ETMarkets analysis finds 10 debt-free small-cap stocks where FIIs are consistently increasing stakes, with returns soaring up to 103% in CY25.

Ambuja Cements Q2 Results: Adani Group-owned Ambuja Cements on Monday reported a 268% growth in its consolidated Q2 net profit at Rs 1,766 crore versus Rs 479 crore in the year-ago period. The profit after tax (PAT) is attributable to the owners of the company.

Pankaj Pandey of ICICI Direct provides a sector-wise outlook. He sees strong performance in automobiles, with M&M and Hyundai leading. The chemical sector, especially fluorochemicals, shows promise. Defence stocks, particularly PSUs like Bharat Electronics, are expected to sustain high growth. Titan s jewellery business is set for steady growth, aided by softening gold prices and the marriage season.

European stocks traded steady on Monday as a fresh wave of corporate earnings rolled in, including reports from LNG company GTT and Dutch firm PostNL, though shares of drinks maker Campari slid following a tax evasion probe.

India’s equity market is set for a surge in multinational listings in 2026, as global firms seek higher valuations, strong investor appetite, and economic stability through local IPOs.

Vodafone Idea share prices surged 10% to hit the upper circuit at Rs 9.60 after the Supreme Court clarified that the government can decide on relief for both additional and total AGR dues. The ruling eases investor concerns over the telecom operator’s massive liability burden.

Intellect Design shares rallied 10% as Q2 profit nearly doubled on strong platform and license-linked revenue, highlighting growing global adoption of its eMACH.ai fintech solutions.

Helios Mutual Fund’s CEO Dinshaw Irani says the fund avoided the Lenskart IPO due to high valuations and limited growth visibility. Irani remains bullish on BFSI, platform companies, hospitals, and hospitality, but bearish on IT amid AI disruption. He prefers SBI among PSBs and avoids metals entirely due to cyclical risks and China’s dominant influence.

Gold prices declined on Monday, influenced by a stronger dollar and reduced expectations for Federal Reserve rate cuts following hawkish remarks from Chair Jerome Powell. Easing U.S.-China trade tensions also contributed to the downward pressure on bullion, which has seen a significant year-to-date gain but a recent pullback.

The group agreed to a modest output increase for December, but will pause further increments in the subsequent months. Analysts remain cautious due to supply uncertainties and anticipated demand softness.