There are some sectors that may not formally be defined as a core sector or industry. But in a real sense they are, as their growth not only underlines development of the infrastructure sector, but also how the spending curve is panning out for individuals. Now these core sectors have certain common characteristics. They have a long cycle – and they also invariably go through a phase of consolidation. This may be once in a decade or more, but consolidation does happen. Now here is a sector that has already witnessed consolidation, and this process may well pick up pace. And whenever a sector goes through such a process, it tends to lead to value unlocking.

Domestic brokerage firm Nuvama has initiated coverage on JSW Infrastructure (JSWIL) with a ‘buy’ rating and a target price of ₹390, citing the company's potential for strong long-term growth. This target price suggests a 22% upside from the stock’s closing price on Monday.

In September 2024, mutual funds (MFs) maintained a positive outlook on Indian equities, as evidenced by their net investments totaling approximately Rs 32,561 crore. An analysis by ETMarkets showed that 67 stocks were included in the portfolios of at least 15 MFs during September, an increase from August. Remarkably, 11 of these stocks have yielded returns ranging from 70% to 140% in FY25 so far, with six of them surpassing a 100% gain during the same period. (Data Source: ACE MF | ACE Equity)

Sebi’s new asset class caters to investors with ₹10-50 lakhs, offering complex strategies like long-short equity and inverse ETFs previously limited to wealthier individuals. It aims to fill the gap between mutual funds and high-entry barrier investment options, promising better risk-adjusted returns but also carries higher costs and performance uncertainty.

European shares scaled a fresh two-week high on Tuesday, while investors monitored the ongoing corporate earnings season and awaited further economic cues from the central bank's interest rate decision due later this week.

The Rs 27,870 crore initial public offering (IPO) of Hyundai Motor India (HMIL) opened for subscription on Tuesday and received tepid demand from investors so far.The issue is a complete offer for sale (OFS) of 14.2 crore shares, which will be offloaded by the company's parent Hyundai Motor Global. Since the IPO is an OFS, all the proceeds will go to the selling shareholders.This is India’s largest IPO and the company holds the second-largest market share in the domestic passenger vehicle (PV) market. Here is what brokerage firms say:

That mid-cap stocks will come under selling pressure during the periodic corrections in the market is a given. But, over the long term – and if chosen correctly – mid-cap stocks do deliver better returns. Investing in mid-cap stocks, however, requires a balanced approach – the ability to take risk, to manage the risk, and also have a long-term perspective. And to manage risk, use non-financial parameters. For instance, which company would you pick in the infrastructure space? One where the management has seen it all – from when infrastructure was the buzzword to when it was considered a bad word? Or a company whose management has seen only the good times of the last eight years? Probably the first one, because management experience has its own value and plays a big role in the long term.

In September, at least two PMS schemes significantly outperformed benchmarks, achieving double-digit returns of up to 12%. According to data from PMS Bazaar, Pace Financial's Tresor SKG India Value Fund was the top performer, delivering a monthly return of 12%, followed by Molecule Ventures' Quant Fund with a return of 10.28%. Other notable winners included Sundaram's SISOP Fund, Emkay's Golden Decade of Growth, Wryght's Alpha Fund, and InCred's Healthcare Portfolio.

The RBI's October policy shift to a neutral stance was reflected in its liquidity management since July 2024, with interbank liquidity surplus averaging INR1.2tn. RBI refrained from strong liquidity absorption, signaling comfort with current conditions as government expenditure rose and inflation pressures moderated.

