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Investing in equities is key to financial freedom for women, says Shibani Kurien

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Investing in equities is key to financial freedom for women, says Shibani Kurien

Women should consider diversified investment portfolios to mitigate risks and optimize returns over the long term keeping in mind their investment objectives, says Shibani Kurian, Senior Executive Vice President, Fund Manager & Head – Equity Research, Kotak Mahindra Asset Management.

In an interview with MintGenie, Kurian said that tailored investment education programs, mentorship opportunities, and success stories of women investors can inspire and build confidence.

Edited Excerpts:

What according to you should be done to attract more women to invest in equities?

Financial freedom is of utmost importance for women helping them take control of their destinies and lead lives of empowerment and independence. Financial freedom is not possible without investing in the future. Hence, there is a growing need for women to understand asset allocation including investing in equities. Investing in equities is often considered alien to women. However, to the contrary, women naturally embody the very characteristics needed to be successful equity investors. 

To encourage more women to invest in equities, there is a need for a focused effort on financial education that is accessible and relatable. Tailored investment education programs, mentorship opportunities, and success stories of women investors can inspire and build confidence. Creating platforms that offer supportive communities for women to share experiences and learnings can significantly impact their investment journey.

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What is your take on the role of mutual funds in building financial knowledge and securing a stable financial future for women?

Mutual funds are pivotal in building financial knowledge and securing a stable financial future for women. They offer a simplified entry point into the investing world, allowing women to benefit from professionally managed portfolios. Mutual funds also provide educational resources that can help demystify the investing process, making it more approachable for beginners.

How does one benefit from investing through SIPs?

Investing through systematic investment plans (SIPs) benefits investors by instilling discipline, offering the advantage of rupee cost averaging, and allowing the flexibility to start with small amounts. SIPs make it easier to commit to long-term financial goals and can be particularly advantageous in building wealth gradually without the pressure of timing the market.

Why and how should women opt for a diversified investment portfolio?

Women should consider diversified investment portfolios to mitigate risks and optimize returns over the long term keeping in mind their investment objectives. Diversification across asset classes, geographies, and sectors can help cushion against market volatility. This approach aligns with the principle of not putting all eggs in one basket, thereby, securing investments against unforeseen market downturns.

There is an increasing presence of women in the financial industry. Do you think it has brought the necessary impact in shaping investment strategies?

The increasing presence of women in the financial industry has indeed made a significant impact. Women supporting women creates a much larger impact encouraging other’s to join the path to financial freedom. Women often bring diverse perspectives and innovation to investment strategies, contributing to more holistic and balanced decision-making. Their growing influence also promotes gender diversity and inclusivity, which can lead to more tailored financial products and services that cater to a broader range of investors.

How can women work towards building a robust retirement portfolio?

Women can work towards building a robust retirement portfolio by starting early, making informed investment choices, and consistently reviewing and adjusting their portfolios to align with changing financial goals and market conditions. Emphasizing investments in a mix of equities, fixed income, and other asset classes, depending on risk tolerance and time horizon, is key to building a retirement corpus that can withstand inflation and provide stability in the golden years.

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Published: 08 Mar 2024, 09:12 AM IST

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Casino Group Communication

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Casino Group Communication
Groupe Casino

Harmonization of the procedural framework for discussions
relating to the adaptation and strengthening
of the Casino Group’s financial structure

Paris, 15 May 2026

Further to the Group’s previous communications regarding the project to strengthen and adapt its financial structure, discussions are continuing with financial creditors across various entities within the Group.

As the formalization of a comprehensive agreement is facilitated by the existence of a uniform framework, the Group has applied to the President of the Paris Economic Activities Court for the opening of conciliation proceedings for the benefit of several of its companies1 for an initial period of four months, potentially extendable by one month. In this context, the appointment of SCP BTSG (Maître Marc Sénéchal) as conciliator is being considered for certain of these entities, while the appointment of SCP CBF Associés (Maître Lou Fréchard) is being sought as conciliator for Quatrim.

The Group will seek the consent of Quatrim’s high-yield bondholders for the opening of conciliation proceedings concerning Quatrim and Monoprix SAS, being respectively borrower and guarantor of these bonds.

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These conciliation proceedings, which are consistent with those initiated early March2, only concern the financial debt of the companies involved and will have no impact on the Group’s relationships with its operating partners (in particular its suppliers) and employees. Operational activities will continue as normal, in line with the Group’s strategic priorities.

