Month: January 2026

Sharekhan has identified five stocks for long-term investors in 2026, highlighting Biocon and Asian Paints among its top picks. These companies are expected to deliver steady earnings growth and benefit from strong sectoral tailwinds.

Sharekhan’s Recommended Stocks for 2026

Sharekhan, one of India’s leading brokerage firms, has released its list of five stocks to buy for the long term in 2026. The brokerage emphasizes that these companies are backed by robust fundamentals, consistent earnings growth, and favorable industry outlooks. The selected stocks are projected to offer upside potential of up to 31 percent from current levels.

Here are the highlights:

• Biocon: A leading biopharmaceutical company, Biocon is expected to benefit from rising demand for biosimilars and biologics. Its strong pipeline and global partnerships position it well for sustainable growth.
• Asian Paints: India’s largest paint manufacturer, Asian Paints continues to dominate the decorative paints segment. With the Indian paints market projected to grow at a CAGR of 9.38% till 2030, Asian Paints is set to capitalize on expanding residential and commercial demand.
• Other Picks: While Biocon and Asian Paints are the headline names, Sharekhan’s list also includes three other companies across diverse sectors, chosen for their resilience and long-term potential.

Why These Stocks Stand Out

• Strong Sector Tailwinds: Biocon benefits from healthcare innovation, while Asian Paints rides the wave of India’s booming real estate and infrastructure growth.
• Earnings Visibility: Both companies have demonstrated consistent revenue growth and profitability, making them reliable long-term bets.
• Upside Potential: Sharekhan estimates up to 31% upside from current valuations, making these stocks attractive for investors seeking wealth creation over the next few years.

Risks and Considerations

• Market Volatility: Global economic uncertainties could impact earnings in the short term.
• Regulatory Challenges: Biocon’s pharmaceutical approvals and Asian Paints’ raw material costs are key factors to monitor.
• Competition: Both industries face intense competition, requiring continuous innovation and efficiency.

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Conclusion: Sharekhan’s top picks for 2026, led by Biocon and Asian Paints, reflect a balanced approach to long-term investing, combining healthcare innovation with consumer-driven growth. Investors who align these recommendations with professional insights from trusted analysts like Eqwires can strengthen their portfolios and achieve sustainable wealth creation.

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ICICI Bank has officially launched the Capital Gains Account Scheme (CGAS), effective from January 1, 2026, offering a significant opportunity for taxpayers to save on income tax by depositing their unutilized capital gains. This scheme, notified under the Income Tax Act, 1961, is designed to assist individuals and Hindu Undivided Families (HUFs) who have earned long-term capital gains but are unable to reinvest them immediately in eligible assets such as residential property or land.

Key Highlights of ICICI Bank’s Capital Gains Account Scheme

• Tax Exemption Benefits: Deposits made under CGAS are eligible for exemptions under the Income Tax Act, allowing taxpayers to defer tax liability until reinvestment.
• Flexibility of Accounts: Customers can choose between a savings account or a fixed deposit account, depending on their financial goals.
• Interest Earnings: Deposited capital gains not only remain tax-exempt but also earn interest, ensuring that funds grow while awaiting reinvestment.
• Extended Timeframe: Taxpayers are provided a period of up to 2–3 years to reinvest their capital gains in eligible assets, offering flexibility and compliance with tax laws.
• Accessibility: Accounts can be opened at ICICI Bank branches (excluding rural branches), making the scheme widely accessible to urban and semi-urban customers.

Why This Scheme Matters

Many taxpayers face challenges in reinvesting their capital gains before the deadline for filing income tax returns. The CGAS acts as a bridge, allowing them to park funds safely while retaining eligibility for exemptions. This initiative by ICICI Bank is expected to benefit property sellers, investors, and individuals dealing with large asset transactions who want to optimize their tax planning strategies.

How to Avail the Scheme

To open a Capital Gains Account, customers must visit an ICICI Bank branch and comply with CGAS rules. The deposited funds can later be withdrawn for reinvestment in eligible assets, ensuring compliance with tax exemption provisions. This makes the scheme particularly useful for those planning property purchases or reinvestments but requiring more time to finalize transactions.

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ICICI Bank’s launch of the Capital Gains Account Scheme is a timely move that empowers taxpayers to manage their capital gains efficiently while staying compliant with tax laws. Combined with professional guidance from trusted research analysts like Eqwires, investors can now navigate both taxation and investment strategies with confidence.

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Indian tobacco stocks came under heavy selling pressure after the government announced a fresh tax hike on cigarettes. ITC’s share price fell another 5%, while Godfrey Phillips India dropped more than 3%, extending recent losses in the sector. The move has rattled investor sentiment, raising concerns about profitability, demand elasticity, and long-term growth prospects for tobacco companies.

