Bank of Baroda Q2FY24 net profit up 28% to Rs 4,253 cr

Debadatta Chand,  Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), BoB

MUMBAI, 4th NOVEMBER, 2023 (NHM):  State-run lender Bank of Baroda (BoB) recorded a 28.4% increase in net profit in the second quarter of the FY24 at Rs 4,253 crore, compared to the same period last year.During the quarter under review, the net interest income (NII) also saw growth, rising by 6.5% to Rs 10,831 crore, up from Rs 10,174 crore in the corresponding period of the previous year.

However, the bank's net interest margin (NIM) decreased to 3.07% in Q2 FY24, down from 3.33% in Q2 FY23.The bank adjusted its NIM guidance for FY24 to 3.15% (with a possible fluctuation of five basis points) from the previous estimate of 3.3%.

This revision was attributed to changes in cost factors, specifically an increase in the cost of funds, as explained by Debadatta Chand, the managing director and chief executive officer, BoB during a media briefing following the Q2 FY24 results.

The non-interest income, which encompasses fees, commissions, treasury income, and recoveries, surged to Rs 4,171 crore in Q2 FY24, compared to Rs 1,826 crore in the previous year.

BoB's provisions for non-performing assets (NPAs) and bad debt rose to Rs 2,285 crore in Q2, up from Rs 1,654 crore in the same period last year.

The bank's advances showed a year-on-year growth of 17.3%, reaching Rs 10.24 trillion in Q2 FY24.

In the same period, its retail loans expanded by 22.2% to Rs 1.93 trillion.

Within the retail book, the personal loan portfolio experienced a significant growth of 67.2% year-on-year, amounting to Rs 25,618 crore.

Debadatta Chand emphasised that although there have been concerns in the system about the growth of unsecured loans, BoB's portfolio of personal loans remains stable with minimal stress.

However, as a precautionary measure, the bank plans to conduct a portfolio review and slightly reduce the pace of loan growth in the personal loans segment to around 30%.

The total deposits increased by 14.6% year-on-year, reaching Rs 12.49 trillion. At the end of September, the share of low-cost deposits (current account and savings account, or Casa) was 38.28%, slightly down from 39.57% the previous year.

The asset quality profile improved, with gross NPAs decreasing to 3.32% in September from 5.31% a year ago. One airline exposure (Go First) was identified as a non-performing asset (NPA) and a 100% provision was made for it. This account was already under stress and turned into an NPA in Q2.

Net NPAs decreased from 1.16% in September 2022 to 0.76% in September 2023.

The provision coverage ratio also improved, rising to 93.16% in September from 91.73% a year ago.Ends

Paytm brings exciting travel discount, free cancellation, 100% refund policy and more for your train and bus ticket during Diwali

MUMBAI, 4th NOVEMBER, 2023 (NHM): As the festive holiday of Diwali approaches, there is a growing excitement to celebrate it with family and friends travelling to their hometown or exploring a new city creating lasting memories. This Leisure travel during Diwali is now possible with affordable travel deals on online bookings of train and bus. Paytm has exciting offers and services for a unique trip experience that can be arranged in minutes. The platform is a one-stop solution that gives you the privilege to plan an affordable trip on your own with an enhanced travel booking journey.

Here’s how you can plan your travel with Paytm in a budget friendly way. 

Up to ₹500 off on bus tickets

To enjoy your festive holidays at an affordable cost, Paytm is offering up to ₹500 off on bus ticket booking through its platform.  

Live bus tracking services 

For safe and hassle free travel, Paytm is offering a live bus tracking service that ensures users can travel at ease and stress free while also sharing the real time location of their booked bus with their close.  Also, with Paytm’s Best Price Guaranteed feature, Paytm assures users of the lowest price across 2,500 bus operators. 

Free train ticket cancellation and instant refund 

Through Paytm platform, users can now cancel their train ticket, six hours before their departure or chart preparation whichever is earlier, hassle free and also get an instant full refund on their source account without having to state the reason for the cancellation. Most important thing is that users don’t have to wait for days to receive their refund. The feature is available for all types of train ticket bookings including tatkal tickets. 

