Stock Picks Today: Adani Ports, JSPL, Kotak Mahindra Bank Lead Brokerage Radar

2 min read     Updated on 26 Dec 2025, 07:24 AM
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Leading brokerages released comprehensive stock recommendations across multiple sectors, with Adani Ports receiving strong Buy rating from Jefferies at ₹1,880 target price, while JSPL faced target price cuts despite maintained Buy rating. Banking sector showed strength with Citi issuing Buy ratings for both Kotak Mahindra Bank and HDFC Bank, expecting strong growth and margin improvements.

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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.

Parameter Details
Brokerage Jefferies
Rating Buy
Target Price ₹1,880.00
Key Development Abbot acquisition adds 7% capacity
FY26 Impact 8% volume growth, 6% EBITDA increase

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.

Stock Details Information
Brokerage Kotak Securities
Rating Buy
Revised Target ₹1,150.00
Previous Target ₹1,250.00
Key Challenge Steel price softening in Q3 FY25

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.

Bank Brokerage Rating Target Price Key Expectation
Kotak Mahindra Bank Citi Buy ₹2,565.00 16%+ YoY growth
HDFC Bank Citi Buy ₹1,200.00 Outpace system credit growth

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.

Company Brokerage Rating Target Price Growth Driver
Lupin Avendus Spark Buy ₹2,445.00 Complex generics platforms
Lenskart Avendus Spark Add ₹490.00 21% revenue CAGR (FY25-28)

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.

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