Mumbai: A clutch of large IPOs is expected to prop up India’s primary market in 2026 even as market uncertainty slows down broader activity compared to the previous two robust years, said Ranvir Davda, co-head of investment banking at HSBC India.

“The number of deals may come down, but the size and aggregate value may still be similar (to the previous years),” said Davda in an interview.

Reliance Industries’ telecom arm Jio Platforms, National Stock Exchange, Zepto, PhonePe, Manipal Hospitals and and SBI Funds Management are among the large issuances expected to hit the market in 2026. Together, these issues could raise ₹1 lakh crore (about $10.8-10.9 billion).

So far this year, 20 companies have raised $2.5 billion, according to Prime Database and ETIG Database. That comes after two record years that saw 94 and 115 mainboard IPOs in 2024 and 2025, raising nearly $21-23 billion.

This year’s IPO fundraise could be between $21 billion and $25 billion.

“This year, a larger percentage of companies are mid to large-sized,” said Davda. “Many of these are backed by large groups or private equity investors and, therefore, have the flexibility to wait, ride volatility, and avoid pressing forward if valuations are not aligned.”
The early part of this year has been slower for the IPO market, with the West Asia conflict weighing on secondary markets, IPO subscriptions and listing gains, prompting several companies to defer offerings. “This year will be volatile. Windows to complete trades will be shorter, so readiness is critical,” Davda said.

At the same time, companies that need capital are showing more willingness to negotiate.

Issuers are increasingly tapping AIFs, family offices and special situations funds alongside traditional investors, while using pre-IPO placements as a bridge to raise capital with visibility to a listing over the next 6-18 months, he said. According to Davda, technology faces sharper scrutiny amid AI disruption, global uncertainty and profitability concerns, though large consumer-tech and fintech offerings are still likely to proceed as “must-own” India exposures.

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ET Intelligence Group: The FMCG sector is expected to post a steady March-quarter performance, supported by stable rural demand, gradual urban recovery and volume growth even as pricing remains subdued in several segments. While steady raw material costs during most of the quarter are margin supportive, the recent rise in costs of crude-linked inputs such as packaging materials could weigh on margins. Companies with stronger execution, premium portfolios and better distribution reach are expected to outperform, while category-specific challenges and international headwinds may keep performance uneven across the pack.

Hindustan Unilever is expected to report mid-single digit revenue growth led by 4-5% volume growth. Growth is expected to be broad-based, with beauty and wellbeing growing in double-digits, while home care, personal care and foods & beverages are likely to grow in mid-single digits. The demerger of low-margin ice cream business may support operating margin before depreciation and amortisation (Ebitda margin).

ITC may show pressure in the cigarettes segment amid flat volume and higher taxes while displaying resilience in non-cigarette segments. The FMCG and agriculture related business is expected to remain robust, while paperboards business may grow in single digit. The margin for the cigarettes business is likely to contract amid rising leaf tobacco costs and limited pricing hikes.

Nestle India’s consolidated revenue growth is expected to be in double-digits, led largely by volumes in the domestic market while exports may show recovery on a weak base. Normalisation is expected after GST-related disruptions in the previous quarter. However, margin is likely to contract on account of high inflation in the coffee segment.
Asian Paints is likely to report better volume growth for the domestic decorative paints segment on a weak base. Upcoming price increase may boost channel restocking thereby aiding primary sales. International business may be subdued due to the Middle East disruption. Margins are likely to improve on stable raw material prices during the quarter, with the impact of recent crude inflation expected to be limited for the March quarter.

Varun Beverages is expected to report high-single digit revenue growth in the March quarter, with international markets likely to drive momentum through high double-digit volume growth. Ebitda margin is likely to contract, partly due to upsizing in India and ramp-up of snacks in Africa.
Britannia Industries may report double-digit revenue growth led by high-single digit volume expansion due to higher grammage in low-unit packs, which account for about two-third portion of sales. Margins are likely to improve supported by stable raw materials prices, especially in January and February. Dabur India is expected to post modest revenue growth, driven by mid-single digit volume growth in the domestic business. However, its international operations, particularly the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, which contributes around 8% of revenue may remain weak amid geopolitical tensions. Within domestic categories, home and personal care is expected to deliver double-digit growth, while healthcare and foods may see low single-digit expansion.

Colgate-Palmolive India is expected to report low single-digit volume growth on a weak base, after three consecutive quarters of declines. The margin could contract due to higher promotions and advertisement spends.

