KEY ECONOMIC INDICATORS
WORLD ECONOMIC INDICATORS
|
Stocks
|
Change
|
|---|---|
|
🇮🇳 Nifty 50
|
+ 0.55%
|
|
🇮🇳 Sensex
|
+ 0.22%
|
|
🇮🇳 India VIX
|
- 3.22%
|
|
🇺🇸 S&P 500
|
+ 0.27%
|
|
🇺🇸 Nasdaq
|
+ 0.26%
|
|
🇺🇸 Dow Jones
|
+ 0.43%
|
|
🇪🇺 Euro Stoxx
|
+ 0.54%
|
|
🇨🇳 China A50
|
+ 2.08%
|
|
🇨🇳 DJ Shanghai
|
+ 2.76%
|
|
🇬🇧 FTSE 100
|
- 0.28%
|
|
🇯🇵 Nikkei 225
|
- 1.92%
|
|
🇮🇩 IDX Composite
|
- 0.86%
|
|
🇸🇦 Tadawul All Share
|
+ 0.52%
|
TOP GAINERS ON THE INDIAN STOCK MARKET
|
Stocks
|
Change
|
|---|---|
|
NTPC
|
+ 4.22%
|
|
Tata Steel
|
+ 3.29%
|
|
Tata Motors
|
+ 2.64%
|
|
Bajaj Finance
|
+ 2.62%
|
|
State Bank Of India
|
+ 2.54%
|
TOP LOSERS ON INDIAN STOCK MARKET
|
Stocks
|
Change
|
|---|---|
|
HCL Technologies
|
- 8.63%
|
|
Hindustan Unilever
|
- 3.48%
|
|
Titan Company
|
- 1.37%
|
|
Tata Consultancy
|
- 1.35%
|
|
Ultratech Cement
|
- 1.25%
|
NEWS
Vodafone Idea Boosts Investor Optimism Amid Key Updates
Vodafone Idea shares got their groove back on Tuesday, jumping over 5% after the company revealed fresh divestment updates that caught the market’s attention. Omega Telecom Holdings and Usha Martin Telematics went on a shopping spree, snapping up massive chunks of equity through preferential issues—moves that sent a strong signal of confidence. The stock hit a day’s high of ₹8.14, though it’s still a distant 57% from its 52-week peak of ₹19.15. Even so, with a modest 23% climb from its November low of ₹6.60, things are looking a bit brighter. Adding to the excitement, Citi slapped a ‘Buy’ call on Vodafone Idea with a juicy target of ₹13, signaling a potential 60% upside. Citi pointed to the government’s waiver on bank guarantees as a game-changer. This lifeline eases a big burden for Vodafone Idea, which had been tripping over the hurdle of securing debt funding. The ripple effects are also expected to benefit Indus Towers. That said, the funding journey isn’t over—progress there remains the make-or-break factor for the telco. Meanwhile, Vodafone Idea isn’t just shuffling shares—it’s amping up its tech game. The company partnered with HCLSoftware to turbocharge its 4G and 5G networks using AI-powered tools. Their new platform, HCL ANA, promises smarter, greener network management while slashing costs and boosting service quality. With a future-proof setup and energy-efficient operations, Vi seems to be aligning itself for a leaner, meaner future.
Ola Electric’s Shares Find Spark Amid Rollercoaster Ride
Ola Electric shook off its three-day slump in style, with shares climbing over 4.5% to hit ₹73.46 during Tuesday’s session. Sure, it’s still 15% down for January, but today’s rebound offers a glimmer of hope for investors battered by recent turbulence. Regulatory scrutiny and a slip below the IPO price had spooked Dalal Street, but Ola’s ability to bounce back hints there’s more to the story than just headwinds. The big shadow here is SEBI’s recent reprimand over the company’s bold social media play. Ola jumped the gun, announcing its massive store expansion plan to the public before informing the stock exchanges. This four-fold growth plan to 4,000 stores by late 2024 is ambitious, no doubt, but it’s also drawn regulatory heat. Meanwhile, Ola is also fending off a consumer watchdog’s probe into over 10,000 complaints, even as it claims a 99% resolution rate. But it’s not all damage control. Ola’s numbers tell a different tale: 2024 was a record-breaker with 407,547 units sold—a jaw-dropping 52% jump from the previous year. Their market share in the 2W electric vehicle game has climbed to 35%, solidifying their spot at the top. Add to this a robust direct-to-consumer model and aggressive expansion into smaller towns, and Ola is making sure its EVs are within arm’s reach, whether you’re in a metro or a Tier-3 city.
