18/05/26, Stocks to Watch Today, May 18: Indian equities are set to remain in focus on Monday as a mix of strong Q4 earnings and key corporate announcements drives stock-specific action.

Tata Steel, Godfrey Phillips, ITC Hotels and SAIL reported robust profit growth, while Balrampur Chini and Delhivery showed mixed performance. Among corporate updates, HFCL secured an overseas order, IRFC set an ambitious lending target, and Coal India's MCL listing plan received approval, alongside key developments from Vodafone Idea, Adani Ports and UNO Minda.

Here's the full list of stocks to watch in today's trading session:

Stocks to Watch Today

Stocks in focus	Why in focus today?
Tata Steel	Profit More Than Doubles
Balrampur Chini	Profit Declines Despite Revenue Growth
Godfrey Phillips	Earnings See Sharp Rise
ITC Hotels	Strong Quarter Performance
SAIL	Profit Jumps Nearly 47%
Delhivery	Profit Remains Steady
HFCL	Bags Overseas Optical Fibre Order
IRFC	Targets Rs 1 Lakh Crore Sanctions
Signature Global	Rs 3,500 Crore Expansion Plan
Adani Ports	Acquires Maritime Stake
Vodafone Idea	Plans Rs 4,730 Crore Fundraise
UNO Minda	EV Powertrain Facility
Coal India	MCL Listing Approved

Q4 Update

Tata Steel

Profit More Than Doubles

Tata Steel reported a massive 146.9 per cent jump in quarterly profit to Rs 2,965 crore compared to Rs 1,200.9 crore last year. Revenue also posted healthy growth, rising 12.5 per cent year-on-year to Rs 63,270.1 crore.

Balrampur Chini

Profit Declines Despite Revenue Growth

Balrampur Chini Mills posted a 30 per cent fall in consolidated net profit to Rs 159.56 crore during the January-March quarter. However, the company's total income increased 7 per cent year-on-year to Rs 1,616.23 crore.

Godfrey Phillips

Earnings See Sharp Rise

Godfrey Phillips delivered strong quarterly numbers with profit surging 86.7 per cent to Rs 521.4 crore from Rs 279.3 crore a year ago. Revenue also witnessed solid growth, increasing 13.6 per cent to Rs 1,787.3 crore.

ITC Hotels

Strong Quarter Performance

ITC Hotels posted a 23 per cent increase in profit at Rs 315.9 crore compared to Rs 256.9 crore last year. Revenue rose 18.2 per cent year-on-year to Rs 1,253.7 crore.

SAIL

Profit Jumps Nearly 47 per cent

Steel Authority of India Ltd (SAIL) reported a sharp 46.6 per cent rise in quarterly profit to Rs 1,835.5 crore from Rs 1,252 crore a year earlier. Revenue also grew 5.1 per cent year-on-year to Rs 30,813.5 crore.

Delhivery

Profit Remains Steady

Logistics major Delhivery reported a marginal decline in net profit to Rs 72.39 crore in the March quarter against Rs 72.55 crore a year ago. The company's total income stood at Rs 2,909 crore.

Corporate Update

HFCL

Bags Overseas Optical Fibre Order

Telecom equipment maker HFCL has secured an overseas order worth USD 11.07 million, approximately Rs 106 crore, for the supply of optical fibre cables.

IRFC

Targets Rs 1 Lakh Crore Loan Sanctions

Indian Railway Finance Corporation (IRFC) has set an ambitious target of crossing Rs 1 lakh crore in loan sanctions during the current financial year.

Signature Global

Rs 3,500 Crore Expansion Plan

Real estate developer Signature Global plans to invest around Rs 3,500 crore this fiscal year on land acquisitions in Gurugram and construction activities.

Adani Ports

Subsidiary Acquires Maritime Stake

Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone announced that its subsidiary, Adani Harbour International FZCO, will acquire a 51 per cent stake in Meridian Transportes Marítimos SA.

Vodafone Idea

Plans Rs 4,730 Crore Fundraise

Telecom operator Vodafone Idea plans to raise Rs 4,730 crore from a Singapore-based entity linked to promoter Aditya Birla Group.

UNO Minda

To Set Up EV Powertrain Facility

Auto components maker UNO Minda will establish a greenfield manufacturing facility for electric four-wheeler powertrains in Maharashtra. The company plans to invest Rs 550 crore in the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar plant.

Coal India

DIPAM Clears MCL Listing Plan

DIPAM has approved the listing of Mahanadi Coalfields Ltd (MCL), a subsidiary of Coal India, through a fresh equity issue. The proposal also includes the disinvestment of up to 25 per cent of Coal India's stake in MCL via a public offering in domestic markets.

Source:EconomicTimes

(Disclaimer: The above article is meant for informational purposes only, and should not be considered as any investment advice. We suggest its readers/investors to consult their financial advisors before making any money-related decisions.)

17/05/26, Mid and Small Cap Stocks to Hold: In a volatile market with rising oil prices, inflation concerns, and global uncertainty, selling stocks may feel like the safest option.

For long-term investors, the bigger challenge may not be finding good stocks -- it may be holding on to them when sentiment turns negative. A recent market analysis that identifies 10 mid- and small-cap companies that could be worth staying invested in despite near-term turbulence.

