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The recommendations provided in this column are taken from various market sources such as brokers, analysts, dealers and investment strategists, etc. These recommendations may not be backed by strong fundamentals. Therefore we advise readers to use their own discretion before investing in these recommendation 

GLOBAL EXPANSION 

Dr Lal Pathlabs 

BSE Code: 539524
CMP: Rs 955.10 

Dr Lal Pathlabs is one of India’s leading consumer healthcare brands in diagnostic services. The company continues to focus on expanding its geographical footprint and the company management’s vision is to make it a pan-India healthcare brand. The company’s initiative of bundling tests under the “SwasthFit” brand is also gaining momentum and is helping it increase samples per patient. Going forward, the focus on volume growth, competitive pricing and steady expansion are positive for the company. This stock might take a leap in the next few weeks or so.

POSITIVE TRACTION 

Tata Steel 

BSE Code: 500470
CMP: Rs 583.05 

Tata Steel has acquired the steel business of Usha Martin at a discount of 30 per cent to the greenfield cost. It will benefit from its product diversification and synergies. The consolidated net debt/EBITDA of the company including the numbers of Bhushan Steel and Usha Martin, are expected to stay in the comfortable zone at 3.1x, with robust cash flows from its domestic business. The company is approaching its 5-year goal of duplicating the domestic capacity and hence would halt any further acquisition for now. According to market sources, it is likely to witness an upward move from its current level. 

LONG POSITIONS 

Apollo Hospitals 

BSE Code: 508869
CMP: Rs 1123.90 

The price movement in this counter over the recent past has been very good with decent volumes. The stock price is expected to see further up-move. Some HNIs and big traders have initiated long positions in the stock and are expecting the stock to move in the northward direction. Therefore, the stock can be looked at for shortterm trading gain 

AND FINALLY.. 

Aarti Industries 

BSE Code: 524208
CMP: Rs 1240.65 

The two multi-year large order wins provide strong revenue growth visibility for the company over the medium to long term. Further, the tighter environment rules have raised production costs and concerns over supplies from China, which paves the way for companies like Aarti Industries to strengthen its foothold in the global markets. In the coming quarters, if sources are to be believed, the company is expected to report healthy revenue growth amid increased volumes, coupled with improved realisation and, as a result, it may enhance the margin profile further and improve the overall profitability and return ratios. A good stock to hold in the portfolio