Zero charges on train ticket 

On train ticket bookings, users can book tickets on UPI with an advantage of zero service & payment gateway charges. This leverages users from paying additional charges and saves money.  

Live train status 

Passengers can also check the live train running status and PNR status on the Paytm app which enables them to travel at ease and stress free. 

Paytm is also the authorised partner of Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) and has empowered its users with a seamless and superfast train ticket booking experience. Booking travel tickets through Paytm app provides a seamless experience with free cancellation, 100% refunds, travel insurance, easy & quick booking, exciting cashback and 24/7 customer assistance.Ends

Kokilaben Hospital’s CSR Initiatives: Bridging Gaps in Healthcare and changing Lives

~ Shri Nitin Gadkari, Minister for Road Transport & Highways, Government of India is Guest of Honour ~  

Mumbai, November 3, 2023 (NHM): Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, organised a special session on 'Thalassemia, Way Forward' today. The event underlined the organisation’s larger approach that complements technology, expertise, robust infrastructure, and strategic investments in fostering partnerships with entities contributing significantly to healthcare initiatives. Though the event categorically aimed to shed light on the progressive strides in treating Thalassemia, a genetic blood disorder, and to amplify awareness of government schemes designed to aid patients grappling with this condition. The distinguished Guest of Honour for the occasion was Shri Nitin Gadkari, Minister of Road Transport & Highways, Government of India, whose presence underscored the collaboration between the public and private sectors in advancing healthcare.

On the occasion, Ms. Tina Ambani, Chairperson, Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital outlined the way forward for the Thalassemia Project, and said " With ability comes responsibility, and we have made it our responsibility to ensure we do all in our power to offer every child the best treatment we can. As we expand our footprint across the region and into the hinterland, our roots in the communities we serve are going deeper. And our resolve to widen the embrace of care has become stronger. That resolve lies at the heart of ‘Every Life Matters’, which is the underlying principle behind all that we do.”

Thalassemia causes severe anaemia, fatigue, and various complications, necessitating lifelong blood transfusions and extensive medical therapy. India witnesses a high prevalence of Thalassemia, with over 10,000 children born with this condition annually.  The only treatment that can permanently cure thalassaemia is Stem Cell Transplantation, also known as Bone Marrow Transplantation. Known as an allogenic BMI, it’s a complex process and very few centres around the world have the expertise to conduct this treatment.

Shri Nitin Gadkari, Minister of Road Transport & Highways, Government of India said “Today is a day of reflection for me. The constituency I represent, as well as the northern part of Nagpur, collectively has about 80,000 thalassemia patients. Raising awareness about the risks of consanguineous marriages, especially among disadvantaged communities, is crucial. Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani  Hospital's initiative is a commendable step in addressing Maharashtra's Thalassemia burden. I appreciate all the stakeholders in this collaborative effort."

Kokilaben Hospital is also privileged to support the Coal India CSR-funded Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant (HSCT) programme and help underprivileged Thalassemia patients who do not have the financial resources to cover the cost of the program. In June this year, the hospital extended the MoU with Coal India for the third phase of their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) project, the Thalassemia Bal Sewa Yojana, aimed at curative treatment of Thalassemia and Aplastic Anaemia in children from an underprivileged background. This is helping to extend the reach of life-saving BMT treatments to more disadvantaged children affected by Thalassemia and Aplastic Anaemia.

Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital continues to remain steadfast in its commitment to spearheading initiatives that offer hope, care, and the promise of a healthier society. It has been at the forefront in supporting the underprivileged access the best of modern healthcare by supporting Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities. The hospital has collaborated with Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK) and the Government of Maharashtra, performing over 126 successful Cochlear implant surgeries for economically disadvantaged children. 

