On January 16, 2025, the BSE Sensex and NSE Nifty50 closed higher for the third straight session. The Sensex gained 318.74 points (0.42%) to finish at 77,042.82, moving between 76,895.51 and 77,319.50 during the day.

The Nifty50 also ended in the green, rising 98.60 points (0.42%) to settle at 23,311.80. It touched a high of 23,391.65 and a low of 23,272.05 during the session.

Here are the top gainers and losers for January 16, 2025:

Top Gainers of the Day

• HDFC Life Insurance Company

HDFC Life share price surged 7.99% to ₹641.70, reaching a high of ₹663.60 after opening at ₹630.10.

• Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL)

Bharat Electronics Share Price gained 3.6%, closing at ₹277.50 after touching an intraday high of ₹278.05.

• SBI Life Insurance Company

SBI Life Insurance Company Share Price advanced 2.89% to ₹1,515.35, with a high of ₹1,545.00.

• Shriram Finance

Shriram Finance share price climbed 2.58% to ₹546.95, peaking at ₹553.75 during the session.

• Adani Ports (ADANIPORTS)

Adani Ports Share Price rose 2.23% to ₹1,154.05, recovering from a low of ₹1,145.40.

Top Losers of the Day

 

• Trent

Trent share price dropped 2.51% to ₹6,230.00, declining sharply from its opening level of ₹6,498.00.

• Dr Reddy’s Laboratories

Dr Reddys Laboratories Share Price slipped 2.26% to ₹1,307.00, after hitting a low of ₹1,297.00.

• HCL Technologies

HCL Technologies Share Price fell 1.95%, ending at ₹1,790.15, after trading as low as ₹1,785.30.

• Tata Consumer Products

Tata Consumer Products Share Price dropped 1.84% to ₹938.00, trading within a range of ₹926.05 to ₹960.00.

• Infosys (INFY)

Infosys Share Price edged lower by 1.52%, closing at ₹1,920.05.

 

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.

Railway-related stocks saw a notable rally of up to 11% in Thursday’s intraday trade on the BSE, driven by heavy trading volumes. The surge follows expectations of a higher capital expenditure (capex) allocation for the railway sector in the Budget 2025-26.

Top Performers

Stocks such as Transrail Lighting, Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL), IRCON International, Jupiter Wagons, Titagarh Wagons, RITES, Indian Railway Finance Corporation (IRFC), Texmaco Rail, RateGain Travel Technologies, and RailTel Corporation gained between 4% and 11%. In comparison, by 12 PM, the BSE Sensex had risen 280.68 points (0.37%) to 77,004.76, while the Nifty50 climbed 88.75 points (0.38%) to 23,301.95.

Higher Capex for Railways Expected

Reports suggest a 20% increase in capex for the railway sector in FY26, raising the allocation to over ₹3 trillion from ₹2.65 trillion in FY25. About 80% of the FY25 allocation has already been utilised, with the remaining expected to be spent by the fiscal year-end.

The increased funding will be used for:

• Laying new tracks and upgrading existing ones.
• Procuring locomotives, wagons, and coaches.
• Launching Vande Bharat sleeper trains for enhanced passenger comfort.
• Accelerating work on high-speed rail projects, with the National High-Speed Rail Corporation expected to receive a higher allocation.

Push for Public-Private Partnerships

The railways also aim to boost investments through public-private partnerships (PPP). For FY25, a ₹10,000 crore capex target via PPP was set, with 90% achieved by mid-January. This trend is likely to continue into FY26.

Transrail Lighting: Strong Growth and Promising Order Book

Transrail Lighting share price surged 11% to ₹662.90 in intraday trading. Since its market debut on December 27, 2024, the stock has gained 53% over its issue price of ₹432.

Business Highlights

• Revenue has grown at a 20% annual rate over the last 3 years.
• Approximately 55-60% of its order book consists of international projects.
• The company is progressing on a ₹3,100 crore river-crossing project in Bangladesh despite earlier delays due to design approvals and political unrest.

RVNL Secures Major Project

Rail Vikas Nigam Share Price jumped 9% to ₹406.10, marking a 13% rise over 3 days. The company announced receiving a Letter of Acceptance from Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) for the development and maintenance of the BharatNet middle-mile network.

Project Details

• Total contract value: ₹3,622.14 crore, including operational costs.
• Execution: 3 years for construction, followed by 2 five-year maintenance phases.
• Partners: HFCL and ATS, with RVNL as the lead.

This project is expected to significantly contribute to RVNL’s growth in the coming years.

 

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 January 16, 2025, Indian stock markets were trading higher, supported by positive global trends.

By 12 PM, the BSE Sensex had gained 280.68 points (0.37%) to reach 77,004.76, while the Nifty50 was up 88.75 points (0.38%) at 23,301.95.

