SMALL CAP VALUATIONS
Diwali 2026: Will Sensex, Nifty reclaim their peaks or scale new highs? Analysts map the road ahead
Market analysts are tentatively optimistic about Indian equity markets seeing a resurgence in the next financial year. Expectations suggest that both the Sensex and Nifty may rise to their past peak levels by Diwali 2027, driven by improving corporate profitability. While favorable valuations and steady domestic investments bolster this outlook, global uncertainties like inflation, interest rates, and oil prices could pose challenges.
Why did market rally today? Sensex jumps 1,225 pts, Nifty closes above 23,800. 6 key factors behind today's surge
The Indian stock market witnessed a notable uptick on Tuesday, with Sensex and Nifty showing substantial growth. This surge was primarily driven by declining oil prices and favorable sentiments around the long-term capital gains tax. Enthusiasm among investors surged, particularly following significant net buying from foreign institutional investors. Though sectors such as Nifty Auto and Financial Services rallied, Nifty Pharma lagged behind.
ETMarkets Fund Guide: Large, mid or smallcap? How a Rs 1.5 lakh crore-fund manager approaches flexicap investing
In this edition of ETMarkets Fund Guide, we decode the flexi-cap category with Raunak Onkar, Fund Manager and Research Head at PPFAS Mutual Fund, who manages assets of around Rs 1.5 lakh crore.
Beyond tech: Kotak MF’s Shibani Kurian on India’s next innovation-led winners
Innovation-led investment opportunities in India are extending well beyond technology, with healthcare, auto components and industrials emerging as key areas of interest, according to Shibani Kurian, Head of Equity Research and Senior Fund Manager at Kotak Mahindra AMC. “Innovation can be seen across sectors and not necessarily limited to technology,” she said.
Small & midcap funds remain top bets for investors in first half of FY27
During the first half of FY27, mid-cap funds received ₹38,043 crore and small-cap funds attracted ₹42,212 crore. This increased their share in total equity inflows to 20% and 22.6%, respectively. In contrast, large-cap funds saw a decline with inflows of just ₹4,575 crore. The combined net Assets Under Management (AUM) of small and mid-cap funds rose 24% year-on-year. Overall, total equity AUM grew by nearly 12% to reach ₹33.
Technology funds top October returns with gains of up to 10%. Is it the right time to invest?
Technology mutual funds topped October returns, with the nine best-performing schemes delivering gains of up to 9.78%, an ETMutualFunds analysis showed. HDFC Technology Fund led the chart, followed by Kotak Technology Fund and Tata Digital India Fund. Of the nearly 626 funds analysed, all nine top performers belonged to the technology sector, reflecting a strong monthly recovery in the segment.
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FII retreat deepens: Almost every second Nifty stock sees stake cuts in all 3 quarters of 2026
This year has seen Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) divest nearly ₹3 lakh crore in Indian equities, causing a significant reduction in their stakes. As a result, FII ownership has declined in about half of the Nifty stocks over the past three quarters. Meanwhile, Domestic Institutional Investors (DIIs) have increased their equity holdings, reflecting a change in market dynamics amidst frequent foreign sell-offs.
November could favour bulls, but macro headwinds cloud outlook
In November, investors are optimistic about Indian equities due to ongoing festive celebrations and better-than-expected corporate earnings. While the Sensex and Nifty boasted gains in October, other market indices saw declines. However, potential threats such as rising crude oil prices and global uncertainties remain. A noticeable surge in purchases by foreign portfolio investors signals renewed interest in Indian stocks.
ET Wealth Expo: US stocks epitomise anti-asset allocation; international debt better option: S Naren, ICICI Prudential MF
ICICI Prudential MF's S Naren cautions investors against chasing asset classes after sharp rallies, calling it “anti-asset allocation”. At the ET Wealth Expo, he highlighted the importance of investing in underperforming asset classes, including international debt, and using valuation indicators to guide decisions. He also discussed gold, real estate and the need for patience during market corrections.
MF Tracker: TRUSTMF Small Cap Fund tops returns since last Diwali with 20% gains. Is the momentum sustainable?
