Pernod Ricard India posted 11% revenue growth in the March quarter, driven by the company's premiumisation strategy in its most important volume market globally. India ranks as Pernod Ricard's largest market by volume and second-largest by value, giving the subsidiary outsized influence on the French group's overall performance. The French spirits maker's Indian portfolio spans Absolut vodka, Chivas Regal Scotch, and Glenlivet single malt, brands positioned at the premium and prestige end of a market where rising disposable incomes and aspirational consumption are reshaping spirits demand. The premiumisation push reflects a deliberate trade-up strategy: higher-priced SKUs deliver stronger margin contribution even when volume growth moderates. Investors tracking Pernod Ricard's global results should monitor whether India's premium-mix gains are durable or sensitive to macroeconomic softening, and whether excise policy changes across Indian states, a persistent regulatory variable, compress near-term volumes.
HDFC Bank's board has approved Rajiv Kumar, former Chief Election Commissioner and financial services secretary, as its Part-time Non-Executive Chairman from June 30, 2026. His chairmanship still requires RBI approval, but the move ends the bank's prolonged search for a permanent board leader.
Indian startups raised $1.1 billion across 16 deals in the week of June 21-26, 2026, up 2.5 times from the prior week, with CRED's $900 million Series H led by Meta accounting for most of the total. Square Yards became India's 131st unicorn after closing a $95 million round.
Jet fuel costs dropped sharply after a US-Iran interim peace deal, but airlines are expected to use the savings to rebuild margins rather than cut fares. Tight capacity, aircraft delivery delays, and weak budget carriers give major carriers unusual pricing power heading into the second half of 2026.
Meta is investing $900 million in CRED at a $4.5 billion valuation, the largest Indian startup round of 2026, as founder Kunal Shah moves to a global leadership role at WhatsApp. Miten Sampat takes over as interim CEO, and a major employee stock buyback is expected within weeks.
