Indian stock markets are showing mixed signals as investors digest the latest quarterly results and global cues. Several companies, including Tata Steel, Hero MotoCorp, Bharti Airtel, LIC, Nykaa, and Tata Motors PV, have released their Q3FY26 earnings reports, leading to varied market reactions. Here's a summary of how these stocks are expected to perform based on recent news and financial results:

Tata Steel

Tata Steel's recent performance reflects a complex interplay of operational resilience and market challenges, particularly in the UK and Europe. The company is scheduled to announce its Q3 results today. While the company has achieved notable increases in crude steel production and EBITDA margins, it faces headwinds from geopolitical tensions, fluctuating pricing dynamics, and regulatory uncertainties. Strategic initiatives, including a focus on decarbonization and optimizing its product mix, are essential for long-term competitiveness, especially as the market shifts towards sustainability. The company is expanding capacities to meet rising steel demand while simultaneously making a decisive transition towards a future with lower emissions, guided by its responsible growth philosophy. The company has a target to increase domestic steelmaking capacity to 30 MnTPA by 2025.

Hero MotoCorp

Hero MotoCorp reported a 15% rise in consolidated profit after tax at ₹1,275 crore in Q3FY26, aided by strong domestic and export sales. Revenue from operations rose to ₹12,487 crore from ₹10,260 crore. The company declared an interim dividend of Rs 110 per equity share for the financial year 2025-26 and has fixed February 11, 2026, as the record date for determining entitlement of members for receiving the purpose of payment of interim dividend. The payment will be made by March 7, 2026. Hero MotoCorp's standalone profit rose 12% to Rs 1,349 crore. The company also approved an additional investment of ₹275 crore in Euler Motors Private Limited.

Bharti Airtel

Bharti Airtel reported a 55% year-on-year decline in consolidated net profit to ₹6,631 crore for Q3FY26, compared with ₹14,781.2 crore in Q3FY25. However, excluding one-time items, underlying profit rose sequentially. Revenue from operations rose 19.61% Y-o-Y to ₹53,981.6 crore from ₹45,129.3 crore. EBIT rose to INR 17,654 crore. Net income rose to INR 6,920 crore, reflecting a 25.5 percent year-over-year increase. The telecom operator was able to add 2 crore subscribers over the last year and had its highest new customer addition rate in home broadband and DTH in the quarter ended December.

LIC (Life Insurance Corporation of India)

LIC reported a 17% increase in net profit to ₹12,958 crore for the quarter ended December 2025, compared to ₹11,056 crore in the corresponding period last year. Net premium income rose 17.5% to ₹1,25,613 crore. The government is committed to paring its holding to 10% by May 2027. LIC is also eyeing higher yields from its real estate assets. LIC's MD & CEO said that the company has decided to go slow on its earlier announced plan of entering the health insurance business.

Nykaa (FSN E-Commerce Ventures)

Nykaa's parent company, FSN E-Commerce Ventures, saw its net profit surge 2.5 times to Rs 67.7 crore in the December quarter. Nykaa reported a 142% YoY increase in profit, with revenue climbing 27%. The company's operating revenue jumped 27% to Rs 2,873.2 crore during the same period. The beauty business saw its Ebitda margin improve to 10.1% in the third quarter from 8.8% a year earlier.

Tata Motors PV (Passenger Vehicles)

Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles (TMPV) posted a net loss of ₹3,483 crore in Q3 FY26, as against a profit of ₹5,406 crore in the same period last year. The company's performance was significantly impacted by the cyber incident at Jaguar Land Rover (JLR). Revenue from operations came in at ₹69,605 crore, down 25.8% year-on-year. However, TMPV recorded its highest-ever quarterly wholesales at 171k units.

Market Overview

The Indian stock market ended lower on Thursday, with the Nifty 50 closing at 25,642.80 and the Sensex at 83,313.93. GIFT Nifty futures indicate a negative start, mirroring subdued global cues. Investors are awaiting the outcome of the Reserve Bank of India's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting.