Key Stocks to Monitor: ITC, Tata Steel, Zomato, and More

Key Stocks to Monitor: ITC, Tata Steel, Zomato, and More

As markets opened the New Year on January 2, 2026, several stocks captured investor attention. Firms like ITC, Tata Steel, Vodafone Idea, and Zomato are set for scrutiny amid various announcements and developments.

Market Overview

Indian equity markets experienced a muted start, with the Nifty index remaining largely stable. Analysts anticipate that a decisive move past the 26,200 mark could lead to an upward trend towards the 26,500–26,700 range shortly. Investors are advised to adopt a buy-on-dips strategy, particularly favoring banking, auto, and metal sectors.

Key Stocks to Monitor

  • ITC: The company’s shares faced a significant decline of nearly 10% after a government notification increased excise duties on cigarettes.
  • Tata Steel: CEO T. V. Narendran highlighted that 2025 saw the lowest steel prices in five years despite robust demand.
  • Zomato: Celebrated a historic milestone, processing over 7.5 million orders in a single day, showcasing strong delivery performance.
  • Vodafone Idea: Announced a ₹637.9 crore penalty imposed by GST officials, which it plans to contest through legal avenues.
  • Devyani International: Set to absorb Sapphire Foods in a merger, aiming for annual synergies of ₹210–225 crore starting from the second full year post-merger.

Additional Noteworthy Developments

  • HUDCO: The state-owned housing corporation sanctioned loans exceeding ₹46,000 crore in the third quarter, totaling ₹1.39 lakh crore in the current fiscal year.
  • Bharat Electronics: Secured additional orders valued at ₹569 crore related to communication and medical electronics.
  • NMDC: Reported a 14.7% increase in iron ore production, reaching 5.40 million tonnes in December 2025.
  • RailTel Corporation: Won a ₹567 crore project for a Hospital Management Information System, scheduled for completion by January 2032.

In conclusion, traders and investors are encouraged to monitor these developments closely. With strategic adjustments, market dynamics may shift in favor of growth in several sectors.

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