In volatile market conditions, fundamentally strong companies with robust business models often outperform their peers, demonstrating resilience even during downturns. While many stocks may falter in challenging markets, shares of these well-established companies tend to retain value and perform better over the long term.
Investors looking to build a solid portfolio are advised to conduct comprehensive research before making decisions. Key steps include analysing financial statements like balance sheets, income statements, and cash flow reports, as well as assessing the company’s competitive position within its industry. Ensuring the stock is fairly valued is also critical to making sound investment choices.
To assist investors, we’ve compiled a list of the top fundamentally strong stocks for February 2025, ranked based on their 5-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR).
Name | Market Cap (₹ in crore) | 5Y CAGR (%) | PE Ratio |
Trent Ltd | 1,92,411.14 | 56.13 | 129.41 |
Bharat Electronics Ltd | 1,92,210.63 | 50.54 | 48.24 |
Mahindra and Mahindra Ltd | 3,39,559.61 | 38.05 | 30.13 |
Tata Motors Ltd | 2,62,482.61 | 32.83 | 8.36 |
Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Ltd | 96,270.30 | 31.94 | 107.13 |
Note: The best fundamentally strong stocks list in February 2025 provided here is as of January 28, 2024. The stock selection for fundamentally strong stocks is sorted as per the 5-year CAGR and from the Nifty 50 Index.
Trent Limited, a subsidiary of the Tata Group, operates department stores, supermarkets, and hypermarkets across India. The retail giant offers a wide range of products, including apparel, footwear, accessories, home goods, toys, books, sports merchandise, and tech accessories, catering to diverse customer needs with its comprehensive and stylish offerings.
Trent Limited reported a rise in consolidated net profit to ₹338.75 crore for Q2 FY25, despite facing headwinds during the quarter. Revenue from operations surged year-on-year to ₹4,156.67 crore, driven by robust double-digit like-for-like growth in its retail chains, Westside and Zudio, despite seasonal business fluctuations. Profit before tax (PBT) jumped year-on-year to ₹467 crore in Q2 FY25, following a rise to ₹501 crore in Q1 FY25.
Key metrics:
Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), a Navratna PSU under the Ministry of Defence, Government of India, was established in 1954. The company specialises in Defence Electronics, supporting the nation’s armed forces, and has expanded into other key areas of professional electronics.
Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), a government-owned enterprise, reported a year-on-year increase in standalone net profit for the quarter ended September 30, 2024 (Q2 FY25), reaching ₹1,091 crore compared to ₹812 crore in the same period last year. Revenue from operations for the quarter rose year-on-year to ₹4,583 crore, up from ₹3,993 crore in Q2 FY24. On a consolidated basis, BEL’s PAT climbed to ₹1,093 crore, compared to ₹790 crore in the corresponding quarter of the previous year.
Key metrics:
EPS: ₹6.22
ROE: 26.12%
Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M), headquartered in Mumbai, Maharashtra, was founded in 1945 as Mahindra & Mohammed and later renamed. A key part of the Mahindra Group, M&M is among India’s largest vehicle manufacturers by production, with its Mahindra Tractors subsidiary leading globally as the largest tractor maker by volume.
Mahindra & Mahindra Financial Services Ltd reported strong Q3 FY25 results. with net profit surging YoY to ₹899.5 crore. The company also posted a rise in Net Interest Income (NII) to ₹2,097.1 crore, surpassing the expected ₹1,927.2 crore, compared to ₹1,779 crore last year.
Key metrics:
EPS: ₹88.02
ROE: 19.50%
Tata Motors Limited, an Indian multinational automotive company headquartered in Mumbai and part of the Tata Group, manufactures cars, trucks, vans, and buses. Its key subsidiaries include British luxury automaker Jaguar Land Rover and South Korean commercial vehicle maker Tata Daewoo. Tata Motors also has joint ventures with Hitachi for Tata Hitachi Construction Machinery and Stellantis for producing vehicle parts for Fiat Chrysler and Tata-branded vehicles.
