Business
Opportunities in smallcap and midcap stocks increasing: WhiteOak’s Trupti Agrawal
Edited excerpts from a chat with the senior fund manager:
The market has been stuck in a consolidation phase for the last 1.5 years. Now that earnings downgrades have slowed and US trade deal uncertainty is gone, what is holding the market back?
Over the past few weeks, India has secured a trade agreement with two of its largest trading partners, ie EU and US, which have a combined share of ~37% in India’s total goods exports. Overall, it is anticipated that the trade deals would be particularly beneficial in expanding market access and improving export competitiveness for India.
Secondly, incoming data indicates that the growth momentum seen in 3QFY26 has sustained into 4Q as well. Overall, the growth outlook remains constructive, with the RBI raising the FY2026 GDP forecast to 7.4% and the Economic Survey projecting 7.4% in FY2026 and 6.8–7.2% in FY2027, supported by domestic demand and ongoing reforms.
While we do not take top-down views on the market, the recent correction means that, on a relative basis, Indian equity markets are trading at or close to 10 year averages while the relative premium to EMs have narrowed to 45%, below the long term historical range, and far off its highs of 90% observed between 2022-2024. Over the past five years, India has recorded the highest annualised earnings growth among peers at ~10%, and is expected to sustain a healthy 14–15% growth trajectory going forward, although admittedly it is not significantly ahead of other major EMs over the next couple of years.
Although the macro implications of technological evolution remain uncertain, India’s diversified sectoral composition and relatively lower market volatility support a more stable and resilient earnings cycle.
Consumption was touted as a big theme after GST cuts were introduced before Diwali. Since then auto appears to be the only winner in the consumption cycle. Are you disappointed with the impact that GST is having on overall consumption in India?
Consumer-facing sectors saw a sequential improvement in earnings this quarter, although the recovery remains somewhat mixed across categories. In autos, revenue growth was supported by festive demand and GST rationalization, along with recovery in CVs. Consumer staples delivered sequentially a decent set of numbers, led by rural growth. Premiumization trends continue to stay strong and emerging channels such as e-commerce and quick commerce are continuing to scale well. Jewelry companies reported stellar performance at the back of rising gold prices which is a both headwind and tailwind at the same time for the category, coupled with the sustained trend of formalization of the sector in India. There is a view among the relatively smaller ticket discretionary lifestyle consumption category companies that the customers appear to have prioritized purchase of bigger ticket products with higher GST reduction benefits initially, which should change in the coming times aiding demand for their products.
Media and retail sector trends have been largely company- and event-driven with seasonality playing a role in some companies. More importantly, the earnings revision cycle remains uneven — autos are seeing early signs of estimated upgrades, but upward revisions across other consumer segments have been relatively muted.
Smaller sized private and PSU banks have reported a double-digit gold loan mix. Is this a healthy trend for their balance sheets?
Gold loans are regarded as among the lower risk retail products as (1) they are collateralized, (2) recovery is relatively quicker via auction and (3) borrower behavior tends to be disciplined and guided by emotional and sentimental value attached to their pledged items. Recent asset quality trends with CRIF data showing PAR >90 days below 1% across the system is far better than unsecured retail or MFI loans.
That said, we believe that any outsized exposure to a single segment increases lender risk, particularly if collateral values are affected during periods of volatility, as can occur with precious metals. While most private and PSU banks have robust risk management frameworks in place to mitigate such risks through prudent LTVs and monitoring mechanisms, concentration risk remains an important consideration.
As with any product, gold loans can be attractive from a margin standpoint, provided exposures remain well-calibrated and contained within a diversified portfolio framework.
Credit growth in many PSU banks has been higher than their private peers in Q3. Are PSU bank stocks looking more attractive? Are valuations good enough to buy?
Yes, recent asset quality trends and growth at large PSU banks have been comparable to those of large private sector peers. However, with any sub-segment, rather than taking a top-down view, we prefer to identify bottom-up opportunities.
Historically, the valuation gap between PSU and private banks has reflected differences in RoAs, as well as governance and capital allocation constraints. Also, it should not be missed that over time well-run private sector banks have gained market share when compared to PSU banks.
