L&T Reports Q3 Growth, Eyes Strong Future Projects

L&T Reports Strong Growth in Q3 FY25 Performance Engineering giant Larsen & Toubro (L&T) reported a consolidated net profit growth of 14% year-on-year for the quarter ended December 31, 2024, reaching Rs 3,359 crore. The company's revenues stood at Rs 64,668 crore, showing a 17% year-on-year growth, supported by a robust order book and increased project executions across its Projects & Manufacturing businesses. During the same quarter, L&T achieved its highest-ever quarterly orders totaling Rs 116,036 crore, with a 53% year-on-year growth. These orders were received across various sectors and geographies, primarily in thermal power, renewable energy, power transmission, precision engineering, and minerals & metals. International orders contributed significantly, amounting to Rs 62,059 crore, which represented 53% of the total order inflow. L&T's management expressed confidence in the company’s strong performance, underlining that the high order inflow had led to a record-high order book. Looking ahead, the company expects the upcoming Union Budget to focus on infrastructure development, technology adoption, skill enhancement, and energy transition to stimulate the Indian economy further. In the stock market, L&T's share price witnessed a rise of nearly 2% to Rs 3,517.50 ahead of the Q3 results announcement. Analysts predict a 24% growth in net profit, an 18% revenue increase, and a stable EBITDA margin for the quarter. The company is expected to benefit from both international and domestic investments, displaying exceptional control over working capital. Analysts forecast L&T’s net profit for Q3 FY25 to range from Rs 3,570.7 crore to Rs 3,800 crore, with revenues anticipated to grow by 16% to 20.4% year-on-year. The company's strategic plan includes a focus on subsidiary sustainability, investment in green energy, and exits from non-core businesses to drive future growth. L&T maintains its FY25 guidance of 10%-15% growth in operating income, with strong order inflows expected in the latter half of the fiscal year. As of mid-morning trading, L&T shares were up approximately 1.83% on the BSE, trading at Rs 3,512.30 apiece and holding a market capitalization exceeding Rs 4,82,987 crore. Investors are advised to seek expert advice before making any investment decisions.

Jupiter Wagons Ltd. reported a significant financial performance for the quarter ending December 31, 2024. The company's net sales reached Rs 1,029.83 crore, demonstrating a 14.96% increase compared to the same period in 2023. The quarterly net profit saw a substantial growth of 19.5%, reaching Rs 97.34 crore in December 2024. The EBITDA also exhibited a positive trend, standing at Rs 163.48 crore, which is a 26.4% rise from the previous year. Moreover, the EPS for Jupiter Wagons increased to Rs. 2.29 in December 2024, showcasing the company's strong financial performance. Despite the commendable financial results, Jupiter Wagons Ltd. witnessed an 8% decline in its shares on Wednesday's trade. The company's board approved a Qualified Institutional Placement (QIP) of Rs 3,000 crore to raise funds. The QIP is aimed at enhancing the company's financial position and driving growth through various modes of equity share offerings. The move signifies Jupiter Wagons' strategic approach to strengthen its position in the market. Furthermore, the company announced the appointment of Vikash Lohia as the Deputy Managing Director, effective February 1, 2025. This appointment reflects the company's commitment to leadership excellence and organizational growth. On the stock market front, Jupiter Wagons' shares closed at Rs 363.00 on January 28, 2025, reflecting a -41.92% return over the last 6 months and a -7.70% return over the last 12 months. Despite the recent dip in share price, analysts remain optimistic about the company's future, with three out of five analysts maintaining a 'buy' rating. The average 12-month price target suggests a potential upside of 50.4%, indicating positive sentiment towards Jupiter Wagons' growth trajectory. In conclusion, Jupiter Wagons' robust financial performance, strategic initiatives such as the QIP, and key appointments demonstrate the company's resilience and determination to drive sustainable growth in the competitive market landscape.

Adani Enterprises, the flagship company of Adani Group, faced a significant decrease in profits in the third quarter ending December 2024. The company attributed this decline to a high notional forex loss in finance cost due to AUD depreciation in its Australian mining operations. The bottom line dropped by 97% to Rs 58 crore compared to the previous year. Revenue from operations also decreased by 9% to Rs 22,848 crore. Adani Enterprises reported an EBITDA of Rs 3,071 crore, down 5% from the previous year. The company's nine-month performance showed a 6% growth in revenues to Rs 72,763 crore, with a 17% year-on-year increase in profits to Rs 3,254 crore. Adani New Industries recorded a 38% growth in total income, and Adani Airports saw a 33% rise in total income, with significant progress in operational metrics. Adani Group's financial results for Q3 FY25 displayed mixed performance across its subsidiaries. Adani Green Energy, Adani Power, and Adani Transmission reported moderate revenue growth but faced profitability challenges due to rising costs, regulatory pressures, and market volatility. Adani Ports & SEZ demonstrated resilience with stable growth in cargo volumes. Despite ongoing legal and regulatory challenges surrounding the group's executives, technical analysis suggests a potential rebound for Adani Enterprises, Adani Ports, and Adani Power shares. Investors are advised to exercise caution due to the high-risk perception in the market. Analysts recommend maintaining stop losses and closely monitoring the market dynamics for these Adani Group companies. Adani Group stocks have faced significant declines, driven by legal issues, governance concerns, and broader economic uncertainties. Amidst the challenges, stakeholders are advised to stay vigilant and informed about developments impacting the Adani Group and its associated companies.

