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Elections 2025Markets / The Economic Times
Sensex and Nifty hit record highs, but nearly half of Nifty50 stocks remain below all-time peaks, highlighting a narrow rally led by a few largecaps. Retail investors are exiting secondary markets for IPOs, while analysts advise caution, selective buying, and tight risk management amid high valuations and market concentration.
The Nifty50 index reached a record high of 26,310.45. Strong buying in financial, IT, infrastructure, and consumption stocks fueled the rally. Domestic institutional flows and sector-specific momentum supported the gains. Bajaj Finance and Larsen & Toubro were among the top performers. Despite some declines, the overall market sentiment remained positive.
Gujarat Mineral Development Corporation (GMDC) shares surged 7% for a third consecutive day following a Rs 7,280-crore government incentive scheme to boost domestic production of critical minerals. This initiative aims to reduce reliance on China and create significant production capacity for rare earth magnets, benefiting companies like GMDC.
Natco Pharma shares fell as investors booked profits after a sharp rally in the previous session. The stock has been volatile this week, slipping earlier after the US FDA issued seven Form-483 observations at its Manali API plant, which the company said were manageable.
Seasoned voices like Dinshaw Irani expressed unwavering confidence in the market's trajectory, anticipating new highs this year. He dismissed valuation concerns, highlighting strong earnings growth across market caps as the primary driver. Irani is particularly excited about smallcaps, seeing significant potential for growth once foreign investors rejoin the rally.
IREDA shares have witnessed volaityly in the recent past, surging 632% in 13 months before tumbling 42% in just 50 sessions. Despite strong Q2FY26 earnings and long-term growth potential, analysts warn of ongoing bearish momentum, margin pressures, and sectoral headwinds. Investors are advised to hold near support levels of Rs 137140.
Indian regulators are considering easing strict rules on currency derivatives after a significant market shift offshore. The Reserve Bank of India's 2024 enforcement of requiring underlying exposures for derivative positions led to a sharp decline in domestic trading, while overseas markets saw a surge. Discussions are underway to potentially revive the market for individual traders with new safeguards.
Vodafone Idea Telecom Infrastructure is reducing its bond sale to 32 billion rupees. The company seeks cheaper funding from lenders. It plans to raise debt through two-year and three-year bonds. The funds will support expansion. The company expects to secure cheaper bank funding in 2026. This follows a Supreme Court order on adjusted gross revenue dues.
Indian markets have hit a new record high. Investors are now looking ahead to future opportunities. Earnings strength and visibility are key factors for investment decisions. A turnaround in earnings is expected from early 2026. This will be supported by government priorities and potential RBI rate cuts. Select sectors show earnings improvement. Large banks are catching up.
Japan plans to boost short- and medium-term bond issuance to fund a massive 21.3 trillion yen stimulus package. This move comes amid concerns over rising super-long yields and potential risks to the nation's A sovereign debt rating, as highlighted by Fitch Ratings. The government will increase scheduled JGB sales, focusing on two- and five-year maturities.
Japanese government bond yields dropped on Thursday. This followed less hawkish comments from a Bank of Japan board member. Demand for super-long bonds also increased due to regular index reshuffling. The five-year yield saw a notable fall. The two-year yield remained steady. The 10-year yield also declined. Super-long bond yields experienced a decrease.
Indian government bonds traded within a narrow range as traders awaited crucial GDP data, which could influence future interest rate cut expectations. The benchmark 10-year yield hovered near recent lows, with market participants divided on the extent of further monetary easing by the Reserve Bank of India.
Kotak Institutional Equities has initiated coverage of Urban Company with a sell rating and a target price of Rs 120, weeks after its strong market debut. The stock, which opened at Rs 162.25, has slipped to Rs 138.20 as of November 26, down 15% from its IPO price, reflecting concerns over growth costs despite a strong expansion story.
CarTrade Tech shares fell 5% after the company and Girnar Software mutually agreed not to proceed with the proposed acquisition of CarDekho and BikeDekho, a deal that could have reshaped Indias automotive classifieds and digital auto-retail market.
Domestic brokerage Prabhudas Lilladher has increased its Nifty target to 29,094. The firm sees growth in financials, consumer, defence, and ports. Eleven preferred large-cap stocks are recommended for investors. These picks include Adani Ports, SBI, ITC, and L&T, among others, with potential for significant upside.
Bitcoin reclaimed the $91,000 mark, driven by renewed buying interest, improved sentiment and large overnight BTC withdrawals hinting at institutional activity. Ethereum also climbed above $3,000, while major altcoins rallied. Analysts say a strong close above $92,500 could open the path toward $95,000.