On an aggregate basis, the banking sector offers opportunities across the market-cap spectrum, and valuations do not appear stretched, with earnings expectations in the mid-teens.
Which sectors appear structurally well-positioned over the next three to five years, and why?
We are very stock selection driven as a house and do not make top down thematic or sectoral calls, as those are fraught with risk without adding returns in our view. Our sectoral over weights and underweights are an outcome of bottom-up stock picking opportunities at any given point in time, rather than an input to our portfolio construction. For the all-cap portfolio, from a bottom-up perspective, there are certain sectors where we consistently find more opportunities. Currently we see more promising prospects within private sector financials, consumer discretionary, communication services, healthcare, REITs and Invits. While not generalising, it is certain sub-segments and individual companies within them that find favour with the team.
Do you think that the sell-off in small caps we saw in last 1.5 years is done and that we will see gradual recovery in next 2 quarters?
Since its peak in Sep 2024, small caps have corrected meaningfully due to a combination of tighter liquidity, higher interest rates, and earnings downgrades. Much of this adjustment appears to have already played out and recent earnings trends within the small and mid-caps have been ahead of large caps. Having said that, a broad-based recovery in share prices usually requires sustained improvement in earnings momentum, cash flows, and risk appetite, which tends to lag market corrections, especially after prolonged periods of adjustment.
Historically, we find greater number of opportunities in the mid and small market cap and off-benchmark companies. We believe these segments of the market are typically less well researched and hence more inefficient, thereby providing strong alpha generation potential.
Although we tend to be bottom up focussed, looking ahead over the next couple of quarters, a gradual and selective recovery is a reasonable base case rather than a sharp rebound.
What stood out for you in the Q3 earnings season? Are you more hopeful of broad-based growth than before?
Earnings growth in Q3 has been stronger than recent quarters, with aggregate Nifty-500 Index earnings at 14%, with SMIDs outpacing large cap earnings. We note healthy earnings growth delivered by autos, capital goods and utilities, while consumption was gradual but uneven.
However, we would like to see a few more quarters of consistent earnings trends before gaining greater confidence in a sustained recovery in the earnings trajectory.
Business
Shipping Corporation fined: NSE, BSE impose Rs 5.42 lakh penalty each for Sebi norm violation
The Navratna PSU informed about the development via a filing to the exchanges on Saturday. It said that the action will not have any significant impact on the company’s financial, operational, or other activities.
On Friday, February 27, 2026, the company received an email from BSE and a notice from the National Stock Exchange levying a total fine of Rs 5,42,800, each for non-compliance with Regulation 17(1) of Sebi Listing Regulations regarding the composition of the Board of Directors.
Shares of Shipping Corporation ended 1.8% lower on the NSE at Rs 263.47.
SCI operates oil tankers and product carriers that move crude oil from overseas suppliers to Indian refineries, making it strategically important for energy security. Its stock has rewarded investors with returns of 76% in the past 12 months, significantly outperforming the Indian benchmarks Nifty and the BSE Sensex, whose returns in the same period stand at 12% and 9%, respectively, according to Trendlyne.
The stock is currently trading above its 50-day and 200-day simple moving averages of Rs 233 and Rs 226, respectively, the Trendlyne data said.
The company reported a staggering 440% jump in net profit for the third quarter of FY26. Net profit for the quarter rose to Rs 405 crore, sharply higher than the Rs 75.52 crore reported in the corresponding quarter last year.Revenue from operations stood at Rs 1,612 crore, marking a 22.5% increase from Rs 1,316 crore in the year-ago period, the company said in an exchange filing.
The tanker segment led the performance, with revenue rising 34% to Rs 1,097 crore, while operating profit (earnings before interest and taxes, or EBIT) surged 389% year-on-year. The bulk carrier segment also posted strong growth, with revenue climbing to Rs 237.51 crore from Rs 147 crore in the corresponding quarter of the previous financial year.
(Disclaimer: The recommendations, suggestions, views, and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of The Economic Times.)