As of January 16, 2025, 12:15 PM, the mid-day top gainers and losers are:

Mid-Day Top Gainers 

 

• HDFC Life Insurance Company

HDFC Life share price surged 8.6%, trading at ₹645.30. It opened at ₹630.10, hit a high of ₹663.60, and a low of ₹628.95.

• SBI Life Insurance Company

SBI Life Insurance Company Share Price rose 3.59%, reaching ₹1,525.55. The stock opened at ₹1,486.00, with a high of ₹1,545.00 and a low of ₹1,486.00.

• Shriram Finance

Shriram Finance share price gained 2.98%, trading at ₹549.10. It opened at ₹535.55, touched a high of ₹553.75, and a low of ₹535.55.

• Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL)

Bharat Electronics Share Price advanced 2.82%, trading at ₹275.40. It opened at ₹273.40, hit a high of ₹278.05, and a low of ₹271.40.

• Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC)

Oil & Natural Gas Corpn Share Price increased 2.05%, trading at ₹263.48. The stock opened at ₹260.00, with a high of ₹265.63 and a low of ₹260.00.

Mid-Day Top Losers

• Trent

Trent share price fell 3.14%, trading at ₹6,189.55. It opened at ₹6,498.00 and hit a low of ₹6,150.50.

• Tata Consumer Products

Tata Consumer Products Share Price dropped 2.67%, trading at ₹930.00. The stock opened at ₹960.00 and hit a low of ₹926.05.

• Dr Reddy’s Laboratories

Dr Reddys Laboratories Share Price declined 2.19%, trading at ₹1,307.90. It opened at ₹1,340.90, with a high of ₹1,347.00 and a low of ₹1,306.20.

• HCL Technologies

HCL Technologies Share Price dropped 1.94%, trading at ₹1,790.30. The stock opened at ₹1,833.00, with a high of ₹1,837.95 and a low of ₹1,788.70.

• Wipro

Wipro Share Price slipped 1.83%, trading at ₹287.30. It opened at ₹295.90 and touched a low of ₹286.70.

 

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.

 

Punjab & Sind Bank share price saw a significant jump above 7% in Thursday’s trade, reaching an intraday high of ₹52 per share. The rally was driven by the bank’s strong Q3FY25 performance, where its net profit more than doubled, rising to ₹282 crore for the quarter ending December 2024.

Impressive Financial Results

For Q3FY25, the bank reported a 147% increase in net profit, which stood at ₹282 crore, up from ₹114 crore in the same quarter of the previous year. Total income for the bank also rose by 14.5%, reaching ₹3,269 crore compared to ₹2,853 crore in Q3FY24. The bank’s interest income increased to ₹2,931 crore, up from ₹2,491 crore last year.

Improved Asset Quality

Punjab & Sind Bank saw significant improvement in its asset quality. Gross non-performing assets (NPAs) decreased to 3.83% of gross loans from 5.70% a year ago, while net NPAs dropped to 1.25% from 1.80% during the same period. The Provision Coverage Ratio (including Technically Written Off) also improved to 89.53% as of December 31, 2024, compared to 88.16% in the previous year.

Capital and Fundraising

The bank’s Capital Adequacy Ratio stood at 15.95% by December 2024, slightly down from 16.13% a year earlier. During the quarter, the bank raised ₹3,000 crore through the issuance of Long Term Infrastructure Bonds.

 

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.

 

Zee Media Corporation has announced the redemption of Non-Convertible Debentures (NCDs) worth ₹230 crore. The full payment towards the redemption of these unrated, unlisted, secured, and redeemable debentures, which had a face value of ₹10 lakh each, was completed on January 15, 2025.

Fundraising Plans by Zee Media

Zee Media’s board approved plans to raise up to ₹400 crore through various means, including equity shares, convertible bonds, debentures, preference shares, or foreign currency convertible bonds (FCCBs). The company is exploring all available methods, including private placement, qualified institutional placement, and other combinations.

Increase in FPI Shareholding Limit

The board also approved a proposal to increase the shareholding limit for Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs) and Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) from 24% to 49% of the company’s paid-up share capital, pending shareholder approval.

About Zee Media Corporation Ltd

Zee Media Corporation Ltd (ZMCL), founded in 1999, operates in the news publishing and broadcasting sector. It is part of the Essel Group and reaches 220 million viewers through a network of 15 news channels, including 1 global channel, 3 national channels, and 11 regional channels on the linear TV platform. 

Zee Media Corporation share price is trading at ₹18.97, up by ₹0.71 (3.89%) today as of 10:25 AM IST. The stock opened at ₹18.64, reached a high of ₹18.97, and a low of ₹18.45. The market capitalisation stands at ₹1,190 crore, with a 52-week high of ₹26.35 and a 52-week low of ₹10.00.

