Stocks to BUY: The new year has started and the stock market is once again trading around its record high. If you are also wondering which stocks to buy in January, which are expected to give excellent returns in 2026? So this report of brokerage firm Axis Securities can be useful for you. Axis Securities has advised to bet on 10 such strong stocks in the month of January, in which investors can get excellent returns ranging from 16% to 54%. These include stocks from sectors like banking, finance, telecom, retail, energy and infrastructure.
1. Bajaj Finance
First of all let’s talk about Bajaj Finance. Axis Securities believes that the company will maintain its growth and its assets under management (AUM) can grow at an annual rate of 24–25% in the coming years. The brokerage said growth is expected to resume from FY27 driven by increasing contribution from core products and new product lines. Axis has given ‘Buy’ rating to this stock and has kept its target price at Rs 1,200. This is an estimated increase of about 22 percent in the stock from the current level.
2. State Bank of India
Axis Securities said SBI has delivered the strongest performance among large-cap banks last year and is well positioned to maintain this momentum. The bank is strengthening its liability franchise. Focusing on loans with high returns. It is also using technology to reduce costs and improve operational efficiency. Brokerage says that due to all these reasons SBI can do well in the coming times also. He has advised to buy SBI shares with a target price of Rs 1,135, which estimates a potential upside of 16% in this stock.
3. HDFC Bank
HDFC Bank’s growth has been a bit slow for some time, but Axis Securities believes that its loan growth will accelerate again in FY26 and FY27. The brokerage said that the loan-to-deposit ratio of the bank is under control. Although there was pressure on margins in the first half of the year, relief is expected in the second half. The brokerage believes that with operating costs and credit costs under control, the impact of margin pressure will be limited. With this confidence, Axis Securities has given ‘Buy’ rating to HDFC Bank shares and has kept its target at Rs 1,170. This is an estimated rise of about 18% in this stock from the current level.
4. Bharti Airtel
Axis Securities says that Bharti Airtel is continuously adding new subscribers. Its margins are strong and 4G and 5G users are increasing. Due to this, the average revenue per user (ARPU) of the company is improving. Considering these reasons, the brokerage has set a target of Rs 2,530 for this stock, which is estimated to be about 20% rise from the current level.
5. Avenue Supermarts
This is the parent company of DMart. Axis Securities says that improvement in consumer demand is expected to accelerate the company’s growth. Better performance is especially expected in the high-margin general merchandise and apparel segments. The brokerage has advised to buy this stock with a target of ₹ 4,960, which is estimated to be an increase of about 31 percent from the current level.
6. Inox Wind
Axis Securities has predicted the maximum rise of up to 54 percent in this stock. The brokerage has set a target price of ₹190 per share for Inox Wind, after adjusting for minority stakes in Inox Green Energy Services and Resco Global. The brokerage said that the government’s focus on renewable energy and increasing demand for wind energy can take the stock forward.
7. Kirloskar Brothers
The brokerage says that Kirloskar Brothers is continuously receiving orders from power, water and industrial sectors. The company’s order book is strong and visibility of growth for the next few years is clear. Axis Securities has set a target price of Rs 2,330 for this share, which is estimated to be an increase of about 45% from the current level.
8. Ujjivan Small Finance Bank
Axis Securities says Ujjivan SFB’s operational challenges may ease by the second half. Stable margins and decline in credit costs will support the bank’s performance. He has advised to buy this share with a target price of Rs 65, which is estimated to be an increase of about 23 percent from the current level.
9. APL Apollo Tubes
Axis Securities believes that the company’s growth engines remain strong and APL Apollo is going to directly benefit from the increasing spending on infrastructure in India. According to the brokerage, the company’s EBITDA may grow at a CAGR of around 29% between FY25 to FY27. He has advised to buy this stock with a target price of Rs 2,100.
10. Mahanagar Gas
The last name in the list is Mahanagar Gas. Axis Securities has set a target price of ₹1,540 for the stock, combining it with a 30% discount to the company’s net cash and investments. This is an estimated rise of about 36% in this stock from the current level.
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