Brokers in Mumbai are increasing trading costs ahead of the election results to mitigate risks. Measures include raising margins and seeking more collateral. The BSE advised caution in placing orders, with HDFC Securities and ICICI Securities implementing changes in margin requirements.

Equity markets faced pressure last week due to election uncertainties and FII selling. Analysts predict a positive market reaction on Monday post BJP win in exit polls.

Foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) hold record bearish positions in index futures - mainly the Nifty - pegged at $2.8 billion, or ₹23,400 crore, in terms of contract value, according to Nuvama Research data.

Shares of FMCG major Emami hit a high of Rs 588 on January 1, 2024, but failed to hold the momentum on daily charts. The scrip witnessed a steep fall toward 400 levels and quickly bounced back. Short-term traders can look to buy the stock now for a target of Rs 725 over the next 1-2 months, advise experts.

Unilever Plc’s Indian unit reported a 5.5% drop in net income for the first quarter, missing analyst estimates. Behind the decline was sluggish rural demand combined with high net-worth urban consumers pivoting to other brands. Similar trends can be seen elsewhere, with Chilean retailer Cencosud SA, restaurant chain operator Yum China Holdings Inc. and Swiss-South African jeweler Compagnie Financiere Richemont SA all delivering weaker-than-expected results.

"Fundamentally, India is witnessing its own mini-Goldilocks moment with excellent macros, solid corporate earnings (Nifty ended FY24 with 25% earnings growth and FY25/26 earnings are likely to post 14-15% CAGR), focus on manufacturing, capex and infrastructure creation, and valuations at 20x one-year forward earnings," Motilal Oswal said.

Nifty formed a long-legged Doji candle on the daily charts to breach a 5-day losing streak as it ended 42 points higher at 22,531. The 50-DMA is placed at around the 22,400 level, and a slip below this level could shift the test to the 22,300-22,260 zone.

Indian shares swung between gains and losses on Friday to close slightly higher but recorded their first weekly decline in three. The S&P BSE Sensex closed 0.1% higher at 73,961, while the NSE Nifty50 index ended above the 22,500 level. "The Nifty remained volatile within a narrow range during the day as investors awaited the election results. The highest call writing is visible at 23,000, while there is significant put writing at 22500, indicating that the Nifty might oscillate between 22500 and 23000 in the next few days. However, a fall below 22,500 might trigger a correction towards 22,000," said Rupak De of LKP Securities.Here are 5 stock recommendations for Monday:

The Indian rupee tends to weaken during such times due to increased risk aversion and capital outflows. A weaker rupee makes gold and silver more expensive in the domestic market, potentially leading to profit booking and increased liquidity among investors.

Global brokerage firm Bernstein has predicted that if BJP alone wins over 290 seats, a heavy focus on manufacturing will continue with money being diverted from subsidies towards more incentives for manufacturing firms.

The combined market valuation of eight of the top-10 most valued firms declined by Rs 2,08,207.93 crore last week, with bellwether Reliance Industries, TCS and Infosys taking the biggest hit. While these three firms along with ITC, Life Insurance Corporation (LIC), Hindustan Unilever Ltd, Bharti Airtel and ICICI Bank were the laggards, HDFC Bank and State Bank of India (SBI) emerged as gainers.

Right from perennial under-performers like oil marketing and refining companies to PSU banks. Literally every stock which has the tag of “PSU” stock has seen a re-rating in the last two years. Now that the exit polls are predicting what the street has been looking for, that is continuity in the policy making framework, there is a high probability that there will be another round of re-rating of PSU stocks. So, continued policy and continued re-rating. Like the earlier re-rating, this time also, some sectors and stocks in the PSU space will outperform others. A company which is going to be providing finance for the expansion of the solar energy network which is the next focus area of the government. The overall demand runway for some of the sectors is longer. This essentially means that while every PSU is likely to see a push, there are a select few which are likely to see more tailwinds of business growth and valuation expansion.

The summer heat leads to high power consumption is a well known fact. What has been the difference in the headlines this year and last two or three years? The news about massive power cuts and the possibility of power plants running out of coal is missing. The news which is dominating is that power demand is high and is being met. This change is the result of many things, right from optimism at one point of time to absolute despair at another. Finally policy push and discipline and integrated approach toward solving the issue of the sector, whether it for thermal, solar, wind or hydro. This led to a certain level of re-rating in Modi 2.0 which is likely to get pace in Modi 3.0. One thing which goes unnoticed is the fact that the power sector moving out of the trouble not only means good news for power companies but also the banks, because after metal, power companies topped the list of NPA of the banks.

Stocks in the utility space are no longer the sedate ones that are reserved for defensive investors seeking steady returns. They have now caught the fancy of momentum investors and traders. With the successful spinning of the AI story to the power and industrial stocks, they have become the most trending ones that are vying for the top spot, albeit behind tech stocks.