The report said that investors often make the mistake of reacting to every negative headline in the same way -- by selling first and reassessing later. According to the analysis, markets tend to overreact at both extremes. In bullish phases, nearly every company starts looking like a long-term winner, while in weak phases, even fundamentally strong businesses begin to appear risky.

The current market backdrop does justify some caution. Crude oil prices have moved higher, concerns around the fiscal deficit remain, and rising fuel costs could eventually increase inflation and pressure corporate margins through higher logistics expenses. Global uncertainty may also weigh on earnings expectations, interest rates, and currency movements.

The list of 10 mid- and small-cap stocks was compiled from the Stock Report Plus report dated May 16, 2026, with companies carrying an average minimum score of 4.

Here is the list of 10 mid- and small-cap stocks

1. Transformers & Rectifiers (India): Recommendation - Hold | Upside potential - 14 per cent | Ave Score - 6
2. NSDL: Recommendation - Hold | Upside potential - 13 per cent | Ave Score - 8
3. CDSL: Recommendation - Hold | Upside potential - 9 per cent | Ave Score - 6
4. Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers: Recommendation - Hold | Upside potential - 6 per cent | Ave Score - 7
5. Deepak Nitrite: Recommendation - Hold | Upside potential - (-6 per cent) | Ave Score - 4
6. Thermax: Recommendation - Hold | Upside potential - (-6 per cent) | Ave Score - 6
7. Avalon Technologies: Recommendation - Hold | Upside potential - (-7 per cent) | Ave Score - 9
8. Linde India: Recommendation - Hold | Upside potential - (-8 per cent) | Ave Score - 5
9. Vardhman Textiles: Recommendation - Hold | Upside potential - (-17 per cent) | Ave Score - 6
10. Natco Pharma: Recommendation - Hold | Upside potential - (-24 per cent) | Ave Score - 8

Also Read | Stocks to pick: SBI Life, ICICI Pru Life and more with strong buy/hold ratings and up to 27% upside potential - LIST

Source: EconomicTimes

(Disclaimer: The above article is meant for informational purposes only and should not be considered as any investment advice. We suggest readers/investors consult their financial advisors before making any money-related decisions.)

17/05/26, Market Anticipation this week

Indian stock markets are likely to remain volatile and trade with a cautious to negative bias in the week of May 18 to May 22, 2026, after benchmark indices suffered a sharp correction amid rising geopolitical tensions, elevated crude oil prices, persistent foreign fund outflows and continued weakness in the Indian rupee.

Stock Market Outlook This Week From 18 May to 22 May 2026: Sensex, Nifty Weekly Prediction

Indian equity markets witnessed a broad-based selloff during the week gone by, with risk aversion intensifying across both frontline and broader market segments. The Nifty 50 tumbled to a five-week low before closing at 23,643.50, down 2.20% on a weekly basis, while the BSE Sensex declined 2.70% to settle at 75,237.

The weakness was even more pronounced in the broader market, where mid-cap and small-cap stocks came under significant pressure. The Nifty Midcap index fell 2.20%, while the Nifty Smallcap index plunged 4.56%, reflecting widespread profit-booking and a sharp reduction in investor appetite for risk.

Sectorally, Realty, Information Technology and Automobile stocks were the worst hit. The Nifty Realty index plunged 8.17%, the Nifty IT index declined 5.71% and the Nifty Auto index fell 4.36%. In contrast, defensive and commodity-linked sectors offered some resilience. The Nifty Pharma index rose 2.18%, the Nifty Healthcare index gained 2.17% and the Nifty Metal index advanced 1.91%.

Key Factors To Trigger Stock Market Next Week

Rising Crude Oil Prices Amid Escalating Iran-US Tension

Several global and domestic factors combined to trigger the sharp decline in equities. Escalating tensions in West Asia kept investors on edge and pushed crude oil prices back to around $109 per barrel, raising concerns over India's import bill and inflation outlook.

Rising U.S. Bond Yields Make Indian Stocks Less Attractive to Foreign Investors

At the same time, the yield on the U.S. 10-year Treasury note climbed to 4.603%, its highest level since late May 2025, making emerging market assets such as Indian equities relatively less attractive to foreign investors as per Dr. Ravi Singh, Chief Research Officer from Master Capital Services Ltd.

Indian Rupee Touches 96

The Indian rupee also came under intense pressure and touched a record low of 96.1425 against the U.S. dollar during the week before recovering marginally to close near 95.9550. A weaker rupee increases imported inflation and can weigh on sectors dependent on overseas inputs and foreign borrowing.

FII Selling Intensifies, But Strong DII Buying Helps Cushion Market Fall

Institutional flows reflected the cautious mood. Foreign Institutional Investors remained aggressive sellers, offloading Rs 13,583 crore in the cash market. Domestic Institutional Investors, however, provided significant support by investing Rs 18,524 crore, helping to absorb part of the selling pressure and prevent a steeper market decline.

