Markets / The Economic Times
Vodafone Idea shares rose sharply on Friday amid reports the government is seeking a strategic investor to infuse $1 billion. The stock extended its three-day rally, even as relief on AGR dues and fresh fundraising options remain under consideration.
Indian benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty concluded Friday's trading session with minimal movement. Profit booking in consumer and IT sectors counteracted gains in the auto industry, which was boosted by proposed tax cuts under the GST 2.0 overhaul. The Sensex experienced a slight decrease, while the Nifty 50 saw a marginal increase.
Gautam Duggad notes that while government measures including rate cuts, tax relief, and GST rationalisation have boosted structural stimulus, markets have remained cautious. He expects earnings growth to revive in the second half of FY25, led by discretionary consumption and smaller sectors such as capital goods, cement, retail, healthcare, and metals.
GMDC is one of Indias leading mining and mineral processing companies with operations for more than five decades.
Shares of Netweb Technologies surged for a fifth straight session on Friday, climbing as much as 9.7% to Rs 2,908.20 on the BSE and extending their five-day rally to nearly 32%. The stock has been buoyed by optimism following the companys recent AGM, a Rs 1,734 crore sovereign AI order, sustained buying momentum, and bullish technical signals.
Jane Street posted Q2 2025 profits of $6.9 billion on revenues of $10.1 billion, fueled by Trumps tariff-driven market volatility, outpacing major US banks.
FMCG stocks including ITC and Varun Beverages fell up to 4% on Friday as investors booked profits, snapping a five-day rally driven by GST 2.0 reforms. The Nifty FMCG index slid 2%, with analysts saying the sell-off may be short-lived amid consumption growth hopes.
The recent GST rate cuts have sparked a rally across consumption-linked sectors, with NBFCs, metals, hospitality and cement stocks emerging as key talking points for investors.
He noted that the downside in equities is likely to remain limited, with sentiment gradually improving across sectors. The clear beneficiaries we saw in the initial round were consumer discretionary companies, FMCG, auto companies, and so on. My sense is we will continue to see more upside in the markets, and any decline in the near term would be a good opportunity to invest.
Further, European diesel spreads are firm on lower imports after the EU announced a ban on refined product imports made from Russian crude starting January 21, 2026. Gasoline margins are strong, with US gasoline inventories at a 5-year average. The report further stated, Reliance has the flexibility to produce diesel from Middle East crude for export to the EU.
The US-Japan auto tariff cut and potential easing of semiconductor duties signal shifting trade policy, but Jahangir Aziz warns deeper uncertainties loom with IEEPA under judicial review. He highlights risks for global trade, Indias cautious stance, and temporary boosts from GST reforms and consumption measures.
Nifty 50 showed mixed but positive activity this week, rebounding from 24,405 with support at 24,60024,650 and resistance near 25,150. Market remains range-bound, favoring a Short Strangle options strategy to benefit from consolidation and time decay.
Mahindra & Mahindra shares jumped up to 9% after GST 2.0 tax cuts, with brokerages calling it the biggest auto sector beneficiary. Lower rates on SUVs and tractors are expected to significantly boost its growth prospects.
Maruti Suzuki shares: ICICI Securities sees strong auto demand revival driven by GST cuts and new launches, reiterates BUY on Maruti Suzuki with a raised target of 17,000, implying 17% upside. The outlook is further supported by tax reliefs, rate cuts, and Pay Commission revisions.
As India celebrates Teachers Day, investors can draw lessons from global market icons. Warren Buffett champions low-cost index funds, Rakesh Jhunjhunwala stresses patience and calculated risk, Charlie Munger highlights the value of waiting and avoiding debt, Jim Rogers urges independent thinking, and Benjamin Graham emphasizes a margin of safety. Their timeless wisdom continues to guide long-term wealth creation.
Prime Focus shares jumped 10% after a significant block deal. Around 47.5 lakh shares changed hands. This follows news of Ranbir Kapoor's investment in Prime Focus Studio. The company approved issuing over 46 crore shares. Prime Focus, founded by Namit Malhotra, is known for visual effects. Its subsidiary, Double Negative, has won multiple Academy Awards.
In July, Japanese real wages rose 0.5% YoY, boosted by summer bonuses, while household spending grew modestly. Inflation and global risks keep the Bank of Japan cautious on rate hikes.
