ITC Hotels share price continued its upward trend, rising 6% to ₹188.20 in intraday trading on Wednesday. This follows a 6% gain in the previous session, bringing its total increase to 12% over 2 days. The stock has been rising for 3 consecutive sessions and is now close to its 52-week high of ₹189, last recorded on January 29, 2025.

Strong Market Performance Amid High Trading Volumes

At 9:46 AM, ITC Hotels was trading 5% higher at ₹187.25, outperforming the BSE Sensex, which edged up just 0.05%. The stock witnessed heavy trading activity, with a combined 6.1 million shares exchanged on the NSE and BSE.

ITC Hotels’ Diverse Portfolio

Since its listing on January 29, ITC Hotels has been performing well. The company operates in various segments of the hospitality industry through 6 distinct brands:

• Luxury: ITC Hotels and Mementos
• Upper Upscale: Welcomhotel
• Premium Boutique: Storii
• Midscale: Fortune
• Heritage Leisure: WelcomHeritage

This wide-ranging presence allows ITC Hotels to serve different types of travellers, from luxury seekers to business and leisure guests.

Record Performance in Q3FY25

In the October–December 2024 quarter (Q3FY25), ITC Hotels posted its best-ever quarterly results:

• Revenue: ₹922 crore, up 14.6% year-on-year
• Profit Before Tax (PBT): ₹302 crore, up 43.4% year-on-year
• EBITDA Margin: Expanded by 450 basis points, supported by higher Revenue Per Available Room (RevPAR), operating efficiency, and cost management strategies

The company’s strong performance was driven by growth in the retail, weddings, and food & beverage segments. ITC Hotels also expanded its presence by adding 5 new properties with 330 rooms in Q3, while signing agreements for 29 new hotels over the past year.

Conclusion

ITC Hotels’ strong performance, industry tailwinds, and positive outlook indicate continued growth potential. The company is well-positioned for long-term success with rising demand in the hospitality sector and strategic expansion efforts.

 

Disclaimer: This blog has been written exclusively for educational purposes. The securities mentioned are only examples and not recommendations. This does not constitute a personal recommendation/investment advice. It does not aim to influence any individual or entity to make investment decisions. Recipients should conduct their own research and assessments to form an independent opinion about investment decisions.

 

Investments in the securities market are subject to market risks, read all the related documents carefully before investing.

 

On March 19, 2025, metal stocks saw a strong rally, with some rising as much as 5% in intraday trading on the NSE. The surge followed the government’s announcement of a 12% safeguard duty on certain steel products for 200 days.

Among major gainers:

• SAIL share price rose 5.04% to ₹114.40
• JSW Steel share price gained 2.84% to ₹1,047
• Tata Steel share price climbed 2.14% to ₹157.97
• JSL share price increased 1.82% to ₹659.70
• Jindal Steel share price rose 1.52% to ₹937.60
• Welspun Corp, APL Apollo, Hindustan Zinc, Hindustan Copper, NMDC, NALCO, Vedanta, Hindalco, and Adani Enterprises also saw gains between 0.2% and 1.35%.

The Nifty Metal index surged 1.67% to an intraday high of 9,185.20.

Why Are Metal Stocks Rising?

The government imposed a 12% safeguard duty to protect domestic steelmakers from rising imports. This temporary tariff aims to prevent “serious injury” to the local industry caused by cheap steel imports, particularly from China, South Korea, and Japan.

According to the Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR), delaying the safeguard duty could harm Indian manufacturers, making immediate action necessary. The government has invited feedback on the policy, with an oral hearing scheduled before a final decision.

Future Outlook

Despite short-term challenges such as a domestic slowdown and policy uncertainty, analysts expect a mid-cycle recovery in steel prices. Many Indian steelmakers are also expanding production to meet long-term demand, with crude steel output projected to reach 200 million tonnes by 2030.

At 9:46 AM, the Nifty Metal index was up 0.90% at 9,114.70, while Nifty50 was trading 0.11% higher at 22,858.70.

