Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Limited has been in focus on Wednesday. On March 12, 2025, Sun Pharma share price (NSE: SUNPHARMA) opened at ₹1,662.00, up from its previous close of ₹1,655.30. At 10:14 AM, the share price of Sun Pharma was trading at ₹1,665.50, up by 0.62% on the NSE.

Sun Pharma’s Acquisition of Checkpoint Therapeutics

On March 10, after market hours, Sun Pharma announced that it will acquire Checkpoint Therapeutics, Inc., a Nasdaq-listed immunotherapy and targeted oncology company. 

The pharmaceutical giant will pay an upfront cash payment of $4.1 per share, totaling an estimated $355 million. Additionally, shareholders of Checkpoint will receive a contingent value right of up to $0.7 per share, subject to regulatory milestones.

The additional payout is conditional upon the approval of cosibelimab, an FDA-approved cancer treatment, in the European Union (EU) or specific European markets, including Germany, France, Italy, Spain, or the UK.

The acquisition is expected to be finalised in Q2 2025, following which Sun Pharma will take full ownership of Checkpoint Therapeutics. The upfront offer of $4.1 per share represents a 66% premium over Checkpoint’s last closing price.

Royalty Agreement with Fortress Biotech

As part of the acquisition, Checkpoint, Sun Pharma, and Fortress Biotech – Checkpoint’s controlling stockholder – have entered into a royalty agreement. Following the transaction, Fortress Biotech will receive royalty payments based on future sales of cosibelimab, replacing previously granted royalty rights.

Stock Market Reaction

Following the acquisition announcement, Sun Pharma’s share price saw increased investor interest. On March 11, 2025, the stock opened at ₹1,616.10 and closed at ₹1,655.30, reaching an intraday high of ₹1,663.60.

Conclusion

With this acquisition, Sun Pharma is strengthening its presence in the oncology segment, which could support its long-term growth trajectory.

 

Disclaimer: This blog has been written exclusively for educational purposes. The securities mentioned are only examples and not recommendations. This does not constitute a personal recommendation/investment advice. It does not aim to influence any individual or entity to make investment decisions. Recipients should conduct their own research and assessments to form an independent opinion about investment decisions.

Investments in the securities market are subject to market risks, read all the related documents carefully before investing.

As per news reports, Vodafone Idea (Vi) has failed to submit a bank guarantee (BG) worth ₹6,090.7 crore or make a cash payment of ₹5,493.2 crore to the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) by the deadline of March 10, 2025. 

This payment was required to cover the shortfall from the 2015 spectrum auction. The government is now considering possible actions against the financially strained telecom operator.

No Extension from the Government

According to news reports, Vi was expected to meet its financial obligation by the end of office hours on March 10, but no payment was made. The DoT has not granted any extension, and a decision on the next course of action is likely in the coming days.

BG Waiver and Pro-Rata Payments

In December 2024, the government provided relief to telecom operators by waiving off BGs worth ₹33,000 crore from past spectrum auctions. This included auctions held in 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2021. The waiver applied to all three private operators: Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel, and Vodafone Idea. However, Vi was required to provide a BG or make a cash payment for the 2015 spectrum auction due to a one-time partial shortfall.

Why were Airtel and Jio Not Affected?

While Vodafone Idea needed to fulfill the payment obligation, Bharti Airtel and Reliance Jio were exempt. This is because their payments for spectrum auctions exceeded the pro-rata spectrum usage costs under the DoT’s guidelines. As a result, neither Airtel nor Jio had to submit a bank guarantee.

Conclusion

With no payment made and no extension granted, the DoT may take regulatory action against Vodafone Idea. Investors and industry stakeholders will be closely monitoring how the situation unfolds in the coming days.

On March 12, 2025, Vodafone Idea share price opened at ₹7.32, almost the same as its previous close of ₹7.34. At 9:41 AM, the share price of Vodafone Idea was trading at ₹7.15, down by 2.59% on the NSE.

 

Disclaimer: This blog has been written exclusively for educational purposes. The securities mentioned are only examples and not recommendations. This does not constitute a personal recommendation/investment advice. It does not aim to influence any individual or entity to make investment decisions. Recipients should conduct their own research and assessments to form an independent opinion about investment decisions.

Investments in the securities market are subject to market risks, read all the related documents carefully before investing.

Indian Railway Finance Corporation Limited (IRFC) has been gaining attention in the stock market. On March 12, 2025, the IRFC share price opened at ₹120.20, slightly higher than its previous close of ₹119.30. By 9:50 AM, it was trading at ₹119.70, marking a gain of 0.34% on the National Stock Exchange (NSE).

Upcoming Dividend Decision

On March 10, IRFC informed the stock exchanges that the Board of Directors are scheduled to meet on Monday, March 17, 2025, to consider the declaration of a Second Interim Dividend for the financial year 2024-25. 

