The Indian stock market is poised for a mixed opening on Friday, January 16, as investors navigate a complex landscape of global signals and domestic developments. Early indicators suggest a cautious start, with the Gift Nifty trading marginally down by 6 points at 25,780, hinting at a flat-to-negative opening for the benchmark indices.
Global Cues Influence Market Sentiment
Asian markets are presenting a mixed picture in early trade. Japanese and Chinese indices are showing mild losses, while South Korean equities display relative strength. This divided regional sentiment reflects ongoing uncertainties in the global economy. Meanwhile, US stocks closed in the green on Thursday, bolstered by solid economic data, but this positive momentum has not fully translated to Asian markets.
Domestic Factors Weigh on Investor Confidence
Multiple headwinds are capping risk appetite in Indian markets. Ongoing geopolitical developments and tariff-related uncertainties are clouding near-term visibility, making investors hesitant to take aggressive positions. Persistent foreign institutional investor (FII) outflows and mixed reactions to third-quarter earnings have further restrained sentiment. Participants are adopting a more selective and defensive approach in this environment.
On Wednesday, benchmark indices declined for a second consecutive session. The Sensex slipped 245 points to close at 83,382.71, while the Nifty 50 shed 67 points, ending at 25,665.60. Uncertainty around an India-US trade deal, mixed Q3 earnings, and sustained foreign fund outflows dampened investor mood. In contrast, broader markets performed better, with the BSE Midcap and Smallcap indices rising 0.16% and 0.25%, respectively.
Stocks to Watch in Today's Session
Against this backdrop, several stocks are likely to attract investor interest and could see significant movement today. Here is a detailed look at key companies in focus:
Reliance Industries, Wipro, Tech Mahindra, Tata Technologies
Shares of these companies will remain in the spotlight as they are scheduled to declare their third-quarter results on Friday. Investors are keenly awaiting these announcements for insights into corporate performance and future outlook.
Infosys
The IT major reported a 2% decline in net profit to ₹6,654 crore, down from ₹6,806 crore in the previous quarter. However, revenue increased by 2.2% quarter-on-quarter to ₹45,479 crore, slightly beating estimates. EBIT stood at ₹9,479 crore, with an operating margin of 20.8%.
Jio Financial Services
The company posted a consolidated profit of ₹269 crore for Q3, marking an 8.8% decline from a year ago. Despite this, total income surged to ₹901 crore, more than doubling year-on-year, indicating robust growth in its operations.
Biocon
Biocon raised ₹4,150 crore through a Qualified Institutional Placement. The company issued 11.26 crore equity shares at ₹368.35 each, representing a 2.8% discount to the previous closing price. This move aims to strengthen its financial position for future growth initiatives.
HDB Financial Services
For the December quarter, HDB Financial Services reported a 36.3% year-on-year jump in net profit to ₹644 crore. Net interest income also increased by 22.1% to ₹2,285 crore, reflecting strong performance in its lending activities.
Bharat Heavy Electricals (BHEL)
BHEL has begun supplying underslung traction transformers for the Vande Bharat Sleeper Train project. This development signals the company's strategic foray into the semi-high-speed propulsion segment, potentially opening new revenue streams.
Zydus Lifesciences
The company secured final approval from the US Food and Drug Administration for Eltrombopag tablets. This medication is used to treat thrombocytopenia, or low platelet counts, associated with certain blood disorders, enhancing Zydus's product portfolio in international markets.
RailTel Corporation
RailTel has secured a Letter of Acceptance from Central Railway for an ₹88.66 crore project. The project involves the supply, installation, testing, and commissioning of IP-MPLS network equipment across multiple stations in the Mumbai, Pune, Solapur, Bhusawal, and Nagpur divisions. It aims to enable unified communication for Indian Railways.
NBCC India
The company has secured a ₹55.02 crore contract from Indian Overseas Bank. The contract entails the planning, design, execution, and successful completion and handover of the IOB New Regional Office building in Raipur, contributing to NBCC's order book.
Zaggle Prepaid Ocean Services
Zaggle has signed a referral agreement with Jio Credit. Under this agreement, Zaggle will direct its corporate clients to Jio Credit to access leasing solutions as part of Zaggle's Device Leasing Program, fostering collaboration in the fintech space.
Investors should note that market conditions remain volatile, and it is advisable to consult with an investment advisor before making any decisions. This analysis is for educational purposes only, providing a snapshot of the current market scenario and key stocks to monitor.
