Asian shares are trading cautiously today as investors braced for a China policy rate decision and economic data this week while awaiting a host of US Federal Reserve officials to speak to vindicate market pricing of rate cuts this year.

The Nikkei is trading higher by 0.7% and the Hang Seng index is trading higher by 0.1%. The Shanghai Composite is trading 0.9% lower.

US stocks ended slightly lower on Friday, led by weaker mega cap shares following their recent rally, as data showed US consumer sentiment dropped to a six-month low.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average traded marginally lower, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite ended 0.4% lower.

Here's a table showing how US stocks performed on Friday Last week:

Source: Equitymaster

Back home, Indian share markets are trading on a positive note following the trend on SGX Nifty.

At present, the BSE Sensex is trading higher by 522 points. Meanwhile, the NSE Nifty is trading up by 141 points.

Tata Motors and Bajaj Auto are among the top gainers today.

Adani Enterprises and Cipla on the other hand are among the top losers today.

Broader markets are trading on a positive note. The BSE Mid Cap index and the BSE Small Cap index are trading higher by 0.3%.

Sectoral indices are trading on a mixed note with stocks in the FMCG sector and IT sector witnessing the most buying. At the same time, stocks in the power sector and oil & gas sector are witnessing selling pressure.

Shares of Titan and DLF hit their 52-week high today.

The rupee is trading at Rs 81.7 against the US dollar.

In commodity markets, gold prices are trading higher flat at Rs 60,866 per 10 grams today.

Meanwhile, silver prices are trading marginally higher at Rs 73,085 per 1 kg.

Now track the biggest movers of the stock market using the stocks to watch today section. This should help you keep updated with the latest developments...

Speaking of stock markets, the Indian share markets have remained quite volatile in recent weeks.

Even a genius mathematician was once a victim of such market volatility. Instead of going with near-term trends and speculative bets on stocks like Infosys and HDFC Bank, it is important to study their long-term financials and valuations carefully.
 

Adani Group revives US$ 1.5 billion capex plans

Adani Enterprises has revived its capex plan after a four-month pause, with a planned initial investment of US$ 1.5 billion (bn) to kickstart its new businesses.

The flagship company, which canceled its fundraising plan in February, is planning to pump fresh investments into solar module manufacturing, green hydrogen, Navi Mumbai Airport, and data centers (Adani ConneX).

A major portion of the proceeds from the qualified institutional placement (QIP) will be used for new businesses, where capex plans were put on hold due to the cancellation of the FPO.

On Saturday, the boards of Adani Enterprises and Adani Transmission cleared plans to raise Rs 125 bn and Rs 85 bn, respectively, via QIPs.

Adani Transmission will use Rs 85 bn of its proposed fundraising to expand transmission lines and double its power distribution network.

Through Adani New Industries, the group plans to invest US$ 50 bn by 2030 in creating a green hydrogen ecosystem.

Additionally, the company is setting up a 20GW co-located wind and solar project at Mundra, Gujarat.

If the QIPs succeed, it will bolster the Adani group's position in the new energy sector.
 

DMart Q4 results

Avenue Supermarts, which operates the retail chain DMart, on Saturday reported a 21% YoY rise in revenue to Rs 105.9 bn against Rs 87.9 bn a year ago.

Net profit for the quarter came in at Rs 4.6 b, an 8% rise from Rs 4.3 bn reported in the year-ago period.

In the fourth quarter, DMart expanded its retail chain by opening 18 new stores, bringing the total number of stores as of 31 March 2023 to 324. Throughout the 2022-23 financial year, the company has added a total of 40 stores to its network.

For the full year, revenue increased 38% YoY to Rs 428.4 bn against Rs 309.8 bn reported in the financial year 2022, with net profit coming in at Rs 23.8 bn, up 59% YoY compared to Rs 14.9 bn in the financial year 2022.

Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization surged by 46% while operating margins improved to 8.5% from 8.1% a year back.

The retailer's e-commerce business continued expansion in existing 22 cities.

During the quarter, the company started operations of a pharmacy shop-in-shop through one of its subsidiaries through the launch of its first outlet in the Mumbai metropolitan region.

Dmart is currently in  Radhakishan Damani's portfolio, having the biggest exposure. Ever since its debut in March 2017, DMart shares have delivered returns of 502% till January 2023.

Hero MotoCorp plans record launches

Hero MotoCorp is gearing up for the highest-ever model introductions in the financial year 2024 as it looks to consolidate market share, especially in the premium bike segment.

The country's largest two-wheeler maker plans to introduce nearly a dozen new motorcycles and scooters, including the return of the iconic Karizma and the first product under the Hero MotoCorp-Harley Davidson tie-up.

In October 2020, Hero MotoCorp and American brand Harley-Davidson announced a partnership for the Indian market.

While Hero MotoCorp has leadership in the budget bike segment (100-110cc), it is looking to enhance its presence in the 125 cc. Also, it drives in models to bring in volumes and focuses on the premium segment bikes with power ranging between 150cc and 450cc.

The company has already announced its accelerated plans to roll out the electric brand VIDA across the country to cover 100 cities in 2023.

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.

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