SMART STOCKS NEWS
Is 2026 the next growth phase for India’s hotel stocks?Subscriber Only
After a phase of rapid growth between 2021 and 2024, the rally in hotel stocks stalled despite high occupancy, strong earnings, and bullish analyst sentiment. Certain external factors weighed on performance, but analysts remain optimistic, citing robust demand and healthy growth in average room rates.
GE Shipping at mid-cycle: What goes right, what can go wrongSubscriber Only
GE Shipping holds nearly Rs 7,000 crore in cash, trades at a 14% discount to NAV, and has an offshore catalyst building for FY27. The stock has rerated, but the case hasn't closed.
Layoffs, AI, restructuring: Is the downside over for Indian IT stocks?Subscriber Only
India’s IT stocks have declined amid slowing deal activity, mass layoffs, and concerns over AI-driven restructuring and muted growth. However, sector leaders TCS and Infosys remain optimistic about the next growth cycle.
Why China’s 45 MTPA capacity cap is a turning point for NALCO investorsSubscriber Only
Aluminum producers such as NALCO, Hindalco, and Vedanta Ltd have benefited from China’s 45 MTPA capacity cap. NALCO, in particular, has seen a strong rally—but can it sustain this momentum?
Force Motors’ 3-year, 14x run: Is the commercial vehicle cycle turning, or has the stock run ahead?Subscriber Only
Force Motors dominates niche CVs with a 70–75% market share while supplying luxury engines to BMW and Mercedes-Benz. A debt-free turnaround lifted FY25 profits to Rs 801 crore, with GST cuts now fuelling growth—though valuations remain premium. The question now is: can the next phase justify the valuation it commands?
Is the recent IndiGo chaos a buying opportunity or a warning bell?Subscriber Only
IndiGo’s share price has slipped below Rs 5,000 after reaching an all-time high of Rs 6,232.5 on August 18, 2025. The reason was the December 2025 flight cancellations. While IndiGo flights have returned to normalcy, its share price hasn’t. What is keeping the market apprehensive?
Max Healthcare’s 800% rally hits a wall: Is a 74x P/E ratio sustainable in 2026?Subscriber Only
In 2025, Max Healthcare’s share price plateaued after an 800% rally as the company’s ROCE and EBITDA margins fell with new capacity addition. At a 74x P/E ratio, is there more upside for the stock in 2026?
80% market share, 80% EBITDA margins: Is IEX’s monopoly cracking?Subscriber Only
IEX faces a binary future as a regulatory overhaul looms. Retail investors are exiting, while domestic institutions are doubling down — betting that 80% margins and market growth can withstand tighter price caps.
Triveni’s restructuring: Unlocking value or rearranging the pieces?Subscriber Only
Triveni’s shareholders have approved a restructuring plan that will separate its high-margin power transmission business from its cyclical sugar and ethanol operations. The move aims to resolve a long-standing valuation mismatch, but whether it delivers meaningful upside depends on execution and market timing.
Is high debt blocking Rain Industries’ third boom-cycle rally?Subscriber Only
Despite stronger aluminium prices and improving operations, Rain Industries' stock has lagged amid high debt and rising interest costs. With deleveraging underway, a major cement expansion planned, and valuations at multi-year lows, the question remains: can Rain spark another cycle of optimism, or is this time truly different?
At 21x P/E, is Lupin an undervalued pharma giant poised for the next growth cycle?Subscriber Only
Lupin stocks have been range-bound throughout 2025 after two years of a strong rally. Record earnings and USFDA approvals couldn’t move the stock much. Has the cyclical upside ended? Where is Lupin looking for new growth?
5% revenue growth, 63x earnings: Is Havells’ premium valuation justified?Subscriber Only
Despite solid performance in cables and steady growth in core categories, Havells’ Q2 was weighed down by a sharp slowdown in Lloyd, margin compression, and ongoing capital intensity. With Rs 3,000 crore invested in Lloyd and market share largely unchanged, the question is: is this valuation justified?
CEAT’s big bet on premium and global markets: Opportunity or overreach?Subscriber Only
In Q2 FY26, CEAT delivered double-digit revenue growth, nearly 41 per cent gross margins, and more than 13 per cent EBITDA margin. Softer input costs, a rebound in OEM and export demand, and a premium product mix lifted performance, while the Camso acquisition signalled a bold global ambition. Yet, higher leverage and exposure to volatile global cycles raise a question: can CEAT sustain its new rhythm when costs rise and competition intensifies?
Inside HAL’s 37x P/E: Decoding the defence giant’s valuation premiumSubscriber Only
HAL has benefited significantly from India’s defence indigenisation push, but the stock’s rally has moderated despite fresh defence orders and civil aviation MoUs. Still, analysts remain bullish, citing strong order visibility and long-term growth drivers.
