Tag: investing

Business

Kotak Flexicap Fund Completes 15 Years of Long-Term Wealth Creation

Tanisha Cardozo

Kotak Mahindra Asset Management Company Ltd. has announced the 15-year milestone of the Kotak Flexicap Fund, marking a significant journey in long-term wealth creation. Since its inception, the scheme has delivered a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 16.59 per cent, building a strong performance record across multiple market environments.

Commenting on the milestone, Nilesh Shah, Managing Director of Kotak Mahindra Asset Management Company Ltd., said the completion of 15 years is a moment of pride for both the organisation and the investors who have remained committed to the fund. He noted that the flexicap category continues to be important because it allows investors to participate in India’s growth across market segments while leaving allocation decisions to experienced investment teams.

As of 31 December 2025, the fund’s Direct Plan – Growth Option has generated a CAGR of 15.70 per cent over 10 years and 16.87 per cent over five years. The fund is managed by Harsha Upadhyaya, Chief Investment Officer at Kotak Mahindra AMC, whose investment philosophy focuses on sustainable earnings, strong governance and capital efficiency.

Upadhyaya said the fund has navigated varied market cycles over the past 15 years by staying anchored to businesses with durable earnings potential and strong capital efficiency. He emphasised that the focus has always been on research-backed stock selection rather than chasing short-term trends, enabling the fund to participate meaningfully in India’s growth while aiming to deliver consistent long-term outcomes.

Flexicap funds are designed to offer agility across market environments by investing across large, mid and small-cap segments. As of December 2025, the Kotak Flexicap Fund held approximately 73 per cent in large caps, 19 per cent in midcaps and 5 per cent in small caps.

The portfolio blends top-down sector views with bottom-up stock selection. Key exposures include financial services, automobiles and auto components, capital goods, chemicals, construction materials and consumer services. The fund’s research-driven approach is aimed at identifying long-term opportunities supported by sound valuations and clear earnings visibility.

Finance

Axis Finance Launches ‘Vyapar Business Loan’ to Empower Micro & Small Businesses

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

Axis Finance Limited (AFL), one of India’s fastest-growing non-banking financial companies (NBFCs), has announced the launch of Axis Finance Vyapar Business Loan, a collateral-free credit solution aimed at addressing the financing needs of micro and small businesses across semi-urban and rural India.

The Vyapar Business Loan is designed to support entrepreneurs operating in the retail, service and trading segments, offering loans of up to ₹10 lakh with flexible repayment tenures and zero collateral requirements. With a simplified application process and minimal documentation, the product ensures quick and hassle-free access to formal credit for India’s self-employed community. The financing can be utilised for working capital needs, business expansion or equipment upgrades.

Commenting on the launch, Sai Giridhar, MD & CEO, Axis Finance Limited, said that micro and small entrepreneurs form the backbone of India’s economy. He noted that the Vyapar Business Loan aims to make formal credit more inclusive by enabling shopkeepers, traders and service providers to access collateral-free finance, helping them scale operations and fulfil their growth aspirations with confidence.

He further highlighted Axis Finance’s focus on leveraging technology and data-driven underwriting to ensure faster turnaround times and a superior customer experience. According to him, the launch of Vyapar Business Loan marks a significant milestone in the company’s journey to empower India’s self-employed population with simple, secure and scalable credit solutions.

Earlier in the fiscal year, Axis Finance introduced Disha Home Loans to improve homeownership access for Economically Weaker Section (EWS) and Low-Income Group (LIG) customers, and also launched Axis Finance Shakti, a Micro Loan Against Property (Micro LAP) product for micro-entrepreneurs and self-employed individuals. Vyapar Business Loan builds on these initiatives, further strengthening AFL’s commitment to inclusive lending and grassroots economic development.

Axis Finance continues to expand its presence across secured and unsecured lending segments, supported by strong underwriting capabilities, advanced technology platforms and an extensive distribution network focused on delivering seamless customer experiences across emerging markets.


Axis Finance Limited is a non-deposit accepting NBFC registered with the Reserve Bank of India and classified under the Middle Layer (NBFC-ML). A wholly-owned subsidiary of Axis Bank Limited, the company offers a wide range of retail and wholesale lending solutions, including Loans Against Property, Business Loans, Personal Loans, Disha Home Loans, Corporate Financing and Real Estate Financing.

Social

Canara Robeco AMC Launches ‘Nivesh Bus Yatra’ Across Maharashtra and Goa to Educate Investors

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

Canara Robeco Asset Management Company Limited, the investment manager to Canara Robeco Mutual Fund and India’s second-oldest mutual fund house, has launched the ‘Nivesh Bus Yatra’ across Maharashtra and Goa to promote investor education and financial literacy. The initiative aims to simplify mutual fund investing, clear common misconceptions, and encourage long-term wealth creation by directly engaging with communities.

The Nivesh Bus Yatra will operate through two dedicated routes across Maharashtra before concluding in Goa. One bus commenced its journey from Pune, covering key cities including Nashik, Aurangabad, Jalna, Akola, and Nagpur, while the second bus began from Kolhapur, travelling through Ratnagiri, Kankavli, Kudal, and Sawantwadi before reaching Goa. The buses will visit prominent community locations, allowing residents to interact with experts and gain practical insights into mutual fund investments.

Speaking on the initiative, Rajnish Narula, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Canara Robeco AMC, highlighted the importance of informed investing in today’s evolving financial landscape. He stated that an informed investor not only makes better financial decisions but also contributes to strengthening the broader financial ecosystem. He added that the Nivesh Bus Yatra is designed to take financial education directly to people, making investment knowledge accessible, actionable, and relevant to everyday life.

