22/05/26, 2.87Lac crore to Centre Govt

The Reserve Bank of India on May 22 approved a record dividend of Rs 2.87 lakh crore to Centre for FY26, which would provide the Centre with a fiscal cushion to address challenges arising from the ongoing Middle East crisis.

"The Central Board approved the transfer of surplus of Rs 2,86,588.46 crore to the Central Government for the accounting year 2025-26," said RBI in a statement.

The gross income of RBI increased by 26.42% over the previous year while the expenditure before risk provisions increased by 27.6%.

"The Balance Sheet of the Bank expanded by 20.61% to Rs 91,97,121.08 crore as on March 31, 2026," added RBI.

The gross income of RBI increased by 26.42% over the previous year while the expenditure before risk provisions increased by 27.6%. "The net income, before risk provision and transfer to statutory funds, aggregated Rs 3,95,972.10 crore in FY26 as against Rs 3,13,455.77 crore in FY25," said RBI.

As per the Budget documents, the Centre expects Rs 3.16 lakh crore in dividends and surpluses from the Reserve Bank of India, nationalised banks, and financial institutions in 2026-27.

The RBI lowered its contingency risk buffer - funds kept aside to protect the central bank's finances from volatility - to 6.5% of its balance sheet from 7.5% in the previous year.

The transferable surplus for any financial year is arrived at on the basis of the revised Economic Capital Framework (ECF) as approved by the Central Board of the RBI.

"The RBI's dividend to the Government of India, at Rs 2.9 lakh crore, is in line with ICRA's expectations for the fiscal and around 7% higher than last year's level. As compared to the Budget Estimates, the fiscal is expected to remain under pressure owing to expectations of higher fertiliser and fuel subsidy requirements, and lower tax collections and OMC dividends. While the Economic Stabilisation Fund and customs duty hikes on gold and silver imports are likely to provide some cushion, we expect the GoI to exceed the budgeted fiscal deficit target for FY27 of 4.3% of GDP by 40 bps, assuming an average crude oil price of $95/barrel in the fiscal," said Aditi Nayar, chief economist, ICRA.

Last year, the RBI made a record dividend payout of Rs 2.69 lakh crore to the central government for 2024-25, 27% higher than Rs 2.11 lakh crore transferred in the previous year.

Dividend and Reserve Bank's surplus transfers fall under the non-tax revenue category.

In all, the Centre expects Rs 6.66 lakh crore as non-tax revenue next fiscal, lower than 6.67 lakh crore in 2025-26.

The revenue from taxes has been pegged at Rs 28.66 lakh crore, up 7.18% from Rs 26.74 lakh crore in 2025-26.

A Reuters poll pegged the fiscal deficit at 4.7% of gross domestic product this fiscal year, more than last year's 4.4% and above the government's 4.3% target. Some economists say the deficit could rise to as much as 5% of GDP.

A hefty dividend would help government finances at a time when they are likely to come under pressure from the Iran war-led energy shock, traders said.

"The RBI surplus transfer is marginally lower than expected, thereby limiting the levers for the government in terms of managing the fiscal slippage risks. While we do not see extra borrowing risks for now, we continue to monitor the extent of subsidy and tax growth slowdown," said Upasna Bhardwaj, Chief Economist, Kotak Mahindra Bank

BMI, a Fitch company, said it is maintaining its forecast for the federal government's fiscal deficit at 4.5% of GDP, above the government's 4.3% target, while flagging increased upside risks.

India's 10-year bond yield has risen about 40 basis points since the start of the Iran war, with a knock-on impact on corporate debt yields, which have risen to multi-year highs, prompting firms to turn to floating-rate bonds.z

India is among the worst affected nations from the Middle East crisis as it relies heavily on oil imports, and the government has restrained state-run retailers from raising prices to match the increase in global crude for fear of triggering an inflation spiral.

The central bank makes an annual transfer to the government from surplus income generated through investment earnings, valuation gains on foreign exchange holdings including the dollar, and fees from printing currency notes.

Report by J. Jagsnath for Network18 with  inputs from agencies

22/05/26, Automaker Eicher Motors beat quarterly profit estimates on Friday, as last year's tax cuts continued to boost demand for its high-margin 350 cc motorcycles. The Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 adventure bike manufacturer posted 12% rise in consolidated net profit to Rs 1,520 crore for the March quarter. Analysts had estimated a profit of Rs 1,487 crore, per data compiled by LSEG.

 The firm's revenue from operations rose 16% to Rs 6,080 crore in Q4FY26 as compared to Rs 5,241 crore in Q4FY25. Analysts had estimated a profit of Rs 5,998 crore, per data compiled by LSEG.

The company declared dividend of Rs 82 per share.

On May 22,  Eicher Motors shares  closed 1.3% higher at Rs 6,985 apiece.

The top premium motorcycle maker was the biggest beneficiary of the September GST cuts that lowered duties from 28% to 18% on the 350-cc category, which occupies a large chunk of the company's portfolio.

