Sumitomo Chemicals India Sees Strong Profit Growth, Expands Product and Manufacturing Pipeline

New Delhi: Sumitomo Chemicals India Ltd reported a resilient performance in the first quarter of FY27, with profit after tax rising around 20 per cent year-on-year to Rs 214 crore, even as revenue remained broadly flat amid challenging monsoon conditions and weaker domestic demand.

The company reported revenue of Rs 1,063 crore for the quarter. EBITDA increased 6 per cent year-on-year to Rs 233 crore, while EBITDA margin improved to 21.9 per cent, supported by better gross margins and price hikes. Gross profit margin stood at 39.2 per cent, an improvement of around 110 basis points over the year-ago period.

The company’s performance was supported by strong growth in several businesses. Revenue from metal phosphates increased 26 per cent, while the Animal Nutrition and Environmental Health divisions grew 19 per cent. Exports also recorded strong momentum, rising around 26 per cent to Rs 170 crore. Domestic revenue, however, declined about 3 per cent to Rs 893 crore.

Monsoon recovery could support agricultural business

The agricultural chemicals business faced pressure during the quarter due to the delayed southwest monsoon, rainfall deficit and lower kharif sowing during the early part of the season.

With the monsoon subsequently covering almost the entire country and the cumulative rainfall deficit narrowing to around 11 per cent in August, the outlook for sowing activity has improved. A recovery in agricultural activity could provide support to demand for the company’s crop protection portfolio.

The company has expanded its product portfolio with the launch of seven large products in FY26, including Lentigo, Excalia Max, Powerpull, Advika, Envoy and Oslava. Lentigo and Excalia Max have reportedly received a favourable market response and exceeded internal targets.

Further launches are in the pipeline, with Topgrain and Helibax expected during Q2FY27. The company also has three to four products from its parent company in the launch pipeline.

Greater focus on high-value manufacturing

Sumitomo Chemicals India is also expanding its role within the global operations of its Japanese parent, Sumitomo Chemical Company.

The Indian subsidiary has been elevated to the same tier as Japan, the US, Brazil and Europe for early-stage trials of new molecules. The development could strengthen the company’s role in the global product development and manufacturing chain.

The company is also evaluating opportunities in semiconductor chemicals in India through its operations.

A Rs 150-crore investment at the Dahej facility is progressing as planned. The facility will manufacture high-value patented molecules for the parent company, with commercialisation expected from Q2FY29.

The company has also approved investments in projects at Bhavnagar and Tarapur, which are aimed at meeting requirements of the parent company. Commissioning of these projects is targeted for Q4FY27.

Growth outlook

The company’s financial projections indicate continued growth over the next two financial years. Revenue is estimated to rise from Rs 3,238.3 crore in FY26 to Rs 3,556.7 crore in FY27 and Rs 4,007.2 crore in FY28.

EBITDA is projected to increase from Rs 670.9 crore in FY26 to Rs 800.3 crore in FY27 and Rs 921.7 crore in FY28. Adjusted profit after tax is estimated to rise from Rs 526.9 crore in FY26 to Rs 613.6 crore in FY27 and Rs 695.8 crore in FY28.

The company’s growth strategy is increasingly centred on new product launches, deeper engagement with its global parent, exports and investments in high-value manufacturing. These factors could strengthen its position within India’s agrochemical and specialty chemical sectors.

However, the business remains exposed to risks including weaker-than-expected adoption of new products and adverse weather conditions in domestic and international markets.

Market snapshot: The document cited Sumitomo Chemicals India’s market capitalisation at around Rs 26,774 crore, with a 52-week high of Rs 618 and low of Rs 363.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational and educational purposes only and is based on information available in the referenced company/research material. It should not be construed as investment advice, a recommendation, solicitation, or an offer to buy or sell any securities. Investors should conduct their own research, consider their financial objectives and risk tolerance, and consult a qualified financial adviser before making any investment decision. Stock market investments are subject to market risks, and past performance or projections do not guarantee future returns.

Domestic Investors Sustain Buying Momentum as FIIs Show Signs of Return

Mumbai: Domestic institutional investors (DIIs) have continued to provide strong support to Indian equities, remaining net buyers in every week over the past month, while foreign institutional investors (FIIs) have shown signs of renewed buying interest.

