Brands
Weekend Unwind with Insight Cosmetics’ Mihir Jain
Mumbai: With another weekend upon us, it’s the perfect time to relax with Indiantelevision.com’s latest edition of Weekend Unwind-a fun and informal Q&A series that takes a deep dive into the minds of industry leaders. Through this weekend feature, we get a closer look at the people behind the titles, discovering their personal stories, passions, and unique perspectives.
In this week’s session, we have Insight Cosmetics sales and marketing director Mihir Jain. Since joining in 2016, Mihir has driven the company’s online growth, expanding its presence across multiple platforms and achieving 40 per cent quarterly growth. Insight Cosmetics, founded by Dinesh Jain in 2012, started as VOV International in 1986 and has grown from a small operation in Vasai to distributing across 20 states, 12,000 retail stores, and various online platforms. The brand offers over 350 SKUs and focuses on quality, safety, and innovation, with all products being FDA-approved, cruelty-free, and vegan.
Without further ado, here it goes…
Your mantra for life
My life mantra is simple, never give up, no matter what the situation is. Always keep pushing yourself and embrace each challenge as a chance to stretch your limits and stay committed to your path.
A book you are currently reading or plan to read
I’m currently reading Cold Steel by Tim Bouquet and Byron Ousey. It’s an intriguing read that delves into the intense and competitive world of finance.
Your fitness mantra
My fitness mantra is that it’s not just a one-day effort but has become a way of life. Consistency is the key to commitment and embrace fitness as a natural, integral part of your life, rather than viewing it as a chore.
Your comfort food
North Indian food, especially dal makhani with roti is my ultimate comfort meal. It instantly reminds me of home, filling me with a sense of warmth and nostalgia.
A quote or philosophy that keeps you going when the chips are down
A quote that keeps me going during tough times is “The more you sweat, the luckier you get.” This keeps me focused on hard work and seizing every opportunity, knowing that effort creates its own luck.
Your guilty pleasure
My guilty pleasure is staying up late into the night to watch movies while enjoying desserts. It’s my perfect combination of relaxation and indulgence after a long day.
The last time you tried something new
The last time I tried something new was scuba diving in Dubai. It was an unforgettable experience, and I truly enjoyed it. Scuba diving is now ingrained in my memory as a lifelong adventure.
A life lesson you learned the hard way
One valuable life lesson I’ve learned the hard way is to treat everyone, regardless of their position with respect. This not only keeps you humble but also paves the way for personal and professional growth.
What gets you excited about life?
What excites me about life is tackling new challenges at work and exploring new experiences. The thrill of overcoming obstacles and the joy of discovering something new keep me motivated and engaged.
What’s on top of your bucket list?
At the top of my bucket list, there are two thrilling adventures i.e., trekking to the base camp of Mount Everest and skydiving. Both represent grand adventures that promise breathtaking experiences and the thrill of pushing my limits.
If you could give one piece of advice to your younger self, what would it be?
The one piece of advice I will give to my younger self is: Don’t chase money, focus on doing what you love with all your heart. Success and fulfillment will follow when you’re passionate about your work.
One thing you would most like to change about the world
If I could change one thing about the world, it would be to foster greater kindness and compassion towards animals. A more empathetic approach to their well-being would reflect a more caring and humane society.
An activity that keeps you motivated and charged during tough times
Lawn tennis is my go-to activity for staying motivated and energized during tough times. It helps me stay focused, relieve stress, and maintain a positive outlook.
What lifts your spirits when life gets you down?
When life feels challenging, prioritising my health and fitness always lifts my spirits. Taking care of my body and staying in shape not only enhances my mood but also revitalizes my overall perspective.
Your go-to stress buster
To de-stress, I love watching comedy films like Bhool Bhulaiyaa and De Dana Dan. Their humor and lively scenes offer the perfect distraction and help me relax and rejuvenate.
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.