B. Govindarajan, Managing Director - Eicher Motors Ltd., and Chief Executive Officer - Royal Enfield said, “FY26 has been an exceptional year for Eicher Motors and Royal Enfield, marked by strong growth, record volumes, and a continued focus on our global ambitions during our 125th anniversary. We achieved over one million motorcycle sales for the second consecutive year and recorded our best-ever festive season, with record volumes in both domestic and international markets. We also marked a major milestone in April ‘26 with our entry into the electric mobility space via the launch of the Flying Flea C6.

"International business remains a key priority as we steadily deepen our presence in markets like Brazil. This year, we also took the brand into new cultural spaces - ranging from gaming collaborations to marquee community rides - that strengthen our global identity. To power our next phase of growth, we have committed to significant investments, including the brownfield capacity expansion at Cheyyar with Rs 958 crore and our strategic expansion plan at Tada in Andhra Pradesh, both aimed at building future-ready capacity to support our long-term projected growth.”

EBITDA grew 20% to Rs 1,514 crore.

Royal Enfield recorded its highest Q4 sales of 3,13,811 motorcycles, a 12% growth over Q4FY25. VE

Commercial Vehicles (VECV) recorded sales of 33,976 vehicles in the fourth quarter, up from 28,675 vehicles in the previous year.

Source: Network18 

22/05/26, MARKET PREDICTION:- The Indian stock market benchmark indices, Sensex and Nifty 50, are likely to open higher on Friday, tracking gains in global markets, amid hopes of a US-Iran peace deal.

The trends on Gift Nifty also indicate a flat-to-positive start for the Indian benchmark index. The Gift Nifty was trading around 23,657 level, a premium of nearly 26 points from the Nifty futures' previous close.

On Thursday, the Indian stock market ended lower amid profit booking in select index heavyweights.

The Sensex dropped 135.03 points, or 0.18%, to close at 75,183.36, while the Nifty 50 settled 4.30 points, or 0.02%, lower at 23,654.70.

Here's what to expect from Sensex, Nifty 50 and Bank Nifty today:

Sensex Prediction

Sensex failed to sustain at higher levels, and continuous selling pressure was witnessed throughout the session.

"We are of the view that the short-term texture of the market is non-directional, and range-bound activity is likely to continue in the near future. On the downside, 75,000 - 74,500 remain the crucial support zones, while 75,800 - 76,000 could act as key resistance areas for the bulls," said Shrikant Chouhan, Head Equity Research, Kotak Securities.

On the positive side, he believes a breakout above 76,000 could push Sensex up to 76,300 - 76,500, while below 74,500, it could retest the levels of 74,000 - 73,800.

Nifty Options Data

In the derivatives segment, notable call writing was observed at the 23,700 and 23,800 strikes, while put writing was concentrated at the 23,600 and 23,500 levels, indicating immediate support near lower levels while resistance continues to remain firm near higher strikes.

Nifty 50 Prediction

Nifty 50 index formed a bearish candlestick pattern and witnessed rejection from the 20-DEMA on the daily timeframe, indicating selling pressure emerging near higher resistance zones and cautious undertones in the broader trend.

"A long red candle was formed on the daily chart that reflects inability of bulls to surpass the crucial overhead resistance of 23,800 levels. Nifty 50 is still placed within a high low range of 23,800 - 23,300 levels, but rising lows were observed on the daily chart," said Nagaraj Shetti, Senior Technical Research Analyst at HDFC Securities.

According to him, the underlying trend of Nifty 50 remains choppy, and a decisive move only above 23,850 - 23,900 levels is likely to open broad-based buying in the market for the near term.

"However, further weakness from here could find support around 23,500 levels," Shetti added.

Nilesh Jain, VP- Head of Technical and Derivative research at Centrum Finverse Ltd. noted that the Nifty 50 index has slipped below its 50-DMA, which is currently placed near 23,700 levels.

"Despite the weakness, the broader market structure continues to remain range-bound, and Nifty 50 is expected to oscillate within the 23,400 - 23,900 zone in the near term. A fresh leg of upside momentum is likely only if the index manages to surpass the immediate hurdle of the 21-DMA, placed around 23,910 levels," said Jain.

Meanwhile, the volatility index, 'INDIAVIX', eased by 3.5% to 17.80 levels, and any further cooling in volatility may provide some comfort to the bulls.

Bank Nifty Prediction

Bank Nifty index ended 122.80 points, or 0.23%, lower at 53,439.40 on Thursday, forming a bearish candlestick pattern on the daily chart with a higher high and a higher low, signaling selling pressure at higher levels.

"Going ahead, the 53,900 - 54,000 zone is likely to act as an immediate resistance. On the downside, the 53,100 - 53,000 zone is expected to provide crucial support. A decisive break below the 53,000 level could further intensify selling pressure, dragging the Bank Nifty index towards the next key support at around 52,400," said Sudeep Shah, Head - Technical and Derivatives Research at SBI Securities.