Prism Johnson Dives as Exchanges Probe Stock Swings
Prism Johnson’s shares hit a rough patch on Tuesday, tanking over 6% in morning trades after stock exchanges demanded clarity on unusual price and volume movements. The stock opened slightly lower at ₹159.95 before slipping to ₹151.80—a steep drop from Monday’s close of ₹162.20. While the market has been in a corrective mood lately, Prism Johnson’s woes run deeper. The stock has been on a slippery slope, losing significant ground from its 52-week high of ₹246.10. Yet, just days ago, it staged a mini-comeback, gaining over 7% between January 10 and January 13, with volumes noticeably picking up. That spike, however, has now caught the attention of regulators. In response to the exchange’s query about the unusual trading activity, Prism Johnson denied any inside scoop behind the surge. The company clarified that no new announcements or pending updates could have influenced the stock’s price or volume. They reiterated their commitment to transparency, promising to keep exchanges and stakeholders informed of any price-sensitive developments before making them public. For now, it’s a waiting game for investors. Prism Johnson’s quick rebound last week had raised hopes, but today’s slide—and the regulatory scrutiny—casts a shadow of uncertainty.
Biocon Gets a Boost as Analysts Turn Bullish
Biocon’s shares caught fire on Tuesday, surging over 7%, after global heavyweight HSBC upgraded the stock to a ‘Buy’ and lifted its price target to ₹430 from ₹290. That’s not just a number—it’s an 18% potential upside from Monday’s close, and a shot of optimism for investors watching this stock closely. HSBC points to a looming operational turnaround. With fresh biosimilar launches in the pipeline and generics sales bouncing back, the brokerage sees Biocon’s engine revving up. The FDA’s recent clean chit for the company’s Malaysia plant—after concerns over manufacturing practices—only strengthens the narrative. Add to that the upcoming debut of biosimilar aspart, also from the Malaysia plant, and you’ve got a solid growth story taking shape. But HSBC isn’t the lone cheerleader. Jefferies bumped its rating to ‘Hold’ from ‘Underperform,’ raising the price target to ₹400, while Motilal Oswal joined the party with its own ‘Buy’ rating and a ₹430 target. Key regulatory wins, like the Malaysian plant’s upgrade to VAI (Voluntary Action Indicated) status, have unlocked the doors to the US market—a major playground for high-stakes biosimilar launches. Today’s rally pushed the stock to ₹391.40, just a hair away from its 52-week high of ₹395.65. This pharma star has climbed 60% since its 52-week low in March 2024 and has already notched up a 6% gain in January 2025 alone.
Rupee Flirts with Historic Lows Amid Volatile Trade
The Indian rupee managed a slight recovery on Tuesday after a historic tumble the day before, closing at 86.62 against the dollar—a modest 8 paise gain. But don’t mistake this for a comeback story just yet. The currency remains under pressure, buffeted by elevated crude prices, relentless foreign fund outflows, and a surge in dollar demand from maturing non-deliverable forward (NDF) positions. Tuesday’s session saw the rupee touch an intra-day low of 86.6475 before finding its feet, thanks to what looked like Reserve Bank of India (RBI) intervention. State-run banks were spotted selling dollars—likely on the RBI’s behalf—keeping the rupee from a free fall. Foreign banks chipped in too, helping temper the storm. On Monday, the rupee suffered its steepest one-day drop in nearly two years, plunging 66 paise to a historic low of 86.70. This dramatic fall mirrors a broader story: the dollar’s relentless climb, fueled by fading bets on US Federal Reserve rate cuts. The dollar index, though slightly off its two-year peak, still hovers at a robust 109.5, applying pressure across Asian currencies. Crude oil’s gyrations in the $77 range and fresh domestic buying in PSU stocks did lend the rupee a bit of support. According to Jateen Trivedi of LKP Securities, the trading range for the rupee is likely between 86.25 and 86.85 in the short term, with domestic developments and global cues holding the key. The RBI, for its part, appears cautious with its forex reserves, choosing targeted interventions to steady the ship rather than a full-blown defense. Meanwhile, traders are keeping a close eye on US inflation data due later this week—a potential wildcard for the rupee’s next move.