MCXs surge past Rs 10,000 milestone, has turned Uday Kotaks 2014 crisis-time investment into a massive 1,618% gain, with Kotak Mahindra Banks 15% stake now valued at 7,887 crore. The rally follows strong earnings, rising 29% YoY, and has pushed the stock well above key moving averages despite elevated volatility.
Indias push to develop rare earth processing could sharply reduce dependence on China and strengthen supply chains for autos, EVs and aerospace. Marketsmith Indias Mayuresh Joshi says the approval will unlock investments, build domestic capability and benefit manufacturers over the long term. While not a quick fix, the move positions India for strategic, tech-driven industrial growth.
US markets may seem calm but economist Andrew Freris sees underlying weakness. Consumer confidence has dropped significantly. Inflation remains high. Freris believes any Fed rate cut would signal economic trouble, not progress. He strongly advises against investing in US stocks. Instead, he suggests focusing on Asia and the European Union for better returns.
Ashok Leyland shares surged to a 52-week high following its subsidiary Hinduja Leyland Finance's approval to merge with NDL Ventures. This strategic absorption, effective April 2026 pending approvals, involves a 25:10 share exchange ratio. The move is part of a broader realignment of Ashok Leyland's key subsidiaries.
Trent, a top Tata Group retailer, faces a tough year. Its stock is down 40% in 2025. Growth is slowing, and expansion worries investors. Analysts are cautious. However, long-term prospects remain, with strong brands and investments in technology. The company is navigating a challenging phase.
Luxury housing prices in Indias top seven cities have surged 40% since 2022, far outpacing affordable homes, which rose just 26%, ANAROCK data shows. NCR led with a 72% jump, highlighting strong demand driven by rising incomes, lifestyle upgrades and confidence in branded developers.
Stock Market all time high: Indian markets hit new milestones on Thursday, with the Sensex crossing 86,000 for the first time and the Nifty50 breaking past previous records from September 2024. The rally is fueled by expectations of coordinated rate cuts by the U.S. Fed and RBI next month, which could boost liquidity.
Patel Engineering's stock soared after securing two significant Letters of Intent worth Rs 798.19 crore for coal excavation and transportation projects in Chhattisgarh. Awarded by South Eastern Coalfields Limited, these nine-year contracts involve extensive overburden removal, coal handling, and logistics. This win further solidifies the company's position in crucial infrastructure development for public sector undertakings.
India's smallcap market is experiencing a severe downturn, with over 1,000 stocks falling at least 20% from their peaks. This broad-based correction, driven by significant earnings misses and a valuation reset, has seen many companies collapse by over 50%. Analysts suggest the worst of the froth may be gone, but future recovery hinges on consistent earnings growth.
Mixed signals from the Federal Reserve have driven U.S. rate-cut uncertainty, boosting volatility and hedging activity. Investors are increasingly using swaptions and SOFR-linked derivatives to manage risk, with surge in open interest and short-term implied volatility. Market positioning remains mixed ahead of the December Fed meeting, reflecting a divided central bank.
India is reducing its dependence on Chinese rare earth imports. This initiative aims to boost domestic production of these critical materials. Companies like Hindustan Zinc and GMDC are exploring rare earth projects. Government support is expected to expedite these ventures. Bridging the technological and scale gap with China will require time. This move could bolster India's long-term production capabilities.
Reliance Infrastructure surged 5% to hit the upper circuit for the second consecutive session, extending its rebound after a sharp six-day decline. Despite the recovery, the stock remains under pressuredown 27% in a month and nearly 60% from its 52-week highwhile technical indicators continue to signal broader weakness.
As the Nifty reaches an all-time high, market experts remain cautiously optimistic about a record-breaking week. Independent Analyst Anand Tandon discussed earnings trends, noting current growth is partly seasonal and inventory-driven, with uncertainty about a sustained revival.
Gold and silver prices opened lower due to profit booking and market volatility, even as expectations of December Fed rate cuts and a weaker dollar provided support. Gold February futures on MCX fell 0.41% to 1,27,248 per 10 grams, while silver March futures dropped 0.36% to 1,64,349 per kg.
Indias next market upcycle may be led by financials as net interest margins stabilise and asset-quality worries fade, says Sundaram Mutuals Rohit Seksaria. With GST and income tax cuts boosting consumption and RBI rate cuts improving liquidity, earnings momentum is set to strengthen. However, infra, capital goods and global cyclicals may underperform amid slowing government capex and global headwinds.
Sterling and Wilson Renewable Energy shares saw a significant jump on Thursday. The company announced it secured a major international project in South Africa. This new contract is for a 240 MW AC Solar PV project valued at approximately $147 million. This win strengthens the company's position in the growing South African solar market.