Under the ‘Healing Little Hearts’ initiative, the hospital has been instrumental in treating children from economically weaker sections suffering from congenital heart diseases. The hospital’s Clubfoot Clinic has also been pivotal in providing essential treatment, ensuring that children do not suffer from mobility issues due to clubfoot. Ends

Esaf Small Finance Bank sets IPO price band at ₹57 to ₹60 per equity share, IPO opens for subscription on November 3 and closes on November 7

MUMBAI, 2nd NOVEMBER, 2023 (NHM):  Esaf Small Finance Bank (Esaf SFB) has fixed the price band for its maiden initial public offer at ₹57 to ₹60 per equity share. The IPO opens for subscription on Friday, November 3, and closes on Tuesday, November 7. Investors can bid for a minimum of 250 equity shares, and in multiples of 250 equity shares thereafter.

The public issue of face value of ₹10 per equity share comprises fresh issuance of equity shares worth Rs 390.70 crore and an Offer-for-Sale (OFS) of up to Rs 72.30 crore, aggregating to Rs 463 crore.

The bank proposes to utilise the proceeds of the fresh issue to augment its Tier-1 capital base.

The lender’s primary products are advances and deposits (current accounts, savings accounts, term deposits, and recurring deposits). Its advances comprise micro loans (comprising microfinance loans and other micro loans), retail loans (such as gold loans, mortgages, personal loans, and vehicle loans), MSME loans, loans to financial institutions, and agricultural loans.

Esaf SFB was the fifth largest SFB in India in terms of AUM. Between March 31, 2021, and 2023, the bank had the fourth-highest deposit growth among its comparable peers and the highest AUM growth. Its assets under management (AUM) grew from ₹8,425.93 crore to ₹16,331.27 crore, with a CAGR of 39 per cent.

It reported the second highest year-on-year AUM growth for the three months ended fiscal 2024 among compared SFBs. Deposits also increased from ₹8,999.43 crore to ₹14,665.63 crore during the same period, registering a CAGR of 28 per cent, the fourth highest growth among their peers.

ICICI Securities Ltd, DAM Capital Advisors Ltd, and Nuvama Wealth Management Ltd (formerly known as Edelweiss Securities Ltd) are the book-running lead managers.

Creative Graphics Solutions files draft papers with NSE Emerge to raise funds via IPO

Deepanshu Goel, Promoter and Managing Director, Creative Graphics Solutions

MUMBAI, NOVEMBER 1^st, 2023 (NHM):  Creative Graphics Solutions, India’s leading organised and integrated packaging ecosystem player, announced the filing of its Draft Red Herring Prospectus (DRHP) with NSE Emerge. The issue comprises a fresh issuance of 64,00,000 equity shares with a face value of Rs. 10 per equity share, of which 3,20,000 equity shares are reserved for market maker subscriptions. The remaining 60,80,000 equity shares are the net issue to the public category, of which not less than 35% will go to retail individual investors, not less than 15% to non-institutional investors, and not less than 50% to eligible institutional buyers, including 5% of this total to mutual funds.

The company has designated Corporate Capital Ventures as Book Running Lead Manager to the Issue and Bigshare Services Private Limited as the Registrar to the Issue. Creative Graphics is from the MSMEx SME IPO Cohort program.

Creative Graphics plans to use the net proceeds to invest in its 100% subsidiary, Wahren India Private Limited, to meet inorganic growth through unidentified acquisitions for the company, to meet the working capital requirements and expenditures for “Creative Graphics” and general corporate purposes.

According to the DRHP, the company proposes to utilise Rs. 35 crore of the net proceeds for investment in Wahren India Limited to meet its working capital requirements. The investment will be made in the form of equity. The company plans to explore inorganic acquisitions for operational expansion to improve size and market position and get into new geographic areas to utilise Rs. 5 crore of net proceeds. Additionally, Creative Graphics Solution Limited intends to use the net proceeds of Rs. 3 crore to cover expected working capital needs. While it proposes to utilise up to Rs. 2 crore towards purchasing machinery for deployment at its principal production facilities in Noida, the remaining net proceeds will be used for general corporate purposes, including operating expenses, branding, promotion, advertisements, and so on.