Shriram Finances Umesh Revankar said GST rate cuts will revive demand in autos and consumption, boost festive season purchases, spur credit growth, and benefit MSMEs and traders.
Moschip Technologies hit a 52-week high after a 42% weekly surge, driven by record trading volumes and optimism around Indias semiconductor push. With no institutional holdings, retail investors dominate ownership. Strong technical indicators show bullish momentum, though RSI suggests overbought levels. Government ISM 2.0 plans add further tailwinds.
The Indian rupee plummeted to a record low of 88.36 against the U.S. dollar due to concerns over potential U.S. tariffs on India. The Reserve Bank of India likely intervened to curb further losses as foreign portfolio investors continued to withdraw from Indian equities. MUFG forecasts the rupee could weaken further to 89 by early 2026 if tariffs persist.
RC Bhargava, Chairman of Maruti Suzuki, has lauded the government's corporate tax reforms. He believes this move will revitalize the auto sector. Bhargava expects the small car segment to grow significantly. He projects an annual growth rate of around 10% for small cars. The overall industry growth could reach 7% to 8%.
Ethereum falls over 3% in the past week, trading at $4,322, while Bitcoin steadies around $111K. Experts attribute the ETH decline to ETF outflows and weak September seasonality, while BTC momentum remains inconclusive until a daily close above $114K. Meanwhile, golds fresh record highs are drawing investor attention, highlighting a shift toward safe-haven assets amid ongoing market volatility.
Gold futures on MCX have risen significantly in September. This surge is fueled by hopes of a Federal Reserve rate cut and geopolitical tensions. Silver futures also saw gains. Experts suggest specific trading ranges for gold and silver, advising to buy on dips. Physical gold prices vary across major Indian cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Hyderabad.
Ajay Bagga sees the governments tax cuts and liquidity push as a structural stimulus that could drive consumption and support market recovery. While rural demand is strong, he believes urban demand during the upcoming festive season will determine the pace of economic revival.
Fratelli Vineyards shares: Investor Porinju V Veliyath bought 5 lakh shares worth 5.5 crore. The move coincides with the GST Councils shift to a simplified two-slab GST 2.0 structure, which hikes taxes on sin goods to 40%.
TVS Motor Company's shares have surged since their 2000 listing, delivering impressive returns. Recent GST cuts on two-wheelers and the launch of the NTORQ 150 hyper sport scooter are expected to further boost the company's growth. Despite being in overbought zone, brokerages remain positive, citing strong sales figures and potential benefits from the GST reduction.
Dreamfolks Services shares fell after Travel Food Services ended its lounge access contract, effective September 15, 2025, citing failed renegotiations over commercial terms.
Motilal Oswal projects stronger growth for food delivery and quick commerce, upgrading Swiggy to buy with a Rs 560 target and maintaining Eternal at Rs 420. Easing competition, GST reforms, and festive demand are expected to drive profitability, boosting investor confidence in the sector.
US President Donald Trump signed an order lowering tariffs on Japanese autos and goods, cutting car duties from 27.5% to 15% and securing a $550 billion Japanese investment pledge. The deal provides relief to Japans economy but poses political challenges at home.
India plans to diversify pharma exports beyond the U.S., targeting semi-regulated markets in Africa, Latin America, and Southeast Asia. Pharmexcil is boosting sales to China to help reduce the $99.2 billion trade deficit, while tariff uncertainty in the U.S. remains a key concern.
Indian government bonds saw a slight increase. This is due to reduced worries about fiscal issues after tax changes. Also, higher U.S. Treasury yields boosted market confidence. The benchmark 10-year bond yield moved to 6.4814%. Market anticipates potential measures from the Reserve Bank of India. U.S.
The article draws parallels between lessons taught by teachers and the role of insurance. It highlights values like preparedness, discipline, empathy, sharing, and resilience, showing how both education and insurance focus on protection, responsibility, and support in times of need. Teachers and insurance alike shape stronger, secure futures.
PB Fintech's CEO, Yashish Dahiya, hails the GST exemption on individual life and health insurance as a landmark reform, emphasizing its potential to boost awareness and adoption. He believes the government's move sends a strong signal about the importance of these essential products for families.
