LONDON/MUMBAI: Shares of NRI billionaire Anil Agarwal-led Vedanta Resources on Friday plunged 5.59 per cent on the London Stock Exchange amid talk that it may acquire a majority stake in the Indian arm of Cairn Energy.

In the late afternoon session, the scrip was being traded at 20.61 pounds, down by 5.50 per cent on the LSE. Vedanta opened on a positive note, but soon swung into the red.

The broader market was also weak and the benchmark FTSE 100 was trading at 5,248.95, down 0.32 per cent in the late afternoon session.

On the other hand, Cairn Energy Plc climbed 1.41 per cent and was being quoted at 4.59 pounds on the LSE.

In India too, Vedanta Group firm Sterlite Industries sank by over 4 per cent to close at Rs 160.70 on the Bombay Stock Exchange. Sterlite was the biggest loser in the Sensex pack today.

In contrast, Cairn Energy Plc’s Indian arm, Cairn India, surged by over 5 per cent to hit its highest-ever level of Rs 358 on the BSE. The scrip ended with a gain of 355.45, up 4.36 per cent.
Vedanta Resources Plc is in talks to acquire a majority 51 per cent stake in Cairn India for about USD 8-8.5 billion (nearly Rs 40,000 crore) and a deal may be announced on Sunday evening or Monday.Scottish explorer Cairn Energy Plc, which holds a 62.37 per cent stake in India-listed Cairn India, is seeking up to a 20 per cent premium for passing on the controlling stake, two persons in-the-know of the development said.

Agarwal “is meeting Cairn Energy Plc Chief Executive Bill Gammell in London today and the deal is likely to be announced as early as Sunday evening or on Monday,” one of them said.

The deal will be contingent on government approval, as Cairn’s three producing oil and gas assets, including the giant Rajasthan fields, and seven exploration blocks either have explicit provisions for seeking prior approval before the transfer of interest or gives pre-emption, or the right of first refusal, on any shares being sold to partners like ONGC.

McDonald’s customers may soon be giving their order to a robot.

The fast food company is testing a new artificial intellience order-taking system at the drive-thru called ArchIQ at five locations across the country right now, according to Restaurant Business Magazine.

The initiative is part of the company’s new brand strategy called McDonald’s Next, which was announced this week.

FOX Business has reached out to McDonald’s for comment.

MCDONALD’S UNVEILS NEW GROWTH STRATEGY TO WIN BACK CUSTOMERS

While introducing McDonald’s NEXT earlier this week, CEO Chris Kempczinski said that customers shouldn’t have to choose between “hospitality or speed.”

McFranchisee, an X account for a McDonald’s franchise, said this week that Google is affiliated with the new project.

“Meet Archy IQ – no, we are not new to AOT. In fact, we have been in this AI field for about 8 years,” McFranchisee wrote on X on Tuesday.

MCDONALD’S AI HIRING CHATBOT EXPOSED DATA OF JOB CANDIDATES

“We sold our in-house model to IBM and moved on as it wasn’t good enough for our needs. As mentioned below, I wanted to hire Google (who uses NVIDIA) to service our AOT 3 years ago and found out today that Google is behind this project. We are currently in 5 test stores, having processed over 1M transactions with about 90% of orders completed without human escalations. Impressive for a new test.”

McFranchisee said that every McDonald’s in the country will get Google Edge Cloud blades installed ahead of the rollout.

“Archy will not only assist drive-thru orders but act as a master brain to help managers run a better restaurant,” it added. “It’s like a personal assistant that alerts you to potential bottlenecks or issues.”

Most of the comments under the X post were negative.

“We all hate the system installed at Wendy’s,” one person wrote. “We hate the kiosks at McDonald’s, Wendy’s, and Taco Bell that we are asked to use instead of talking to a person. We will hate this too. Say goodbye to customers.”

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

“No one wants this – we like dealing with smiling faces,” another said, to which McFranchisee replied, “We still smile at the cash and present window – this is just at the speaker.”

The new A.I. initiative comes two years after McDonald’s dropped another similar effort.

MUMBAI: Shares of Cairn India Ltd on Friday climbed over 5 per cent to hit a record high of Rs 358 on the BSE amid reports that Vedanta Resources is in talks to buy a majority stake in the subsidiary of UK-based Cairn Energy.

The scrip, which was flat for most of the session, shot up in the final hour of trade on the Bombay Stock Exchange to settle with a net gain of 4.36 per cent at Rs 355.45.

Analysts said the stock zoomed on reports that Vedanta is in talks to buy a 51 per cent stake in Cairn India from its parent firm, Cairn Energy, which holds a 62.4 per cent stake. The deal size is estimated to be between USD 8-8.5 billion.

“The deal is positive for the stock, as even the lower- end of the deal ($8 billion) will value Cairn India at USD 15.7 billion compared to the current market cap of $14.4 billion,” Elara Securities analyst Alok Deshpande said.

“In the short term, we expect the stock to rally towards the deal valuation upon the official announcement, which is expected on August 16, according to media reports,” he added.