Commenting on the company’s plans, Deepanshu Goel, Promoter and Managing Director, Creative Graphics Solutions, said, “The flourishing pharmaceuticals and FMCG sectors open a flood of opportunities for our products, and we are poised to unleash and expand our capabilities with the capital we are raising through this IPO. We plan to invest the lion’s share of these funds in our subsidiary company, Wahren India, which we have recently acquired to expand our business beyond our core focus of manufacturing flexographic printing plates. At the same time, the remaining portion will be spent on the company’s inorganic growth and working capital requirements. We are expanding our realm and, more importantly, tapping a high revenue.”

Creative Graphics has clocked a total revenue of Rs. 91.78 crore in FY23 compared to Rs. 65.68 crore in FY22. The company has posted a revenue of Rs. 48.45 crore during the first half of FY24 ending September 2023. The company’s profit after tax was Rs. 8.64 crore in FY23, up from Rs. 4.65 crore in FY22, registering an impressive Y-o-Y growth in profit.

The Noida-headquartered company specialises in manufacturing flexographic printing plates, including Digital Flexo Plates, Conventional Flexo Printing Plates, Letter Press Plates, Metal Back Plates, and Coating Plates. It serves its customer base in India, Thailand, Qatar, Kuwait, Nepal and Africa. It operates seven manufacturing facilities in different states, i.e., Noida (Uttar Pradesh), Vasai, Pune (Maharashtra), Chennai (Tamil Nadu), Baddi (Himachal Pradesh), Hyderabad (Telangana) and Ahmedabad (Gujarat).

Founded by Deepanshu Goel, a first-generation entrepreneur and incorporated in 2014, Creative Graphics has expanded its business through its wholly owned subsidiaries – Creative Graphics Premedia Private Limited (CG Premedia) and Wahren India Private Limited. While CG Premedia offers end-to-end premedia services, from design adaptation to print production, Wahren India supplies high-quality packaging solutions for the pharmaceutical industry. It produces Alu-Alu Foil, Blister Foil, Tropical Alu-Alu Foil, CR Foil, and Pharmaceutical Sachet.

For more information, please visit: https://creativegraphics.group/  

Godrej Interio launches Posture Perfect - a breakthrough chair design

 

~Posture Perfect is world’s most advanced chair that supports sitting postures in all positions of recline

~Its ‘TrackBack’ technology has been globally patented across over 13 countries

Mumbai, 31st October 2023 (NHM): Godrej & Boyce, the flagship company of the Godrej Group, announced that its business Godrej Interio, India’s leading furniture and interior solutions brand, is expanding their portfolio of office wellness products with the launch of seating solution called ‘Posture Perfect’. Godrej Interio announced a breakthrough in chair design, based on the unique “Trackback” technology that has been patented across 13 countries. Posture Perfect is world’s first chair to give complete back support in all positions of recline. This revolutionary product for workplaces highlights Godrej Interio’s design philosophy which is based on a human-centric approach and adaptive space solutions. The Wellness Seating solutions category is expected to grow by 50% in FY23-24 and the Posture Perfect Chair is expected to contribute 10% of the category sales. The chair has been designed by Jimmy Unwalla, a well-respected designer in the community. The product was unveiled in the presence of Jamshyd N Godrej, Chairman & Managing Director of Godrej & Boyce, Anil Verma, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer, Godrej & Boyce along with Swapneel Nagarkar, Senior Vice President and Business Head, Godrej Interio and Sameer Joshi, Senior Vice President, Sales & Marketing (B2B), Godrej Interio. 

Godrej Interio has been researching ergonomic risk factors faced by today’s knowledge workers. In a recent study commissioned by the brand, it was unveiled that over 50% of Indians suffer from work related musculoskeletal disorder. The study further revealed that sitting is a predominantly major risk factor in office jobs where 67% of users sit for more than 10–11 hours of a workday making them prone to back injuries Godrej Interio has a well experienced team of doctors to offer Wellness awareness consultancy services to Corporates. Godrej Interio has launched several wellness solutions such as Height Adjustable Desks and Active Seating Solutions. Posture Perfect Chair is the latest launch in this series.  