Jindal Steel is trading above its all-time high level of August 25, 2010. Last week, the stock formed a Dark Cloud Cover candlestick pattern, indicating a short-term reversal. The low volume during the sell days suggests a retracement in the security.

GDP growth numbers released on Friday painted a very optimistic picture. Q4FY24 GDP growth came in at 7.8 per cent surpassing the 6.7 per cent expectation, while the full-year FY24 growth stood at 8.2 per cent

We also have a whole list, but we have separated the eight companies, just because these companies are not the names which one would instinctively think about and probably they may have more to go as they form this index.

While the final results might differ from the exit polls, the strength of the projected victory is expected to benefit risk assets. Should the June 4 results align with the exit polls, analysts expect the NSE Nifty 50 Index to reach a new record

GDP growth numbers released on Friday painted a very optimistic picture. Q4FY24 GDP growth came in at 7.8 per cent surpassing the 6.7 per cent expectation, while the full-year FY24 growth stood at 8.2 per cent

Excerpts from its annual report for 2017-18. ELECTRIC VEHICLES – THE NEW MARKET DISRUPTOR “We are anticipating the next market disruption through electric vehicles. We are closely reviewing and watching the situations and doing our ground level work. We are also mapping all of our existing products vis-à-vis EV to capitalise on the opportunities EV will throw at the component manufacturers, whether it is motors, batteries or any other system which will come into the electric vehicles, totally different from the conventional IC engine” Cut to August 2023, five years down the line, the company commissions two plants for making on-board charger, off-board charger, motor control Units, DCDC converters, battery management systems, and more products catering to EV 2-wheelers and 3-wheelers. Now this is a reflection of the speed at which an auto ancillary company needs to function and also the product range it needs to have if it has to stay relevant in the changing world of the auto Industry. Foresight, planning and timely execution is the key.

Saudi Arabia is looking to attract more international shareholders after Aramco’s mega IPO five years ago turned out to be largely a local affair. Investors will need to weigh a $124 billion annual dividend payout, one of the world’s heftiest, against shares that are far more expensive than other energy supermajors. Government control and the demand outlook for oil in the face of climate change also present long-term risks.

Markets and Lok Sabha Exit Polls 2024: Though the jury is still out on who will win the Lok Sabha 2024 elections in India and by how many seats to form the next government, the markets on their part have been volatile all through the seven phases of Lok Sabha polls. If the election result on June 4 also turns out to be in favour of Street favourite BJP, analysts see Nifty jumping as high as 24,000 in the next few days. The headline index had ended the week down nearly 2% at 22,531 as FIIs preferred to play safe ahead of D-Day.

Trading can be a highly rewarding profession, but it is imperative to acknowledge that it is not a get-rich-quick scheme. Here are a few things that youngsters should keep in mind:

Modi stocks are companies or sectors that have benefited directly from government policies and initiatives under PM Narendra Modi, making them attractive to investors looking to capitalize on government-driven growth. CLSA has identified 54 such companies, perceived as direct beneficiaries, half of which are PSUs.

Exit polls foresee a comfortable victory for Modi's government, easing market concerns. May saw market volatility, yet optimism prevails for June 4 results. Analysts advise caution amid potential market fluctuations but anticipate a bullish trend post-elections

Investors would react to not just the exit poll predictions but also India's Q4 GDP numbers which, at 7.8%, was much higher than the Street estimates. Global markets will likely react to the outcome of the PCE data in the US, the Fed's preferred gauge of inflation.

Market analysts expect public sector companies along with engineering, power, and banks also lead the rally on Monday. "Also, there could also be short covering by foreign investors, which would further add to the party on the street," said Gaurav Dua of Sharekhan by BNP Paribas. The bulls might take further steam from better-than-expected growth (8.2%) in GDP numbers, released late on Friday.

After the last phase of the election ended on Saturday, exit polls showed the NDA winning with a comfortable majority. Votes will be counted on June 4. Though some exit polls have been inaccurate in the past, investors will take comfort from the fact that most are forecasting a strong show by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Exit polls indicate a potential hat-trick win for PM Narendra Modi in Lok Sabha, boosting Nifty's rally hopes to cross 24,000. Market analysts foresee a surge if BJP secures victory on June 4.

Exit polls favor Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) led NDA faction. Sectors like railways, defence, infrastructure, and PSUs to gain focus. NDA expected to secure 350-plus seats in the upcoming election.

Exit polls indicate a clear advantage for the BJP-led NDA faction. Experts foresee a continuation of reform policies in PM Modi's third term.

In May, foreign institutional investors (FIIs) sold Indian stocks worth Rs 25,600 crore, aligning with the 'Sell in May and go away' adage. Increased net shorts in index futures, outperformance of Chinese stocks, and concerns about high valuations contributed to the sell-off.

