The Economic Times

Indias IPO pipeline gained momentum as Sebi approved 12 offerings across sectors. Sify Infinit Spaces Rs 3,700 crore issue, Indias first pure-play data centre IPO, leads the list, highlighting rising investor appetite for digital infrastructure and diversified growth stories.

UltraTech Cement is expected to post a steady Q3FY26 performance driven by strong volume growth, healthy revenue expansion and improved profitability. Brokerages estimate a QoQ PAT rise of up to 25% and revenue growth of up to 11%, supported by better demand, higher capacity utilisation and easing cost pressures.

Adani Green, Ixigo, Paytm and other major stocks saw sharp moves on Friday as markets slipped amid broad-based selling.

Indian government bonds fell on Friday, ending a three-day winning streak, as traders feared the market may struggle to absorb fresh state debt supply next week.

Seven BSE 200 stocks, including Hindustan Zinc and Vedanta, hit fresh 52-week highs on Friday despite a market slump, extending their strong 1-month rallies of up to 17%.

Urban Company slipped to a Rs 21 crore Q3 loss as heavy investment in InstaHelp hurt earnings, despite 33% revenue growth. Core businesses stayed profitable, margins improved, and management expects continued growth while near-term losses persist from expanding housekeeping services.

Hindustan Zincs market value crossed Rs 3 lakh crore after a threefold surge in silver prices propelled the stock to the top of Indias metals sector. Shares jumped over 6% on Friday, with the company overtaking peers including parent Vedanta. Strong fundamentals and rising silver prices have prompted multiple broker upgrades.

Adani Power raised Rs 7,500 crore through NCDs from major domestic institutions to refinance debt and fund operations. The fundraising comes amid sharp selling in Adani stocks, even as investors cite strong fundamentals, expansion plans, and a relatively conservative balance sheet.

IndusInd Bank Q3 Results: IndusInd Bank's net profit saw a significant drop of 88.5% year-on-year for the December quarter. Despite this, the profit was in line with market expectations. Net interest income decreased, but net interest margins improved. The bank's balance sheet size and advances also saw a decline. Non-performing assets increased, while the provision coverage ratio improved. Capital adequacy ratios remained strong.

JSW Steel Q3 Results: JSW Steel announced a significant 198% year-on-year surge in its consolidated net profit for the December quarter, reaching Rs 2,139 crore. This impressive growth was accompanied by an 11% year-on-year increase in its Q3FY26 revenue, which stood at Rs 45,991 crore.

India Cements posted a smaller third-quarter loss on Friday compared to a year earlier, helped by a 25% jump in sales volumes as parent UltraTech Cement ramps up capacity to meet an uptick in demand.

Cipla shares dropped 5% after reporting a 57% year-on-year decline in net profit to Rs 676 crore, impacted by a fall in gRevlimid sales. Revenue remained flat at Rs 7,074 crore, with EBITDA also declining. The company plans upcoming launches to offset revenue decline and drive future growth.

Strong December quarter results highlight a powerful smallcap rally, with many firms posting over 25% profit growth. Several stocks delivered 50150% returns, including multibaggers, underscoring how earnings momentum, scale, and execution are translating into sustained shareholder wealth creation.

JM Financials Venkatesh Balasubramaniam says Indian equity valuations remain stretched despite recent correction, with real opportunities emerging gradually in smallcaps and microcaps. He advises staggered investing over 612 months, expects limited upside from largecaps in 2026, sees Budget as non-market-moving, and prefers consumer, auto, NBFC, hotel and real estate stocks while staying cautious on banks, IT, utilities and pharma.

Adani Green Q3 Results: Adani Green reported a net loss of Rs 41 crore in the December quarter, a shift from last year's profit. Despite this, total income climbed 8% year-on-year to Rs 2,837 crore. The company's power supply segment saw robust growth, with revenue up 21% and EBITDA by 23%, fueled by significant greenfield capacity additions and new project commissioning.

The selloff follows management commentary on resilient operating performance during December, a month marked by industry-wide disruptions after large-scale IndiGo flight cancellations and rescheduling across the country.

Shares of Anil Agarwal-led Vedanta Ltd rallied as much as 3% to their fresh 52-week high of Rs 699 on the BSE on Friday after copper prices bounced back to inch closer to its fresh high of $13,407 on the London Metal Exchange. Zinc prices also edged higher by about a percent.

