The stock market is always a hub of excitement, with analysts continuously evaluating the performance of companies to provide their investment insights. For investors looking to make informed decisions, May 14 has several stocks that are catching brokers’ attention. Companies like Tata Steel, UPL, and Jindal Stainless are making headlines, with brokers issuing buy, hold, and reduce ratings based on their performance in the recent quarter and future outlook.
In this article, we explore some of the top stocks that are on brokers’ radars for May 14 and the rationale behind their recommendations.
Tata Steel: A Hold Recommendation from CLSA
Tata Steel, one of India’s largest steel manufacturers, is currently under the spotlight, with CLSA issuing a hold call on the stock. The target price has been set at ₹145. Analysts at CLSA have pointed out that Tata Steel’s consolidated adjusted EBITDA for the quarter was in line with estimates, and the steelmaker’s standalone volume growth of 3% on an annual basis was largely driven by capacity ramp-up and seasonal strength.
Moreover, Tata Steel’s losses in Europe significantly reduced, with the Netherlands unit returning to profitability. The company has also provided a positive outlook, guiding for a ₹11,500 crore cost reduction in FY26 across its operations in India, the UK, and the Netherlands.
While the cost-saving efforts are encouraging, analysts suggest that the translation of these savings into EBITDA and cash flow will be crucial moving forward.
UPL: Buy Rating with Target Price of ₹810
Jefferies has given UPL a buy rating, with a raised target price of ₹810. The company’s strong performance in the Jan-March 2025 quarter caught analysts’ attention, as its EBITDA grew by an impressive 68% on an annualized basis. UPL has reported healthy cash flows, lower working capital, and an improved balance sheet, which contributed to its strong quarter.
Furthermore, the company’s net debt-to-EBITDA ratio has sharply reduced to 1.7x, indicating significant improvement in its financial position. Given the company’s positive performance metrics, analysts believe UPL is well-positioned for continued growth.
ABB: A Reduce Rating from Nomura
On the other side, Nomura has issued a reduce rating on ABB, with a target price of ₹4,970. While the company did report decent order inflows that were about 4% higher than estimates, analysts noted that the Jan-March numbers fell short of consensus estimates. However, the company did report a 9.6% growth in base order inflows on an annualized basis, which could provide some optimism.
Despite the positive order inflows, the disappointment in financials led analysts to take a cautious stance on the stock.
IIFL Finance: Upgraded to Buy by HSBC
HSBC has upgraded IIFL Finance to a buy rating, raising the target price to ₹550 from an earlier target of ₹380. Analysts believe that the company is well-positioned for earnings per share recovery, driven by recovery in microfinance, higher system liquidity, and lower cost of funds.
While the upgrade is largely due to improved fundamentals, analysts warn that increased competition in IIFL’s gold loan business could pose a risk. Nevertheless, the upgrade reflects confidence in the company’s ability to deliver strong performance in the upcoming quarters.
Jindal Stainless: Buy Rating with Target of ₹770
Lastly, Motilal Oswal Securities has a buy rating on Jindal Stainless, setting the target price at ₹770. Analysts are optimistic about the company’s long-term prospects, anticipating a 14% CAGR revenue growth driven by 10% volume growth and 4% net smelter return improvement from FY25 to FY27.
The strong cash flow expected from the company during FY26-27 could also contribute to further deleveraging, reinforcing its financial position. Analysts believe Jindal Stainless is well-positioned to continue strengthening its market dominance, making it an attractive stock for investors.
Conclusion: Keep an Eye on These Stocks
The Indian stock market continues to be a space for exciting growth and opportunity, with brokers closely monitoring key stocks like Tata Steel, UPL, ABB, IIFL Finance, and Jindal Stainless. Each of these companies has a unique set of challenges and opportunities that investors should keep an eye on.
While Tata Steel and UPL seem to be well-positioned for growth, ABB is facing some headwinds, and IIFL Finance has an optimistic outlook despite competitive risks. Similarly, Jindal Stainless stands out with its strong growth prospects.
As always, investors are advised to consult with certified financial planners or analysts before making any decisions. The market’s volatility means that stock picks should align with your personal financial goals and risk tolerance.
