TLDR
Market Recap: January 27, 2026
On January 27, Indian equities closed higher in a choppy session as earnings-driven buying (banks, metals, cement) and India-EU trade optimism outweighed the drag from auto stocks on tariff-cut headlines. The Sensex ended at 81,857.48, up 319.77 points (+0.39%), while the Nifty 50 closed at 25,175.40, up 126.75 points (+0.51%). Broader markets stayed constructive with Nifty Midcap 100 +0.59% and Nifty Smallcap 100 +0.41%, while India VIX was largely steady at about 14.22 (roughly +0.18% vs the previous close), signalling contained near-term risk pricing.
Key Drivers :
Earnings pulse stayed positive: Strong reactions in select lenders and cyclicals kept dip-buying active, even as the session saw plenty of intraday swings.
Trade headlines rotated sectors: India-EU trade deal chatter supported risk sentiment, but the proposed tariff cuts hit domestic auto names and capped broader upside.
Flows still a watchpoint: Latest reported cash data (last available: Jan 23) showed FII net sell ₹4,113 cr and DII net buy ₹4,103 cr, keeping the tape sensitive to foreign positioning.
Today’s Top Stories:
Axis Bank: Surprise profit beat pushed the stock to an 18-month high as loan growth and asset-quality confidence improved.
Asian Paints: One-time labour-law charge drove a profit miss and a post-results slide, despite decent decorative paint volumes.
Autos: EU tariff-cut report sparked a sharp selloff in domestic carmakers as markets priced in higher import competition risk.
UltraTech: Q3 PAT jumped 32% YoY and the stock rallied, keeping cement in the “clean earnings” bucket today.
Mahindra Logistics: Returned to profit with 19%+ revenue growth, reinforcing early signs of recovery in listed logistics names.
TOP STORIES
1. Axis Bank pops to 18 month high on surprise profit beat
Gemini-2.5
Print: Q3 net profit rose about 3% YoY, beating estimates on strong retail loan growth.
So what: Beat strengthens the quality narrative, keeps credit costs in focus, and supports rerating if execution stays clean.
Tape: Stock jumped nearly 6% with volume well above average, leading Nifty Financials.
Axis Bank surprised with a profit beat and the stock ripped. Your take from here?
2. Asian Paints slips after profit miss on one-time charge
Gemini-2.5
Print: Q3 net profit fell to ₹10.60 bn; one-time labour law charge and impairments hit results.
So what: Competitive intensity and margin path matter more than volumes, with pricing discipline now the key confidence driver.
Tape: Shares dropped about 3% as the market punished the miss versus expectations.
Asian Paints missed on one time charges, stock slipped. How do you read it?
3. Autos sold as India EU deal talk points to sharp tariff cuts
Gemini-2.5
Trigger: Reuters report flagged tariffs on EU car imports could drop from up to 110% to 40%.
So what: Lower duties raise import competition risk, pressuring pricing power and long-term capex confidence for domestic OEMs.
Tape: M&M fell as much as 5.1%, and Maruti also slid, dragging the auto pack.
$NIFTYAUTO.NSE ( ▲ 2.81% )
India EU tariff cut talk hit autos hard. What’s your base case?
4. UltraTech rallies as Q3 PAT jumps 32% YoY
Gemini-2.5
Print: Q3 PAT rose to ₹1,792 crore (+32% YoY); stock moved higher post results.
So what: Realisations, cost curve, and demand commentary decide sustainability; this print lifts confidence into FY26.
Tape: Cement outperformed on earnings momentum, helping support the broader index move.
UltraTech posted a strong PAT jump and rallied. What matters most next?
5. Mahindra Logistics swings to profit as shipping demand improves
Gemini-2.5
Print: Returned to profit at ₹32.5 mn; revenue rose 19% to ₹18.98 bn, first profit since 2022.
So what: Supply chain segment improvement and operating leverage are the watchpoints for consistency and margin rebuild.
Tape: Turnaround print strengthens the recovery narrative across listed logistics plays.
Mahindra Logistics swung to profit after a long dry spell. Your view?
GYAANI HOT TAKES
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