Market experts recently shared their investment perspectives on several prominent stocks, providing specific recommendations and price targets for investors. Swati Hotkar, associate vice president of technical research at Nirmal Bang, and Tapan Doshi of Catapan.in offered their insights on NDTV Profit's Ask Profit show, covering companies across various sectors including IT services, engineering, defense, and renewable energy.

Technology and Engineering Stocks

For Tata Consultancy Services trading at ₹3,268.00, Doshi recommended a hold strategy, advising against adding more shares. He noted that companies in this sector may consolidate near current levels for one to two years, with potential margin deterioration due to AI impact. However, he suggested maintaining long-term positions for potential gains.

Siemens, currently at ₹2,947.70, received a buy-on-dips recommendation from Hotkar. She advised against purchasing at current prices but suggested that dips toward ₹2,900-2,850 levels could present attractive entry points for additional positions.

Defense and Infrastructure Stocks

Bharat Electronics, trading at ₹413.70, earned a hold recommendation from Doshi, who highlighted the company's strong recent quarterly results and robust order book. Management guidance of 15-20% growth was noted, though execution remains a key factor to monitor. The analyst expressed positive sentiment for long-term holding.

For REC at ₹366.90, Hotkar recommended holding with a tight stop-loss at ₹350.00, projecting potential upside to ₹400.00 levels.

Metals and Materials Sector

National Aluminium Company at ₹357.40 received mixed guidance from Hotkar. While acknowledging strong performance over the past two months and trading at all-time highs, she cautioned against fresh long positions due to unfavorable risk-reward ratios. She recommended utilizing dips toward ₹330-320 levels for new entries, with a stop-loss at ₹320.00.

Eternal, trading at ₹294.55, showed promising technical patterns according to Hotkar. After experiencing selling pressure from ₹368.00 to ₹275.00, the stock demonstrated possible divergence from oversold conditions. She projected a pullback rally continuing to ₹320-330 levels, recommending current position holders maintain their stakes with a stop-loss at ₹280.00.

Tata Steel at ₹182.57 earned a cautious hold recommendation from Doshi. While noting potential improvements in the European division and strong domestic demand, he emphasized that the stock has appreciated significantly. He advised careful monitoring with a stop-loss of 10-15% below current levels.

Renewable Energy Sector

Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency, priced at ₹139.99, received the most bullish recommendation from Doshi, who suggested accumulating the stock through systematic investment plan (SIP) manner purchases.

The experts emphasized the importance of technical analysis, risk management, and appropriate stop-loss levels across their recommendations. Their insights covered various market conditions, from consolidation phases in technology stocks to growth opportunities in renewable energy, providing investors with diverse perspectives on current market positioning.

Leading global and domestic brokerages have released comprehensive stock recommendations covering major companies across ports, steel, banking, FMCG and consumer sectors. The latest analyst views provide investors with updated target prices and strategic insights for portfolio positioning.

Infrastructure and Ports Sector

Adani Ports & SEZ received strong endorsement from Jefferies with a maintained Buy rating. The brokerage's analysis focuses on recent acquisition impacts and international expansion strategies.

The Abbot acquisition is viewed as broadly neutral in the near term, with full-year consolidation expected to drive significant volume and EBITDA growth. Jefferies highlighted the company's strong balance sheet enabling strategic acquisitions and the NQXT acquisition enhancing international expansion visibility.

Steel Sector Analysis

Jindal Steel & Power (JSPL) faced a target price revision from Kotak Securities despite maintaining a positive outlook. The brokerage acknowledged near-term headwinds while emphasizing long-term growth drivers.

Analysts expect margins to remain under pressure in the near term due to softening steel prices, but emphasized that multiple accretion drivers and new capacity additions will drive volume and earnings growth over time.

Banking Sector Recommendations

Both Kotak Mahindra Bank and HDFC Bank received strong Buy ratings from Citi, reflecting positive sentiment toward the banking sector's growth prospects.

Citi expects Kotak Mahindra Bank to deliver sequential growth outperformance with gradually improving net interest margins and controlled operating expenses. For HDFC Bank, the brokerage anticipates stronger core operating performance with continued market share gains in deposits and expanding net interest margins.

Pharmaceutical and Consumer Sectors

Lupin maintained its Buy rating from Avendus Spark despite near-term earnings concerns, while Lenskart received fresh coverage initiation.

Avendus Spark believes Lupin's validated complex generics platforms outweigh near-term concerns, while Lenskart's vision-led growth strategy across domestic and international markets supports strong revenue projections with expected EBITDA margin expansion of 550 basis points.

Cross-Sector Market Insights

Jefferies provided broader market intelligence indicating 6-8% price hikes in cables and wires industry driven by rising copper prices. The analysis suggests near-term inventory gains on margins and potential channel stocking effects. Additionally, soft vinyl acetate monomer prices could help sustain Pidilite's operating margins at 23-24%, while PVC price declines may pressure margins for pipes companies including Finolex Industries, Supreme Industries and Astral.