28, Jul 2026
HomeFirst Finance Company India standalone net profit rises 34.45% to Rs 160 cr Q1FY27
MUMBAI, India, July 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ —
- AUM at ₹16,938 Cr; growth of 25.7% y-o-y and 6.7% q-o-q.
- Disbursal reaches record ₹1,628 Cr, delivering 31.0% y-o-y and 3.6% q-o-q growth.
- Stable Asset Quality maintained in line with Mar’26: 1+ DPD at 4.7%, 30+ DPD at 3.2%, 90+ DPD at 1.8%.
- PAT grows by 34.5% y-o-y and 7.0% q-o-q to ₹160 Cr. RoA at 4.2%
Key Performance
|
Particulars |
Q1FY27 |
Q1FY26 |
y-o-y |
Q4FY26 |
q-o-q |
|
AUM (₹Cr) |
16,938 |
13,479 |
25.7 % |
15,878 |
6.7 % |
|
Disbursement (₹Cr) |
1,628 |
1,243 |
31.0 % |
1,572 |
3.6 % |
|
Total Income (₹Cr) |
540 |
455 |
18.6 % |
505 |
7.0 % |
|
PAT (₹Cr) |
160 |
119 |
34.5 % |
149 |
7.0 % |
|
Spread (%) |
5.3 % |
5.1 % |
+20 bps |
5.3 % |
0 bps |
|
ROA (%) |
4.2 % |
3.7 % |
+50 bps |
4.1 % |
+10 bps |
|
Gross Stage 3 (%) |
1.8 % |
1.8 % |
0 bps |
1.8 % |
0 bps |
|
Cost to Income (%) |
32.7 % |
34.2 % |
-150 bps |
32.0 % |
+70 bps |
Commenting on the performance, Mr. Manoj Viswanathan, MD & CEO of HomeFirst Finance Company, said “As FY27 begins, the Indian economy continues to demonstrate strong resilience, supported by stable domestic consumption, moderating inflation, steady interest rates and improving liquidity. While global geopolitical and macroeconomic uncertainties persist, the outlook for affordable housing finance remains positive, driven by sustained customer demand.
Against this backdrop, HomeFirst delivered a robust start to the year. Assets Under Management (AUM) grew 25.7% year-on-year to ₹16,938 crore, while quarterly disbursements reached a record ₹1,628 crore. Growth was broad-based across geographies and distribution channels, reflecting the strength of the Company’s customer franchise, disciplined execution and continued demand in its target segment.
Financial performance remained strong, with Profit After Tax rising 34.5% year-on-year to ₹160 crore. Net Total Income increased by 29.9% to ₹332 crore, supported by healthy business growth, improving operating leverage and stable asset quality. Margins remained resilient through disciplined pricing and prudent liability management, while spreads stayed stable despite a competitive environment.
The Company continued investing in future growth by expanding its distribution network with four new branches, taking its presence to 175 branches and 373 touchpoints, while adding 133 employees, primarily in customer-facing roles. Asset quality remained stable, with Gross Stage 3 at 1.8% and credit costs contained at 40 basis points, reflecting the strength of HomeFirst’s underwriting and collections framework.
HomeFirst also advanced its sustainability agenda by certifying another 100 Green Homes during the quarter, taking the cumulative total to 550 certified homes. Looking ahead, the Company remains confident of delivering around 25% AUM growth while maintaining profitability, portfolio quality and operating efficiency. Backed by a strong capital position, diversified funding profile and scalable operating platform, HomeFirst believes it is well positioned to create sustainable long-term value for all stakeholders.”
For details, visit https://homefirstindia.com/.
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- By Neel Achary
28, Jul 2026
Some Friendships are as Rare as Natural Diamonds: De Beers Celebrates Friendship Day with ‘Love, from Bestie’ Campaign
MUMBAI, India, July 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Celebrating these lifelong bonds this Friendship Day, De Beers India invites best friends across nine cities to celebrate their shared journey through ‘Love, from Bestie’, a natural diamond ritual created especially for friendship. From 1st to 2nd August, best friend duos can head to 60 retail partner stores, including Forevermark Diamond Jewellery stores, across Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai, Pune, Kanpur, Kochi, Coimbatore and Nagpur, to discover the collection and take part in a specially curated in-store experience.