 

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 DPIIT (Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade) has formed a strategic partnership with ITC Ltd to support startups in the manufacturing sector. This alliance is aimed at fostering innovation and enabling startups to scale effectively.

Key Focus Areas of the Partnership

The agreement highlights several areas where ITC will work with startups to deploy innovative solutions, including:

• Digital Platforms for Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES): Developing advanced digital tools to streamline manufacturing processes.
• Renewable Energy Integration: Exploring opportunities to incorporate renewable energy solutions at manufacturing locations.
• Energy Storage Systems: Enhancing energy efficiency through advanced storage technologies.

Leveraging Expertise and Network

A  MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) has been signed, establishing a framework where ITC’s extensive market network and industry experience will complement DPIIT’s initiatives to support startups.

DPIIT Joint Secretary Sanjiv emphasised the goal of creating scalable and transformative solutions that foster a supportive environment for startups.

Startup India Director Sumeet Kumar Jarangal added that this partnership would provide startups with easy access to markets and opportunities to develop solutions aligned with ITC’s business needs.

Driving Innovation and Sustainability

Anil Rajput, President of ITC Corporate Affairs, highlighted the MoU’s focus on boosting digital capabilities to enhance operational excellence in manufacturing. He also stressed the importance of renewable energy solutions to strengthen ITC’s sustainability efforts.

This partnership aims to drive innovation, enable future-ready solutions, and promote sustainable growth in the manufacturing sector.

ITC Hotels Plans International Expansion Post-Demerger

ITC Hotels is aiming to expand internationally, starting with neighbouring countries and West Asia. The company is set to list its new entity after demerging its hotel business, which will give the hotel division more autonomy. The listing date is expected in the next few weeks, though it’s not yet confirmed.

Currently operating 140 hotels in India, ITC intends to grow its portfolio to over 200 hotels. The expansion will be focused on a more asset-light model through management contracts. ITC’s hotels are known for their iconic cuisine and exceptional service, which the company believes will help them compete with established global players.

The hotel chain is also dedicated to sustainability, with all its properties meeting low-emission standards and holding significant green certifications. It operates under six brands: ITC Hotels, Fortune, Mementos, Storii, WelcomHeritage, and Welcomhotel, and recently opened its first hotel in Sri Lanka.

In India, ITC is shifting from an asset-heavy to an asset-light strategy, adding new brands like Mementos and Storii to cater to a wider market.

About ITC Limited

ITC Limited, based in Kolkata, is an Indian conglomerate with operations in six key areas: FMCG, hotels, agribusiness, IT, paper products, and packaging. A notable portion of its revenue comes from tobacco products.

ITC share price opened at ₹438.05, hit a high of ₹439.45 and a low of ₹432.10 and was trading at ₹432.85 as of 10:13 AM IST, down 1.03%.

 

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.

 

HDFC Life Insurance Company reported a 15% year-on-year increase in its consolidated net profit for the quarter ending December 2024, reaching ₹421.31 crore, compared to ₹367.54 crore in the same period the previous year. The net premium income also rose by 10%, totalling ₹16,832 crore, up from ₹15,273 crore in the corresponding quarter last year.

The rise in profit after tax (PAT) was driven by a record 24% growth in the company’s individual annual premium equivalent (APE). However, on a sequential basis, the PAT declined by 3.2% from ₹435.18 crore in the July-September quarter. In contrast, net premium income saw a 13% quarter-on-quarter growth, increasing from ₹16,614 crore in Q2FY25.

CEO’s Remarks Highlight Growth

Vibha Padalkar, the Managing Director and CEO of HDFC Life emphasised the company’s robust performance in the 9 months leading up to December 2024. She noted that the insurer achieved a 22% growth in individual Weighted Received Premium (WRP), significantly outpacing the private insurance sector’s overall growth rate of 14%.

Assets Under Management and Persistency Improvements

HDFC Life’s Assets Under Management (AUM) grew by 18% year-on-year to ₹3.3 lakh crore, reflecting the company’s effective financial management. The persistency ratios also showed considerable improvement:

• The 13th-month persistency ratio rose to 87%, up from earlier levels.
• The 61st-month persistency ratio increased to 61%, indicating sustained customer retention over longer terms.

Additionally, the company maintained a strong solvency ratio of 188%, comfortably exceeding the regulatory requirement of 150%, reinforcing its financial stability.

Expanding Distribution Network

HDFC Life’s extensive distribution network includes over 240,000 agents, securing its position among the top 3 private life insurers in terms of agency strength. The company has also established approximately 90 bancassurance partnerships with banks and NBFCs. Furthermore, HDFC Life leverages collaborations with digital ecosystems to broaden its market reach and enhance customer accessibility.