Oravel Stays Ltd (Oyo), gearing up for its IPO, has revealed that its board will deliberate on issuing bonus shares at a ratio of 1:1. This announcement comes as the company's unlisted shares have experienced a significant surge of 25% over the last month. Shareholders recorded by September 30, 2025, will qualify for these bonus shares.
GST cuts on margarine, soya nuggets, jams, and jellies are set to boost Indias processed food sector, says Adani Wilmar CEO Angshu Mallick. The reduced rates make plant protein and margarine more affordable, benefiting consumers, farmers, and bakeries, while rural demand is expected to strengthen, driving sector growth.
Indias real estate sector is set for a festive boost as GST cuts on cement, marble, granite, and other key inputs lower construction costs and improve affordability. Developers and experts say the reforms, coupled with stable interest rates and festive demand, will strengthen housing sales across metros and tier-2 cities.
Adani Power received shareholder approval for a 1:5 stock split, as announced in a postal ballot on August 1, 2025. This decision, aimed at enhancing retail investor participation, will subdivide each Rs 10 share into five shares of Rs 2 each. Post-split, the number of equity shares will increase significantly, while the company's capital structure remains unchanged.
Biocon shares: The inspection, carried out from August 26 to September 3, 2025, spanned multiple operational areas such as drug substance manufacturing, analytical quality control labs, microbiology facilities, and warehouses.
TVS Motor shares have risen 3% in 2025 but remain 2% lower over the past year. Technically, the stock trades above all key simple moving averages, indicating bullish momentum. However, with the RSI at 80.9, overbought conditions point to a possible near-term pullback. The MACD at 127.7, above center and signal lines, reinforces strong upward momentum.
Analysts are highly optimistic about specific large-cap stocks in India's banking, cement, auto, and FMCG sectors. HDFC Bank and ICICI Bank lead with 29 'Strong Buy' ratings each, reflecting strong confidence. UltraTech Cement, Mahindra & Mahindra, and ITC also garner significant 'Buy' recommendations, driven by robust performance and growth prospects.
Despite a lackluster year for Indian equity markets in 2025, with the Nifty barely budging, several companies defied the trend, delivering exceptional returns. Elitecon International and RRP Semiconductor led the pack with staggering gains, fueled by sector-specific tailwinds and government initiatives. While global trade tensions loomed, strategic stock picking proved rewarding for investors who identified these hidden gems.
Indian stock markets continued their upward trend. Sensex and Nifty rose for the third consecutive day. This surge was fueled by optimism surrounding proposed tax changes under GST 2.0. Reliance Industries and HDFC Bank were key drivers of this growth. The BSE Sensex opened higher. The NSE Nifty also saw gains, sustaining the positive momentum throughout the week.
Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) have aggressively sold off Indian financial and IT stocks, withdrawing over Rs 60,000 crore in two months due to concerns about earnings recovery and global economic headwinds. This selloff extends beyond these sectors, impacting oil and gas, power, and consumer goods. Despite this, some experts remain optimistic about India's long-term growth potential.
Zydus Lifesciences signed an exclusive licensing and supply deal with Netherlands-based Synthon BV to commercialize generic Ozanimod Capsules (ZEPOSIA) in the U.S., used for multiple sclerosis treatment. Synthon, one of the first filers, has FDA tentative approval, qualifying for a 180-day exclusivity period. Zydus will handle commercialization while Synthon oversees manufacturing and supply.
NTPC shares are set to be in focus after the state-run power producer announced the permanent closure of its Tanda Thermal Power Station, Stage I, effective September 1. The facility comprised four units of 110 MW each. The shutdown, approved by the competent authority and communicated to the CEA, aligns with NTPCs ongoing portfolio optimisation strategy.
HDFC Life shares: The insurer announced adoption of the revised GST structure on all insurance products from September 22, 2025. The company said the GST cut will make policies more affordable, boost demand, and aid long-term growth
Kaustubh Belapurkar cautions investors against solely relying on past performance when selecting mutual funds, highlighting that chasing top-performing funds often leads to disappointment due to poor performance persistence. He emphasizes the significance of evaluating risk-adjusted rolling returns, SIP returns, the strength of the investment team, and the consistency of the investment process for sustained success.