Conclusion

The safeguard duty aims to support Indian steelmakers against rising imports, boosting investor confidence. While short-term challenges persist, analysts remain optimistic about long-term growth in the sector.

 

Disclaimer: This blog has been written exclusively for educational purposes. The securities mentioned are only examples and not recommendations. This does not constitute a personal recommendation/investment advice. It does not aim to influence any individual or entity to make investment decisions. Recipients should conduct their own research and assessments to form an independent opinion about investment decisions.

 

Investments in the securities market are subject to market risks, read all the related documents carefully before investing.

Several stocks will be in the spotlight on March 19, 2025, due to important corporate actions such as dividends, stock splits, and rights issues. The companies to watch include Axtel Industries, Blue Pearl Agriventures, Galaxy Surfactants, and Praxis Home Retail.

Ex-Date Set for March 20

As per BSE data, all these companies will have their ex-date on March 20, 2025. This means investors who wish to benefit from these corporate actions must hold the shares before this date.

Dividend Announcements

These companies have declared interim dividends:

• Galaxy Surfactants – ₹18 per share
• Axtel Industries – ₹5 per share

The record date for these companies is March 20, 2025.

Rights Issue Announcement

• Praxis Home Retail has announced a rights issue of 49.58 million fully paid-up equity shares at ₹10 per share (including a ₹5 premium). The record date is March 20, 2025.

Stock Split Announcement

Blue Pearl Agriventures is going for a stock split where one ₹10 equity share will be split into ten ₹1 shares. The record date for the stock split is also March 20, 2025.

Other Companies Trading Ex-Dividend

Besides these companies, Power Finance Corporation and AGI Infra are also trading ex-dividend today:

• Power Finance Corporation – ₹3.50 per share
• AGI Infra – ₹0.50 per share

Understanding the Ex-Date

The ex-date is the day when a stock starts trading without the benefit of the declared corporate action. If an investor buys shares on or after the ex-date, they will not be eligible for the dividend, stock split, or rights issue. To receive these benefits, investors must own the stock before the ex-date.

These corporate actions can impact stock prices and trading volumes, making them key events for investors to track.

Conclusion

Investors should track these corporate actions as they may impact stock prices. Holding shares before the ex-date is essential to benefit from dividends, splits, and rights issues.

 

Disclaimer: This blog has been written exclusively for educational purposes. The securities mentioned are only examples and not recommendations. This does not constitute a personal recommendation/investment advice. It does not aim to influence any individual or entity to make investment decisions. Recipients should conduct their own research and assessments to form an independent opinion about investment decisions.

 

Investments in the securities market are subject to market risks, read all the related documents carefully before investing.

Bajaj Finserv is considering listing its insurance businesses after acquiring Allianz’s 26% stake in Bajaj Allianz General Insurance and Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance for ₹24,180 crore. The company aims to complete the stake transfer, regulatory approvals, and rebranding before making a final decision on the IPOs.

Regulatory Push for Insurance Listings

Sanjiv Bajaj, Chairman and Managing Director of Bajaj Finserv, stated that regulators encourage the listing of larger insurance firms. The boards of Bajaj Allianz Life and Bajaj Allianz General will evaluate the IPO plans, a process that may take 1 to 2 years.

Financial Commitment and Stock Impact

The Bajaj Group, which includes Bajaj Finserv, Bajaj Holding, and Jamnalal & Sons, is funding the acquisition and has committed significant resources to support the insurance businesses. Following the announcement, Bajaj Finserv’s stock dropped 1.33% to ₹1,845, while Bajaj Holdings fell 0.17% to ₹11,570 on the BSE.

Independent Operations and No Leadership Changes

Bajaj emphasised that the insurance businesses would continue operating independently. The company has a strong capital base and a high solvency ratio and has built operational expertise over 24 years. There will be no leadership changes, and both companies will remain under professional management.

No Impact on Employees and Business Operations

During a virtual town hall, Bajaj assured employees that the transition would not affect daily operations or business activities. Employees were already prepared for the change, and there were no surprises for them.

