Corporate Trends
M&M maternity leave to cover adoption, surrogacy
The new maternity benefits policy - amongst the first such initiatives in the manufacturing industry - also provides 6 months of flexi work option and 24 months of hybrid work option to all new mothers, with approval from the line manager, at the end of the 26-week mandated maternity leave.
India Inc rating upgrades continue to outnumber downgrades
The credit ratio - that is, the ratio of upgrade to downgrade - decreased sequentially to 1.67 in the first half of FY24 from 2.72 in the second half of FY23. The credit ratio, though, is slightly higher than its 10-year average of 1.54 and is expected to remain range bound, CareEdge said.
What are WhatsApp Channels and how to follow or unfollow someone
Channels are a one-way broadcast tool for admins to send text, photos, videos, stickers, and polls. To help you select channels to follow, we’re building a searchable directory where you can find your hobbies, sports teams, updates from local officials, and more. You can also get to a channel from invite links sent in chats, e-mail, or posted online. (Image: Meta blog)
How Tata Group companies are unlocking power of equity-based incentives to attract & retain talent
Over the last two years, Tata Consumer Products, Tata Power, Tata Communications, Titan and Tata Elxsi began offering performance-based stock units, restricted stock units and employee stock options (Esops) – all forms of equity-based compensation – for the first time. The latest is Tata Power, which sought shareholder approval to issue Esops this month. A top Tata group executive said instruments like Esops help companies to ensure their compensation packages are close to industry trends.
For companies, cricket World Cup's now a KRA
Companies including Godrej & Boyce, Physics Wallah, Urban Company, Shiprocket, The Sleep Company, Simpl, VideoVerse and TheMathCompany have plans to screen matches, with some going beyond to organise World Cup-themed contests, reward employees with passes to some matches, and curate special menus on match days, among other initiatives.
SignCatch executes first global export trade on ONDC Network
SignCatch, a Platform-as-a-Service provider, has successfully executed the world's first export order on the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC). SignCatch collaborated with Proxtera, a Singapore-based platform, to enable B2B sellers on Bech.app to receive export orders from Proxtera's B2B buyer platform.
Grey remains the new black for company boards
Despite the rise of Gen Z in the workplace, age and experience still dominate the boards of Indian companies. The average age of board members at NSE-listed companies is 58.67 years, indicating that while there are some younger directors, boards remain predominantly older. However, the number of younger directors has been steadily increasing, with 13.89% of directors being below the age of 45.
Temasek to shed 8-9% in Manipal Hospitals to sovereign wealth funds
Singapore sovereign wealth fund Temasek is selling 8-9% of its stake in Manipal Hospitals to Abu Dhabi fund Mubadala and Brunei Investment Authority. Temasek will continue to hold a 51% stake in the hospital chain. The sale is part of Temasek's portfolio rebalancing strategy and could potentially help Manipal Hospitals in the future with large-scale expansion opportunities.
Emami acquires 26% stake in Axiom Ayurveda in all-cash deal
In a stock exchange notification, Kolkata-based Emami said the investment was in line with its strategy to invest in the health and wellness segment and would also help the company enter the juice segment. It has acquired a stake in Axiom Ayurveda and its associates.
Asian Paints' Ashwin Suryakant Dani passes away
Ashwin Dani, former vice chairman and managing director of Asian Paints, India's largest paints company, has passed away at the age of 79. Dani played a crucial role in the company's rise to become the country's leading paints manufacturer. He introduced the first computerized color mixing program in India, which solidified Asian Paints' position as the market leader. Under his leadership, the company expanded into multiple markets and its stock grew over tenfold.
TCS retains top position as India's most valuable brand: Study
Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has retained its top position as India's most valuable brand for the second year in a row, with a brand value of $43 billion. HDFC, Infosys, and Airtel ranked second, third, and fourth respectively, while State Bank of India entered the top five.
Must Watch
Ashwin Dani of Asian Paints: A billionaire who found his real wealth in Iyengar Yoga
It was a slipped disc that took him to Iyengar's classes in Mumbai in 1980. He felt magical improvement when physiotherapy had offered him little relief and became a lifelong follower of Iyengar. With regular practice of Iyengar Yoga, he got 75% relief and never had to see a physiotherapist again.
Now, another way to stay on top of all things business. ET is on WhatsApp Channels
The Economic Times offers swift and comprehensive coverage of global and Indian business matters via WhatsApp Channels. ET will now offer you the convenience of staying informed about critical developments affecting your finances and business through WhatsApp. You can access and share significant updates more effortlessly and rapidly than ever before.
Aquaconnect forays into two new markets - West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh
Aquaconnect, a full-stack aquaculture platform, is expanding into West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh to strengthen its presence in the domestic market. The company aims to optimize its service offerings and triple its AquaPartner network by the end of the year. Aquaconnect is focusing on these states due to their significant contributions to India's fish production and the untapped potential in the domestic market. The company aims to bring transparency to the aquaculture value chain and promote sustainability in the industry.
P&G to invest Rs 300 crore as supply chain catalyst fund
Procter & Gamble India (P&G India) has announced plans to invest Rs300 crore into a fund called the P&G Supply Chain Catalyst Fund. The fund will partner with external firms and innovators to co-create supply chain solutions that offer greater agility, flexibility, scalability, transparency, and resilience. P&G India aims to enhance its operations by focusing on the supply chain
Vedanta Ltd. is preparing to de-merge sprawling operations
Vedanta Ltd. is reportedly considering a restructuring plan that would involve spinning off its businesses into separate listed entities. The move is aimed at helping Anil Agarwal, the tycoon behind the company, manage its debt load. The businesses that could be separately listed include aluminum, oil and gas, iron ore, and steel.
