06/05/26, Stocks to Watch Today

Stocks to watch today include Coforge, Larsen & Toubro, Mahindra and Mahindra, and Hero MotoCorp after key Q4 earnings updates.

Companies like United Breweries and Emcure Pharmaceuticals also reported performance changes, while corporate developments involving Tata Motors and Grasim Industries are likely to keep these stocks in focus during today's trading session.

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

Stocks to Watch Today

Q4 Update

Company	Why in focus
Coforge	Strong profit growth driven by sharp earnings jump
Mahindra and Mahindra	Profit dips even as revenue shows strong growth
Hero MotoCorp	Robust sales lift profit and revenue
United Breweries	Marginal profit growth amid slight revenue dip
Emcure Pharmaceuticals	Steady earnings growth continues
Larsen & Toubro	Strong profit surge with dividend declaration

Coforge

Strong profit growth

The company reported a sharp rise in performance, with net profit jumping 145 per cent YoY to Rs 612 crore from Rs 250 crore. Revenue increased 5 per cent to Rs 4,450 crore from Rs 4,232 crore.

Mahindra and Mahindra

Profit dips, revenue rises

The company saw a slight decline in earnings, with net profit down 3.1 per cent YoY to Rs 5,326 crore from Rs 5,497 crore. However, revenue grew 11.3 per cent to Rs 82,762 crore from Rs 74,392 crore.

Hero MotoCorp

Earnings supported by strong sales

The company posted solid growth, with net profit rising 26 per cent YoY to Rs 1,473.92 crore. Revenue also increased to Rs 12,978.28 crore from Rs 9,969.81 crore.

United Breweries

Modest profit increase

The company recorded a marginal improvement, with net profit up 4.2 per cent to Rs 101.87 crore. Revenue, however, slightly declined to Rs 4,408.41 crore from Rs 4,427.15 crore.

Emcure Pharmaceuticals

Steady growth

The company delivered consistent performance, with net profit rising 24 per cent to Rs 243.74 crore from Rs 197.24 crore.

Larsen & Toubro

Profit surge and dividend

The company reported strong growth, with net profit increasing 53.3 per cent YoY to Rs 3,737 crore from Rs 2,437 crore. It also declared a dividend of Rs 33 per share.

Corporate Update

Company	Why in focus
Tata Motors	Signs MoA for 43 buses with Nagaland government
KEC International	Secures Rs 1,002 crore worth of new orders
Indian Energy Exchange	Electricity trading volume rises 16.6 per cent YoY
Grasim Industries	NCLAT sets aside Rs 301.6 crore penalty
Mahindra Holidays and Resorts India	CFO transition announced, new appointment effective July 1
Vikran Engineering	Expands into renewables with new subsidiary

Tata Motors

Public transport partnership

The company entered into a Memorandum of Agreement with the Nagaland government for the procurement of 43 buses. The delivery is expected within three months, aimed at strengthening and expanding public transport services.

KEC International

New order wins

The company secured fresh orders worth Rs 1,002 crore across multiple segments, including transmission and distribution, renewable energy, and transportation.

Indian Energy Exchange

Trading volume growth

The company reported electricity trading volume of 12,341 million units in April, marking a 16.6 per cent year-on-year increase.

Grasim Industries

Penalty set aside

The company received relief as the appellate tribunal NCLAT set aside a Rs 301.6 crore penalty imposed by CCI. The matter has been sent back to the regulator for a fresh hearing regarding its alleged dominance in the viscose staple fibre market.

Mahindra Holidays and Resorts India

CFO transition

The company announced the resignation of CFO Vimal Agarwal due to his transition within the Mahindra Group. The board approved Rajiv Vimal as the new Chief Financial Officer, effective July 1.

Vikran Engineering

Renewable subsidiary formed

The company incorporated a wholly-owned subsidiary, Vikran Renewable, to focus on solar and integrated energy projects. The move indicates diversification into renewables, with limited near-term impact as operations are yet to begin.

Reporting by EconomicTimes

(Disclaimer: The above article is meant for informational purposes only. We suggest readers/investors to consult their financial advisor before making any money-related decisions.)

06/05/26, The U.S. stock market

The U.S. stock market reached record highs on Tuesday, buoyed by a decrease in oil prices and stronger-than-anticipated corporate earnings for the first quarter of 2026. The S&P 500 rose by 0.8%, surpassing its previous all-time high set at the end of last week, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average increased by 356 points, or 0.7%. The Nasdaq composite also achieved a record, climbing by 1%.

Impact of Oil Prices

Stocks received a boost as oil prices receded significantly from their recent highs. The price of Brent crude, the international benchmark, fell by 4% to $109.87 after reaching $115 earlier in the week, although it remains considerably higher than the approximately $70 price point prior to the ongoing conflict with Iran.

Geopolitical Context

U.S. military officials confirmed that a ceasefire with Iran is still in place, despite Iran being implicated in attacks on the United Arab Emirates. The U.S. military is also working to secure shipping routes in the Strait of Hormuz to facilitate oil tanker operations and potentially stabilize crude prices.

Market Resilience Amidst Conflict

Despite the ongoing conflict, the U.S. stock market has shown remarkable resilience, largely due to robust corporate earnings reported in the first quarter of 2026. This positive financial performance comes even as oil prices have surged since late February.

Corporate Earnings Highlights

Scott Wren, senior global market strategist at Wells Fargo Investment Institute, commented on the market's behavior, stating, "This has been a 'why ask why' market. You just have to go with it." He noted that investors are focusing on earnings and corporate investments in areas such as AI data centers.