Nifty Weekly Prediction, 18 to 22 May 2026; Check Technical Outlook

As per the expert, the technical structure of the Nifty remains weak and continues to favour a cautious trading strategy. The Nifty 50 closed the week in negative territory, declining nearly 2.20% amid broad-based weakness led by heavy selling in the IT pack.

"Technically, the index has once again tested the recent breakdown zone, indicating that bears continue to maintain control at higher levels. As long as Nifty trades below the crucial 23,850 resistance mark, the overall setup favors a "Sell on rise" approach for the coming sessions," Dr. Ravi Singh said.

He added, "On the downside, immediate support is seen around the 23,400-23,450 zone. A decisive break below this range may open the doors for further weakness towards the 23,100 level. Market sentiment is likely to remain cautious with consolidation and negative bias dominating the trend, while sustained selling pressure continues to keep bullish momentum under check."

The banking sector also ended the week on a distinctly bearish note. Bank Nifty declined approximately 2.89% and slipped below all major short-term and long-term moving averages, including the 21-day, 55-day, 100-day and 200-day exponential moving averages. This technical development indicates that momentum has shifted decisively in favour of the bears.

Commenting on the banking index, Dr. Ravi Singh said, "The Bank Nifty ended this week on a highly bearish note, plunging roughly 2.89% as heavy selling pressure dragged the index down. Technically, the index has weakened significantly and is now trading below all its key short- and long term moving averages, including the 21 day, 55 day, 100 day, and 200 day EMAs, signaling a strong shift in momentum toward the bears."

He further noted, "For the coming week, immediate resistance is placed at the 54,400-54,500 level. As long as prices continue to trade below this crucial zone, the overall market sentiment remains under intense pressure. On the downside, immediate support is placed at 53,100. A decisive slide below this floor is critical, as it may trigger a sharper correction and move the index further down toward the 52,500 mark."

Report by Harshika Yadav of goodreturns.in

17/05/26, The FinancialExpress Report on Precious Metals

 The Centre has imposed fresh import restrictions on silver, days after sharply increasing customs duties on precious metals as part of a broader push to tighten control over bullion inflows and manage the country's import bill.

In a notification issued on Saturday, the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) said the import policy for silver, including silver plated with gold and platinum, has been revised from "free" to "restricted" with immediate effect. This means importers will now require prior government approval to bring several categories of silver into the country.

The revised framework covers imports of silver bars, unwrought silver, semi-manufactured silver forms and silver powder. Certain categories of imports will also be subject to regulations prescribed by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), according to the notification issued under the ITC (HS) classification system.

The move follows the government's decision earlier this week to raise import duty on gold and silver to 15% from 6%, significantly increasing the cost of importing precious metals into India.

At the same time, the government has tightened rules for duty-free gold imports by gems and jewellery exporters under the Advance Authorisation (AA) scheme. Under the revised norms, gold imports through the scheme will now be capped at 100 kg per licence.

The DGFT has also introduced stricter compliance checks for first-time applicants under the AA scheme. New applicants will now undergo mandatory physical inspection of manufacturing facilities before approvals are granted.

The latest measures signal the government's intent to strengthen oversight of precious metals trade while curbing excessive imports and improving regulatory monitoring across the bullion sector.

17/05/26, ENIL Q4 result 2026:

ENIL: Entertainment Network (India) Ltd (ENIL) has announced its financial results for the quarter ended March 2026. ENIL, the operator of Radio Mirchi and the audio streaming platform Gaana, has released its results for the financial year 2026 as well as for the quarter ending March 2026. The company stated that it delivered a stellar performance during the quarter, according to exchange filing

ENIL recorded a consolidated income of Rs 565 crore for the financial year 2026, marking a 3.9 percent increase compared to the previous year. Meanwhile, income from domestic operations rose by 4 percent to Rs 548 crore. For the March 2026 quarter, specifically Q4FY26, the company's consolidated income stood at Rs 142 crore, while its domestic revenue amounted to Rs 139 crore.

The Gaana platform witnessed robust growth in both users and engagement. Additionally, digital expenses declined by 23 per cent, thereby strengthening the company's unit economics. The international business remained stable, recording a revenue of Rs 18.4 crore in FY26.

In FY26, the company's EBITDA (excluding the digital business) stood at Rs 76 crore, with an EBITDA margin of 18 per cent. Meanwhile, the Profit After Tax (PAT) was recorded at Rs 22 crore. The company's balance sheet remains strong, with a cash balance of Rs 423.9 crore as of March 31, 2026.

ENIL Dividend 2026

The company's Board has announced a dividend of Rs 2 per share on each share with a face value of Rs 10.

Yatish Maharshi, CEO of ENIL, stated, "FY26 proved to be a challenging year for the media industry, marked by the impact of global tensions and subdued advertising demand. Despite this, the company delivered a strong performance, driven by stable revenue, cost controls, and robust digital growth."

He added that the digital business is now bringing about a significant transformation within the company's portfolio and could emerge as a key pillar of growth in the future.

Also Read: DLF dividend 2026: Rs 8 cash reward for shareholders in Q4 results; profit down 1.1% YoY - Check quarterly earnings

Report by EconomicTimes

(Disclaimer: The above article is meant for informational purposes only, and should not be considered as any investment advice. We suggest  readers/investors to consult their financial advisors before making any money-related decisions.)

