Brands
Mensa Brands’ Ishin announces Bhumi Pednekar as brand ambassador
Mumbai: Mensa Brands’ Ishin, the contemporary ethnic wear brand, is creating a buzz with the launch of its latest collection, ‘Rumi’. This captivating assortment offers a curated selection of high-quality ethnic wear, thoughtfully crafted to empower the modern Indian woman.
The newly launched collection showcases a perfect fusion of traditional Indian elements with modern aesthetics, resonating with the tastes of the contemporary woman. Renowned Bollywood actress Bhumi Pednekar joins as the brand ambassador for Ishin. Her association embodies the essence of the collection, representing the values of elegance and charisma that resonate with every woman. The brand’s carefully curated collection offers affordable prices, making exquisite designs accessible to all.
Looking ahead to a bright future and a horizon of exciting opportunities for Ishin, Mensa Brands founder & CEO Ananth Narayanan expressed, “We are thrilled to be a part of Ishin’s journey in the ever-growing ethnic occasion wear market. With Ishin’s commitment to delivering high-quality clothing that celebrates the essence of the modern Indian woman, we have witnessed remarkable progress. Now, as we welcome Bhumi Pednekar as the brand ambassador, we are confident that her charisma will add a touch of allure to Ishin’s captivating collection.”
Commenting on her association with Ishin, Pednekar expressed, “I am super stoked to be a part of Ishin’s latest collection, Rumi. Every outfit I wear is a celebration of my individuality and makes me who I am. Ishin brings out the true essence of me – a fusion of Indian traditions and modern chic. This collection is a reflection of the contemporary Indian woman’s spirit, combining elegance and grace with a touch of playful experimentation. Each outfit in the collection exudes versatility, allowing me to effortlessly transition from day to night, making every moment a celebration of my unique style.”
Founded in 2012 as a saree business, Ishin quickly recognized the need for high-quality, affordable Indian ethnic wear that resonated with the fashion dynamism of today’s Indian woman. Since then, the brand has grown exponentially, catering to the wardrobe needs of women across the country. After being acquired in 2019 by Mensa Brands, Ishin expanded its presence across major platforms like Myntra, Ajio, Amazon, Flipkart, Tata Cliq, and Nykaa, offering a complete wardrobe solution in the indo-western space.
In an exciting leap into the future, Ishin is set to redefine its path with transformative initiatives. Enhancing the shopping experience, the brand is seamlessly merging online and offline realms for easy access. Beyond borders, Ishin aims to introduce its signature fusion of Indian aesthetics and modern elegance to markets in the Middle East and America. Anchored in innovation, Ishin is committed to reshaping ethnic fashion using technology and creativity. This vision harmonises with the evolving spirit of the modern Indian woman.
Brands
Microsoft faces worst quarter since 2008 financial crisis
Cloud giant battles soaring AI costs and fierce competition from nimble startups.
MUMBAI: When the tech titan starts looking a little wobbly, even the Magnificent Seven can feel the tremors because Microsoft is currently starring in its own sequel, “Clouds and Doubts.” Microsoft is on track for its worst quarterly performance since the 2008 global financial crisis, according to Bloomberg, as investors grow increasingly uneasy about rising capital expenditure and intensifying competition from nimble AI firms. The company has been pouring money into AI infrastructure, yet markets are questioning when these hefty investments will finally deliver stronger revenue growth.
At the same time, investors are shifting away from traditional software stocks amid fears that AI startups such as Anthropic and OpenAI are developing autonomous agents capable of replacing established products, including those from Microsoft. Jonathan Cofsky, portfolio manager at Janus Henderson Investors, noted growing concern that customers may bypass Microsoft and deal directly with AI vendors, potentially disrupting its core business and putting pressure on pricing and margins.
Microsoft’s stock has tumbled 25 per cent in the first quarter, putting it on course for its largest drop since a 27 per cent fall in the fourth quarter of 2008. It has also emerged as the weakest performer among the so-called Magnificent Seven technology stocks, while a broader index tracking the group has fallen 14 per cent over the same period. The shares slipped a further 1.7 per cent after markets opened on Friday, marking a potential fourth consecutive session of declines.
Cofsky pointed out that Microsoft has become more capital intensive and that improved investor confidence will hinge on assurances that software growth will not slow materially. Despite the sell-off, the stock is now trading at less than 20 times projected earnings over the next 12 months, its lowest valuation level since June 2016. Its valuation remains slightly above that of the S&P 500 Index, although it has recently traded at a discount to the broader benchmark for the first time since 2015.
Bloomberg data shows Microsoft’s capital expenditure, including leases, is expected to surge to $146 billion in fiscal 2026, up around 66 per cent from $88 billion in fiscal 2025. Spending is projected to climb further to $170 billion in fiscal 2027 and $191 billion in fiscal 2028, based on average estimates. Investors are growing cautious about such levels of spending without clearer signs of stronger growth.
Microsoft’s Azure cloud division has reported a slight slowdown in growth compared with the previous quarter, while its Copilot AI product has seen limited user traction, prompting internal changes aimed at improving performance. Ben Reitzes, an analyst at Melius Research, warned in a March note that Microsoft’s upside in Azure could be constrained as the company works to address challenges related to its AI models and Copilot offering, adding that these issues are unlikely to be resolved in the short term.
Of the 67 analysts covering Microsoft, 63 maintain buy ratings, three hold ratings and one a sell rating. The average 12-month price target of $592 implies a potential upside of more than 64 per cent, the highest on record based on data going back to 2009. The stock is also trading below its 200-day moving average by the widest margin since 2009.
Reitzes suggested the dominance of buy ratings may indicate complacency among analysts, while highlighting risks in Microsoft’s productivity and business processes segment as well as its More Personal Computing division. In contrast, Tal Liani of Bank of America reinstated coverage with a buy rating, citing durable multi-year growth prospects across cloud and AI. Jake Seltz, portfolio manager at Allspring Global Investments, maintained that Microsoft retains strong long-term value and that its AI strategy is likely to be validated over time, viewing near-term concerns as a potential opportunity for longer-term investors.
The report highlights a growing divergence in market sentiment, with optimism around long-term AI potential weighed against immediate execution risks and investor uncertainty. In the world of big tech, even the mightiest clouds can have silver linings but right now, Microsoft’s investors are scanning the horizon for clearer skies.
