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HDFC Ergo’s ‘Health Matters’ on NDTV
MUMBAI: HDFC Ergo General Insurance Company, India’s third-largest non-life insurance company, has launched ‘Health Matters’, an initiative in association with NDTV, with the aim of building the awareness about health check-ups and promote the importance of having a Health Insurance policy. This new campaign will also aid in simplifying the underlining nuances of a Health Insurance policy.
There is low awareness about Health Insurance and common concerns related to Health Insurance such as the right age to buy , the right amount of coverage, parameters to consider before selecting a policy etc.. With the increasing instances of hospitalisation – especially due to lifestyle related medical conditions and rising cost of healthcare, it is not advisable to not have a Health Insurance cover. The ‘Health Matters’ initiative is aimed to address these concerns.
As a part of this initiative, certain facts & figures and snippets will be aired on NDTV Prime/Profit, NDTV 24X7 and NDTV India, sharing crucial information related to Health Insurance in the form of questions which will be answered by HDFC Ergo Head – Retail Underwriting & Claims Anurag Rastogi.
HDFC Ergo ED Mukesh Kumar said, “Health Matters smartly builds the awareness on the importance of having a Health Insurance policy and encourages viewers to undergo health check-ups regularly and lead a healthy lifestyle. This initiative will also address the fundamental queries related to the nuances of Health Insurance. The intent is to spread awareness about necessity of Health Insurance.
‘Health Matters’ has a universal appeal and will be presented in a creative way with snippets of information on basic questions as well as factoids on basics of Health Insurance like portability, claim settlements, policy coverage, exclusions and the common mistakes made by first-time buyers.
To generate interest, HDFC Ergo would also run a parallel “Health Matters” promo and a contest on the NDTV network. The contest would entail answering simple questions that a participant can post on www.ndtv.com/healthmatters) and stand a chance to win free Health Check-Up vouchers.
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Kwality Wall’s reports standalone losses following strategic HUL demerger
Ice cream major faces Rs 64 crore Ebitda loss amid commodity inflation and muted Q3 sales
MUMBAI: Kwality Wall’s (India) Limited (KWIL) has released its first set of financial results as a standalone entity, revealing a challenging start to its independent journey. Following its successful demerger from Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL) on 1st December 2025 and its subsequent listing on 16th February 2026, the company is navigating a transition period marked by structural changes and high input costs.
For the quarter ended 31st December 2025, the company reported revenue of Rs 222 crores. Despite the revenue base, the bottom line was impacted by several factors, resulting in an Ebitda loss of Rs 64.2 crores. When calculated on a Pre-IND AS 116 basis, the Ebitda loss stood at Rs 83.8 crores.
Organic Sales Growth (OSG) declined by 6.5 per cent year-on-year during the quarter. Volume growth, however, saw a marginal increase of 1.2 per cent. The company reported a gross margin of 41.5 per cent. Additionally, exceptional expenses amounting to Rs 94 crores were recorded, primarily linked to non-recurring costs during the transition phase.
Performance across portfolios and channels was mixed. Within the impulse portfolio, brands such as Magnum and Cornetto recorded mid-single digit volume growth, indicating steady demand in on-the-go consumption. However, the in-home portfolio, which includes take-home packs, experienced muted consumption. The company is planning a relaunch of this category with improved offerings ahead of the 2026 season.
Quick commerce (Q-Com) continued to emerge as a strong growth driver, delivering robust double-digit growth during the quarter. Meanwhile, the company also expanded its physical distribution network by increasing the number of company-owned cabinets across markets.
Margin pressure during the quarter was driven by a combination of one-off factors and broader cost inflation. Gross margins were impacted by around 600 basis points due to trade investments made for stock liquidation. Additionally, cocoa price inflation contributed to another 400 basis points of pressure on margins.
Deputy managing director Chitrank Goel attributed the muted performance partly to prolonged monsoons and transitional challenges linked to the GST framework. Operating expenses also increased as the company invested in establishing its standalone supply chain, operational systems and corporate infrastructure following the demerger.
Looking ahead, the management remains focused on a volume-driven growth strategy. To restore profitability, the company has initiated a cost productivity programme aimed at reducing non-consumer-facing costs. It is also working on building regional manufacturing networks to optimise logistics expenses and improve operational efficiency.
The commodity outlook for the near term remains mixed. Dairy prices are expected to remain firm due to tight supply conditions and rising fodder costs. Sugar prices may also move higher following increases in the Minimum Selling Price (MSP). While cocoa prices have moderated recently, currency depreciation has offset some of the potential cost relief for the company.