At the heart of this initiative is the Bestie Bracelet Collection, featuring four natural diamond designs specifically created to be worn in pairs. These innovative pieces serve as wearable symbols of shared history, including a signature ‘BFF’ design that uses baguette and round diamonds to spell the sentiment in Morse code, as well as interlocking and split-circle motifs that form a complete whole only when brought together. The collection reflects the core philosophy that certain friendships are so inherently natural that only a rare, authentic diamond can truly encapsulate their meaning.
Complimentary for every bestie duo who walks in, the experience unfolds across three simple, joyful stops. It begins with Bond Together, where best friends can pause and unwind with an express nail-art moment. From there, duos move into Create Together, getting hands-on as they build a bag charm for each other, something small and personal to carry the moment forward. The experience closes with Capture Forever, a playful photo op complete with props, followed by the signing of a Bestie Contract that makes their forever-bestie status official. Every pair leaves with a tangible memory of their enduring connection.
Toranj Mehta, Country Head, Category Marketing, De Beers India, said, “The truest friendships cannot be manufactured, they simply unfold naturally. Love from Bestie struck a chord because it gave women a meaningful way to celebrate a relationship that rarely gets its own dedicated occasion: their lifelong friendships. In year 2, De Beers is evolving this sentiment into a proper ritual that consumers can look forward to every Friendship Day. From the intricate designs of the bracelets to the curated experiences we are building at retail, every element is designed to help women mark a bond that is as enduring and real as a natural diamond.”
Best friends can register for the exclusive activation at their nearest store via the dedicated link- https://withlovefrombestie.netlify.app/
For more information & store details, visit www.adiamondisforever.com
About De Beers Group
Established in 1888, De Beers Group is the world’s leading diamond company with expertise in the exploration, mining, marketing and retailing of diamonds. Together with its joint venture partners, De Beers Group is the world’s largest diamond producer by value, with diamond mining operations in Botswana, Canada, Namibia and South Africa. Innovation sits at the heart of De Beers Group’s strategy as it develops a portfolio of offers that span the diamond value chain, including its jewellery houses, De Beers London, Forevermark Diamond Jewellery, and other pioneering solutions such as diamond sourcing and traceability initiatives Tracr and GemFair. De Beers Group also provides leading services and technology to the diamond industry in the form of education and laboratory services and a wide range of diamond sorting, detection and classification technology services. De Beers Group is committed to ‘Building Forever,’ a holistic and integrated approach for creating a better future – where safety, human rights and ethical integrity continue to be paramount; where communities thrive and the environment is protected; and where there are equal opportunities for all. De Beers Group is a member of the Anglo American plc group. For further information, visit www.debeersgroup.com.
Media Contact: debeers@adfactorspr.com
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28, Jul 2026
Ortec Finance selected by Ostrum Asset Management for its GLASS ALM and PRISM Machine-Learning Optimization tools
London | July 28 – Ortec Finance, a leading provider of investment modelling solutions, today announced that Ostrum Asset Management, an expert Insurance and Institutional investment manager and affiliate of Natixis Investment Managers, has selected Ortec Finance’s GLASS ALM and PRISM Machine-Learning Optimization solutions to provide an enhanced investment solutions offering to its insurance and pension clients.
Following an extensive technical evaluation, Ortec Finance’s advanced Strategic Asset Allocation tooling was selected by Ostrum Asset Management to serve as a single and consistent platform for developing tailored investment strategies. The selection reflects growing demand among asset managers for advanced modelling capabilities that support increasingly complex insurance and pension investment challenges.
By leveraging advanced analytics and scenario modeling, Ortec Finance’s solutions will support Ostrum Asset Management investment teams in delivering enhanced investment insights that help insurers and pension funds as they navigate uncertainty and pursue long-term financial objectives.
Ortec Finance’s GLASS platform is industry-leading for Insurance and Pensions ALM. It includes robust capital market assumptions that drive full balance sheet dynamics and the optimization of complex objectives and constraints, such as Solvency ratios and risk capital, with the PRISM scenario-based machine-learning optimizer. Customizable, interactive, analytics dashboards translate detailed results into meaningful insights and illustrate value to stakeholders.