Diversified Product Portfolio

The company highlighted its well-diversified product offerings, which cater to a broad range of customer needs. The composition of its individual APE is as follows:

• Unit-linked products: 37%.
• Non-par savings products: 35%.
• Protection products: 6%.

HDFC Life share price opened at ₹630.10, reached a high of ₹663.60 and was trading at ₹655.55 as of 10:07 AM IST, reflecting a 10.32% gain.

 

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.

 

L&T Technology Services Ltd (LTTS) has set a target of achieving around 10% revenue growth in constant currency for the financial year 2025. This includes contributions from its recent acquisition, Intelliswift. Amit Chadha, CEO and MD of LTTS, reaffirmed the company’s medium-term goal of reaching $2 billion in revenue with an EBIT margin of 17-18%.

Q3 FY25 Financial Performance

For the October-December quarter, LTTS reported a net profit of ₹322.4 crore, which fell short of the market expectation of ₹330 crore. The company’s revenue for the quarter was ₹2,653 crore, reflecting a 9.5% year-on-year growth and a 3.1% increase compared to the previous quarter.

In terms of dollar revenue, LTTS achieved $312 million, marking a growth of 3.1% sequentially and 8.7% year-on-year in constant currency.

Earnings Before Interest and Tax (EBIT)

The company’s EBIT for the quarter stood at ₹422 crore, slightly exceeding the market estimate of ₹411 crore. The EBITDA margin improved by 110 basis points sequentially to 16.2%, excluding one-time merger and acquisition expenses. LTTS anticipates stronger EBIT margins in the second half of the financial year based on its organic business operations.

Strong Deal Wins

LTTS achieved its highest-ever large deal bookings during the quarter, securing eight major deals:

• 1 worth $50 million
• 2 worth $35 million each
• 2 worth $25 million each
• 3 worth $10 million each

Amit Chadha highlighted that the large deal pipeline remains robust, driven by customer demand for new-age product and platform development as well as business transformation initiatives.

About Larsen & Toubro (L&T)

Larsen & Toubro (L&T) is a large Indian multinational company based in Mumbai, Maharashtra. It operates in various sectors, including industrial technology, engineering, construction, heavy industry, power, manufacturing, information technology, military, and financial services.

LTTS share price opened at ₹3,535.00 and reached a high of ₹3,543.45 as of 10:04 AM IST, trading at ₹3,501.50 with a marginal increase of 0.0029%.

 

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.

Hindenburg Research, the US-based short-seller known for its 2023 report targeting Adani Group, is closing its operations. Founder Nathan Anderson announced the decision, citing the intense and all-encompassing nature of the work. Anderson said the plan to disband the firm was made after completing their pipeline of ideas.

Hindenburg gained global attention for accusing the Adani Group of stock manipulation and improper use of offshore tax havens, allegations the Adani Group strongly denied. The closure comes shortly after US prosecutors indicted Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani for his alleged role in a bribery and fraud scheme.

Adani Stocks in Focus

Following Hindenburg’s closure, Adani Group stocks are expected to be closely watched. The group’s major companies, including Adani Enterprises, Adani Ports, Adani Power, and Adani Green Energy, saw gains on Wednesday, with some stocks rising over 2%. Investors will keep an eye on these stocks in light of the recent developments.

Timeline of the Adani-Hindenburg Saga

1. January 2023: Hindenburg accused Adani Group of fraud, stock manipulation, and money laundering, leading to a sharp decline in Adani’s market value.
   
2. February 2023: Adani Enterprises withdrew its ₹20,000 crore FPO despite a successful closure.
   
3. March 2023: India’s Supreme Court formed a panel to investigate the stock crash caused by Hindenburg’s allegations.
   
4. May 2023: The Supreme Court panel reported no evidence of manipulation in Adani companies.
   
5. August 2023: SEBI stated most of its investigations into the Adani-Hindenburg allegations were complete.
   
6. January 2024: The Supreme Court gave SEBI 3 more months to finish its probe, declining to involve the CBI.
   
7. July 2024: Hindenburg revealed a SEBI notice alleging regulatory violations involving Kotak Bank in the case.
   
8. August 2024: Hindenburg accused SEBI Chairperson Madhabi Puri Buch of a conflict of interest, claims denied by Buch and her husband.

Adani’s Group Stocks Market Movement

On January 16, Adani Energy Solutions shares increased by 2.42% to ₹799.00, Adani Wilmar shares gained 0.16% to ₹274.10, while Adani Total Gas shares declined 3.94% to ₹688.35 as of 09:55 AM on NSE.

 

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.