13/05/26, How Import duty to 15% impact Precious Metals

The import duty hike is likely to impact gold and gold-related investment schemes sharply. As per experts, one of the cascading effects could be a spur in the grey market due to the sharp hike on gold duty to 15% from 6%.

Not just that gold prices are expected to surge further, which could impact physical gold demand. If prices continue to soar, gold ETFs are also expected to face certain shocks. Nonetheless, India's fundamental structural demand for gold is resilient in the long term.

Gold Import Duty Hike:

In a surprising move, the government hiked import duty on gold to 15%, which comprises 10% basic custom duty and 5% Agriculture Infrastructure and Development Cess (AIDC). Gold duty is hiked after more than two years. In Union Budget 2024, the government reduced customs duties to 6% on gold from 15%. That time, macro conditions were comfortable.

"The hike in customs duty on gold and silver from 6% to 15% is a measured policy response to a genuine forex challenge, and it must be read alongside the Prime Minister's appeal earlier this week as part of a single, coordinated effort to conserve India's foreign exchange reserves through an extraordinary external environment," said Anindya Banerjee, Head of Commodity and Currency Research, Kotak Securities.

Customs Duty Hike Impact On Physical Gold, Gold ETFs, Gold Coins, Jewellery, More

Prithviraj Kothari, Managing Director at RiddiSiddhi Bullions Ltd., President of India Bullion and Jewellers Association Ltd told GoodReturns, the government raised the effective import duty on gold and silver to 15% from 6%, to curb inbound shipments amid a rising import bill and West Asia crisis pressure. The higher duties are expected to push domestic bullion prices further, weigh on jewellery stocks, and soften consumer demand - particularly as gold prices are already elevated.

"Demand for gold coins and ETFs could also moderate over time if prices continue rising sharply. WGC estimates suggest that every 1% rise in import duty reduces consumer gold demand by approximately 6.4 tonnes - implying a cumulative 9-percentage-point hike could suppress demand by ~57 tonnes annually," said Kothari.

Gold Rates In India Today:

On May 13, right after the import duty was hiked, gold rates in India witnessed one of the strongest rally of 2026. 24 carat gold prices jumped above the roof with 10 grams gold surging by Rs 13,910 to Rs 1,67,890 and 100 grams gold skyrocketing by Rs 1,39,100 in 1 day to Rs 16,78,900.

Also, 22 carat gold of 10 grams gold soared by Rs 12,750 to Rs 1,53,900 and 100 grams gold zoomed by a whopping Rs 1,27,500 to Rs 15,39,00 per 100 grams. Further, 10 grams gold of 18 carat zoomed by Rs 10,430 to Rs 1,25,920 and 100 grams gold here is up by Rs 1,04,300 to Rs 12,59,200.

Gold ETFs Today:

Most of gold ETFs in India also recorded robust single-day surge on May 13. Among the top performers are --- Union Gold ETF, SBI Gold Exchange Traded Scheme, Axis Mutual Fund - Axis Gold Exchange Traded Fund, ICICI Prudential Gold ETF, Quantum Gold Fund - Exchange Traded Fund (ETF), DSP Gold ETF, Nippon India ETF Gold BeES, Tata Gold Exchange Traded Fund, Kotak Gold Exchange Traded Fund, and Groww Gold ETF who have gained by 6% to 8%.

Gold Duty Hike To Push Rise In Gold Smuggling?

Gold buying and selling in the grey market is expected to rise due to the latest import duty hike. In simple words, "grey market" means "dark market," where goods and services are traded through unofficial and unauthorized channels. These are not regulated and are highly risky.

"Higher import duties could also revive gold smuggling, which had eased substantially after the 2024 duty reduction," said Kothari.

Along similar lines, Adib Noorani, an independent market expert said, grey markets are likely to become active, as the incentives to bring in gold illegally are high. smuggling is likely to grow, setting up a parallel economy in the country.

Gold Rates Outlook:

As per Noorani, import duty hike is a tactical fiscal measure to stabilize the trade balance, though it poses temporary volume challenges and margin pressures for the jewellery sector. While the immediate price shock may temper discretionary buying, India's fundamental structural demand for gold as a strategic asset remains a resilient long-term driver.

Explaining in detail, Banerjee said, what we are seeing in domestic prices today is a mechanical re-pricing to a new import parity, not a fundamental rally. The duty is now a fixed cost embedded in the price. From here, gold and silver in India will continue to be driven by what they have always been driven by - the international LBMA spot price, the USD/INR exchange rate, and the domestic premium or discount over import parity. The duty has done its job and become a sunk cost.

Our structural view on gold and silver remains constructive. Banerjee added, "the global de-dollarisation theme, central bank buying, and currency-debasement hedging are all multi-year drivers that operate independently of any domestic tax decision. We expect international gold to move towards $6,000 an ounce over the next 12 to 18 months, with silver positioned as a meaningful beneficiary alongside."

