Hindustan Unilever Ltd

Top stock market recommendations: Grasim Industries, Hindustan Unilever, and National Aluminium Co have been shortlisted as the top stocks to buy today (May 14, 2026) by Aakash K Hindocha, Deputy Vice President - WM Research, Nuvama Professional Clients Group. The expert also shares his outlook for Nifty, and Bank Nifty.

Renowned for his strategic insight, Nitin Paranjpe has enjoyed a lucrative career spanning several decades at Unilever and HUL. Holding the title of non-executive chairman at HUL comes with board compensation, but his wealth is primarily a byproduct of his leadership in top executive positions and influential board roles over the years.

Stock market today: The BSE Sensex, comprising 30 stocks, advanced 355.90 points, or 0.46 per cent, to close at 77,269.40. During the session, it had surged as much as 997.25 points, or 1.29 per cent, reaching an intraday high of 77,910.75.

Dalal Street concluded the holiday-shortened week with gains, as the combined market valuation of India's top 10 firms surged by Rs 2.20 lakh crore, led by Reliance Industries. Despite a volatile trading environment and mixed global cues, investor sentiment remained resilient, with the BSE Sensex rising 0.32%.

Hindustan Unilever (HUL) has implemented price hikes of 2-5% due to 8-10% cost inflation, primarily driven by soaring oil prices from the West Asia war. Despite these challenges, the company maintained its outlook, anticipating FY27 to outperform FY26, supported by rural income growth and stable demand.

Indian equity markets experienced a significant downturn, with the top ten most-valued firms losing over Rs 2 lakh crore. Tata Consultancy Services and Reliance Industries bore the brunt of this decline, influenced by geopolitical tensions and weak IT sector commentary. The broader market also saw substantial drops in benchmark indices.

Global tensions in West Asia, particularly around the Strait of Hormuz, are driving market volatility and influencing crude oil prices. Investors are also closely watching corporate earnings, with key results due this week, alongside crucial US economic data and the Federal Reserve's policy decision.

Indian equities experienced a weak trend, leading to a combined valuation drop of Rs 64,734.46 crore for six of the top ten most valued companies. Bharti Airtel was the biggest loser, with its market cap falling by Rs 29,993.07 crore. Despite broader market declines, select heavyweights like TCS and Infosys saw gains.

Dalal Street opened higher on Tuesday, with benchmark indices rising after a strong rebound in the previous session. Intense buying in banking and IT stocks, coupled with a strengthening rupee, boosted investor confidence. Global markets showed a mixed trend as oil prices climbed amid Middle East tensions.

Indian equity benchmarks, Sensex and Nifty, staged a strong intraday recovery to close higher on Tuesday. Easing crude oil prices, positive global cues, and robust buying in IT stocks fueled the rebound. Despite initial weakness, markets ended firmly in the green, with IT stocks leading the gains.

India's top companies faced a significant market capitalisation loss of Rs 1.75 lakh crore last week, with Reliance Industries bearing the brunt. Broader market indices also tumbled amid global uncertainties and Middle East tensions. While most major firms saw their valuations shrink, Larsen & Toubro, Bajaj Finance, and Infosys managed to post gains.

Dalal Street experienced a significant market capitalisation erosion of over Rs 1 lakh crore for five top firms last week, with HDFC Bank bearing the brunt. Despite initial gains, selling pressure in later sessions led to a muted market close, reflecting participant caution.

Indian stock markets brace for a volatile, shortened week. Geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, crude oil price fluctuations, and the rupee's stability are key concerns. Foreign investors have pulled significant funds amid the ongoing conflict. Analysts anticipate continued sensitivity to global developments, with domestic economic data also under scrutiny.

Decades of delay by the Tamil Nadu government in implementing a 1969 Act have led to widespread encroachments on vital elephant corridors in Gudalur. This policy paralysis, stemming from unresolved land classification disputes, fuels human-elephant conflict and environmental degradation. Despite recent reviews, the issue of Janmam lands remains critically unresolved, impacting thousands.

Indian markets witnessed a sharp sell-off last week, with the top 10 companies losing a staggering Rs 4.48 lakh crore. Rising crude oil prices and escalating global tensions fueled inflation fears, impacting major firms like SBI and HDFC Bank the most. Despite the downturn, Reliance Industries retained its top valuation spot.

Stock market today: Nifty50 and BSE Sensex continued their rally on Wednesday, rising nearly 1% to close in green for the third consecutive day. The rally was upported by a marginal easing in crude oil prices and positive cues from global markets.

FMCG bellwether Hindustan Unilever (HUL) has reported a 20% growth in standalone net profit at Rs 2,616 crore in the September quarter, as compared to Rs 2,187 crore in the year-ago period. The performance has exceeded expectations in the backdrop of high commodity inflation.