SINGAPORE: Oil prices rebounded more than 6% on Monday after tumbling more than 9% on Friday on news the Strait of Hormuz is closed again after both the U.S. and Iran said the other party had violated their ceasefire deal by attacking ships over the weekend.

Brent crude futures jumped $6.11, or ‌6.76%, to $96.49 ⁠a barrel ⁠by 2327 GMT and U.S. West Texas Intermediate was at $90.38 a barrel, up $6.53, or 7.79%.

The U.S. military had seized an Iranian cargo ship that tried to run its blockade, U.S. President Donald Trump said on Sunday, while Iran said it would not participate in a second round of peace talks despite Trump’s threat of renewed airstrikes.

The United States has ⁠maintained a ‌blockade of Iranian ports, while Iran has lifted and then reimposed its own blockade of the Strait, which handled roughly ⁠one-fifth of the world’s oil supply before the war began almost two months ago.

“Oil markets continue to gyrate in response to oscillating social media posts by the U.S. and Iran, rather than the realities on the ground which remain challenging for oil flows to resume in a rapid fashion,” Saul Kavonic, MST Marquee’s head of research, said.

Both contracts posted on Friday their largest daily ‌declines since April 18 after Iran said passage for all commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz was open for the remaining ceasefire period and ⁠Trump said Iran had agreed to never close the strait again.
“The announcement of the Strait opening proved premature,” Kavonic said. “Ship owners will be twice shy about heading towards the Strait again without receiving much more confidence that any announced passage is real.”

More than 20 ships passed the strait on Saturday carrying oil, liquefied petroleum gas, metals and fertilizers, Kpler data showed, the highest number of vessels crossing the waterway since March 1.

SINGAPORE: Oil prices jumped, the U.S. dollar lifted from lows and stock markets wobbled on Monday as rising tension in the Middle East kept shipping in and out of the Gulf to a bare minimum, though traders were holding out hope for a resolution.

The ceasefire in the Iran war, due to run until Tuesday, was in doubt after the U.S. seized an Iranian cargo ship and Tehran’s top military command vowed to retaliate.

Iran has re-imposed its de facto closure of the Strait of ‌Hormuz, though Kpler ⁠data showed ⁠that more than 20 vessels carrying oil products, metals, gas and fertiliser passed through it on Saturday, the busiest day for the chokepoint since March 1.

Brent crude futures jumped about 6% to $96 a barrel in early Asia trade. The dollar, which sold off sharply on Friday when the strait briefly opened, rose slightly.

S&P 500 futures fell around 0.7%, a modest move considering the index notched a record closing high on Friday. Asia-Pacific markets were mixed, with Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 down 0.5% and Japan’s benchmark Nikkei up 0.7%.

Bond markets, which rallied on Friday, retreated.
“The headlines look bad; it looks like ⁠there’s disagreement … which ‌has led to a little bit of re-escalation,” said Damien Boey, portfolio strategist at Wilson Asset Management in Sydney. “But I think, ultimately, both sides want to be able to do a deal – that’s part ⁠of the reason why the market’s optimistic and not selling off too much.”

Iran rejected new peace talks with the U.S., its state news agency reported on Sunday, hours after U.S. President Donald Trump said he was sending envoys for talks in Pakistan and would launch new strikes on Iran unless it accepts his terms.

FOCUS ON HORMUZ
In forex news, the euro was down 0.1% at $1.1735 and the yen eased around 0.3% to 159 per dollar, while the Australian and New Zealand dollars fell slightly.

Bonds likewise partially retraced Friday moves, with benchmark 10-year U.S. Treasury yields, which had fallen 6.5 basis points on Friday, rising by 3.2 bps ‌to 4.276%.

Investors sold fixed income assets through March in anticipation of higher oil prices driving inflation – something they have tempered a little in recent weeks.

“Our base case (AKA guess) is still resolution to the war. Trump is still focused on November midterm ⁠elections,” said Paul Chew, head of research at Singapore’s Phillip Securities in a note to clients.

Wall Street indexes touched record highs on Friday, supported by expectations of robust first-quarter earnings, the bulk of which come this week. China is expected to hold benchmark lending rates steady on Monday.

British inflation data, U.S. retail sales and European purchasing managers’ index figures are due later in the week, though much of markets’ focus will be on Gulf shipping.

“The critical barometer of geopolitical risk has been distilled into one data point: The number of ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz,” said Bob Savage, head of markets macro strategy at BNY.

“Peace talks matter, but the immediate focus is on oil and other supply shortages driving inflation.”