Report by Puja Jaiswar of goodreturns.in

13/05/26, Analyst Vikas Pershad view on Large-Cap stocks

Amid heightened volatility in the Indian stock market triggered by tensions in West Asia and global economic uncertainty, investment expert Vikas Pershad has advised investors to remain cautious about certain sectors while focusing on long-term opportunities.

Speaking to NDTV Profit on Wednesday, Pershad said sectors such as large-cap FMCG companies, IT services firms, and private banks are currently facing pressure and may not offer the strongest near-term growth prospects compared to other segments of the market.

Pershad noted that capital is increasingly moving toward sectors with stronger earnings visibility and structural growth potential, including healthcare, defence, precision manufacturing, and auto components. According to him, several traditionally defensive sectors are struggling to maintain momentum in the current environment. He said large-cap FMCG companies continue to face challenges, while IT services firms are dealing with slower global demand and uncertainty in international markets. He also indicated caution toward private banking stocks, suggesting investors remain selective in the sector.

The portfolio manager observed that many stocks have delivered sharp gains over the past six weeks despite broader market uncertainty. However, he explained that part of the rally could be attributed to recovery from steep declines witnessed since September 2024, when several companies experienced heavy selling pressure. Pershad stated that some recent gains were likely technical rebounds from oversold levels rather than indications of a complete market recovery. He stressed the importance of careful stock selection instead of broad-based investing during volatile periods.

Pershad also encouraged investors to adopt a long-term investment approach in India, particularly outside the largest market capitalisation companies. He said investors willing to conduct detailed research and remain patient for several years could still generate healthy absolute returns from Indian equities. According to him, opportunities remain strong in emerging sectors linked to domestic manufacturing growth, healthcare expansion, and government-led industrial initiatives.

Indian equity markets have recently faced significant pressure due to concerns surrounding geopolitical tensions involving the United States and Iran, rising crude oil prices, and persistent foreign institutional investor outflows. Benchmark indices such as the BSE Sensex and NIFTY 50 have recorded sharp declines in recent trading sessions, while the Indian rupee has weakened against the US dollar. Mid-cap stocks, IT companies, and consumption-driven businesses have been among the worst affected sectors during the ongoing correction.

Despite the short-term uncertainty, market analysts continue to view India as an attractive long-term investment destination due to strong domestic consumption, infrastructure spending, and manufacturing growth. Pershad's comments reflect a growing view among global investors that while market volatility may persist in the near term, selective investing in sectors with strong structural demand could continue to offer meaningful opportunities for patient investors over the coming years.

Report by The Indian Witness 

13/05/26, Gold surge over 7% after hike in import duty to 15%

Gold: The yellow metal is trading marginally higher in the international market as Gold spot prices traded around $4,707 per ounce, up 0.4%. Meanwhile, Silver traded 2.4% higher at $87.7 per ounce in the US markets. Gold prices are trading in a range as investor sentiment remains fragile amid fading hopes of the US-Iran peace deal. Earlier this week, US President Donald Trump said that negotiations with Iran are on "life support" after Iran rejected the US-backed peace proposal aimed at ending the conflict and reopening the Strait of Hormuz.

Crude oil:

 International crude oil prices are trading marginally lower, with Brent Futures trading around $107 per barrel, down 0.7%, while WTI Crude traded 0.9% lower, around $101. Oil prices eased after rising in the previous three trading sessions as investors assessed the Strait of Hormuz situation, which largely remains shut to commercial traffic after the US-Iran war. Investors are also looking forward to Donald Trump meeting with Xi Jinping in China.

Technical view

MCX Gold futures in India have given a strong breakout on the hourly chart, moving sharply above the key resistance zone of ₹154,934. The price is also trading well above the 20 and 50 moving averages, which confirms bullish momentum. The ADX is above 40, comfortably higher than the 25 threshold, indicating a strong trending move. However, following the sharp rise, the risk-reward ratio for new long positions has become unfavourable.

Silver has delivered a strong breakout on the hourly chart and is trading comfortably above the 20 and 50 moving averages. The sharp move shows strong buying momentum, with the price now consolidating near higher levels after the breakout. The ADX is at 40.29, well above the 25 threshold, which confirms strong trend strength. On similar lines of gold, the risk-reward for fresh long has turned unfavourable.

MCX Crude Oil has reclaimed the immediate resistance for ₹9,658 and is trading above both the 20 and 50 moving averages. The ADX is around 32, comfortably above the 25 mark. This indicates that the current trend has strength. However, the rising channel structure suggests a risk to the current upmove. A break below ₹9,614 will signal breakdown of the rising channel.

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Disclaimer:

13/05/26, PostMarket REPORT

The Indian equity benchmarks snapped their four day losing streak on Wednesday, May 13, powered by gains in heavyweights like Tata Steel, Hindalco, Bharti Airtel, Asian Paints and Bharat Electronics.

The SENSEX traded in a band of 1,057 points and NIFTY50 index touched an intraday high of 23,583 and a low of 23,262 before closing with minor gains as investor sentiment turned cautious after rupee hit a new record low of 95.75 against the US dollar.

The NIFTY50 index ended 33 points higher at 23,413 and SENSEX advanced 50 points to close at 74,609.

