Brands
Metro Brands reports steady performance in Q3 FY 2025
MUMBAI: Footwear retailer Metro Brands announced its standalone and consolidated financial results for the quarter ending 31 December 2024 which showcased robust growth, largely driven by the festive and wedding seasons.
The company recorded a standalone revenue of Rs 688 crore, reflecting a year-on-year sales growth of 10 per cent. The EBITDA margin stood at 32.6 per cent with a profit after tax (PAT) margin of 13.7 per cent. Notably, the PAT figure includes a one-time tax charge of Rs 25 crore resulting from the reconciliation and reassessment of tax liabilities, mainly related to the Fila business.
During the quarter, Metro Brands expanded its retail presence with the launch of its first Foot Locker store and a new kiosk for New Era, catering to an increasingly diverse customer base. The company also enlisted celebrities Triptii Dimri and Vijay Varma for its Metro Shoes line, alongside Shanaya Kapoor and Vedang Raina for Mochi, which bolstered brand visibility and contributed to growth.
Metro Brands liquidated its old Fila inventory during this period and is set to release a second drop of India-manufactured merchandise by mid-February 2025.
Over the nine months ended 31 December 2024, the company opened 61 new stores while closing four bringing total net new openings below the initial guidance of 100 for the year. However, the company remains committed to its overall target of establishing 225 new stores by FY 2026.
Said CEO Nissan Joseph: “The third quarter of FY 2025 reflects steady progress for Metro Brands as we build on the momentum of the festive season. With an 18 per cent increase in PBT and a 13 per cent rise in EBITDA, our focus on operational rigor is yielding results. The successful launch of the Foot Locker store and New Era kiosk, along with our celebrity partnerships, have enhanced our brand visibility and customer engagement. We are optimistic about our initiatives and remain dedicated to delivering value for our customers and stakeholders as we approach the final quarter of the year.”
Brands
HSBC Mutual Fund launches Redhex SIF for specialised investing
SEBI-approved fund offers flexible strategies with Rs 10 lakh minimum entry.
MUMBAI: When markets get complex, investors are increasingly looking for sharper tools and HSBC Mutual Fund is betting on exactly that. The asset manager has introduced RedHex SIF, its dedicated Specialized Investment Fund (SIF) platform in India, aimed at investors seeking more targeted, outcome-driven strategies without stepping outside the familiar mutual fund ecosystem. Structured under SEBI’s regulatory framework, Redhex SIF is designed to offer greater portfolio flexibility than traditional mutual funds while retaining core benefits such as transparency, governance and ease of access. The idea is to bridge the gap between conventional investing and more sophisticated, strategy-led approaches.
The platform comes with a minimum investment threshold of Rs 10 lakh, positioning it squarely for experienced investors, including HNIs and institutional participants. In return, it offers focused investment strategies built around specific themes, enabling more precise portfolio construction.
At its core, the proposition leans on balance flexibility without losing discipline. While investors gain access to differentiated opportunities, the structure maintains a strong emphasis on risk management and portfolio stability, reflecting a growing demand for controlled exposure in volatile markets.
The launch also signals a broader shift in investor expectations. As market cycles become more dynamic, alpha is increasingly tied to adaptability and nuanced strategy rather than broad-based allocation alone. Platforms like Redhex SIF attempt to respond to this shift by offering more tailored solutions within a regulated framework.
For HSBC Mutual Fund, the move expands its product suite while tapping into a segment that is moving beyond vanilla offerings in search of sharper outcomes.
In short, as investing evolves from one-size-fits-all to made-to-measure, Redhex SIF positions itself as a toolkit for those looking to play the market with a bit more precision and a lot more intent.