The record date for determining eligible shareholders has been set for Friday, March 21, 2025, subject to board approval. 

Stock Performance Post Announcement

Following the dividend announcement on March 10, 2025 (after market hours), IRFC’s stock opened at ₹118.00 on March 11, 2025, and closed at ₹119.30, touching a high of ₹120.60 during the session. 

IRFC Dividend History

IRFC previously announced an interim dividend of ₹0.80 per share, which was the first for FY 2024-25. The ex-dividend date for this payout was November 12, 2024.

About IRFC

Established in 1986, Indian Railway Finance Corporation borrows funds from the financial markets to finance the acquisition/creation of assets, which are then leased out to the Indian Railways as a finance lease. 

Conclusion

With the upcoming board meeting on March 17, 2025, IRFC is expected to remain on investors’ radar. Market participants will closely track the stock’s performance and dividend declaration, which could impact short-term price movements.

 

Disclaimer: This blog has been written exclusively for educational purposes. The securities mentioned are only examples and not recommendations. This does not constitute a personal recommendation/investment advice. It does not aim to influence any individual or entity to make investment decisions. Recipients should conduct their own research and assessments to form an independent opinion about investment decisions.

Investments in the securities market are subject to market risks, read all the related documents carefully before investing.

Sun TV Network Limited’s Board of Directors has declared and approved an interim dividend of ₹2.50 per equity share of ₹5 each for the financial year 2024-25. 

On March 11, 2025, Sun TV Network share price (NSE: SUNTV) opened at ₹560.95 and closed at ₹577.10, up by 2.88%. The stock price touched its day’s high at ₹582.60. 

Sun TV Network Interim Dividend Record Date

The company has declared an Interim Dividend of ₹2.50 per equity share of ₹5.00 (50%) for FY 2024-25. The record date for the dividend is Thursday, February 13, 2025. The company stated that the payment would be made within 30 days from the declaration date, in compliance with the Companies Act 2013. Shareholders eligible as of the record date will receive the dividend accordingly.

Q3 FY 2025 Financial Highlights

For the quarter ended December 31, 2024, the company reported revenues of ₹793.58 crore, compared to ₹885.48 crore in the same quarter of the previous year. Total income for the quarter stood at ₹927.66 crore, down from ₹1,014.81 crore in Q3 FY24. Profit after tax for the quarter was ₹347.17 crore, compared to ₹437.34 crore in the corresponding period last year.

About Sun TV Network Ltd 

Sun TV Network was founded as Sumangali Publications Private Limited and later rebranded as Sun TV Network Ltd. The company’s flagship channel, Sun TV, was launched in 1993. Mainly involved in television broadcasting, Sun TV Network also produces and distributes films under the Sun Pictures banner.

Conclusion 

Sun TV Network’s interim dividend of ₹2.50 per share follows a similar payout on February 13, 2025.

 

Disclaimer: This blog has been written exclusively for educational purposes. The securities mentioned are only examples and not recommendations. This does not constitute a personal recommendation/investment advice. It does not aim to influence any individual or entity to make investment decisions. Recipients should conduct their own research and assessments to form an independent opinion about investment decisions.

Investments in the securities market are subject to market risks, read all the related documents carefully before investing.

On Wednesday, March 12, 2025, the Indian benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty 50 are expected to open on a muted note, following mixed global market performance. Check out a few stocks that might be in focus during the trading session.

• Bharti Airtel

Stepping up its presence in the telecom sector, Sunil Mittal-led Bharti Airtel has partnered with Elon Musk’s SpaceX to offer Starlink’s high-speed satellite internet services to all Airtel customers in India.

• IREDA

In a recent stock exchange filing, the Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Limited (IREDA) announced that its Board of Directors will convene on Monday, March 17, 2025, to review a proposal for increasing its borrowing plan for FY 2024-25.

• Adani Green Energy

Adani Solar Energy Ap Eight Private Limited, a wholly-owned step-down subsidiary of Adani Green Energy, has successfully commissioned a 250-megawatt (MW) solar power project in Kadapa, Andhra Pradesh. With this addition, the company’s total operational renewable energy generation capacity has now reached 12,591.1 MW.

• Swiggy

At the inaugural Swiggy Sustainability Summit, the food delivery and quick commerce platform committed to transitioning to a 100% electric vehicle (EV) delivery fleet by 2030. Additionally, Swiggy aims to support all its restaurant partners in adopting sustainable packaging solutions by the same year.

• PB Fintech

PB Fintech, the parent company of Policybazaar, announced on Tuesday its plan to invest up to ₹696 crore in its wholly-owned subsidiary, PB Healthcare Services Private Limited, during FY 2025-26. The investment will be executed through the purchase of equity shares or compulsory convertible preference shares.