Asian markets ended higher side-lining sombre trend in US markets and a spike in crude prices. Japan's Nikkei advanced 0.94%, China's Shanghai Composite rose 0.67% and Hong Kong's Hang Seng advanced 0.15%.

Back home, seven of 15 sector gauges compiled by the National Stock Exchange (NSE) ended higher led by the NIFTY Metal index's 3.2% gain. NIFTY Consumer Durables, Oil & Gas, FMCG and Pharma indices also rose between 0.3% and 1.7%.

On the flip side, NIFTY Auto, IT, Bank and Financial Servives indices closed lower.

Broader markets were outperformed their larger peers as NIFTY Midcap 100 index advanced 0.8% and NIFTY Smallcap 100 index advanced 0.31%.

Among the individual shares, Berger Paints rose as much as 9.27% to ₹533.35 per share after it posted a 27.75% rise in consolidated profit after tax to ₹334.77 crore for the March quarter of FY26 due to improvement in product mix and softening of raw material prices. The company had reported a profit of ₹262.05 crore a year back, according to a regulatory filing.

Revenue from operations climbed 6.06% to ₹2,868.03 crore in Q4 FY26, compared to ₹2,704.03 crore in the same period of the previous fiscal year.

Shares of the Multi-Commodity Exchange of India (MCX) rallied as much as 3.4% to hit a lifetime high of ₹3,265 amid a surge in MCX gold and silver prices, as the government increased import duties on precious metals to 15%. Furthermore, MCX reported a fourfold increase in its profit in the latest March quarter.

Asian Paints was top gainer in the NIFTY50 index, the stock climbed 4.37% to close at ₹2,615, mirroring gains in other paint makers.

Adani Enterprises, Tata Steel, Hindalco, Bharat Electronics, Cipla, Adani Ports and JSW Steel also rose between 1.95% and 4.07%.

On the other hand, Eicher Motors, Mahindra & Mahindra, Infosys, Tech Mahindra, Sun Pharma and Power Grid were top losers in the NIFTY50 index.

The overall market breadth was positive as 1,962 shares ended higher while 1,303 closed lower on the NSE.

Report by Upstox,  source: Dailyhunt

13/05/26, Gold import duty hike: Shares of jewellery companies and bullion prices were on investors' radar on Wednesday, May 13, as the government has increased import tariffs on gold and silver to 15% from 6% to curb overseas purchases of the precious metals and ease pressure on the country's foreign exchange reserves.

 

The hike in import duty comes into effect from May 13.

Among jewellery stocks, Titan Company shares were trading flat with a negative bias at ₹4,053.80 apiece on the NSE, while Kalyan Jewellers India slipped up to 5.87% to ₹340.55. Senco Gold was trading 0.56% lower at ₹310.70, and Thangamayil Jewellery was trading nearly 3% lower at ₹3,562.20.

The higher duties could dampen demand in the world's second-largest consumer of precious metals, though they may help narrow India's trade deficit and support the rupee, one of Asia's worst-performing currencies.

However, according to media reports, industry officials warned that higher import taxes could revive smuggling, which had eased after India reduced tariffs in mid-2024.

The government has imposed a 10% basic customs duty along with a 5% Agriculture Infrastructure and Development Cess (AIDC) on gold and silver imports, taking the effective import tax to 15% from 6%.

"As expected, the government has raised duties to curb the current account deficit. However, this could affect demand, as gold and silver prices were already elevated," said Surendra Mehta, National Secretary at the India Bullion and Jewellers Association.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday urged citizens to avoid gold purchases for a year to help protect foreign exchange reserves. India meets nearly all of its gold consumption through imports.

Impact explained

The government's decision to raise the effective import duty on gold and silver to 15% from 6% is expected to push domestic bullion prices higher and weigh on sentiment for jewellery stocks in the near term.

India imports most of its gold requirement, and a higher import tax directly increases the landed cost of the precious metal. As a result, domestic gold prices could rise further even if international bullion prices remain stable.

The move may also lead to higher domestic premiums and softer jewellery demand, especially as gold prices are already trading at elevated levels. Demand for gold coins and ETFs could also moderate over time if prices continue to rise sharply.

Higher domestic premiums mean gold in India may trade at a bigger markup compared to international prices.

Impact on jewellery stocks

Shares of listed jewellery companies could remain under pressure as higher gold prices may hurt discretionary spending and reduce consumer purchases.

Stocks likely to remain in focus include:

• Titan Company
• Kalyan Jewellers
• Senco Gold
• PC Jeweller

Jewellery stocks had already witnessed selling pressure earlier this week after Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged citizens to avoid non-essential gold purchases for a year to help conserve foreign exchange reserves.

Organised players may fare better

Analysts note that while the near-term outlook appears negative, large organised jewellers could eventually gain market share from smaller unorganised players.

Branded retailers are generally better placed to manage inventory costs and hedge against price volatility. In addition, consumers tend to prefer trusted and established brands during periods of sharp price swings.

Higher gold prices also increase the absolute value of transactions, which could support revenue growth for organised jewellery chains despite slower volume growth.

As a result, the near-term sentiment for jewellery stocks may remain weak; however, medium-term trends could favour larger organised players such as Titan Company and Kalyan Jewellers.