Speaking about the importance of a healthy workforce, Jamshyd N Godrej, Chairman & Managing Director of Godrej & Boyce said, “For the last 126 years we have been driven by the purpose of pioneering progress for generations. An ergonomic design for seating is essential for office productivity. Wellness at work is an important design criteria that ensures a healthy and fit workforce. Godrej have pioneered many innovative solutions for seating keeping in mind the need for ergonomic design and comfort at work. The Posture Perfect chair is a solution that always ensures that ergonomic features of the design are available for every position of recline while sitting. We have pioneered the concept of good & green design for all our products and this is a unique and special example of this concept."

The Posture Perfect chair is designed to support user’s back in all positions of recline. It is built to be sturdy and long-lasting, meeting rigorous testing standards set by BIFMA. The Chair is designed keeping Sustainability in mind and has received global certifications such as GREENGUARD. The Posture Perfect chair boasts of a sleek design and offers users the flexibility to customize it to their preferences, office decor, and personal style, with a selection of more than 24 available finishes & variants. The upholstery comes in three splendid variations, each of which can be further personalised with a choice of four colors. These variants and colors cover a broad spectrum from classic to contemporary, making Posture Perfect a seamless and impactful addition to the office space, interior, and architecture.

Swapneel Nagarkar, Senior Vice President and Business Head, Godrej Interio said “Over the last 3 years, Godrej Interio has launched numerous products in the office space with a focus on wellbeing and sustainability. Over 18% of our annual revenues result from new products and solutions in this space. Our office seating solutions from our stable have a market share of 14%. We plan to increase this share to 18% by FY25 by continuing to be a customer first brand. The Posture Perfect chair range will revolutionize the seating industry not only in India but globally. Thereby providing unmatched comfort and an ideal back support in all positions of recline to the health-conscious knowledge workers who spend long hours sitting at their desk. It is one of the most advanced chairs in the world and we have patents in 13 countries including US and EU and are planning to launch this chair in global markets.” 

The posture perfect product range will be available pan-India, through Godrej Interio website and stores at MRP starting from Rs. 50,000 INR to 90,000 INR.

About Godrej Interio 

Godrej Interio is India’s leading premium furniture brand in both home and institutional segments with a strong commitment to sustainability and centers of excellence in design, manufacturing, and retail. 

Led by the largest in-house design team in the country in the furniture category and awarded with 34 India Design Mark Awards till date, GODREJ INTERIO aims to transform spaces with its thoughtfully designed furniture to create brighter homes and offices with products that have the highest design quotient in aesthetics, functionality, and technology. With consistent pursuit of excellence and a special focus on health and ergonomics, GODREJ INTERIO’s product portfolio comprises of a wide range of solutions.

Today, Godrej designs and manufactures furniture for office spaces, homes, educational institutes, healthcare facilities, laboratories and more. Along with furniture, the company offers Audio Visual and 360 Degree Turnkey solutions. Each of our product ranges revolves around comfort and aesthetics. 

while delivering well-designed, long lasting, and functional furniture solutions. In short, Godrej Interio helps the consumers to make every space the perfect setting for their myriad moods and moments.

Currently present in over 450 cities with 450 exclusive showrooms and 520 dealer outlets, is one of the largest divisions of Godrej & Boyce Mfg. Co. Ltd., part of the Godrej Group, one of India's largest engineering and customer product groups.

Godrej Interio has 7 manufacturing facilities situated at Mumbai, Khalapur, Haridwar, Shirwal, and Bhagwanpur. GODREJ INTERIO is widely known for its comprehensive sustainability certifications for its products in the furniture category.Ends

Agri-drone firm AITMC Ventures Ltd (AVPL) plans IPO on NSE Emerge platform

MUMBAI, 31 OCTOBER, 2023 (NHM):  AITMC Ventures Limited (AVPL), a pioneer in developing a self-sustained ecosystem covering the entire farming value chain around drone technology, today announced the filing of its Draft Red Herring Prospectus (DRHP) with NSE Emerge. The Company will offer a fresh issue of up to 2,07,32,000 equity shares with a face value of Rs. 2/- each through the book-building route. SKI Capital Services Limited has been appointed as the Book Running Lead Manager to the Issue, and Bigshare Services Private Limited as the Registrar to the Issue. 

