IPL Portfolio: Mid-innings, momentum & market mavericks — smallcase manager Piyush Mehta picks his dream 11

How should investors handle the unpredictable and fast paced bowling by Trump?
As Orange Cap winner in IPL leads runs, which stocks are leading by momentum and consistency in returns?
While aggressive batsmen rule T20s, grounded all-rounders bring balance. Which defensive stocks bring stability amid volatility?
Live Events
Which industries—tech, FMCG, bank, or EV—are leaving a huge mark like the most runaway IPL teams?
If you were to construct a Dream 11 portfolio today, which stocks or sectors would find a place in your team?
TARIL (opening batsman)
Ujjivan (opening batsman)
JSFB (middle order)
Transrail (middle order)
Jash (middle order)
Ceinsystech (all-rounder)
Kamat Hotels (all-rounder)
Samhi (spinner)
KPEL (spinner)
Style Bazaar (fast bowler)
V2 Retail (fast bowler)
Vishnu Chemicals (12th man)
If markets were a T20 match, where are we in the innings currently – early overs, slog overs, or a mid-innings slowdown?
(You can now subscribe to our
(You can now subscribe to our ETMarkets WhatsApp channel
As markets play through a mid-innings slowdown, Piyush Mehta of Caprize Investment builds his Dream 11 portfolio with a mix of aggressive openers and steady all-rounders. From power plays in manufacturing to defensive picks that weather global googlies, Mehta lays out a winning strategy for volatile times.Edited excerpts from a chat:Firstly, investors should focus on earnings and ignore all the noise on tariffs, yields and currency. Trump's anti-China rhetoric will benefit India massively along with other small Asian countries. While it is difficult to assimilate its immediate impact, our sense is that companies with strong engineering and manufacturing capabilities will benefit the most. China's pain will be India's gain and we are already seeing domestic companies getting multiple queries from US based corporations.Stocks like Panacea Bio, Rajesh Power, Style Bazaar, Jash Engineering are closing in on their all-time highs due to strong earnings visibility.Stocks like Jash Engg, V2 Retail, private banks, Bharti continue to be unfazed by global volatility and geo-political flare ups.Power and power transmission, consumption/premiumization and water are sectors where we see structural secular runways for growthWe are in a mid-innings slowdown where markets and valuations will consolidate. Expect a strong turnaround in earnings and in the market before the start of H2FY26.

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Business Standard

25 minutes ago

• Business Standard

Israel's TA-125 at new peak even as tensions flare with US strikes on Iran

Rising tensions in West Asia have not deterred the Israeli stock market, with the benchmark index surging to record highs despite fresh concerns following US strikes on Iran. Israel's TA-125 rose 2.2 per cent on Sunday to a fresh high of 2,931.9, just after the US struck three nuclear sites in Iran. Since the beginning of the latest attacks on June 13, the index has risen nearly 7.5 per cent, while the MSCI Asia ex Japan has fallen by 0.63 per cent. In the year so far, the TA-125 index has risen 18.9 per cent, while the MSCI Asia ex Japan and MSCI World indices are up 11.2 per cent and 4.83 per cent, respectively. Over the weekend, the US struck three nuclear sites in Iran with bunker-busting bombs, ending speculation of its involvement in the ongoing conflict in the region. US President Donald Trump declared the three facilities 'totally obliterated,' and warned of greater attacks unless Iran makes peace with Israel. Following the strikes, Iran vowed to retaliate, warning the US of "dire consequences" and has reportedly approved the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Asked about the Strait, Iran's Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Aragchi said that 'a variety of options" are available to Iran, adding that the country would defend itself by all means necessary. Why is Israeli stock market surging? The market is rising as investors and global markets bet on a contained conflict and limited escalation following the US strikes on Iran, according to analysts. There was initial concern that oil prices would spike and Asian markets would open sharply lower. However, that didn't happen, according to G Chokkalingam, founder and chief investment officer at Equinomics Research. He believes this indicates that both the equity and oil markets expect the situation to de-escalate, possibly leading to negotiations rather than a broader conflict. Regarding the Israeli market, its total market capitalisation is only around $429 billion, with equities accounting for $216 billion, Chokkalingam said. "This means even small domestic or foreign inflows can significantly impact the index." Additionally, confidence may stem from the US backing of Israel, which reassures investors that the economic impact will be limited, Chokkalingam said. "Unlike during the Ukraine war, when oil jumped nearly 30 per cent, the Israel-Iran conflict has caused only an 11 per cent rise in oil prices, reinforcing the belief that the war may remain localised and short-lived." Further, it is a preconceived notion that geopolitical tensions may lead to stock market corrections, analysts had noted earlier. "In fact, heightened geopolitical tensions can lead to more fiscal and monetary easing, and the market loves loose policies," according to Jitendra Gohil, chief investment strategist at Kotak Alternate Asset Managers. Back home, stock markets fell over 1 per cent in early trade, tracking cues from their Asian peers. As of 12:40 PM, the BSE Sensex index was at 81,828.57, lower by 575.47 points or 0.70 per cent, while the Nifty50 was at 24,942.95, down 169.45 points or 0.67 per cent.