Azad Engineering: Rolls-Royce and Boeing’s go-to Indian supplier — But is it overvalued?Subscriber Only
Azad Engineering, a key supplier of precision engine parts for giants like Boeing and Rolls-Royce, boasts a massive Rs 6,000 crore order book. But with its stock trading at a 100x+ P/E, can it justify the sky-high valuation?
Air India Express losses rise: Is Air India’s 2027 profitability target now in turbulence?Subscriber Only
Air India Express’ losses ballooned fourfold while IndiGo’s profits fell 11% in FY25. Delays in new aircraft deliveries, rupee depreciation, closure of Pakistan and Middle East border, are hurting the bottomline of airlines. Will Tata’s ambition to turn Air India profitable fructify?
Why Axis Bank could be the next value play on the Indian stock marketSubscriber Only
Axis Bank stock is nearing its 52-week high as the Q2 FY26 earnings hint recovery. Its 5-year-long restructuring has helped it clean up its balance sheet and improve asset quality. Is the bank set to turn a new leaf next year?
Vodafone Idea’s stock trades sideways: Can govt backing trigger a re-rating?Subscriber Only
Vodafone Idea, now 49% owned by the Indian government, is making operational progress through network upgrades but still faces a Rs 76,000 crore AGR liability. The company’s long-term survival may depend on a potential government waiver.
Occupancy at 85%, profits up 69%: Can Mahindra Holidays keep the momentum?Subscriber Only
Mahindra Holidays’ June quarter was a paradox of strength and slowdown. Occupancies stayed high at 85%, profits surged 70% YoY, and cash hit a record Rs 1,576 crore — yet new memberships halved and sales fell 30%. With margins at a record 39%, the company is pivoting to fewer, higher-value customers and an asset-light model. Investors are now watching whether Mahindra Holidays can turn full resorts and fat margins into sustainable, long-term growth.
65% rally in 6 months: Is Sammaan Capital rising from the ashes?Subscriber Only
A multibagger housing finance stock in 2016-17, it lost 90% value between 2018 and 2022. Learning from past mistakes and rebranding itself as Sammaan Capital, the firm is making a fresh start with private equity funding. Is this the beginning of a turnaround?
Rs 5,000 crore cash, 60x P/E: Can ABB India’s premium valuation hold as growth moderates?Subscriber Only
ABB India’s stock trades at 60x earnings and sits on over Rs 5,000 crore in cash, backed by a Rs 10,000 crore order backlog. But with margins narrowing and order inflows slowing, investors face a key question: can ABB’s premium valuation hold?
Debt down 55%, EBITDA positive: Is the India Cements run sustainable?Subscriber Only
UltraTech’s takeover of India Cements is driving a rapid transformation. Debt is down 55%, and Q1 FY26 EBITDA has turned positive. A Rs 1,500 crore green power capex aims to push EBITDA to Rs 1,000 per tonne by FY28. The question now: can the turnaround withstand market volatility?
Ventive at 150x earnings: Is this luxury hotel stock too rich for retail investors?Subscriber Only
In Q1 FY26, Ventive reported Rs 520 crore in revenue, up 18 percent year on year. Of this, hotels brought in Rs 386 crore while the rental business added Rs 124 crore. The real highlight was operating profit: EBITDA was Rs 220 crore, with margins at 42 percent. The question now is whether this premium pricing in the market reflects a business already delivering, or one that still needs to prove it can scale without losing its shine.
45x earnings, 20 quarters of growth: Can Happiest Minds keep delivering?Subscriber Only
In Q1 FY26, Happiest Minds Technologies posted revenue of Rs 579.9 crore, up 18.5% year-on-year, with net profit rising 12% to Rs 57.1 crore. The company has been investing aggressively in cloud, automation, cybersecurity, and now Generative AI, while strengthening its presence in BFSI and healthcare. For long-term investors, the question remains: is the market rewarding this foresight, or already pricing it all in?
From airport lounges to boardrooms: Why Chalet Hotels is catching investor attentionSubscriber Only
In Q1 FY26, Chalet Hotels’ revenues surged 146 percent to Rs 908 crore, with EBITDA up 150 percent to Rs 371 crore. Average daily rate rose 17 percent to Rs 12,207, while occupancy slipped to 66 percent. For retail investors, the stock offers exposure to India’s hospitality upcycle, with double-digit ADR growth and rising RevPARs. But the key question is: can the momentum last?
BEST OF EXPRESS

























































