Pre-IPO investments are under scrutiny after HDB Financial Services' IPO price disappointed investors. Experts caution against the hype and opaque pricing in the unlisted market. Some investors who bought shares years ago still see gains. However, recent buyers face potential losses. Radhika Gupta warns against mis-sold hype around unlisted stocks. Investors should focus on valuations and long-term potential.

India's economy is on the cusp of a $40 billion consumption boom, fueled by tax cuts, pay hikes, and cheaper loans. Analysts predict a significant boost to discretionary spending, potentially increasing spending capacity by 15%. Experts suggest investors consider sectors like automobiles, consumer goods, and food delivery to capitalize on this upcoming surge.

DSP Large & Midcap Fund's ₹10,000 investment at launch has impressively grown to over ₹6 lakh in 25 years. Their disciplined 70:30 portfolio strategy, blending steady compounders with high-growth bets, navigated market volatility effectively. The fund currently favors financials, healthcare, IT, and telecom, while maintaining a balanced approach between large and mid-cap stocks.

Eternal, formerly Zomato, boasts a PE ratio of 455, making it the Nifty 50's most expensive stock, signaling investors' shift towards long-term growth. Despite competition from Rapido and others, mutual funds are heavily invested, drawn by Eternal's leadership in food delivery and quick commerce.

Reliance Industries (RIL) shares, stagnant over the past year, may see renewed momentum with its Q1FY26 results, says CLSA. The brokerage expects notable KPI improvements across key segments and has reiterated an ‘Outperform’ rating with a 14% upside and a target price of Rs 1,650, citing the start of an “exciting period” for India’s most valued company.

Despite strong FY25 earnings and robust demand trends, several listed hospitality stocks like Indian Hotels, Lemon Tree, and EIH have declined in 2025. However, analysts remain bullish for FY26, citing rising ARRs, event-driven demand, and valuation opportunities amid sector tailwinds.

Around ten equity mutual funds consistently delivered over 30% CAGR in the last three to five years. ETMutualFunds analyzed 199 equity mutual funds for at least five years. Bandhan Small Cap Fund and Motilal Oswal Midcap Fund gave over 35% CAGR in both horizons. Quant Small Cap Fund offered the highest CAGR of 43.86% in the last five years.

Indian equity markets show resilience, with smallcaps emerging as compelling long-term investment opportunities due to sound fundamentals and attractive valuations. Investor sentiment is shifting positively, reflected in the Nifty Smallcap 100's impressive gains. Favorable sectoral trends, such as RBI rate cuts and the China plus one strategy, further boost smallcap growth potential.

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Brokerages remain optimistic on 10 Nifty Microcap 250 stocks, projecting up to 58% upside. Top picks include HG Infra, Cyient DLM, and Karnataka Bank, backed by strong analyst ratings.

Nine small-cap stocks, including MCX, Wockhardt, and Reliance Infra, have consistently delivered strong second-half returns over the past two years and remain positive in CY25, signaling strong momentum.