Devangshu Datta, Outlook Money

Stories by Devangshu Datta, Outlook Money

Why ITC's cigarette biz may remain under pressure in H2FY27

Why ITC's cigarette biz may remain under pressure in H2FY27

Rediff.com   8 hours ago

ITC's non-cigarette divisions, including FMCG, agri, and paperboards, delivered strong growth in Q2FY27, significantly increasing their contribution to overall earnings and net revenues. This performance helped offset the continued pressure on the core cigarette business due to high taxation and declining volumes.

Tata Consumer Q2FY27: Strong Revenue, Margin Growth Amidst Price Hikes

Tata Consumer Q2FY27: Strong Revenue, Margin Growth Amidst Price Hikes

Rediff.com   7 days ago

Tata Consumer Products Ltd (TCPL) reported strong Q2FY27 results, with consolidated revenue up 14% year-on-year to ~5,661 crore and profit after tax growing 16% to ~470 crore, driven by price hikes and a strategic pivot towards high-growth segments.

The Genius Behind DeepMind's AI Revolution

The Genius Behind DeepMind's AI Revolution

Rediff.com   31 Oct 2026

One AI-driven achievement that is unequivocally beneficial is the work on protein-folding.

DMart Faces Margin Pressure, Higher Costs Amidst Aggressive Store Expansion

DMart Faces Margin Pressure, Higher Costs Amidst Aggressive Store Expansion

Rediff.com   20 Oct 2026

Avenue Supermarts (DMart) reported lower-than-expected Q2FY27 performance, with revenue growth of 18.4 per cent year-on-year but visible margin pressure, leading to a 4.5 per cent stock drop. The company faces challenges from lower-margin sales, operating cost pressures, and aggressive store expansion, impacting profitability despite improved same-store sales growth.

Meesho's unique value-commerce model faces stiff competition, premium valuations

Meesho's unique value-commerce model faces stiff competition, premium valuations

Rediff.com   3 Oct 2026

Meesho, a value-commerce platform targeting middle- and lower-income geographies, is poised for significant growth driven by its asset-light model and low fulfilment costs, but faces intense competition from e-commerce giants and high valuations.

Gains for power stocks depend on execution, valuations

Gains for power stocks depend on execution, valuations

Rediff.com   9 Sep 2026

India's power sector is undergoing a significant transformation, driven by a planned shift towards renewable energy and ambitious capacity expansion targets, with major players like NTPC, JSW Energy, Adani, and Tata Power prioritising predictable returns. However, execution challenges and valuation concerns remain critical factors for sustained growth.

Voltas' New JV to Boost Localisation, Margin Trajectory Key for Future Growth

Voltas' New JV to Boost Localisation, Margin Trajectory Key for Future Growth

Rediff.com   25 Aug 2026

Voltas has announced a joint venture with Atomberg Innovation to manufacture high-efficiency room air conditioner (RAC) compressors, aiming to strengthen localisation and supply-chain resilience. Despite significant volume growth in RACs, the company's margins remain a key concern for analysts.

Bajaj Finance's Strong Q1 FY27 Performance Driven by AUM Growth, Digital Initiatives

Bajaj Finance's Strong Q1 FY27 Performance Driven by AUM Growth, Digital Initiatives

Rediff.com   9 Aug 2026

Bajaj Finance reported a strong Q1 FY27 performance with 24 per cent year-on-year AUM growth and a 28 per cent rise in consolidated profit after tax, driven by significant increases in consumer financing, gold loans, and commercial vehicle loans, alongside a strategic focus on digital transformation and AI.

Can Social Media Age Bans Work?

Can Social Media Age Bans Work?

Rediff.com   7 Aug 2026

At what age should society stop regulating life choices and allow people to make their own?

Strong Q1 for Eternal, market share gains likely for Blinkit

Strong Q1 for Eternal, market share gains likely for Blinkit

Rediff.com   31 Jul 2026

Eternal's quick commerce platform, Blinkit, significantly outperformed in Q1 FY27, with net order value (NOV) rising 19.1 per cent quarter-on-quarter, indicating strong market share gains driven by increased monthly transacting users and transaction frequency.

L&T Finance posts strong Q1FY27 results, eyes AI-led growth and gold loan expansion

L&T Finance posts strong Q1FY27 results, eyes AI-led growth and gold loan expansion

Rediff.com   23 Jul 2026

L&T Finance reported a robust Q1FY27 with net profit growing 29% year-on-year to 900 crore, driven by strong asset growth and strategic initiatives including accelerating cross-selling, improving productivity, and fostering a technology-first, AI-led culture, alongside significant expansion in gold loans.