LIC Struggles to Regain Footing Amid Regulatory Headwinds
Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) hit a fresh 52-week low of ₹806 on Tuesday before clawing its way back to close 2% higher at ₹825. Despite the bounce, the stock remains in troubled waters, having shed nearly 30% of its value since August and sitting 32.5% below its all-time high of ₹1,221. The decline is largely tied to LIC’s underwhelming business performance in recent months. December 2024 saw a 13% drop in individual Annualized Premium Equivalent (APE), marking three straight months of contraction after a strong September pre-sales push. Regulatory changes—particularly around surrender norms and commissions—have weighed heavily on LIC’s growth, shrinking its Q3 year-to-date growth to just 4.4%, far behind the private sector’s robust 19.3%. Despite these challenges, LIC remains a titan, holding a 64.4% market share in the group business segment. However, its total premiums fell 41% year-on-year in December, though individual single premiums rose 26%, offering a glimmer of hope. Valuation-wise, LIC appears compelling at 0.6x FY26 estimated embedded value (EV), but analysts remain cautious. Poor new retail business trends, combined with policy risks like the Insurance Amendment Act and the potential end of the Old Tax Regime, are likely to keep the stock in a tight range for now.
Markets Catch a Breather Amid Rupee Recovery and Eased Inflation
Indian equity markets managed a mild rebound on Tuesday after Monday’s steep losses. The Nifty 50 inched up 0.26% to 23,144.35, while the BSE Sensex gained 0.29%, closing at 76,545.10. This recovery came after both indices plunged 1.4% in the previous session, battered by a sharp rupee fall and disappointing earnings. The rupee, which hit a record low on Monday, found some stability, recovering 0.1% against the US dollar. However, the broader market sentiment remains fragile, with foreign investors pulling $2.75 billion from Indian equities this month alone. IT stocks, however, were a drag, led by HCL Technologies, which nosedived 9%—its sharpest fall in over nine years. The company’s underwhelming December-quarter performance, particularly in its software division, sparked investor concerns. On a positive note, India’s retail inflation easing to a four-month low has fueled hopes of a potential rate cut by the Reserve Bank of India next month. While this development provided some relief, uncertainties around weak corporate earnings, global economic headwinds, and persistent foreign outflows continue to weigh on market confidence. Tuesday’s recovery might offer some short-term relief, but sustained growth hinges on clearer cues from corporate results and broader macroeconomic indicators. For now, the markets appear to be taking a cautious pause rather than signaling a full-fledged turnaround.
Piramal Enterprises Soars on $140 Million Windfall from Divestment Deal
Piramal Enterprises saw its share price climb over 8% during Tuesday’s intraday trades, fueled by news of a significant financial boost from its divestment deal with Life Molecular Imaging. The stock opened at ₹960.05 on the BSE, slightly above Monday’s close of ₹950.35, and surged to an intraday high of ₹1,027.75. The rally was sparked by Piramal’s announcement that it expects to receive approximately $140 million as part of a deferred payment from the sale of its step-down subsidiary, Piramal Imaging SA, to Alliance Medical Acquisitionco Limited (AMAL). This agreement, originally inked in 2018, included a clause for deferred consideration tied to the future profits of Piramal Imaging SA and its subsidiaries. On Monday, January 13, 2025, Piramal disclosed that Life Healthcare Group Holdings Limited, which acquired Piramal Imaging SA as part of the earlier deal, has now signed binding agreements to sell Life Molecular Imaging Limited, a member of the Imaging Group. The transaction is pending shareholder and regulatory approvals but is expected to close in FY 2026. The anticipated $140 million payout represents the first tranche of earnings, with a potential to increase to a maximum of $200 million, contingent on future profits and eligible earnouts from the Imaging Group. This development signals a strategic financial gain for Piramal Enterprises, with investors cheering the prospect of a substantial cash inflow.