Noel Tata's recent appointment as chairman of the Tata Trusts is expected to reduce tensions with the Shapoorji Pallonji Group, possibly allowing them to explore partially monetizing their 18.4% stake in Tata Sons. While this process may take time, as Noel has just assumed the role after Ratan Tata's death, there is now a renewed opportunity for communication between the Mistry family and the Tata group. (Source: Economic Times)

Brokerage firms, including ICICI Securities, JPMorgan, and Emkay initiated coverage on companies like Jana Small Finance Bank, L&T, Vedanta, and NALCO.These firms have been assigned "buy" or "overweight" ratings, with projected upsides ranging from 12% to 25%.The coverage highlights the companies' growth potential through strategic transformations, market positioning, and earnings growth, offering investors valuable insights into key opportunities across sectors such as banking, infrastructure, and metals & mining.We have collated views from ETNow sources –

Pledging of shares is a common practice by company promoters to secure loans for working capital, personal needs, or to fund ventures and acquisitions. Promoter shareholding is used as collateral to avail of these loans. Here's a list of eight Nifty500 index firms where promoter pledges declined in Q2 FY25, according to StockEdge data:

Shares of Va Tech Wabag rose 4.4% to a new 52-week high of Rs 1,743.8 on Tuesday after the company secured a Rs 1,000 crore order for a 100 MLD Sea Water Desalination Plant from Indosol Solar Private Limited for their solar PV manufacturing facility in Andhra Pradesh. The order encompasses the engineering procurement (EP) scope, which includes design, engineering, supply, installation, testing, and commissioning of the desalination plant.

Sunteck Realty's shares rose nearly 9% to ₹602.30 on Tuesday after reporting Q2 FY25 pre-sales of ₹520 crore, a 33% YoY increase. Collections surged 25% YoY to ₹270 crore. Since the pandemic, the company has launched seven projects totaling about 26.5 million square feet using an asset-light model.

Reliance Industries shares fell about 1% following weak Q2 results. The 5% decline in net profit led Motilal Oswal to reduce the target price to Rs 3,255. Other brokerages like Jefferies, CLSA, and Nomura also commented on the results. Future triggers include new energy operations by March 2025 and potential listings of Jio and Retail businesses.

Shares of oil marketing companies Hindustan Petroleum (HPCL), Bharat Petroleum (BPCL), and Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) surged up to 5% on Tuesday following a decline in Brent crude prices to $75 per barrel, down 3% for the day. At market opening, Brent crude futures were down $2.26, or 2.9%, and U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures fell $2.19, or 3%.

Shiv Texchem debuted on the BSE SME platform with shares listed at a 44% premium at Rs 239 against an issue price of Rs 166. The company's business includes importing and distributing hydrocarbon-based chemicals. It caters to many industries. For the year ended March 2024, it had total revenues of Rs 1536 crore and net profit of Rs 30.11 crore.

Garuda Construction and Engineering shares listed at a 10% premium on Tuesday. The company faced revenue and profit growth slowdown in FY24 despite robust performance in FY23. The IPO funds of Rs 100 crore will be used for working capital. The Indian construction sector is expected to grow significantly by FY30.

Oberoi Realty Ltd bounced back after testing its 50-DMA, reaching a new high in October. Experts suggest buying for a Rs 2,300 target within 1-2 months. The stock shows strong momentum, trading above key moving averages, and has significant support at Rs 1,780 and resistance at Rs 1,900.

Hyundai Motor India will launch a Rs 27,870 crore IPO, expected to trade at 26X FY2024 earnings. Brokers have mixed views on its valuation. Some see it as high with limited short-term gains, while others find it fair compared to rivals Maruti Suzuki and Tata Motors. The listing is on October 22.

HCL Technologies shares climb 1.3% after reporting a 10.5% increase in Q2 net profit to Rs 4,235 crore, with revenue up by 8.2% to Rs 28,862 crore. Brokerages raise target prices, expecting sustained growth driven by solid deal pipelines and strategic focus on Data & AI, Digital Engineering, and SAP migration.

Reliance Industries shares fell about 1% following weak Q2 results. The 5% decline in net profit led Motilal Oswal to reduce the target price to Rs 3,255. Other brokerages like Jefferies, CLSA, and Nomura also commented on the results. Future triggers include new energy operations by March 2025 and potential listings of Jio and Retail businesses.

