05 Aug 2025

LIC Housing Finance posted a 4.5-5% rise in net profit to INR 1,364 crore for Q1 FY26, backed by strong individual home loan demand. Total income rose 7% to INR 7,250 crore, while net interest income gained 4%. Home loan disbursements grew 3% to INR 11,247 crore, but project loans fell sharply. The loan book expanded by 7% to INR 3.09 lakh crore. Asset quality improved, with gross NPAs down to 2.62%. The firm also reduced lending rates, waived processing fees, and launched a new website to boost digital engagement. Marking 36 years of operations, LIC HFL now eyes higher-yield credit segments for future growth.Read more

05 Aug 2025

Brookfield India Real Estate Trust (BIRET) has reported a 13 percent year-on-year increase in its net operating income (NOI) for the quarter ending in June. This growth, driven by strong leasing and a 22 percent re-leasing spread, has pushed the company's committed occupancy to 89 percent. The REIT has also approved a preferential issue of INR 1,000 crore to fund further growth and is in talks to acquire Grade-A properties from its sponsor group in Bengaluru and Chennai. This financial performance and expansion strategy highlight the REIT's commitment to growing its portfolio and enhancing long-term unitholder value.Read more

05 Aug 2025

Knowledge Realty Trust (KRT), a REIT backed by Sattva Group and Blackstone, raised INR 1,620 crore from anchor investors ahead of its INR 4,800 crore IPO launch. Units were allotted at INR 100 each, with participation from LIC, Axis MF, Amundi, Tata MF, and others. KRT also secured INR 1,200 crore from institutional investors and raised INR 1,400 crore earlier in June. The REIT holds 46 million sq ft across key cities like Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad, with flagship assets including One BKC and Knowledge City. With a gross asset value of INR 62,000 crore, KRT aims to grow through third-party acquisitions and joins India's growing REIT landscape.Read more

05 Aug 2025

Pune Municipal Corporation has doubled its property-tax discounts for green features over the past six years from about 86,000 beneficiaries in 2019-20 to roughly 1.5 lakh now offering 5-10% relief to owners with functional solar panels and vermicomposting systems. The corporation claims surprise inspections and cancellations if installations go offline, but local activists and experts challenge the enforcement's consistency. While this incentive is part of broader efforts to promote sustainability, questions remain over actual performance and oversight. The scheme coincides with a wider push in Maharashtra municipalities for green-rated buildings through fiscal, not built-area, perks.Read more

05 Aug 2025

In Bengaluru, several flat owners received inflated property tax demands due to errors in their e-khata applications. Staff at BangaloreOne centres reportedly entered identical figures for built-up and parking areas, ignoring actual measurements in sale deeds. As a result, Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike issued backdated tax notices running into tens of thousands per year. Homeowners said the system failed to verify entries properly and cited an inoperative online objection portal during the response period. The incident highlights the need for stronger quality checks, document-based validation, and a functional redressal process to avoid penalising residents for administrative lapses in property data handling.Read more

05 Aug 2025

India's real estate sector has raised nearly INR 400 billion via approximately 30 IPOs since 2021, according to Colliers. In the current year alone, seven IPOs have mobilised nearly INR 76 billion. During this period, bank lending to the sector has doubled, while gross NPAs in construction loans have dropped from 23.5% to just over 3%. Profit margins and balance sheet health among leading developers have also improved sharply. The sector is now attracting equity capital across newer formats such as co-working spaces, hospitality, and SM-REITs, marking a broader investor interest in real estate.Read more

05 Aug 2025

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has proposed major changes to the listing framework for large initial public offerings (IPOs) to improve price discovery. The proposal, outlined in a consultation paper yesterday, suggests a two-phase trading approach for IPOs with an issue size over INR 10,000 crore. Under this plan, only institutional investors would trade for the first two days, with retail investors allowed to enter the market from the third day onwards. SEBI believes this will allow for a market-driven price to be established, protecting retail investors from volatility and potential losses. The regulator is accepting public comments on the proposal until August 25.Read more

05 Aug 2025

Affordable housing finance companies are projected to see their AUM rise from INR 1.4 lakh crore to INR 2.5 lakh crore by FY28, according to a recent ICRA report. The broader mortgage portfolio of NBFCs and HFCs could grow to INR 20 lakh crore. Growth is driven by strong housing demand and limited unsecured credit access. Affordable housing lenders, with low NPAs and steady returns, currently hold about 11% of the mortgage market. Their loan books largely serve self-employed borrowers and self-construction loans. While credit quality remains strong, high operational costs and rising competition may pressure margins, making efficiency and cost control key priorities.Read more

05 Aug 2025

Aptus Value Housing Finance India posted a 27.66% year-on-year rise in net profit to INR 219.25 crore for Q1 FY26, with total income climbing 31% to INR 530.14 crore. Assets under management grew 24% to INR 11,267 crore, while disbursements reached INR 775 crore. Over 90% of customer agreements and 94% of collections were digital. Operating profit after tax rose 31% to INR 296 crore, with stable spreads and moderate expenses. Though NPAs rose slightly to 1.49%, credit costs remained within target. The company reaffirmed its digital-first strategy and aims to grow AUM to INR 25,000 crore by FY29. CARE upgraded its credit rating outlook to 'AA; Stable'.Read more

04 Aug 2025

Embassy Office Parks REIT, Asia's largest office REIT by area, recorded its highest-ever first-quarter leasing performance with 2.0 million square feet transacted across 25 deals. The firm noted a 13% year-on-year rise in revenue and a 15% increase in net operating income. Strong pre-leasing activity was witnessed in Chennai, and the REIT raised INR 4,225 crores in debt to capitalise on favourable market conditions. Additionally, it initiated the divestment of strata-owned blocks in Bengaluru and explored new development opportunities in Whitefield.Read more