Gaurav Goyal, Head – Sales & Marketing at Canara Robeco AMC, emphasised that the initiative reflects the organisation’s commitment to empowering investors through practical and community-focused education. He noted that by engaging investors in their own environments, the initiative aims to simplify investing concepts, address doubts, and encourage disciplined, long-term financial planning.

Through interactive sessions, simple demonstrations, and digital tools, the Nivesh Bus Yatra seeks to build investor confidence and promote responsible investing habits. The initiative reinforces Canara Robeco AMC’s ongoing efforts to strengthen financial inclusion and investor awareness across emerging and underserved regions in India.

Business

Kotak Securities’ 2026 Market Outlook Signals Strong Equities and Shining Gold Amid Global Volatility

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral Business Desk

Kotak Securities Ltd (“Kotak Neo”) has released its Market Outlook 2026, presenting a confident view of India’s financial landscape for the coming year. Despite global volatility, the firm expects Indian equities and key commodities to maintain strong momentum driven by favourable macro conditions, robust earnings expectations and rising investor participation. Shripal Shah, MD & CEO of Kotak Securities, said that India continues to stand out as a beacon of growth amid global turbulence. According to him, equity markets are well-positioned to deliver strong performance in 2026, supported by healthy corporate earnings and policy initiatives. Shah also highlighted the increasing role of young investors in shaping the future of India’s capital markets, adding that the industry must work towards making investing more inclusive and accessible.

Citing recent SEBI findings, Shah noted a significant gap between market awareness and actual participation: while 63% of households are aware of at least one market product, only 9.5% actively invest. This, he said, indicates substantial untapped potential for the Indian equity ecosystem and a major opportunity for brokerage firms to drive greater financial inclusion. The report points out that Indian equities overcame a sharp 17% drawdown from the September 2024 highs, with the Nifty 50 rebounding to a new all-time high by the end of 2025. Large-cap stocks led the recovery, while mid- and small-cap segments trailed. Sectors such as automobiles, banks and metals outperformed during the year, whereas IT and FMCG remained under pressure. Persistent foreign portfolio investor outflows were absorbed by strong domestic investor activity, further reinforcing confidence in India’s market resilience. A buoyant primary market through 2025 demonstrated sustained investor interest and optimism.

Looking ahead, Kotak Securities expects Nifty earnings to remain healthy, projecting profit growth of 17.6% for FY27 and 14.8% for FY28. Based on these expectations, the report lays out three potential scenarios for December 2026: a base case target of 29,120 assuming a 20x PE on FY28 expected EPS of ₹1,456, a bull case of 32,032 at a 22x PE, and a bear case scenario of 26,208 at an 18x multiple. On the commodities front, 2025 saw exceptional movements. Gold surged over 55%, crossing the $4,000 per ounce mark, driven by geopolitical tensions, macroeconomic uncertainty and strong central bank buying. Indian gold prices rose even more sharply—approximately 60%—due to rupee depreciation. Silver proved an even stronger performer with gains of nearly 100%, supported by safe-haven demand and persistent structural supply deficits despite industrial headwinds from tariffs. Crude oil, however, ended 2025 with a 19% decline as excess supply outweighed geopolitical concerns. Base metals like copper and aluminium remained firm, supported by tight supply conditions, electrification demand and structural constraints even as volatility persisted.

Overall, Kotak Securities’ Market Outlook 2026 emphasizes a year of opportunity for investors willing to navigate global uncertainty with a focus on India’s strong fundamentals, expanding investor base and commodity trends that continue to offer both stability and growth potential.

Business

Apple Launches Its First Noida Store at DLF Mall of India, Leasing 8,240 sq ft for ₹65 Crore

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral Business Desk

Apple is set to open its first retail store in Noida at DLF Mall of India, marking the company’s fifth store in India and its second in the Delhi-NCR region, following the Saket outlet. The new store spans 8,240.78 sq ft across six units on the mall’s ground floor and has been leased for an 11-year tenure at a total rent of approximately ₹65 crore. The lease agreement, signed with Paliwal Real Estate Limited on February 25, 2025, includes one year of rent-free occupancy and a 15% rent escalation every three years.

The monthly rent for the Noida store comes to around ₹45.3 lakh, translating to an annual outgo of roughly ₹5.4 crore, comparable to Apple’s Saket store. Experts note that the lease reflects Apple’s strong brand pull and the footfall it attracts. While smaller stores in DLF Mall of India command rents between ₹500–700 per sq ft, larger stores such as Apple’s enjoy comparatively lower rates due to negotiation leverage and size.

Noida offers a strategic location for Apple, with a catchment area covering Ghaziabad, Greater Noida, South Delhi, Agra, Mathura, and emerging demand hubs, underlining the city’s growing market potential. DLF Mall of India, the largest mall in Noida at nearly one million sq ft, provides a high-visibility, premium retail environment and is expected to see further development with IKEA’s planned opening in Sector 52 by 2030.

Apple’s retail expansion in India has been methodical, with stores in Mumbai’s Bandra Kurla Complex, Pune’s Koregaon Park, Bengaluru’s Phoenix Mall of Asia in Hebbal, and Delhi’s Saket. Most stores are around 8,000–9,000 sq ft, ensuring brand consistency across locations, with the exception of Mumbai BKC, which spans 20,000 sq ft.

Recent openings, such as in Bengaluru and Pune, have featured Apple’s peacock-inspired launch campaigns, symbolizing pride and creativity. The Noida store follows the same creative approach, enhancing Apple’s brand narrative and retail experience.

Rental trends in Noida show a significant rise, particularly in Grade A-plus malls, with rents climbing from ₹225 per sq ft in 2017 to ₹330 per sq ft in 2025, reflecting a 47% growth. Apple’s lease agreement in Noida exemplifies the premium retailers’ interest in the city’s expanding consumer market and its importance within the Delhi-NCR region.