***

ANALYSTS AND INVESTORS CONTACTS

Charlotte IZABEL – cizabel@groupe-casino.fr – Tél: +33 (0)6 89 19 88 33

IR_Casino@groupe-casino.fr – Tél : +33 (0)1 53 65 24 17

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PRESS CONTACTS

Casino Group – Communications Department

Stéphanie ABADIE – sabadie@groupe-casino.fr – Tél : +33 (0)6 26 27 37 05

directiondelacommunication@groupe-casino.fr – Tél : + 33(0)1 53 65 24 29


1 Casino Guichard Perrachon, Naturalia France, Monoprix SAS, Monop’ SAS, Samada, Aux Galeries de la Croisette, Monop’Station, O’Monoprix, OLogistique, C- Logistics, C-Technology, CLR, CLV, CShield, Cnova France, IGC Services, Cnova Pay, Casino Finance, Franprix Leader Price Holding and Quatrim
2 Press release dated 9 March 2026 : conciliation proceedings initiated for the benefit of Maas, Sédifrais, ExtenC, Monoprix Holding, Monoprix Exploitation, Distribution Franprix, Franprix-Leader Price Finances, Achats Marchandises Casino and Cdiscount

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Texas restaurants feel financial strain as costs continue to rise, report shows

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Texas restaurants feel financial strain as costs continue to rise, report shows

Texas restaurant operators are continuing to face mounting financial pressure as rising food and fuel costs impact businesses across the state, according to the latest quarterly economic report from the Texas Restaurant Association.

The association’s 2026 first-quarter report shows that many restaurant owners are struggling to keep up with increased operating expenses while trying to avoid passing those full costs on to customers.

“You know, what we’re seeing a lot of in Texas from these quarterly economic reports that we do is that food costs continue to rise,” said Texas Restaurant Association Chief Marketing Officer Tony Abroscato. “We all know that it’s up 35% since the pandemic. And so that’s an impact on our restaurant.”

According to the report, 77% of restaurant operators reported increased costs of goods, while 66% said suppliers have added fuel surcharges as gas prices continue to climb.

“We’re seeing that 90% of consumers start to adjust their habits based upon rising gas prices,” said Tony Abroscato. “Then also those gas prices impact the cost of food because everything is trucked and shipped and a variety of different things.”

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In addition to rising costs, labor shortages remain a major concern for restaurant owners. More than half of association members reported difficulties finding enough workers.

“You know, immigration is difficult and has had an impact on the restaurant industry, the farming industry, which again, then raises prices along the way,” said Abroscato.

Despite the financial challenges, the Texas Restaurant Association’s 2026 first-quarter report shows that Texas restaurants are only passing a portion of those increased costs on to customers while absorbing the rest through reduced profits.

Some restaurant owners have been making changes to adjust, like limiting menu items or even turning to QR code ordering, Abroscato said.

Copyright 2026 by KSAT – All rights reserved.

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Household savings, income and finances in Spain: how did they fare in 2025 and what can we expect for 2026?

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Household savings, income and finances in Spain: how did they fare in 2025 and what can we expect for 2026?

In 2025, GDI grew above the rate of average annual inflation (2.7%) and the growth in the number of households (1.3% according to the LFS), which allowed for a recovery in purchasing power. In this context, real household income has grown by 4.5% since before the pandemic, highlighting that households have continued to gain purchasing power in real terms.

The strong financial position of households is reflected not only in the high savings rate but also in their financial accounts. In this regard, households’ financial wealth continued to increase in 2025: their financial assets amounted to 3.4 trillion euros at the end of the year, versus 3.1 trillion at the end of 2024. This increase of 292 billion euros is broken down into a net acquisition of financial assets amounting to 95 billion, higher than the 21.5-billion average in the period 2015-2019, when interest rates were very low, and a revaluation effect of 194 billion. When breaking down the net acquisition of assets, we note that households invested 42 billion euros in equities and investment funds, just under 9.6 billion less than in deposits, while they disposed of debt securities worth 6 billion following the fall in interest rates.

On the other hand, households continued to deleverage in 2025, and by the end of the year their financial liabilities stood at 46.9% of GDP, compared to 47.8% in 2024, the lowest level since the end of 1998. This decline reflects the fact that, in 2025, households took advantage of the interest rate drop to prudently incur debt: net new borrowing amounted to 35 billion euros, representing an increase of 3.8%, which is lower than the nominal GDP growth of 5.8% and the GDI growth of 5.3%.

As a result of the increase in financial assets and the decrease in liabilities as a percentage of GDP, the net financial wealth of households recorded a notable increase of 7.3 points compared to 2024, reaching 156.8% of GDP.

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