Expert Reveals Top Small-Cap Stock Picks & Sector Surprises for Massive Gains!

Stock Investment Ideas

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Updated on 12 Nov 2025, 04:08 pm

Analyst Pankaj Pandey of ICICIdirect.com discusses investment opportunities in India's stock market, focusing on small and mid-cap segments.

**Pipe Sector**: Pandey is bullish on pipes, specifically mentioning Astral and Prince Pipes. He notes that companies with less exposure to the government's 'Jal Se Nal' scheme but strong CPVC segment performance are attractive. The CPVC segment is expected to perform even better in the second half of the year.

**Bearings**: NRB Bearings is highlighted for trading at half the valuation of its multinational corporation (MNC) peers, with decent numbers making it an attractive pick.

**Defense**: Solar Industries India Limited is recommended due to strong growth in the defense segment and a substantial order book of approximately ₹15,000 crore.

**Metals**: JSL Limited has shown better-than-estimated EBITDA per tonne, and potential anti-dumping duties could offer significant relief.

**FMCG**: Pandey is selective in FMCG, preferring companies with a higher proportion of food products like Tata Consumer Products and Marico, expecting double-digit growth. He finds large-cap Britannia Industries Limited's transformation interesting but views its high valuation (45-50 times forward earnings) as limiting outperformance potential. He suggests consumer durables might offer stronger structural growth than FMCG relying on discretionary spending.

Impact: This news provides actionable insights and stock recommendations from a seasoned analyst, directly influencing investor decisions in small, mid, and large-cap segments. It guides focus towards specific sectors like pipes, defense, and select FMCG/consumer durable stocks, potentially driving trading activity and price movements for the mentioned companies. The emphasis on valuations and growth segments offers strategic direction for portfolio adjustments. Rating: 8/10.

Difficult Terms: EBITDA: Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization. It's a measure of a company's operating performance. CPVC: Chlorinated Polyvinyl Chloride. A type of plastic pipe used for hot and cold water supply. Jal Se Nal: Part of India's Jal Jeevan Mission to provide tap water connections to all rural households. MNC: Multinational Corporation, a company operating in several countries. FMCG: Fast-Moving Consumer Goods. Everyday items sold quickly at relatively low cost. Discretionary Spending: Money spent on non-essential goods and services.