Equity Markets & Sector News Update -8 Aug, 2025

Market & Macro Trends
• Indian markets opened on a weak note, slipping as U.S.-India trade tensions escalated:
o Sensex tumbled over 500 points, while Nifty fell below 24,450 amid fears of reduced export competitiveness due to steep tariffs.
o IT & Pharmaceutical sectors led losses, with declines of approximately 0.5% and 0.4%, respectively.

Trade & Policy Developments
• Moody’s warning: Trump’s move to double tariffs to 50% could derail India’s manufacturing growth and GDP, potentially cutting FY26 growth by 0.3% and weakening investment recovery.
• India reassessing U.S. trade proposals: In preparation for upcoming negotiations, New Delhi is re-evaluating its market access plans (excluding agriculture) as part of a strategic approach to protect export interests.
• Despite tariff risks, RBI continues its neutral stance and maintains forecasted growth at 6.5% for FY26.

Commodities & Currency
• Strong crude procurement: IOC and BPCL acquired 22 million barrels of non-Russian crude for Sept–Oct delivery, diversifying supplies in response to U.S. tariffs.
• Rupee shows resilience: After RBI intervention, the rupee is expected to open stronger, trading near ₹87.48–87.52 per USD, easing pressure from prior depreciation.

Sector Spotlight
• Stock recommendations: Amid tariff-induced volatility, analysts from Bajaj Broking suggest adding JSW Energy and HAL to portfolios, citing technical and fundamental strengths.
• Strategic sector bets: Ambit Research recommends a pivot toward IT, FMCG, and Pharma, while sectors like EMS, defence, and quick-commerce remain overheated.

Macroeconomic Snapshot
• Inflation softens further: Retail CPI dropped to an eight-year low of 1.76%, helping RBI’s dovish posture amid external pressures.
• Corporate earnings lag: Despite strong GDP projections, sectors—especially banks and IT—are showing performance fatigue due to weak global and domestic demand.

Earnings & Corporate Update

Capital Goods & Infrastructure
• Schneider Electric Infrastructure – Q1 FY26 (YoY)
o Revenue rose 4.8% to ₹621.63 crore from ₹592.91 crore
o EBITDA declined 15% to ₹69.33 crore vs ₹81.72 crore
o EBITDA margin slipped to 11.2% from 13.8%
o Net profit down 15% at ₹41.24 crore vs ₹48.48 crore

Healthcare & Hospitals
• Global Health (Medanta) – Q1 FY26 (YoY)
o Revenue up 19.7% to ₹1,030.84 crore from ₹861.08 crore
o EBITDA up 22% to ₹226.99 crore vs ₹186.33 crore
o Margin at 22.0% vs 21.6%
o Net profit surged 50% to ₹159.01 crore vs ₹106.29 crore

Consumer & Lifestyle
• Titan – Q1 FY26 (YoY)
o Revenue jumped 24.6% to ₹16,523 crore from ₹13,266 crore
o EBITDA rose 47% to ₹1,830 crore vs ₹1,247 crore
o Margin improved to 11.1% from 9.4%
o Net profit up 53% at ₹1,091 crore vs ₹715 crore

Insurance & Financials
• LIC – Q1 FY26 (YoY)
• Net premium income grew 4.7% to ₹1.20 lakh crore
o Net profit rose 4.1% to ₹10,985 crore
o Persistency Ratios:
-3th Month: 70.9% vs 68.62% (QoQ)
-61st Month: 58.31% vs 58.54% (QoQ)
o APE up 9.45% to ₹12,652 crore
o VNB up 20.75% to ₹1,944 crore
o VNB Margin improved to 15.4% from 13.9%

• India Shelter Finance – Q1 FY26 (YoY)
o NII rose 35% to ₹179 crore
o Net profit surged 43% to ₹119 crore
o Impairments up 54.2% to ₹10.2 crore
o Board approved NCD issuance up to ₹1,000 crore via private/public placement

Oil & Energy
• HPCL – Q1 FY26 (QoQ)
o Revenue up 1.2% to ₹1,10,767.40 crore
o EBITDA rose 31% to ₹7,601.77 crore
o Margin improved to 6.9% from 5.3%
o Net profit up 30% to ₹4,370.87 crore

• Biocon
o Approved acquisition of 26% in Pro-zeal Green Power Sixteen
o Entered Power Purchase Agreement for off-site solar energy

Specialty Chemicals
• India Glycols – Q1 FY26 (YoY)
o Revenue up 7.4% to ₹1,040.46 crore
o EBITDA increased 19% to ₹149.64 crore
o Margin at 14.4% vs 13.0%
o Net profit up 21% to ₹73.25 crore

Real Estate & Tech
• Syrma SGS Technology
o Approved QIP to raise ₹1,000 crore via equity issuance
o Floor price set at ₹735.61 per share

Telecom & Connectivity
• Tata Communications
o Raised ₹1,000 crore via private placement of NCDs
o Fixed coupon: 6.77%, tenure: 3 years

Financial Services
• Aditya Birla Capital
o Allotted 41,000 rated, listed NCDs of ₹1 lakh face value
o Total funds raised: ₹410 crore on Aug. 7

Minerals & Infrastructure
• GAIL
o Signed MoU with Hindustan Copper to jointly explore critical minerals
• IR Collaboration
Jash Engineering: Order book stands at ₹875 crore as of Aug. 1

Cold Chain Infrastructure

• Ice Make Refrigeration Ltd

Revenue from Operations:
• ₹111.50 crore, up 30.8% from ₹85.23 crore in Q1 FY25
EBITDA & Margin:
• ₹4.53 crore, down from ₹6.13 crore (Q1 FY25), reflecting margin compression amid cost pressures
• EBITDA margin at approximately 4.06%
• Profit After Tax (PAT):
• Reported a net loss of ₹1.47 crore versus a profit of ₹3.64 crore in Q1 FY25

Board-approved Decisions:
• Final dividend of ₹2.25 per share declared for FY25
• Proposal approved for increase in authorized capital, enabling future growth investments

Power and manufacturing
-RIR Power Electronics
SiC Semiconductor Plant Gets State Support
The Odisha Government has approved fiscal support for Phase 1 of RIR Power’s Silicon Carbide (SiC) semiconductor facility in Bhubaneswar, under a project costing approximately ₹618 crore. So far, ₹65 crore capex has been incurred, with ₹32 crore standing eligible for subsidy through pro-rata disbursements