HCL Technologies Shares Dive Over 8% on Q3 FY25 Earnings Miss
Shares of HCL Technologies plunged by more than 8% on Tuesday following the company’s earnings report for the third quarter of FY25. The stock fell as much as 8.46% to ₹1,817.20 on the BSE, as investors reacted to a performance that came in slightly below expectations. For the quarter ending December 2024, HCL Technologies reported a net profit of ₹4,591 crore, reflecting an 8.4% rise compared to the previous quarter. Revenue increased by 3.6% to ₹29,890 crore from ₹28,862 crore sequentially. However, the company’s guidance for the full fiscal year was adjusted downward, with revenue growth expectations for FY25 now narrowed to 4.5%-5%, compared to the previous range of 3.5%-5%. Despite solid operating performance, with EBIT rising by 8.6% to ₹5,821 crore and a marginal improvement in EBIT margin to 19.6%, market sentiment turned negative. Analysts pointed out that the company’s quarterly revenue growth of 3.8% in constant currency terms was lower than the expected 4.2%. Despite the recent drop, analysts see this as a potential buying opportunity, with HCL Tech’s stock price finding a strong base around ₹1,710. Sumeet Bagadia from Choice Broking recommended using this dip to accumulate shares, setting a short-term target of ₹1,900-₹1,950, contingent on a trend reversal. At morning, HCL Technologies shares were trading at ₹1,823.55, reflecting an 8.15% drop on the day. The stock has fallen over 5% in January, but it has gained more than 17% over the past year, outpacing the broader market’s performance.
OVERVIEW
After a brutal four-day slide, Indian markets finally saw some green on Tuesday, January 14. The Nifty 50 closed up 0.55%, ending at 23,176, while the Sensex added 0.22%, finishing at 76,499. It wasn’t just the big players that saw relief — mid-caps and small-caps, which had been taking a hit, also managed to rally. The Nifty Smallcap 100 surged nearly 2%, and the Nifty Midcap 100 climbed 2.45%.
Despite the positive finish, the markets didn’t hold their early highs for long. The broader market pulled back too, but still outperformed the frontline indices. The rally was largely fueled by banking, auto, and metal stocks, with a speculative boost coming from Adani Group shares, which spiked on rumors of fundraising plans.
The factors behind today’s rebound were pretty clear. A solid bounce in the Indian rupee, falling crude prices, and domestic inflation hitting a four-month low all played a role. Add in some positive global cues — especially from China — and you’ve got a market that finished in the green.
But let’s not get too ahead of ourselves. This rally’s staying power hinges on the U.S. inflation data set to be released on Wednesday. The upcoming jobless claims data on Thursday will also give traders more clarity, especially after last Friday’s blockbuster jobs report.
Sector-wise, Nifty Metal led the charge with a solid 4% gain. Nifty PSU Bank wasn’t far behind, up over 3%. Among individual stocks, IOB shone the brightest with a jaw-dropping 18% gain. Adani Group stocks were the center of attention too, with a remarkable rally across the board — Adani Power soared 20%, fueled by speculation surrounding potential fundraising.
While the Indian markets ended on a positive note, it’s clear that traders will be watching global events closely. The next few days could offer more clarity on whether this rebound is just a temporary blip or the start of a more sustained rally. As for Adani, all eyes are on the fundraising talk — if the speculation proves correct, it could spell more upside for the group, but only time will tell.