DIGITAL FOOTPRINTS
State Bank of India expands US footprint with new branch in Texas
State Bank of India expanded its banking subsidiary footprint in the United States with the inauguration of a new branch of SBIC Bank in Frisco, North Dallas, Texas. The branch, inaugurated by SBI Chairman Challa Sreenivasulu Setty, represents the subsidiary's first office outside California and takes its total branch count in the country from seven to eight.
Environmental groups embrace AI, even as they warn of data center impacts
Environmental organisations are increasingly leveraging artificial intelligence to enhance conservation efforts and analyze ecological data. Many express concerns about the environmental impact caused by data centers that support AI technologies. The energy and water consumption of these centers is projected to double by 2030, raising emissions concerns.
Equinix seeking land for India data centres: CEO
The world’s largest data centre operator by footprint, valued at nearly $100 billion, has invested $365 million in India and sees significant opportunities in AI inference, the process of using trained models to generate responses and run business applications. Such workloads require proximity to enterprise data, users and networks.
IPO-bound BRND.ME’s Villain enters new category to tap a multi-billion fragrance market
BRND.ME is diversifying its Villain fragrance brand into the unisex market. The release of two new Eau de Parfums, named Muse and V-Code, marks a significant milestone in meeting the preferences of the younger Gen Z audience that favors inclusive scents. Supported by strong distribution and a powerful online presence, this expansion signifies BRND.ME's ambitious plans for an IPO and further global reach.
US hospitals brace for tougher 2027 as coverage losses and Medicaid cuts loom
US hospital operators are experiencing revenue pressure due to an increase in uninsured patients affecting their operating margins. The expiration of federal subsidies is causing ACA exchange premiums to rise sharply, leading to more patients losing coverage. Major hospital chains are bracing for declines in Medicaid supplemental payments that could hit their finances hard. Analysts caution that forthcoming changes to Medicaid requirements might exacerbate issues for hospital operators.
Gulf Oil eyes market leadership in India, global expansion to drive next growth phase
Gulf Oil aims to surpass its rival and achieve the market leader status in India's lubricants sector. The company plans to invest approximately ₹55 crore to expand its manufacturing capacity significantly. Growth is expected from B2B, industrial, and infrastructure segments, alongside exploring new niches like data centre cooling.
- Go To Page 1

AI shopping agents could threaten Amazon and Walmart's ad business
Retail powerhouses Walmart and Amazon are also the world's two largest retail media businesses, dominating the estimated $74.4 billion in US retail media spending with a combined 88% share of that market, according to projections from data firm Emarketer. But digital assistants could soon disrupt that business.

BLS International Services net profit rises 8.6% to Rs 201.7 cr in July-September
BLS International Services reported an 8.6 percent growth in profit after tax for the quarter ended September 2026. The company's revenue from operations rose by 32 percent compared to the same period last year. Investments in AI technology, automation, and employee upskilling are part of their growth strategy. The leadership expressed confidence in future growth supported by technology and global expansion.

Premji's deeptech bets; Razorpay gets IPO nod
Happy Thursday! Premji Invest is stepping up its bets on defence and aerospace manufacturing.This and more in today’s ETtech Morning Dispatch.

Tata-Iveco combine eyes significant growth in volumes, revenues over next 5 years: Chandrasekaran
Tata Motors and Iveco Group expect significant growth in vehicle volumes, revenues and margins over the next five years following their combination, Tata Sons Chairman N Chandrasekaran said. The combined entity will have annual revenues of around $24 billion, operations in over 130 countries and a portfolio spanning trucks, buses and specialised vehicles.

Apple’s robust India quarter; Giva’s $100 million funding
Apple posted record sales in India in the September quarter. This and more in today’s ETtech Top 5.

Airbus wants more 'Made in India' aircraft parts: From titanium to complex assemblies, here's what company plans to source next
Airbus plans to increase its annual sourcing of components and services from India to USD 2 billion before 2030, up from the current USD 1.6 billion. India head Jurgen Westermeier called the country a "very important market" and stressed the need to strengthen local manufacturing, MRO infrastructure and aviation training as the country's aircraft fleet expands.

Giva raises over $100 million led by Multiples Alternate Asset Management
Founded in 2019, Giva focusses on everyday wear and gifting jewellery made from silver, gold, and lab-grown diamonds, sold across online and offline channels. Currently, it has around 425 stores across India and Sri Lanka. By the end of the financial year, it aims to scale to 470-475 stores and plans to have 2,000 in the next four years.

From GST to e-invoicing: Closing the loop on Digital India
India has already built the rails. It is time to let the invoice travel on them.

As US midterms enter last lap, Indian "consultants" suddenly thrust into spotlight
Indian "consultants" are under scrutiny for allegedly engaging in election manipulation on a global scale. These activities reportedly range from creating false narratives on social media networks to shape voter perceptions. Reports say these firms have operated in multiple countries, including the US.

South Eastern Coalfields files DRHP with SEBI for IPO; Coal India to offload 66.8 crore shares
Coal India subsidiary South Eastern Coalfields has filed its draft papers with SEBI for an IPO comprising an offer for sale of up to 66.81 crore shares. One of India’s largest coal producers, SECL reported higher revenue and profit and plans to list on the BSE and NSE.