• Nykaa

FSN e-Commerce, the parent company of online beauty retailer Nykaa, has established a new wholly-owned subsidiary, Nykaa Essentials Private Limited. The newly formed entity will engage in the trade and distribution of cosmetics, toiletries, beauty and personal care products, healthcare items, lifestyle goods, perfumery products, and other related categories.

Conclusion

Apart from these, several other stocks may remain in focus throughout the day due to market trends and company-specific developments. Keep an eye on key updates and market movements.

 

Disclaimer: This blog has been written exclusively for educational purposes. The securities mentioned are only examples and not recommendations. This does not constitute a personal recommendation/investment advice. It does not aim to influence any individual or entity to make investment decisions. Recipients should conduct their own research and assessments to form an independent opinion about investment decisions.

Investments in the securities market are subject to market risks, read all the related documents carefully before investing.

As per news reports, the financial troubles of ATM service provider AGS Transact have led to major disruptions in India’s banking infrastructure, affecting the operations of nearly 38,000 ATMs. 

Several banks, including State Bank of India (SBI), ICICI Bank, and Axis Bank, were struggling to maintain cash availability at these machines.

SBI Among the Worst Affected

State Bank of India (SBI) has been hit the hardest, with nearly 14,000 ATMs becoming unserviceable. Of these, 7,000-8,000 are directly managed by AGS Transact, while the rest rely on the company for cash replenishment services. The lack of operational ATMs has caused inconvenience to customers, especially in areas where alternative banking options are limited.

ICICI Bank Shifts to Other Service Providers

ICICI Bank, which had been facing service issues for months, began withdrawing its ATMs from AGS Transact’s network early on. The bank has successfully moved most of its ATMs to alternative providers like CMS Infosystems and Hitachi India. Reports suggest that ICICI Bank raised concerns about AGS Transact’s declining service quality as early as December 2024.

Axis Bank Faces Service Disruptions

Private lender Axis Bank has around 5,000 ATMs fully managed by AGS Transact, many of which are now at risk of shutting down. With the company unable to meet service commitments, Axis Bank is exploring alternative solutions to mitigate disruptions.

AGS Transact’s Financial Crisis Deepens

AGS Transact is facing severe financial distress, including a default of ₹726 crore in dues. Credit rating agencies like Crisil and India Ratings have downgraded the company, indicating a high risk of default on debt repayments. 

Adding to its troubles, operational creditor Maxwel Aircon India has initiated insolvency proceedings against the firm. The company has also witnessed the resignation of four independent directors due to financial instability.

Impact on Other Banks

Apart from SBI, ICICI Bank, and Axis Bank, other financial institutions like India Post Payments Bank (1,000 ATMs) and Yes Bank (over 500 ATMs) have also been affected. While banks such as HDFC Bank, Federal Bank, Union Bank of India, IDFC First Bank, and Punjab National Bank have experienced some disruptions, the impact on them is relatively lower due to their limited dependence on AGS Transact’s services.

Conclusion

Overall, AGS Transact’s financial crisis has severely impacted India’s ATM network, causing cash shortages across major banks. 

On March 11, 2025, AGS Transact share price (NSE: AGSTRA) opened at ₹13.91, down from its previous close of ₹14.65. At 10:11 AM, the share price of AGS Transact was trading at ₹13.91, down by 5.05% on the NSE. Notably, the stock price touched its 52-week low at ₹13.91, today.

Disclaimer: This blog has been written exclusively for educational purposes. The securities mentioned are only examples and not recommendations. This does not constitute a personal recommendation/investment advice. It does not aim to influence any individual or entity to make investment decisions. Recipients should conduct their own research and assessments to form an independent opinion about investment decisions.

Investments in the securities market are subject to market risks, read all the related documents carefully before investing.

As per news reports, Skoda Auto Volkswagen India is in discussions with JSW Group and Tata Motors for a potential licensing agreement for electric car manufacturing. This move comes as talks with Mahindra & Mahindra for an equal joint venture (JV) remain inconclusive due to disagreements over valuation, vehicle platform sharing, and other critical terms.

Despite the stalled JV discussions, Skoda VW remains interested in licensing Mahindra’s INGLO platform, a modular, lightweight electric vehicle (EV) architecture. The German automaker is keeping its options open, continuing conversations with multiple Indian automotive firms to secure a cost-effective and efficient EV strategy.

Skoda VW’s Ongoing Talks with Tata Motors & JSW

Apart from Mahindra, Skoda VW is actively engaging with Tata Motors and JSW Group for licensing agreements to access their EV platforms. JSW, which has a joint venture with China’s SAIC Motor, is looking to expand its footprint in India’s EV sector. The company is currently finalizing multiple technology partnerships for EVs, commercial vehicles, and battery production.

