Sensex, Nifty to start week on positive note; IndusInd Bank, Patanjali Foods, Ola, IRFC, Power Grid shares in focus

Indian share market is expected to start the week on a positive note, tracking strong cues from global peers and firm trend at Gift Nifty. As of 8:20 AM, GIFT Nifty Futures were up 161 points, 0.72%, at 22,579, indicating a solid start for the BSE benchmark Sensex and NSE Nifty50. Investors will keep a close eye on WPI inflation data for February scheduled to be released today, while global market trends, tariff-related developments, and foreign fund flows will drive the equity market movement.

Last week, the benchmark indices witnessed range-bound activity in holiday-thinned trading, with the NSE Nifty ending 0.69% lower at 22,397, while the Sensex fell 500 points to 73,829 mark. On the sectoral front, most indices ended in the red, with IT and capital market indices emerging as the top laggards, losing over 4%, while some buying was seen in selective financial and pharma stocks. The broader market resumed sell-off, with mid and small-cap indices falling between 2.15% and 4%.

Wall Street ends higher in relief rally on Friday

On Friday, Wall Street ended higher amid value buying after recent correction in the backdrop of escalated trade tensions after U.S. President Donald Trump's back-and-forth on tariffs. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite registered their biggest one-day gains of 2.13% and 2.61%, respectively, highest since November 6, the day after the U.S. presidential election. The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed 1.65% higher.

Asian markets follow U.S. stocks higher

Tracking firm cues from U.S. stocks, share markets in Asia-Pacific opened higher on Monday, led by Japan and South Korea. South Korea’s KOSPI surged 1.5%, while Japan’s Nikkei 225 rose over 1%. Hong Kong’s Hang Sang and Taiwan’s Weighted stock index also jumped over 1%, while Singapore’s Straits Times and Indonesia’s Jakarta Composite gained in the range of 0.4-0.7%. China’s Shanghai Composite was up 0.4%, and Australia’s ASX 200 ended 0.6% higher.

Stocks to watch

IndusInd Bank: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has said that the crisis-hit bank is well-capitalised and the financial position of the bank remains satisfactory. The statement came amid recent developments related to the IndusInd Bank, wherein the lender discovered some discrepancies in its derivatives portfolio which could have an adverse impact of about 2.35% of the bank's net worth as of December 2024.

IRFC: The board of railway-related PSU company will meet today to consider and approve a second interim dividend for FY25. 

Power Grid: The state-owned power generation company has proposed to invest ₹341.57 crore in two transmission projects. 

Patanjali Foods: Baba Ramdev's Patanjali Ayurved and DS Group has acquired Adar Poonawalla-owned insurance subsidiary, Magma General Insurance, for ₹4,500 crore. Patanjali Ayurved is one of the promoters of Patanjali Foods.

Ola Electric Mobility: The high security number plate manufacturer and vehicle registration agency, Rosmerta Digital Services, has sued the company for defaulting on payments.

Welspun Specialty Solutions: The company has secured an order worth ₹231.78 crore from Bharat Heavy Electricals (BHEL).

NMDC: The board of the mining and minerals company is set to meet on March 17, 2025, to consider an interim dividend for the financial year 2024-25 (FY25).

Muthoot Finance: India's leading gold loan company touched the milestone of ₹1 lakh crore asset under management (AUM) on March 13, 2025.

KEC International: The RPG Group company has bagged new orders worth ₹1,267 crore, including transmission orders from Power Grid Corporation of India.

Zydus Lifesciences: The pharma company has received final approval from the United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) to manufacture Eluxadoline tablets, which are available in 75 mg and 100 mg strengths.

Dr Reddy’s Laboratories: The drug maker is recalling one batch of Levetiracetam in 0.75% sodium chloride injection single-dose infusion bags in the United States due to incorrect labeling of the infusion bag.

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