According to market data, DIIs have made cumulative purchases of Rs 38,715.18 crore over the last one month. In August so far, FII buying stood at more than Rs 4,115.93 crore, compared with DII purchases of around Rs 17,053 crore, indicating a notable improvement in foreign investor sentiment.

FIIs had remained heavy sellers during the first two weeks of the recent period, with outflows of Rs 4,205.56 crore and Rs 3,892.77 crore. The selling pressure coincided with the Nifty touching a low of 23,767.45. However, foreign investors subsequently turned buyers from July 28, helping the Nifty recover to 24,774.30 by August 3.

Despite the recent improvement, FIIs remain net sellers on a cumulative basis, with net outflows of Rs 3,173.68 crore, according to Bajaj Broking Deputy Vice President-Research Pabitro Mukherjee. Last week, FIIs were modest net buyers of Rs 1,228.24 crore, despite alternating sessions of buying and selling.

Market sentiment, however, remains sensitive to global developments. Rising crude oil prices, geopolitical uncertainty and mixed international cues weighed on Indian equities during the week. Investors are also assessing the final phase of the Q1 FY27 earnings season and its implications for corporate profitability.

For the week, the Sensex declined 0.62 per cent to close at 78,009.25, while the Nifty fell 0.83 per cent to settle at 24,366.

Analysts have highlighted elevated crude prices as a key risk for the Indian market. Brent crude was trading around $87.18 a barrel after briefly testing the $90 level, raising concerns over India’s import bill, the rupee and inflationary pressures.

With domestic institutions continuing to provide a strong liquidity cushion and foreign investors showing early signs of returning to the buying side, market participants are likely to closely track FII-DII flows, crude prices, geopolitical developments and corporate earnings in the coming sessions.

Independence Day Campaign | Spinny Celebrates 80 Years of India with 36 Artists Turning Cars into Moving Portraits

Gurugram, August 16, 2026: As India marks its 80th Independence Day, Spinny is celebrating the country’s diversity through an artistic expression that brings together 36 artists from across the country, with cars becoming their canvases. Each artist brings alive the India they know through colours, symbols, landscapes and cultural influences that reflect the character of their region.

From the mountains of Arunachal Pradesh and Ladakh to the coasts of Goa and Kerala, and from the cultural richness of Rajasthan and Punjab to the energy of Delhi and Maharashtra, every artwork offers a distinct interpretation of India. Together, these individual expressions come together on four wheels, creating a moving showcase of the country’s incredible diversity.

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hoypptfJyEY

The initiative goes beyond celebrating regional art- it celebrates the journeys that connect India. For Spinny, a car is more than a means of getting from one place to another; it is part of everyday Indian life, carrying families, ambitions, memories and milestones. By turning cars into moving canvases, Spinny brings these stories onto the road, allowing India’s many identities to travel together.

After 80 years of progress, India continues to move forward through its people, its places and its aspirations. These cars capture that movement in a way that is both personal and collective: 36 artistic expressions, each rooted in a place, but together telling one larger story of India.

The artworks are created by Sushmita and Chestha from Arunachal Pradesh, Biswajeet from Assam, Anjali from Bihar, Shubham from Chhattisgarh, Rhythm from Goa, Samridhi from Gujarat, Aryan from Haryana, Shreya from Himachal Pradesh, Reva from Jharkhand, Sayeb from Karnataka, Sanjana from Kerala, Vedant Mittal from Madhya Pradesh, Payal Patil from Maharashtra, Vishakha from Manipur, Shradha Bhat from Meghalaya, Sonali and Anshika from Mizoram, Daksh from Nagaland, Priyanka from Odisha, Kshitij from Punjab, Bhavya from Rajasthan, Shreya from Sikkim, Nivi from Tamil Nadu, Indrajit from Telangana, Rathore from Tripura, Riya from Uttar Pradesh, Sagar from Uttarakhand, Deep from West Bengal, Insha from Jammu & Kashmir, Shreya from Chandigarh, Hitashi from Daman and Diu, Shubhangi from Lakshadweep, Mehak from Puducherry, Ariel from Ladakh, Mayank from Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and Alok from Delhi.

The car is the canvas. India is the inspiration. Four Wheels. A Billion Dreams. For Every Dream, There’s a Spinny.

