Last Updated:
Gift Nifty signals a strong Diwali opening for Dalal Street as Reliance Industries, HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, and RBL Bank report key earnings, and major deals drive market focus.
Stocks To Watch.
Indian equities are set for a strong opening on Monday, with the Gift Nifty trading nearly 225 points higher at 25,980, hinting at a positive start for Dalal Street on Diwali. Investors are expected to track a flurry of quarterly earnings, major fund infusion announcements, acquisitions, and order wins across sectors.
Prashanth Tapse, senior vice-president (research) of Mehta Equities Ltd, said, “Bullish euphoria and an early Diwali party seem likely at Dalal Street, with sentiment buoyed by hopes of Fed rate cuts, strong global cues, and the IMF’s upward revision of India’s FY26 GDP growth to 6.6%. Technically, Nifty looks poised to extend gains towards 25,670, supported by dovish signals from Fed Chair Powell, easing trade war fears, and soft crude prices near $58.60.”
As the festive mood builds, focus will be on key Q2 earnings from Reliance, Infosys, and HDFC Bank, which have already delivered robust results. Traders may look to ride the bullish wave with buy-on-dip strategies, especially in stocks like Bajaj Finance, HUDCO, DLF, HAL, and Manappuram, as the Street gears up for a potentially sparkling week ahead, he added.
Reliance Industries (RIL)
Reliance Industries reported a strong September quarter with consolidated profit rising 14.3% year-on-year to Rs 22,092 crore, supported by higher revenue and improved margins. Gross revenue climbed 9.9% to Rs 2.83 lakh crore, while EBITDA surged 14.6% to Rs 50,367 crore, with margins expanding by 80 basis points to 17.8%.
Subsidiary Jio Platforms also delivered solid numbers, posting a 12.8% rise in profit to Rs 7,379 crore and revenue growth of 14.9%. The company’s ARPU increased to Rs 211.4, reflecting continued strength in digital services.
HDFC Bank
HDFC Bank posted a 10.8% rise in standalone profit to Rs 18,641 crore, supported by healthy loan growth. Net interest income grew 4.8% to Rs 31,551 crore, while provisions jumped nearly 30% to Rs 3,500 crore. Asset quality improved, with gross NPA falling to 1.24% and net NPA declining to 0.42% sequentially.
ICICI Bank
ICICI Bank’s second-quarter profit rose 5.2% to Rs 12,359 crore, led by higher net interest income and lower provisions. NII grew 7.4% to Rs 21,530 crore, while provisions fell 26% year-on-year. The bank’s gross NPA declined to 1.58%, and net NPA improved to 0.39%, indicating stable asset quality.
RBL Bank
RBL Bank will remain in focus after Emirates NBD Bank (PJSC) announced a landmark deal to acquire a 60% controlling stake through a $3 billion (Rs 26,850 crore) primary infusion — the largest-ever foreign direct investment in India’s banking sector. ENBD will also launch a mandatory open offer to acquire an additional 26% from public shareholders. The stock remains under the F&O ban list for today’s session.
Federal Bank
Federal Bank reported a 9.6% drop in profit to Rs 955 crore, even as NII rose 5.4% to Rs 2,495 crore. Provisions surged over 129% to Rs 363 crore, impacting profitability. The bank’s board is scheduled to meet on October 24 to consider a fund-raising proposal, which could influence stock movement.
L&T Technology Services
L&T Technology Services posted a 2.8% rise in profit to Rs 329 crore on a 15.8% jump in revenue to Rs 2,980 crore for Q2. The board has also announced an interim dividend of Rs 18 per share, making the stock attractive for dividend investors.
Other Stocks in Focus
Marico: The FMCG major has completed the acquisition of the remaining 46.02% stake in True Elements, making it a wholly owned subsidiary.
Tata Power: Operations at the Mundra unit have been temporarily suspended until November 30, with resumption expected in due course.
Sterling and Wilson Renewable Energy: The company secured new EPC orders worth Rs 1,772 crore across India and South Africa, pushing total order inflows this fiscal to Rs 3,775 crore.
Ircon International: Bagged a Rs 360.3-crore project from Petronet LNG for civil and structural works at Dahej, Gujarat.
Rail Vikas Nigam (RVNL): Emerged as the lowest bidder for an overhead equipment upgradation project worth Rs 144.4 crore for South Central Railway.
RPP Infra Projects: Won a Rs 125.9-crore contract for civil works at the National Academy of Defence Financial Management (NADFM), Pune.
Alembic Pharmaceuticals: Received final USFDA approval for its Triamcinolone Acetonide Injectable Suspension USP, expanding its US portfolio.
Bulk Deals & Other Key Movements
Delhivery: Smallcap World Fund offloaded 39.17 lakh shares worth Rs 175.7 crore at Rs 448.35 per share.
MTAR Technologies: BNP Paribas Financial Markets acquired 3.53 lakh shares worth Rs 80.8 crore.
IRB InvIT Fund: Saw heavy trading with LTIMindtree purchasing 1 crore units worth Rs 60.9 crore, while IIFL Finance and Kotak Mahindra Bank exited part of their holdings.
Stocks Trading Ex-Dividend Today
Tech Mahindra, Oberoi Realty, Rama Phosphates, and Tips Music will trade ex-dividend in today’s session.
Haris is Deputy News Editor (Business) at news18.com. He writes on various issues related to personal finance, markets, economy and companies. Having over a decade of experience in financial journalism, Haris h…Read More
Haris is Deputy News Editor (Business) at news18.com. He writes on various issues related to personal finance, markets, economy and companies. Having over a decade of experience in financial journalism, Haris h… Read More
October 20, 2025, 08:05 IST
Read More
