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Capital markets regulator Sebi on Friday said Synoptics Technologies and its promoters will remain barred from the securities market till the outcome of a probe in a case of alleged siphoning off IPO proceeds.The company's promoters are Jatin Shah, Jagmohan Manilal Shah and Janvi Jatin Shah have also been debarred by the regulator."I...hereby confirm the directions issued vide the interim order dated May 6, 2025," Sebi's whole-time member Kamlesh C Varshney said in the confirmatory order.In May this year, Sebi had passed an interim order and barred Synoptics Technologies Ltd (STL) and its promoters from the securities market, following allegations of siphoning off IPO proceeds.In the interim order, the regulator said, "The examination revealed a well laid out plan of the company (STL) and the lead manager, FOCL (First Overseas Capital Ltd), to siphon away funds raised in the IPO"."The amount transferred ostensibly for meeting 'Issue management fees, underwriting and selling commissions, registrar fees, and other IPO related expenses' was Rs 19 crore and grossly disproportionate to the Rs 80 lakh disclosed as issue expenses in the red herring prospectus of STL." As per the order, the amount accounted for more than 54 per cent of the total proceeds raised by Synoptics through the fresh issue of shares worth Rs 35.08 crore and 35 per cent of the total issue size (Rs 54.04 crore).Accordingly, Sebi directed FOCL not to take up any new assignments relating to merchant banking activities in the securities market till further directions from the regulator.Sebi observed that FOCL had undertaken initial public offering (IPO) assignments for 20 companies, which were listed on the SME segment of BSE and NSE from May 2022 to April 2025.In July 2023, Mumbai-based Synoptics Technologies raised funds through an SME IPO, and FOCL acted as the lead manager to the issue.The interim order came after the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) examined the matter on receiving complaints alleging irregularities in the bidding process following the closure of the IPO.

U.S. President Donald Trump today gave Hamas a final deadline to accept a proposed peace agreement, saying the group must sign by Sunday at 6 p.m. Washington, D.C. time — “or all hell will break out,” he warned.In a post on Truth Social, Trump called Hamas “a ruthless and violent threat” and accused the group of perpetrating the October 7 massacre in Israel, saying it had killed civilians including babies, women and the elderly. He wrote that more than 25,000 Hamas “soldiers” had already been killed, and said many remaining fighters were “surrounded and MILITARILY TRAPPED, just waiting for me to give the word, ‘GO,’ for their lives to be quickly extinguished.” He added that Hamas members “will be hunted down, and killed.” Trump urged “all innocent Palestinians” to leave areas he described as at risk and said they would be cared for. He said wealthy nations in the region, together with the United States and Israel, had agreed to a peace deal that he called a historic opportunity — “PEACE, after 3000 years.” According to his post, the deal would spare the lives of remaining Hamas fighters if the group accepts.“RELEASE THE HOSTAGES, ALL OF THEM, INCLUDING THE BODIES OF THOSE THAT ARE DEAD, NOW!” Trump wrote, adding that an agreement must be reached by Sunday evening at 6 p.m. Washington time. He warned that if the “LAST CHANCE” agreement is not reached, “all HELL, like no one has ever seen before, will break out against Hamas.” Hamas had on Tuesday said it would discuss Trump’s proposal within the group and with other Palestinian factions before responding. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has voiced support for the plan, but it remains unclear whether — or when — Hamas will accept the proposal. The plan reportedly calls for Hamas to disarm in exchange for an end to the fighting, humanitarian aid and reconstruction assistance for Gaza, where officials say tens of thousands of Palestinians have died in the conflict.

Yes Bank reported a 6.5% year-on-year jump in its loans & advances for the quarter ended September 30, 2025, at Rs 2,50,468 crore versus Rs 2,35,117 crore reported in the year-ago period. The lender's deposits in the reporting quarter stood at Rs 2,96,831 crore, up 7.1% over Rs 2,77,214 crore reported in Q2FY25.The loans and advances grew 3.9% on a sequential basis versus Rs 2,41,024 crore in Q1FY26, while the deposits rose 7.6% sequentially against Rs 2,75,843 crore in the June quarter of FY26.Yes Bank's CASA increased 13.2% YoY to Rs 1,00,263 crore, rising by 11% QoQ. Meanwhile, CASA ratio in Q2FY26 stood at 33.8%, up from 32% in Q2FY25 and 32.8% in Q1FY26.The Credit to Deposit Ratio in Q2FY26 stood at 84.4% versus 87.4% in Q1FY26 and 84.8% in Q2FY25.The Liquidity Coverage Ratio (LCR), a key regulatory requirement to ensure banks maintain enough high-quality liquid assets (HQLA) to survive a short-term liquidity stress scenario, was 125.1% in Q2FY26, down from 135.8% in Q1FY26 and 132% in Q2FY25.The numbers were announced as part of Q2 updates and are provisional. The final numbers will be announced by the lender in its Q2 earnings.Also Read: Rekha Jhunjhunwala-backed Baazar Style Retail plunges 11% from day’s high even as Q2 revenue jumps 71% YoYYes Bank shares today ended at Rs 21.84, up 0.4% over the Wednesday closing price.Yes Bank has been in news over State Bank of India (SBI) completing the divestment of a 13.18% stake to Japan’s Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC) for a consideration of about Rs 8,889 crore. The transaction involved the sale of 413.44 crore equity shares of Yes Bank at Rs 21.50 per share.Yes Bank had reported a 59% YoY growth in its Q1FY26 standalone net profit at Rs 801 crore versus Rs 502 crore in the year-ago period. It had reported its net interest income (NII) at Rs 2,371 crore in Q1FY26, up 5.7% YoY and 4.2% QoQ, aided by a reduction in the cost of funds.Meanwhile, net interest margin (NIM) for Q1FY26 stood at 2.5%, trending upward YoY, supported by a reduction in deposits made in lieu of PSL shortfall and SA rate cut reduction, partially offset by repricing impact.(Disclaimer: Recommendations, suggestions, views and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of Economic Times)

