The Economic Times

Mahindra Lifespace Developers Ltd. reported a 66% year-on-year increase in residential pre-sales to ₹1,988 crore in the first half of FY27, supported by demand across its housing projects. The real estate developer added ₹7,100 crore in gross development value (GDV) during the six-month period, up from ₹5,200 crore a year earlier. Consolidated sales across its residential and integrated cities and industrial clusters businesses rose 48% to ₹2,101 crore, while profit after tax edged up to ₹102 crore from ₹99 crore. The second quarter, however, saw consolidated profit fall 67% year-on-year to ₹16 crore, even as residential pre-sales grew 41% to ₹1,063 crore. Residential collections increased to ₹1,152 crore in H1 from ₹1,086 crore in the corresponding period last year. The company reported a net debt-to-equity ratio of -0.28 as of September 30, indicating a cash surplus.  Amit Kumar Sinha, MD and CEO of Mahindra Lifespace Developers, said: “Business development continues to be robust with 7,100 crores of GDV additions. Our IC&IC business has strong pipeline, expected to close in H2 FY27.”

Himadri Speciality Chemical Ltd. plans to invest ₹1,613 crore across four business areas as it expands its presence in battery materials, advanced carbon products and speciality chemicals. The company has earmarked ₹1,125 crore for lithium iron phosphate (LFP), ₹248 crore for speciality chemicals, ₹70 crore for carbon nanotubes and ₹170 crore for super speciality carbon black. The proposed greenfield and brownfield projects are expected to be completed by the fourth quarter of the next financial year. The investment forms part of Himadri’s strategy to move towards higher-value products, strengthen its battery materials business and improve profitability. The company also plans to expand its global presence in battery materials and strengthen its position in high-performance speciality carbon black. Himadri currently holds nearly 67% of India’s domestic naphthalene market and is expanding its speciality chemical portfolio for industrial, construction, pharmaceutical and agrochemical applications.  Anurag Choudhary, Chairman and CEO, Himadri Speciality Chemicals, said: “We are building the materials backbone for the energy transition economy - driving sustainable growth for decades to come. The future will belong to the companies that can continuously reload themselves - execute, reinvest, and scale again.”

Mutual Funds, PMS or AIFs -how do you choose the right investment route? With multiple investment structures available today, understanding their differences and how they align with your financial goals is key to making informed decisions. At the ET Wealth Expo 2026, Vikas Khemani, Founder and CIO of Carnelian Asset Management and Advisors Pvt Ltd, will share insights on markets, investment options and the many considerations that shape wealth creation. Join us for an engaging session packed with perspectives on navigating the investment landscape and making more informed financial choices. 📅 30th October 2026 📍 Mumbai Reserve Your Seat: https://lnkd.in/g4z7TTc7 #ETWealthExpo #VikasKhemani #WealthCreation #InvestmentStrategies #FinancialMarkets

Nestlé is stepping up investment behind Maggi noodles and KitKat chocolate in India, identifying significant scope to increase household penetration and consumption despite rising food inflation and commodity costs. The company said 37% of urban Indian households now buy Maggi every month, compared with 24% in 2016. India remains a key growth market for the Swiss packaged foods major, with instant noodles growing at more than twice the rate of the overall food segment, supported by convenience and more frequent consumption occasions. Nestlé is also responding to younger consumers’ growing interest in global flavours through its Korean and ramen ranges. Nestlé India reported a 20% year-on-year increase in September-quarter revenue to ₹6,788 crore, although higher costs for edible oils, cocoa and sugar remain a concern. India is among Nestlé SA’s top five emerging markets, with annualised sales of at least one billion Swiss francs, and delivered 20% organic growth in the September quarter.  As Philipp Navratil, Chief Executive Officer, Nestlé SA, said: “At the same time, consumers, particularly younger consumers, are looking to world cuisine for bolder flavours. We are capturing this opportunity through Korean and ramen ranges.”