By incorporating advanced tools into their investment solution design, asset managers can offer clients enhanced risk management capabilities to tailor investment strategies to their specific objectives and constraints. The implementation of GLASS as a common platform across both insurance and pension use cases offers methodological consistency and process efficiency while supporting sophisticated investment solution design.
Ortec Finance’s advanced modelling techniques enable users to optimize asset allocation decisions by directly targeting regulatory capital, funding and reporting objectives and constraints, irrespective of the complexity. This allows investment managers the ability to quantitatively evaluate the risks and benefits of alternative investment strategies relative to their risk-return objectives and overall balance sheet positions.
“We are thrilled to have been selected by Ostrum Asset Management to support its investment solutions capabilities,” said Hamish Bailey, Managing Director, at Ortec Finance. “This decision not only illustrates the power and flexibility of the GLASS system, but also its ability to help asset managers serve insurance and pension clients through a single, consistent modelling platform.”
28, Jul 2026
NTPC Posts Strong Q1 Performance, Profit Rises 12 pc on Operational Growth
New Delhi, July 28: Power sector major NTPC Ltd has reported a strong performance in the first quarter, with its profit rising 12 per cent, beating market expectations and reflecting steady growth in its core operations.
The company’s improved earnings were supported by consistent power generation, efficient operations, and continued demand for electricity across the country.
NTPC said the quarterly performance reflects its focus on strengthening India’s energy security while advancing investments in renewable energy, technology upgrades, and sustainable power solutions.
The company continues to expand its clean energy initiatives alongside its conventional power business to meet the country’s growing electricity requirements and support long-term energy transition goals.
Industry experts said the positive results highlight the resilience of the power sector and NTPC’s ability to maintain growth momentum amid changing market conditions.
The strong quarterly performance is expected to reinforce investor confidence and support NTPC’s future expansion plans as the company continues to play a key role in India’s evolving energy landscape.
28, Jul 2026
Study: Casdatifan Demonstrates Durable Tumor Responses in Heavily Pretreated Patients with Advanced Kidney Cancer
MIAMI, July 28: A new multi-center clinical study is shedding light on a potential new approach for patients with advanced kidney cancer, offering measurable clinical responses alongside a clearer view into how the disease operates beneath the surface.
Findings from the ARC-20 phase 1 clinical trial show that casdatifan, an oral investigational therapy designed to inhibit hypoxia-inducible factor-2 alpha, produced durable tumor responses with a manageable safety profile in patients with heavily pretreated clear cell renal cell carcinoma, the most common form of kidney cancer. The study appears in Nature.
For a disease that often adapts and resists treatment, the results provide an early signal that a more targeted approach may help slow its momentum.
“These findings are encouraging and suggest we may be able to better understand which patients benefit from targeting this pathway,” said co-author of the study, Jamie Merchan, M.D., co-leader of the Translational and Clinical Oncology Research Program at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, part of University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, and director of its Phase 1 Clinical Trials Program.
Clear cell renal cell carcinoma is driven in large part by abnormal activation of HIF-2α, a transcription factor that helps tumors grow, spread and survive in low-oxygen environments.
In many ways, the pathway acts like a control center inside the tumor, switching on signals that fuel its growth. While earlier therapies have attempted to interrupt this process, response rates have remained limited in patients whose disease progresses after initial treatment.
Casdatifan was designed to more effectively interrupt that signal, with characteristics intended to improve how the drug reaches and engages tumor tissue.
The ARC-20 study enrolled 127 patients with advanced, treatment-resistant disease, most of whom had received multiple prior therapies. Among patients receiving the recommended dose, the confirmed objective response rate was 35%. Across the full study population, the response rate was 31%, with more than 80% of patients achieving disease control, including stable disease.
Responses occurred within a median of approximately three months. In some cases, tumors continued to shrink over time rather than plateau early.
“These results are notable in a heavily pretreated population,” said Merchan. “They suggest this approach may provide meaningful activity for patients who have limited options.”
The study was a single-arm, early-phase trial and was not designed to compare casdatifan directly with other therapies. Differences in study design and patient populations also limit cross-trial comparisons.