Blue Star, a leading company, reported a significant increase in its financial performance for the quarter ending December 2024. The company's net sales surged to Rs 2,807.36 crore, marking a substantial 25.26% rise from the same period in the previous year. Blue Star's quarterly net profit also saw a noteworthy improvement, reaching Rs 132.57 crore, up by 32.05%. Furthermore, the company's EBITDA stood at Rs 218.11 crore, exhibiting a notable 29.81% increase from the corresponding period in 2023. Blue Star's earnings per share (EPS) rose to Rs 6.44 in December 2024, compared to Rs 4.89 in December 2023. The company's shares closed at Rs 1,827.50 on January 28, 2025, on the National Stock Exchange (NSE), delivering returns of 4.91% over the past six months and an impressive 69.39% over the previous year. These positive financial results indicate Blue Star's robust performance and growth trajectory in the market. Investors and stakeholders can take note of the company's strong financial position and strategic outlook moving forward. This data provides valuable insights into Blue Star's market standing and potential for future investments.

CarTrade Tech, a prominent online classifieds and auto auction platform in India, experienced a 9% surge in its share price on January 29, reaching ₹1,489 per share following the release of its Q3FY25 earnings report. The company reported a consolidated net profit of ₹45.33 crore for the December quarter, a substantial improvement from the net loss of ₹23.55 crore in the same period last year. The company's performance was driven by its consumer group, which saw a 38% revenue increase and a remarkable 172% growth in profits in Q3. Additionally, its remarketing business recorded a 28% rise in revenue and a 178% increase in profits during the same quarter. CarTrade Tech's subsidiary, OLX India, demonstrated robust performance with an 80% profit surge in Q3FY25 compared to the previous quarter. CarTrade Tech reported an EBITDA of ₹50 crore, marking a 98% growth, and an improved EBITDA margin reaching 28% YoY. The company's average monthly unique visitors exceeded 79 million in the December quarter, with over 95% being organic. With a presence in over 450 physical locations, the company is expanding its market reach significantly. Vinay Sanghi, Chairman and Founder of CarTrade Tech, emphasized the company's robust growth across all business verticals, showcasing strong revenue and profit figures. He highlighted the company's focus on technology innovation and enhancing customer experience to solidify its market position and drive sustained growth. CarTrade Tech's shares have demonstrated strong performance in recent years, with a significant increase from ₹389 per share in March 2023 to ₹1,432 currently, representing a surge of 268%. The company operates as an automotive digital ecosystem connecting various stakeholders in the automobile industry through platforms like CarTrade, CarWale, and AutoBiz. The company's financial results reflect its strategic initiatives and operational efficiency, positioning it for continued expansion and success in the evolving digital marketplace.

SEBI Issues Guidelines to Regulate Stock Market Educators and Finfluencers In a move to crack down on unregistered financial influencers, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has issued guidelines outlining restrictions on using real-time stock market data for educational purposes. The regulator has emphasized the need for individuals educating others on stock markets to have proper registration and adhere to specific regulations. SEBI's recent actions reflect a broader effort to regulate the influence of finfluencers, who often provide stock tips and investment advice without the necessary credentials. By highlighting the importance of registered financial advisors, SEBI aims to protect investors from misleading or deceitful information. Financial experts stress the value of working with qualified financial advisors over finfluencers. Registered advisors bring professionalism, industry qualifications, and regulatory oversight to the table, ensuring tailored advice based on clients' specific needs and financial goals. Selecting the right financial advisor is crucial for effective wealth management. Potential clients are advised to consider factors such as the advisor's qualifications, specialization, and approach to financial planning. It's essential to be cautious of red flags like a focus on product features rather than personalized financial strategies. When evaluating financial advisors, individuals should look for qualifications such as being a Mutual Fund Distributor (MFD), Registered Investment Advisor (RIA), or Certified Financial Planner (CFP). Each type of advisor offers unique benefits and services tailored to different aspects of financial planning. Additionally, investors should be wary of advisors promoting complex or high-risk products without considering their individual risk tolerance and investment goals. Transparency, honesty, and a holistic approach to financial planning are key qualities to seek in a financial advisor. In a bid to safeguard investors and maintain market integrity, SEBI's guidelines aim to curb the influence of unregistered financial influencers and ensure compliance with regulatory standards. By encouraging investors to seek advice from qualified professionals, the regulator strives to protect individuals from potential financial risks and scams in the market.

Kotak Mahindra Bank's head of consumer products, Ambuj Chandna, has decided to resign from his position to explore opportunities beyond the bank. Chandna, who has been with the bank for nearly nine years and served as the president and head of consumer banking products, has a diverse background having worked with institutions like ING Vysya Bank, Citibank India, Fullerton Financial Holdings, and General Electric. The departure of Chandna adds to a series of exits of senior executives from Kotak Bank in recent times. KVS Manian, the former joint MD, resigned in April last year to join Federal Bank after a brief tenure at Kotak Bank. In July 2024, another senior executive, Virat Diwanji, retired from the bank. Most recently, Milind Nagnur, the bank's Chief Technology Officer and Chief Operating Officer, also resigned citing personal reasons. A Kotak Bank spokesperson mentioned that leadership changes are a natural progression within the organization, reflecting career growth opportunities and the bank's strong leadership bench. The bank intends to appoint a new leader for Chandna's role promptly as they remain dedicated to upholding strong leadership and driving continued growth. The resignations occur against the backdrop of the ongoing regulatory issues faced by Kotak Bank. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) earlier instructed the bank to halt opening new accounts and issuing credit cards through online and mobile banking channels due to serious regulatory infractions. Despite these challenges, Kotak Mahindra Bank reported positive financial results in the quarter ended Dec. 31, with a 10% year-on-year increase in standalone net profit, core income, advances, and deposits. However, the bank's stock experienced a slight decline on the market recently. The bank's spokesperson reiterated their commitment to appointing new leadership swiftly and maintaining steady progress in the wake of these organizational changes and regulatory hurdles.