Market analysts and brokerage firms have identified high-conviction trading opportunities for the upcoming session, highlighting prospects across banking, metal, and energy sectors. The recommendations include specific entry points, target prices, and risk management levels across five stocks spanning different market segments.

Banking Sector Leadership

AU Small Finance Bank emerged as the standout consensus pick, receiving buy recommendations from two separate analysts. Chandan Taparia, Head of Technical & Derivatives Research at Motilal Oswal Financial Services, recommended buying at the current market price with specific technical backing.

Taparia noted that the stock maintains an "overall uptrend" and continues to respect its 20-day exponential moving average support zones. Kunal Rambhia, Fund Manager at The Street, provided a complementary recommendation with slightly different target and stop-loss parameters.

Power and Metal Sector Opportunities

Osho Krishan, Chief Manager of Technical and Derivative Research at Angel One, identified value opportunities in both the power and metal sectors. For NTPC, he recommended a strategic entry approach with defined risk parameters.

The metal sector recommendation focuses on Tata Steel, with Krishan projecting an upside potential of approximately 4.65% from the recommended entry level to the target price.

Consumer and Telecom Picks

Aditya Agarwala, Head of Research and Investments at Invest4edu, recommended Tata Consumer Products with a significant upside target. The recommendation reflects confidence in the FMCG sector's prospects.

In the telecom sector, Kunal Rambhia of The Street identified Bharti Hexacom as an attractive opportunity. The recommendation includes:

• Target Price: ₹1,925.00
• Stop Loss: ₹1,800.00
• Risk-Reward Ratio: Favorable upside potential with defined downside protection

Technical Analysis Framework

The recommendations incorporate both technical and fundamental analysis approaches. Technical factors mentioned include trend analysis, moving average support levels, and momentum indicators. The analysts have provided specific entry points rather than broad price ranges, indicating conviction in their timing recommendations.

Risk management remains a key component across all recommendations, with stop-loss levels set at strategic technical support zones. The target prices reflect varying degrees of upside potential, ranging from modest gains in the power sector to more substantial targets in consumer goods and telecom segments.

Tata Steel has received a GST demand order totaling ₹890.52 crores, along with an equal penalty amount and applicable interest, related to alleged irregular Input Tax Credit claims during FY2018-19 through FY2020-21. The Joint Commissioner of CGST & Central Excise, Jamshedpur, passed the order on December 26, 2025, which the company received on December 27, 2025.

Background of the GST Case

The matter originated from a Demand cum Show Cause Notice (SCN) received from the Office of the Commissioner of CGST & Central Excise, Jamshedpur. The notice alleged irregular availment of Input Tax Credit in contravention of Sections 16 and 41 of the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017, read with applicable provisions of the Integrated Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017.

The SCN required the company to show cause before the Additional/Joint Commissioner of CGST & Central Excise, Jamshedpur, as to why the Input Tax Credit amounting to ₹890.52 crores should not be demanded and recovered, along with interest and penalty under the applicable GST provisions.

Company's Position and Defense

Tata Steel maintains that proper cognizance was not taken of the submissions made during the adjudication process. The company's defense centers on the nature of the alleged excess Input Tax Credit, which was identified by comparing ITC claimed in monthly returns against ITC reflected in the GST Portal.

According to the company, there is no actual excess Input Tax Credit claimed, and the difference arises from credit pertaining to one financial year but availed in the subsequent financial year, which is permissible under GST laws.

Legal and Financial Impact

The company has indicated its intention to contest the order before the appropriate forum within statutory timelines. Tata Steel believes that given the merits of the case and strong grounds available for defense, there may be no impact on the company's financial, operational, or other activities arising from the said order.

The total financial exposure from this order includes the primary tax demand of ₹890.52 crores, penalty of ₹890.52 crores, and interest charges on the total tax amount.

Regulatory Compliance

This disclosure was made in compliance with Regulations 30 and 51 read with Para B of Part A of Schedule III of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015. The company had previously disclosed the receipt of the show cause notice on June 25, 2025, and this update provides the current status following the adjudication order.

The disclosure was signed by Parvatheesam Kanchinadham, Company Secretary and Chief Legal Officer, and communicated to both BSE Limited and National Stock Exchange of India Limited on December 28, 2025.