Om Mehra, Technical Research Analyst, SAMCO Securities highlighted that the Bank Nifty index remains trapped between the 50% Fibonacci retracement at 53,700 and the 61.8% retracement at 52,820. Multiple sessions have now been confined within this band. Nifty Bank remains below all the moving averages, and the RSI is placed near 40.

"Nifty PSU Bank gained 0.22% to settle at 7,988.35, while Nifty Private Bank declined 0.15% to close at 25,990.05, indicating a rotation within the banking space. For the Nifty Bank index, on the downside, the 53,000 - 52,820 zone, aligned with the 61.8% Fibonacci, remains the support while on the upside, the 54,000 - 54,500 remains the next resistance," said Mehra.

Source:Mint

Disclaimer: The views and recommendations made above are those of individual analysts or broking companies, and not of us.  We advise investors to check with certified experts before making any investment decisions.

22/05/26, Stocks to Buy

 Stocks to buy on 22 May: Indian benchmark indices ended marginally lower on Thursday, 21 May, after a volatile session, weighed down by profit-booking in select IT, financial and oil & gas stocks.

The Sensex fell 135.03 points, or 0.18%, to settle at 75,183.36. During the session, the index swung sharply between an intraday high of 75,945.79 and a low of 74,996.78, reflecting heightened market volatility.

The Nifty 50 slipped 4.30 points, or 0.02%, to close at 23,654.70.

Broader markets remained largely rangebound. The BSE SmallCap Select index gained 0.48%, while the MidCap Select index ended nearly flat.

According to market experts, investor sentiment remained cautious amid ongoing concerns surrounding the Middle East conflict, elevated crude oil prices, currency volatility and rising global bond yields.

What Gift Nifty live chart signals?

The Gift Nifty Live Chart shows a muted start for the Indian stock market today. By 7:43 AM, the Gift Nifty was trading around the 23,620.5 level, a discount of 11 points from the Nifty futures' previous close of 23,631.40.

Stocks to buy today

Regarding stocks to buy today - Raja Venkatraman is Co-founder of NeoTrader, and stock research platform MarketSmith India, recommended buying these five shares - Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail Ltd, Metro Brands Ltd, Great Eastern Shipping Company Ltd, Samvardhana Motherson International Ltd, and Lumax Industries Ltd.

👉Three stocks to trade, recommended by NeoTrader's Raja Venkatraman

Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail Ltd: Buy above ₹67 | Stop ₹63 | Target ₹77 (multiday)

Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail (Cmp ₹66.76)

Why it's recommended: Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail is a prominent Indian fashion and lifestyle company, a subsidiary of the Aditya Birla Group. The stock has been in a decline over the last six months, and the formation of a Cup-and-Handle pattern over the last few days has raised the possibility of an upside move. Looking ahead, the numbers suggest momentum is picking up, and an upward move is possible now. With the midcap index doing well, we could consider going long.

Key metrics:

52-week high:₹98,

Volume: 8.1M

Technical analysis: Support at ₹60 | Resistance at ₹80.

Risk factors: Intensifying retail competition, high vulnerability to economic downturns, margin pressure from aggressive expansions, and reliance on consumer discretionary spending.

Buy: Above ₹67.

Stop loss:₹63.

Target price:₹77 (Two months)

Metro Brands Ltd: Buy above ₹1,110 | Stop ₹1,050 | Target ₹1,225 (multiday)

Metro Brands (Cmp ₹1,108.80)

Why it's recommended: Metro Brands Ltd is one of India's largest footwear speciality retailers, offering a wide range of branded products for men, women, and children. The power sector is now in demand. After the sharp sell-off, prices appeared to have found strong support at the Kumo cloud region, and the revival from lower levels is highlighting strong upside potential. The Relative Strength Index is rising and has crossed 60 levels, indicating some potential to the upside. One can consider going long.

Key metrics:

P/E: 75.41,

52-week high:₹1,340.40,

Volume: 294.14K.

Technical analysis: Support at ₹1,025 | Resistance at ₹1,250.

Risk factors: Reliance on third-party manufacturers, vulnerability to retail lease renewals, and intense competition from domestic and international brands.

Buy: Above ₹1,110

Stop loss:₹1,050

Target price: ₹1,225 (Two months)

Great Eastern Shipping Company Ltd: Buy above ₹1,725 | Stop ₹1,625 | Target ₹1,925 (multiday)

Great Eastern Shipping Company (Cmp ₹1,719.60)

Why it's recommended: The Great Eastern Shipping Company Ltd is India's largest private sector shipping and oilfield services provider. The company operates a diversified modern fleet of crude carriers, petroleum product tankers, gas carriers, and dry bulk vessels to safely transport commodities globally. The stock has been featured in our article before, and it continues to attract demand. After giving a dividend, the trends remain intact. The steady rise in the Relative Strength Index after stabilising at the neutral zone suggests that we could be looking at some upside.

