Stocks to Watch Today (April 17, 2026): Wipro, Angel One, HDFC Life, ICICI Lombard and more

Stocks to Watch Today (April 17, 2026): Markets will track a busy mix of earnings, corporate actions and policy updates on Friday. The Ministry of Coal will launch the 15th round of commercial coal mine auctions, which is expected to draw participation from key energy and mining players.

On the results front, Jio Financial Services will be in focus with its post-market earnings announcement. Corporate actions like Aurobindo Pharma buyback ex-date and Muthoot Finance interim dividend will also drive stock-specific action.

HDFC Life Insurance: steady growth, but APE misses target

HDFC Life Insurance reported a stable Q4FY26 performance broadly in line with estimates, though growth in APE lagged internal expectations.

Gross premium income rose 10 per cent YoY to Rs 26,422 crore, while total premium income stood at Rs 25,829 crore. Profit after tax increased 4 per cent YoY to Rs 495 crore.

Value of New Business (VNB) for FY26 stood at Rs 4,034 crore with margins of 24.2 per cent. Retail protection grew strongly by 43 per cent in Q4, supporting overall profitability.

APE growth came in at 6.7 per cent, below earlier double-digit targets. Management said FY27 growth will aim to outperform industry trends, while near-term volatility and GST impact may continue into H1FY27.

The board also approved a preferential issue of up to Rs 1,000 crore to HDFC Bank to strengthen solvency.

Wipro: in-line Q4, weak guidance; buyback worth Rs 15,000 crore approved

Wipro delivered an overall in-line Q4FY26 performance, supported by margin expansion, though revenue guidance remained weak.

Revenue rose 2.9 per cent QoQ to Rs 24,236 crore, while EBIT jumped 19.7 per cent to Rs 4,181 crore. Net profit increased 12 per cent QoQ to Rs 3,521 crore.

Margins improved sharply to 17.3 per cent, above estimates. However, revenue guidance for Q1FY27 came in at -2 per cent to 0 per cent in constant currency, indicating continued demand softness.

Total contract value stood at $3.5 billion, lower YoY. Attrition improved to 13.8 per cent.

The board approved a Rs 15,000 crore share buyback at Rs 250 per share, representing around 5.7 per cent equity, which will remain a key stock trigger.

Angel One: strong earnings momentum continues

Angel One posted a strong Q4FY26 performance driven by client growth and higher trading activity.

Revenue jumped 38.2 per cent YoY to Rs 1,459 crore, while net profit surged 83.5 per cent to Rs 320 crore. EBITDA margin improved to 41 per cent.

Client base rose 20.5 per cent to 3.74 crore, while total orders increased 31.6 per cent YoY to 43 crore.

AUM rose sharply to Rs 3.6 lakh crore, reflecting strong expansion in platform activity. The company also approved investments in subsidiaries Angel Fincap and Angel One Wealth (Rs 150 crore each).

VST Industries: strong operating performance

VST Industries reported a strong Q4FY26 with broad-based growth.

Revenue rose 31 per cent YoY to Rs 457 crore, while EBITDA tripled to Rs 208 crore. PAT more than doubled to Rs 117 crore.

Margins expanded sharply to 45.6 per cent, compared to 19.9 per cent last year. The company also declared a final dividend of Rs 12 per share.

Waaree Renewable Technologies: margin pressure despite strong growth

Waaree Renewable Technologies reported strong revenue growth but weaker margins.

Revenue more than doubled to Rs 1,102 crore, while PAT rose 66 per cent to Rs 156 crore. However, EBITDA margin declined to 18.7 per cent from 26.6 per cent due to higher EPC costs.

HDFC Bank: to elect new chairman via NRC meeting

HDFC Bank will conduct a Nomination and Remuneration Committee (NRC) meeting to elect a new chairman, according to reports.

The bank has also approved a Rs 1,000 crore investment in HDFC Life via preferential issue, strengthening its insurance arm exposure.

Aurobindo Pharma: buyback ex-date in focus

Aurobindo Pharma will trade ex-date for its buyback of 54.23 lakh shares at Rs 1,475 per share via tender offer route.

This corporate action is expected to keep the stock active in the near term.

Muthoot Finance: interim dividend trigger

Muthoot Finance will turn ex-date for an interim dividend of Rs 30 per share, adding to steady income visibility for investors.

Policy update: coal auction round 15 to be launched

The Ministry of Coal will launch the 15th round of commercial coal mine auctions, continuing the government’s push to expand private participation in coal mining.

This is expected to support long-term supply expansion and attract mining companies.

Other key corporate developments

Several companies remained active on deal flow and project updates:

• RVNL won a Rs 968 crore railway EPC project from East Coast Railway
• DCM Shriram formed JV “PolyTek” with Teknor Apex
• TVS Motor increased stake in DriveX to 92.41 per cent
• R Systems received NCLT approval for merger scheme
• Fino Payments Bank completed core banking migration to Finacle
• Firstsource Solutions launched AI-based operating system “Kairos”
• Brigade Enterprises signed JDA for a Rs 7,200 crore Bengaluru project
• Samhi Hotels signed long-term lease for Noida hotel development