Since last Diwali, TRUSTMF Small Cap Fund has delivered an impressive return of 19.82%, exceeding expectations against its benchmark. The fund manager credits strategic investments concentrated in industrials, healthcare, and consumer sectors for this success. Although small-cap investments are known for their growth prospects, they necessitate careful management and patience. Experts recommend a moderate allocation tailored to individual risk appetites and suggest systematic investment plans for gradual market exposure.
Sensex, Nifty turn lower; broader markets crash as oil tops $116/barrel. What lies ahead?
Indian equities turned lower as crude oil prices crossed $116 per barrel, raising concerns about inflation and economic growth. While the Sensex and Nifty posted modest declines, midcap and smallcap indices fell more sharply amid weak market breadth.
Advance-decline ratio hits 7-month low as market breadth weakens
The advance-to-decline ratio in the stock market indicates underlying weakness, despite some index gains. The BSE MidCap 150 and BSE SmallCap 250 have both seen declines this month. Various factors such as profit-booking and high valuations contribute to this market trend. Institutional money is increasingly favoring larger companies with stable earnings. Overall market conditions remain uncertain due to external economic pressures and geopolitical risks.
B2B manufacturing startup CapGrid closes Rs 50 crore round; valuation up 40%
CapGrid has recently secured Rs 50 crore in funding, primarily aimed at enhancing its operations. The ramp-up in capital is expected to help the startup expand into new industrial sectors. CapGrid plans to allocate a portion of these funds for research and development to drive innovation. The company intends to onboard new domestic customers and grow its market presence significantly.
Nifty’s early comeback signal: Why largecaps are holding up as broader market slides
India’s equity market divergence suggests largecaps may be regaining leadership as mid- and smallcaps remain under pressure. The Nifty has recovered to broadly flat returns in October, while midcap and smallcap indices have declined. More reasonable valuations, earnings resilience, liquidity and institutional preference are supporting largecaps, though elevated crude prices, macroeconomic uncertainty and earnings concerns continue to cloud the broader market outlook.
D-Street in gloomy mood, but Kotak sees 3 triggers for rebounds and adds 5 midcap stocks to portfolio
Dalal Street faces significant market challenges, leading Kotak Institutional Equities to spotlight selective stock value. With large-cap stocks in view, the impact of geopolitical strife and fluctuating crude oil prices weighs heavily on investor sentiment. The brokerage sees potential recovery catalysts in peace talks regarding the Iran-US situation and favorable Q2 earnings.
Smallcap mutual funds are best performing funds with up to 16% return since last Diwali. Will it last?
Small cap mutual funds have proven to be the top performers in the market, offering impressive returns as high as 16%. The Bank of India Small Cap Fund took the lead with a notable return of 15.51%. However, investment experts emphasize a cautious approach to valuations, despite an optimistic long-term outlook for small caps.
India’s ₹1 lakh crore club stocks hit hard by FII exit. Have bluechips lost their growth engines?
India's largest corporations are experiencing a notable drop in foreign institutional investor stakes, raising concerns about their growth trajectory. This trend has adversely affected numerous large-cap stocks over recent months. Analysts suggest a shift in focus towards emerging sectors is critical for revitalizing foreign investments, as many companies now appear more like consistent cash flow generators than true growth catalysts.
23 equity mutual funds deliver over 12% CAGR on lumpsum investments in 5, 7, 10-year horizons
An ETMutualFunds analysis of 160 equity schemes found that 23 mutual funds delivered over 12% CAGR on lump-sum investments across five, seven and 10-year periods. The funds span seven categories, including small-cap, mid-cap, flexi-cap and ELSS. The analysis considered regular plans with growth options.
Crude oil is the key to bringing FII money back to Dalal Street: Equirus AMC’s Ashutosh Tiwari
Foreign investors may return to Indian equities only if crude oil prices cool, according to Ashutosh Tiwari, managing director and chief investment officer—public equities at Equirus Asset Management. While valuations have corrected and earnings growth is expected to improve, rising oil prices have emerged as the key trigger behind renewed FII selling and remain the biggest hurdle to a sharper market re-rating.
