Stocks to Watch: Tata Group, Paytm, Ather Energy, L&T, Maruti Suzuki

Governance, Earnings and Defence Approvals Put a Broad Set of Stocks in Focus

A weaker domestic opening signal contrasts with firmer global markets, leaving company-specific developments to shape attention.

A cautious domestic signal meets global strength

GIFT Nifty was down 106.50 points, or 0.47 per cent, at 22,667 as of 7.40 a.m., indicating a potentially softer opening for Indian markets. That signal came despite gains across major Asian markets, which followed an advance on Wall Street. The Nasdaq Composite rose 0.83 per cent, while the S&P 500 gained 0.7 per cent and the Dow Jones Industrial Average added 0.28 per cent.

Optimism around artificial intelligence-related stocks supported sentiment overseas after Anthropic filed for an initial public offering. But the global rally has not removed a key risk for Indian investors: crude oil. Brent slipped 0.99 per cent to $114.7 a barrel, yet remained near six-month highs as attacks on Saudi Arabia clouded hopes for near-term stability in the region. Elevated oil can complicate the outlook for energy costs and inflation, so any easing in prices may be watched closely.

Tata names face different kinds of scrutiny

Tata group companies are in focus after Noel Tata challenged the resolution to reappoint N Chandrasekaran as Tata Sons chairman, passed at the holding company’s September 17 board meeting. The development puts governance and leadership continuity in the spotlight. The supplied information does not indicate an operational change at individual group businesses, so investors will distinguish the boardroom dispute from company-specific earnings and plans.

There are separate business developments within the group. Tata Consumer Products reported a 16 per cent increase in net profit to ₹469 crore and 14 per cent growth in net sales to ₹5,661 crore, supported by volume growth in India. Tata Communications plans to invest $400–450 million over the next three to five years in a 10,000-km fibre network connecting key data centres and AI hubs. The proposed build-out is a long-term capacity investment; its commercial returns will depend on execution and demand.

Paytm and Ather show contrasting growth markers

Paytm parent One 97 Communications reported September-quarter profit after tax of ₹225 crore, against ₹21 crore a year earlier, marking its sixth consecutive profitable quarter. The sharp year-on-year increase and continued profitability are important markers, though one quarter alone does not establish how durable earnings will be.

Ather Energy reported profit after tax of ₹1.26 crore and approved an additional 225,000 units of annual production capacity across its plants, targeted for Q2FY28. Investors may weigh the move against the company’s ability to utilise the added capacity. L&T and Maruti Suzuki are among the companies scheduled to report September-quarter earnings, making their disclosures another potential source of company-specific direction.

Defence approval adds a policy-led catalyst

Defence shares, including BEL, HAL, Bharat Dynamics, Cochin Shipyard and Paras Defence, may draw attention after the Defence Acquisition Council granted in-principle approval to acquisition proposals worth approximately ₹2.12 lakh crore. The approval is a sector signal, not confirmation that each company will receive an order. Investors will need to track subsequent procurement steps and any company-specific contract disclosures.

Key Highlights

• GIFT Nifty indicated a softer start despite gains in Asian and US markets.
• Brent crude eased but remained near six-month highs amid regional uncertainty.
• Tata Sons leadership governance is in focus alongside separate group company developments.
• Paytm reported a sixth consecutive profitable quarter; Ather approved additional production capacity.
• Defence acquisition proposals worth approximately ₹2.12 lakh crore received in-principle approval.
• L&T and Maruti Suzuki are among companies scheduled to announce September-quarter results.

Investor Note: Treat the watchlist as a set of developments to monitor, not a prediction of share-price performance. Company results, implementation of announced plans, procurement progress and movements in crude oil could each influence sentiment differently.