DuPont's stock surged by 8.4% after the company reported better-than-expected profits, despite facing some logistical challenges due to the conflict. The company also raised its full-year financial forecasts.

Other companies that reported positive earnings included American Electric Power Co., which rose by 1.8%, and Cummins, which saw a 2.8% increase in stock price.

Pinterest's stock jumped 6.9% after exceeding sales and profit expectations for the first quarter, with active monthly users increasing by 11% to 631 million.

AB InBev also surpassed profit forecasts, attributing growth to its Corona, Stella Artois, and Michelob Ultra brands outside their home markets. CEO Michel Doukeris remarked, "Cheers to beer," as the company's stock rose by 8.7%.

Conversely, Palantir Technologies saw a decline of 6.9% in its stock price, despite reporting stronger-than-expected quarterly results, amid concerns about increased competition.

Market Performance Overview

In summary, the S&P 500 increased by 58.47 points to close at 7,259.22. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose by 356.35 points, reaching 49,298.25, while the Nasdaq composite climbed 238.32 points to finish at 25,326.13.

International Market Reactions

Internationally, stock markets presented mixed results. The CAC 40 in Paris gained 1.1%, while London's FTSE 100 declined by 1.4%. Many Asian markets were closed for holidays, with Hong Kong's Hang Seng index dropping by 0.8%.

In Australia, the S&P/ASX 200 fell by 0.2% following an increase in the central bank's benchmark interest rate to 4.35%, citing rising fuel and commodity prices linked to the Middle Eastern conflict.

U.S. Bond Market Trends

In the U.S. bond market, Treasury yields declined in response to the drop in oil prices and mixed economic reports. The yield on the 10-year Treasury fell to 4.42%, down from 4.45% the previous day, though it remains above the 3.97% level recorded prior to the conflict.

This rise in yields has contributed to increased costs for mortgages and other loans for U.S. households and businesses.

Source: TimesNow 

06/05/26, Market Prediction

Sensex Prediction Today: Indian equity benchmarks ended lower on Tuesday, under selling pressure as fresh tensions flared in the Strait of Hormuz region and the ceasefire between the US and Iran came under strain.

As investors look ahead to Wednesday, May 6, the near-term outlook for the Sensex remains cautious, with technical indicators pointing to a continued consolidation phase unless a decisive breakout occurs.

In a volatile session, the 30-share BSE Sensex dropped 251.61 points, or 0.33 per cent, to settle at 77,017.79. The 50-share NSE Nifty edged lower by 86.50 points, or 0.36 per cent, to end at 24,032.80.

The rupee hitting a record low against the US dollar amid elevated crude prices also made investors cautious.

From the Sensex firms, ICICI Bank, Eternal, Tech Mahindra, Axis Bank, Bharti Airtel and Larsen & Toubro were among the major laggards. On the other hand, Mahindra & Mahindra, UltraTech Cement, Bajaj Finserv and Bajaj Finance were top gainers.

Hitesh Tailor, Technical Research Analyst at Choice Broking, said, "On 5th May 2026, the BSE Sensex closed at 77,017.79, declining by -251.60 points (-0.33%), as the market traded in a sideways range with mild early weakness. The index opened marginally lower by around 165 points and witnessed initial selling pressure, slipping to an intraday low of 76,515.03. However, buying interest emerged at lower levels, leading to a steady recovery during the latter half, with the index touching an intraday high of 77,151.33 and eventually closing near the day's high, indicating some strength at lower levels."

He further stated the sectoral performance remained mixed, with Auto, IT, Power, and FMCG showing relative outperformance, while Banking (especially Private Banks), Realty, Consumer Durables, and Financial Services lagged, reflecting selective participation and lack of broad-based strength in the market.

Sensex Prediction for Wednesday, May 6 by experts

Despite the subdued close, technical analysts highlight that the key index showed buying interest at lower levels, indicating the presence of demand near key support zones.

Sensex Prediction for Wednesday, May 6 by Vipin Dixena

According to SEBI-registered analyst, Vipin Dixena, the Sensex on the intraday timeframe continues to exhibit a range-bound structure, oscillating between 77,150 as immediate resistance and 76,400 as key support.

"RSI is stabilizing around the mid-zone, indicating neither overbought nor oversold conditions, reinforcing the consolidation phase," he said.

"As long as the index remains capped below 77,150, expect continued sideways to slightly weak movement with potential dips back toward 76,400; a breakdown below this level can extend the decline further. A clean breakout and hold above 77,150 is required to trigger fresh momentum on the upside," he concluded.

Sensex Prediction for Wednesday, May 6

Echoing a similar view, Tailor observed that the index is currently in a consolidation phase following recent volatility.
"From a technical standpoint, the index continues to consolidate within a defined range, suggesting a pause in momentum after recent volatility," he said.

Immediate support is placed in the 76,400-76,500 zone, which is likely to act as a demand area on dips. On the upside, resistance is seen around 77,500-77,650, where the index may face selling pressure, Tailor said.

"The near-term outlook remains neutral with a cautious undertone, as the index is sustaining within a consolidation phase. While recovery from lower levels indicates underlying support, the absence of strong follow-through buying suggests that markets may continue to remain range-bound, with volatility driven by global cues and sector-specific movements," Tailor concluded.

Broad market on Tuesday, May 5

In the broader market, the BSE MidCap Select index dipped 0.12 per cent, while the SmallCap Select index went up marginally by 0.14 per cent.

