TLDR

Indian equity markets experienced a sharp decline today, reversing the previous session's gains. The BSE Sensex fell by 1,282 points (1.55%) to close at 81,148.22, while the Nifty 50 dropped 346 points (1.39%) to settle at 24,578.35. The downturn was attributed to profit booking, rising crude oil prices, increasing U.S. Treasury yields, and a sell-off in major index-heavyweight stocks.

Today’s Top Stories:

1. Hero MotoCorp Posts Solid Quarter, Declares Big Dividend
   Hero’s Q4 profit rose 6% with a ₹65/share dividend, reflecting strong fundamentals and EV momentum.

2. Cipla Beats Street as Profit Climbs 30%
   Strong Indian and U.S. generics sales helped Cipla post a 30% profit surge with improved margins.

3. Indian Rupee Stabilizes Amid Geopolitical Easing
   The rupee strengthened as India-Pakistan ceasefire and U.S.-China tariff truce improved market sentiment.

4. More Retail Preps ₹2,000 Cr Raise Ahead of IPO
   The Amazon-backed retail chain is set to raise funds to expand operations before its 2026 IPO.

5. Nykaa Profit Doubles as Beauty Business Rebounds
   Nykaa’s Q4 net profit surged 106%, with its beauty division powering a broader earnings recovery.

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TOP STORIES

1. Hero MotoCorp’s Q4 Profit Rises 6%, Declares ₹65 Dividend

• Motorcycle sales help boost earnings: Hero reported ₹1,081 crore in standalone net profit, up 6% YoY for Q4 FY25.

• Strong dividend signal: The board declared a ₹65/share dividend, highlighting healthy cash flow and shareholder focus.

• EV growth strategy: Management emphasized growing momentum in the EV segment through its VIDA line.

2. Cipla Delivers 30% Jump in Q4 Profit, Beats Expectations

• Robust domestic demand: Cipla’s ₹1,222 crore profit (up 30% YoY) was driven by India sales and U.S. generics.

• Margin expansion: EBITDA margins improved on cost control and operational efficiency.

• Positive outlook: Management guided toward continued growth in key therapies and U.S. pipeline execution.

3. Indian Rupee Stabilizes Amid Geopolitical Easing

• Currency gains: The Indian rupee strengthened to a peak of 84.6350 before settling 0.5% higher at 84.9175 against the U.S. dollar.

• Volatility eases: Implied yields and volatility metrics declined, indicating improved market sentiment.

• Trade negotiations: India is reportedly willing to reduce its tariff gap with the U.S. by two-thirds to finalize a trade pact.

4. More Retail Plans ₹2,000 Crore Primary Fundraise Ahead of IPO

• IPO plans move forward: The company aims to file DRHP and go public between April–Dec 2026.

• Backed by marquee investors: Witzig Advisory (Samara Capital and Amazon-backed) will leverage proceeds for expansion.

• Focus on omnichannel: Funds to support digital infrastructure and scale store footprint nationwide.

5. Nykaa Q4 Profit Doubles as Beauty Segment Leads Recovery

• Net profit up 106%: FSN E-Commerce Ventures (Nykaa) posted ₹17.5 crore profit in Q4 FY25, up from ₹8.5 crore last year.

• Beauty outperforms: The core BPC segment showed strong volume and margin growth, outshining fashion and e-commerce units.

• New growth engines: Nykaa is doubling down on private labels and international expansion to drive future gains.

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