SAIL vs Tata Steel vs JSL vs Jindal Steel vs Vedanta: Which Metal Stock To Buy?

Nifty Metal outshone its peers after surging by more than 2.5% as a softer dollar made commodities cheaper for overseas buyers during the last trading session.

The metal stocks rally was fuelled by the remarkable performance of Steel Authority of India Limited, Tata Steel, Jindal Stainless Steel Limited, National Aluminium Company Limited (NALCO), Hindustan Zinc, Vedanta, etc.

SAIL shares closed with a gain of 4.56%, whereas Tata Steel shares ended 4% higher at Rs 159.25 per share, NALCO shares closed 3.6% higher close to around Rs 186 apiece.

The surge in metal sector stocks was the result of a combination of favourable factors, with the softer US Dollar being the prime reason for the recent metal stock rally. The weaker Dollar made metal commodities lucrative and profitable for overseas buyers.

“Iron ore futures rose over 3% on the Dalian Commodity Exchange to ¥894/tonne, amid renewed optimism around China’s infrastructure stimulus and better-than-expected activity in its manufacturing sector. The Caixin Manufacturing PMI rose to 51.1 in July, marking a six-month high and signalling expansion in the world’s largest steel-consuming economy (Caixin, Aug 1),” stated Anirudh Garg, Partner and Fund Manager, INVasset PMS.

Will Metal Stocks Rally Continue Today?

The sharp surge in hot rolled coil steel prices (HRC prices) over the past few days reflect a further improvement in the global steel prices. Despite a dull quarter for Indian steel producers because of the monsoon, the reduction in Chinese steel overproduction can reduce steel imports to India and improve pricing for domestic players, according to Aparna Shankar- CIO, Equity, The Wealth Company Mutual Fund.

“Chinese HRC prices have recently shown strength supported by plans for Chinese government initiatives to tackle overproduction by Chinese steel mills. Reductions to Chinese overproduction can be expected to reduce steel imports to India, improving pricing for domestic players. This improvement in prices also comes on the back of recent strong results by Indian steelmakers. Cost guidance by Indian mills also points to iron ore and coking coal prices remaining flat to falling slightly for 2Q FY26. India’s temporary 12% safeguard duty introduced in April has also helped steelmakers regain pricing power. The possibility of an interest rate cut by the Federal Reserve also keeps the global macro environment supportive for higher commodity prices,” noted Shankar.

Metal Stock Target Price

Given strong rally in metal stocks, here are top metal sector recommendations with target price, and return by Antique Stock Broking for long-term.

Company Reco CMP TP Return (%)
APL Apollo Tubes Buy 1,586 1,897 20
Hindalco Industries Buy 688 798 16
Hindustan Zinc Hold 422 482 14
Hi-Tech Pipes Buy 90 129 43
Indian Hume Pipe Buy 417 544 30
Jindal Steel & Power Buy 980 1,013 3
JSW Steel Hold 1,056 942 (11)
JTL Industries Buy 70 86 23
Kirloskar Ferrous Buy 555 641 15
MOIL Buy 347 452 30
NALCO Buy 187 265 42
NMDC Buy 72 86 20
SAIL Hold 125 129 3
Tata Steel Buy 160 174 9
Venus Pipes Buy 1,392 1,785 28
Vedanta Hold 431 482 12

 

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