Key metrics:

P/E Ratio: 10.41

52-week high: ₹1,798

Volume: 2.61M

Technical analysis: Support at ₹1,605 | Resistance at ₹1,950.

Risk factors: Cyclical shipping charter rates, geopolitical supply chain disruptions driving up operating expenses, and global commodity demand fluctuations

Buy: Above ₹1,725

Stop loss: ₹1,625.

Target price: ₹1,925.

Two stock recommendations by MarketSmith India

Buy: Samvardhana Motherson International Ltd (current price: ₹137)

Why it's recommended: Strong global auto component player, diversified customer base, presence across multiple geographies, strong relationships with global OEMs, beneficiary of premium vehicle growth, continuous acquisition-led expansion, diversified product portfolio, increasing content per vehicle, growth opportunity in EV segment, strong manufacturing scale, improving operational efficiency, long-term growth visibility, focus on cost optimization, strong export-oriented business, and expansion in non-auto segments.

Key metrics: P/E: 37.17 | 52-week high: ₹138.40 | Volume: ₹875.88

Technical analysis: Cup-with-handle base breakout

Risk factors: High dependence on auto industry cycle, global slowdown affecting vehicle demand, integration risk from acquisitions, forex fluctuation risk, margin pressure from raw material costs, high exposure to overseas markets, customer concentration risk, debt increase from acquisitions, supply chain disruption risk, EV transition uncertainty, geopolitical risks in global operations, slowdown in European auto market, rising labor and logistics costs, semiconductor shortage impact, and cyclical nature of auto demand.

Buy: ₹135-137

Target price:₹160 in two to three months

Stop loss: ₹157

Buy: Lumax Industries Ltd (current price: ₹5,535)

Why it's recommended: Strong presence in automotive lighting, leading supplier to major OEMs, beneficiary of premium vehicle trend, strong relationship with OEM clients, growing demand for LED lighting, technology tie-up with Stanley Electric, expansion in advanced lighting solutions, consistent revenue growth potential, beneficiary of auto sector recovery, increasing content per vehicle, focus on innovation and design, strong manufacturing capabilities, opportunity from EV segment growth, improving operational efficiency, and growth in passenger vehicle demand.

Key metrics: P/E:44.61 | 52-week high: ₹6,934.50 | Volume: ₹17.46 crore

Technical analysis: Trendline breakout on above-average volume

Risk factors: Dependence on auto industry cycle, high reliance on OEM demand, customer concentration risk, raw material price volatility, margin pressure from competition, slowdown in vehicle sales, technology disruption risk, EV transition changing product demand, supply chain disruption risk, semiconductor shortage impact, high competition in auto ancillaries, limited pricing power with OEMs, economic slowdown affecting auto demand, forex fluctuation risk, and execution risk in capacity expansion.

Buy at:₹5,480-5,563

Target price: ₹6,300 in two to three months

Stop loss:₹5,250

Source: Mint 

Disclaimer: This story is for educational purposes only. The views and recommendations above are those of individual analysts or broking companies, not of us.  We advise investors to check with certified experts before making any investment decisions

22/05/26, The BSE will announce its semi-annual Sensex reshuffle today, May 22. Experts anticipate that Hindalco Industries will be replacing Trent in the 30-share key benchmark.

 

Ahead of the Sensex reshuffle announcement on Friday, the market consensus indicates that Hindalco is likely to be included in the Sensex, while Trent may face exclusion, notes Aakash Shah, Technical Analyst - Technical Research at Choice Broking.

Brokerage firm Nuvama Alternative & Quantitative Research also expected Trent to be dropped from the BSE, with either Hindalco Industries or Shriram Finance likely to replace it.

Hindalco likely to enter Sensex, Trent seen to exit

From a technical perspective, Shah said Hindalco has shown strong relative strength with a clear higher-high and higher-low structure on the charts, supported by improving volumes and sustained institutional buying. "The stock continues to outperform its sector peers, indicating positive momentum ahead of the reshuffle," he further said.

On the other hand, Shah said Trent has witnessed weakening momentum after a strong rally seen earlier. "The stock is currently trading in a consolidation phase with softer relative strength and reduced buying traction on the charts," he stated.

Technically, inclusion generally supports sentiment due to expected passive inflows and stronger liquidity, while exclusion candidates may witness temporary pressure because of ETF-related outflows and profit booking, Shah concluded.

Similarly, Nuvama said Trent is likely to be excluded from the BSE Sensex in the June 2026 review following a slide in its free-float market capitalisation relative to other index constituents.

As per the brokerage's reading of the Sensex methodology and latest market-cap data, the change would be effective with the June 19 index adjustment after the announcement on Friday, May 22.

"The exclusion could result in passive outflows of approximately USD 257 million," the brokerage estimated.

The brokerage further pointed out the likely selling pressure from index funds and ETFs that mirror the Sensex. According to the note, Trent's recent underperformance has eroded its free-float market cap ranking, pushing it below key eligibility thresholds within the BSE universe.

