IHS Markit (Nasdaq: INFO) is a world leader in critical information, analytics and solutions for the major industries and markets that drive economies worldwide. The company delivers next-generation information, analytics and solutions to customers in business, finance and government, improving their operational efficiency and providing deep insights that lead to well-informed, confident decisions. IHS Markit has more than 50,000 key business and government customers, including 80 percent of the Fortune Global 500 and the world’s leading financial institutions. Headquartered in London, IHS Markit is committed to sustainable, profitable growth.

Health and wellness brand focuses on customers using GLP-1 treatments after surge in demand

Applied Nutrition says it is expanding its portfolio of products for customers using weight loss medications following a spike in demand over the past year.

The health and wellness brand said the dramatic rise in Britons using GLP-1 treatments, such as Mounjaro and Wegovy, has created an opportunity to launch products specifically tailored for these consumers. Those new products will launch later this year.

The Merseyside firm has already entered the sector, offering GLP-1-compatible high-protein ready meals from the end of last year. Thomas Ryder, founder and chief executive of the company, stated the business believes it can benefit long-term from serving customers using weight-loss treatments.

He told the Press Association news agency: “The GLP-1 user is a growing customer.

“We see this as a consumer at the start of their weight loss journey who is now looking at how the medication can help them.

“There is an opportunity, as those customers often need supplements and need smaller portions.

“I think this is a catalyst for the health and wellness space if we have that consumer in mind.

“We do have a number of products we will bring to market in this area because we do see that area growing.”

Mr Ryder said the company has seen growth after pursuing new customer opportunities and channel diversification, which has witnessed the business expand in UK retail outlets. Last month, the business reported stronger sales and profits for the previous year.

The London-listed firm said pre-tax profits surged by 77.1% to £20.9 million for the six months to 31 January, compared with the prior year. Applied Nutrition said this followed a 56.5% rise in sales to £74.5 million for the half-year period.

However, it also warned that sales volumes in the Middle East are expected to be affected by the ongoing conflict in the region.

The cladding is similar to Grenfell Tower and is covering White River Place shopping centre

Hazardous cladding resembling that fitted to Grenfell Tower has been discovered covering a prominent shopping centre in Cornwall, it has emerged. The bustling location is poised to face “significant disruption” as contractors take the next two years to strip away the material.

Trinity Street in St Austell is expected to operate as a one-way thoroughfare from June 22 until April 17, 2028, enabling crucial safety work to proceed at White River Place.

Correspondence obtained by CornwallLive indicates a diversion route will remain in operation for southbound traffic throughout the entire work period, directing vehicles along Truro Road onto the A3058, the A390 and through to South Street.

It’s believed there will be numerous no left/right turn restrictions at junctions and entry points along Trinity Street to maintain single-direction traffic flow, and parking bays on the Trinity Street junction with Truro Road will be suspended to guarantee adequate turning space for HGVs and buses exiting the thoroughfare, reports Cornwall Live.

There are concerns, however, that while the work on White River Place cladding – which has been deemed unsafe – is vital for safety purposes, it will generate substantial disruption to both the immediate vicinity and broader area.

Cllr Jack Yelland, for St Austell Central and Gover, said: “These works do need to go ahead. The safety concerns around the cladding at White River Place are real, and resolving them is firmly in the interests of residents and users of the town alike.

“I am also pleased that the one way system has been chosen instead of the original proposal for 24 hour traffic lights, which would have caused far greater disruption.

“That said, I do have several concerns that I am raising with Cornwall Council and the contractors. The two-year duration feels excessive, so I am arranging meetings with the project team and others to understand the reasoning and to see whether the timeline can be shortened.”

He added: “The safety work has to happen, but two years of disruption is a long time for residents, and I want to make sure every possible step is taken to reduce traffic problems and keep people moving safely.

“I am particularly concerned about the impact on Moorland Road, which already has very limited width due to on street parking and poor visibility around corners. More traffic being pushed through could increase the likelihood of accidents.

“There will also be extra pressure at the Edgcumbe Road and Penwinnick Road junction, and then on the double roundabouts leading to South Street, where queues are already common at peak times.”

Cllr Yelland says he is pushing for “clearer and earlier diversion signage” so that drivers are directed onto more appropriate routes and “are not forced into unsafe turning points”.

Cllr James Mustoe, for Mevagissey and St Austell Bay, voiced similar concerns. He said: “The diversion takes people out of the town centre and then down Truro Road.

“However, I’d imagine a lot of people will try to go up Moorland Road, which is just off South Street, and that will just cause all sorts of issues. It’s going to back right down where the double roundabout is and it’ll just choke up traffic all around.

“I appreciate that the work needs to take place but it is going to be a significant disruption, not just for the commuters, but for the people who live there as well.”

The Grenfell Tower Inquiry, which followed the devastating 2017 disaster, concluded that the aluminium composite material (ACM) cladding fitted to the tower was “the principal reason why the flames spread so rapidly up, down and around the building”. A total of 72 people, including 18 children, died.

The government directed building owners to inspect their properties for unsafe cladding and carry out the necessary remediation work.

Should building owners fail to address defects or unsafe cladding, local fire and rescue services or local authorities hold the power to pursue enforcement action.