Sterling & Wilson Renewable Energy reported a net profit of Rs 8.57 crore for the second quarter ending September 2024, reversing a net loss of Rs 54.51 crore in Q2FY24. Revenue rose by 35.7% to Rs 1,030.49 crore YoY. The company’s shares have surged 25% in 2024 and 79% over two years.

Brokerage firms recommend various strategies for HCL Tech, HDFC Bank, RIL, and Maruti Suzuki. Nuvama and Jefferies advocate buys for HCL Tech and HDFC Bank, respectively. HSBC also favors Maruti, while Investec maintains a sell rating on HCL Tech. Analysts highlight growth prospects and market dynamics influencing valuations.

Indian equity indices traded higher on Tuesday, supported by banking and IT stocks gains and a fall in crude oil prices. The BSE Sensex increased by 237 points and the Nifty50 was up by 65 points. A decline in oil prices benefits India, a major oil importer. Angel One shares also jumped due to strong quarterly performance.

UBS initiated coverage on Ramkrishna Forgings with a 'Buy' rating and a target price of Rs 1,500, indicating a 46% upside potential. The firm has transitioned to a comprehensive assembly solution provider, enhancing its growth prospects. Recent earnings show a 3% profit increase to Rs 81 crore in Q1 FY25, while stock has risen 49% in six months.

On October 14, three stocks from the Nifty200 pack came to the bullish scanner of "White Marubozu", according to stockedge.com's technical scan data. A White Marubozu is a bullish candlestick pattern in technical analysis. It occurs when the opening price is the lowest for a given period, and the closing price is the highest. Represented by a long white (or green) candlestick with no upper shadow and a small or nonexistent lower shadow, it indicates strong buying pressure throughout the session. Traders interpret it as a signal that buyers were in control from the opening to the closing, often using such patterns for informed decisions about future price movements in financial markets.

Angel One Share Price: Angel One reports a stellar Q2FY25 with a 39% rise in net profit to Rs 423 crore and a 44.5% growth in total revenue from operations to Rs 1,515 crore. The brokerage also added 30 lakh clients, boosting its client base to 27.5 million.

J Kumar Infrastructure shares are expected to attract attention on Tuesday following the company's acquisition of a work order valued at ₹297.8 crore from the Pune Municipal Corporation. The project, scheduled for completion within 36 months.

JSW Infrastructure has received a letter of intent from the Maharashtra Maritime Board to develop an all-weather multipurpose port at Murbe in Palghar District. The project aims to support the company's cargo demands and enhance EXIM operations. It aligns with the company’s FY2030 growth plan, targeting an increase in capacity from 170 MTPA to 400 MTPA.

Sterling & Wilson Renewable Energy reported a net profit of Rs 8.57 crore for the second quarter ending September 2024, reversing a net loss of Rs 54.51 crore in Q2FY24. Revenue rose by 35.7% to Rs 1,030.49 crore YoY. The company’s shares have surged 25% in 2024 and 79% over two years.

Garuda Construction's IPO debuts today with expected flat to negative listing; strong retail investor demand led to a 7.5x subscription. Despite a revenue and profit dip in FY24 due to election impacts, the company boasts a strong order book and superior return on net worth.

Angel One Share Price: Angel One reports a stellar Q2FY25 with a 39% rise in net profit to Rs 423 crore and a 44.5% growth in total revenue from operations to Rs 1,515 crore. The brokerage also added 30 lakh clients, boosting its client base to 27.5 million.

Pondy Oxides and Chemicals announced a 2:1 stock split with October 16 as the record date, meaning today is the last chance to buy shares to benefit from the split. Each Rs 10 share will be divided into two Rs 5 shares. The company's stock has surged significantly over the past year.

Shiv Texchem's shares debut on the BSE SME platform today. The stock is expected to list at a 39% premium over the issue price. Shiv Texchem imports and distributes essential chemicals for industries like paints, coatings, and agrochemicals. Net proceeds will support working capital and corporate purposes. India is a significant consumer of chemicals and petrochemical products.