Indian equities reached new heights on Thursday, with the Nifty 50 hitting an all-time peak. This surge was driven by optimism surrounding potential interest rate cuts in both the U.S. and domestically next month, which ignited fresh buying interest in the market.
PL Capital has identified seven small and midcap stocks with significant growth potential. These picks, including Ajanta Pharma and DOMS Industries, are expected to deliver returns of up to 69%. The optimistic market outlook, driven by strong corporate performance and economic tailwinds, supports these investment recommendations. Investors can explore these opportunities for potential gains in the coming period.
The IMF has reclassified Indias exchange-rate regime from stabilized to a crawl-like arrangement as the rupee exhibits greater flexibility. The change reflects the currencys more independent movement and Indias readiness to allow gradual adjustments. A crawling peg involves small, steady shifts to account for inflation differences with trading partners, replacing the narrow-range approach last updated in 2023.
India's retail investors are exiting the secondary market, offloading Rs 4,729 crore in FY26, their worst selling streak since FY19. This exodus is fueled by a Rs 30,000 crore surge into the booming IPO market, where investors chase listing gains despite rich valuations and a rising share of Offer for Sale transactions.
Wipro shares may be in focus after the company announced a strategic collaboration with IISc and FSID to advance frontier technologies, including quantum computing, agentic AI, and secure digital infrastructure. The partnership aims to develop autonomous digital systems, sector-specific applications, and industry-ready solutions through joint research and innovation programmes.
Eternal, the parent of Blinkit, has infused Rs 600 crore into the quick commerce platform, taking its total 2025 investment to Rs 2,600 crore. The funds support Blinkits aggressive expansion of dark stores and rising operational needs, even as the company continues to post losses despite efficiency gains and strong growth ambitions.
A 5-year swing high represents the highest price a stock has reached within a five-year period. This level often acts as a significant resistance point where prices have historically struggled to move higher.
On November 26, four Nifty500 stocks closed more than 1.5% above their VWAP levels, indicating steady intraday accumulation and strengthening sentiment. A finish above VWAP generally suggests the stock traded at comparatively lower levels earlier in the session but closed with firm upward momentum.
Studds Accessories will be in focus on Thursday after reporting strong Q2FY26 earnings. The newly listed helmet maker posted an 18% YoY rise in net profit to Rs 20.6 crore, while revenue grew over 6% to Rs 154 crore. The performance underscores steady demand and operational strength in its first results post listing.
Paytms parent, One 97 Communications, is set to stay in focus after its subsidiary Paytm Payments Services received RBI authorisation to operate as a Payment Aggregator. The licence, effective from 26 November, is expected to support segment growth, which will be reflected in the companys consolidated financial performance.
ICRA expects India Inc to post 810% revenue growth in Q3 FY26, driven by festive demand, GST rate cuts, easing inflation, and recent interest rate reductions. While rural demand stays resilient, urban consumption is set to rebound. However, high U.S. tariffs, geopolitical tensions, and delayed private capex remain key risks. Select sectors like semiconductors, EVs, and data centres continue to attract investment.
JPMorgan has raised its base-case target for the Nifty50 to 30,000 by end-2026, signalling strong bullishness on Indian equities. The firm cites supportive macro conditions, aligned fiscal and monetary policies, resilient domestic flows, and solid fundamentals as key drivers. It also reiterates its preference for domestic-facing sectors, viewing Indias premium valuations as sustainable.
Axis Mutual Fund's Jayesh Sundar outlines a calibrated contrarian roadmap for 2026, identifying IT, FMCG, and select export plays as key opportunities. He emphasizes a comprehensive asset allocation framework, factoring in macro and micro variables, and sees potential upside as earnings visibility strengthens and global conditions stabilize.
Emami shares may react after Goldman Sachs boosted its target price. The brokerage sees strong growth ahead, expecting a recovery over the next four quarters. New brands are projected to scale up significantly. Despite a recent revenue dip, the company is focused on premiumisation and innovation to meet consumer needs.
Havells India has approved the acquisition of a 26% stake in Kundan Solar (Pali) Pvt Ltd, a special purpose vehicle developing a 15 MWac solar power plant, as part of its strategy to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and lower power costs in Rajasthan. The Rs 5.63 crore investment, to be completed by June 30, 2026, will support a long-term power purchase agreement of up to 25 years, with the company expecting savings in power costs and a payback within 1218 months from commissioning.
Represented by a long white (or green) candlestick with no upper shadow and a small or nonexistent lower shadow, it signals strong buying pressure throughout the session.
On November 26, seven Nifty50 stocks appeared in the RSI Trending Up scan based on data from stockedge.com.

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