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Hero MotoCorp posts strong results, announces huge dividend
MUMBAI: Hero MotoCorp is showing it still has plenty of energy to spare as it races ahead with a set of financial results that are far from tiring. The two-wheeler giant hit the road running this week, unveiling a performance that suggests the company is firmly in control of the Indian automotive market.
In a move that will surely have shareholders revving their engines with delight, the Board has declared a massive interim dividend of 5,500 per cent. That translates to a cool Rs 110 per equity share, with a record date set for 11 February 2026. It seems the only thing smoother than their latest bike’s suspension is their cash flow, with payments expected to be completed by 7 March 2026.
The numbers for the quarter ending 31 December 2025 tell a story of steady acceleration. Hero sold a staggering 16.97 lakh two-wheelers during the period, a slight climb from the 16.91 lakh sold in the preceding quarter and a significant jump from the 14.64 lakh sold in the same period the previous year. This surge helped propel standalone revenue from operations to Rs 12,328.38 crore for the quarter.
On a consolidated basis, the Group’s total income for the quarter reached Rs 12,784.58 crore, contributing to a nine-month total of Rs 35,281.05 crore. Profit after tax for the quarter stood at a robust Rs 1,275.15 crore on a consolidated basis, proving that despite a few bumps in the global economy, Hero is still firing on all cylinders.
Hero isn’t just focused on what’s under the hood; they are also looking at what’s over the roof. The company announced a strategic investment of up to Rs 7.92 crore in Solar Power Wheeling Projects. These projects are destined for their Haridwar and Neemrana plants, as well as their Global Parts Centre and Centre for Innovation & Technology in Jaipur. It’s a bright move that shows Hero is serious about harnessing the sun to power their manufacturing.
Furthermore, the company is doubling down on the future of electric mobility with an additional investment of Rs 275 crore in Euler Motors Private Limited. This primary infusion and secondary purchase will bolster their presence in the burgeoning EV sector, ensuring they don’t get left in the dust as the industry shifts towards cleaner energy.
While the machines are humming, the boardroom is also seeing some fresh faces. Prabhat Singh has been appointed as the new company secretary and compliance officer, effective from 5 February 2026. Singh, a fellow member of the Institute of Company Secretaries of India and a law graduate, will also take on the mantle of Nodal Officer.
It wasn’t entirely smooth sailing, however. The company noted an exceptional item, a provision of Rs 119 crore, related to the implementation of India’s new Labour Codes. Additionally, the taxman had previously knocked on the door with a Rs 178 crore demand, which the company is currently appealing, confident that their position will be upheld.
Despite these minor diversions, Hero MotoCorp’s latest results suggest a company that is not just maintaining its speed but actively seeking new lanes for growth. With a focus on sustainable energy, strategic investments in EV tech, and a dividend that’s music to investors’ ears, Hero looks set to continue its long-distance journey at the front of the pack.
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AI becomes key tool for Indian travellers, Agoda report finds
68 per cent plan to use AI for trips as 33 per cent already rely on it.
MUMBAI: Holiday planning is getting a software upgrade less “Where should we go?” and more “What does the algorithm say?” Indian travellers are increasingly turning to artificial intelligence to map their journeys, with new data from Agoda’s 2026 Travel Outlook Report suggesting that AI is fast becoming central to how trips are imagined, planned and booked.
While 33 per cent of respondents said they already use AI tools for travel planning, a far larger 68 per cent indicated they are likely to rely on it for their next trip pointing to a sharp acceleration in adoption in a market already comfortable with digital-first travel.
What travellers want from AI, however, goes well beyond basic search. The report shows 38 per cent are looking for recommendations on local attractions and activities, while 37 per cent expect personalised itineraries. Destination discovery remains a key use case at 29 per cent, with dining suggestions (23 per cent) and budget management (22 per cent) also emerging as practical applications.
The shift reflects a broader change in expectations AI is no longer a novelty but a planning companion expected to work across every stage of the journey, from inspiration to execution.
Trust levels appear to be keeping pace. Nearly 88 per cent of respondents said they either trust or feel neutral about AI-generated recommendations, including 53 per cent who expressed clear confidence. This builds on earlier trends, with Agoda’s 2025 survey showing nine in ten Indian travellers already using apps to book travel suggesting AI adoption is more evolution than disruption.
The company has been testing this appetite through initiatives such as its 2025 AI-powered Vacation Planner campaign, which generated customised itineraries and visuals based on user inputs, delivered with a layer of celebrity-led engagement.
For platforms like Agoda, which aggregates more than 6 million properties, over 130,000 flight routes and 300,000 travel activities, AI offers a way to navigate scale without overwhelming users turning abundance into relevance.
As AI continues to embed itself into everyday decision-making, India is emerging as a market where travel planning is not just going digital, but decisively intelligent.
