Sector Performance in India: Top 25 Sectors and Their Stocks

Why it is on the list. Share prices moved sideways for 29 months, from January 2024 to May 2026, inside a 40% band. They broke above it in June 2026 and are now 24.7% above its top. Company earnings grew 39% while prices moved sideways. Over the last 12 months, earnings rose 26%.

What is changing in the businesses. Timex reports higher prices, a better brand mix and fixed costs spread over more sales.

Not proven yet. Only Timex has a results call on record, so the evidence is narrow. Combined operating and net margins fell from their peaks.

Money moving in. Big funds, foreign and Indian, raised their holding by 0.8 points over the last two quarters. Founders and promoters cut theirs by 1.8 points. Spending on new plants and equipment was ₹904 crore in the last 12 months, 423% more than a year before. Projects still being built shrank 52% in a year.

Share prices against the Nifty 500. In the weekly scan to 9 October 2026, 3 of 4 measured companies beat the Nifty 500 by 5 points or more over 3 months. 3 of 4 traded above their 200-day average price. The sector as a whole is 17.4% ahead of the Nifty 500 over 3 months and 23.4% ahead over a year.

What would change the story. If combined profit falls despite higher sales on a matched set of companies, falling margins would outweigh the sales growth.

See every company in Watches

Why it is on the list. Share prices moved sideways for 19 months, from January 2025 to July 2026, inside a 37% band. They are 0.5% below its top. Company earnings grew 73% while prices moved sideways. Over the last 12 months, earnings rose 25%.

What is changing in the businesses. Six of the companies on record keep more profit from extra sales, led by Paytm and MPS. TBO is reaching new countries. Paytm improved margins while spending more on marketing.

Not proven yet. Prices have not broken out of their range yet. New businesses at MSTC, MobiKwik and RNFI still wait for approvals.

Money moving in. Big funds, foreign and Indian, raised their holding by 1.0 points over the last two quarters. Founders and promoters kept theirs about the same. Spending on new plants and equipment was ₹5,699 crore in the last 12 months, 15% more than a year before. Projects still being built shrank 14% in a year.

Share prices against the Nifty 500. In the weekly scan to 9 October 2026, 11 of 13 measured companies beat the Nifty 500 by 5 points or more over 3 months. 11 of 13 traded above their 200-day average price. The sector as a whole is 19.2% ahead of the Nifty 500 over 3 months and 15.1% ahead over a year.

What would change the story. If revenue still grows but both operating margin and profit fall below a year earlier, extra sales would no longer be adding profit.

See every company in E-Commerce - Platform - Utility

Why it is on the list. Share prices moved sideways for 31 months, from April 2024 to October 2026, inside a 35% band. They are 5.7% below its top. Company earnings grew 48% while prices moved sideways. Over the last 12 months, earnings rose 6%.

What is changing in the businesses. At least five large companies, including Radico and United Spirits, are selling more premium drinks. Radico, Globus and India Glycols cut debt. Annual profit rose from ₹3,518 crore to ₹3,941 crore.

Not proven yet. Operating margin in the June quarter fell against a year earlier. Prices have not broken out of their range yet.

Money moving in. Big funds, foreign and Indian, raised their holding by 0.3 points over the last two quarters. Founders and promoters kept theirs about the same. Spending on new plants and equipment was ₹7,035 crore in the last 12 months, 97% more than a year before. Projects still being built grew 20% in a year.

Share prices against the Nifty 500. In the weekly scan to 9 October 2026, 8 of 16 measured companies beat the Nifty 500 by 5 points or more over 3 months. 5 of 16 traded above their 200-day average price. The sector as a whole is 7.4% ahead of the Nifty 500 over 3 months and 0.6% behind over a year.

What would change the story. If profit falls below a year earlier while margins stay below last year, earnings would not be strong enough to lift prices.