Allianz’s Future Plans in India

With the stake sale, Allianz is no longer bound by a non-compete agreement and is exploring new opportunities in the Indian market. Reports suggest that Allianz is looking to collaborate with Jio Financials in the financial services sector.

Challenges in Scaling the Insurance Business

Bajaj pointed out that growing an insurance business in India is tough, as most companies remain small and struggle to raise enough capital. This often leads to slower growth and limited expansion strategies.

Conclusion

Bajaj Finserv’s full control over its insurance businesses marks a strategic shift, enabling independent growth. With IPO plans under review, the company aims for long-term expansion.

As of March 19, 9:42 AM IST, Bajaj Finserv share price is trading at ₹1,853.30, up ₹8.65 (0.47%) for the day. The stock opened at ₹1,855.00, reached a high of ₹1,860.90, and a low of ₹1,851.55.

 

Disclaimer: This blog has been written exclusively for educational purposes. The securities mentioned are only examples and not recommendations. This does not constitute a personal recommendation/investment advice. It does not aim to influence any individual or entity to make investment decisions. Recipients should conduct their own research and assessments to form an independent opinion about investment decisions.

 

Investments in the securities market are subject to market risks, read all the related documents carefully before investing.

 

The Indian stock market continued its upward trend for the second consecutive session on Tuesday, March 18, 2025. Both the BSE Sensex and NSE Nifty 50 ended with gains of over 1% each, reflecting strong buying interest.

The 30-share BSE Sensex touched an intra-day high of 75,385.76 before closing at 75,301.26, gaining 1,131.31 points (1.53%) from its previous close. The last trading or expiration day for BSE Sensex contracts falls today.

Similarly, the NSE Nifty50 ended the session at 22,834, up 325.55 points (1.45%), after trading between 22,845.95 and 22,599.20 during the day.

Top Gainers and Losers

Investors remained bullish, pushing most stocks higher. Only Bajaj Finserv, Tech Mahindra, and Bharti Airtel closed in the red, while the rest of the Nifty50 stocks gained up to 3.35%.

Broad Market Performance

• Nifty Smallcap100 jumped 2.71%
• Nifty Midcap100 rose 2.10%

Sectoral Indices See Strong Gains

All NSE sectoral indices ended in positive territory, with the best-performing sectors gaining up to 3.62%. This broad-based rally signals strong investor confidence across multiple industries.

Oil Prices

As of March 18, 2025, at 03:34 PM, Brent Crude was trading at $71.93, up by 1.12%.

Conclusion

The Indian stock market continued its strong momentum, with broad-based gains across indices and sectors. Positive sentiment, strong smallcap performance, and rising oil prices indicate sustained investor confidence. However, market volatility remains a factor, and investors should conduct thorough research before making investment decisions.

 

Disclaimer: This blog has been written exclusively for educational purposes. The securities mentioned are only examples and not recommendations. This does not constitute a personal recommendation/investment advice. It does not aim to influence any individual or entity to make investment decisions. Recipients should conduct their own research and assessments to form an independent opinion about investment decisions.

 

Investments in the securities market are subject to market risks, read all the related documents carefully before investing.

Sugar stocks rallied up to 20% on Tuesday after reports indicated a significant drop in sugar production across key states—Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Uttar Pradesh. According to PTI, India’s sugar production for the 2024-25 season has fallen 16.13% year-on-year to 23.71 million tonnes.

The National Federation of Cooperative Sugar Factories (NFCSF) estimated total production at 25.9 million tonnes for the season, much lower than last season’s 31.9 million tonnes. This also contrasts with the India Sugar Mills Association’s (ISMA) earlier estimate of 27.22 million tonnes. Maharashtra, India’s largest sugar-producing state, saw its output fall from 10.04 million tonnes last year to 7.86 million tonnes as of March 15, 2025.

Sugar Stocks Rally on Positive Outlook

Shares of sugar companies surged following the production decline and optimism about future recovery. Uttam Sugar Mills share price hit a 20% upper circuit at ₹230.75 after India Ratings and Research (Ind-Ra) projected an earnings recovery in FY26. Increased sugar and ethanol sales, rising sugar prices, and capacity expansion will likely drive this.