Sectorally, Realty dropped 1.38 per cent, Top 10 Banks (0.79 per cent), Services (0.63 per cent), Consumer Durables (0.62 per cent), Private Banks (0.60 per cent) and Bankex (0.58 per cent).

In contrast, Power, FMCG, Commodities, Healthcare, IT, Telecommunication, Utilities, Auto, Capital Goods, Focused IT and MidSmall Private Banks Quality Tilt were the gainers.

Drone strikes caused a fire at a major oil industry zone in the United Arab Emirates' port city of Fujairah on Monday. The UAE had accused Iran of carrying out the strike.

Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) turned buyers on Monday, buying equities worth Rs 2,835.62 crore, according to exchange data.

In a mandate as sweeping as it is symbolic, the BJP on Monday scripted history by winning 206 seats to secure more than a two-thirds majority in the West Bengal assembly polls, ending the TMC's 15-year rule, and decisively shifting the state's ideological and political centre of gravity.

On Monday, the Sensex climbed 355.90 points, or 0.46 per cent, to settle at 77,269.40. The Nifty rallied 121.75 points, or 0.51 per cent, to end at 24,119.30.

Report by EconomicTimes

(Disclaimer: The above article is meant for informational purposes only, and should not be considered as any investment advice.)

05/05/26, Gold Rate in India:

Gold prices across 24 karat, 22 karat, and 18 karat categories declined on Monday, May 4, amid rising energy prices driven by escalating tensions in West Asia.

Silver prices in India also edged lower in the previous session. As investors gear up for the next trading day, here's a look at how gold and silver prices are expected to trend on Tuesday, May 5.

Gold Rate in India

The price of 24 karat gold in India remained below Rs 1.5 lakh/10 gram on Monday. The rate of 24 karat gold in India stood at Rs 14962 per gram and at Rs 149620 per 10 gram. The rate of 22 karat gold in India declined to Rs 13715 per gram and at Rs 137150 per 10 gram.

Silver Rate in India

The price of silver in India remained stable on Monday. Silver rate in India stood at Rs 26,490 per gram and at Rs 2,64,900 per kilogram. Silver rate in India saw a sharp volatility in February and March.

International Gold Price

Gold prices hovered near 4,500 USD per troy ounce on 5 May 2026, after a sharp fall of almost 2% in the previous session, as per Trading Economics data. The data showed gold at 4,539.41 USD/t.oz on 5 May 2026, up 0.36% from 4,523.19 USD/t.oz a day earlier. Over the past month, the metal slipped 2.40%, yet prices remained 33.48% higher than one year earlier, based on contracts for difference that track the main market benchmark.

Gold Price Outlook For May 5

Gold rate in India today is likely to see a range-bound movement on Tuesday. The precious metal may see some downward presure as US-Iran ceasefire remains uncertain. In the long-term, commodity prices are likely to be driven by geopolitical tensions, central banks buying, US Dollar movement and Indian Rupee's performance.

"The broader outlook remains mixed, as geopolitical developments and central bank policy expectations continue to drive volatility, with commodities likely to stay range-bound in the near term," explained Gaurav Garg, research analyst at Lemonn markets desk.

Disclaimer: The views and recommendations expressed are solely those of the individual analysts or entities and do not reflect the views of Goodreturns.in or Greynium Information Technologies Private Limited (together referred as "we"). We do not guarantee, endorse or take responsibility for the accuracy, completeness or reliability of any content, nor do we provide any investment advice or solicit the purchase or sale of securities. All information is provided for informational and educational purposes only and should be independently verified from licensed financial advisors before making any investment decisions.

Report by Sharmila Bhadoria of Goodreturns

05/05/26, Bird View Market Report by FinancialExpress

 The global markets are cautious after the recent developments across West Asia, which led to a jump in crude oil prices. Following this, the  Gift Nifty is indicating a quiet start, down 10 points or 0.04%. 

Earlier on Monday, the Nifty50 closed the session 122 points or 0.51% higher at 24,119, while the SENSEX  rose 356 points or 0.46% to close at 77,269.

Key global and domestic cues to know on May 05, 2026

Asian Markets

The Aside Indices on Tuesday morning remained cautious as oil prices surged. However, most of the key Asian indices are closed today, including China and Japan. Yesterday, South Korean stocks hit a fresh record, following their strongest monthly gain in 28 years.

US markets

The US markets closed Monday’s trade on a lower note, as oil prices continued to rally as West Asia sent oil prices higher, sparking further worries about instability in the region. The Dow Jones Industrial Average shed 557.37 points, or 1.13%, closing at 48,941.90. The S&P 500 slid 0.41% to end at 7,200.75, while the Nasdaq Composite lost 0.19% to settle at 25,067.80.

Crude oil

 West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures fell 1.31% to trade at $105.02 per barrel. Brent Crude Futures  traded 0.58% lower at $113.77 this morning. On COMEX, crude prices declined 1.4% to trade at $104.98 a barrel. However, oil futures extended gains the previous night after the UAE’s Fujairah said that a fire erupted in a petroleum industrial site following a drone attack from Iran. WTI surged over $3, and Brent was up over $5 a barrel post the incident. 

Gold rate today

The rate for 24-carat gold today is Rs 1,49,550 per 10 grams. The price of gold has fallen by 1.33% from yesterday. The 24 kt gold rate today in Delhi is Rs 1,49,300 per 10 grams. The 18-carat gold price today in India is Rs 1,12,162.5. The.   24-carat gold rate in Dubai  today  is Rs 1,49,590. On COMEX, the precious metal was trading at a price of Rs 4,530.70 an ounce, which was a little change from yesterday’s price. 

