Brands
Pop icon Zaeden enters D2C: Launches bespoke fragrance brand ‘SOL’
Mumbai: Indian pop artist Zaeden steps into a whole new horizon as he announced the launch of his bespoke fragrance brand ‘SOL’ – a unisex perfume line born from the Stories of Life. A unique collaboration between Zaeden, Aesir Perfumes LLP, India’s foremost fragrance company, and REPRESENT, a trailblazer in talent management – SOL will take you on a sensory journey like no other.
Crafted with passion and a deep connection to life’s stories, SOL is a unisex fragrance brand that promises a premium olfactory experience like no other. It launches with two enchanting fragrances – Mystic Voice and Sweet Sea, each taking users on a unique and exceptional sensory adventure.
Supported by Aesir Perfume’s legacy experience to build top quality products, the brand makes use of the best and safest chemicals. With a vision to capture life’s stories by bottling them in scents, SOL positions itself as an aspirational yet affordable fragrance brand targeted towards the Gen-Z and millennial audience.
Mystic Voice embodies the allure of a captivating voice, with its luxurious blend of melon, saffron, and orange top notes, and a sophisticated mix of lily of the valley, ginger, oakmoss, and hyacinth as middle notes. The base notes of fir resin, white musk, cedar, and patchouli add a final touch of elegance, mimicking the mystery and allure of an enigmatic voice.
Sweet Sea, on the other hand, is a refreshing tribute to the ocean breeze. It features top notes of sage, Calabrian bergamot, pink pepper, and marine, a heart of sea salt, lavender, and Amalfi lemon, and base notes of vetiver, musk, and ambergris. The combination of these notes creates a scent that transports you to a breezy sunny day by the seaside.
Speaking about the launch of his lifestyle brand, Zaeden told, “I’m beyond excited to announce an extraordinary chapter in my life captured in the form of SOL. An unparalleled blend of elegance and soul, it is a manifestation of my lifelong love for fragrances and the culmination of my personal journey. Each bottle has been meticulously crafted with utmost thought and devotion to the art of scents, making them the embodiment of cherished moments. Brace yourself for a sensory adventure where scents become whispers of passion, unveiling a universe of unbridled poise. Together, let’s explore our Stories of Life in the enchanting world of SOL.”
Aesir Perfumes director & chief Amal Jain added, “SOL isn’t just about innovative product design and functionality; it’s about an experiential revolution, a reinterpretation of our traditional understanding of fragrance, woven from the tapestry of our rich heritage in fragrance development. With SOL, we have harnessed an inspired and avant-garde perspective, which, in turn, has given birth to a creation that is nothing short of sublime. SOL stands as a monumental achievement, unmatched and unrivalled in its realm, reshaping the way we perceive, appreciate, and interact with fragrances.”
REPRESENT founder & CEO Aayushman Sinha said, “We, at REPRESENT, are armed with industry leaders and a supportive set of artists who believe in the true power of collaboration, enabling us to create resonating narratives. We don’t just believe in taking an approach to tangible experiences that are unprecedented but also disruptive and create value for everyone in the loop. The era of the conventional is over; we are here to lead the new era of engagement, dialogue, and community building around SOL.”
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.
