Stock market today: Nifty50 and BSE Sensex, the Indian equity benchmark Indies, opened in red on Friday on lacklustre global and domestic cues. While Nifty50 was just above 26,100, BSE Sensex was down over 140 points. At 9:16 AM, Nifty50 was trading at 26,101.30, down 41 points or 0.16%. BSE Sensex was at 85,267.87, down 141 points or 0.16%.Indian equity markets are expected to move in a narrow range as investors remain cautious in the absence of any major domestic economy triggers.Dr. VK Vijayakumar, Chief Investment Strategist, Geojit Investments Limited says, “With only four more trading days left for the year 2025, what looked like a Santa rally, appears to be running out of steam. In the absence of fresh triggers like a US-India trade deal, the market is likely to consolidate around the present levels. Higher US GDP growth of 4.3% for the third quarter of 2025 is imparting resilience to the US market. The high and rising profitability of US companies, including the AI ones, might nudge other FIIs, particularly the fleet footed hedge funds, to increase selling in India in the near-term.” “The sustained buying by the cash rich DIIs will support the market and prevent a sharp pull back. The ideal investment strategy for investors now is to remain invested in high quality large caps and slowly accumulate them on declines. A rally in the market in the early stage of 2026 is on the cards. Investors should give high weightage to value while deciding to invest. Irrational valuations in some of the IPOs and the willingness of the newbie investors to buy stocks at excessive valuations are reflections of exuberance in the market.”Asian markets saw modest gains on Friday amid thin trading conditions. Japanese and South Korean equities advanced, while several other regional markets remained closed for holidays. In the commodities market, silver surged to a record high, while gold traded close to its all-time peak.Oil prices edged higher on Friday after the United States stepped up economic pressure on Venezuelan oil exports and carried out airstrikes against Islamic State militants in northwest Nigeria at the request of the Nigerian government.On the institutional front, foreign portfolio investors were net sellers of Indian equities worth Rs 1,721 crore on Wednesday, while domestic institutional investors provided support by purchasing shares worth Rs 2,381 crore.(Disclaimer: Recommendations and views on the stock market, other asset classes or personal finance management tips given by experts are their own. These opinions do not represent the views of The Times of India)

Goldman Sachs initiated its coverage of PhysicsWallah with a neutral rating and a target price of Rs 135. Analysts said the company is one of India’s largest edtech platforms, with a broadly equal mix of revenues from online and offline segments. They forecast a 24% compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of revenue for FY25-FY30 (vs 38% for last two years), at mid-to-high end of India internet coverage, with 80%+ earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation (EBITDA) CAGR over this period. Analysts said they view such numbers as a function of PW’s strong top of the funnel organic traffic, a relatively benign competitive environment in India’s edtech sector, and PW’s pricing structure that allows it to penetrate deeper into multiple new education categories. They also warned that PW’s business model also has a negative working capital cycle, and forecast 100%+ free cash flow to net income for the company starting FY26.Avendus Spark initiated its coverage of LG Electronics with a reduce rating and a target price of Rs 1,536. Analysts said despite lower bargaining power and increasing customer choices due to competition, LG’s extensive reach remains a key strength and moat. The company has a robust in-house manufacturing capability and a third facility is in the pipeline to cater to the South Indian market and exports, which will also save logistics costs. They said the company is likely to face market share erosion, revenue impact and challenges in its niche premium/super-premium categories due to relatively new entrants.Nuvama has initiated its coverage of Knowledge Marine Engineering Works with a buy rating and a target price of Rs 2,500. Analysts said that India’s maritime industry is at an inflection point with unprecedented emphasis on infrastructure creation and inland waterways. KMEW enjoys a 50% order-win rate amid scarce competition and high entry barriers, delivers superior 35–40% EBITDA margin and is diversified across a spectrum of dredging, shipbuilding and ancillary services accounting for 43%, 11% and 46% of balance order book, respectively.HSBC has a buy rating on Ambuja Cement with the target price at Rs 700. Analysts said that the company’s board has approved the amalgamation of ACC and Orient Cement into Ambuja, with the completion expected within twelve months. The company’s management expects operational synergies to drive cost savings of at least Rs 100/tonne. Analysts see the amalgamation as a positive move for the companyInvestec has a buy rating on RBL Bank with the target price at Rs 430. Analysts said that the bank intends to deploy $1.5 billion of $3 billion infusion to retire high-cost liabilities and expects rating upgrades (AA- to AA+/AAA) to narrow its wholesale funding cost gaps vs larger peers. The lender expects to grow its loan book at 30% in FY27, led by wholesale, prime housing, and a pick-up in unsecured retail. Under the new expected credit loss (ECL) norms that is effective April 2027, the management expects a one-time impact of Rs 1,500 to Rs 1,700 crore (4% of post-dilution net worth) and a 20–25 basis points (100 basis points = 1 percentage point) rise in credit costs on a run-rate basis, partly offset by faster secured lending growth.(Disclaimer: Recommendations and views on the stock market, other asset classes or personal finance management tips given by experts are their own. These opinions do not represent the views of The Times of India)