India Stocks Buzz: HAL's Mega Deal, Patanjali Dividend, Bajaj Auto Surge & More! What Investors Need to Know NOW!

The Indian stock market is poised for a muted opening, with GIFT Nifty and global markets indicating a subdued start.

**Trent**: Reported September quarter net profit and revenue below Street estimates, facing increased competition in apparel retail. The company approved tendering its stake in Inditex Trent Retail India (ITRIPL), which operates Zara stores, as part of ITRIPL’s share buyback. Trent's consolidated net profit rose 11.3% year-on-year to Rs 377 crore, missing estimates of Rs 446 crore, with muted consumer sentiment and GST issues cited. * Impact: Potential negative sentiment for Trent due to missed estimates and strategic exit from Zara JV. Rating: 4/10. * Difficult Terms: Consolidated net profit, Street estimates, Joint Venture (JV), Share buyback programme.

**Reliance Power**: Issued a clarification stating that Amar Nath Datta, recently arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), has no association with the company, assuring investors that operations and financial performance are unaffected. * Impact: Positive clarification, removing potential uncertainty for investors. Rating: 6/10. * Difficult Terms: Enforcement Directorate (ED).

**Patanjali Foods**: Announced an interim dividend of Rs 1.75 per equity share for FY25-26, with a record date of November 13. The company posted a strong 67% increase in consolidated net profit to Rs 516.69 crore in Q2FY26, with total income rising to Rs 9,850.06 crore. * Impact: Positive for shareholders due to dividend announcement and robust earnings growth. Rating: 7/10. * Difficult Terms: Interim dividend, Record date.

**Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL)**: Sealed a significant deal with GE Aerospace (USA) to procure 113 jet engines for its Tejas light combat aircraft programme, with deliveries scheduled from 2027 to 2032. * Impact: Highly positive for HAL, bolstering its defence manufacturing capabilities and securing future revenue. Rating: 9/10. * Difficult Terms: Light Combat Aircraft (LCA).

**Nykaa (FSN E-commerce Ventures)**: Reported a 154% year-on-year jump in profit after tax (PAT) to Rs 33 crore for Q2FY26, although it missed Bloomberg's estimates of Rs 38 crore. Revenue grew 28% to Rs 2,346 crore, slightly beating estimates. Ebitda was up 53% year-on-year. * Impact: Mixed; strong profit growth is positive, but missing estimates could lead to mixed investor reactions. Rating: 5/10. * Difficult Terms: Profit After Tax (PAT), Earnings Before Interest, Taxation, Depreciation, and Amortisation (Ebitda).

**Hindalco Industries**: Reported a 21% increase in net profit to Rs 4,741 crore for Q2FY26, beating Bloomberg estimates of Rs 4,320 crore. Revenue from operations rose 13% year-on-year to Rs 66,058 crore, also exceeding Street expectations. * Impact: Positive, as the company demonstrated strong performance by beating analyst expectations for both profit and revenue. Rating: 8/10. * Difficult Terms: Revenue from operations.

**Britannia Industries**: Expects stronger volume growth in the second half of FY26, driven by GST rate rationalisation that lowered taxes on food and beverage products from 12-18% to 5%. The company has adjusted pricing and grammage to reflect this change. * Impact: Positive outlook for Britannia, anticipating increased sales and market share benefits from the tax change. Rating: 7/10. * Difficult Terms: GST rate rationalisation, Grammage.

**Bajaj Auto**: Posted a strong Q2 standalone net profit increase of 24% year-on-year to Rs 2,480 crore, driven by higher exports and a premium product mix. The results slightly exceeded market expectations. * Impact: Positive for Bajaj Auto, indicating robust operational performance and strong demand in its segments. Rating: 8/10.

**Ather Energy**: Tiger Global Management sold its entire 5.09% stake for over Rs 1,204 crore. (Note: Ather Energy is not a listed entity on Indian exchanges).

**Kalyan Jewellers**: Reported a 100% year-on-year jump in consolidated net profit to Rs 260.51 crore in Q2FY26. Revenue grew 30% to Rs 7,856.02 crore. * Impact: Highly positive, reflecting strong demand in the jewellery sector and excellent financial performance. Rating: 9/10. * Difficult Terms: Consolidated net profit, Revenue, Sequential basis.