Gold Gains 0.86 percent in a Week as Fed Rate-Hold Expectations Strengthen

New Delhi: Gold prices rose 0.86 per cent on a weekly basis, supported by expectations that the US Federal Reserve may keep interest rates unchanged at its upcoming policy meeting. A series of weaker-than-expected US economic indicators has reduced expectations of an immediate rate hike, improving the appeal of the non-yielding precious metal.

On Friday, MCX gold futures for October delivery gained 0.73 per cent to Rs 1,54,590, while MCX silver futures for September edged up 0.15 per cent to Rs 2,36,272 per kg. In the international market, spot gold also strengthened, supported by a softer US dollar and lower Treasury yields.

Recent US inflation and employment data have reinforced expectations that the Federal Reserve could maintain its current policy stance. The July Consumer Price Index rose 0.1 per cent month-on-month, in line with expectations, while weaker employment data further reduced the likelihood of a near-term rate hike.

Gold typically benefits from lower interest-rate expectations because the metal does not generate interest income. A softer dollar also makes gold relatively more attractive to investors holding other currencies.

Market analysts are watching the $4,470-$4,500 per ounce zone as an immediate resistance area for international gold, while $4,400-$4,370 is seen as an important support range.

Beyond monetary policy, gold continues to draw support from geopolitical uncertainty, central-bank demand and concerns over the global economic and fiscal outlook. These factors could keep the precious metal in focus even as investors assess the Federal Reserve’s next policy decision.

The latest weekly gain highlights how closely gold is currently tracking expectations for US monetary policy, with economic data, dollar movements and Treasury yields likely to remain key drivers of prices in the near term.

Expert View: PM Modi’s AI Skilling Push Can Create 1 Crore Young AI-Ready Indians

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s announcement to provide artificial intelligence (AI) skilling training to one crore young Indians over the next year has been welcomed as a significant step towards preparing India’s workforce for an economy increasingly shaped by AI.

Pankaj Srivastava, Founder and CEO, UnoSearch, said the initiative goes beyond conventional skilling and represents an opportunity for India to strengthen its position in the global AI ecosystem.

“One crore young Indians, one year and one extraordinary opportunity,” Srivastava said, describing the initiative as a statement of where India intends to compete in the next phase of the digital economy.

According to him, AI is already transforming the way businesses operate, innovate, recruit talent and engage with customers. As a result, the objective should not be limited to creating AI users, but should extend to developing AI builders, AI strategists and AI-native businesses.

Srivastava pointed to the rapid transformation taking place in the digital search ecosystem as an example. Search is increasingly moving beyond the traditional model of displaying “10 blue links” towards AI-generated answers, recommendations and conversational discovery.

“This shift will create a competitive advantage for professionals and businesses that understand and adapt to it early,” he said.

The proposed skilling drive could therefore have implications well beyond employment. By training millions of young people in AI-related capabilities, India could create a large talent pool capable of supporting innovation across technology, services, manufacturing, education, healthcare, finance and other sectors.

Srivastava said the scale of the initiative presents both an opportunity and a responsibility. The focus, he argued, should be on ensuring that young Indians develop practical capabilities that enable them to create solutions, build businesses and contribute to India’s digital economy.

“10 million trained minds can become 10 million new catalysts for India’s digital economy,” he said.

The initiative comes at a time when AI adoption is accelerating globally and businesses are increasingly seeking professionals who can combine domain expertise with AI capabilities. For India, the challenge will be to translate the scale of training into meaningful skills, innovation and entrepreneurship.

Srivastava believes India should aim for a leadership role in the AI revolution rather than simply becoming a large consumer of AI technologies.

“India shouldn’t just consume the AI revolution. We should build it and lead it,” he said.

India’s EV Revolution Gathers Pace as Sales Cross 25 Lakh in FY26

New Delhi, August 15, 2026: India’s electric mobility market has moved from an emerging segment to an increasingly important part of the country’s automotive economy, with electric vehicle sales reaching 25 lakh units in 2025-26, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in his Independence Day address from the Red Fort.

The latest figure represents a dramatic increase from just 1.5 lakh EVs sold in 2009-10, translating into a rise of more than 16 times over the period. Modi cited the expansion of electric mobility as evidence of India’s progress in new-age industries and its growing capacity to create opportunities for young people.