Key Implications of the Tax Hike

1. Revenue Pressure on Tobacco Firms The increase in taxes will directly impact margins, particularly for companies like ITC and Godfrey Phillips that rely heavily on cigarette sales. Analysts expect volume declines as higher prices discourage consumption.
2. Consumer Behavior Shift With cigarette prices rising, consumers may shift toward cheaper alternatives such as bidis or illicit products. This could further erode market share for formal tobacco companies.
3. Investor Sentiment The sharp fall in stock prices reflects investor concerns about regulatory risks. Tobacco stocks, once considered defensive, now face heightened volatility due to unpredictable tax policies.
4. Government Revenue vs. Public Health While the tax hike boosts government revenue, it also aligns with public health objectives to reduce smoking prevalence. Balancing fiscal needs with industry sustainability remains a challenge.

Sectoral Impact

• FMCG Diversification: ITC’s non-tobacco businesses in FMCG, hotels, and paper products may help cushion the blow, but cigarette revenues remain its largest contributor.
• Competitive Landscape: Smaller players like Godfrey Phillips may face sharper volume declines compared to ITC, given their limited diversification.
• Stock Market Outlook: Analysts suggest caution in tobacco stocks until clarity emerges on demand trends and pricing strategies.

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Conclusion

The latest tax hike has triggered sharp declines in tobacco stocks, with ITC and Godfrey Phillips leading the fall. While the government’s move supports public health goals, it poses significant challenges for industry profitability and investor confidence. For market participants, the focus will be on how tobacco companies adapt through diversification, pricing strategies, and cost management in the face of regulatory headwinds.

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Indian equity markets began 2026 on a strong note, with the Nifty50 hitting a fresh record high and the Sensex jumping more than 550 points in Thursday’s session. The rally was powered by heavyweight contributors such as ICICI Bank and Reliance Industries, which together provided significant momentum to the indices. Investor sentiment was buoyed by robust domestic cues, strong institutional inflows, and optimism around corporate earnings in the upcoming quarter.

Key Drivers of the Rally

• ICICI Bank: The stock surged on expectations of healthy loan growth and improved asset quality, reinforcing investor confidence in the banking sector.
• Reliance Industries (RIL): Gains in RIL were supported by optimism around its energy and telecom businesses, with analysts projecting strong revenue growth in 2026.
• Broader Market Participation: Mid-cap and small-cap indices also advanced, reflecting broad-based buying across sectors.
• Global Cues: Positive signals from global markets, including easing crude oil prices and stable U.S. bond yields, added to the bullish sentiment.

Sectoral Performance

• Banking & Financials: Led the rally, with ICICI Bank and HDFC Bank showing strong momentum.
• Energy & Telecom: Reliance Industries drove gains, supported by sectoral optimism.
• IT Stocks: Traded mixed, with investors awaiting Q3 earnings guidance.
• Pharma & FMCG: Witnessed mild buying as defensive plays amid market highs.

Investor Sentiment

The surge in benchmark indices reflects growing confidence among investors, who are betting on India’s economic resilience and corporate earnings growth. Analysts suggest that while valuations remain elevated, selective opportunities in banking, energy, and telecom could continue to drive momentum in the near term.

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Conclusion

The Indian markets opened 2026 with a powerful rally, as the Nifty50 scaled new highs and the Sensex surged over 550 points. With ICICI Bank and Reliance Industries leading the charge, investor optimism remains strong. While valuations are stretched, the outlook for banking, energy, and telecom sectors appears promising, setting the stage for a dynamic year ahead in Indian equities.

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The Indian equity markets opened the new year on a cautious note, with the Sensex settling flat in the first trading session of 2026. The Nifty 50 managed to stay above the 26,100 mark, supported by selective buying in power and infrastructure stocks. Despite global cues remaining mixed, domestic investors showed resilience, balancing profit-booking with fresh positions in defensive sectors.

Key Movers

• NTPC: Shares of NTPC advanced nearly 2%, driven by optimism around renewable energy expansion and steady demand in the power sector.
• Eternal: The stock rose 2% as investors bet on strong earnings momentum and sectoral tailwinds.
• Banking & Financials: Largely remained range-bound, reflecting cautious sentiment amid expectations of monetary policy updates later this quarter.
• IT Sector: Witnessed mild profit-booking after a strong run in December, with investors awaiting Q3 earnings guidance.

Sectoral Trends

• Power & Energy: Outperformed the broader market, with NTPC leading the charge.
• Infrastructure: Benefited from government spending expectations in the upcoming budget.
• Consumer Goods: Traded sideways as holiday demand tapered off.
• Pharma: Showed marginal gains, supported by defensive buying.

Investor Sentiment

Market participants remained watchful of global developments, including crude oil price fluctuations and U.S. Federal Reserve commentary. Domestic investors are also keenly awaiting signals from the Reserve Bank of India regarding interest rate direction. Analysts suggest that while the market may remain range-bound in the near term, selective opportunities in power, infrastructure, and options trading could provide attractive entry points.

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Conclusion

The first trading session of 2026 closed on a balanced note, with the Sensex flat and the Nifty holding firm above 26,100. Gains in NTPC and Eternal provided support, while broader indices reflected cautious optimism. As the year unfolds, investors will be closely monitoring policy cues, earnings announcements, and global developments to shape their strategies in India’s dynamic equity markets.

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