While Tata Motors declined to comment on the discussions, JSW has yet to respond to queries regarding the potential deal. If successful, a licensing agreement could enable Skoda VW to fast-track its EV development while reducing costs.

Potential Benefits of the Licensing Agreement

A licensing agreement with an Indian automotive company could bring several advantages for Skoda VW:

1. Cost Savings – Developing an EV platform from scratch requires a substantial investment. A licensing deal could help Skoda VW avoid an estimated $1 billion in development costs.
2. Faster Market Entry – With access to an established EV platform, Skoda VW can accelerate the launch of locally made electric vehicles.
3. Regulatory Compliance – The agreement would help Skoda VW meet India’s stringent Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE III) norms, expected to take effect by FY28.
4. Wider Market Reach – By leveraging Indian manufacturers’ platforms, Skoda VW could introduce more affordable EVs tailored to the Indian market.

Skoda VW’s Investment & India Strategy

Skoda Auto Volkswagen, with Skoda as the lead brand, had committed ₹1 billion in investments in India in 2018. The company has been evaluating various strategies to remain competitive, particularly as the Indian EV market gains momentum.

The company’s India 2.0 strategy focused on expanding its portfolio beyond mid-size sedans and SUVs. However, with EV adoption rising and regulatory requirements evolving, Skoda VW is exploring new financial and strategic avenues to sustain its presence in the country.

Conclusion

A licensing pact could provide Skoda VW with a much-needed boost to expand its EV portfolio in India without overburdening its financial resources. If an agreement is reached, it could reshape Skoda VW’s position in the Indian electric vehicle market, allowing it to compete more effectively with established players like Tata Motors and Mahindra.

With the Indian EV sector evolving rapidly, the outcome of these discussions will be crucial for Skoda VW’s long-term strategy in the country.

 

Disclaimer: This blog has been written exclusively for educational purposes. The securities mentioned are only examples and not recommendations. This does not constitute a personal recommendation/investment advice. It does not aim to influence any individual or entity to make investment decisions. Recipients should conduct their own research and assessments to form an independent opinion about investment decisions.

Investments in the securities market are subject to market risks, read all the related documents carefully before investing.

Infosys Limited has been gaining attention on Tuesday. On March 11, 2025, Infosys share price (NSE: INFY) opened at ₹1,680.00, down from its previous close of ₹1,701.45. At 10:53 AM, the share price of INFY was trading at ₹1,645.10, down by 3.31% on the NSE. 

The decline comes amid broader market fluctuations. As of 10:58 AM, Nifty IT was down 1.56%. 

Chola Migrates to Infosys Finacle Treasury Solution

On March 10, Infosys Finacle, a part of EdgeVerve Systems, announced the successful migration of treasury operations for Cholamandalam Investment and Finance Company Limited (Chola) to its advanced Finacle Treasury platform. 

This move enables Chola, one of India’s leading NBFCs, to streamline treasury operations through a cloud-based, web-enabled platform. The transformation aims to enhance automation, improve risk management, and strengthen compliance, ensuring financial stability in an evolving market.

Automation and Efficiency Gains for Chola

With Finacle Treasury, Chola now has a comprehensive system to manage its liabilities, investments, and funding sources more efficiently. The platform facilitates seamless fund transfers and optimises operations such as loan management, securitisation, and market borrowings. 

Additionally, automation in interest processing, payments, and tax adjustments has significantly improved operational efficiency, reducing processing times for critical financial functions like coupon payouts.

Commenting on this collaboration, the Managing Director of Cholamandalam Investment and Finance Company Limited, Ravindra Kumar Kundu, said, “We at Chola are delighted to embrace Finacle’s next-generation Treasury solution. This marks a pivotal step in our treasury transformation journey. Managing the growing and diverse liability book, including short- and long-term borrowings and the investment portfolio, including government securities Liquidity Coverage Ratio (LCR) has been both a challenge and a priority.” 

He further added, “The Finacle Treasury platform equips us with the tools to address these challenges, improve operational efficiency, and enhance risk management, all while adhering to stringent regulatory frameworks. This transformation strengthens our ability to optimize funding strategies and scale treasury operations in alignment with our growth ambitions.”

Conclusion

This successful transition highlights Infosys Finacle’s commitment to enabling digital-first financial solutions, reinforcing its leadership in fintech-driven transformation for financial institutions.

 

Disclaimer: This blog has been written exclusively for educational purposes. The securities mentioned are only examples and not recommendations. This does not constitute a personal recommendation/investment advice. It does not aim to influence any individual or entity to make investment decisions. Recipients should conduct their own research and assessments to form an independent opinion about investment decisions.

Investments in the securities market are subject to market risks, read all the related documents carefully before investing.