EVs Move Into the Mainstream

The scale of the increase indicates that electric mobility is no longer confined to a niche market. India’s EV ecosystem now spans electric two-wheelers, three-wheelers, passenger vehicles and commercial mobility, creating demand across manufacturing, batteries, charging infrastructure, financing, software and after-sales services.

Industry data also points to the growing weight of two- and three-wheelers in India’s EV transition. Research firm JMK Research estimates that cumulative EV sales reached nearly 86.8 lakh units by the end of FY2026, with electric two-wheelers accounting for about 57.8% of annual EV sales and passenger electric three-wheelers contributing roughly 29%.

This composition is particularly important for India because two- and three-wheelers represent a large part of everyday urban and semi-urban mobility. Their relatively lower purchase prices and high utilisation make the economics of electrification more compelling than in some passenger-car segments.

A New Industrial Opportunity

The EV transition is creating a much larger industrial opportunity than vehicle assembly alone.

Battery manufacturing, power electronics, charging equipment, electric drivetrains, vehicle software, recycling and critical-mineral supply chains are emerging as strategic areas for investment. As volumes increase, manufacturers can potentially achieve economies of scale, while a larger supplier ecosystem can reduce dependence on imported components.

For India, this also creates an opportunity to combine its traditional automotive manufacturing capabilities with strengths in software, digital payments and engineering services.

The bigger economic question is therefore not simply how many EVs India sells. It is how much of the value chain India can manufacture domestically.

Policy Support Remains Critical

The rapid expansion of EV sales has taken place alongside government efforts to promote electric mobility and domestic manufacturing.

Policy support has helped reduce some of the initial cost barriers facing consumers and manufacturers. At the same time, India’s broader industrial strategy is increasingly focused on building domestic manufacturing capacity rather than relying heavily on imported finished products.

The next phase will require policies that encourage private investment while ensuring that the EV market can eventually become commercially sustainable without excessive dependence on subsidies.

Charging Infrastructure Becomes the Next Test

Higher EV sales inevitably increase pressure on charging infrastructure.

For electric mobility to move deeper into mainstream passenger and commercial transport, India will need a dense, reliable and interoperable charging network. The challenge is particularly significant outside major metropolitan centres, where charging availability can influence consumer willingness to switch from internal-combustion vehicles.

Battery swapping, fast charging and charging infrastructure for commercial fleets could become increasingly important as EV penetration rises.

The Battery Question

Batteries remain one of the most strategically important components of India’s EV ambitions.

India’s long-term competitiveness will depend on its ability to develop a robust battery ecosystem covering cell manufacturing, raw-material sourcing, energy storage technology and recycling. Reducing import dependence would improve supply-chain resilience and potentially make Indian EV manufacturers more competitive in global markets.

The recycling opportunity is equally significant. As the first large wave of EV batteries eventually reaches the end of its useful automotive life, recovering lithium, nickel, cobalt and other materials could become an important industrial segment.

Beyond Cars: The Commercial EV Opportunity

The strongest near-term opportunities may continue to come from commercial and high-utilisation vehicles.

Electric three-wheelers, delivery fleets, buses and last-mile logistics vehicles can achieve attractive operating economics because they travel long distances and spend significant time on the road. Lower energy and maintenance costs can therefore compensate for higher upfront vehicle prices.

This could accelerate electrification in logistics, e-commerce delivery and urban public transport.

What the 25-Lakh Milestone Means

The 25-lakh sales milestone is more than an automotive statistic. It signals the emergence of an entirely new industrial ecosystem.

For automobile companies, the challenge will be to scale EV portfolios without compromising profitability. For component manufacturers, it represents a shift in technology and supply chains. For energy companies, it creates a new source of electricity demand. For investors, it opens opportunities across batteries, charging, electronics, software and mobility services.

The transition will not be without challenges. Battery costs, charging infrastructure, raw-material security, resale values and consumer confidence will determine how quickly EV adoption can progress from today’s momentum to mass-market penetration.

But the direction is increasingly clear. India’s electric mobility market has crossed an important threshold, and the next contest will be about who can build the most competitive EV ecosystem around it.

Modi’s Independence Day reference to the sector places EVs within a broader economic narrative: India is seeking not only to consume new technologies but also to manufacture them, build supporting industries and create jobs around them.