Shriram Finance Q3 results: Shriram Finance reported a 29% YoY fall in its December quarter standalone net profit at Rs 2,522 crore compared to Rs 3,570 crore reported in the year ago period.

The Indian rupee plunged to a fresh all-time low on Friday, as dollar demand from corporates and importers outweighed early moves and compounded existing pressure on the currency.

Indian equities experienced a sharp decline on Friday, with the Sensex and Nifty erasing early gains due to persistent foreign institutional investor (FII) selling. FIIs offloaded equities worth Rs 2,550 crore on Thursday, marking the 13th consecutive session of net selling in January, significantly impacting market sentiment and capitalization.

Cipla Q3 Results: Cipla reported a 57% YoY drop in net profit to Rs 676 crore, impacted by lower gRevlimid sales in North America. Despite this, the company's One India business saw double-digit growth in branded prescriptions, and upcoming launches are expected to offset future revenue declines.

Adani Group stocks tumbled up to 10% after the US SEC sought court permission to email summons to Gautam Adani and Sagar Adani regarding an alleged $265 million bribery scheme. India had previously rejected official requests for service, citing procedural grounds. The SEC is pursuing the case, which involves allegations of bribing Indian officials and misleading US investors.

India's market regulator has accused top executives from PwC and EY, along with global private equity firms Carlyle and Advent, of insider trading. The allegations stem from a 2022 Yes Bank share sale. SEBI claims these individuals shared confidential information, leading to unlawful gains. This action highlights a crackdown on market manipulation and insider trading in India.

Market expert Sandip Sabharwal suggests real estate stock pessimism may be misplaced due to accounting practices, highlighting DLF, Godrej Properties, and Prestige as selective buying opportunities. He also sees potential in large banks and select NBFCs, with midcaps and smallcaps offering the best risk-reward over two years.

Eternal shares have fallen, erasing nearly $2 billion in market value, despite brokerages raising target prices, creating uncertainty for investors. The decline comes even as Blinkit turned EBITDA-positive amid intense competition, and a leadership change with CEO Deepinder Goyal stepping down may have added to market jitters.

Paytm's stock experienced a significant drop due to market worries about the Payment Infrastructure Development Fund. This scheme's potential discontinuation could impact digital payment providers. However, a brokerage firm has initiated coverage with a positive outlook, forecasting substantial growth. Meanwhile, domestic mutual funds have reduced their holdings in Paytm for the first time since its debut.

The rally has spilled into Indian markets, where silver-linked exchange-traded funds have posted outsized gains. Tata Silver ETF jumped 17%, while Nippon India Silver ETF, DSP Silver ETF, and ICICI Prudential Silver ETF rallied about 1011%. MCX Silver March futures were trading around 2.2% higher at roughly Rs 334,600 per kg.

Market expert Sandip Sabharwal highlights opportunities in strong large-cap stocks amidst volatility. He sees potential in InterGlobe Aviation due to its financial strength and market dominance. The IT sector offers moderate returns with improving order signings. Sabharwal advises extreme caution on financial stocks, especially after the IIFL episode.

IndiGrid Infrastructure Trust successfully raised Rs 1,500 crore via an oversubscribed institutional placement, attracting significant participation from insurance and mutual funds. This capital infusion, alongside a prior preferential issue, brings their total FY26 equity fundraising to Rs 1,938 crore. The move bolsters their balance sheet, enabling disciplined growth and enhancing unitholder value.

ideaForge Technology's shares dropped 5% after reporting a widened net loss of Rs 33.85 crore in the December quarter, despite a 79% revenue jump. Elevated material costs significantly compressed gross margins to 23.7%. The company, however, sees a strong order book and anticipates improving margins and profitability in the upcoming quarter.

India's insurance sector is set for a major transformation. New reforms are expected to bring global standards and boost insurance coverage across the nation. This move aims to address the current low penetration levels and offer better products to the public. The changes are designed to improve pricing and accessibility, paving the way for sustainable growth in the insurance industry.

Veteran investors Ashish Kacholia, Mukul Agrawal, Vijay Kedia and Dolly Khanna remained active in Q3 FY26, selectively adding new stocks, raising stakes and trimming exposure amid a sharp selloff in smallcap equities.