Business
Bybit Introduces Fixed-Rate UTA Loans Offering Up to 10x Leverage and Up to 180-Day Borrowing

Bybit Introduces Fixed-Rate UTA Loans Offering Up to 10x Leverage and Up to 180-Day Borrowing
Business
Bharat Electronics announces record date for interim dividend of Rs 1.95 per share
The record date of a dividend is the cut-off date set by a company to determine which shareholders are eligible to receive the declared dividend.
BEL dividend history / dividend yield
The PSU company has declared 51 dividends since August 29, 2003. In the past 12 months, Bharat Electronics has declared an equity dividend amounting to ₹2.40 per share, according to Trendlyne. At the current share price of Rs 444.70, Bharat Electronics’s dividend yield is 0.54%.
BEL share price performance
BEL shares ended at Rs 444.70 on the NSE on Friday, declining by 4.35 or 1% over the Thursday closing price.
The Nifty stock has had a stellar run on the D-Street, delivering 74% returns in the past 12 months. It is the second best performer n the frontline index and only behind Shriram Finace whose returns of 78%, remain ahead.
Meanwhile, Nifty and the BSE Sensex have yielded 12% and 9% in the same period.BEL shares are currently trading above their 50-day and 200-day simple moving averages of Rs 422 and Rs 405, respectively, according to Trendlyne.
The defence electronics major reported a decent set of numbers for the December quarter. The company’s consolidated net profit rose to Rs 1,580 crore, compared with Rs 1,312 crore in the same period last year. This translates into a year-on-year (YoY) growth of 21%. Revenue from operations for the quarter rose 24% YoY to Rs 7,154 crore.
Sequentially, profit was higher than the Rs 1,287 crore reported in the September quarter. Compared with the previous quarter, revenue also rose from Rs 5,946 crore.
Including other income of Rs 139 crore, BEL’s total income for the quarter came in at Rs 7,292 crore, compared with Rs 5,957 crore in the year-ago period.
(Disclaimer: The recommendations, suggestions, views, and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of The Economic Times.)
Business
Melrose Industries Stock: Sell-Off Looks Overdone After Strong Results (MLSPF)
Dhierin-Perkash Bechai is an aerospace, defense and airline analyst.
Dhierin runs the investing group The Aerospace Forum, whose goal is to discover investment opportunities in the aerospace, defense and airline industry. With a background in aerospace engineering, he provides analysis of a complex industry with significant growth prospects, and offers context to developments as they occur, describing how they might affect investment theses. His investing ideas are driven by data informed analysis. The investing group also provides direct access to data analytics monitors.
Learn more.
Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, and no plans to initiate any such positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.
Seeking Alpha’s Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.
Business
Crypto trend-following trade finds relief after sharp selloff
Digital-asset investment firm XBTO’s trend fund rose 13.3% last month, its second-best since launching in February 2024, as Bitcoin fell more than 10% and Ether dropped 18%. The gain was driven by a timely flip to short positions as crypto markets broke lower in the final week of January, with more than seven percentage points of the return coming in those last few days, according to Karl Naim, the firm’s chief commercial officer.
One month doesn’t change a challenging trading landscape. But for a strategy that struggled last year, recent gains offer a well needed boost — and a reminder that trend-following can still pay when markets finally pick a direction.
BloombergBitcoin peaked near $126,000 in early October and has since fallen sharply, with the broader crypto market losing $2 trillion in crypto market value along the way, according to CoinGecko. Trend models that rode momentum higher got whipsawed by the fast reversal. The fund lost money in five of the previous six months and finished 2025 down 7.8%. Industry-wide, quant trend funds returned 0.44% last year, down from 65% in 2024, according to Crypto Insights Group. Market-neutral strategies, which don’t rely on directional bets, gained 14.7%.
Those that caught the downturn, though, are now benefiting.
“We have been net short in February, have taken some risk off the table, and continue to see potential downside pressure on Bitcoin,” Naim said.
XBTO’s trend fund trades crypto perpetual futures and focuses on the most liquid tokens, typically the top-50 by market value. Perpetual futures are derivatives that track an asset’s price without an expiry date. Positions are driven by a systematic momentum model that scans market and blockchain data.