Sensex Rejig announcement: Hindalco vs Shriram Finance

Regarding the potential additions, Nuvama has identified Hindalco Industries and Shriram Finance as the two "key contenders" to take Trent's place in the Sensex basket.

Although Shriram Finance currently leads in terms of free-float market capitalization, the brokerage noted that Hindalco might have a better shot at being selected.

"We believe Hindalco Industries may have a relatively higher probability of inclusion, supported by the index committee's preference for broader sectoral representation within the BSE universe," the report said, adding that the final call rests with the Sensex Index Committee.

Nuvama also highlighted that "despite the methodology framework, there appears to be a degree of subjectivity in the final selection of the potential inclusion candidate."

Trent Share Price

Shares of Trent on Thursday ended at Rs 4170.05, up Rs 71.55 or 1.75 per cent from the previous close of Rs 4,098.50, on the BSE.

Shares of Trent have traded in the negative zone over the past year two years, shedding 10.65 per cent of their value.

During 2025, it stood out as one of the weakest performers among both the Tata group stocks. Although a sharp post-Q4 rally of almost 26 per cent helped claw back some of those year-to-date losses, the stock remains down nearly 5 per cent over the past one month.

Hindalco Share Price

Shares of Hindalco Industries on Thursday ended at Rs 1099, Rs 13.10 or 1.21 per cent higher from the previous close of Rs 1,085.90, on the BSE.

The shares of Hindalco have rallied 65.80 per cent in the last one year and remain higher by 22.79 per cent on YTD basis.

Shriram Finance Share Price

Shares of Shriram Finance Ltd on Thursday ended at Rs 914.85, down Rs 8.60 or 0.93 per cent from the previous close of Rs 923.45, on the BSE.

In the last one year, the shares rose 39.12 per cent. However, on YTD basis, the stock is down 10.28 per cent.

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.)

22/05/26, LIC Share Price Target: The share price of the state-owned enterprise operating under the Ministry of Finance, Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC), will be in focus in today's (May 22) trading session after the company reported its Q4 results in the previous session.

The BSE 200 stock reported a 23 per cent increase in net profit to Rs 23,420 crore in the March quarter. The company's total income rose to Rs 2,53,592 crore during the reporting quarter, compared to Rs 2,22,805 crore in the same period of the previous fiscal year.

On a quarter-on-quarter basis, total income increased to Rs 1,64,691 crore, compared to Rs 1,47,586 crore in the corresponding quarter. (LIC Q4 results)

LIC Share Price Target 2026

After posting strong results, global brokerages such as Goldman Sachs and Emkay have maintained a stance ranging from Neutral to Bullish, reflecting an upside of up to 37 per cent.

Here's what brokerages have to say:

Emkay Maintains BUY for LIC

Emkay Global Financial Services maintains a BUY rating on Life Insurance Corporation of India with a target price of Rs 1,100. This reflects an upside of 37.4 per cent from the current price levels.

The brokerage highlights that Q4FY26 Value of New Business (VNB) margin of 25.7 per cent beat estimates, while Annual Premium Equivalent (APE) at Rs 229.5 billion exceeded expectations.

Emkay also believes that strong VNB performance improves the outlook and has raised estimates for APE, margin, and EV.

Goldman Sachs Sees 12% Upside

Goldman Sachs maintains a Neutral stance on Life Insurance Corporation of India with a target price of Rs 900, indicating an upside potential of 12.4 per cent.

Echoing similar views to Emkay, Goldman Sachs highlighted the company's Q4 APE and VNB growth, with margins expanding 692 bps due to a better product mix and higher ticket sizes.

Non-par products drove the VNB beat; however, Goldman maintains a Neutral stance. It also raised FY27-FY28 EPS estimates by up to 6 per cent.

Brokerage	Stock Recommendation	LIC share price target	Upside %
Emkay	BUY	Rs 1,100	37.4%
Goldman Sachs	Neutral	Rs 900	12.4%

LIC Share Price

The share price of the state-owned company settled nearly flat in the previous session at Rs 800.70 on the BSE.

LIC Stock Performance

The stock shows mixed performance across different time periods. It has weak short-term and medium-term returns, while long-term performance remains positive.

Overall, recent trends indicate pressure in the stock, but long-term returns still reflect underlying strength despite volatility.

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.)

21/05/26, Multibagger Defence Stock Surges over 100%

Although the broader markets have remained range-bound lately, shares of Apollo Micro Systems continued to scale record highs as investor demand for the counter on Dalal Street kept rising, driven by the company's strong growth prospects and massive returns.

Extending its bull run for the fourth straight session on Thursday, the stock touched another record high of ₹377.70 apiece, marking its third consecutive all-time high.

The continued rally in the defence stock signals that investors remain optimistic about the company's growth prospects and its strategic transition from a component supplier to a full-fledged system integrator.

Its expanding role, robust order pipeline, and improving margin trajectory have also kept analysts bullish on the stock. Taking the latest record price into account, the shares have rebounded 110% from their March lows, marking one of the strongest recoveries the stock has witnessed in recent years.

