Brands
JQR Sports launches highly anticipated sport shoe & sneaker range for men, women & kids
Mumbai: JQR Sports, the leading name in sports & casual footwear, has announced the resounding success of its newest sport shoe & sneaker collection for men, women & kids. The collection was unveiled during a prestigious four day event held from 5 August to 8 August, at Hotel Le Meridien, Gurugram. This momentous occasion witnessed the presence of more than 600 esteemed PAN India distributors, who were eager to experience the cutting-edge innovations and style that JQR Sports had to offer.
As an industry pioneer, JQR Sports has continuously strived to raise the bar of excellence in sports & casual footwear, catering to the diverse needs of athletes, fitness enthusiasts, and sports aficionados alike. The brand’s commitment to delivering the highest level of comfort, performance, and style is evident in its latest Sport Shoe & Sneaker Range.
Engineered with advanced cushioning and traction technology, JQR Sports new range offers superior support and energy return features, for unbeatable performance during sports activities. Designed for style and functionality, sleek & colorful sneaker range offers lightweight and breathable fit, ensuring comfort and agility in every stride. Tailored to young athletes, these shoes combine durability and flexibility, promoting natural movement and stability for active play and sports exploration.
JQR Sports director Manish Garg expressed his gratitude to the attendees and said, “I am thrilled to announce the forthcoming launch of our highly anticipated sports shoe and sneaker range at JQR Sports. As the Chairperson, I take immense pride in the relentless efforts of our team to create a collection that redefines performance, style, and innovation. The successful launch of our new Sport Shoe & Sneaker Collection is a testament to our team’s dedication and hard work. We are thrilled to have the continued support and trust of our PAN India distributors, who are vital partners in our journey towards shaping the future of sports footwear”.
JQR Sports chairperson Dr. Sunil Garg remarked, “Our upcoming range represents a culmination of cutting-edge technology, premium materials, and trendsetting designs, aimed at elevating the sporting experience for athletes, fitness enthusiasts, and everyday active individuals”.
JQR sports director – sales & marketing Surender Bansal shared his excitement about the event’s overwhelming response and remarked, “The enthusiasm shown by our distributors and the wider audience has surpassed our expectations. We are confident that the new collection’s exceptional features and designs will captivate the hearts of sports enthusiasts across the country.”
JQR Sports director – product & development Rinku Garg emphasized the brand’s focus on innovation and said, “Our product development team has worked relentlessly to introduce cutting-edge technology and materials in the new collection. Each shoe has been meticulously designed to cater to the specific needs of athletes and fitness enthusiasts, ensuring optimal performance and comfort.”
The event at Hotel Le Meridien, Gurugram, was nothing short of a spectacle, featuring captivating displays of the collection, interactive product demonstrations, and insightful discussions on the future of sports footwear. Attendees had the privilege of interacting with industry experts and witnessing firsthand the advancements that JQR Sports has made in the realm of sports shoe manufacturing.
As the collection received an overwhelming response during the event, it’ll be available soon for purchase through various retail outlets and online platforms. Customers can explore the new range and discover the perfect pair of sport shoes that align with their passion and goals.
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.
