India: The corporate landscape witnessed major earnings reports and strategic business shifts on March 7, 2025. Several companies released their quarterly results, outlining new strategies to drive growth and sustain profitability. Additionally, key executive changes, mergers and acquisitions, and regulatory interventions shaped market dynamics. Investors and analysts are closely monitoring these corporate earnings and business strategy updates to assess future economic trends.
Also Read: Mid-Day Corporate Pulse: Key Market Trends and Business Insights – March 7, 2025
Corporate Earnings and Business Strategy Updates: Key Highlights
Infosys Reports Strong Q1 FY25 Performance
Infosys, a leading digital services and consulting firm, announced its Q1 FY25 earnings, revealing a 7.22% year-on-year net profit increase. However, its quarterly net profit declined by 20.08% to ₹6,374 crore, compared to ₹7,975 crore in Q4 FY24.
Revenue from operations rose 3.67% quarter-on-quarter to ₹39,315 crore. The company’s operating margin stood at 21.1%, up by 0.3% year-on-year. Infosys also upgraded its FY25 revenue guidance to 3%-4%, supported by large deal wins valued at $4.1 billion.
Schroders Expands Wealth Management Division
Schroders’ new CEO, Richard Oldfield, unveiled a strategic plan focusing on wealth management expansion. The company aims to hire senior portfolio managers, explore mergers and acquisitions, and enhance technology infrastructure.
Additionally, Schroders will introduce quarterly flow updates to improve transparency and drive 5%-7% annual net new business growth. Analysts, however, remain cautious about the impact on the company’s traditional fund businesses.
Executive Moves and Corporate Strategy Shifts
Citigroup’s New Leadership Targets Aggressive Growth
Citigroup’s recently appointed Head of Banking, Vis Raghavan, is pushing for a more aggressive approach to dealmaking. His strategy includes increasing private equity involvement, expanding financing roles, and acquiring new talent.
Currently ranked fifth in global investment banking fees, Citigroup aims to break into the top three by late 2025. The company is restructuring its investment banking and financing divisions to improve market performance.
Afcons Expands Operations in the Middle East
Indian infrastructure firm Afcons is shifting its business strategy to tap into the Middle East’s booming construction sector. The company plans to partner with local firms, taking advantage of increased investments in infrastructure projects.
This strategic expansion follows the success of Larsen & Toubro (L&T), which has secured major contracts in the oil-rich region. Afcons’ new approach aims to boost revenue and enhance its global market presence.
Major Mergers, IPOs, and Regulatory Developments
Bain Capital Acquires 46% Stake in Manappuram Finance
Bain Capital announced a $1 billion deal to acquire a 46% stake in Manappuram Finance, a major Indian non-banking financial company (NBFC). The deal includes a 12.5%-15% premium for preferential allotment and a 22.5%-25% premium for the secondary share sale.
The acquisition is expected to reshape India’s gold loan market, strengthening Bain Capital’s presence in the country’s financial services sector.
Blackstone-Backed REIT Files for ₹7,000 Crore IPO
Knowledge Realty Trust, supported by Blackstone and Sattva, has filed for an initial public offering (IPO) worth ₹7,000 crore. The company’s portfolio includes 30 Grade A office assets across 48 million sq. ft. in Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Mumbai.
The REIT aims to leverage India’s growing commercial real estate market and attract institutional investors.
Regulatory Changes to Impact M&A Activity
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) announced plans to tighten merger approval rules starting January 2026. Under the new regulations, large transactions must be reported to the ACCC before finalization.
This has led to a surge in M&A activity, with private equity firms and U.S. companies looking to finalize deals before the new rules take effect. The stronger U.S. dollar and stable political conditions are also driving acquisitions.
Conclusion
The corporate earnings and business strategy updates on March 7, 2025, highlight significant shifts in financial performance, executive leadership, and market strategies. Companies like Infosys and Schroders announced key earnings results, while Citigroup and Afcons outlined ambitious growth plans. Additionally, major M&A deals and IPO filings signaled increased investor confidence, despite upcoming regulatory challenges.
Moving forward, investors will closely watch developments in corporate earnings, business strategies, and regulatory interventions to anticipate market trends and investment opportunities.
