Fund performance

■ Columbia Total Return Bond Fund Institutional Class shares returned –0.05% for the quarter ended March 31, 2026.

■ The Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Index returned –0.05% for the same period.

Market

India’s equity markets appear to be entering a favourable phase, supported by strong corporate earnings, stable macroeconomic conditions, and easing geopolitical concerns. According to Devang Mehta from Spark Capital Private Wealth, the market has already undergone an extended period of correction and consolidation, creating a healthier foundation for future gains.

Earnings Strength Fuels Optimism

Mehta believes the market’s recent resilience has been driven by earnings growth, particularly among mid- and small-cap companies, even as foreign institutional investors remained largely absent.

“The market has gone through the grind of price correction, time correction, and valuation consolidation. The market has always been a slave of earnings, and earnings came out very good across large-caps, mid-caps, and small-caps.”

He added that improving macroeconomic conditions and lower crude oil prices are turning previous headwinds into potential tailwinds.

“There are green shoots showing right now. Looking at macros and earnings, the risk-reward is quite positive, especially for investors with a one- to two-year horizon.”
Power Ancillaries Preferred Over Direct Utilities
While remaining positive on the power sector, Mehta prefers companies that support the broader energy ecosystem rather than power producers themselves.He highlighted opportunities in power automation, transmission infrastructure, and renewable energy-related businesses that stand to benefit from India’s growing electricity demand and infrastructure spending.

“We have been advocates of power and power ancillaries. Companies involved in HVDC, power automation, and renewable infrastructure could benefit significantly from the ongoing capex cycle.”

He also sees value in engineering and manufacturing firms supplying equipment and services to larger power infrastructure players.

“The ancillary theme is the proxy play. The entire capex, power, and infrastructure theme should do very well from here on.”

Positive on HCLTech Deal, Cautious on IT
Mehta welcomed HCLTech’s partnership with Sarvam but maintained his cautious view on the broader IT services sector.

“This tie-up augurs very well. However, we have generally been negative on the IT space for the last three years and continue to hold that stand.”

While acknowledging the possibility of moderate returns from frontline IT stocks, he believes better opportunities exist elsewhere.

“There can be 10-12% CAGR returns from large IT companies, but investors seeking alpha may find better opportunities in financials, capex-related businesses, and consumption plays.”

He noted that IT companies continue to face structural challenges despite sharp corrections in valuations.

“The long term is about how these companies adapt to digitisation and AI. That is something the Street wants to monitor closely.”

Constructive Outlook
With earnings remaining healthy and macro conditions improving, Mehta believes Indian equities are well positioned for the medium term. His preferred themes remain power infrastructure, capital expenditure plays, and financials, sectors that he expects to benefit from India’s ongoing economic and investment cycle.

Netflix shares tumbled more than 3.5% on Tuesday after the streaming giant was outbid by Fox Corp. in a $22 billion deal to acquire Roku, marking a significant setback in Netflix’s efforts to expand its distribution footprint amid intensifying competition in the media industry.

Fox’s cash-and-stock offer valued Roku at $160 per share, outmaneuvering Netflix in what sources described as an aggressive but ultimately unsuccessful pursuit. The transaction highlights the rapid consolidation occurring across streaming and connected TV platforms as companies vie for greater control over content distribution and advertising data.

Roku, a leading streaming platform operator, has built a substantial user base through its hardware and operating system that hosts multiple services. The deal gives Fox enhanced reach in the connected TV space, complementing its Tubi free ad-supported streaming service and traditional media assets. Netflix, which has historically focused on organic growth and content production, had viewed Roku as a strategic opportunity to strengthen its position in the evolving distribution landscape.

The failed bid represents Netflix’s second major unsuccessful acquisition attempt in recent quarters, following an earlier pursuit of Warner Bros. Discovery. Despite the setback, company executives have framed such efforts as valuable learning experiences for future transactions.

Co-CEO Ted Sarandos previously noted the educational value of the Warner Bros. pursuit. “We really built our M&A muscle pursuing Warner Bros.,” Sarandos said. “We’ve learned so much about deal execution, about early integration.”

Strategic Context and Regulatory Considerations

Industry analysts point to significant antitrust hurdles that likely complicated Netflix’s bid. Owning both substantial original content production and a major distribution platform hosting rival services could have raised competitive concerns with regulators. Fox’s position, focused more on live sports, news and its Tubi platform, was viewed as presenting fewer direct conflicts with other subscription video services.

