Brands
Asian Paints Q3 profit shines, despite one-off labour and tech hits
MUMBAI: Asian Paints proved once again that it knows how to keep its balance, even when the canvas gets messy.
India’s largest paint maker reported a solid set of standalone results for the quarter ended 31 December 2025, posting a net profit of Rs 1,025 crore, despite absorbing hefty one-time charges linked to new labour laws and a tech investment write-down.
Revenue from operations came in at Rs 7,624 crore for the quarter, up modestly from the previous quarter and broadly steady year-on-year. For the nine months ended December, revenue touched Rs 22,849 crore, underlining resilient demand even as consumption trends remain uneven.
The real test, however, lay below the top line. Asian Paints booked exceptional expenses of Rs 166.5 crore during the quarter. This included a Rs 60.6 crore hit from higher employee benefit liabilities following the notification of India’s new Labour Codes, which redefine wages for gratuity and leave calculations. The remaining Rs 106 crore was an impairment loss on its investment in Obgenix Software, better known as White Teak.
Strip out these one-offs and the underlying business still showed healthy momentum. Profit before tax stood at Rs 1,415 crore for the quarter, while nine-month profit after tax rose to Rs 3,081 crore, up from Rs 2,891 crore a year ago.
Costs were largely under control. Raw material consumption eased on a nine-month basis, helping offset higher employee expenses and other operating costs. Finance costs also declined compared to last year, offering some relief to margins.
Adding a splash of cheer for shareholders, Asian Paints had already declared an interim dividend of Rs 4.50 per share in November, which was paid before the end of the quarter.
Earnings per share for the quarter came in at Rs 10.70, compared with Rs 11.52 a year earlier, reflecting the impact of exceptional items rather than any dulling of the core business.
In short, while labour reforms and a misfiring tech bet dulled the finish this quarter, Asian Paints’ fundamentals remain firmly intact. The brand still has pricing power, scale and a loyal customer base, proving that even when the weather turns patchy, the company knows how to keep its colours bright.
Brands
Axis Bank named Official Banking Partner of DP World PGTI
Partnership supports all tournaments this season to grow professional golf in India.
MUMBAI: Axis Bank just teed up a hole-in-one partnership because when a bank sponsors golf’s biggest swing in India, even the fairways feel more financially secure. Axis Bank has been appointed Official Banking Partner of the DP World Professional Golf Tour of India (DP World PGTI), strengthening its commitment to sporting excellence and community engagement while backing the growth of professional golf across the country.
Under the partnership, Axis Bank will support all DP World PGTI tournaments this season, contributing to talent development, enhanced tournament experiences and wider fan engagement. The collaboration aligns the bank’s values of precision, discipline and trust with the Tour’s focus on performance and opportunity.
Axis Bank executive director Munish Sharda said, “We are pleased to partner with DP World PGTI as its Official Banking Partner. Golf embodies precision, discipline, and a pursuit of excellence qualities that strongly reflect who we are at Axis Bank. This association also strengthens our engagement with India’s growing premium customer segments, where the sport has a deep and enduring connect.”
Professional Golf Tour of India president Kapil Dev said, “We are extremely pleased to welcome Axis Bank as a Tour Partner of the DP World Professional Golf Tour of India. Partnerships of this stature play a vital role in strengthening the foundation of the Tour, enhancing opportunities for our players, and expanding the sport’s reach across the country.”
Professional Golf Tour of India CEO Amandeep Johl added, “Axis Bank’s strong legacy of excellence, innovation, and nationwide reach aligns perfectly with DP World PGTI’s goal to elevate professional golf in India and provide greater opportunities for our players.”
In a sport where every stroke counts and every partnership drives distance, Axis Bank isn’t just backing golfers, it’s investing in the fairway to future, turning India’s greens into a stage where precision meets passion and every drive has the power to inspire.