See every company in Alcoholic Beverages

Why it is on the list. Share prices moved sideways for 15 months, from May 2025 to July 2026, inside a 35% band. They are 1.1% below its top. Company earnings grew 11% while prices moved sideways. Over the last 12 months, earnings rose 10%.

What is changing in the businesses. Adani Ports, JSW Infrastructure and Gujarat Pipavav are moving more cargo through the ports they already run. Adani's overseas ports already add profit.

Not proven yet. Debt is not falling across the three. JSW's next overseas project is still pending, and Pipavav expects a container-service loss.

Money moving in. Big funds, foreign and Indian, raised their holding by 4.4 points over the last two quarters. Founders and promoters cut theirs by 3.9 points. Spending on new plants and equipment was ₹15,271 crore in the last 12 months, 32% more than a year before. Projects still being built grew 17% in a year.

Share prices against the Nifty 500. In the weekly scan to 9 October 2026, 2 of 3 measured companies beat the Nifty 500 by 5 points or more over 3 months. 3 of 3 traded above their 200-day average price. The sector as a whole is 9.1% ahead of the Nifty 500 over 3 months and 20.9% ahead over a year.

What would change the story. If combined quarterly profit falls below the same quarter a year earlier, the earnings support for the next rise would be broken.

See every company in Marine Port & Services

Why it is on the list. Share prices moved sideways for 13 months, from June 2025 to June 2026, inside a 30% band. They are now 0.9% above its top, without a clear break yet. Company earnings grew 17% while prices moved sideways. Over the last 12 months, earnings rose 27%.

What is changing in the businesses. Bosch, Sansera, Minda and Lumax are running their plants fuller. More valuable parts go into each vehicle at Bosch, Lumax, Minda and SJS. Annual profit rose from ₹4,780 crore in 2023 to ₹11,436 crore.

Not proven yet. Operating margin was 10.03% in June 2026 against 10.49% a year earlier. Some suppliers still wait for customers to pay back higher costs.

Money moving in. Big funds, foreign and Indian, kept their holding about the same over the last two quarters. Founders and promoters cut theirs by 0.3 points. Spending on new plants and equipment was ₹11,967 crore in the last 12 months, 1% more than a year before. Projects still being built grew 36% in a year.

Share prices against the Nifty 500. In the weekly scan to 9 October 2026, 9 of 21 measured companies beat the Nifty 500 by 5 points or more over 3 months. 11 of 21 traded above their 200-day average price. The sector as a whole is 1% ahead of the Nifty 500 over 3 months and 19.3% ahead over a year.

What would change the story. If quarterly profit falls below a year earlier while revenue grows and margin stays lower, sales would not be carrying the sector through cost pressure.

See every company in Auto Ancillaries - Diversified

Why it is on the list. Share prices moved sideways for 14 months, from May 2025 to June 2026, inside a 31% band. They broke above it in July 2026 and are now 23.9% above its top. Company earnings grew 28% while prices moved sideways. Over the last 12 months, earnings rose 76%.

What is changing in the businesses. Filatex and Sumeet raised selling prices after raw material costs rose. Century Enka is running its factories fuller.

Not proven yet. Century Enka says its very high margins will not last and included a one-time inventory gain. New products and power savings are still plans.

Money moving in. Big funds, foreign and Indian, kept their holding about the same over the last two quarters. Founders and promoters cut theirs by 5.4 points. Spending on new plants and equipment was ₹463 crore in the last 12 months, 19% more than a year before. Projects still being built shrank 36% in a year.

Share prices against the Nifty 500. In the weekly scan to 9 October 2026, 3 of 4 measured companies beat the Nifty 500 by 5 points or more over 3 months. 3 of 4 traded above their 200-day average price. The sector as a whole is 4% ahead of the Nifty 500 over 3 months and 48% ahead over a year.

What would change the story. If profit falls below a year earlier and operating margin drops back toward normal once inventory gains end, the earnings support would be gone.

