STRUCTURED PRODUCTS
Companies want AI-powered customer service; EY says they need a bigger reset
Adopting artificial intelligence tools alone is insufficient for companies aiming to enhance customer service operations. They need to redesign their operating models and workforce capabilities, as highlighted in an EY report. Assessing existing operations and identifying gaps are crucial first steps in this transformation process. Additionally, integrating AI into existing systems is necessary to drive measurable business outcomes and improve customer experiences.
In 2003 and 2006, California used 224,700 waste tires behind two freeway walls; the lighter fill reduced pressure on the structures by about 30%
California has taken a progressive step by integrating millions of waste tires into its freeway construction. This innovative approach involves the use of tire-derived aggregate in retaining walls, which effectively minimizes structural pressure. Not only does this practice present numerous advantages in civil engineering, but it also helps conserve natural resources while tackling the tire disposal dilemma.
Arunoday Singh-headed O-Health secures strategic funding
O-Health has received strategic funding from several investors to advance its healthcare technology solutions. The company aims to enhance its voice-first AI-enabled clinical pre-assessment platform for better patient information management. The investment will support the expansion into additional healthcare sectors and development of indigenous AI models and clinical hardware. O-Health plans to broaden its focus to include preventive health technologies and intelligent hospital workflows.
Bad AI cholesterol vs good AI cholesterol
The Magnificent 7 of Big Tech has recently experienced a staggering drop, losing over $1 trillion in collective market value. This decline is fueled by apprehensions regarding spending on artificial intelligence and rampant inflation. As challenges loom for AI investments—particularly in legal and borrowing contexts—investors must now navigate a landscape where distinguishing between thriving and failing AI projects is crucial.
SIFs gain investor traction with over Rs 38,000 crore in assets. Should investors add them to their portfolios this Diwali?
India’s Specialised Investment Funds (SIFs) crossed Rs 38,000 crore in assets in September 2026, offering flexible long-short and derivatives-based strategies. While experts see growth potential, they caution about limited track records, higher risks and the Rs 10 lakh minimum investment. Investors should assess suitability before allocating funds.
IFC extends $150 million credit line to SBI in first investment in an Indian state-owned bank
The International Finance Corporation has extended a $150 million social loan to State Bank of India to support agricultural financing for around 864,000 rural women. The IFC has also executed its first domestic cross-currency swap with an Indian bank, making SBI its first local swap counterparty in South Asia.
An artificial reef can do more than attract fish: How a 125-acre underwater project could reshape North Carolina's coastal ecosystems
An artificial reef will be constructed in North Carolina's Albemarle Sound, scheduled for development soon. This project aims to create shelter, feeding opportunities, and spawning habitats for local marine life. By utilizing materials from the Alligator River Bridge, the reef will cover an area of 125 acres. Although the initiative will increase habitat availability, its effectiveness in boosting fish populations is uncertain.
There is a wider acceptance of hybrid capital with the lack of options beyond bank lending: Bain Capital’s Sarit Chopra
Special Situations team of the Boston based PE group has deployed $1.2 bn in CY26; aims at $1 bn/yr momentum. From funding cross border M&As by India Inc to carve outs or helping promoter’s deleverage their balance sheets, new opportunities are mushrooming.
Canva layoffs: CEO Melanie Perkins calls job cuts ‘hardest moment’ in company's history, says ‘deeply sorry’. Read full letter
Canva Group, recognized as a prominent Australian graphic design platform, is set to undergo significant changes with a restructuring plan that impacts its workforce. The company has announced the elimination of 1,271 jobs, representing about 22% of its total employees. After a decade of steady growth, this move aims to optimize operations.
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.
Centre proposing parity in mineral taxation, states' rights to remain intact: Union Mines Secretary
Proposed amendments to the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act are intended to create tax parity across states. This initiative aims to reduce reliance on imports by fostering local production and processing of critical minerals. The Indian government has introduced significant subsidies to support industries establishing lithium and nickel processing facilities. Approximately 58 entities are now registered under a recycling program for electronic waste.
Georgia repurposed retired chicken cages as estuary reefs in the 1990s; years later, the structures remained stable and supported oyster growth
In an innovative move, Georgia has transformed chicken transport cages into artificial reefs to bolster marine life. Initiated in 1990, successful projects in Jove Creek and Van Dyke Creek highlighted the potential of this strategy. However, not every venture, like the Gold-Kist cages, yielded the same success. This initiative showcases how local industrial waste can contribute to environmental restoration, emphasizing the value of recycling in marine conservation efforts.
BMW Q3 profit falls 15% as China competition weighs
BMW reported a 15% year-on-year decline in third-quarter net profit to 1.45 billion euros, a day after issuing its second profit warning of 2026. Intensifying competition from Chinese automakers, rising costs and weaker demand in China are weighing on the German luxury carmaker. Its vehicle deliveries in China plunged 24.8% during the quarter, while global deliveries fell 6.3%.
From enterprises to SMBs: How Flashfox AI plans to change the hiring game
GetWork’s AI hiring business, now spun off as Flashfox AI, is targeting 500 enterprise clients in the next 24 months as it expands into Southeast Asia and the Middle East.
Canva to cut about 22% of staff as growth slowdown triggers restructuring
Australian graphic design platform Canva Group said on Wednesday it would cut 1,271 jobs, or about 22% of its workforce, as part of a restructuring after growth slowed for the first time in a decade.
NBFCs redesign lending models ahead of revolving credit curbs
Non-banking financial companies are innovating loan products to align with upcoming Reserve Bank of India guidelines. These guidelines aim to limit revolving credit facilities, prompting firms to develop term loans. Bajaj Finance has already begun launching new term loan variants, while Tata Capital is testing modified flexi-loan products. Other NBFCs are reviewing their positions on revolving credit exposure ahead of the final regulations.
India aiming to achieve Rs 3 lakh crore defence production, Rs 50K crore defence exports by 2029: Rajnath Singh
India aims to build a self-reliant defence ecosystem to meet national security challenges effectively. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh highlighted budget increases and production goals during a recent meeting. The focus includes modernizing military capabilities and enhancing personnel preparedness for contemporary warfare. Strategic autonomy, technological advancements, and operational readiness are crucial for India's military future. The objective is a military that can handle various security challenges through continuous modernization efforts.
Retailer Zalando launches AI shopping agent as margins squeezed
Zalando has launched its inaugural AI shopping agent, aiming to refine its online retail experience significantly. This innovative platform enables users to shop across various online stores using intelligent AI assistants. Although shares dropped by 5%, the company saw a revenue uptick of 5.1% in Q3. However, the gross profit margin decreased due to heightened investment in technology and infrastructure as competitors embrace AI amid rapid industry transformation.
ET Wealth Expo 2026| India's next investment mega trend is a $1.5 trillion wealth transfer: Ganesh Mohan
Speaking on the sidelines of ET Wealth Expo 2026 in Mumbai, Mohan identified intergenerational wealth transfer as one of the major socio-cultural mega trends unfolding in India. He believes the shift will go beyond the transfer of assets between family members and could trigger a fundamental change in investment preferences, with younger investors potentially moving towards financial assets, equities and more diversified portfolios.
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