Sun Pharma’s specialty portfolio, Organon deal to drive growth
Sun Pharmaceutical achieved notable revenue growth in the September quarter, driven by strong performance in India and specialty medicines. The company anticipates medium-term growth from therapies like Ilumya and ongoing innovative projects. Although profitability was affected by acquisition and litigation costs, the domestic market share increased to 8.6% from last year. R&D investments are expected to rise in the second half of FY27 as development accelerates.

IPO ahead: Value-fashion retailer Ratnadeep Retail gets Sebi nod to raise funds through public issue
Ratnadeep Retail has received Sebi approval to launch an IPO comprising a fresh issue of up to Rs 400 crore and an offer for sale of 1.49 crore shares. The Hyderabad-based retailer plans to use part of the proceeds to repay borrowings and expand its store network across India.

See data centres less as energy-sucking private warehouses, and more as quasi-public utilities
We need data centres. They run far more than ChatGPT. Search, banking, streaming, social networks, cloud software, government services, hospitals and almost every company's digital operations depend on them. AI simply raises the requirement dramatically. Google says its Vizag hub will provide new subsea connectivity for India. IEA says electricity use by AI-focused data centres jumped 50% in 2025. A country without serious compute infrastructure risks becoming a consumer, rather than a producer, of the AI revolution.

CCI approves Adani acquisition of Intellismart
Adani Energy Solutions has received approval to acquire IntelliSmart Infrastructure, establishing a major presence in smart meters. This acquisition will help expand the Adani Group's operations in digital grid modernization efforts. The Competition Commission of India also approved other significant acquisitions in various sectors, highlighting ongoing consolidation in the market. Notable approvals include investments in telecom and quick-service restaurants, enhancing industry efficiency.

Jio’s connectivity push gathers pace, 5G base hits 300 million and broadband homes 30 million
Jio Platforms reported a 28% increase in its 5G subscriber base and a 32% rise in home broadband connections. By the end of the September quarter, Jio had added 66 million 5G customers, reaching a total of 300 million subscribers. The company acquired 15 million new 5G users sequentially during the third quarter. Jio is now the world's largest 5G operator outside China.

Gen Z brands are breaching the last citadel of legacy consumer firms
India's Gen Z and D2C brands are challenging FMCG giants like Hindustan Unilever, ITC and Marico by expanding into kirana stores. New-age brands captured 21.7% of India's kirana market in H1 FY27, up from 14.8% a year earlier. As digital-first brands breach traditional distribution networks, legacy FMCG companies face growing competition for retail shelf space and consumer loyalty nationwide.

Jio & let Jio, India’s crackling telco space
India's Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel are now among the world's top telecom companies due to significant evolution. The integration of AI technologies is transforming telecom networks and helping to optimize operations effectively. This shift enhances the capacity for high-speed data transfer, which is essential for supporting AI applications. Telecom firms are addressing challenges such as siloed data and adapting to provide better services.

Piramal Pharma cutting China exposure to manage supply-chain resilience, says Nandini Piramal
In a strategic move to enhance risk management, Piramal Pharma has drastically cut its reliance on Chinese raw materials to under 10%. The company is actively diversifying its supply chains to provide greater flexibility against geopolitical challenges while broadening its manufacturing footprint to locations like India, the UK, and the US.

87% of India CEOs confident of growth despite cyber, geopolitical risks: KPMG
Nearly 87% of Indian CEOs are confident about their companies' growth prospects in the next three years. They are increasing investments in cybersecurity to mitigate risks associated with growing threats. Attracting and retaining employees remains a major challenge along with skill gaps. Additionally, 66% of CEOs say sustainability is integrated into core strategies for future growth.

Kirana stores make room for new generation FMCG brands as they muscle past legacy giants
India's kirana market has seen new-age consumer brands expand their market share to nearly 22%. This increase has impacted the dominance of established fast-moving consumer goods companies. The shift is largely driven by changing consumer preferences and greater access to online channels. New brands face challenges in sustaining their physical distribution network against legacy players. Established brands are adjusting their strategies in response to growing demand for premium products.

India in striking distance of 8% growth as reforms boost economy: Shaktikanta Das
Das said the BFSI sector has a crucial role to play in India's journey from a lower-middle-income economy to a high-income economy, through its intermediation in allocation of financial resources. He said the sector would be required to support India's next-gen Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), be the frontline of green and transition finance and become the catalyst for democratising financial inclusion to support this journey.

Shaktikanta Das urges BFSI sector to lead infrastructure, high-tech manufacturing funding
Shaktikanta Das highlighted the essential role of the BFSI sector in financing infrastructure and new manufacturing. He emphasized the need for funding micro, small and medium enterprises as well as agriculture. Das proposed utilizing digital financial channels for efficient credit underwriting and financial inclusion. The segment must adapt to support next-gen Digital Public Infrastructure and sustainable finance.

WeWork India H1FY27 net profit rockets 150%, revenue surges 30%
WeWork India’s first-half FY27 net profit surged 149.5% to Rs 119 crore, while revenue grew 30.1% to Rs 1,466.7 crore. Capacity expansion, rising memberships, stronger cash flows and improved margins supported growth and strengthened its financial position.
Load More