Business Standard

27 minutes ago

• Business Standard

D-St jitters mount: What sparked the early sell-off in Nifty, Sensex

Indian equity market saw a selloff on Monday as sentiments soured, with tensions in West Asia esclating after the US joined the conflict by striking three nuclear sites in Iran. The BSE Sensex index plunged 931 points or 1.13 per cent in the intraday trade to hit a low of 81,476.7 during the day. The NSE Nifty50 fell 287 points, or 1.15 per cent, to 24,824.8. The indices registered their worst fall since June 13 this year. All sectors on NSE except Nifty Media were trading in the red, with Nifty IT and Auto leading the decline. Bears were in control of the market as 2,097 stocks declined on the BSE, while 1,265 counters advanced. About 179 stocks remain unchanged. The broader market, however, outperformed the frontline stocks as they only edged slightly lower. The Nifty Midcap 100 index was down 0.02 per cent, while the smallcap index was higher by 0.2 per cent, as of 11:00 AM. The risk-off sentiment reflected in Asian equities, with most benchmark indices trading lower. But the market assessment is that there are limits to what Iran can do against the US and Israel, according to VK Vijayakumar, Chief Investment Strategist, Geojit Investments "That's why the early market responses - crude prices, US futures, absence of panic in Asian markets - have been muted." Even though the possibility of the closure of Hormuz Strait is a threat, it is important to understand that this has always been only a threat, and the Strait has never been closed, he said. "The market construct continues to favour a 'buy on dips' strategy." Track LIVE Stock Market Updates Here Key reasons behind the Sensex, Nifty fall today: US joins the West Asia turmoil: Over the weekend, the US struck three nuclear sites in Iran with bunker-busting bombs, ending speculation of its involvement in the ongoing conflict in the region. US President Donald Trump declared the three facilities 'totally obliterated,' and warned of greater attacks unless Iran makes peace with Israel. Following the strikes, Iran vowed to retaliate, warning the US of "dire consequences" and has reportedly approved the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Asked about the Strait, Iran's Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Aragchi said that 'a variety of options" are available to Iran, adding that the country would defend itself by all means necessary. Crude oil prices jump, Rupee weakens: Oil prices rose as much as 6 per cent before paring gains as the closure of the Strait of Hormuz threatens the global oil supply chain. Brent crude price was up 1.19 per cent at $77.93 per barrel. The Strait of Hormuz connects the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. At its narrowest, it is 33 km wide, with only 3 km allocated to each shipping direction In 2024, about 20 per cent of global petroleum liquids consumption flowed through the Strait of Hormuz, with India among the top destinations for crude oil moving through the route in Asia, according to data from the US Energy Information Administration. Therefore, any potential disruption of the oil trade and crude oil spike could hurt the current account deficit, hurting the currency. The Rupee depreciated 18 paise to open at 86.77 against the dollar. The currency has fallen 1.34 per cent so far this month. OMCs take a hit: As a result of a jump in crude oil prices, Indian oil marketing companies, especially the downstream companies, continued to trade under pressure. A jump in the oil prices will lead to higher costs for refiners, with their margins taking an impact. Shares of Indian Oil Corporation and Bharat Petroleum Corp Ltd. fell as much as 1.62 per cent and 1.69 per cent, respectively, on Monday. Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd. counter fell 1.8 per cent. IT stocks plunge: Information technology was among the worst-hit sectors in trade today, even after Accenture's third quarter of fiscal 2025 beat the Street's expectations. The decline in the counters came as analysts noted that demand has not changed significantly for the Indian IT pack. "We believe that the current environment is not conducive for healthy deal wins for all players," Kotak Securities said in a note.