See every company in Textiles - Manmade Fibre - PFY/PSF

Why it is on the list. Share prices moved sideways for 12 months, from May 2025 to April 2026, inside a 40% band. They broke above it in June 2026 and are now 8.5% above its top. Company earnings grew 7% while prices moved sideways. Over the last 12 months, earnings rose 8%.

What is changing in the businesses. Happy Forgings, Ramkrishna and Uniparts are spreading factory costs over higher output. Sona, Happy Forgings, Ramkrishna and Uniparts report new customer orders.

Not proven yet. June 2026 revenue beat the year before, but final profit was lower. Bharat Forge and Sona report cost pressure.

Money moving in. Big funds, foreign and Indian, kept their holding about the same over the last two quarters. Founders and promoters cut theirs by 0.3 points. Spending on new plants and equipment was ₹6,453 crore in the last 12 months, 8% less than a year before. Projects still being built shrank 9% in a year.

Share prices against the Nifty 500. In the weekly scan to 9 October 2026, 14 of 20 measured companies beat the Nifty 500 by 5 points or more over 3 months. 16 of 20 traded above their 200-day average price. The sector as a whole is 11.9% ahead of the Nifty 500 over 3 months and 44.5% ahead over a year.

What would change the story. If quarterly revenue and operating margin both fall below a year earlier, the business support behind this rise would be broken.

See every company in Castings, Forgings & Fastners

Why it is on the list. Share prices moved sideways for 20 months, from September 2024 to April 2026, inside a 38% band. They broke above it in May 2026 and are now 5.9% above its top. Company earnings fell 29% while prices moved sideways. Over the last 12 months, earnings rose 37%.

What is changing in the businesses. AVT Natural Products is getting more out of its existing plants, and quarterly margins across the four companies have recovered. Demand for maize is growing.

Not proven yet. None of the four companies has a results call on record. Annual profit of ₹430 crore is still below the ₹637 crore peak of 2022.

Money moving in. Big funds, foreign and Indian, raised their holding by 0.5 points over the last two quarters. Founders and promoters cut theirs by 1.5 points. Spending on new plants and equipment was ₹590 crore in the last 12 months, 13% more than a year before. Projects still being built grew 35% in a year.

Share prices against the Nifty 500. In the weekly scan to 9 October 2026, 2 of 3 measured companies beat the Nifty 500 by 5 points or more over 3 months. 3 of 3 traded above their 200-day average price. The sector as a whole is 16.2% ahead of the Nifty 500 over 3 months and 41.8% ahead over a year.

What would change the story. If quarterly profit and operating margin both fall below a year earlier, the recovery behind this rise would be broken.

See every company in Agricultural Processing - Maize

Why it is on the list. Share prices moved sideways for 47 months, from December 2022 to October 2026, inside a 39% band. They are 11.2% below its top. Company earnings grew 45% while prices moved sideways. Over the last 12 months, earnings rose 9%.

What is changing in the businesses. ICICI, Kotak, Axis, IDFC First, IndusInd and Yes Bank are controlling running costs better. Bad loans are falling at several banks. Federal and Yes Bank improved their loan and deposit mix.

Not proven yet. Prices are still inside a range that has lasted almost four years. Part of the lower bad-loan cost moves with the credit cycle and may not last.

Money moving in. Big funds, foreign and Indian, raised their holding by 0.6 points over the last two quarters. Founders and promoters cut theirs by 0.3 points. Spending on plants is not a useful measure for a lender, so it is left out.

Share prices against the Nifty 500. In the weekly scan to 9 October 2026, 9 of 18 measured companies beat the Nifty 500 by 5 points or more over 3 months. 13 of 18 traded above their 200-day average price. The sector as a whole is 4.6% ahead of the Nifty 500 over 3 months and 35% ahead over a year.

What would change the story. If sector profit falls below a year earlier with margins shrinking again at the biggest banks, the earnings recovery would be broken.