Cairn India’s parent company, Cairn Energy Plc, also zoomed nearly 2 per cent on the London Stock Exchange and was being quoted at 4.61 pounds in late afternoon trade.
In contrast, NRI billionaire Anil Agarwal-led Vedanta Resources Plc plunged by 5.5 per cent to 20.61 pounds on the LSE.In addition, Sterlite Industries, a Vedanta Group firm, sank by over 4 per cent to close at Rs 160.70 on the Bombay Stock Exchange. Sterlite was the biggest loser in the Sensex pack today.

“If the deal happens, it is obvious that Vedanta is planning to be a long-term investor. In that case, we feel the deal valuation is fair, considering our expectations of a reserve upside from other Rajasthan fields in some time in the future,” Deshpande said.

This article was written by

Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, and no plans to initiate any such positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.

Seeking Alpha’s Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.

The Old Fox of Dalal Street has been on a dream run since the past couple of weeks. On Friday, most stocks that he had been steadily building up positions in figured among key gainers of the day. State Bank of India shares hit a new peak of Rs 2,879.95, before closing at Rs 2,849.40, up 2.35% over the previous close.

SpiceJet hit a 52-week high of Rs 68.45 before closing at Rs 66.05, up 8% over the previous close. Bombay Dyeing hit a 52-week high of Rs 684.85 before closing at Rs 661.55, up 12% over its previous close. Godrej Properties rose 3% to close at Rs 776.40. It remains to be seen, if the Fox will make a quiet exit when the going is good, or hang in there for bigger profits.

Healthcare and financial stocks helped push the Dow Jones Industrial Average higher Thursday while tech stocks lagged behind.

Shares in UnitedHealth, a Dow component, rose after Bank of America upgraded the stock, part of a broader rally in health-care stocks. Financial names in the blue-chip index including Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan and American Express also saw gains, as did payments giant Visa. The Dow is up about 800 points, or 1.6%, in afternoon trading.

It may be very thrilling and can be very difficult to start and maintain a small business in the Philippines. As opportunities are expanding in different sectors, availability of funds is one of the greatest issues to businesspersons. Even the best business ideas may fail to develop without the appropriate financial aid. That is why the knowledge of alternative sources of funds has become a mandatory matter among small business owners.

Conventional Financing: It Is Still Relevant, but Difficult

The first source of thought when financing his or her business is with banks. They provide structured loans that have a comparatively low interest rate and have a long repayment period. Nevertheless, it is not always a simple process. Some of the challenges that plague many small business owners include:

• Repressive documentation demands
• Requirement of good credit history
• Collateral demands
• Long approval timelines

Due to this fact, bank loans are not always applicable to start-ups or businesses with urgent financing needs.

Researching Alternative Financing

In order to beat these hurdles, most entrepreneurs in the Philippines are currently looking into alternative financing approaches that are more lenient and available.

1. Fintech Lending Platforms

DLP offers speedy and easy access to finance. The process of applications is normally done online and approvals can take a matter of time. Nevertheless, the interest rates can be different in accordance with the platform.

2. Partnerships and Private Investors

There are those businesses that opt to use investors as a means of raising funds. This is capable of introducing more capital but it is commonly associated with sharing ownership or a share of decision making.

3. Licensed Moneylenders

The practice of licensed moneylenders has become a viable source of financing to a good number of small businesses. These lenders are licensed and authorized and therefore there is transparency and legal security of the borrowers.

They are known for:

• Faster approval processes
• Minimal documentation
• Flexible repayment terms
• Small and medium enterprise accessibility.

Reputable Licensed Moneylenders in the Philippines

When choosing this option, it is important to select a reliable and licensed provider. One such option is Supreme Money Lending Corp, which offers financing solutions designed to support small businesses with quicker and more accessible funding compared to traditional banks.

Other financial service providers in the Philippines also offer alternative lending options, including Home Credit Philippines and Maya Bank both of which provide accessible loan services for individuals and small business owners.

Selection of the Right Financing Choice

The choice of the appropriate means of financing is determined by the needs of your business and finances. It is important to evaluate:

• Interest rates and overall repayment of the cost.
• Speed of loan processing
• Repayment flexibility of terms.
• Lender credibility/ transparency.

All the options have their pros and what has worked in one business may not work in another.

Conclusion

Alternative financing has taken a significant role in the Philippine business environment. Although banks remain an important factor, there are alternative mechanisms that can offer all the necessary flexibility, including fintech sites, investors, and licensed moneylenders. Access to various sources of funds can be a huge difference to the owners of the small business. It would be easy to control cash flow and deal with unforeseen costs, as well as concentrate on consistent development of the business without undue delays with the appropriate financial partner.

The Asia Pacific industrial control and factory automation market is on a steep growth trajectory, with new research projecting it will expand from USD 95.73 billion in 2025 to USD 194.52 billion by 2032, a compound annual growth rate of 10.7% over the forecast period.

