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Informist, Friday, Oct. 24, 2025                                      Tel +91 (22) 6985-4000

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Equity Alert: Midwest lists at INR 1,165.10, 9.4% premium to issue price

 

MUMBAI--1009 IST--Midwest Ltd. listed at INR 1,165.10 on BSE, at a premium of 9.4% to its issue price of INR 1,065. At 1000 IST, shares of Midwest traded at INR 1,170 on BSE. The initial public offering of the company, which ended on Oct. 17, was subscribed 88 times with investors placing bids for 273.98 million shares against 3.12 million shares on offer, according to data from BSE's website.

 

Hyderabad-based Midwest is in the business of exploration, mining, processing, marketing, distributing, and exporting natural stones. The company had reported a consolidated net profit of INR 232.06 million for the June quarter on a consolidated revenue of INR 1.42 billion. (Adhithya Aji)   

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Equity Alert: HUL declines 5% as some brokerages flag weak growth outlook

 

MUMBAI--1002 IST--Shares of Hindustan Unilever fell nearly 5% to a near one-month low of INR 2,474.50 after some brokerages noted that the company's earnings and growth outlook still looks tepid for the near term. At 0956 IST, the stock traded 3.7% lower at INR 2,504.60 and was the worst hit in the Nifty 50.

 

Nirmal Bang Equities said while inflation levels have remained benign, outlook on real rural wage growth and employment levels remains weak. These factors were pegged to be key for the company's earnings recovery by the management. "Management mentioned that October would also be impacted by the GST-related disruption and recovery will be gradual," the brokerage added.

 

"We maintain our HOLD rating as earnings growth is likely to be modest at mid-single digits over FY25-FY27 despite taking into account the Minimalist acquisition as part of our annual forecasts," it said. The brokerage reduced its target price on the stock to INR 2,495 from INR 2,500. 

 

However, some brokerages also maintained a positive view on the fast-moving consumer goods behemoth, especially due to a strategic vision. This vision underpins a weak medium-term growth outlook, NDTV Profit cited global brokerage Citi as saying. The brokerage maintained a 'buy' rating on the stock and raised the target price to INR 3,000 from INR 2,900.  (Akash Mandal)

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Equity Alert: Indices open on muted note; HUL tanks 4%, Hindalco gains 4%

 

MUMBAI--0933 IST--Benchmark equity indices started the session on a muted note, consolidating after gaining nearly 3% over the past six sessions. At 0931 IST, the Nifty 50 was at 25879.35 points, down 12.05 points or 0.1%. The BSE Sensex was at 84472.30 points, down 84.10 points or 0.1%. Sectoral indices were mixed. Most broader market indices were in the red.

 

Hindalco Industries surged 4% and was the top gainer on the Nifty 50 after aluminium prices rose globally due to the tight supply and demand dynamics globally, and due to expectations of monetary easing around the world. National Aluminium Co. was also up 4%.

 

On the other hand, Hindustan Unilever fell nearly 4% and was the worst hit on the Nifty 50 after many brokerages noted that margins would continue to be impacted due to transition to the new goods and service tax system. Cipla was down 3?ter some brokerages remained cautious and awaited further details regarding distribution agreement with Eli Lilly to distribute its blockbuster weight loss drug tirzepatide in India. 

 

Among other stocks, Colgate-Palmolive (India) fell 3?ter its September quarter earnings fell short of analysts' estimates. Laurus Labs was down nearly 3?spite robust on-year earnings growth in the reporting quarter as some brokerages expressed concerns regarding stretched valuation of the stock.  (Akash Mandal)

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Equity Alert: Most Asian Indices rise after US govt confirms Trump-Xi meet

 

MUMBAI--0823 IST--Most equity indices in Asia were higher in early trade Friday, after the White House confirmed that US President Donald Trump and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping were set to hold talks next week. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt laid out the US president's schedule for his visit to Asian countries. The official said that Trump would leave for Malaysia late Friday and then travel to Japan and South Korea. He will meet the Chinese president on Thursday, after speaking at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation CEO Summit.

 

South Korea's Kospi was nearly 2% higher, leading the gains in the region. The country's finance ministry Friday said it was ready to take stabilisation measures in the foreign exchange market if needed, amid persistent volatility in the won-dollar trade. The country's GDP was projected to have expanded a seasonally adjusted 0.9% in the Jul-Sept quarter after posting upbeat growth in the previous quarter, according to the median forecast of 12 economists by Reuters. On a year-on-year basis, GDP was forecast to have grown 1.5% following a 0.6% expansion in the Apr-Jun period, based on the median estimate from 18 economists polled by Reuters.

 

Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 index rose 1.4% and the broader Topix rose 0.6%. The country's core inflation rose to 2.9% on year in September, the first increase since May and in line with expectations from economists polled by Reuters. This reading was higher than the 2.7% seen in August. 

 

China's benchmark CSI 300 index was 0.7% higher and Hong Kong's Hang Seng index was also trading with gains. "The post-plenum outline from state news agency Xinhua hinted at policy continuity, which concerns economists who have been calling for a shift towards agrowth model that relies more on household demand," a Reuters report said about the recently concluded fourth Chinese Communist Party plenum.

 

The press communique released after the event said that the country was trying to build a modern industrial system with advanced manufacturing as the backbone. "There is still an unresolved tension between the leadership's purported desire to boost consumption and its goal of shoring up the size of its manufacturing sector," Capital Economics analyst Julian Evans-Pritchard was quoted as saying by Reuters.