See every company in Banks - Private

Why it is on the list. Share prices moved sideways for 26 months, from June 2024 to July 2026, inside a 31% band. They are now 1.3% above its top, without a clear break yet. Company earnings grew 73% while prices moved sideways. Over the last 12 months, earnings rose 57%.

What is changing in the businesses. Gujarat Fluorochemicals and Navin Fluorine are spreading factory costs over more output. All three companies are moving to higher-value products, and Navin raised its normal margin goal.

Not proven yet. Annual profit is still below its 2023 peak. Navin delayed a contract project, and Gujarat Fluorochemicals moved its Oman project.

Money moving in. Big funds, foreign and Indian, kept their holding about the same over the last two quarters. Founders and promoters kept theirs about the same. Spending on new plants and equipment was ₹3,992 crore in the last 12 months, 28% more than a year before. Projects still being built grew 44% in a year.

Share prices against the Nifty 500. In the weekly scan to 9 October 2026, 2 of 3 measured companies beat the Nifty 500 by 5 points or more over 3 months. 2 of 3 traded above their 200-day average price. The sector as a whole is 10.6% ahead of the Nifty 500 over 3 months and 29.6% ahead over a year.

What would change the story. If profit and operating margin both fall below a year earlier despite new capacity, the earnings recovery would be broken.

See every company in Chemicals - Flourine

Why it is on the list. Share prices moved sideways for 25 months, from May 2024 to May 2026, inside a 39% band. They broke above it in June 2026 and are now 10.5% above its top. Company earnings fell 15% while prices moved sideways. Over the last 12 months, earnings rose 20%.

What is changing in the businesses. Vijaya, Metropolis, Thyrocare and Suraksha are running more tests through the labs they already have. Dr Lal, Metropolis and Suraksha are adding specialised tests. Annual profit rose from ₹1,115 crore to ₹1,377 crore.

Not proven yet. Margins are not improving everywhere. Krsnaa carries start-up costs on new projects, and competition remains intense.

Money moving in. Big funds, foreign and Indian, raised their holding by 1.2 points over the last two quarters. Founders and promoters cut theirs by 1.1 points. Spending on new plants and equipment was ₹1,441 crore in the last 12 months, 46% more than a year before. Projects still being built grew 122% in a year.

Share prices against the Nifty 500. In the weekly scan to 9 October 2026, 4 of 9 measured companies beat the Nifty 500 by 5 points or more over 3 months. 7 of 9 traded above their 200-day average price. The sector as a whole is 11% ahead of the Nifty 500 over 3 months and 37.2% ahead over a year.

What would change the story. If quarterly profit falls below a year earlier because revenue growth stops, this revenue-led rise would be broken.

See every company in Diagnostics

Why it is on the list. Share prices moved sideways for 12 months, from May 2025 to April 2026, inside a 34% band. They broke above it in May 2026 and are now 22.2% above its top. Company earnings grew 67% while prices moved sideways. Over the last 12 months, earnings rose 21%.

What is changing in the businesses. Centum Electronics is selling more valuable products and winning new radar and chip-equipment work. Revenue and operating margin rose in 2026.

Not proven yet. Final profit fell in 2026 despite higher revenue. Only Centum has a results call on record, and it narrowed its growth goal without saying why.

Money moving in. Big funds, foreign and Indian, raised their holding by 0.4 points over the last two quarters. Founders and promoters cut theirs by 1.0 points. Spending on new plants and equipment was ₹295 crore in the last 12 months, 73% more than a year before. Projects still being built shrank 40% in a year.

Share prices against the Nifty 500. In the weekly scan to 9 October 2026, 3 of 3 measured companies beat the Nifty 500 by 5 points or more over 3 months. 3 of 3 traded above their 200-day average price. The sector as a whole is 25.9% ahead of the Nifty 500 over 3 months and 79.7% ahead over a year.

