Icra arm

Calcutta, May 8: Calcutta-based Icra Techno Analytics Limited, the software solutions company promoted by rating major Icra Limited, will pick up a majority stake in BPA Technologies. BPA is a California-based global business consulting and software technology services firm with development centres in Chennai and Visakhapatnam.

Iran trade

New Delhi, May 8: India plans to strengthen its economic ties with Iran with a bilateral trade pact despite pressure from the US. “The government has commissioned a study for a preferential trading arrangement with Iran,” Arvind Mehta, joint secretary in the commerce ministry, said today.

Hindalco net

Mumbai, May 8: The Aditya Birla group’s flagship firm, Hindalco, today reported a 9.6 per cent dip in standalone net profit for the fourth quarter ended March 31 at Rs 640 crore against Rs 708 crore in the year-ago period and said margins were likely to remain subdued going forward.