Silver rate today

In India, the Silver Rate fell 2.78% at Rs 2.43 lakh per kilogram. On COMEX, Silver prices fell 0.67% on Tuesday to trade at $73.03 per troy ounce. Silver had surged to record highs in January amid geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainty, with heavy speculative buying pushing prices higher, but soon faced volatility.

FII, DII data

Foreign institutional investors (FII) were the net sellers of shares worth Rs 4,539.49 crore. On the other hand, the Domestic institutional investors (DIIs) were the net buyers of shares worth Rs 4,493.73 crore on May 04, 2026, according to the provisional data available on the NSE.

US dollar 

The US Dollar Index (DXY), which measures the dollar’s value against a basket of six foreign currencies, was up 0.03% at 98.49. 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. The rupee depreciated 0.17% to close at 95.08 to the dollar on May 

Top Sectors in Monday’s trade

The Sugar sector’s stocks rose the most in Monday’s trade, rising 2.32% in market capitalisation. Further, Ethanol stocks were followed by the Packaging sector stocks, which were further followed by the Infrastructure stocks. However, the Semiconductor sector stocks fell the most, dropping 12.84%.

Best and worst performing Business Groups

The Ambani Group’s market cap rose the most in Monday’s session, rising 2.42%. It was followed by the Vedanta Group. In the list of Vedanta Group stocks, Vedanta’s share surged 4.6%. Apart from that, Essar Group’s market capitalisation fell the most, falling 2.9%. 

05/05/26, Gold prices fell by nearly 1 per cent to Rs 1.50 lakh per 10 grams in futures trade on Monday, tracking weak global trends amid a firm US dollar and elevated crude oil rates.

 

On the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX), the yellow metal for June delivery declined Rs 1,149, or 0.76 per cent, to Rs 1,50,203 per 10 grams in a business turnover of 9,510 lots.

During the previous week, gold had depreciated by Rs 1,347, or nearly 1 per cent, to close at Rs 1.51 lakh per 10 grams.

"Gold prices have remained largely range-bound with slight pressure seen due to persistent inflation concerns and expectations of higher interest rates, although geopolitical tensions continue to provide downside support," Gaurav Garg, Research Analyst at Lemonn Markets Desk, said.

In the international markets, Comex gold futures for the June contract declined USD 58.7, or 1.26 per cent, to USD 4,585.8 per ounce in New York.

"Gold prices trade lower, continuing last week's fall, hovering near one-month lows, as strength in the dollar and surging oil prices continued to weigh on sentiment," Manav Modi, Commodities Analyst, Motilal Oswal Financial Services Ltd, said.

Rising crude oil prices, driven by ongoing US-Iran tensions and supply disruptions through the Strait of Hormuz, have heightened concerns about energy-led inflation, prompting a wave of hawkish signals from major global central banks, he added.

The US Federal Reserve has kept interest rates unchanged but flagged rising inflation risks, while Fed Chair Jerome Powell cautioned about higher inflation risks; however, he also expressed optimism about resilient growth.

Meanwhile, the European Central Bank, the Bank of England, and the Bank of Japan have also hinted at potential rate hikes, reinforcing the higher-for-longer narrative that weighs on assets such as gold.

On the geopolitical front, uncertainty persisted as US President Donald Trump reviewed potential military actions even as Iran submitted a revised peace proposal, offering some hope for de-escalation.

However, Trump expressed dissatisfaction with the proposal, keeping markets on edge, while Iran reiterated its control over the Strait of Hormuz, sustaining risks to global oil supply.

Investors will closely monitor the PMI data from major economies and the US jobs indicators for further cues on the monetary policy cycle and the trajectory for bullion prices, Modi of MOFSL said. (PTI)

The Daily Excelsior Report

Source: Upstox 

05/05/26, Dr Lal Path Labs shares surged 20% to hit their intraday high of ₹1,640 during the stock market session on Monday, May 4, on strong investor buying interest, prompting high volume gains amid steady revenue in the March quarter financial results for the year ended 2025-26.

 

As of 1:44 pm, Dr Lal Path Labs shares were trading 15% higher at ₹1,573 during Monday's trading session, compared to ₹1,367.20 at the previous market close, according to NSE data.

On the technical front, the Relative Strength Index (RSI) 14-day average of the stock surpassed 70 in the overbought territory before dropping to normal levels around 50. As of the afternoon market session, the RSI 14 was trading around 46 points.

Dr Lal Path Labs' stock was witnessing high volume gains on Monday's market, with trading volumes surging past 7.9 million shares across both benchmark stock exchanges, according to data collected from Trendlyne.

Dr Lal Path Labs Q4 results

Although Dr Lal Path Labs, in its January to March quarter results, recorded a nearly 15% fall in net profits to ₹132 crore, compared with ₹155 crore in the same quarter of the previous financial year, the revenues witnessed a steady rise on strong volume momentum in business operations.

The revenue from core operations of the company rose 16% to ₹702 crore in the fourth quarter, compared year-on-year with ₹602 crore in the same period a year earlier, according to the consolidated financial statement.

The financial statements showed that Dr Lal Path Labs' earnings per share dropped to ₹7.86 per share, compared to ₹9.29 per share in the same period a year ago. The company also declared a dividend issue for its shareholders.