What would change the story. If combined final profit falls below the same quarter a year earlier, better operations would not be turning into profit.

See every company in EMS

Why it is on the list. Share prices moved sideways for 23 months, from July 2024 to May 2026, inside a 40% band. They broke above it in June 2026 and are now 8.5% above its top. Company earnings fell 4% while prices moved sideways. Over the last 12 months, earnings rose 5%.

What is changing in the businesses. Motilal Oswal, 360 ONE and Nuvama earn more steady fees from client money. Anand Rathi and Nuvama are growing revenue faster than costs, and both are expanding overseas.

Not proven yet. Earnings slipped while prices moved sideways, and net margin and annual profit fell in 2026.

Money moving in. Big funds, foreign and Indian, raised their holding by 1.1 points over the last two quarters. Founders and promoters cut theirs by 0.6 points. Spending on plants is not a useful measure for a lender, so it is left out.

Share prices against the Nifty 500. In the weekly scan to 9 October 2026, 1 of 4 measured companies beat the Nifty 500 by 5 points or more over 3 months. 3 of 4 traded above their 200-day average price. The sector as a whole is 2.2% ahead of the Nifty 500 over 3 months and 23.3% ahead over a year.

What would change the story. If industry earnings drop below their level at the end of the sideways period while prices stay high, prices would be rising without earnings.

See every company in Finance - Capital Markets - Wealth Management

Why it is on the list. Share prices moved sideways for 12 months, from August 2025 to July 2026, inside a 34% band. They broke above it in August 2026 and are now 2.2% above its top. Company earnings fell 4% while prices moved sideways. Over the last 12 months, earnings rose 70%.

What is changing in the businesses. Uflex and Cosmo First are running factories fuller and selling more higher-margin film. Uflex is growing overseas and Cosmo in the US.

Not proven yet. Only two of the five companies have calls on record. New industry capacity could weigh on prices, and the June profit jump is one quarter.

Money moving in. Big funds, foreign and Indian, kept their holding about the same over the last two quarters. Founders and promoters kept theirs about the same. Spending on new plants and equipment was ₹3,740 crore in the last 12 months, 34% more than a year before. Projects still being built grew 68% in a year.

Share prices against the Nifty 500. In the weekly scan to 9 October 2026, 1 of 5 measured companies beat the Nifty 500 by 5 points or more over 3 months. 3 of 5 traded above their 200-day average price. The sector as a whole is 7.4% ahead of the Nifty 500 over 3 months and 7.1% ahead over a year.

What would change the story. If the group returns to a quarterly loss with operating margin below its usual 11.81%, the profit recovery would be broken.

See every company in Packaging - BOPP

Why it is on the list. Share prices moved sideways for 15 months, from August 2025 to October 2026, inside a 38% band. They are 0.1% below its top. Company earnings grew 24% while prices moved sideways. Over the last 12 months, earnings rose 27%.

What is changing in the businesses. Laxmi and Oriental are getting more out of their existing plants. Laxmi, Sigachi and Fairchem plan higher-value products.

Not proven yet. Results calls cover only 12.7% of the industry's market value. Part of the recovery comes from temporary price gaps, and Sigachi reports losing market share.

Money moving in. Big funds, foreign and Indian, cut their holding by 0.8 points over the last two quarters. Founders and promoters kept theirs about the same. Spending on new plants and equipment was ₹2,914 crore in the last 12 months, 47% more than a year before. Projects still being built grew 39% in a year.

Share prices against the Nifty 500. In the weekly scan to 9 October 2026, 15 of 22 measured companies beat the Nifty 500 by 5 points or more over 3 months. 17 of 22 traded above their 200-day average price. The sector as a whole is 22.8% ahead of the Nifty 500 over 3 months and 44% ahead over a year.

What would change the story. If June's margin recovery reverses and profit falls, the improvement would look temporary rather than lasting.

See every company in Chemicals - Organic