Jio Financial Services shares jumped 4.77 percent in today's session. The stock witnessed strong buying at lower levels and the rally pushed it above immediate resistance levels on technical charts. Among other major gainers in today's session were Reliance Industries, Asian Paints, Tata Steel, Adani Ports, IndusInd Bank and Eicher Motors. Reliance Industries stock jumped 2.09 percent, L&T stock was up by 1.92 percent, pushing NSE Nifty near 25,000 levels once again. TopNews Team has reviewed technical levels for the best performing stocks for traders and short term investors.

Jio Financial Services: Scaling Ambition Amidst Caution

Jio Financial Services (JFS) is riding a wave of ambitious growth and sectoral transformation, but market dynamics are demanding clear-eyed caution. As of July 29, 2025, JFS traded at ₹321 with a substantial market capitalization of ₹2.04 trillion. Short-term volatility has been pronounced, with a notable 4.47% single-day rise recently; nevertheless, JFS is down a steep 16-18% in calendar 2025, underperforming the Indian diversified financials sector and the broader market. On a one-year view, JFS delivered a -6.2% return compared to the sector’s -3.2% and the market’s -5.0%.

The company’s inclusion in the Nifty 50 index earlier this year triggered approximately $1.11 billion in passive inflows, significantly enhancing liquidity but also amplifying price swings. In terms of operational substance, JFS reported a 46.6% year-over-year surge in consolidated net sales for the June 2025 quarter, reaching ₹612.46 crore. The company is not standing still—recent license applications for broking and investment advisory signal an intent to fashion an integrated digital investment hub for mass affluent and HNI clients. A fresh reinsurance joint venture with Allianz further expands its product suite.

Yet, valuation anxieties loom large. Shares currently command a premium at a PE multiple of 126-130, and the resultant fear of overvaluation is exacerbated by heavy foreign institutional investor selling (FII share fell sharply from 21.48% to 11.66% between September 2023 and March 2025). This persistent selling pressure weighs on price action, dampening momentum from otherwise optimistic sectoral prospects.

Notably, India’s financial services sector is on the cusp of dramatic digital-led expansion, and JFS is strategically positioning itself with investments in AI and analytics, effective FY26. Such forward-looking bets could pay off handsomely if execution matches intent.

On the analyst front, sentiment is reserved. KR Choksey maintains a “hold” rating with a target price of ₹286, citing lofty valuation as a key risk. Equitymaster highlights fundamental growth drivers in digital lending, investment, and insurance, but advises patient scrutiny of governance and fundamentals before investors “buy the dip.” For now, Jio Financial’s story is one of high growth, high expectations, and elevated risk.

Reliance Industries: The Growth Machine with Long Term Potential

Reliance Industries (RIL) continues to define India’s large-cap investment narrative, blending sector leadership in oil-to-chemicals (O2C), digital services, and organized retail with robust financial management. RIL’s Q1FY26 consolidated net profit received a lift from a notable Asian Paints stake sale, while underlying operating profit and net profit, excluding one-offs, increased by 15% and 25% year-on-year respectively. The O2C business stands out, aided by strong gross refining margins and rigorous cost efficiency.

Digitally, the sustained growth of Jio—India’s telecom juggernaut—and the rapid expansion of retail operations underscore revenue resilience. Innovative launches, like the Allianz reinsurance joint venture and the aggressive scaling of home broadband and enterprise operations, have created new engine-rooms for future topline growth.

On price performance, RIL rallied by 20% in 2025, rebounding from a 7.5% decline last year and recently closing at ₹1,476. Analyst consensus remains overwhelmingly positive:

CLSA upholds a “buy” rating with a ₹1,650 target, lauding broad recovery, retail EBITDA momentum, and a $1.1/barrel sequential increase in refining margins.

Citi Research projects further upside, raising its target to ₹1,690 and spotlighting the 5G rollout, underpenetrated smartphone market, and supportive macro trends.

Nuvama trims its street-high target to ₹1,767, but underlines robust growth in new energy and petrochemical ramp-up.

Macquarie and Morgan Stanley reiterate outperform/overweight ratings, albeit noting that margin compression and execution in new verticals will distinguish future results.

Revenue expectations are buoyant, with 35-analyst consensus forecasting ₹10 trillion in FY26 revenues, a 3.1% increase, and only a marginal YoY dip in EPS to ₹62 after the latest beat.

Global risk factors—sectoral volatility and US-India trade complexities—remain ever-present, but Reliance’s leadership across core and emergent businesses makes it a preferred long-term portfolio holding.

Asian Paints: Strategic Resilience in Challenging Conditions

Asian Paints, the market leader in the decorative paints segment, demonstrated stoic resilience through an adverse quarter. Q1FY26 consolidated net profit declined 6% year-on-year to ₹1,100 crore, and revenues slightly missed consensus due to climbing raw material costs and temporarily softened demand. However, the company exceeded market expectations in core volume growth, posting a 4.2% increase, a tad above brokerage forecasts.

Operationally, price cuts introduced to stoke demand drove volumes but compressed margins. Input costs rose 1.3% during the quarter, but the volume pickup limited downside. The early onset and intensity of monsoon dampened painting cycles, but CEO Amit Syngle deemed the outcome “realistic” in the given macro environment.

A key strategic pivot included Asian Paints divesting its entire 4.42% stake in Akzo Nobel India via a block deal, reaffirming its commitment to focus on core activities. Despite growing rivalry, especially from players like Grasim’s Birla Opus, Asian Paints retained its franchise strength in urban markets, where nascent demand recovery is apparent.

Analysts have begun to turn more constructive. Jefferies upgraded the stock to “buy,” forecasting a 14% upside on an anticipated cyclical upswing, stabilization of costs, and diminishing pressure from competition. Notable volume outperformance—even in a flat demand scenario—gives hope for a quicker cyclical rebound as monsoon effects abate.

Shares, following a 1.5% dip before results, rebounded 1.7% to close at ₹2,400 post-disclosure. Asian Paints trades at a PE of approximately 62 and boasts a market capitalization of ₹2.26 trillion as of July 29. The management outlook remains rational: ongoing single-digit volume and value growth ahead, but sequential improvement is now evident and likely to continue into H2.

Comparative Performance: Snapshot Table

Strategic Takeaways for Investors

Jio Financial Services: Speedy expansion across digital and traditional financial verticals is promising, but valuation and FII outflows warrant a cautious approach. Patient investors should seek tangible improvements in scale and profitability before considering material exposure.

Reliance Industries: Diversified sector leadership and proactive pivoting into new business lines keep RIL in strong favor with analysts. The company remains well-suited for long-term portfolios, provided investors monitor execution risks in new energy and digital segments.

Asian Paints: Despite cyclical pressures and stiff competition, brand strength, volume recovery, and stabilizing input costs make Asian Paints a compelling contrarian play for those positioned for a rebound in consumer demand.