Lal Path Labs final dividend

Lal Path Labs' board of directors last week recommended a final dividend of ₹4 per share with a face value of ₹10 apiece for eligible shareholders, subject to the member approval in the upcoming AGM, according to an exchange filing.

"Recommendation of final dividend of ₹4 per equity share (@ 40% on a face value of ₹10 each) for the financial year ended March 31, 2026, subject to approval of the Members of the Company at ensuing Annual General Meeting (AGM)," said the company in its official statement.

This means that eligible shareholders will receive a dividend payment of ₹4 per share for every share they own in the healthcare company, up to one day ahead of the pre-determined record date of the dividend issue.

Dr Lal Path Labs, in its statement, also mentioned that the board has fixed June 26, 2026, as the official 'record date' for the corporate action, and the payment will be issued to the shareholders within 30 days of the member approval.

What analysts say

Experts from Goldman Sachs said that the company's sales for the fourth quarter surpassed the analysts' expectations of 10.5% YoY due to the strong volume momentum generated by the increase in the number of patients and improved test & geographic mix in the period.

"EBITDA margin was 26.6% (vs 28.1% in 4QFY25), in line with GSe; management reiterated a calibrated pricing approach and continued reinvestment to support long-term growth," Goldman Sachs analysts said.

Analysts from the Japanese investment giant Nomura said that although the current valuations of the company are near seven-year lows, the revenues came ahead of the estimates, and EBITDA remained in line with the predictions for the March quarter.

Looking ahead, the experts also said that the revenues are expected to grow 13-15%, with the company margins expected to improve 27-28% as the focus remains on increasing network and infrastructure.

Source: Upstox 

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

05/05/26, The Indian benchmark indices, SENSEX and NIFTY50, closed in the green on Monday, May 4, supported by buying in realty stocks and a fall in global crude oil prices amid easing geopolitical tensions.

Domestically, investor sentiment also turned positive as key assembly election results came in.

On Thursday, the foreign institutional investors (FIIs) sold stocks worth ₹8,047.86 crore, while the domestic institutional investors (DIIs) purchased equities worth ₹3,487.10 crore on a net basis, according to exchange data.

The SENSEX rallied as much as 1.3% to an intraday high of 77,910.75, while the NIFTY50 touched the session's peak of 24,290.20.

On May 4, the SENSEX closed 355.90 points or 0.46% higher at 77,269.40. Meanwhile, the NIFTY50 surged 121.75 points or 0.51% to end at 24,119.30.

NIFTY50 top gainers and losers

The NIFTY50 pack was led by Adani Ports & SEZ, which closed 5.41% higher, as it announced its monthly business updates. Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone (APSEZ) has handled a cargo volume of 43.1 MMT (+15% Year-on-Year (YoY)) in April 2026.

Eicher Motors (3.11%), Jio Financial Services (2.98%), Adani Enterprises (2.68%), and Reliance Industries (2.54%) were among the other top gainers.

Shares of Eicher Motors rose, as its subsidiary, Royal Enfield, posted a 31% rise in total sales at 1,13,164 units in April 2026 as compared to 86,559 units sold in the same month last year. Its domestic sales were at 1,04,129 units as against 76,002 units in April 2025, up 37%.

On the other hand, shares of Kotak Mahindra Bank closed 3.18% lower, as the private sector lender's earnings failed to impress the market investors. It earned a net profit of ₹4,027 crore in the January-March quarter, marking an increase of 13% from ₹3,552 crore in the same period last year. The uptick in profit came on the back of sharply lower provisions for bad loans and an improvement in asset quality.

The other top losers included Bharti Airtel (-3.12%), Dr. Reddy's (-2.61%), ONGC (-2.22%) and TCS (-1.77%).

NIFTY Midcap 100 top gainers and losers

The NSE Midcap gauge closed at 60,159.75, up by 374.90 points or 0.63% on May 4.

It was supported by gains in Bharat Heavy Electricals (BHEL), which ended 7.59% higher. It hit a 52-week high during the trading session, as its consolidated net profit skyrocketed 156% to ₹1,290 crore for the January-to-March quarter of the financial year 2025-26, as compared to ₹504 crore in the same period of the previous fiscal year.

The company's board has also recommended a final dividend of ₹1.40 per share of ₹2 each (i.e., @ 70% on the paid-up share capital of the company) for FY26.

It was followed by Laurus Labs (5.81%), Motilal Oswal Financial Services (4.72%), Godrej Properties (4.56%) and KEI Industries (4.35%), which were among the other top winners.

On the flipside, the top laggards included Coforge (-3.51%), Oil India (-2.81%), Indian Bank (-2.74%), Indus Towers (-2.48%) and Mahindra & Mahindra Financial Services (-2.48%).

NIFTY Smallcap 100 top gainers and losers

The NIFTY Smallcap index increased by 125.35 points or 0.70% to close at 18,132.50.

Its top gainers were Dr. Lal Path Labs (14.39%), which rallied on strong investor buying interest, prompting high volume gains amid steady revenue in the March quarter financial results for the year ended 2025-26.

It was followed by Meesho (12.46%), Cholamandalam Financial Holdings (7.32%), Neuland Laboratories (7.31%) and CESC (6.57%).

Conversely, Piramal Finance (-5.68%), Sona BLW Precision Forgings (-5.23%), Garden Reach Shipbuilders (-4.84%), Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals (-4.51%) and Kfin Technologies (-3.37%) were among its top losers.

Source:Upstox

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

04/05/26, Global Markets, Crude Oil Prices

The Indian stock market benchmark indices, Sensex and Nifty 50, are expected to open higher on Monday, following strong global market cues, amid signs of easing US-Iran tensions in the Middle East.

However, volatility is expected to remain high as investors watch out for the assembly election results of four states and one Union Territory.

Asian markets traded higher, while the US stock market ended mixed, with the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq posting record closing highs.

This week, investors will watch out for key stock market triggers, including the assembly election results, Q4 earnings, developments in the US-Iran war and peace talks, crude oil prices, FII flows, currency movement and other key domestic and global macroeconomic cues.

The Indian stock market was closed for trading on Friday on the account of Maharashtra Day.

On Thursday, the Indian stock market ended sharply lower amid broad-based selloff, with the benchmark Nifty 50 slipping below 24,000 level.

The Sensex tanked 582.86 points, or 0.75%, to close at 76,913.50, while the Nifty 50 settled 180.10 points, or 0.74%, lower at 23,997.55.

"Traders should remain agile, avoid aggressive leverage, and adhere to disciplined risk management practices. With volatility expected to stay elevated, adopting a hedged approach and prioritizing capital preservation over aggressive positioning will be essential until clearer directional signals emerge," said Ajit Mishra - SVP, Research, Religare Broking Ltd.

Here are key global market cues for Sensex today:

Asian Markets

Asian markets traded higher amid signs of patchy progress in settling the US-Iran war. Markets in Japan and China are closed for a holiday. MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan gained 0.6%. Japanese Nikkei futures were up modestly. South Korea's Kospi jumped 2.53%, while the Kosdaq rallied 2.26%. Hong Kong's Hang Seng index futures indicated a higher opening.

Gift Nifty Today

Gift Nifty was trading around 24,245 level, a premium of nearly 147 points from the Nifty futures' previous close, indicating a positive start for the Indian stock market indices.

Wall Street

US stock market ended mixed on Friday, with the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq advancing to record closing highs, boosted by robust earnings and a dip in crude oil prices.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average declined 152.87 points, or 0.31%, to 49,499.27, while the S&P 500 gained 21.11 points, or 0.29%, to 7,230.12. The Nasdaq Composite closed 222.13 points, or 0.89%, higher at 25,114.44.

Nvidia stock price fell 0.56%, Apple shares rallied 3.28%, Atlassian share price jumped 29.58%, Microsoft shares rose 1.57%, Amazon share price gained 1.27%, while Tesla stock price rallied 2.41%. Roblox shares plunged 18.3% and Reddit shares surged 13.1%.

US-Iran War

US President Donald Trump said the United States will begin a new operation called "Project Freedom" to help foreign commercial ships navigate safely through the Strait of Hormuz amid ongoing tensions in the Middle East. In a post on Truth Social, Trump said the initiative would start Monday morning (Middle East time) and is aimed at protecting "neutral and innocent bystanders" affected by regional instability.

Exits Polls

The exit polls of four assembly elections show most pollsters are of the opinion that the BJP will retain power in Assam and Puducherry. In Tamil Nadu, except one, all posters have projected the ruling DMK to emerge victorious once again. In Kerala, there the Congress-led UDF is expected to return to power.

In West Bengal, three pollsters have projected the BJP to win, while three others are giving a clear edge to TMC. Counting of votes will be held today in West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Assam, Kerala and Puducherry.

Gold Rate Today

Gold prices was little changed amid signs of progress toward a US-Iran deal. Spot gold price fell 0.1% to $4,609.23 an ounce, while silver prices rose 0.3% to $75.57 an ounce.

Dollar

The US dollar index, which measures the greenback's strength against a basket of six currencies, was flat at 98.144. The yen rose 0.1% to 156.885 against the dollar. The British pound was up 0.1% at $1.3586, while the euro rose 0.1% at $1.1730.

Crude Oil Prices

Crude oil prices declined after US would begin an effort to free up ships stranded in the Strait of Hormuz. Brent crude oil futures fell 0.41% to $107.73 a barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate was at $101.24 a barrel, down 0.69%.

(Report by Mint with inputs from Agencies)

04/05/26, Stock Market Today

 Following the adverse global market sentiments, the Indian stock market witnessed sharp selling on Thursday.

The Nifty 50 index crashed 180 points and closed at 23,997. The BSE Sensex nosedived 582 points and closed at 76,913, while the Bank Nifty index finished 540 points lower at 54,863.

The sell-off was broad-based, with several sectors ending in the red-led by metals, realty, and FMCG- while IT showed relative strength. Broader markets also mirrored the weakness, with midcap and smallcap indices declining around 0.4-0.8%, indicating widespread risk aversion.

What Gift Nifty signals?

The Gift Nifty is trading green with a sizeable gains against the previous session's close. Gift Nifty today opened upside at 24,251 and touched an intraday high of 24,293 within a few minutes of the Opening Bell. By 7:10 AM, the index was trading around 100 points higher at 24,250.

Vaishali Parekh's Analysis:

Vaishali Parekh, Vice President - Technical Research at Prabhudas Lilladher, believes that Dalal Street bias is cautious. The Prabhudas Lilladher expert said the Nifty 50 index is trading in 23,800 to 24,300 range. Bullish or bearish trend can be assumed on the breakage of either side of this range. However, Parekh predicted positive opening on Dalal Street as market is estimating BJP's victory in the West Bengal Election Results today and a better performance in other State Election Results.