The rally came after the stock remained under prolonged pressure between September 2025 and March 2026, during which it had lost nearly 42% of its value. Nevertheless, the stock recovered all of its six-month losses in April alone by surging 63%, marking its biggest monthly gain since June 2023.

The momentum has further extended into the current month, with the stock gaining another 21% so far, pushing its year-to-date returns to 32% and significantly outperforming the Nifty Midcap 100, which has risen a modest 1.5% during the same period.

With its strong ability to recover from sharp corrections, the stock has managed to deliver positive annual returns in each of the last six years, including two multibagger yearly performances.

Apollo Micro Systems Q4 Results FY26

The company reported a healthy set of numbers for the March quarter, with consolidated revenue from operations rising to ₹293.26 crore from ₹161.77 crore in the corresponding quarter last year, registering a sharp 81.3% year-on-year growth.

Profit after tax (PAT) surged to ₹36.79 crore from ₹13.96 crore, marking a robust 163.5% YoY jump. For the full financial year FY26, the defence company reported consolidated revenue from operations of ₹904.32 crore, compared to ₹562.07 crore in FY25, reflecting a strong 60.9% annual growth.

On the bottom line, net profit jumped to ₹107.38 crore from ₹56.36 crore, registering a strong 90.5% year-on-year increase.

Following the results, domestic brokerage firm Choice Institutional Equities revised its FY27E and FY28E EPS estimates upward by 27.5% and 19.5%, respectively, and now expects revenue, EBITDA, and PAT to expand at a CAGR of 52.9%, 52.9%, and 54.6%, respectively, over FY27-FY29E.

However, the brokerage downgraded its rating on the stock to 'Add' from 'Buy' following the recent sharp rally in the shares, although it still expects the stock to reach the ₹365 level.

Report by Mint

Disclaimer: The views and recommendations made above are those of individual analysts or broking companies, and not of us. We advise investors to check with certified experts before making any investment decisions.

21/05/26, Gold Prices Today

 Gold prices in the retail market continued their southward trajectory. 24 carat gold as cited by Goodreturns.in was priced at ₹15,836 per gm, down by ₹108 per gm over the previous close.

Likewise, 22 carat gold also fell and quoted at ₹14,516, declining by ₹99 per gm. Meanwhile, 18 carat gold also recorded a fall in price by ₹81 per gm and was retailing at ₹11,877 per gm.

Gold prices in India in the physical market are determined based on the global spot price, combined with import duties, currency exchange rate adjustment and adding local jeweller mark-ups.

24 carat, 22 carat, 18 carat gold price across major cities

Cities	24 Carat	22 Carat	18 Carat
Delhi	₹1,59,590	₹1,46,300	₹1,19,730
Mumbai	₹1,59,930	₹1,46,600	₹1,19,950
Kolkata	₹1,59,930	₹1,46,600	₹1,19,950
Chennai	₹1,60,900	₹1,47,490	₹1,23,340
Hyderabad	₹1,59,930	₹1,46,600	₹1,19,950
Pune	₹1,59,930	₹1,46,600	₹1,19,950
Bangalore	₹1,59,930	₹1,46,600	₹1,19,950

Gold rates at major jewellery brands

As of May 21, 2026, here below are the latest rates across major brands.

Tanishq: 22 carat gold is priced at ₹1,47,050 per 10 gm. 24 carat gold quoted at ₹1,60,420 per 10 gm. 18 carat gold is priced at ₹12,03,100

Joyalukkas: 22 carat gold is priced at ₹1,46,600 per 10 gm. 24 carat gold quoted at ₹1,59,930 per 10 gm. Meanwhile, 18 carat gold is retailing for ₹1,19,950.

Malabar Gold: 22 carat gold is priced for ₹1,46,600 and 24 carat gold is retailing at ₹ 1,59,930 per 10 gm.

Kalyan Jewellers: 22 carat gold is priced for ₹1,46,600 and 24 carat gold is retailing at ₹1,59,930 per 10 gm. The price of 18 carat gold is ₹1,19,950 per 10 gm.

Factors influencing gold rate today

On the MCX, gold June futures at around 10 am traded weak with a cut of 0.23% or ₹371 at ₹1,59,635/ 10 gm. After closing at ₹1,60,006 in the previous session, the prices in early trade touched the day's low and high price of ₹1,59,491 and ₹1,59,992 per 10 gm.

Gold prices eased slightly even as energy-driven inflationary concerns and lingering geopolitical tensions continued to weigh on the bullion. Meanwhile, the US treasury yields softened from multi-year highs and the US dollar fell from a six-week high.

Last at around 10:29 am, the dollar index held steady at 99.17, up 0.03%.

On Wednesday, the US President Donald Trump said talks with Iran were nearing conclusions but warned of launching further attacks in a case if Iran did not agreed to a deal. He also added that the US could wait for a few more days to "get the right answers."

