Stocks in news: Asian Paints, Vodafone Idea, Axis Bank, BPCL, MCX, PVR Inox, Marico, Emkay Global

Domestic markets were closed on Monday (January 26) on account of India's Republic Day holiday. The benchmark indices resumed their decline on Friday after a one-day breather, as broad-based selling intensified, led by banks, energy and auto stocks. The Nifty slipped 241.25 points, or 0.95%, to close at 25,048.65, while the BSE Sensex fell 769.67 points, or 0.94%, to end at 81,537.70.

When markets resume trading today, Asian Paints, Vodafone Idea, Axis Bank, BPCL, MCX, PVR Inox, Marico, Emkay Global Financial Services will be in focus due to various related developments.

Asian Paints, Vodafone Idea, Axis Bank, BPCL, MCX, PVR Inox, Marico, Emkay Global Financial Services


Asian Paints
Asian Paints shares will be in focus ahead of the company's Q3 earnings today. The company is likely to deliver a stable performance in the December quarter. On average, five brokerages expect revenue to rise around 5% YoY in Q3, while profit after tax (PAT) is estimated to increase by about 8% compared with last year.

Vodafone Idea
Vodafone Idea is likely to post a subdued performance in the December quarter, with muted revenue growth and widening losses, as modest gains in average revenue per user (ARPU) continue to be offset by persistent subscriber churn. Estimates from an average of five brokerages suggest revenue may rise by just about 1% YoY in Q3, while net losses are expected to widen to around Rs 6,700–7,000 crore. The revenue may remain largely flat on a QoQ basis, with limited upside from marginal ARPU improvement.

Axis Bank
Axis Bank reported a 3% increase in its December quarter standalone net profit at Rs 6,490 crore compared to Rs 6,304 crore reported in the year ago period. The bank’s Net Interest Income (NII) for Q3FY26 stood at Rs 14,287 crores up 5% YoY and 4% QoQ while its Net Interest Margin (NIM) for Q3FY26 stood at 3.64%.

UltraTech Cement
UltraTech Cement on Saturday reported a 32% YoY surge in its PAT at Rs 1,792 crore, against Rs 1,359 crore in the year-ago period. Meanwhile, the company’s net sales recorded a 22.5% YoY growth.

Kotak Bank
Private lender Kotak Mahindra Bank reported a 4% YoY jump in its standalone net profit, reported at Rs 3,446 crore for Q3FY26, up from Rs 3,305 crore in the same period last year. Further, the bank’s net interest income (NII) also grew 5% YoY to Rs 7,565 crore, versus Rs 7,196 crore in Q3FY25. Sequentially, it is up 3% from Rs 7,311 crore in Q2FY26.

MCX
Multi Commodity Exchange of India (MCX) reported a 151% jump in its consolidated net profit to Rs 401 crore in the quarter ended December 31, 2026 compared to Rs 160 crore in the year ago period. The profit after tax (PAT) is attributable to the owners of the company. The revenue from operations in Q3FY26 stood at Rs 666 crore compared to Rs 301 crore in the corresponding quarter of the last financial year, recording a growth of 121%.

PVR INOX/Marico
PVR INOX has sold its entire stake in gourmet popcorn brand 4700BC to Marico in an all-cash transaction valued at Rs 226.8 crore, marking its exit from a decade-long investment in the packaged foods space.

The multiplex operator had invested a cumulative Rs 94.6 crore in Zea Maize (ZMPL), the company behind 4700BC, since backing the brand at a formative stage nearly ten years ago. The sale delivers a cash return of Rs 226.8 crore and an internal rate of return of about 24.5%.


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