Speaking on the outlook of the Nifty 50 today, Vaishali Parekh said the index ended red just near the 24,000 zone with bias and sentiment maintained with a cautious approach awaiting the election result in the coming session. As mentioned earlier, the index is currently hovering between the crucial band of 24300 and 23800 levels for the time being and would need a decisive breach on either side to get clarity for a directional move in the coming days.

On the outlook of the Bank Nifty today, Parekh said the index crashed below the 55,300 zone with a negative opening hitting the low near the near-term support zone at 54,400 level and thereafter, with a recovery witnessed closed the session near 54,850 zone forming a doji pattern on the daily chart with bias precariously placed as of now.

"As mentioned earlier, the important support at 53,500 levels shall be the crucial zone which needs to be sustained in the coming sessions whereas on the upside, the 200-period MA at 57,300 level would be the important hurdle, which needs to be breached above decisively," said Parekh.

Vaishali Parekh's stock recommendations for today

Regarding stocks to buy today, Vaishali Parekh recommended these three buy-or-sell stocks: Thirumalai Chemicals, CESC, and Bharat Dynamics.

1] Thirumalai Chemicals: Buy at ₹200, Target ₹210, Stop Loss ₹197;

2] CESC: Buy at ₹185, Target ₹195, Stop Loss ₹180; and

3] Bharat Dynamics: Buy at ₹1364, Target ₹1390, Stop Loss ₹1346.

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.

03/05/26, BrokingFirms view on stocks

Indian equity markets changed a little over the five trading days, after witnessing high volatility. The Nifty 50 and Sensex closed flat for the week. 

During the week, several top research houses, including Motilal Oswal, Nomura, Jefferies, Nuvama Institutional Equities, Emkay Global, Goldman Sachs, Ambit Capital, and Morgan Stanley, shared their latest recommendations for key stocks amid a falling market, and we shortlisted 10 stocks across sectors.

Nomura on Indus Towers

Nomura has initiated coverage on Indus Towers with a ‘Buy’ rating. It has set a target price of Rs 490, implying an upside of 22% from the current market price. The company’s positive outlook is the primary driver for this recommendation.

Also, the brokerage house expects that the valuation gap between global peers and Indus Towers will narrow as the company’s stabilisation unlocks tenancy growth.

Motilal Oswal on IIFL Finance

The brokerage house Motilal Oswal has given a ‘Buy’ rating to IIFL Finance. With a target price of Rs 600, the brokerage is factoring in a potential upside of around 34%.

According to the brokerage report, IIFL Finance’s performance in the latest quarter, along with improving trends in asset quality and growth segments is a key factor to watch. One of the key changes highlighted by the brokerage in its report is an upward revision in earnings estimates. This is mainly due to higher expected income from certain business activities and a gradual improvement in assets under management.

Jefferies on Emmvee Photovoltaic Power

Jefferies maintains its ‘Buy’ rating on Emmvee Photovoltaic Power with a price target of Rs 3,600, implying an upside of about 36%. The brokerage says the March quarter performance comes in ahead of estimates, with revenue rising to Rs 1,738 crore from Rs 1,071.7 crore in the same period last year, while profit after tax increases to Rs 392.4 crore from Rs 207.1 crore over the same timeline.

It says earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation also beat expectations, supported by strong execution and volume growth. Emmvee Photovoltaic’s cell production rises to 428 megawatts, while the order book stands at 9.4 gigawatts, providing visibility over the next 12 to 18 months. 

Nuvama on Mphasis

Nuvama has maintained its ‘Buy’ rating on Mphasis and believes that the stock as room to move up even higher. The brokerage house has set a target price of Rs 3,200 to the stock. This translates to an upside potential of around 42%.

According to the brokerage report, the company has started translating its deal pipeline into actual revenue growth, which is a key trigger for future performance. One of the key takeaways, as per the brokerage report, is that Mphasis has delivered growth on the revenue front after three quarters of strong deal wins.

Motilal Oswal on Federal Bank

Motilal Oswal has a ‘Buy’ rating on Federal Bank, with a target price of Rs 325, implying an upside of 14%. Federal Bank reported fourth quarter FY26 profit after tax of Rs 1,260 crore, up 22% year-on-year, beating estimates by 16%. Q4 net interest income grew 33% year-on-year to Rs 3,170 crore, while the net interest margin improved to 3.2% from 3.12% a year ago. 

Advances grew 12.7% year-on-year, driven by gold loans and commercial vehicles, while the current account savings account ratio improved to 32.9% from 32.1% in the second quarter of FY26.

Morgan Stanley on Maruti Suzuki

Morgan Stanley remains bullish on Maruti Suzuki, assigning an ‘Overweight’ rating and a target price of Rs 17,895. This implies a potential upside of up to 39%. As per the brokerage house report, the company is likely to outperform the broader industry in terms of growth.

The report noted, “Maruti Suzuki guided for 10% domestic volume growth in FY27, ahead of our estimate of 8%, implying outperformance versus the industry.”

Goldman Sachs on Paytm

The global brokerage house Goldman Sachs has rated ‘Buy’ to Paytm, with a target price of Rs 1,400. This translates to a potential upside of about 22% from current levels.

According to the Goldman Sachs report, while recent developments linked to Paytm Payments Bank Limited (PPBL) have raised questions, the core business of Paytm continues to show steady traction, especially in payments and merchant growth.

