The Phoenix Mills (PHNX) has clocked a CAGR of 14% in consumption and 13% in retail rental across its mall portfolio over the last decade (FY13-23). Further, LTL consumption base for FY23 across the company’s operational malls was 19% higher than FY20 levels. With the company’s Wakad, Pune having opened in Sep’23 and Hebbal, Bengaluru also expected to open shortly and Indore/Ahmedabad malls having opened in FY23, the focus now shifts to growth from new assets.

Gujarat Gas (GUJGA) has hiked industrial gas prices at Morbi by INR 2.5/scm, the second hike in Q2, post a INR 2/scm hike taken in Aug’23. The decision has been driven by an improvement in propane prices in last 2-3 months. Prices have steadily improved since then, with Aug’23 prices at USD 470/t and Sep’23 prices declared at USD 550/t – coupled with an increase in import duties to ~18% from <6% earlier.

We interacted with the management of Astral Ltd (Astral) and following are the key takeaways: a) demand trend in pipe market remains healthy in Q2FY24-TD with 20%+ volume growth YoY (partly aided by low base) driven largely by the plumbing segment; b) management indicated operating margins to improve QoQ in Q2FY24 for both pipes (due to better product mix and no inventory losses likely to recur in Q2 given that PVC resin prices have been on an uptrend) and adhesives (benign raw material prices).

As per the meeting held on 2nd Sep’23, the board of Kotak Mahindra Bank (KMB) has informed that Mr. Uday Kotak has resigned as the MD & CEO of the bank and has become a non-executive non-independent director of the bank for a period of 5 years. He would not be liable to retire by rotation.

IDFC First Bank’s (IDFCFB) FY23 annual report titled ‘Robust foundation, responsible progress’ fairly captures the theme of ongoing transformation of the bank and way ahead. Segmental profitability disclosures suggest sharp turnaround in the retail business with calculated RoA around 1.15% for FY23 vs -1.1% in FY22 and -2.6% in FY21.