Indian equities are better positioned to withstand global rate shocks due to strong domestic liquidity, but expensive mid- and small-cap stocks remain vulnerable to rising US yields and earnings disappointments, says YES Securities’ Amar K Ambani. He expects quality smaller companies to deliver alpha but stresses the need for greater selectivity.

The NSE IPO has sparked a valuation debate as investors weigh subscribing at the issue price against waiting for a post-listing correction or considering BSE. With NSE commanding a dominant share of India’s equity markets, analysts point to its strong financials and scale, while flagging rich valuations and risks around options volumes.

HDFC Bank’s stock has fallen 27% in 2026, while ICICI Bank has gained 1.6%. Yet mutual funds have increasingly favoured HDFC Bank, adding to the laggard while trimming ICICI Bank. By August-end, ICICI Bank remained the larger mutual-fund holding, but the recent flow pattern signals a shift in preference as investors assess HDFC Bank’s valuation and recovery potential.

NSE’s Rs 22,569-crore IPO has opened for subscription, valuing India’s largest stock exchange at nearly $46 billion at the upper price band. At 42.9 times FY26 earnings, NSE commands a higher valuation multiple than most major global exchanges, including Nasdaq, CME Group, ICE, HKEX and LSEG. Analysts attribute the premium to NSE’s profitability, market dominance and India’s long-term capital market opportunity.

Over the last five years, BSE has emerged as the top performer in wealth creation. Meanwhile, NSE's unlisted shares experienced more modest growth in comparison. MCX presents a longer pathway for growth due to its early involvement in commodity derivatives. Notably, NSE enjoys a structural edge with its strong market position and cash flow generation. Investors are encouraged to evaluate sustainability and valuations when making future investment choices.

JM Financial retained Buy ratings on Dr Reddy’s Laboratories and Aurobindo Pharma, seeing up to 28% upside over the next 12 months. The brokerage expects stronger earnings growth, business diversification and new product launches to support both drugmakers.

From October 15, MDR will apply to select UPI person-to-merchant payments above Rs 2,000, but not to all such transactions. UPI AutoPay and mandates will be treated separately, while mutual funds and capital-market payments will attract a lower MDR. Importantly, the charge will be borne by merchants, not customers, raising questions over its impact on SIPs and stock investments.

Indian IT stocks surged as calls for a slower pace of frontier AI development eased concerns over disruption to traditional software services. The Nifty IT Index gained 5% on Tuesday, adding Rs 1.13 lakh crore in market value, while power and infrastructure stocks tied to AI buildout declined sharply, highlighting a shift in investor positioning.

Vijay Kedia’s investment approach is built as much around discipline as opportunity. He is willing to buy stocks after sharp declines but refuses to chase them when valuations move beyond his comfort zone. As mutual funds, family offices and other investors crowd into emerging businesses, Kedia is increasingly looking at SMEs, unlisted companies and startups for opportunities that offer attractive valuations and growth potential.

While higher oil could pressure earnings and the rupee, he argues that the impact may be less severe than feared, with India’s growth backdrop, valuations and external balances providing a buffer even as global yields and geopolitical risks remain elevated.