After opening the day on a positive note, Indian share markets pared gains as the session progressed and ended flat.

Benchmark indices witnessed a volatile trade despite strong global sentiments and healthy early Q3 earnings, as index heavyweight stocks witnessed selling.

At the closing bell, the BSE Sensex gained 37 points (up 0.1%).

Meanwhile, the NSE Nifty closed flat at 18,118 levels.

Tata Motors, Maruti Suzuki, and Baja Auto were among the top gainers today.

Axis Bank, Hindalco, and Power Grid corporations, on the other hand, were among the top losers today.

The SGX Nifty was trading at 18,135, down by 12 points, at the time of writing.

Broader markets settled on a negative note. The BSE Midcap dived 0.3% while the BSE SmallCap index fell 0.4%.

Sectoral indices ended on a mixed note with stocks in the energy sector, healthcare sector, and telecom sector witnessing most of the selling.

While stocks in the FMCG sector, IT sector, and auto sector witnessed buying.

Shares of PTC India hit their 52-week highs today.

Asian share markets ended on a firm footing. The Shanghai Composite was closed today due to the new year. The Nikkei edged 1.5% higher.

US stock futures are trading on a mixed note. Dow futures are trading lower by 0.2% while Nasdaq futures are trading higher by 0.4%.

The rupee is trading at 81.65 against the US$.

Gold prices for the latest contract on MCX are trading higher by 0.4% at Rs 57,018 per 10 grams.

Meanwhile, silver prices for the latest contract on MCX are trading up by 0.8% at Rs 68,530 per kg.
 

Why Chalet Hotels' share price is rising

In news from the hotel sector, the share price of Chalet Hotels rose 5% today.

The rise comes on the back of healthy earnings across parameters announced for December 2022 quarter.

The hotel chain operator has clocked a consolidated profit of Rs 1 bn for the December 2022 quarter against a loss of Rs 146 m in the corresponding quarter a year ago.

The growth in numbers was due to a healthy topline as well as operating performance. Higher other income also boosted profitability.

Consolidated revenue from operations grew by 76.5% YoY to Rs 2.9 bn. EBITDA (earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortization) surged nearly three-fold to Rs 1.1 bn from Rs 404 m last year.

The hotel sector is in its growth phase. The top hotel stocks in India can immensely benefit from so many factors positively affecting the industry.

Chalet Hotels is among the best hotel stocks in India, which scores well on crucial parameters.

Maruti Suzuki Q3 profit zooms 130%

Moving on to news from the auto sector, shares of Maruti Suzuki jumped 3% today.

The company today reported a 129.5% jump in consolidated net profit for December 2022 quarter at Rs 23.9 bn. The profit was Rs 10.4 bn in the same quarter last year. This growth was driven by higher sales volumes and a fall in raw material costs.

The total revenue from operations came in at Rs 290.6 bn, rising 24.9% YoY from Rs 232.5 bn in the corresponding quarter a year ago.

The EBIT margin of the company also improved by 3.5% YoY to 7.6%. The profit margin improved by 3.8% YoY to 8.4%.

An improved realization, favorable foreign exchange variation, softening commodity prices, and cost efficiencies led to a sharp improvement in margins.

Total sales volume in the reported quarter increased 8% on year to 465,911 units, while domestic sales increased 10.5%.

Apart from this, driving the EV revolution, it is developing hybrid electric vehicles (HEV) with Toyota.

Note that the electric vehicle (EV) megatrend is a once-in-a-century revolution happening right in front of us.

The revolution has taken the auto sector by storm. All segments of the sector are ripe for disruption, and India's top EV stocks are set to benefit from this shift.
 

Torrent Pharma receives USFDA notice

Moving on to news from the pharma sector, the share price of Torrent Pharma fell 1% today.

Torrent Pharmaceuticals has received a US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) inspection classification OAI (Official Action Indicated). This is for the company's Indrad facility in Gujarat.

OAI means a recommendation of regulatory action.

USFDA has issued form 483 with three observations at the end of the inspection at Torrent Pharma's manufacturing facility at Indrad.

The company, however, clarified that this inspection will not impact the existing supplies or revenues.

Torrent Pharma is the eighth largest player in the domestic pharma market with a presence in various therapeutic segments.
 

Colgate Palmolive Q3 falls on dull demand

Moving on to news from the FMCG sector, Colgate's share price fell 2% today

This decline was due to Colgate-Palmolive's (India) surprise fall in December 2022 quarter profit, as inflation-hit consumers tightened spending while higher costs weighed.

For December 2022 quarter, the Indian arm of the US consumer goods major's net profit slipped nearly 3.6% YoY to Rs 2.4 bn.

However, revenue from operations increased nearly 0.9% YoY to Rs 12.9 bn.

Packaged goods makers have globally raised prices of products from toothpaste to coffee as the Russia-Ukraine war and supply snarls led to an increase in the price of commodities, including palm oil, cocoa, and crude oil.

These price hikes forced lower-income consumers and the rural population to tighten their budgets, dragging the profits down.

Colgate-Palmolive (India) is India's leading provider of scientifically proven oral care products. The range includes toothpaste, toothpowder, toothbrushes, and mouthwashes.

Since 2001, the company has declared 58 dividends. The five-year average dividend payout ratio stands at 94.3%, making it the biggest dividend-paying midcap stock for the 2023 watchlist.

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