Market caps: Microcaps outperform large, mid and small caps in 2026; can they sustain the gains?
Welcome to TrendMap, your guide to the performance of different investment segments. No single segment always leads. In this edition, we present a 10-year equity performance tracker, ranking annual returns across market-cap segments. Investors’ risk appetite has turned more selective in 2026 so far. By Sameer Bhardwaj.
Know Your Fund Manager | Paresh Jain, Fund Manager, Baroda BNP Paribas Mutual Fund
A Baroda BNP Paribas Mutual Fund manager shares his journey across the sell side and buy side, investment philosophy based on growth at a reasonable price, and focus on business quality, management integrity and valuations.
Smallcap mutual funds attract 44% of equity inflows despite stretched valuations. Should investors be cautious?
Investor confidence in small and mid-cap stocks is strong, with rising valuations when compared to large caps. Last month, small and mid-cap funds garnered Rs 16,873 crore, accounting for 44% of the total equity fund inflows. Despite a drop in equity fund assets, overall inflows have seen a 31% uptick, indicating healthy market dynamics.
Small and midcap indices post worst weekly decline in two years
Mid-cap and small-cap stocks in India have faced major declines, indicating a shift in market sentiment. The Nifty MidCap 150 and Small-cap 250 indices reported their worst weekly falls in two years. Domestic retail investors initially supported these segments by increasing mutual fund contributions. However, concerns over rising oil prices and fiscal deficits are adding to market uncertainties.
Broader markets crash! Small, midcap indices tumble up to 4%. Why analysts are sounding the alarm
Smallcap and midcap stocks plunged up to 4% on Friday, extending a sharp weekly selloff as analysts warned that valuations remain difficult to justify. The Nifty Smallcap 250 index has fallen around 8% this week, while the Nifty Midcap 100 is down 6%, despite a resilient earnings growth outlook.
From CDMO to aerospace: How Vikas Khemani finds India’s next big themes
Now, as Carnelian has ventured into mutual fund business by launching a small-cap fund with a ₹5,000 crore cap, Khemani is focusing on manufacturing, financials and IT while warning investors against confusing market capitalisation with valuation. In an interview, he explains how the fund plans to manage size, assess expensive growth opportunities and position for the next market re-rating.
NFO Insight: Choice Large & Mid Cap Fund is open for subscription. Is this the right time to invest?
Choice Mutual Fund has launched the Choice Large & Mid Cap Fund, now open for subscriptions until November 3. This innovative fund is designed to invest at least 35% in both large and mid-cap companies. Using the GVOTE framework, selections are made based on five critical parameters such as growth prospects and management excellence.
Gold, global equities, largecaps, midcaps and smallcaps: Samco CEO Jimet Modi’s five-way portfolio formula
With India’s stock market caught between expensive mid- and smallcaps and largecaps that lack strong growth drivers, Samco Securities founder and CEO Jimeet Modi is recommending a deliberately balanced portfolio: 20% each in largecaps, midcaps, smallcaps, gold and global equities. He expects the market to remain range-bound for the next 10 to 12 months, with neither an immediate bull market nor a deep, panic-driven bear market.
Market sell-off deepens as midcaps enter correction zone
Indian equities, especially the Nifty Midcap 150 index, have recently slipped into correction territory as valuations soar. The small-cap and micro-cap indices are mirroring this trend amid rising investor concerns. Previously, retail investments bolstered smaller stocks, but high valuations threaten future returns. Moreover, analysts observe that even after declines, small and mid-cap stocks continue to trade at elevated levels. An improving economic situation might lead to a hopeful relief rally.
ETMarkets Smart Talk | Earnings growth, ROCE and cash flows are key to identifying future wealth creators: Aditya Khemani
Aditya Khemani, Head – Equity at Invesco Mutual Fund, discusses how investors can identify potential long-term compounders, why earnings growth, ROCE and cash-flow generation must go hand in hand, and the financial red flags to watch out for in small- and midcap companies. He also shares his outlook on market leadership, the long-term potential of mid- and smallcaps, and the opportunities emerging from India’s manufacturing push.
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