Economic Times

Shares of Vedanta Power and Vedanta Oil and Gas rallied up to 14% after both demerged companies reported a sharp year-on-year improvement in Q2 FY27 earnings. Vedanta Power returned to profit, while Vedanta Oil and Gas reported higher revenue and EBITDA.

Laurus Labs shares rose 3.79% to Rs 2,329 after the pharmaceutical company reported strong Q2FY27 results. Revenue increased 33% year-on-year to Rs 2,206 crore, while net profit more than doubled to Rs 441 crore. Growth was supported by sustained momentum in its CDMO business and Affordable Medicines division, alongside improving margins and continued investments in manufacturing capabilities.

Jio Platforms shares extended their post-listing rally, rising over 28% in three sessions. Nomura, Motilal Oswal, Dolat Capital and Elara Capital remain positive, citing tariff hikes, 5G monetisation, broadband expansion and digital services growth.

After Suzlon Energy's quarterly results for September were unveiled, its shares fell nearly 10%. The company faced a staggering 69% decline in net profit, despite enjoying a 26% increase in revenue from wind turbine deliveries. Nuvama raised flags regarding lower-than-expected EBITDA margins, likely influencing the stock's dip. Nonetheless, Centrum Broking maintains a 'Buy' rating, indicating potential for recovery.

Hero MotoCorp has seen notable revenue growth in the September quarter, buoyed by soaring sales volumes. The company's market share climbed to 7.3%, thanks to heightened demand for scooters and VIDA electric vehicle sales. With plans for new premium motorcycle launches and an expansion of EV production, Hero anticipates a revival in international markets, projecting growth in exports for the latter half of FY27.

The advance-to-decline ratio in the stock market indicates underlying weakness, despite some index gains. The BSE MidCap 150 and BSE SmallCap 250 have both seen declines this month. Various factors such as profit-booking and high valuations contribute to this market trend. Institutional money is increasingly favoring larger companies with stable earnings. Overall market conditions remain uncertain due to external economic pressures and geopolitical risks.

CarTrade Tech shares fell 6.5% after Q2FY27 net profit rose 3% year-on-year to Rs 66 crore, while revenue increased 10% to Rs 213 crore. Nomura raised its target price to Rs 3,377 from Rs 3,340, citing growth potential in OLX India, improving consumer business prospects and operating leverage, despite trimming revenue estimates by around 3%.

India’s equity market divergence suggests largecaps may be regaining leadership as mid- and smallcaps remain under pressure. The Nifty has recovered to broadly flat returns in October, while midcap and smallcap indices have declined. More reasonable valuations, earnings resilience, liquidity and institutional preference are supporting largecaps, though elevated crude prices, macroeconomic uncertainty and earnings concerns continue to cloud the broader market outlook.

Meesho shares fell nearly 3% after Q2 FY27 net loss narrowed 68% year-on-year to Rs 132 crore, while revenue rose 34% to Rs 4,132 crore. Brokerages remained divided, with Jefferies and Motilal Oswal maintaining Buy ratings and Nomura retaining Reduce, citing growth prospects, margins and festive-season demand.

Jio Platforms made its public listing in India, achieving a market cap of $137.3 billion. This valuation positions it as the fifth-largest telecom company worldwide, surpassing Deutsche Telekom. Global competitors like China Mobile and Verizon continue to lead in market capitalization. Jio's valuation reflects its advanced 4G and 5G networks, which differ from legacy infrastructures of global giants.

Several mutual fund houses have temporarily stopped accepting fresh investments in gold fund-of-funds, impacting investors. These changes affect new lump-sum investments, SIP registrations, and switch-ins, leading to uncertainty. Gold fund-of-funds invest in Gold ETFs rather than physical gold, providing easier access for retail investors. For those unable to invest in gold fund-of-funds, Gold ETFs remain a viable option with no current restrictions.

The Reserve Bank of India has increased the cut-off yields for treasury bills after canceling a prior auction. Yields of the 91-day, 182-day, and 364-day bills experienced a significant rise. While system liquidity has dropped compared to last month, it still remains in a positive state. Traders are bracing for additional hikes as they face liquidity constraints and high oil prices, with the 10-year yield standing at 7.

Larsen & Toubro (L&T) shares rose sharply on Wednesday after the company reported a 33% year-on-year rise in Q2 FY27 net profit to Rs 5,202 crore. Jefferies retained its Buy rating but cut the target price to Rs 4,700, citing weaker-than-expected margins and factoring in lower estimates.

Why Stock Market is falling: On Wednesday, Indian stock markets took a nosedive as geopolitical tensions escalated and oil prices soared. The Sensex plummeted over 760 points, with Nifty 50 also facing substantial losses during the initial trading hours. Major IT firms suffered, leading to a decline in the overall market capitalization of listed companies.

Shares of Jio Platforms listed at Rs 1,359 on BSE and NSE, a premium of 21% over the IPO price. Nomura set a target price of Rs 1,340, implying 20% upside from the issue price of Rs 1,119. The brokerage cites Jio’s leadership in wireless subscribers, data traffic and home broadband, adding that its listing could support steady tariff hikes and drive monetisation.

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) is reassessing its strict extra disclosure protocols for foreign portfolio investors. These protocols demand comprehensive investor data from funds with specific asset levels and concentrated equity risks. Sebi aims to reinforce market transparency while averting measures that could destabilize the financial landscape.

Das said the BFSI sector has a crucial role to play in India's journey from a lower-middle-income economy to a high-income economy, through its intermediation in allocation of financial resources. He said the sector would be required to support India's next-gen Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), be the frontline of green and transition finance and become the catalyst for democratising financial inclusion to support this journey.

Advent International has successfully raised $30 billion for its global buyout and mid-market funds. The firm plans to invest significantly in India, expecting healthy GDP growth in the country. With recent investments including Yatharth Hospitals and Aditya Birla Housing Finance, Advent remains confident in the Indian market potential. The new fund is set to target various sectors including healthcare, technology services, and industrials.

Apollo Micro Systems has reported an impressive rise in Q2 earnings, with net profit soaring by 56% compared to last year. Revenues spiked 72%, hitting a milestone of Rs 388 crore for the September quarter. The notable increase in EBITDA showcases solid operational efficiency in the defence sector. The company is dedicated to enhancing its capabilities and expanding into global markets, demonstrating a strategic focus on its future objectives.

Tonbo Imaging shares rallied after a strong stock market debut, following heavy demand for its IPO. Investors will track revenue growth, order execution, profitability, working capital and cash flows to assess the defence electronics company’s long-term prospects.