Which segments could benefit?

Gold financing companies and NBFCs, according to analysts, may see higher collateral values as gold prices rise.

Key details

India's gold imports surged more than 24% to an all-time high of $71.98 billion in 2025-26. In volume terms, however, the shipments dipped 4.76% to 721.03 tonnes in 2025-26.

The prices of gold have risen from $76,617.48/KG in FY25 to $99,825.38/KG in FY26.

In the national capital, the price of gold increased by ₹1,500, or nearly 1%, to ₹1,56,800 per 10 grams on Tuesday from Monday's closing level of ₹1,55,300 per 10 grams. Silver prices also advanced by ₹12,000, or 4.53%, to ₹2,77,000 per kg.

In the international market, spot gold slipped $42.33, or 1%, to $4,692.64 per ounce while silver fell 3.04% to $83.49 per ounce.

Gold import duty: How the rules have changed

The government in the 2024-25 budget had cut customs duty on gold to 6% to boost the domestic gems and jewellery industry, curb illegal smuggling, and bring down local prices.

India had, in 2022, raised gold import tax to 15% to check CAD (capital account deficit) amid a falling rupee due to the Russia-Ukraine war that began in February 2022.

India is the world's second-biggest gold consumer after China. The imports are largely driven by the jewellery industry.

What CEA said

Chief Economic Advisor V Anantha Nageswaran, on Tuesday, said that the ongoing West Asia crisis is a "live balance of payments stress test", with direct consequences for inflation, the current account, and the exchange rate.

BoP (balance of payment) is the difference between inflows into and outflows of foreign exchange from the country in a particular period of time.

The Indian rupee hit a record low of 95.63 against the US dollar on Tuesday.

Report by Upstox with inputs from PTI

Disclaimer: This article is purely for informational purposes and should not be considered investment advice. Please consult with a financial advisor before making any investment decisions.

13/05/26, SBI vs HDFC Bank

 

HDFC Bank vs SBI: After several months of underperformance driven by global uncertainty and domestic headwinds, banking stocks are once again coming back into focus, with renewed investor interest building across the sector.

The Nifty Bank Index, which tracks India's leading and most liquid banking stocks, has declined over 4 per cent over the past month, extending its weak performance across the 3-month, 6-month and 12-month periods.

Timeframe	% Change
1 Week	-1.8%
1 Month	-4.2%
3 Months	-11.83%
6 Months	-8.1%
1 Year	-3.3%
5 Years	65.03%

Because of their large weight in the index, any rebound in major lenders like HDFC Bank and State Bank of India could significantly lift the broader banking sector. After their most recent quarterly updates, both stocks have regained attention, with investors closely watching for early signs of a recovery across the sector.

State Bank of India (SBI) VS HDFC Bank

Below is a comparative snapshot of State Bank of India (SBI), the country's largest public-sector lender, and HDFC Bank, India's leading private-sector bank, across key operational, financial, and market-related parameters:

Brokerage View

HDFC Share Price Target 2026

Jefferies maintains a BUY on HDFC Bank with a Rs 1,050 target price, implying 39 per cent upside.

The brokerage highlights that the profit is in line with estimates despite softer topline, offset by efficiencies, lower credit costs, and treasury gains. Deposit growth remains key. Credit quality is stable; expects 15 per cent PBT CAGR (ex-treasury). Bank remains a top pick.

SBI Share Price Target 2026

Emkay maintains BUY on State Bank of India with a target price of around Rs 1,225, implying around 26 per cent upside.

Emkay notes that growth remains strong, though margins disappoint due to low-yield corporate mix and repo cuts. Asset quality is improving.

On the outlook side, FY27 credit growth is guided at 13-15 per cent, NIM around 3 per cent. FY27E earnings cut 6 per cent, RoA around 1 per cent, RoE around 15 per cent. Risks include slowdown and treasury losses.

Stock Name	Brokerage	Stock Recommendation	Share Price Target	Upside%
HDFC Bank	Jefferies	BUY	Rs 1,050	~39%
State Bank of India (SBI)	Emkay	BUY	Rs 1,225	~26%

Q4 Results

Metric	SBI Q4 Results	HDFC Bank Q4 Results
Net Profit (Q4 FY26)	19,684 crore (+6% YoY)	20,350.76 crore (+8.04% YoY consolidated)
Net Profit (Standalone YoY)	18,643 crore	19,221.05 crore
Total Income	1,40,412 crore	89,809 crore
Profit before tax	26,076crore	102,141
Gross NPA	1.49%	1.15%
Dividend Payout	19%	31%
Dividend	Rs 17.35 per share	Rs 13 per share

Both State Bank of India and HDFC Bank delivered steady profit growth in Q4 FY26, with HDFC Bank showing slightly stronger earnings growth and better asset quality (lower GNPA). SBI has a higher total income and scale, while HDFC leads in profitability efficiency and higher dividend payout.

Banking stocks share price

HDFC Bank Share Price

The stock of India's largest private bank slipped over 1 per cent in the previous session to settle at Rs 755. The company's market capitalisation currently stands at Rs 11,62,362.96 crore.

