Shares of Asian Paints rallied as much as 4% to their day’s high of Rs 2,778 on the BSE on Monday after the company reported a consolidated net profit of Rs 1,172 crore for the fourth quarter of FY26, marking a 69% year-on-year increase from Rs 692 crore posted in the corresponding quarter last year. Revenue from operations during the January-March quarter rose 11% to Rs 9,228.46 crore, compared with Rs 8,349.59 crore reported a year earlier.

During the quarter under review, total income increased by more than 11% year-on-year to Rs 9,418 crore. Total expenses rose at a slower pace, increasing nearly 8% to Rs 7,829.17 crore.

EBITDA for the quarter rose 24.4% year-on-year to Rs 1,787 crore from Rs 1,436.2 crore in the corresponding period last year. EBITDA margin expanded by more than 200 basis points to 19.3%, compared with 17.2% a year earlier.

For the full financial year ended March 31, 2026, Asian Paints reported a consolidated net profit of Rs 4,325.35 crore, up 18% from Rs 3,667.23 crore recorded in the previous financial year. Annual revenue from operations rose around 5% year-on-year to Rs 35,583.54 crore in FY26.

Asian Paints shares: Buy, sell or hold?

Nomura raised its target price to Rs 3,600 (35% upside) while maintaining a Buy rating, highlighting that the company not only retained but improved its guidance despite cumulative price hikes of around 13.5% year-to-date, including 10.5% implemented in April-May and a further 3% increase announced to dealers.
The brokerage noted that management’s decision to maintain volume growth guidance of 8-10% signals confidence in a strong demand environment. It also pointed to improved product mix guidance of -3% to -4%, compared with the earlier expectation of -5% to -6%, driven by a greater push towards premium and luxury paints, implying high-teens sales growth in FY27. The brokerage also maintained its operating margin guidance of 18-20% despite raw material inflation and competitive pressures. Nomura believes there is a high probability of crude oil prices moderating from current levels over the next six months, which could further support margins.
Motilal Oswal maintained its Neutral rating on Asian Paints with a target price of Rs 2,750, implying a modest upside of up to 3%. The brokerage raised its FY27 and FY28 earnings estimates by 3%-4%, citing better-than-expected revenue performance. However, it cautioned that the uncertain geopolitical environment and persistent inflationary pressures could continue to weigh on overall demand. Management has guided for high single-digit volume growth in FY27 despite significant price hikes, supported by a favourable base, more painting days due to El Niño conditions and an extended festive season.
The brokerage expects standalone EBITDA margins of 19.1% and 19.5% for FY27 and FY28, respectively, while consolidated margins are projected at 18.2% and 18.6%. It also noted that paint demand has remained subdued over the past two years, and recent price increases could delay a broader demand recovery. To counter competitive pressures, Asian Paints continues to focus on product innovation, strengthening brand salience, regionalisation and execution.

JM Financial upgraded Asian Paints to Add with a target price of Rs 2,815, implying an upside of 5.4%. The brokerage believes the company’s FY27 revenue outlook remains encouraging, supported by management’s volume growth guidance of 8-10%. Combined with double-digit price increases, including hikes of around 10.4% already implemented and an additional 2-4% announced from June, along with a lower adverse mix impact of 3-4%, this is expected to drive mid-teen sales growth in FY27. JM Financial noted that demand trends remained stable during April and May, while management remains optimistic about business momentum in the second and third quarters of FY27, aided by a longer festive season.

Also read: PSU bank stocks vs private banks in FY27: The valuation trap you need to avoid

The brokerage also highlighted that management has reiterated its EBITDA margin guidance of 18-20% despite significant raw material inflation, supported by price hikes, sourcing efficiencies, an improved product mix and calibrated spending. However, the company expects competitive intensity in the paints sector to remain elevated.

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Shares of Wockhardt soared as much as 19% to their day’s high of Rs 2,420 on the BSE on Monday after the company announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved ZAYNICH (cefepime and zidebactam), a novel intravenous antibiotic for the treatment of adults with complicated urinary tract infections (UTI), including pyelonephritis, caused by susceptible Gram-negative pathogens.

According to the company, ZAYNICH combines the fourth-generation cephalosporin cefepime with zidebactam and is designed to target multiple penicillin-binding proteins simultaneously. The antibiotic had earlier received Qualified Infectious Disease Product (QIDP) and Fast Track designations from the FDA.

The approval comes at a time when antimicrobial resistance remains a major healthcare challenge. Wockhardt cited data indicating that more than 2.8 million antimicrobial-resistant infections occur annually in the United States, resulting in over 35,000 deaths each year.

The company also noted that complicated urinary tract infections account for more than 6,00,000 hospitalisations annually in the U.S., with a growing proportion linked to antimicrobial-resistant and multidrug-resistant bacteria.

The FDA’s decision was based in part on results from the Phase 3 ENHANCE-1 study, a randomised, double-blind, multicentre trial that evaluated the efficacy, safety and tolerability of ZAYNICH against meropenem in hospitalised adults with complicated urinary tract infections or acute pyelonephritis.

Also read: FDA approval puts Wockhardt’s Zaynich in $9 billion antibiotics market
In the study, ZAYNICH achieved a composite clinical cure and microbiological response rate of 89% at the test-of-cure visit, compared with 68.4% for meropenem. The treatment difference was 20.6% with a 95% confidence interval of 12.3 to 29.5. The company said the drug was generally well tolerated during the trial.The ENHANCE-1 study enrolled 530 patients across 64 sites spanning the United States, Europe, Latin America, China and India.

