Asian stocks traded within a tight range on Friday, in the wake of ominous signals from US corporate earnings and a series of central bank meetings that raised more questions than answers for the global economy.

US stock market ended slightly lower on Thursday as investors gauged the latest round of economic data.

Here's a table showing how US stocks performed on Thursday:

Source: Equitymaster

At present, the BSE Sensex is trading 92 points higher and NSE Nifty is trading 30 points higher.

Sun Pharma, NTPC and Nestle are among the top gainers today.

Infosys, TSC and Wipro on the other hand are among the top losers today.

The BSE Midcap index is trading 0.7% higher and the BSE Smallcap index is trading 1% higher.

Sectoral indices are trading mixed today with stocks in the power sector, realty sector and telecom sector witnessing buying. Meanwhile, stocks in the metal sector and the IT sector witnessing selling pressure.

The rupee is trading at Rs 86.3 against the US dollar.
 

TCS Secures Air New Zealand Deal

Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has entered a five-year strategic partnership with Air New Zealand to modernize the airline's digital infrastructure and drive AI-led innovation.

This collaboration aims to enhance digital capabilities, optimize operations, and elevate customer experience across key areas such as fleet management, crew scheduling, and ground services.

Reinforcing its deep-rooted presence in New Zealand, TCS has been a trusted digital transformation partner for over 37 years.

With a strong footprint in Auckland, a team of 460 professionals, and a diverse client base spanning banking, retail, construction, manufacturing, and government sectors, the company continues to shape industry innovation.

Through the TCS Co-Innovation Network (COIN), it collaborates with leading New Zealand universities to advance research in AI, cybersecurity, and sustainability.

Furthering its commitment to the region, TCS played a pivotal role in the 2022 Asia Pacific Digital Sustainability Index, helping define a sustainable approach to digital transformation.

Hindalco to Invest in Metal Business

Aditya Birla Group chairman Kumar Mangalam Birla announced that Hindalco will invest Rs 450 bn in India's metal sector, focusing on aluminium, copper, and speciality alumina businesses.

Speaking at a Hindalco event, Birla also revealed plans to establish India's first copper foil manufacturing facility for EVs.

Hindalco has pioneered a 100-MW renewable energy solution in Odisha, integrating wind, solar, and pumped hydro storage to provide stable, round-the-clock power for aluminium smelting.

The company is actively developing solutions across various sectors, including EV mobility, renewable energy, energy storage, semiconductors, and high-end electronics.

In the automotive space, Hindalco is driving innovation by enabling lighter, more fuel-efficient, and EV-ready vehicles. It has also contributed to the design and manufacturing of lightweight battery enclosures for both two-wheelers and cars.

The company is setting up India's first Copper Foil facility for EVs, and also looking at the high-speed transportation sector, Birla said, pointing out that the first hyperloop test track has Hindalco's high-precision aluminium extrusions.

It is also developing hard alloy products for defence and working with ISRO on one-of-a-kind components for Chandrayaan and Mangalyaan.
 

HUL to Acquire Stake in Lucro Plastecycle

Hindustan Unilever's (HUL) board has approved an investment to acquire a 14.3% stake in Lucro Plastecycle, a key player in recycled flexible plastics. While the financial details remain undisclosed, the investment aligns with HUL's sustainability initiatives and commitment to advancing a circular plastics economy.

Lucro focuses on waste management, recycling, and product manufacturing, contributing to the development of sustainable plastic solutions.

The investment is expected to enhance plastic circularity by increasing the availability of recycled content for flexible packaging, enabling businesses to adopt sustainable alternatives, and addressing challenges related to hard-to-recycle plastics.

According to the company, this investment represents a strategic move toward strengthening recycling capabilities and furthering the circular economy model for plastics, reinforcing its long-term commitment to sustainability.
 

Hero MotoCorp Invests in Euler

Hero MotoCorp has approved an investment of up to Rs 5.3 bn in Euler Motors Private Limited, marking its foray into the electric three-wheeler segment.

The investment will be executed in multiple tranches and is aimed at strengthening Hero MotoCorp's presence in the expanding electric vehicle market, where electric three-wheelers are expected to contribute 35% of total sales in the near future, as stated in an exchange filing on Thursday.

Euler Motors operates across 30 cities in India, specializing in the design, manufacturing, sales, and servicing of electric three-wheelers. The company has also recently introduced its first electric commercial four-wheeler.

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