US gold future, meanwhile, traded with a cut of 0.12% at $4,540.5 per ounce.

Source:Upstox

21/05/26, ITC Q4 RESULTS -VE

 ITC Ltd on Thursday reported a 74 percent decline in its standalone net profit to Rs 5113.36 crore for the March 2025 quarter, as higher taxes weighed on margins in its core cigarettes business.

The diversified entity, which makes Gold Flake cigarettes, had posted a net profit of Rs 19,562 crore in the January-March period a year ago, ITC said in an exchange filing.

The company reported cigarette revenue of Rs 11,066 crore in Q4 FY26, compared with Rs 8,400 crore in the January–March quarter of the previous year.

The company had recorded a one-time gain of Rs 15,179 crore in the year-ago quarter following the demerger of its hotels business.

The company also recommended a final dividend of Rs 8 per equity share for the financial year ended 31st March, 2026.

The Final Dividend, if declared, will be paid between Friday, 24th July, 2026 and Wednesday, 29th July, 2026," the company said.

"Together with the Interim Dividend of Rs 6.50 per Ordinary Share declared by the Board on 29th January, 2026, the total Dividend for the financial year ended 31st March, 2026 would be Rs 14.50 per Ordinary Share of Re 1/- each," it added.

The company has fixed Wednesday, 27th May, 2026, as the record date for the purpose of determining the eligibility of the shareholders for the said dividend.

Shares of  ITCsettled marginally higher at Rs 307.65 per share on the NSE, up 0.033 percent.

Report by Paras Bisht for Network18 

Disclaimer: The views and investment tips expressed by investment experts are their own and not  of us.  We advise investors  to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions.

21/05/26, EconomicTimes Report on Nifty Prediction for Today

  Indian benchmark equity indices recovered all intra-day losses with the NSE Nifty ending higher by 41 points after strong buying interest emerged at lower levels despite weak global cues, record rupee weakness and continued foreign fund outflows.

Market experts believe Thursday's session could remain volatile but with a cautiously positive undertone as the index continues to defend crucial support zones and form higher lows on the charts.

Nifty50 at close on Wednesday, May 20

Supported by gains in oil & gas and auto stocks, the Nifty closed at 23,659, up 41 points, or 0.17 per cent. During the session, the index touched an intra-day high of 23,690.90 and a low of 23,397.30.

The Sensex also ended near the day's high at 75,318.39, gaining 117.54 points, or 0.16 per cent.

Nifty50 top gainers and losers on Wednesday, May 20

Among the top gainers on the Nifty index were Hindalco Industries and Bajaj Auto, which supported the broader market recovery.

👉Nifty Prediction for Thursday, May 21 by experts

Technical analysts point out that Wednesday's long bullish candlestick pattern on the daily charts confirms strong accumulation on dips, setting a higher floor for Thursday's trade.

👉Nifty Prediction for Thursday, May 21 by Sachin Gupta

According to Sachin Gupta, VP - Research, Technical Research, at Choice Broking Private Limited, Indian equity benchmark Nifty index witnessed a positive close on 20th May 2026. The index opened with a gap-down of 160.75 points at 23,457.25, reflecting weak sentiment at the start of the session. The selling pressure in the opening minutes dragged the index to an intraday low of 23,397.30.

"However, strong buying interest emerged from lower levels thereafter, helping the index recover steadily throughout the day. The recovery momentum remained intact through the session as the index filled the morning gap-down and climbed to an intraday high of 23,690.90. The index eventually settled at 23,659.00, ending the day with a gain of 41 points or 0.17%," Gupta stated.

On the daily timeframe, Gupta stated the index formed a bullish candlestick pattern after recovering sharply from lower levels and filling the opening gap-down. The formation indicates buying strength emerging at lower levels and improving short-term sentiment in the market.

From a technical perspective, immediate support is placed in the 23,350-23,400 zone, while resistance is observed in the 23,900-23,950 range.

"The Relative Strength Index (RSI) stands at 45.64, indicating gradual improvement in momentum though the index still trades below the stronger bullish zone. The volatility index, India VIX, declined by 1.26% to close at 18.44, indicating slight easing in market volatility and improving stability in broader sentiment. In the derivatives segment, notable call writing was observed at the 23,700 and 23,800 strikes, while put writing was concentrated at the 23,600 and 23,500 levels, indicating immediate support shifting higher with resistance near upper levels," the analyst said.

Sectorally, the market witnessed mixed performance across sectors. Strength was visible in Oil & Gas, Metals, PSU Banks, Financial Services, and Realty stocks, while weakness persisted in Media, FMCG, IT, Chemicals, and Consumption-related sectors. Market breadth remained slightly positive overall, with advancing stocks marginally outnumbering declining stocks, indicating selective buying interest in the broader market, he added.