SBI Share Price

The stock of India's biggest banking stock settled 0.3 per cent, or Rs 2.5 higher, at Rs 976.10 on May 12. The bank has a market capitalisation of Rs 9,01,000.58 crore.

Stock Price CAGR Comparison

Period	State Bank of India	HDFC Bank
10 Years	18%	10%
5 Years	22%	2%
3 Years	19%	-3%
1 Year	22%	-22%

CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) is the smoothed annual return rate of an investment over a period, assuming profits are reinvested.

State Bank of India shows consistently strong long-term growth, while HDFC Bank has underperformed recently, especially over 3-5 years, despite historical strength. SBI currently demonstrates superior momentum.

Bottom Line

The State Bank of India demonstrates stronger long-term momentum and scale, while HDFC Bank remains efficient with better asset quality. Overall sentiment is improving, supported by stable earnings and attractive upside potential.

Report by EconomicTimes

(Disclaimer: The above article is meant for informational purposes only, and should not be considered as any investment advice. We suggest its readers/investors to consult their financial advisors before making any money-related decisions.)

13/05/26, The Financial Express report on Today's Market

After a sharp sell-off in the previous session, Indian markets are likely to start Wednesday on a muted note. Early signals from GIFT Nifty indicate a flat to muted opening, with the index trading 0.16% lower at 23,386 in early trade.

Global cues are expected to remain on investors' radar, with market participants tracking developments across West Asia, movement in crude oil prices, and trends in the US dollar. Asian market performance and foreign institutional investor activity are also likely to influence sentiment during the session.

On the domestic front, quarterly earnings announcements from listed companies will continue to drive stock-specific moves, with investors closely monitoring management commentary and business outlooks.

Previous session: Markets end lower

The domestic equity markets ended sharply lower on Tuesday, extending losses for the fourth consecutive session. The Nifty declined 436 points, or 1.83%, to close at 23,379.55, while the Sensex tumbled 1,456 points, or 1.92%, to settle at 74,559.

Key global and domestic cues to watch on May 13, 2026

Asian markets

Asia-Pacific markets opened on a weak note on Wednesday, with most major indices trading lower. Japan's Nikkei 225 declined 0.52%, while the broader Topix index managed to edge up 0.28%. In South Korea, the Kospi fell 2.15% and the small-cap Kosdaq slipped 0.74%. Australia's ASX 200 also traded lower, down 0.56% in early deals.

US Market

Wall Street ended on a lower note during Tuesday's session, with both the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite retreating from their record levels. The S&P 500 slipped 0.16%, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite declined 0.71%. In contrast, the Dow Jones Industrial Average managed to stay in positive territory, rising 56.09 points, or 0.11%.

US dollar

The US Dollar Index (DXY), which measures the dollar's value against a basket of six foreign currencies, was trading 0.02% up at 98.32 on Wednesday morning. The index evaluates the strength or weakness of the US dollar in comparison to major currencies. The basket contains currencies such as the British Pound, Euro, Swedish Krona, Japanese Yen, Swiss Franc, etc.

Rupee

The rupee appreciated 0.33% to close at 95.63 to the dollar on May 12.

Crude oil

Crude oil prices traded lower in early deals on Wednesday. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude slipped 0.57% to $101.56 per barrel, while Brent crude declined 0.61% to $107.16 per barrel.

Indian government raises import duty on precious metals

The central government has increased the customs duty on gold, silver and several other precious metal imports through a notification issued late Tuesday night. The revised rates came into effect from midnight and cover a wide range of products, including precious metals, jewellery components and certain industrial-use imports.

Following the revision, the total import duty on gold and silver has been raised to 10% from the earlier 6%. Platinum and related products used in jewellery manufacturing, such as hooks, clasps, pins and screw backs, will also now attract a 10% duty.

Gold rate today

In the international market, gold was trading at $4,732 per ounce.

Gold prices in India remain in sharp focus. On the MCX, June 5, 2026, gold futures were trading at Rs 1,53,417 per 10 grams in the latest update.

Silver rate today

Silver (XAG/USD) extended its rally. In the international market, silver was trading at around $88 per ounce.

FII, DII data

Foreign investors remained net sellers in the Indian market on May 12. FIIs/FPIs sold equities worth Rs 1,959 crore during the session.

On the other hand, domestic institutional investors continued to provide support. DIIs purchased shares worth Rs 7,990 crore

Key sectoral gainers in last trading session

In the last trading session, the Metals - Non Ferrous sector managed to stay in the green, rising 1.2%. Meanwhile, the Mining sector remained largely flat with a marginal decline of 0.12%, while REITs & InvITs also slipped slightly by 0.21%.

Best and worst performing business group in last trading session

In the last trading session, several business group stocks remained under pressure, though a few managed to end with gains. The Essar Group rose 4.87%, emerging as the top gainer among the tracked groups, while the Vedanta Group also advanced 2.01%. The Adventz Group saw a marginal rise of 0.47%.

On the losing side, the Shapoorji Pallonji Group declined 4.92%, while the Jaypee Group slipped 5.12%. The Somany Group recorded the sharpest fall among the listed groups, dropping 5.48% in the last trading session.