Silvers sharp rally has boosted Indian silver ETFs, led by a 17% jump in Tata Silver ETF, as global prices near the key $100 level. Gold and silver hit record highs amid geopolitical tensions, a weaker dollar and expectations of Fed rate cuts.

Tanla Platforms shares surged 11.87% to Rs 501.85 after reporting double-digit revenue and profit growth for Q3 FY26. Net sales rose 12% YoY to Rs 1,121 crore, with net profit up 11% to Rs 131 crore. The company's CEO hailed the quarter as a milestone, with strong performance across all key metrics.

President Trumps mortgage bond plan is offering only marginal relief, with Reuters noting limited impact on mortgage rates and persistent affordability pressures. Analysts say structural supply shortagesnot financingare the main constraint on the U.S. housing market. Meanwhile, rising Treasury yields and geopolitical risks threaten to push borrowing costs higher.

Bitcoin is trading in a narrow range near $89,800 as investors await fresh triggers. Analysts cite weak liquidity, ETF outflows and macro uncertainty, though price stability near $90,000 suggests underlying conviction remains intact despite broader market caution.

Indian equity markets show resilience despite recent incremental weakness, with the broader outlook dependent on earnings visibility and global developments. While current earnings are mixed, a rebound is anticipated later in the year, driven by inventory rationalization and stronger growth expectations. Global events, particularly US trade policy, remain a key overhang, though potential trade deals could boost sentiment.

Central bank independence is crucial for economic stability, as it helps control inflation and maintain confidence. Research shows that political interference in monetary policy often leads to higher inflation, currency weakness and slower growth.

Mark Mobius says Indias recent market correction is driven by FII outflows, weak rupee, higher oil prices and global uncertainty, not a broken growth story. He expects earnings-led FII return, reforms and infrastructure push in the Budget, stays bullish on India over China long term, and recommends equities alongside gold and silver for diversification.

US Federal Reserve officials are pausing interest rate cuts. Policymakers are divided on future action. Some fear inflation will rise again. Others worry the job market will weaken without more cuts. The Fed is balancing inflation control with economic growth. Future decisions will depend on incoming economic data.

Hindustan Zinc shares surged to a new 52-week high. This rally is fueled by record silver prices and strong analyst upgrades. HSBC and IIFL Capital have recommended buying the stock, citing its robust financial performance and positive outlook. The company reported its highest-ever quarterly revenue and profit in Q3FY26. Future capex plans indicate a focus on growth and expansion.

Aditya Birla Sun Life AMC shares rose sharply on Friday after a strong Q3 FY26 performance and fresh upgrades from Citi and Nuvama. The AMC posted a 20% YoY rise in net profit and steady revenue growth, prompting brokerages to highlight improving scheme performance and potential market-share recovery despite ongoing operational challenges.

Budget 2026 approaches with discussions on reducing capital gains tax for equities. While some believe it could boost investor sentiment after a year of muted returns and foreign investor selling, market experts suggest it may only offer marginal help. Global factors and corporate earnings growth are seen as more significant drivers for a sustained stock market rally.

Indias housing cycle weakened in CY25 as affordability pressures and a shift toward luxury homes hit demand. Nuvama reports the sharpest quarterly sales drop since CY21, with volumes declining across major cities. Stable inventory kept prices firm, prompting caution on realty stocks and favouring annuity-led players like Prestige Estates.

For Mumbai and others, the lessons come after the US froze Russias foreign exchange reserves following its February 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Indias continued buying of Russian oil since became a point of contention with US President Donald Trump, contributing to high tariffs on the Asian nation.

Indian equities opened marginally higher on Friday, extending a modest recovery after a three-session decline. Gains in Asian markets and easing geopolitical tensions provided some support, but persistent foreign fund outflows and mixed corporate results maintained investor caution.

As the Union Budget FY27 nears, financial experts anticipate a careful balance between fiscal discipline and economic growth. Key expectations include sustained capital expenditure, particularly in infrastructure and defence, alongside conservative tax policies. Investors will closely watch measures aimed at boosting consumption, manufacturing, and exports, while the fiscal deficit remains a critical market indicator.

Foreign investors are significantly increasing their stakes in Indian public sector banks, drawn by a remarkable rally and improving financial health. These banks are now outperforming private lenders in loan growth, signaling a strong turnaround. Despite recent gains, analysts believe many PSU banks still offer attractive valuations, making them a compelling investment opportunity.