Financials
News Corp net profit down 52%; revenue down 1%
MUMBAI: News Corp’s quarterly profit was down 52 per cent due to foreign-exchange fluctuations and lower advertising sales offset revenue gains in book publishing and the digital real-estate business.
The company’s net income for the three months ended 31 March, 2015 fell to $23 million, or four cents a share, from $48 million, or eight cents, in the same period a year earlier.
For the fiscal 2015 third quarter, total revenues slipped one per cent to $2.06 billion as compared to $2.08 billion in the prior year. The majority of the revenue decline reflects negative foreign currency fluctuations and lower advertising revenues at the News and Information Services segment, offset in large part by growth in the Book Publishing and Digital Real Estate Services segments as a result of the acquisition of Harlequin Enterprises Limited and Move, Inc., respectively.
News Corp CEO Robert Thomson said, “The new News Corp continues to build a firm foundation for digital growth. We see that most clearly in the successful integration of realtor.com®, which grew audience and revenue at record levels in the third quarter. News Corp is now a global leader in digital real estate, which we believe will underpin long-term expansion and complement our expertise in news and financial analysis, both of which have been important ingredients in realtor.com’s accelerated growth. While the quarter faced some revenue challenges, particularly at News and Information Services, including currency headwinds, our adjusted EBITDA was relatively stable, underscoring the strength of our assets and the diversification of our revenue base. We believe the company is firmly on track and the signs are positive for year-over-year EBITDA growth in the fourth quarter.”
As compared to $175 million in the prior year, News Corp’s earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) fell seven per cent to $163 million on legal costs, currency fluctuations and increased stock-based compensation expenses from the acquisition of Move Inc.
These results include $15 million and $20 million in fees and costs – net of indemnification – related to the U.K. Newspaper Matters in the three months ended 31 March, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Declines at the News and Information Services segment, including higher legal costs at News America Marketing, negative foreign currency fluctuations and increased stock-based compensation expense resulting from the acquisition of Move were partially offset by lower expenses at Amplify and increased revenues in the Book Publishing segment due to the inclusion of Harlequin results.
Free cash flow available to News Corporation decreased by $105 million in the nine months ended March 31, 2015 to $391 million, primarily as a result of certain one-time items.
MUMBAI: It’s time to brief the markets: Page Industries is showing that even when regulations tighten, it can still keep its footing in the innerwear business. The Bengaluru-based apparel major has reported its financials for the quarter ended 31 December 2025, delivering a performance that remains steady and well put together.
The company’s top line showed plenty of elasticity this quarter. Revenue from operations stretched to Rs 1,38,675.71 lakhs, a healthy jump from the Rs 1,29,085.82 lakhs reported in the preceding quarter. Compared to the same period last year, which stood at Rs 1,31,305.10 lakhs, it’s clear the brand’s grip on the market isn’t loosening. Total income for the quarter, including other finance gains, reached a comfortable Rs 1,39,919.03 lakhs.
However, it wasn’t all smooth silk. The Government of India’s new unified Labour Codes, covering everything from wages to social security, officially kicked in on 21 November 2025. This regulatory shift forced Page Industries to account for a one-time “exceptional item” cost of Rs 3,500.42 lakhs to cover incremental employee benefits and related obligations. Despite this Rs 35-crore legislative snag, the underlying business remained robust. Profit before tax stood at Rs 25,625.35 lakhs after the exceptional hit, and without that one-off cost, the figure would have been a more muscular Rs 29,125.77 lakhs. Net profit for the quarter came in at Rs 18,953.64 lakhs.
Total expenses rose to Rs 1,10,793.26 lakhs, driven largely by raw material consumption of Rs 30,162.65 lakhs and employee benefits of Rs 23,310.66 lakhs. Even so, the company’s operational strength ensured the bottom line remained firmly stitched together.
For shareholders, the news is particularly “fitting.” The Board has declared a third interim dividend for 2025-26 of Rs 125 per equity share. The record date has been set for 11 February 2026, with the payment scheduled on or before 6 March 2026. This follows two previous interim dividends of Rs 150 and Rs 125 declared earlier in the financial year, reinforcing the company’s commitment to sharing the spoils of its success.
Looking at the nine-month stretch ending December 2025, Page Industries has amassed total income of Rs 4,04,090.59 lakhs, with total comprehensive income of Rs 58,231.49 lakhs. While the basic earnings per share for the quarter dipped slightly to Rs 169.93, compared to Rs 183.48 in the same quarter last year, the year-to-date EPS remains a solid Rs 524.57.
Auditors at S.R. Batliboi & Associates LLP have given the results a “limited review” thumbs up, reporting no material misstatements. It seems that, as far as Page Industries is concerned, the business remains as well-constructed as its famous Jockey briefs.