A defining feature of the study is how closely it connects what is happening in the clinic to what is happening inside the tumor. Researchers observed that reductions in serum erythropoietin, a marker regulated by HIF-2α, were associated with higher response rates, lower rates of disease progression and longer progression-free survival.
Tumor analyses reinforced the pattern. Patients whose tumors showed higher levels of HIF-2α-related activity were more likely to benefit, suggesting the drug is engaging the pathway it was designed to target. Together, these findings begin to map a clearer connection between tumor biology and treatment response, helping researchers see not just whether a therapy works, but why.
“This is an important step in understanding how tumor biology may help guide treatment decisions,” Merchan said.
The safety profile of casdatifan was consistent with other therapies targeting the same pathway. Common side effects included anemia, fatigue and hypoxia, most of which were managed with supportive care and dose adjustments. Treatment discontinuation related to the study drug was infrequent, and no treatment-related deaths were reported.
While the results are encouraging, researchers emphasize that additional studies are needed to better define the role of casdatifan in treating advanced kidney cancer. Ongoing clinical trials are evaluating the therapy in combination with other treatments to determine whether outcomes can be further improved.
Casdatifan remains investigational in this setting and is not yet part of standard treatment.
For now, the ARC-20 study offers a clearer glimpse into how targeting a central cancer pathway may influence outcomes, particularly in tumors that appear to depend on that signal.
“In a disease that can shift and adapt over time, even a clearer line of sight into its underlying biology represents meaningful progress, helping guide where research and treatment strategies move next,” Merchan.
28, Jul 2026
MEI Sector Set for Strong Salary Growth in FY27, Says Report
New Delhi, July 28: Salaries in the MEI (Manufacturing, Engineering and Infrastructure) sector are expected to grow by 9.4 per cent in FY27, reflecting positive business sentiment and continued demand for skilled professionals, according to a report.
The projected salary growth highlights the sector’s steady expansion, driven by increased investments, infrastructure development, and rising demand for specialised talent.
Industry experts said companies are focusing on attracting and retaining skilled employees as competition for experienced professionals continues to increase across key segments.
The report noted that the growth in compensation is expected to be supported by improving business activity, technological advancement, and the need for workforce capabilities in emerging areas.
The positive salary outlook indicates growing opportunities for professionals in the MEI sector and reflects the broader momentum in India’s industrial and infrastructure landscape.
28, Jul 2026
Zain Omantel International (ZOI) and Tata Communications Partner on a Next-Generation Roaming Platform
Muscat, Oman, July 28 – Zain Omantel International (ZOI), a global hyperscale networking provider, and Tata Communications, the leading global communications technology player, have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on a next-generation inter-operator roaming platform. The collaboration will explore how blockchain technologies can be used to modernise the roaming lifecycle, from partner management and commercial agreements to reconciliation, settlement and dispute resolution.
Through this collaboration, ZOI and Tata Communications will assess a secure platform that uses data driven and machine-led capabilities to automate and simplify roaming operations, while blockchain provides a trusted, transparent and tamper-resistant record of commercial activity between operators.
Sohail Qadir, CEO at ZOI said, “International roaming services including voice calls, messaging and data remain critical to how people and businesses stay connected across borders. Our collaboration with Tata Communications is focused on streamlining international roaming through smarter infrastructure and simplified operating models. It is an opportunity to explore how intelligent automation and blockchain can enhance the roaming lifecycle and end-user experience.”
ZOI’s international roaming footprint covers nearly 700 networks worldwide, extending over 200 countries. It carries more than 10 billion international voice minutes a year. Tata Communications has over 600 mobile network operator (MNO) partners, connecting four out of five mobile subscribers globally.
“Mobile operators are looking to improve efficiency, accelerate settlement cycles and deliver a better roaming experience for customers,” said Vivek Manglik, Executive Vice President – Interaction Fabric at Tata Communications. “The industry has an opportunity to rethink how roaming relationships are managed, using technologies such as intelligent automation and blockchain to reduce complexity and increase transparency. Together with ZOI, we are exploring a platform that will help operators streamline operations, strengthen partner collaboration and unlock greater value from their roaming ecosystems.”