Apple has officially entered the foldable smartphone market with the launch of its first folding device, the iPhone Duo, testing whether its brand appeal can bring the format to a wider audience. Sales began on Friday, following pre-orders that quickly pushed estimated delivery dates into late January as demand outpaced initial supply. The launch is also an early test for CEO John Ternus, who unveiled the device shortly after taking charge. Priced at $1,999 in the US, the iPhone Duo has received positive reviews for its design and barely visible hinge, though critics have flagged the absence of a telephoto lens, limited third-party app optimisation and usability challenges when folded. Apple’s entry could reshape a segment long led by Samsung and Huawei. Research firm IDC expects Apple to capture 44% of the foldable market’s value in 2026, representing 31% of units, and become the category leader by both value and shipments in 2027.  As Francisco Jeronimo 🚀, Vice President, IDC, said: “Now comes the next test: turning excitement into availability, adoption and a lasting new chapter for the smartphone market.”

Ramesh Chowdhary, Founder & CEO, Giggs Software Labs, shared how the India-UAE Business Expansion Forum helped him explore opportunities for expanding technology-led businesses into the UAE and wider Gulf region. "The markets on AI, data and cybersecurity are expanding pretty fast and aggressively." #AjmanFreeZone #IndiaUAE #AIBusiness #Cybersecurity #TechExpansion #UAE Ajman Free Zone (AFZ)

The Young Minds Entrepreneurship Program, Batch 4, reaches an exciting milestone on 25 October 2026 with its Pitch Day & Felicitation Ceremony. We are delighted to welcome Amit Shukla, Chief Executive Officer at MOPP Foods, and Geetika Anand Gupta, Group Chief Marketing Officer at Kouzina Food Tech Pvt Ltd, as our esteemed jury members. They will evaluate the Top 10 student pitches, bringing their industry experience and valuable perspectives to this special day for our young entrepreneurs. As our students take the stage to present their business ideas, this event celebrates their creativity, entrepreneurial thinking, and the progress they have made in transforming early ideas into structured business pitches. At The Economic Times, the Young Minds Entrepreneurship Program is built around one simple belief: students learn entrepreneurship best when they get the opportunity to think, build, present, and learn by doing. We look forward to seeing our young founders take the stage, present their innovative ideas to an accomplished jury, and celebrate their entrepreneurial journey. Batch 4 Finale | Pitch Day & Felicitation Ceremony Sunday, 25 October 2026 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM IST Know more about the program: https://lnkd.in/eUF2RtRa #YoungMindsEntrepreneurshipProgram #YoungEntrepreneurs #StudentEntrepreneurs #EntrepreneurshipEducation #FutureFounders #TheEconomicTimes #PitchDay #StudentInnovation #YoungMinds

Wealth is not just about how much you make. It’s about how you manage it, protect it and what it allows you to do. How should we think about money? How can we create wealth, navigate risks and preserve what we build to live life on our own terms? At the ET Wealth Expo 2026, Vijay Kedia, MD, KEDIA SECURITIES & SERVICES PVT.LTD., will share insights on these questions, along with key lessons from his investment journey. 📅 30th October 2026 📍 Mumbai Join us for an insightful conversation on wealth creation, risk management and the role money plays in shaping the life we want to lead. Reserve Your Seats: https://lnkd.in/g4z7TTc7 #ETWealthExpo #VijayKedia #WealthCreation #InvestmentInsights #WealthManagement

When an AI tool is misused, where does accountability lie, with model creators or with the end users? AI pioneer Andrew Ng, Adjunct Professor at Stanford University, and Managing Partner, AI Aspire, explains why forcing developers to eliminate all potential misuse is technologically impossible. 📺 Stream the full episode here ➠ http://ecoti.in/InOH-Z #AIEthics #TechLeaders #OpenAI Deepak Ajwani

#eMudhra #security lapse explained | Co-founder Kaushik Srinivasan, CFA on what went wrong | Link to full video in comment