NBFCs show strong Q4, but near-term outlook remains cautious

NBFCs show strong Q4, but near-term outlook remains cautious

Rediff.com   4 Jul 2026

Non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) reported encouraging results for Q4FY26 with improved asset quality and earnings, but analysts maintain a cautious near-term outlook due to geopolitical tensions, monsoon risks, and specific portfolio concerns.

Vedanta Aluminium Metal set to be top performer post-demerger

Vedanta Aluminium Metal set to be top performer post-demerger

Rediff.com   24 Jun 2026

The demerger of Vedanta's four new entities - Vedanta Aluminium Metal, Vedanta Oil & Gas, Vedanta Power, and Vedanta Iron & Steel - has led to a 16% appreciation in aggregated market capitalisation, with Vedanta Aluminium Metal identified as a likely near-term top performer due to its scale, low production costs, and favourable commodities cycle.

Eradicating Cockroaches Isn't Easy

Eradicating Cockroaches Isn't Easy

Rediff.com   8 Jun 2026

A wellspring fuelling the CJP tsunami is the high levels of youth unemployment. Millions of youngsters, including extremely over-qualified people, apply in desperation for any job that is advertised. No government has been able to deliver on this front and things may get worse as artificial intelligence enters the workforce, points out Devangshu Datta.

Better execution can push up HAL stock to higher altitude

Better execution can push up HAL stock to higher altitude

Rediff.com   27 May 2026

Despite a disappointing Q4 FY26 performance, many analysts remain bullish on Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL) due to its substantial order book and pipeline. However, persistent supply chain issues, particularly for jet engines, and execution challenges are key factors that could impact its future stock performance and revenue growth.

Cipla's Q4 Revenue Below Estimates, Strategic Launches Crucial for Recovery

Cipla's Q4 Revenue Below Estimates, Strategic Launches Crucial for Recovery

Rediff.com   22 May 2026

Pharmaceutical major Cipla reported a 3 per cent year-on-year decline in March quarter revenue to Rs 6,541 crore, with net profit falling 55 per cent to Rs 554.6 crore, missing consensus estimates. Despite strong growth in India and Africa, a significant decline in North American sales impacted overall performance, with the company now focusing on new product launches and regulatory filings to drive future gains.

Bharat Forge: Diversified Portfolio Fuels Optimistic Growth Projections

Bharat Forge: Diversified Portfolio Fuels Optimistic Growth Projections

Rediff.com   17 May 2026

Bharat Forge reported modest Q4FY26 results but provided strong guidance, anticipating significant growth from its defence, aerospace, and data centre segments, with a projected 25 per cent revenue growth in Indian manufacturing for FY27, despite current high valuations.

Higher input costs, price hikes may play spoilsport for HUL

Higher input costs, price hikes may play spoilsport for HUL

Rediff.com   12 May 2026

Hindustan Unilever (HUL) exceeded consensus estimates in Q4FY26, driven by lower overheads and 6 per cent consolidated volume growth. However, the company anticipates further price hikes to counter an expected 8-10 per cent material cost inflation, while maintaining a mid-term margin guidance of 22.5-23.5 per cent.

Trent's Q4FY26 Revenue Rebounds, Board Approves Rs 2,500 Crore Equity Raise

Trent's Q4FY26 Revenue Rebounds, Board Approves Rs 2,500 Crore Equity Raise

Rediff.com   3 May 2026

Trent reported a 20 per cent revenue rebound in Q4FY26, driven by a recovery in like-for-like growth and significant store additions. The company's board has approved raising up to 2,500 crore in equity to fund investments in store network upgrades, new brands, supply chain automation, and Star Bazaar expansion, alongside a 1:2 bonus issue and a 6 dividend.

Near-term growth, margin triggers missing in Wipro's Q4 results

Near-term growth, margin triggers missing in Wipro's Q4 results

Rediff.com   26 Apr 2026

Wipro reported Q4FY26 IT services revenue of $2.6 billion, a modest 0.2 per cent Q-o-Q constant currency growth, with adjusted operating profit margin beating estimates at 17.2 per cent. The company announced a significant share buyback of ~15,000 crore, but faces near-term growth challenges, particularly in the BFSI segment, and has issued a soft Q1FY27 revenue guidance.