Cornwall Council has confirmed it has no involvement in the works being carried out. White River Place has been contacted for comment.

The recent rebound in equity markets may offer some comfort to investors, but beneath the surface, caution is beginning to outweigh optimism. Market expert Sameer Dalal from Natverlal & Sons Stockbrokers believes that while stability may appear to be returning, the underlying risks—particularly from prolonged geopolitical tensions—continue to cast a long shadow over India’s growth and earnings outlook.

Responding to a query on whether the recent bounce signals a turning point, Dalal said, “So, the last time we spoke around, I did mention to you that we were starting to deploy some amount of capital in smaller lots into the equity markets because we thought the war would end soon.” However, that optimism has since faded as the conflict drags on longer than expected.

He added, “Unfortunately, that does not seem to be the case and the more it is prolonging and the more it is going on, the delay in the returns for Indian equity because Indian corporates earnings will take a hit is getting longer.”

Pause on Fresh Investments

Dalal revealed that his strategy has shifted significantly over the past week. “So, we have actually over the last one week taken a call not to put in any more fresh capital at this point of time. We are going to keep watching the market.”

The concern stems largely from the risk of escalating tensions impacting global energy markets. According to Dalal, “We think if this continues and if Donald Trump goes on and keeps hitting the infra there, Iran is going to hit back in the GCC just as hard because obviously he cannot reach the US and that is going to keep oil prices elevated for much-much longer than we would have liked.”
With refining capacities already hit in parts of the Gulf, supply disruptions are beginning to ripple across industries. “So, either these companies pass on the increase which leads to a massive inflationary pressure or they take a hit in margins and if they take a hit in margins, it means earnings goes down and then the valuation start looking even more expensive. So, either way it is showing up as a bit of a negative,” he explained.
MSME Stress and Banking Risks
The impact is not limited to large corporates. Dalal flagged rising stress among MSMEs due to inventory shortages and tight cash flows. “Now, when you have a situation like that and you have debt on your balance sheet, it kind of puts you in a very bad position.”

He warned that if disruptions persist, the stress could spill over into the banking system. “What you are going to see is NPAs rising in the banks… for me, going forward bank NPAs could become a bit of a problem, a bit of a challenge.”

Despite recent strong banking numbers, Dalal cautioned against complacency. “That is like driving your car looking in the rearview mirror and not looking forward.”

Markets May See Further Downside
Given the evolving risks, Dalal remains cautious on the near-term trajectory of equities. “My view right now has become kind of wait on the sidelines for a little bit longer… if it does not end, I see the markets down another 10% from here.”

Earnings Outlook: Strength Now, Weakness Ahead

While the March quarter may not reflect the full impact of current disruptions, Dalal believes the real stress will emerge in the coming quarters.

“Q4 earnings is not going to be a problem at all… the impact and the effects… are all going to start playing out in Q1.”

He added, “Markets are forward looking and for me the bigger problem… is Q1 numbers are going to be very-very subdued.”

Rising input costs and supply constraints could compress margins across sectors. “You are going to see volume disruption for many companies… then you are going to see inflation… Q1 numbers are going to be very weak or inflation is going to see a massive-massive jump.”

Inflation and Policy Risks Loom
Dalal also highlighted the broader macro risks, particularly from rising crude prices. “If crude prices stay higher… what stops the government from saying that look we need to increase prices by Rs 20 a litre in petrol and maybe Rs 25 a litre in diesel.”

Such a move, he warned, would have cascading effects. “What kind of impact is that going to have on the entire logistics market which pushes inflation up across the board for every product in the country.”

Consumption: Defensive vs Discretionary Divide
On the consumption front, Dalal drew a clear distinction between essential and discretionary spending.

“When you talk about a Jubilant FoodWorks and a Tata Consumer, they are two ends of a spectrum because one is kind of a FMCG product, the other is a discretionary product.”

He noted that essentials continue to hold up better. “Obviously FMCG is showing decent numbers because at the end of the day that is something that is essential.”

However, discretionary demand remains vulnerable. “People can start curtailing their discretionary spends… you are beginning to see cuts in people’s spending because your inflationary pressures are coming through.”

Even so, Dalal remains structurally positive over the long term. “We believe this is a very underpenetrated market, huge room to grow for a lot of these companies.”

Limited Upside, Risks Persist
Despite significant corrections in consumer stocks, Dalal does not see immediate upside triggers. “For the time being these stocks are not going to see a major upside… otherwise yes, all bets off and all these stocks could fall also another 10% or 15% from here.”

Pricing Power Still Uncertain
On the question of whether companies can pass on rising input costs, Dalal suggested a wait-and-watch approach.

“It is not necessary that they pass on the price escalation right away because everyone is still very hopeful that this war will end soon.”

However, prolonged disruption could force their hand. “If this persists, yes, they are going to have to increase prices.”

Outlook Hinges on Geopolitics
Ultimately, Dalal underscored that the market’s direction hinges heavily on how the geopolitical situation evolves.

“It is very difficult for me to say what is going to happen over the next month… the issue becomes how soon can things stabilise and that to me is looking now very difficult to call.”

For now, the message to investors is clear that the apparent calm in markets may be deceptive, and patience could prove to be the most valuable strategy in uncertain times.