RIL Share Price: Reliance Industries Ltd's Q2 profits fell by 5%, mainly due to a 23% decline in operating profit in the oil-to-chemicals segment. Despite a muted performance in retail, digital services showed strong growth with a 7% rise in ARPU and a 23% increase in net profit.

HCL Tech Share Price: HCL Technologies' shares are set to stay in focus after reporting strong Q2FY25 results, with a 10.5% rise in net profit to Rs 4,235 crore and an 8.2% revenue increase to Rs 28,862 crore. An interim dividend of Rs 12 per share was declared, with a record date of October 22, 2024.

Angel One reports a stellar Q2FY25 with a 39% rise in net profit to Rs 423 crore and a 44.5% growth in total revenue from operations to Rs 1,515 crore. The brokerage also added 30 lakh clients, boosting its client base to 27.5 million.

Reliance Industries Ltd's Q2 profits fell by 5%, mainly due to a 23% decline in operating profit in the oil-to-chemicals segment. Despite a muted performance in retail, digital services showed strong growth with a 7% rise in ARPU and a 23% increase in net profit.

Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller calls for a more cautious approach to interest-rate cuts, citing recent economic data showing strong U.S. economy and labor market. Waller highlights the importance of gradual rate reductions while monitoring inflation, labor market, and economic activity data. He anticipates job growth moderation and potentially maintaining historically low unemployment rates.

Twelve stocks including Chambal Fertilizers, GNFC, and Granules India are under F&O trade ban, as their open interest exceeds 95% of MWPL. The ban will lift once the interest drops below 80%. Meanwhile, Indian stock indices closed higher, with Nifty surging 0.7% and Sensex up 0.73%.

In June, Nvidia briefly became the world's most valuable company. It was overtaken by Microsoft, and the tech trio's market capitalizations have been neck-and-neck for several months.

Benchmark BSE Sensex surged nearly 592 points, with Nifty reclaiming the 25,000 level amid a strong global trend. Highlighted stocks include RIL, HCL Tech, and HDFC Life, each showing varied performances and trends. Experts advise cautious trading, focusing on technical indicators and price action before making decisions.

“After marking its 52-week high of 620.35 in June, Exide Industries stock witnessed a series of profit booking and seen retracing back towards its 200-days exponential moving average on daily charts. Traders can buy for a target of Rs 585-590 in the next 5-6 weeks,” Shitij Gandhi, Senior Technical Analyst, SMC Global Securities, said.

"Markets have gradually picked up with Nifty sustaining above the 25k mark. We expect this up-move to continue in the market with stock-specific action," said Siddhartha Khemka, Head - Research, Wealth Management, Motilal Oswal.

Wall Street closed higher on Monday, with the S&P 500 and Dow hitting record highs, as investors bought tech stocks ahead of corporate earnings reports. Technology and semiconductor companies led gains, while investors looked forward to crucial economic data and company earning reports later in the week.

Benchmark indexes were up in Australia and Japan, and US futures advanced slightly. With earnings reports poised to drive US sentiment this week, the S&P 500 rose almost 1%, notching another record — its 46th this year. That’s a hint investors are not deterred by the reduced forecasts for third-quarter results and are instead betting on positive surprises.

The domestic brokerage on Monday reported a consolidated net profit at Rs 423 crore in Q2FY25, which was up 39% from Rs 304 crore reported by the company in the year ago period.

"Markets have gradually picked up with Nifty sustaining above the 25k mark. We expect this up-move to continue in the market with stock-specific action," said Siddhartha Khemka, Head - Research, Wealth Management, Motilal Oswal.

The global micro-insurance industry is projected to grow to $137 billion by 2029. India's insurance penetration remains low at 4%, compared to the global average of 6.8%, but the government's efforts through Jan Dhan accounts and social security schemes have laid a strong foundation for achieving the "Insurance for All" target by 2047. As of May 2024, 523 million PMJDY accounts were opened, with 55.6% held by women.