The collaboration reflects ZOI’s wider strategy to simplify international telecoms through trusted partnerships, intelligent infrastructure and customer-focused innovation. It also reinforces Tata Communications’ role in helping service providers modernise global mobility services and deliver better experiences for their customers.
28, Jul 2026
Young Indian Climber Amieyra Khoslla Shines on World Stage
New Delhi, July 28: Young Indian climber Amieyra Khoslla has achieved a remarkable milestone by setting a new national record at the World Youth Climbing Championships, bringing recognition to India on the international sporting stage.
The record-breaking performance reflects Khoslla’s dedication, determination, and years of hard work in the demanding sport of climbing. Her achievement has highlighted the growing presence of Indian athletes in global climbing competitions.
Khoslla’s success is being seen as an inspiration for young athletes across the country and a boost for the development of sport climbing in India.
With increasing participation, better training opportunities, and greater exposure to international events, Indian climbers are steadily making their mark worldwide.
Her achievement adds a proud chapter to India’s emerging sporting journey and showcases the potential of young talent in reaching new heights.
28, Jul 2026
New Hub & Spoke System Boosts Amritsar’s International Connectivity
Amritsar, July 28: Amritsar has become the second airport in India to join the government’s Hub & Spoke international connectivity framework, providing passengers access to more than 20 international destinations through Indian aviation hubs.
The initiative, launched by the Ministry of Civil Aviation, aims to make international travel easier for passengers from regional cities by connecting them with major hub airports.
Under the new system, travellers from Amritsar can complete check-in, immigration, and baggage formalities at the origin airport, ensuring a smoother transfer experience at the connecting hub.
Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu said the move will strengthen Amritsar’s role as a major international gateway for Punjab and neighbouring regions, benefiting tourists, businesses, and the Indian diaspora.
The government said the Hub & Spoke model will help boost tourism, trade, investment, and regional development while strengthening India’s position as a global aviation hub.
More regional airports are expected to be added to the network in phases, expanding seamless international connectivity across the country.
28, Jul 2026
Economist Enterprise research, supported by HCLTech, confirms confidence in AI is high for the Telecom, Media, Semiconductor and Technology (TMT) industry, but business impact is still limited
New York And Noida, India, July 28: HCLTech, a leading global technology company, today announced the release of a new research report conducted by Economist Enterprise, the business-to-business arm of The Economist Group providing media solutions and intelligence services to organizations. Supported by HCLTech, the report examines how AI is reshaping competitive boundaries across the telecommunications, media and technology (TMT) industries and the widening gap between executive optimism and measurable business impact.
Based on insights from more than 200 C-suite executives across telecom, media, technology and semiconductor organizations in the U.S. and Europe, the research reveals that AI is accelerating convergence across the TMT ecosystem, forcing companies to rethink traditional industry boundaries as competitors, partners, adjacent verticals converge to create new sources of growth, differentiation and value.
The research also highlights an AI value paradox: while 91% of organizations believe their AI investments are delivering results, only one-third can measure the business value created, raising a critical question: how can organizations unlock AI’s full potential if they cannot consistently quantify the value it generates?
The report further highlights an execution gap as organizations move from AI experimentation to scaled adoption. While talent upskilling ranks as the top future AI investment priority, only 20% of organizations currently have a strategy for AI upskilling or hiring within their AI initiatives. Additionally, despite rapid AI deployment, only 17% report that governance is actively shaping how their AI systems operate.
“Our research makes clear that industry leaders recognize how AI can unlock new revenue models, strengthen customer relationships and bring them closer to their end customers,” said Charlotte Bullard Davies, Principal, Research Methods & Innovation at Economist Enterprise. “Organizations that successfully combine strategic focus, ecosystem collaboration and disciplined governance will be best positioned for future business growth.”
“The boundaries that once separated TMT are rapidly dissolving as AI becomes embedded across every layer of the value chain,” said Anil Ganjoo, Chief Growth Officer, and Global Head of Telecom, Media and Technology at HCLTech. “The next era of growth and competitive advantage will belong to organizations that move beyond AI experimentation and adoption toward industrialization, leveraging AI investments to deliver measurable business impact, create differentiated experiences and unlock new sources of growth.”
