Harsha Jethmalani

Pidilite has raised prices twice to offset a 40–50% spike in input costs triggered by the West Asia war, but sustaining peak margins amid inflation may prove difficult.

Nuvama expects FY27 to be a turnaround year for Asian Paints and Berger, and sees them posting double-digit revenue growth after three years.

DLF braces for another year of flat pre-sales, prioritizing margins and free cash flow over aggressive growth even as earnings visibility remains weak till FY28.

Committed occupancy levels for key real estate investment trusts exceeded 90% in FY26, with positive demand outlook. However, geopolitical tensions and a potential shift back to remote work could hinder leasing activity, impacting the office space market.

Falling demand, generic competition in a key molecule and weak customer ordering trends continue to weigh on PI Industries' CSM business, raising questions over the pace of recovery in FY27.

JK Cement has showcased remarkable growth with a 13% year-on-year increase in grey cement volumes for Q4FY26, surpassing the industry average. The company's expansion in central and eastern India is a key driver for its success. However, rising costs pose challenges ahead.

Amara Raja's core lead-acid battery business continues to drive growth, but delays and technology hurdles in its EV battery venture are emerging as investor concerns.

Asian Paints posted a 12-quarter high volume growth of 12.4% in Q4FY26, signalling a demand revival after a bruising period of competition and pricing wars. But rising raw material costs, persistent competitive intensity, and rich valuations mean FY27 remains a high-stakes year for the paints giant.

Strong domestic demand lifted services activity in May, but elevated costs, softer confidence and geopolitical risks could test the sector's momentum in the months ahead.

Stocks of large cement makers have declined 6-23% so far in 2026, with Adani Group companies Ambuja Cements and ACC falling more than 20% each