• 20 Day EMA - 23,817.82
• 50 Day EMA - 24,031.36
• 100 Day EMA - 24,416.74
• 200 Day EMA - 24,649.84

👉Bank Nifty Prediction for Thursday, May 21 by Sachin Gupta

Gupta said, the Bank Nifty index opened with a gap-down of 393.45 points at 53,015.70, reflecting weakness in the banking space at the start of the session. The index registered its intraday low of 52,836.10 within the opening minutes amid initial selling pressure.

"However, buying interest emerged strongly from lower levels thereafter, helping the index recover steadily throughout the session. The recovery momentum pushed the index to an intraday high of 53,640.90 after filling the morning gap-down. The index eventually settled at 53,562.20, ending the session with a gain of 153.05 points or 0.29%. On the daily timeframe, Bank Nifty formed a bullish candlestick pattern, indicating buying support emerging from lower levels. The recovery from intraday lows and closing near the day's high reflects strengthening momentum in the banking index," he stated.

From a technical perspective, Gupta stated immediate support is placed in the 52,800-52,900 zone, while resistance is observed in the 54,250-54,350 range. The Relative Strength Index (RSI) stands at 41.29, indicating weak-to-neutral momentum though signs of recovery are gradually emerging from lower levels.

"Markets witnessed another volatile session with both benchmark indices opening sharply lower amid weak global and domestic sentiment. However, strong buying interest from lower levels helped the indices recover significantly during the session and erase most of the opening losses. The recovery in benchmark indices along with a decline in volatility indicates improving confidence among market participants, though broader participation remained selective. Going forward, sustained movement above immediate resistance zones will remain crucial for confirming stronger recovery momentum in the market," Gupta concluded.

👉Nifty Prediction for Thursday, May 21 by Nagaraj Shetti

Nagaraj Shetti, Senior Technical Research Analyst at HDFC Securities, said, emphasised that the index has successfully established a well-defined consolidation band, and traders should look for a clear breakout on Thursday to confirm directional momentum.

"After witnessing a weakness from the highs on Tuesday, Nifty shifted into a fine recovery from the lows again on Wednesday and closed the day higher by 41 points. After a weak opening, the market shifted into a sustainable recovery from the lows and that continued for mid to later part of the session. Minor intraday dips in between have been bought into and the Nifty finally closed near the highs. The opening downside gap has been filled completely," Shetti said.

A long bull candle has been formed at the lows on the daily chart, which indicates emergence of buying from the lows. "Nifty has been moving within a high low range of 23800-23200 levels over the last few sessions and is gradually rising by forming higher lows," he added.

"The underlying trend of Nifty is range bound. A decisive breakout of 23800 levels is likely to confirm further upside in the near term. Any weakness from the highs could open small downward correction within a range," Shetti concluded.

👉Nifty Prediction for Thursday, May 21 by Vinay Rajani

Vinay Rajani, Senior Technical Research Analyst - Prime Research, HDFC Securities, said, "For the last five trading sessions, Nifty has again slipped into an alternating pattern of one session of gain followed by one session of loss. Today, the index opened 161 points lower, hit its intraday low in the very first few minutes of trade, and then reversed course sharply. Nifty registered a smart intraday recovery of nearly 300 points from the morning low of 23,397 to finally settle at 23,659, up 41 points. NSE cash-market turnover fell by about 12% compared with the previous session."

Among index heavyweights, Hindalco, Reliance, and Bajaj Auto advanced the most, while BEL, Tech Mahindra, and Eternal emerged as key laggards.

He further said, "Sectoral performance was mixed, with Oil & Gas, Auto, and Realty indices logging the strongest gains, while Nifty Media, FMCG, Chemical, and IT ended in the red. The broader market moved in sync with the benchmark, with the Nifty Midcap 100 rising 0.49% and the Nifty Smallcap 100 holding in positive territory with a minor gain of 0.04%. Market breadth remained neutral, as the BSE advance-decline ratio stood at 1.07."

The rupee closed 29 paise weaker at 96.83 against the dollar, marking a fresh all-time low, with today's intraday low at 96.9650. The sharp rupee weakness likely reflects persistent FII outflows, elevated crude prices, and safe-haven demand for the dollar amid global risk-off sentiment.

"Despite these negative cues, Nifty has managed to absorb supply at lower levels and is forming higher lows on a short-term time frame. Support for the index now moves up to around 23,370, derived from an upward-sloping trend line joining the recent higher swing lows. On the upside, 23,800 is a crucial resistance; a close above this level could extend the pullback towards the 50-day EMA, currently near 24,030," Rajani added.

Broader markets on Wednesday

In the broader market segment, the Nifty MidCap ended 0.49 per cent higher, while the Nifty SmallCap rose 0.04 per cent.
Sectorally, the Nifty Oil & Gas and the Nifty Auto outperformed the market, aided by buying interest in energy and automobile counters.

On the other hand, the Nifty Media and the Nifty FMCG ended among the top laggards during the session.

On Tuesday, the Sensex declined 114.19 points, or 0.15 per cent, to settle at 75,200.85. The Nifty dipped 31.95 points, or 0.14 per cent, to end at 23,618.

(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.)