Motilal Oswal on Ceat

Motilal Oswal reiterated a ‘Buy’ recommendation on Ceat. The brokerage pointed to earnings beating estimates on the back of margin expansion, higher other income and steady demand across segments. 

The firm maintained a positive stance, noting that growth momentum is expected to continue, supported by operating leverage and stable cost conditions. Motilal Oswal said Ceat delivered a solid operational performance in the March quarter, with net sales rising to Rs 4,200 crore year on year in Q4FY26 from Rs 3,410 crore.

Ambit Capital on PVR Inox

Ambit Capital has a Buy rating on PVR Inox, with a target price of Rs 1,232, implying an upside of 21%. The brokerage builds its case on improving occupancy, disciplined capital expenditure and rising free cash flow over the medium term. It expects revenue to rise to Rs 8,107.9 crore in FY28 from Rs 6,744.4 crore in FY26, supported by steady content supply and better monetisation per screen.

“Newer capex models should enable 10% FCF CAGR in FY26-FY30 with no equity dilution risk,” Ambit Capital says. “Net cash position and shift to asset-light screen rollouts help PVR Inox absorb content volatility.”

Emkay Global on Adani Green Energy

Emkay Global Financial Services raised the target price for Adani Green Energy (AGEL) to Rs 1,500 from Rs 1,350, looking at an upside of 21.4% from the current market price. This came after the company reported a healthy set of quarterly earnings for the fourth quarter of FY26. 

Adani Green Energy is planning to invest around Rs 15,000 crore in FY27 to add more than 10 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of battery energy storage capacity, as it sharpens its focus on delivering reliable and dispatchable clean power.

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Source:FinancialExpress 

03/05/26, 45,000 tons of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) to India

An India-linked supertanker carrying around 45,000 tons of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) is attempting a high-stakes transit through the Strait of Hormuz, Bloomberg reported citing ship-tracking data. The rare passage comes at a time when traffic through the vital shipping lane has nearly ground to a halt due to escalating tensions in the region.

The Marshall Islands-flagged vessel ‘Sarv Shakti’ was moving northward past Iran’s Larak and Qeshm islands on Saturday, according to Bloomberg’s report. The tanker appeared to be heading toward the Gulf of Oman, signaling a potential breakthrough in an otherwise constrained corridor. Bloomberg reported that such movements have been scarce since a weeks-old US blockade targeting ships linked to Iran disrupted maritime flows.

Shipping documents reviewed by Bloomberg identified Indian Oil Corporation as the buyer of the cargo. If successful, the tanker’s passage would mark the first observed transit by an India-linked vessel through Hormuz since the blockade began.

Dealing with LPG shortage

India, the world’s third-largest oil importer and second-largest LPG consumer, has been grappling with acute shortages of cooking fuel. In response, the government has taken steps to secure alternative supply routes and boost domestic output.

With cargoes from West Asia effectively stranded in the Persian Gulf, New Delhi has moved to secure alternative energy supplies. It has ramped up LPG procurement from countries such as the US and Argentina. In parallel, India has reportedly expanded its search for LPG to newer markets, including the Atlantic Basin and Norway.

Besides, India has also prioritised LPG shipments, directing ports to fast-track berthing and discharge of such cargoes while ramping up local production. Oil and Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said in April that India has increased LPG output by 60% to 54,000 tons per day.

City gas distribution companies — including IGL, MGL, GAIL, and BPCL — were directed y the government to accelerate new piped natural gas (PNG) connections and offer incentives to consumers willing to switch from LPG. According to the latest government data, over 5.27 lakh new PNG connections were gasified since March 2026, with new connections being added at a rate of 10,000 per day.

Drop in LPG consumption

India’s LPG consumption for 2025-26 stood at 33.21 million tonnes (MT). Monthly trends indicated a sharp decline in March, driven by supply disruptions from West Asia following the outbreak of conflict on February 28, according to the government data. Prior to this, India depended on imports for nearly 60% of its LPG requirements, with a significant share sourced from West Asia, especially Qatar.

Consumption dropped from 3.012 MT in January and 2.822 MT in February to 2.379 MT in March, marking a 26.6% fall compared to January levels. However, long queues outside gas agencies and labour migration due to the LPG crisis has been reported in parts of the country.

Courtesy: FinancialExpress

03/05/26, 100% FDI in insurance companies

The government on Saturday notified 100% FDI in insurance companies under the automatic route, an official notification read. This step will open the sector to greater foreign participation while retaining key regulatory safeguards. According to the notification, foreign investment will be subject to compliance with the Insurance Act, 1938 and companies must secure licences or approvals from the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India to undertake insurance and related activities.

However, Life Insurance Corporation of India will continue under a separate framework. Foreign investment in LIC remains capped at 20% under the automatic route. “Foreign investment in LIC shall be subject to compliance with the provisions of the Life Insurance Corporation Act, 1956 (31 of 1956), and such other provisions of the Insurance Act, 1938 (4 of 1938), as are applicable to LIC as per the provisions of section 43 of the Life Insurance Corporation Act, 1956 (31 of 1956),” the notification read.

The rules also introduce a governance condition that in any Indian insurance company with foreign investment, at least one among the chairperson, managing director or chief executive officer must be an Indian resident citizen.

In addition, 100% FDI under the automatic route has been extended to insurance intermediaries. This includes brokers, reinsurance brokers, consultants, corporate agents, third-party administrators, surveyors and loss assessors, managing general agents and insurance repositories, as notified periodically by IRDAI.

Report: FinancialExpress, courtesy: Dailyhunt