Key takeaways

• Asia Pacific’s industrial control and factory automation market is set to more than double from USD 95.73 billion in 2025 to USD 194.52 billion by 2032, growing at a 10.7% CAGR.
• The automotive sector remains the dominant end-user, while industrial 3D printing emerges as the fastest-growing technology segment driving the next wave of smart manufacturing.
• India stands out as one of the region’s fastest-growing markets, with multinational leaders like ABB, Siemens, FANUC, and Mitsubishi Electric competing to capture the automation boom.

The findings, published by MarketsandMarkets, point to a confluence of structural forces reshaping how manufacturers across the region operate. Rising labor costs, worker shortages, and the need for consistent output are pushing companies to accelerate automation investment, while government-backed manufacturing programs and the broader adoption of industrial IoT and artificial intelligence technologies are sustaining the market’s momentum.

3D Printing Emerges as the Fastest-Growing Segment

Among the technology components tracked in the report, industrial 3D printing stands out as the segment expected to post the highest growth rate through 2032. Manufacturers in the automotive, electronics, aerospace, and industrial equipment sectors are integrating additive manufacturing directly into automated production lines, enabling reductions in lead times, greater design flexibility, and stronger support for local manufacturing. Advances in materials science, production-grade hardware, and digital manufacturing workflows are accelerating adoption, cementing 3D printing’s role as a core automation element across the region.

Automotive Sector to Maintain Dominant Position

When viewed by end industry, the automotive sector is projected to lead the market through the end of the forecast period. Automakers are deploying industrial robots, advanced control systems, and digital factory solutions at scale to improve efficiency, quality, and production flexibility. The rapid expansion of electric vehicle production and battery manufacturing, combined with the ongoing modernization of automotive plants in China, Japan, India, and Southeast Asia, is expected to sustain the sector’s commanding position. Pressures around cost reduction, workplace safety, and supply chain resilience are also driving both original equipment manufacturers and component suppliers to deepen their automation investments.

India Poised for Standout Growth

Among individual markets in the region, India is highlighted as one of the fastest-growing. Strong demand from the automotive, electronics, pharmaceuticals, and process industries is accelerating investments in control systems, robotics, and industrial software, while government initiatives supporting industrial modernization, localization, and smart manufacturing are further strengthening automation deployment across the country.

A Competitive Field of Global Giants

The competitive landscape features a roster of multinational leaders. Key players operating in the Asia Pacific market include ABB (Switzerland), Siemens (Germany), Schneider Electric (France), Mitsubishi Electric Corporation (Japan), FANUC Corporation (Japan), Emerson Electric Co. (US), GE Vernova (US), Rockwell Automation (US), Honeywell International Inc. (US), Yokogawa Electric Corporation (Japan), and OMRON Corporation (Japan), among others.

The data underscores a broader regional pivot: across Asia Pacific’s industrial base, automation is rapidly shifting from a competitive advantage to a baseline requirement, and the investment numbers reflect that urgency.

Other People are Reading

Follow

Play Earnings CallPlay Earnings Call

White Mountains Insurance Group, Ltd. (WTM) Analyst/Investor Day June 5, 2026 10:00 AM EDT

Company Participants

Weston Hicks
Liam Caffrey – CEO & Director
Michael Papamichael – MD & CFO
Ian Beaton – Founder & CEO
Nicholas Bonnar – Chief Underwriting Officer
Robert Jakacki – Managing Partner, CEO & Co-Chief Investment Officer
Kevin Pearson
Seán McCarthy – CEO, MD & Director
John Daly – CEO & Managing Partner
Jonathan Cramer – Chief Investment Officer

Conference Call Participants

Advertisement

Jason Rotman
John Chu – Bamboo Ide8 Insurance Services, LLC
Michael O’Connor – BroadStreet Partners Group, LLC
Mark O’Connor
Alon Ketzef – PassportCard Limited
Matt House

Conversation

Weston Hicks

Advertisement

Good morning. I’m Weston Hicks, the Chair of White Mountains Insurance Group, and I’d like to welcome all of our guests in the room, of course, members of management as well and those participating via the Internet on the webcast. I’d like to recognize the Board members who are in attendance today, Reid Campbell, if you’d just raise your hand; Pete Carlson; Mary Choksi; our newest Director, John Chu; Margie Dillon; Philip Gelston and David Tanner, who is also our Deputy Chairman. And with us in spirit, but unable to attend is Suzanne Shank, who is a terrific director and our expert, among other things, in municipal finance.

So with that as an introduction, I’d like to turn it over to Liam Caffrey, our CEO, who will get the program started. Thank you.

Liam Caffrey
CEO & Director

Advertisement

Thank you, Weston. Welcome. Before we get going, I’d like to recognize a few members of our management team who are here today and maybe ask them to again raise their hands. So joining me on stage and picking up some of the presentation will be our CFO, Mike Papamichael; and in a little bit, our CIO, Jonathan Cramer. In the audience, Giles Harrison, our President; Rob Seelig, General Counsel and Investor Relations, also manning the webcast and the man with the questions