 

On the other hand, Taiwan's Taiex was down 0.5% and was the worst-hit in Asia. Australia's S&P/ASX 200 was also slightly down.

 

Following were the levels of key Asian indices at 0810 IST:

 

Index	Level	Change in %
CSI 300 Index	4636.64	0.66
Hang Seng Index	26134.80	0.64
Nikkei 225 Day	49315.15	1.38
TOPIX FIRST SECTION	3275.55	0.67
KOSPI	3923.43	2.02
FTSE Singapore Strait Times	4426.80	0.24
S&P/ASX 200 Index	9022.10	(-)0.12

 

(Eshitva Prakash)

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Equity Alert: Indices may consolidate in near term; bias remains positive

 

MUMBAI--0805 IST--Benchmark indices are likely to open flat to slightly higher Friday and consolidate after robust gains in the past six sessions. The Nifty 50, which has gained 3% during this period, may test the 26000 levels again during the session if heavyweights such as banks keep up the positive run, analysts said. Corporate earnings will be in focus with Dr. Reddy's Laboratories and SBI Life Insurance Co. slated to release their September quarter results during the day. 

 

"A breakout from the cup and handle pattern on the weekly chart with strong volume typically signals a bullish continuation, suggesting that the stock may enter a new uptrend," Mandar Bhojane, senior research analyst at Chola Securities, said. He expects the bullish momentum to continue despite the sharp profit booking seen on Thursday.

 

The futures contracts of the Nifty 50 also indicate a flattish start to the market. At 0800 IST, the October contract was at 26024.50 points, up 12.50 points, and the November contract was up 11.50 points at 26163 points. On Thursday, the Nifty 50 closed at 25891.40 points, up 22.80 points or 0.1%. The BSE Sensex closed at 84556.40 points, up 130.06 points or 0.2%. 

 

Overnight, indices in the US ended higher despite mixed corporate earnings. Technology stocks rose, pushing the Nasdaq Composite to be the top gainer on the day. All three indices rose after the US confirmed that President Donald Trump will meet Chinese President Xi Jinping next week as part of his trip through Asia amid an escalating trade war, Reuters reported. Most indices in Asia were also higher in early trade Friday.  (Akash Mandal)

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Equity Alert: US mkt ends up Thu led by IT cos, likely strong earnings season

 

MUMBAI--0748 IST--Equity indices in the US ended higher Thursday, led by gains in technology stocks as strong earnings reported by some companies in the sector boosted investors' sentiment. Indices rose further after White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed the meeting between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping next Thursday in South Korea. The announcement soothed traders' concerns about US-China trade tensions, which had pressured equities in the previous session.

 

"The Trump-Xi confirmation is clearly positive... that's a good checkpoint for sentiment, which has been really up-and-down on trade and that's obviously playing a role today (Thursday)," Zachary Hill, head of portfolio management at Horizon Investments in Charlotte, North Carolina was quoted by Reuters as saying.

 

Shares of automation company Honeywell gained nearly 7?ter it posted better-than-expected quarterly results and raised its full-year guidance. Shares of American Airlines rose 6?ter its September quarter loss narrowed and the management delivered an upbeat guidance.

 

The technology-heavy Nasdaq Composite rose nearly 1?ter shares of technology heavyweights Nvidia, Broadcom and Amazon rose more than 1%. Shares of artificial-intelligence company Oracle advanced nearly 3%. Quantum computing stocks rose after media reports said the Trump administration was in talks with several of them to take equity stakes in exchange for federal funding, Reuters reported. IonQ, D-Wave Quantum, Quantum Computing and Rigetti Computing gained 7-14%.

 

Tesla, which was the first of the "magnificent seven" to release its earnings, gained more than 2?ter bouncing back from earlier losses following a mixed earnings report. The company reported a 12% on-year increase in its September quarter revenue. However, its earnings missed analyst estimates. Shares of IBM fell nearly 1?spite higher-than-expected earnings after the company reported a slowdown in its cloud software segment.

 

"While we are seeing individual stocks get punished after missing expectations, we expect earnings overall to be strong enough to keep stock prices elevated in the near-term... this current earnings season is unlikely to disappoint investors enough to trigger a notable market setback," Emily Bowersock Hill, chief executive officer, Bowersock Capital Partners, was quoted by Reuters as saying.

 

Crude oil prices soared on the US administration's decision to sanction Russian oil companies in an attempt to put pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin over ending the Ukraine war. Shares of Exxon Mobil and Chevron advanced around 1?ch.

 

Traders await US inflation data, due Friday, which is expected to give cues about the country's economic health ahead of the Federal Reserve's meeting later in the month. The apex bank is widely expected to cut benchmark interest rates by 25 basis points.

 

Following are the closing levels of US indices Thursday:

 

Index	Level	Change in %
S&P 500	6738.44	0.58
NASDAQ Composite	22941.80	0.89
Dow Jones Industrial Average	46734.61	0.31

 

(Eshitva Prakash)

 

End

 

US$1 = INR 87.70

IST, or Indian Standard Time, is five-and-a-half hours ahead of GMT

 

Edited by Tanima Banerjee

 

All prices from National Stock Exchange, unless otherwise specified.

All percentage changes for share prices are rounded off to the nearest whole number; percentage changes for index values are rounded off to one decimal place.

All times are Indian Standard Time.

 

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