In the last month of volatility, there are some sectors which have shown a streak of out performance. They haven't fallen as much as nifty and have been able to keep their head above the water even on the worst of days. The reason, their bottom lines are more correlated to what is happening in the country or the continent in which they have exposure both in terms of sales and in some cases in manufacturing. So, one way to take global exposure is to have a look at these companies, also it is a sort of diversification in terms of exposure to the underlying economy. Because they are operating at a global level, their balance sheets are good and in some cases, they have been able to enter amongst the top companies of the world in their sector.

The outcome of the Lok Sabha elections would be known on June 4 wherein investors would be keenly watching how many seats Street favourite BJP wins. Let us look at how the benchmark index Nifty has performed on the results day, the day after, and the next five trading days following the results for the last four general elections.

The asset management industry in India has witnessed substantial growth, particularly in alternatives like AIFs, InvITs, and REITs. Private market alternatives offer access to previously unavailable asset classes, but investors should carefully assess asset managers for rigorous evaluation processes and proven track records.

James 'RevShark' DePorre, a respected investment strategist, advocates for a departure from conventional Wall Street wisdom that espouses 'buy and hold' strategies for stocks. Instead, he encourages investors to adopt a proactive approach akin to that of a 'shark,' taking charge of their portfolios through active investment.

Understanding different investing styles is crucial for long-term success in stock investing. Whether it's quality, value, momentum, low volatility, or sentiment, investors must align their strategy with their preferences and comfort to navigate the market effectively.

Domestic investors often track what FIIs are buying or selling as they have the power to move the markets. According to Trendlyne data, financial services, and FMCG were among the top sectors overseas investors have been dumping since the beginning of 2024. Take a look:

PSU bank stocks have soared during Modi's second term, with Indian Overseas Bank leading at 472% returns. Despite this, they trade at a discount, making them potential outperformers. CLSA identifies SBI, Canara Bank, and Bank of Baroda as Modi stocks poised for growth.

India VIX surged 91% in May 2024 amid anticipation of election results. Understanding its value at 24, it implies a Nifty 50 fluctuation range of 6.93% monthly.

Nifty ended the month in the red, declining by 74 points to close at 22,530. However, since December, the index has been touching new peaks every month. The week witnessed volatility as the index closed 2.5% lower on Friday from its all-time high of 23,110 on Monday. Currently, India VIX stands above the 24 mark.As India gears up for the final verdict of the Union Election 2024, Motilal Oswal recommends 3 hedging strategies to safeguard your portfolio in bullish, bearish as well as range bound market:

Ahead of the 18th Lok Sabha election results, Amar Ambani, Executive Director of YES Securities, suggested several stocks worth buying. These stocks include NTPC, Texmaco Rail & Engineering (Texrail), SBI, and Bharti Airtel, with potential returns of up to 26%. "The market is presently in a wait-and-watch mode. A clear mandate would reinforce confidence in India, ensuring policy continuity. Positive FII flows can be anticipated with a clear majority in the election results. After the completion of this mega event, the Indian economy will continue on its growth path; hence, we expect capital markets to be buoyant in the year ahead," said Amar Ambani, Executive Director of YES Securities.

A Tesla shareholder filed a lawsuit accusing CEO Elon Musk of insider trading by selling over $7.5 billion of Tesla shares before disappointing production numbers were public.

Kotak Institutional Equities analyzes the Indian market's optimism and sector valuations, predicting market reactions to BJP and NDA outcomes with a focus on corrections in specific sectors and the stability of major indices.

The Dow Jones Transportation Average has fallen 5% this year, contrasting with the S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial Average. Chuck Carlson sees it as a barometer for economic activity, signaling a possible slowdown ahead.

The Dow and S&P 500 closed higher on Friday with the Dow notching its biggest daily percentage gain since November 2023. The Nasdaq ended slightly lower. The New York jury convicted former President Donald Trump of falsifying documents to cover up a hush money payment to a porn star.

Adani Group stocks surged up to 9% after brokerage Jefferies recommended buying shares of four companies within the conglomerate in Mumbai.

At 11:29 a.m. ET, the Dow Jones Industrial Average had risen 57.67 points (0.15%) to 38,169.15. Meanwhile, the S&P 500 had fallen 26.62 points (0.51%) to 5,208.86, and the Nasdaq Composite had dropped 206.02 points (1.23%) to 16,531.06. Investors are anticipating comments from Raphael Bostic, President of the Atlanta Federal Reserve and a voting member of the Federal Open Market Committee, later in the day.

Dell's stock is projected to lose over $21 billion in market value, despite having experienced a remarkable 80% surge earlier this year. The company, like many others, has made significant investments in advanced server hardware to accommodate the growing demand for complex artificial intelligence processing.

The index will serve as a benchmark for asset managers and a reference index for passive funds such as ETFs, index funds, and structured products, according to the release.