Wockhardt stated that ZAYNICH targets penicillin-binding proteins PBP 1a/b, 2 and 3 simultaneously, a mechanism that it says provides bactericidal activity against multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria for which treatment options remain limited.

The company also disclosed that ZAYNICH received approval from the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) on May 27, 2026. In addition, Wockhardt has submitted a Marketing Authorisation Application (MAA) to the European Medicines Agency for the antibiotic.

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Shares of renewable energy player Suzlon Energy fall 2.2% to Rs 55.87 on the BSE on Monday after capital markets regulator Sebi levied penalties totalling nearly Rs 29 crore on Suzlon Energy and several former executives. Sebi concluded that the company misrepresented its financial position through transactions involving subsidiaries, inflated profits and inadequate disclosures.

In a 96-page order issued on May 29, Sebi said Suzlon and certain former executives violated provisions of the Sebi Act, PFUTP Regulations, listing regulations and disclosure requirements. The order replaces an earlier adjudication order issued in June 2025 and confirms multiple violations by the company and its executives.

Among the penalised individuals, former executive Vinod R. Tanti was fined Rs 5.75 crore, while Girish R. Tanti was directed to pay Rs 5.45 crore. Former Group CFO Kirti J. Vagadia was fined Rs 1.5 crore and former CFO Amit Agarwal was fined Rs 30 lakh.

The matter stemmed from an anonymous complaint received by Sebi in December 2019 alleging irregularities in transactions involving Suzlon’s subsidiaries and associate entities. A subsequent forensic audit and investigation covering FY15 to FY20 and the first nine months of FY21 examined several issues, including dealings with subsidiaries, impairment reversals, contingent liabilities and financial statement disclosures.

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One key observation related to the transfer of Suzlon’s operations and maintenance services business to its subsidiary, Suzlon Global Services Ltd, in March 2014. Sebi noted that the business, valued at around Rs 77 crore, was transferred for Rs 2,000 crore, resulting in Suzlon recording an accounting gain of Rs 1,922.92 crore.
According to the regulator, the subsidiary lacked the financial capacity to fund the transaction. Sebi found that a significant portion of the consideration was subsequently reflected as paid through circular movement of funds between the two entities. The regulator said the arrangement created artificial profits and inflated the company’s net worth. It observed that Suzlon’s FY14 net worth would have been Rs 741 crore without the transaction, compared with the reported figure of Rs 2,664 crore.
Sebi further noted that Suzlon later booked an additional gain of Rs 829.78 crore by transferring its stake in the subsidiary to another wholly owned entity, effectively recognising profit a second time on the same underlying assets. According to the regulator, these transactions helped the company portray a stronger financial position and supported subsequent fund-raising and restructuring efforts.
The order also addressed a standby letter of credit connected to loans taken by a foreign subsidiary. Sebi said a contingent liability of about $569 million, or roughly Rs 4,050 crore, which had been disclosed in FY17, was not reflected in FY18 contingent liability disclosures after being reclassified under an accounting standard related to insurance contracts. The regulator held that the treatment was inappropriate and materially reduced the visibility of the company’s financial exposure.

In addition, Sebi reviewed investments and loans involving subsidiaries SE Forge Ltd and Suzlon Gujarat Wind Park. It found that several transactions involved circular routing of funds, conversion of loans into equity and later impairment of investments. According to the regulator, these transactions resulted in financial statements that did not accurately represent the underlying economic substance.

Sebi concluded that the company’s financial statements and disclosures failed to present a true and fair view of its financial position. The regulator said financial statements and disclosures form the basis on which investors and other market participants assess a listed company’s financial health and prospects.

While Sebi noted that disproportionate gains and investor losses could not be quantified with precision, it said the violations were serious because they related to financial information disseminated to investors and relied upon by the market.

Sebi imposed the penalties under provisions relating to fraudulent and unfair trade practices, disclosure lapses and violations of listing obligations. The notices must pay the penalties within 45 days of receiving the order.

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Operator

Hello, and welcome to the Cango Inc. First Quarter 2026 Earnings Conference Call. [Operator Instructions] Please note, this event is being recorded. I would now like to turn the conference over to Mr. Paul Yu, Chief Executive Officer. Please go ahead.

Peng Yu
CEO & Director

Good morning, everyone, and thank you for joining Cango’s First Quarter 2026 Earnings Call. First, I will summarize our key financials and operational performance for the quarter. The first quarter of 2026 was characterized by industry-wide adjustments and our results reflect these macro headwinds alongside our ongoing efforts to manage our strategic transition. During Q1, we generated total revenue of approximately $102 million, primarily driven by revenue from our Bitcoin mining business. We reported a net loss from continuing operations of $261.1 million primarily due to noncash impairment charges on Bitcoin mining machines and loss from changes in fair value of receivable for Bitcoin collateral, both resulting from the decline in Bitcoin market price. By the end of the quarter, we held 1,025.7 Bitcoin, and we reduced our long-term debt to $30.6 million. As of March 31, 2026, Cango’s total operational hash rate was 37.01 exahash per second, comprising 27.98 exahash per second of self-mining capacity and 9.02 exahash per second of hosted hash rate. This operational model prioritizes margin resilience over scale.

In Q1, we mined 1,266 Bitcoin. Through disciplined cost management, our average cash cost per Bitcoin mined was $76,928 showing a 9% decrease from Q4 2025. These figures reflect our continued focus on profitability and operational efficiency as our business model evolves.