XBTO was founded in 2015 by Philippe Bekhazi, a former SAC Capital trader, and is regulated in Bermuda and Abu Dhabi.
Trend-following is a well-established strategy in traditional markets, where large quant firms manage billions of dollars. In crypto, the approach can win big in one-way markets like in 2021, 2023 and 2024. But it remains largely unproven at scale — funds are far smaller, track records are short, and the market’s tendency toward sudden, violent reversals makes sustained momentum difficult to capture.
XBTO manages about $100 million across its funds and is targeting to raise another $100 million this year.
Business
Israel and US launch strikes on Iran

Israel and US launch strikes on Iran
Business
U.S. Earnings Season Ends On Strong Note
U.S. Earnings Season Ends On Strong Note
Business
Israel moves against Iran, ending diplomatic hopes

Israel moves against Iran, ending diplomatic hopes
Business
NFO Alert: HDFC Mutual Fund launches HDFC Income Plus Arbitrage Omni FOF
The new fund offer or NFO of the scheme is open for subscription and will close on March 11.
HDFC Income Plus Arbitrage Omni FOF will dynamically manage its allocation by adjusting portfolio duration and credit exposure based on factors such as the interest rate outlook, RBI monetary policy, yield curve dynamics, liquidity conditions and arbitrage spreads between the cash and futures markets, according to a press release by the fund house.
The scheme will aim to maintain the exposure to units of debt-oriented mutual fund schemes, debt securities and money market instruments below 65%. At least 35% of the portfolio will be allocated to arbitrage schemes.
“In today’s fixed income environment, investors are increasingly seeking solutions that combine income potential and prudent risk management. With HDFC Income Plus Arbitrage Omni FOF, we endeavour to provide a solution that will allow investors to dynamically allocate across arbitrage schemes and active and passive debt-oriented schemes, with the objective of building yield potential while aiming to manage volatility,” said Navneet Munot, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, HDFC Asset Management Company.
Anchored in our rigorous credit evaluation process and execution discipline, this product seeks to provide a differentiated approach to accrual investing, Munot added.
By virtue of this allocation strategy, the Scheme will be tax-efficient and in addition to this, the FOF structure seeks to provide investors the benefit of active asset allocation without triggering taxation on switching between underlying schemes, said the release. This Scheme will be managed by Bhavyesh Divecha and Praveen Jain. The benchmark for this Scheme is 40% NIFTY 50 Arbitrage Index (TRI) and 60% NIFTY Short Duration Debt Index.
“Currently, while growth remains healthy, we remain cautiously optimistic on the yields in view of benign inflation outlook, ample system durable liquidity in FY27 and expectation of low policy rates to continue in the foreseeable future. Furthermore, in our view, most negative sentiments look to be largely priced into the current yield levels, thereby providing scope for yields to drift lower hereon,” said Praveen Jain.
“Considering RBI is close to the end of rate cut cycle, accrual assets appear to be well- placed, with the spreads of non-AAA corporate bonds sitting at a higher level versus AAA corporate bonds, and higher than its long-term averages. This could create room for spread compression, along with possible easing of yields over the medium term. Hence, investors could explore investing in HDFC Income Plus Arbitrage Omni FOF – an easy and convenient way to allocate across units of arbitrage schemes and active and passive debt-oriented schemes in a tax-efficient manner,” Jain added.
Investors can invest with a minimum amount of Rs 100 during the NFO period and during the continuous offer period after the scheme reopens for subscription and redemption. There is no upper limit on investment, and allotment of units will be done after deduction of applicable stamp duty, if any. An exit load of 1% is applicable if units are redeemed or switched out within 18 months from the date of allotment.
(Disclaimer: Recommendations, suggestions, views and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of The Economic Times)
If you have any mutual fund queries, message on ET Mutual Funds on Facebook/Twitter. We will get it answered by our panel of experts. Do share your questions on ETMFqueries@timesinternet.in alongwith your age, risk profile, and twitter handle.
Business
Israel’s operation against Iran was coordinated with US, Israeli official says

Israel’s operation against Iran was coordinated with US, Israeli official says
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