- Microsoft lays off 300+ employees weeks after 6,000 global job cuts.
- Ola Electric drops 7% after ₹731 crore block deal involving Hyundai.
- Rupee weakens, gold dips, and Suzlon shares slide on profit booking.
Microsoft has initiated a second round of layoffs, cutting over 300 positions just weeks after eliminating 6,000 jobs globally. These job reductions, concentrated in Redmond, reflect the company’s push to streamline operations amid changing market dynamics.
Meanwhile, financial markets reacted strongly to corporate moves and global cues. Ola Electric shares slumped by 7% after a ₹731 crore block deal, reportedly involving Hyundai Motor as the seller.
Corporate Shifts and Market Jitters Define June’s Opening Week
Microsoft’s continued layoffs suggest a broader shift in the tech industry, where companies are cutting costs while investing heavily in AI. The 305 additional job cuts in Washington highlight a focus on consolidating roles and flattening management structures to improve efficiency.
The Ola Electric block deal shocked investors early in the trading session. Around 14.22 crore shares—3.23% of the company’s total equity—were exchanged at a discounted price, sending the stock downward. If Hyundai was indeed the seller, the move could indicate a recalibration of its investment strategy in the EV space.
Currency and commodities markets also showed volatility. The Indian rupee’s dip to ₹85.49/USD reflects ongoing pressure from global economic signals, possibly tied to U.S. interest rate expectations and foreign outflows. In parallel, gold prices fell after reaching a four-week high, as traders moved to lock in recent gains.
Suzlon Energy, despite reporting a strong Q4 with doubled profits and soaring revenue, saw its stock fall for the second consecutive day. Analysts attribute the sell-off to short-term profit booking rather than any fundamental weakness, underscoring the sensitivity of renewable energy stocks to investor sentiment post-earnings.
Together, these developments illustrate the dual forces of internal corporate realignment and external market pressure shaping the business landscape as mid-2025 unfolds.
“In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.” – Albert Einstein
