operating profit margin

Goldman Sachs maintained a buy rating on Reliance Industries, citing potential margin recovery and strong retail growth despite a Q4FY26 EBITDA miss. Nomura also holds a buy on Axis Bank, highlighting attractive valuations and strong loan growth. HSBC recommends buying Shriram Finance, anticipating RoA expansion despite revised AUM growth forecasts.

PayPal is planning to lay off approximately 4,760 employees, or 20% of its workforce, over the next two to three years as part of a significant cost-cutting initiative. This move aims to accelerate AI adoption, streamline operations, and refocus on core business areas like checkout, with the company expecting at least $1.5 billion in gross savings.

Stock market recommendations: Granules, and UltraTech Cement have been picked as the top stock recommendations from the week starting May 4, 2026 by Motilal Oswal Wealth Management Research Desk. Let’s take a look:

Reliance Industries' Q4 FY26 net profit declined 12.5% year-on-year to Rs 16,971 crore, impacted by the Middle East crisis affecting its oil and chemicals business. Despite this, revenue rose 13% to Rs 2.98 lakh crore, with strong contributions from digital services and retail. Jio Platforms reported a 13% profit increase to Rs 7,935 crore.

O2C Division Hit Hard By Rising Costs, Supply Chain Disruptions

Axis Bank's Q4 FY26 net profit dipped slightly to Rs 7,071 crore, impacted by higher provisioning and lower trading gains. Despite this, core interest income saw steady growth, fueled by a significant 19% rise in net advances, particularly in corporate and SME segments. The bank also reported improved asset quality and strong capital adequacy ratios.

Apple has surpassed expectations with a robust second quarter, reporting $111.2 billion in revenue, a 17% year-on-year surge. Strong iPhone sales and consistent services growth fueled this success, with India emerging as a significant contributor. CEO Tim Cook highlighted record-breaking iPhone and services performance, underscoring a powerful product lineup.

Global oil prices are beyond India’s control but a tangle of govt interventions that have left Indian aviation structurally fragile. These demand correction.

Ageas, a Belgian insurer, is prioritizing growth in India, aiming for a top-10 life insurance position and remaining open to inorganic opportunities. The company emphasizes a localized operational model and sees significant potential in India's evolving insurance market, particularly in protection and retirement segments.