India Today

35 minutes ago

• India Today

Sensex tumbles 700 points: Why is the stock market falling today?

Benchmark market indices plunged in early trade on Friday after the United States carried out airstrikes on key nuclear facilities in Iran. This has triggered fresh geopolitical uncertainty and rattled investor sentiment around 9:31 am, the BSE Sensex was down 679.12 points, trading at 81,729.05, while the NSE Nifty50 fell over 199.30 points to 24,913.10. Broader market indices mirrored the slide, and volatility indicators jumped sharply, signalling a bumpy trading session the hardest-hit were IT stocks, with Infosys, TCS, HCLTech, and Shriram Finance among the top losers. Global growth concerns and rising geopolitical instability weighed heavily on the sector. In contrast, oil and energy stocks found some footing, buoyed by a spike in crude oil prices to a five-month high following the strikes. The market's sharp reaction underscores investor anxiety about potential supply disruptions in the Gulf region, especially if tensions escalate IN FULL PANIC MODE YETDr. VK Vijayakumar, Chief Investment Strategist at Geojit Financial Services, said that while the US bombing marks a serious escalation in West Asia, markets are still not in full-blown panic mode.'Even though the US bombing of Iran's three nuclear facilities has worsened the crisis in West Asia, the impact on the market is likely to be limited,' Vijayakumar uncertain factor now is the timing and nature of the Iranian response. If Iran targets and damages US defence facilities or harms American personnel, the fallout could be more severe. But for now, the market seems to believe that there are limits to how far Iran can retaliate.'According to him, despite the rise in crude prices and elevated tensions, the absence of panic in Asian markets and the muted reaction of US futures suggest that investors are still hoping for restraint from both also dismissed the possibility of a full closure of the Strait of Hormuz as largely unlikely, noting that such a move would hurt Iran and its allies more than the US or SHOULD INVESTORS DO?Amid the volatility, experts suggest that long-term investors stay calm and avoid knee-jerk reactions.'The market construct continues to favour a 'buy on dips' strategy,' Vijayakumar noted, pointing out that geopolitical shocks typically cause short-term turbulence but rarely derail long-term fundamentals, unless they lead to a sustained also recommend sticking with high-quality stocks, maintaining adequate liquidity, and avoiding leveraged bets. For those with a low risk appetite, it may be wise to wait for signs of stability before making fresh stocks may remain under pressure if global risk sentiment worsens, while energy and defence-linked sectors could see near-term tailwinds. Investors are advised to closely watch for signals from the US and Iran over the coming the full impact of the US-Iran escalation is yet to unfold, markets are clearly on edge. For now, investors will be closely tracking diplomatic developments and any signs of a retaliatory strike by the conflict deepens or oil supply chains are visibly disrupted, most experts believe the correction could be short-lived, offering opportunities for patient, long-term buyers.(Disclaimer: The views, opinions, recommendations, and suggestions expressed by experts/brokerages in this article are their own and do not reflect the views of the India Today Group. It is advisable to consult a qualified broker or financial advisor before making any actual investment or trading choices.)Trending Reel