharply amid rising bond yields, highlighting a shift in funding trends. Overall bank credit growth registered an increase of 21.6 percent, supported by strong demand across various industries.
'NCLT independently handles staff appointments': Corporate Affairs Ministry clarifies after SC remarks
The Ministry of Corporate Affairs has released a statement detailing its administrative functions concerning the National Company Law Tribunal's hiring process, amid Supreme Court unease about possible meddling. The ministry reassured that the NCLT retains independent control over its personnel appointments, with the recruitment authority resting with the NCLT president. Furthermore, the Supreme Court hearing brought to light issues around outsourcing recruitment of administrative staff.
NCLT, NCLAT 'hijacked' by corporate affairs ministry: Supreme Court
The Supreme Court expressed discontent with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs regarding appointments in the National Company Law Tribunals. The court emphasized the need for NCLT and NCLAT to gain full autonomy over their staff. It criticized arrangements outsourcing tribunal staff recruitment to private companies, which could jeopardize existing contractual employees. The court urged comprehensive proposals from NCLT and NCLAT presidents to improve operational requirements.
Australia's corporate regulator probing failed $5 billion Firmus IPO
Australia's corporate regulator said on Thursday it was probing the failed $5 billion initial public offering of AI data centre operator Firmus.
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