The Gurugram-based company operates three broad business verticals – Skill Development, Drones Skilling and Assembly and Agri-retail. Founded by entrepreneurs Deep Sihag Sisai (Managing Director) and Preet Sandhuu (Chairman) in 2016, AVPL is a “Category A” Training Partner recognised by the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) and serves a wide range of government departments & agencies, including other training providers. The company has two subsidiaries – SPH Aviation Private Limited and Farmers City International Private Limited, which enables an ecosystem play. SPH offers DGCA-approved Drone Pilot training programmes at their RPTOs. At the same time, Farmers City International fosters community engagement by establishing Farmer’s City Marts (FCMs), serving as comprehensive one-stop shops for farming needs.

“Since 2016, we have focused on building an integrated, robust ecosystem”, said, Deep Sihag Sisai, Founder & Managing Director, AVPL. “The journey towards being a listed company is yet another testament to our commitment to enriching the Indian Agricultural Ecosystem through technology, skill development and democratising access to solutions. We are confident that the increasing adoption of drone technology in agriculture presents a substantial growth opportunity for our Drone-as-a-Service (DaaS) offerings. Furthermore, we are well-positioned to benefit from government incentives and support as we have aligned our strategies with the government’s priorities such as employment and income augmentation in the agriculture sector”, further added Deep. 

The company will employ the proceeds from the issue for funding new business initiatives by investing in its subsidiaries. Besides, the company will also utilise part of the proceeds towards the working capital. 

Commenting on the upcoming issue, Ghanisht Nagpal, Partner Investment Banking, SKI Capital Services Limited, said, “AVPL is aiming to capitalise on an ecosystem play – at the intersection of technology, agriculture, and skill development. Deep and his team have a demonstrated business model awaiting the scale-up to the next level with the upcoming IPO. At SKI Capital, we aim to deliver opportunities for value creation – partnering with companies that offer potential for scalable, sustainable, and stable growth”.

AVPL is focused on ‘Creating a pool of Dronepreneurs and Agripreneurs’ through structured training programmes supported by the Government. By leveraging government subsidies and financial partnerships, AVPL aims to empower individuals with Agri-Drones, enabling them to explore entrepreneurial opportunities in the agricultural sector. Drones manufactured by the company will be available for sale to Dronepreneurs and qualified Drone Pilots in compliance with Government of India regulations. The company has established a Drone Production unit in Jhajjar. It is in the process of establishing a Manufacturing Unit in the “Aviation Hub” in Hisar, Haryana, for R&D and application testing. Besides, AVPL has 11 centres of excellence for Agriculture and drone training across Haryana, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan. AVPL subsidiary SPH Aviation has one approved RPTO at Gurugram, whereas two more in Sirsa and Sonipat have been submitted to DGCA. Another 8 RPTO applications on their existing Training facilities are in line to submit with DGCA in the next 15-30 days.

AVPL has already collaborated with multiple states, NSDC and NACOF to create Drone Entrepreneurs and Agri Entrepreneurs across India 

AVPL’s total revenue for FY23 stood at Rs. 21.44 crore, compared to Rs. 11.29 crore in FY22. Its EBIDTA for FY23 was Rs. 8.29 crore, compared to Rs. 2 crore in FY22. The company has posted a PAT of Rs. 4.81 crore in FY23 as against Rs. 25.73 lakh in FY22. During Q1FY24, AVPL’s consolidated revenues stood at Rs. 9.62 crore, and EBITDA was Rs. 3.66 crore. PAT for Q1FY24 stood at Rs. 2.34 crore. Its revenue growth was primarily driven by, in the past two years, an increase in the number of students trained by the company. The pre-issue shareholding of the Promotor Group stands at 74.16% as of the date of filing the DRHP. AVPL has 113 employees.

For more information, please visit: https://avplinternational.com/