Other sugar stocks also saw strong gains:

• Magadh Sugar & Energy share price rose 14% to ₹585
• Avadh Sugar & Energy share price gained 10% to ₹428.95
• Dalmia Bharat Sugar share price increased 9% to ₹344.50
• Mawana Sugars share price advanced 7% to ₹89.24
• Dwarikesh Sugar share price climbed 7% to ₹39.09
• Shree Renuka Sugars share price went up 5% to ₹28.55
• Triveni Engineering share price rose 5% to ₹383.30
• Balrampur Chini Mills share price increased 3% to ₹494.70

At the same time, the BSE Sensex was up 1.2% at 75,059 as of 12:14 PM.

Ethanol Production and Pricing Trends

Ethanol sales remained steady at 45.5 million litres in the first 9 months of FY25, compared to 46.8 million litres in the same period last year. However, ethanol allocations for early 2025 have increased, signalling a potential revival after the government eased restrictions on diverting sugar for ethanol production.

While sugar mills have raised sugar prices to offset lower recovery, ethanol prices have not increased, leading to weaker margins in the distillery segment. 

Future Outlook: Government Policies to Play a Key Role

To boost ethanol demand, the government has asked Niti Aayog to create a roadmap for increasing ethanol blending from 20% to 25%. This could drive ethanol demand up by approximately 25%. 

Despite current challenges, rising sugar prices and increased ethanol blending targets could support the sector in the coming years.

Conclusion

India’s sugar sector faces short-term hurdles due to lower production and muted ethanol margins. However, rising sugar prices and policy support for ethanol blending could drive long-term growth.

 

Disclaimer: This blog has been written exclusively for educational purposes. The securities mentioned are only examples and not recommendations. This does not constitute a personal recommendation/investment advice. It does not aim to influence any individual or entity to make investment decisions. Recipients should conduct their own research and assessments to form an independent opinion about investment decisions.

 

Investments in the securities market are subject to market risks, read all the related documents carefully before investing.

Hyundai Motor India (HMI) shares fell 3% to a new low of ₹1,555.80 on the NSE during Tuesday’s intraday trade, despite an overall positive market trend. At 10:56 AM, the stock was down 2%, while the Nifty 50 was up 1%. Nearly 1 million shares were traded on the NSE and BSE combined.

HMI had launched India’s largest IPO last year, raising ₹27,870 crore. With the recent decline, the stock is now 21% below its issue price of ₹1,960. It had hit a 52-week high of ₹1,968.80 on its listing day, October 22, 2024.

Market Share Decline

HMI has underperformed compared to its peers, losing 100 basis points of domestic market share in the first 9 months (April-December) of FY25. In the past month, the stock dropped 14%, while the Nifty 50 fell just 1%.

Disappointing Q3 Earnings

For Q3 FY25 (October-December 2024), HMI’s consolidated net profit fell 19% YoY to ₹1,161 crore. Revenue from operations declined 1.3% YoY to ₹16,648 crore. The EBITDA margin contracted to 11.27% from 12.88% a year ago, falling 161 basis points YoY and 151 basis points sequentially due to higher expenses, including one-time employee costs.

Company’s Outlook and Challenges

Despite short-term struggles, HMI remains optimistic about long-term growth, focusing on electric vehicles (EVs) and a transition towards electrification. 

Industry Outlook

Following years of high growth, industry growth for domestic passenger vehicles (PV) in FY26 is expected to be in the low single digits. However, factors such as lower interest rates, rising rural demand, and improved market sentiment could support the industry in the long run.

Conclusion

Despite short-term struggles, Hyundai Motor India remains focused on long-term growth through EV expansion. However, market share challenges and cost pressures may impact recovery.

 

Disclaimer: This blog has been written exclusively for educational purposes. The securities mentioned are only examples and not recommendations. This does not constitute a personal recommendation/investment advice. It does not aim to influence any individual or entity to make investment decisions. Recipients should conduct their own research and assessments to form an independent opinion about investment decisions.