Bajaj Housing Finance (BHFL), a subsidiary of Bajaj Finance, posted strong growth in the September quarter, with both disbursements and assets under management (AUM) registering healthy double-digit gains.The company disbursed about Rs 15,900 crore in Q2 FY26, up 32% from Rs 12,014 crore in the same quarter last year. Its AUM stood at Rs 1,26,740 crore as of September 30, 2025, reflecting a year-on-year growth of 24% compared with Rs 1,02,569 crore a year ago. Sequentially, AUM expanded by around Rs 6,320 crore during the quarter.Loan assets (advances receivable) were at Rs 1,13,050 crore, up from Rs 89,878 crore last year. The growth highlights Bajaj Housing's ability to scale its home finance and loan against property book amid steady demand for housing credit.About the companyBajaj Housing Finance is currently the fastest-growing and second-largest housing finance company in India, clocking a five-year AUM CAGR of nearly 29% between FY20 and FY25. As of June 2025, its AUM was already at Rs 1.2 lakh crore, reinforcing its strong trajectory.Analysts note that the company benefits from the Bajaj Group’s backing, a granular and low-risk business model, a diversified loan mix with higher-yielding products, and a tech-driven scalable distribution platform. These factors, they say, give the lender a competitive edge in the fragmented housing finance space.However, return ratios may remain moderate in the near term. "RoE is expected to remain at around 13–14% due to intense competition and relatively lower yields in the prime home loan segment," Motilal Oswal said in a coverage note.Valuations also appear rich, with BHFL trading at 3.6x price-to-book and 29x FY27 estimated earnings. The brokerage has modelled AUM and PAT CAGR of about 22% each over FY25–28, with RoA/RoE of 2.3% and 14.2% respectively in FY28. It has a Neutral rating and a target price of Rs 120.While competition in home loans could cap yields, Bajaj Housing's scale, brand strength and distribution are expected to keep growth momentum steady. The company’s ability to sustain its pace of expansion while managing margins will be closely tracked by investors.(Disclaimer: Recommendations, suggestions, views and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of the Economic Times)

Citroën India has broadened its X-Series range with the launch of the new Citroën Aircross X, priced at ₹8.29 lakh (ex-showroom). The model builds on the automaker’s “Citroën 2.0 – Shift Into the New” strategy and comes shortly after the introduction of the Basalt X.The Aircross X will be available in two engine configurations, with a choice between manual and automatic transmissions. Customers can opt for ICE or CNG powertrains, while the SUV will be offered in 10 exterior colour options and three interior themes. Buyers will also have flexibility in seating, with both 5-seater and 7-seater layouts designed to suit different family requirements.Citroën Aircross X Key Features and DesignThe SUV has been engineered keeping Indian roads and family usage in mind. It offers a roomy cabin, wide shoulder space, and a boot capacity of up to 511 litres. The Advanced Comfort Suspension system, a hallmark of Citroën’s design, ensures what the company describes as a “flying carpet ride”, smoothing out potholes and rough terrain.On the outside, the Aircross X showcases a muscular stance, signature DRLs, and dual-tone paint schemes, complemented by gold-accented interiors. Practicality is further enhanced with 200 mm ground clearance, clever storage options, and roof-mounted air-conditioning vents for both second and third-row passengers. 124290905A standout feature is CARA, Citroën’s multilingual virtual assistant that supports 52 Indian and global languages. CARA can manage vehicle controls, calls, music, reminders, and navigation. It also integrates safety-first features such as SOS alerts and crash notifications.Commenting on the launch, Kumar Priyesh, Business Head & Director – Automotive Brands, Stellantis India, said: “The New Aircross X is built around the real needs of Indian families—space, comfort, safety, and innovation. With CARA, mobility becomes more intuitive and personal. This SUV merges practicality with the X-Series’ premium appeal, making it both aspirational and accessible.”The Aircross X is expected to strengthen Citroën’s position in the competitive compact SUV segment, offering a blend of European styling, advanced features, and family-focused versatility at an aggressive price point.Exterior Features ‘X’ badge on the rear tail lamp/tail light Projector LED headlamps and fog lights Dual-tone roof option (₹20,000) Ten exterior colour options: Polar White, Steel Grey, Garnet Red, Cosmo Blue, Deep Forest Green (new), Perla Nera Black Dual-tone shades: Deep Forest Green/Perla Nera Black, Polar White/Perla Nera Black, Cosmo White/Polar White, Garnet Red/Perla Nera BlackInterior Features Ventilated leatherette seats Ambient and footwell lighting Redesigned gear lever 10.25-inch infotainment system 7-inch instrument cluster (IC) Gold-accented interiors Three interior colour options Functional / Tech Features Proxi-Sense and push-button start Cruise control and speed limiter Auto-dimming IRVM (inside rear-view mirror) 360-degree camera (optional add-on for ₹25,000) CARA AI assistant (supports 52 Indian and global languages; exclusive to Max trim) Remote alerts and voice SOS Safety Features Six standard airbags ESP (Electronic Stability Program) Hill hold assist ABS with EBD Rear parking sensors Mechanical / Powertrain Engines: 1.2L Naturally Aspirated (NA) Petrol – 80 bhp / 115 Nm 1.2L Turbo Petrol – 109 bhp / 190 Nm (6MT), 205 Nm (6AT) Dealer-level CNG retrofit option Seating configurations: 5-seater and 7-seater