
Indian equity markets will remain open on February 1, 2025, in anticipation of the Union Budget 2025. Historically, the budget has prioritised strategically essential industries such as defence, infrastructure, railways, and agriculture. Key stocks to monitor are HAL and BEL (Defence), RVNL and IRCTC (Railways), PSUs (SBI, LIC), EMS players (Dixon Technologies, Amber Enterprises), and Agriculture (Coromandel International, RCF).
The equities markets will remain open on Saturday, February 1, when the Union Budget for 2025 will be announced. The special budget session will give investors and traders a chance to respond to the budget statements.
Budget announcements that have a positive or negative impact on individual sectors or industries cause volatility in the markets. Traders and short-term investors are looking to capitalise on this volatility, with some employing derivatives such as options and others focussing on stocks.
Here are key industries and stocks expected to be in spotlight on budget day
Defence sector
The defence sector has been a focus in several budgets, with increasing spending and upgrades to current sources. Every year, the defence sector receives certain budgetary announcements. Here are major equities from the defence sector that will be in spotlight on budget day.
Stocks include Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd, Bharat Electronics Ltd, Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers, Bharat Dynamics Ltd, Cochin Shipyard, Data Patterns, Apollo Micro Systems, Astra Microwave Products, and MTAR Technologies.
Railways
The Indian railways sector has experienced significant upheaval in the last decade, following the government’s decision to improve the quality of India’s main passenger travel option. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is expected to increase railway capital investment by 15-20% in the Union Budget 2025, perhaps lifting the overall allocation to above ₹3 lakh crore.
Stocks include Rail Vikas Nigam, IRCTC, IRFC, Railtel, IRCON, Jupiter Waggon, and Titagarh Waggon.
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