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The third quarter earnings season is underway and about 338 companies will announce their results on Tuesday. Key results to watch out for include Vodafone Idea, SAIL, IRCTC, Tata Investment and Ircon.Apart from the above, companies like Zee Media, Reliance Home Finance, Keystone Realtors, NBCC (India), Lupin, Indus Finance, BLS International, Bajaj Healthcare and a few others will also declare their quarter results.Vodafone Idea Q3 expectationsEmbattled telco Vodafone Idea is likely to narrow its losses on a sequential basis, while expanding the revenues in the third quarter, driven by residual impact of tariff hike and ARPU uptick.When compared with the prior year period, analysts are mixed about whether the losses would widen or shrink. While Kotak Equities estimates loss to come down to Rs 6,697 crore, Motilal Oswal and Nuvama see the negative bottomline higher.Revenue from operations in the October-December 2024 period are seen rising 6% year-on-year (YoY), according to an average estimate of four brokerages.Analysts are modeling EoP subscriber base to decline by 2 million QoQ and ARPU to increase 7.5% QoQ to Rs 168 per month on tariff hikes and continuing subscriber mix improvements."We expect revenue growth of 5% QoQ on ARPU uptick, led by tariff hikes, partially offset by continued subs decline. Reported EBITDA is likely to increase 7-8% QoQ on higher ARPUs," said Kotak Equities.Nuvama, on the other hand, is estimating a revenue growth of 1.4% QoQ, driven by residual impact of tariff hike."EBITDA margins to expand by 30 bps QoQ. Key monitorables include plans to increase network capacity, progress on 5G rollout and arrest subscriber decline," the brokerage said.Key monitorables from the company will include plans to increase network capacity, progress on 5G rollout and arresting subscriber decline.(Disclaimer: Recommendations, suggestions, views and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of Economic Times)

Stock markets closed with losses for the fourth consecutive day on Monday with the benchmark Sensex falling by 548 points as fresh US tariff threats shook investor confidence.Stocks that were in focus include names like Patanjali Foods, which rose 0.3% and Nykaa, which declined 1.7% and Delhivery, whose shares dropped 6% on Tuesday.Here's what Kushal Gandhi, Technical Analyst at StoxBox, recommends investors should do with these stocks when the market resumes trading today.Patanjali FoodsThe share price of Patanjali has exhibited a prolonged sideways trend, lacking a clear directional bias. However, the formation of higher lows on the weekly chart suggests a positive outlook from a price action perspective.The price movement appears to be tightening as it approaches the resistance zone between 1916 and 1885, which was established due to a previous gap down. Despite numerous attempts to break through this resistance, the price action has consistently remained capped, highlighting the significance of this relatively strong barrier.Currently, while the EPS strength is weak and the price performance relative to the past 12 months is average, there is a noticeable uptick in buyer demand. Therefore, we recommend purchasing the stock upon confirmation of a closing breach of the resistance zone.NykaaThe price action of NYKAA initially suggested a promising transition towards a more dynamic phase, indicating a potential uptrend.However, it has since experienced a decline of over 30% from its 52-week highs, currently trading just below the 50-week moving average and the 200-day moving average. Consequently, the stock has shown deterioration in its EPS, price strength, and buyer demand. From a technical perspective, the stock lacks positive momentum, as evidenced by the RSI across daily and higher timeframes remaining below median levels, with no divergence from price action.Given that the price is trading below key moving averages and has recently experienced a negative crossover, we advise against purchasing additional shares of NYKAA until it decisively reclaims the 200 DMA, which is currently trading around the 180 levels.DelhiveryThe share price of Delhivery continues to exhibit bearish implications as the price action consistently trades lower, showing diminished relative strength in comparison to the benchmark index, Nifty50.Recently, the price movement demonstrated a breakdown from an inverted cup and handle pattern, which suggests a continuation of the prevailing bearish primary trend—this represents a negative development for the stock.Furthermore, the security exhibits a lack of positive price momentum, earnings per share (EPS) strength, and buyer demand, contributing to its classification as a weak investment option. Therefore, we advise against the acquisition of shares in this company.(Disclaimer: Recommendations, suggestions, views and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of Economic Times)

Mumbai: Health insurers are seeking clarity from the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) on the implementation of its recent circular capping annual premium hikes for senior citizens at 10%, particularly how it applies to long-term policies and whether rates can be adjusted upon renewal.In a circular issued on January 30, the insurance regulator restricted all general and health insurers offering indemnity-based health insurance from increasing premiums for individuals aged 60 and above by more than 10% in a single year, following complaints from policyholders, some of whom saw their premiums double within a year.Some insurers have assumed the cap applies to the last premium paid before the hike. However, insurers are uncertain whether they can impose a cumulative increase upon renewal after a multi-year policy term ends."We are going to ask the regulator to clarify whether, for a senior citizen with a three-year policy, insurers can increase premiums by more than 10% when the policy renews in the fourth year, or if the cap will continue to apply year by year," the chief executive of an insurance company said.IRDAI has cited financial vulnerability as a key reason for this restriction. "The most vulnerable age group is senior citizens with limited sources of income. They are the most impacted by steep increases in health insurance premiums. This has been a regulatory concern for IRDAI," the circular had said.Other than the cap, the regulator has urged insurers to standardise pricing agreements with hospitals. It has also cracked down on insurers repackaging existing products with minor tweaks to justify price increases. Along with the price hike cap, the new regulatory restrictions on product discontinuation without regulatory approval will benefit policyholders, particularly senior citizens, experts say.Insurers have long relied on withdrawing older policies and replacing them with slightly modified, higher-priced versions. "Now, with IRDAI mandating approval for withdrawals, that loophole is expected to close," said an insurance executive.Following the cap on premium hike, insurers will have to rethink their pricing strategies to account for additional costs, such as immunotherapy, which has become a regulatory requirement despite being a preventive treatment rather than a critical necessity like surgery or chemotherapy, said an industry expert adding that this is akin to a sudden mandate for helmet coverage in motor insurance, which would require insurers to rework the pricing.