Choice International Limited (BSE: 531358, NSE: CHOICEIN) has announced plans to introduce its inaugural mutual fund product, featuring Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs), ahead of the Diwali festival. This significant development was revealed during a recent conference call update, marking a new milestone for the company in the financial services sector.

SEBI Approval Secured

Choice International has received final approval from the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) for the launch of this new mutual fund product. This regulatory green light paves the way for the company to expand its offerings in the investment management space.

Strategic Timing

By targeting a pre-Diwali launch, Choice International appears to be strategically timing its entry into the mutual fund market. Diwali, a major festival in India, is often associated with new beginnings and investments, potentially providing a favorable backdrop for the introduction of this new financial product.

Focus on ETF Funds

The decision to feature ETF funds in its first mutual fund product suggests that Choice International is aligning with the growing trend of passive investing. ETFs typically offer lower costs, higher liquidity, and the ability to provide diversified exposure to various market segments.

Recent Financial Performance

While the news focuses on the upcoming product launch, it's worth noting that Choice International recently held an earnings conference call for its Q1 FY26 results. As per the LODR data, the company conducted this call on July 22, 2025, discussing its unaudited standalone and consolidated financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2025.

Investor Relations

Choice International continues to maintain transparency with its investors. The company has made the audio recording of the earnings conference call available on its website, demonstrating its commitment to keeping shareholders informed about its financial performance and strategic initiatives.

The launch of this mutual fund product represents a significant step for Choice International as it expands its footprint in the financial services industry. Investors and market watchers will likely be keen to see how this new offering performs and how it fits into the company's broader growth strategy.

Choice International Limited , a leading financial services conglomerate, has reported strong financial results for the first quarter of fiscal year 2026, demonstrating significant growth across key metrics.

Financial Highlights

• Revenue rose 16% year-on-year to Rs. 238.00 crores
• Profit After Tax (PAT) surged 50% to Rs. 47.96 crores
• EBITDA increased by 49% to Rs. 86.80 crores
• EBITDA margin expanded by 820 basis points to 36.48%

Segment-wise Performance

The company witnessed growth across all its business segments:

Operational Metrics

Choice International showed strong momentum in key operational areas:

• Demat accounts grew 29% to 11.50 lakh
• Client assets under stock broking increased 16% to Rs. 47,800.00 crores
• Wealth products AUM jumped 443% to Rs. 4,769.00 crores
• Insurance segment generated Rs. 76.00 crores in premium (up 62%) with 39,182 policies sold (up 46%)

NBFC Segment

The NBFC segment maintained a stable performance:

• Total loan book stood at Rs. 745.00 crores
• Retail loans amounted to Rs. 596.00 crores
• Net NPAs were at 2.25%

Expansion and New Mandates

Choice International continued its growth trajectory:

• Expanded branch network to 208 locations
• Secured government advisory mandates worth Rs. 130.00 crores during the quarter

Management Commentary

Mr. Kamal Poddar, Managing Director of Choice International, commented on the results: "Choice has commenced FY26 on a strong footing, building upon the solid momentum of the previous year. This quarter witnessed encouraging progress across all business segments, driven by our focus on operational excellence and a customer-first approach."

He further added, "Notably, our branch footprint expanded to 208 locations from 149 a year ago, underscoring our commitment to strengthening our presence and enhancing accessibility across India. We also secured Government Advisory mandates worth ₹130 Cr during the quarter, reaffirming our position as a trusted partner in public sector transformation and strengthening our future pipeline."

Future Outlook

Looking ahead, the company sees strong potential in various areas:

• Corporate Insurance: Increased focus with a strengthened team across priority clusters
• Wealth Management: Strategic thrust on UHNI and corporate clients expected to drive steady onboarding
• Lending: Actively pursuing green finance opportunities, particularly rooftop solar funding, alongside MSME offerings

Corporate Governance

The board approved the re-appointment of two independent directors:

1. Mr. Subodh Kumar Agrawal for a second term of five consecutive years, effective from November 02, 2025
2. Mr. Sandeep Kumar Singh for a second term of five consecutive years, effective from February 12, 2026

These re-appointments are subject to shareholder approval at the upcoming Annual General Meeting scheduled for September 17, 2025.

With this strong start to the fiscal year, Choice International remains optimistic about FY26 and is committed to delivering consistent, long-term value for all its stakeholders.