NEW DELHI: Diwali season is a holiday for most, but Dalal Street refuses to let the festive mood go to waste!For one special hour, the trading terminals light up and investors get a shot at starting the new year with a good ‘Muhurat.’That is the charm of Muhurat Trading, the annual Diwali session when the stock exchanges open their doors for a brief spell. More than just another trading session, it marks the beginning of Samvat, the traditional Hindu financial year, and is seen as an auspicious time to begin new investments.The roots of the tradition lie in Diwali’s association with wealth and prosperity. During the Lakshmi Puja, devotees worship Goddess Lakshmi, while businesses perform Chopda Puja, offering prayers before their account books, cash boxes and financial records, seeking prosperity in the year ahead.Over time, this age-old practice found a place on Dalal Street. Investors began buying and selling shares during the special Diwali session as a symbolic way of welcoming the new Samvat.The ritual may have moved from account books to trading screens, but its central idea remains the same: start the financial year on an auspicious note.
When is Muhurat Trading 2026? Mark your clocks
Muhurat Trading will take place on Sunday, November 8, on Diwali.
- Pre-opening session: 2:05 pm to 2:20 pm
- Main equity trading session: 2:20 pm to 3:30 pm
The special session comes on the back of a strong rally. The Sensex ended the week up over 8.8%, one of its best weekly gains in recent times, as foreign funds returned to Indian stocks. The US midterm polls raised hopes of policy stability and a diplomatic resolution to the West Asia war, which pulled crude prices down by about 20% in under two weeks.The index’s seven-session pre-Diwali run of 10.6% was its best in 35 years, adding 7,782 points. On Friday alone, it gained 1,781 points, its third straight session of four-figure gains, despite an overnight crash in the US market led by a rout in AI stocks.Foreign portfolio investors drove the surge, buying Indian stocks worth about Rs 49,500 crore (roughly $5.2 billion) on a net basis, per NSDL and BSE data.
10 stocks to watch in Samvat 2083
Here are 10 picks from SBICAP Securities, PL and Motilal Oswal, along with their reported prices and potential upside.
- Tata Steel: Brokerage SBICAP Securities has pegged the steel major at Rs 200, about 17% above its current price of Rs 171. Access to captive iron ore and a plan to lift India capacity to 40 million tonnes by FY31 support the company’s growth story.
- MCX: Trading at Rs 3,187, the exchange operator has a target of Rs 3,633, a potential gain of 14%. SBI points to its near-99% share of commodity derivatives and an EBITDA margin of roughly 72% in FY26. That is a lot of market to call your own.
- SPR Auto Components: SPR Auto Components is trading at Rs 4,374, and Motilal Oswal Wealth Management has set a target of Rs 6,150, indicating a potential upside of 41%. The brokerage expects the auto components maker to benefit from strong demand and its expansion plans.
- Bharat Electronics: PL Capital sees the defence PSU climbing from Rs 395 to Rs 490, a 24.1% upside. A Rs 68,720 crore order book, along with openings in radar, missile and drone technologies, supports that view.
- ICICI Bank: Priced at Rs 1,500, the lender is seen heading to Rs 1,900, or 26.7% higher. PL Capital expects loan growth, stable margins and healthy interest and fee income to back earnings.
- Blue Star: Starting from Rs 1,572, the air-conditioning major could cool its way to Rs 1,783, a 13.4% gain, says PL Capital. Low penetration of room ACs, rising demand for cooling and data-centre projects are expected to fuel growth.
- Titan: Motilal Oswal Wealth Management sees the jewellery-to-watches giant rallying 35% from Rs 4,437 to Rs 6,000. Strong jewellery demand, a push into premium products and a wider retail network are expected to add the sparkle.
- Adani Ports: Shares at Rs 1,850 could sail to Rs 2,130, a 15% rise, in Motilal Oswal Wealth Management’s assessment. The brokerage projects cargo volumes to expand at a 14% compound annual rate between FY26 and FY28.
- Shaily Engineering: The plastics engineering firm, currently at Rs 3,170, has an upside of 29% to Rs 4,074 in the brokerage’s estimate. Opportunities in GLP-1 injection pens, healthcare platforms and electronics are seen powering growth.
- Arvind: Motilal Oswal Wealth Management has set a Rs 670 target for the textile company, 37% above its current Rs 491. Growth in garments and advanced materials is expected to stitch together higher revenue and profit.
What does the market outlook for Samvat 2083 look like?
The new Samvat year arrives with a mixed bag for Dalal Street.Domestic economic fundamentals are holding firm, but geopolitical tensions, pricey crude oil, foreign investors heading for the exit and a wobbly currency are making sure the road ahead isn’t a smooth one.Kotak Mahindra Mutual Fund, in its annual Muhurat investment outlook, expects Indian equities to deliver moderate returns in Samvat 2083. Its advice: put asset allocation and quality stocks first, and stop chasing short-term momentum like it’s the last auto-rickshaw home.The fund house pointed to India’s projected GDP growth of 7.1% in FY27, backed by domestic demand and a broad-based economic recovery. There’s some valuation comfort on offer too. Large and mid-cap stocks look relatively reasonable, with major indices trading at a discount to their long-term average valuations as of October 31, 2026.For the year ahead, Kotak Mutual Fund says it will stick to quality companies, disciplined asset allocation and long-term investing, rather than sprinting after every passing rally.Don’t mistake that for a victory lap, though. The mood is caution, not unbridled optimism. Geopolitical tensions, swings in crude oil prices and a hawkish stance from global central banks could keep markets bumpy.The takeaway for Samvat 2083 is simple: be choosy, keep your eyes on company fundamentals, and don’t expect fireworks-level returns once the Diwali ones fizzle out.(Disclaimer: Recommendations and views on the stock market and other asset classes given by experts are their own. These opinions do not represent the views of The Times of India)
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