The Roku board prioritized maximizing shareholder value, ultimately favoring Fox’s premium offer. Sources indicated Netflix adopted a more disciplined bidding approach, which proved insufficient against Fox’s aggressive valuation.

Fox has committed to maintaining Roku as an “open, partner-friendly platform,” a stance that may have eased regulatory scrutiny and appealed to Roku’s leadership. The deal underscores Fox’s strategy to bolster its presence in the streaming ecosystem while leveraging its existing media infrastructure.

Netflix’s Evolution and Future Moves

Netflix has transformed from a DVD rental service into a global streaming powerhouse, but the industry’s shift toward consolidation has prompted the company to explore inorganic growth opportunities. The Roku bid reflected a desire to secure greater control over how its content reaches audiences and to gather valuable first-party advertising data.

Although the deal did not materialize, Netflix continues to evaluate strategic options. Reports suggest the company is among several media giants considering a potential move for Lionsgate Studios, though no formal indication of interest has been submitted.

The company’s leadership has emphasized building transactional expertise through recent pursuits. This “M&A muscle,” as Sarandos described it, positions Netflix to act decisively when suitable opportunities arise in a maturing streaming market.

Roku’s origins add historical irony to the situation. Company founder Anthony Wood developed the original Roku player while at Netflix in the early 2000s during the transition from physical rentals to digital streaming. Netflix ultimately spun off Roku in 2008 to avoid alienating hardware partners. Nearly two decades later, Netflix attempted to reacquire the platform it helped create, only to be outmaneuvered by traditional media player Fox.

Market Reaction and Industry Implications

Netflix shares opened lower following the news, reflecting investor disappointment over the missed opportunity. Roku shares also declined modestly as the market digested the acquisition details, while Fox Corp. stock experienced mixed movement amid broader sector dynamics.

The transaction highlights the intense competition for distribution assets in the streaming era. As consumers fragment across multiple platforms, control over connected TV interfaces and user data has become increasingly valuable. Companies are racing to secure footholds that enhance content delivery and advertising capabilities.

For Fox, acquiring Roku strengthens its position in the ad-supported streaming segment and provides a robust platform for distributing its sports, news and entertainment content. The deal complements Tubi and could accelerate Fox’s digital transformation.

Netflix, meanwhile, will likely continue focusing on content investment and technological innovation to maintain subscriber growth. The company has demonstrated resilience through previous industry shifts, adapting its model from DVD rentals to global streaming dominance.

Broader Streaming Landscape

The Roku acquisition comes as the streaming industry enters a phase of consolidation and maturation. After years of heavy spending on content and subscriber acquisition, major players are seeking efficiencies and strategic advantages through partnerships and acquisitions.

Free ad-supported streaming services like Tubi have gained traction, offering alternatives to subscription fatigue. Control over distribution platforms allows companies to optimize user experiences and advertising revenue across their content libraries.

Regulatory scrutiny remains a key factor in media deals, with authorities closely examining potential impacts on competition and consumer choice. Fox’s structure and commitments regarding Roku’s openness may have provided advantages in navigating these considerations.

Analysts expect further M&A activity in the sector as companies position themselves for long-term success in a fragmented but consolidating market. Netflix’s disciplined approach suggests it will pursue opportunities that align closely with its core strengths in content creation and global reach.

Outlook for Involved Companies

Fox’s successful bid enhances its competitive positioning and diversifies revenue streams beyond traditional linear television. Integration of Roku will require careful execution but offers significant upside in the connected TV space.

Netflix remains well-positioned as a content leader with a massive global subscriber base. While the Roku deal did not close, the company’s focus on original programming and international expansion continues to drive growth. Future strategic moves will likely emphasize opportunities that complement rather than duplicate existing capabilities.

Roku shareholders receive substantial value through the transaction, rewarding the company’s innovation in the streaming hardware and platform space. The deal provides certainty while allowing the platform to operate with continued openness under new ownership.

As the streaming wars evolve, deals like Fox’s acquisition of Roku illustrate the strategic importance of distribution and data in an increasingly competitive landscape. Netflix’s pursuit, though unsuccessful, demonstrates its willingness to adapt and invest boldly in shaping its future trajectory.

The coming months will reveal how these companies leverage their positions as the industry continues consolidating. For investors and consumers alike, the Roku transaction represents a notable milestone in the ongoing transformation of entertainment delivery.

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