Market Bizzz

Indian equity indices closed lower on Friday due to Israel’s strikes on Iran, which raised concerns about oil supply disruptions and a wider Middle East conflict. Despite an initial sharp fall, the market recovered some losses, supported by underlying bullish sentiment. Both Nifty and Sensex declined, with investors closely watching key support levels for further market direction.

After a blockbuster 2024, Dalal Street’s multibagger engine has lost steam in 2025. Though benchmark indices have bounced back, only 10 stocks with over Rs 1,000 crore market cap have doubled in value so far. Leaders like GHV Infra and RRP Semiconductor are still soaring, but several others are showing signs of fatigue, signalling a tougher road ahead for investors.

CA Rudramurthy BV sees a buying opportunity in Nifty and Bank Nifty. Nifty is expected to find strong support at 25,000. Bank Nifty has broken above 54,500. Pharma and defence sectors are promising. Divi’s Lab, Laurus Lab, HAL, and BEL are top picks. Attractive opportunities exist in chemicals and insurance.

Canara Bank’s board has approved a plan to raise up to Rs 9,500 crore through debt instruments for FY26, including Tier II and AT1 bonds. The bank reported a 33% YoY increase in Q4 net profit, with improved asset quality, though slippages slightly exceeded estimates.

JioBlackRock, the joint venture between Jio Financial Services and BlackRock, has received Sebi’s final nod to operate as an investment adviser. The approval, along with earlier permissions to manage mutual funds, signals the JV’s broader foray into India’s financial services space.

Valentis Advisors’ Jyotivardhan Jaipuria favors chemicals due to low dealer stocking and cement, anticipating benefits from consolidation and government demand. Pharma, particularly CDMO, shows growth potential, with US generics attractive on corrections. Small and mid-caps offer stronger earnings growth, but valuation is key. He remains cautious on alcobev due to fluctuating state policies.

Brokerages spot bullish signals in pharma stocks, picking five candidates poised for up to 12% gains.

Jana Small Finance Bank has applied to the RBI for a universal banking licence. Calling it a key milestone, the bank said the move underscores its focus on financial inclusion and sustainable banking. Since becoming an SFB in 2017, it has built a strong retail and MSME presence with solid asset quality and digital infrastructure.

Trading below the 200 DMA is considered a negative signal because it indicates that the stock’s price is below its long-term trend line. The 200 DMA is used as a key indicator by traders for determining the overall trend in a particular stock.

Top investors such as Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, and a clutch of mutual funds acquired a 1.45% stake in Suzlon Energy through block deals worth Rs 1,309 crore. As per NSE data, over 19.81 crore shares changed hands at an average price of Rs 66.05 apiece.