Tata Motors reported a year-on-year decline in standalone net profit to ₹477 crore for the second quarter ending September, compared to ₹1,270 crore in the same period last year, falling short of market expectations. Revenue from operations also dropped year-on-year to ₹15,518 crore, down from ₹18,542 crore in the corresponding quarter.
Key metrics:
EPS: ₹25.44
ROE: 30.57%
Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Limited, founded in 1983 by Prathap C. Reddy and headquartered in Chennai, is a leading Indian healthcare group. It operates a nationwide network of hospitals, pharmacies, primary care, diagnostic centres, telehealth clinics, and digital healthcare services, delivering comprehensive healthcare solutions across the country.
Apollo Hospitals Enterprise (AHEL) reported a rise in consolidated net profit to Rs 379 crore in Q2 FY25, driven by growth in its hospital business. Revenue from operations grew to Rs 5,589 crore. AHEL’s CFO confirmed Apollo HealthCo reached breakeven, with online business expected to do so by Q2 FY26.
Key metrics:
EPS: ₹78.10
ROE: 13.71%
Name | Net Profit Margin (%) | Return on Equity (%) | 5Y Returns in (%) |
Britannia Industries Ltd | 12.60 | 56.83 | 64.02 |
Coal India Ltd | 24.82 | 51.52 | 117.24 |
Tata Consultancy Services Ltd | 18.71 | 50.30 | 85.75 |
Trent Ltd | 11.13 | 43.95 | 849.08 |
Tata Motors Ltd | 7.06 | 43.10 | 344.11 |
Note: The best Fundamental stocks list here is as of January 28, 2025. The stocks are sorted based on the return on equity.
Name | PE Ratio | ↓Return on Assets (%) | Dividend Yield |
Tata Consultancy Services Ltd | 32.04 | 31.84 | 1.80 |
Britannia Industries Ltd | 58.27 | 23.23 | 1.42 |
ITC Ltd | 26.91 | 23.04 | 3.12 |
Bajaj Auto Ltd | 30.38 | 20.70 | 0.95 |
Infosys Ltd | 28.77 | 20.13 | 2.52 |
Note: The best Fundamental stocks list here is as of January 28, 2025. The stocks are sorted based on the return on assets.
Investing in fundamentally strong stocks is a strategic approach to building a stable and growing investment portfolio. To make well-informed decisions, it’s essential to evaluate several critical factors that can determine the long-term success of a company.
A company’s financial health is the first thing to assess. Investors should scrutinize balance sheets, income statements, and cash flow statements. Key indicators such as low debt levels, consistent revenue growth, and positive cash flow are critical signs of financial stability.
Profitability ratios such as Return on Equity (ROE), Return on Assets (ROA), and net profit margin give investors insight into how efficiently a company generates profits. Companies with high profitability are typically in a stronger position to withstand economic fluctuations.
Analysing historical earnings trends and future projections helps investors evaluate the company’s growth potential. A company that has consistently grown its earnings over time is likely to continue that trend, making it a more attractive investment.
Investors should pay close attention to valuation metrics like Price-to-Earnings (P/E), Price-to-Book (P/B), and Price-to-Sales (P/S) ratios. These metrics help identify whether a stock is undervalued and presents an attractive investment opportunity.
The leadership and governance of a company play a vital role in its long-term success. Strong management teams with a proven track record can effectively steer the company through challenges and help achieve sustained growth.
A company with a unique competitive advantage, such as brand strength, proprietary technology, or exclusive market access, is more likely to maintain profitability over time. This competitive edge helps companies fend off competitors and sustain their market position.
For those looking to build wealth over time, investing in fundamentally strong stocks can provide an opportunity for stability and growth, even during market volatility. Companies with sound financial health, effective management, and strong growth prospects can offer consistent returns, making them an option for long-term investors, risk-averse individuals, or those seeking reliable dividend income. Careful research and aligning investments with personal financial objectives, along with consulting a financial advisor, can lead to successful investment strategies.
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.
Published on: Jan 29, 2025, 3:13 PM IST
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