 

Investments in the securities market are subject to market risks, read all the related documents carefully before investing.

Kirloskar Oil Engines share price surged 11.5% on the BSE, reaching an intraday high of ₹744.6. This marked the stock’s fourth straight day of gains, with an overall increase of more than 14% during the period.

At 11:48 AM on Wednesday, the stock was trading at ₹735.05, up 10.07%, while the BSE Sensex was up 1.19% at 75,049.01. Kirloskar Oil Engines’ market capitalisation stood at ₹10,670.12 crore. The stock’s 52-week high is ₹1,450, and its 52-week low is ₹544.15.

Stock Valuation 

Kirloskar Oil Engines share price is currently trading at a P/E ratio of:

• 23.2x for FY25
• 19.2x for FY26
• 15.6x for FY27

After adjusting for subsidiary valuations, the stock is at a 19.3x/16.0x/13.0x P/E for FY25/26/27, which is significantly lower than the industry leader.

Key Risks Identified

• Slowdown in demand
• Increased competition
• Higher costs in the B2C division
• Possible additional fund infusion in Arka Fincap
• Technological challenges

About Kirloskar Oil Engines Ltd (KOEL)

Kirloskar Oil Engines Ltd (KOEL) is a prominent Indian manufacturer of diesel engines, generators, and power solutions, known for its innovation and customer-centric approach. Established in 1927, the company specializes in producing air-cooled and liquid-cooled diesel engines and generator sets catering to multiple industries.

Over the last 12 months, Kirloskar Oil Engines share price have fallen 19.8%, while the Sensex has gained nearly 2%.

Conclusion

Kirloskar Oil Engines’ recent rally reflects investor optimism, but challenges like demand slowdown and competition remain. Investors should assess risks before making decisions.

 

Disclaimer: This blog has been written exclusively for educational purposes. The securities mentioned are only examples and not recommendations. This does not constitute a personal recommendation/investment advice. It does not aim to influence any individual or entity to make investment decisions. Recipients should conduct their own research and assessments to form an independent opinion about investment decisions.

 

Investments in the securities market are subject to market risks, read all the related documents carefully before investing.

REC share price extended its gains for the third consecutive session on Tuesday, following the positive momentum in the Indian stock market. The stock opened with an upside gap at ₹416.75 on the NSE and quickly touched an intraday high of ₹418.70 per share.

Board Meeting for Fourth Interim Dividend

Investors are closely watching REC as the company has scheduled a board meeting on March 19, 2025, to discuss and approve the fourth interim dividend for the financial year 2024-25.

In an official exchange filing, REC stated, “A meeting of the Board of Directors of the Company is scheduled on 19/03/2025 to consider and approve the proposal for declaration of the 4th Interim Dividend, if any, for the financial year 2024-25.”

REC’s Dividend History in FY25

If approved, this will be REC’s fourth interim dividend in FY25. The company has already declared three interim dividends:

• ₹3.50 per share (ex-date: August 9, 2024)
• ₹4 per share (ex-date: November 8, 2024)
• ₹4.30 per share (ex-date: February 14, 2025)

Dividend Yield Calculation

Before the fourth interim dividend, REC has paid a total of ₹11.80 per share in FY25. Considering REC’s share price of around ₹460 on April 1, 2024, the dividend yield stands at 2.56%. This yield is expected to rise once the fourth interim dividend is announced.

Conclusion

REC’s upcoming board meeting for the fourth interim dividend has boosted investor interest, continuing the stock’s upward trend. The dividend yield is set to rise further.

 

Disclaimer: This blog has been written exclusively for educational purposes. The securities mentioned are only examples and not recommendations. This does not constitute a personal recommendation/investment advice. It does not aim to influence any individual or entity to make investment decisions. Recipients should conduct their own research and assessments to form an independent opinion about investment decisions.

 

Investments in the securities market are subject to market risks, read all the related documents carefully before investing.