Today : Jan 02, 2026
Business
02 January 2026

Profit Margins Drive Stock Surges In India And UK

Consistent earnings and operational strength fuel major gains for select companies on the BSE and FTSE 100, with investors eyeing key results and policy decisions ahead.

In a year that saw remarkable gains across global stock markets, a closer look at high-performing companies reveals a compelling narrative of operational excellence, resilient earnings, and investor optimism. Recent analyses from both Indian and UK markets highlight companies that have not only delivered eye-catching returns but have done so on the back of robust, consistent profitability—a combination that continues to attract both institutional and retail investors.

According to a comprehensive study published by The Economic Times, 184 companies listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) with market capitalisations exceeding Rs 2,500 crore have maintained profit margins above 10% for eight consecutive quarters, up to the quarter ending September 2025. These companies, each with net sales surpassing Rs 100 crore in every quarter over the same period (excluding banking and financial stocks), have demonstrated a level of stability that stands out in an often-volatile market.

Within this elite group, 21 firms have delivered stock gains ranging from 100% to an astonishing 292% over the past two years. The top 10 performers all saw their shares rally by more than 125%, reflecting not just fleeting market exuberance but sustained business momentum. For investors, that’s more than just a blip—it’s the kind of track record that inspires confidence in both management and underlying business models.

Take CarTrade Tech, for example. Over the past two years, its stock price soared by 292%, leaping from Rs 721 to Rs 2,828. The company’s net profit margin for the September 2025 quarter stood at a robust 33%, underscoring the operational efficiency supporting its meteoric rise. Similarly, Godfrey Phillips India saw its shares climb 229%—from Rs 696 to Rs 2,290—over the same period, maintaining a net profit margin of 15% in the latest quarter.

Other notable names in this multibagger club include SJS Enterprises (up 188% with an 18% profit margin), Nava (up 153%, also with an 18% margin), and TD Power Systems (up 152% with a 13% margin). Balu Forge Industries, Supriya Lifescience, National Aluminium Company, Cummins India, Lloyds Metals and Energy, Garware Hi Tech Films, KFin Technologies, and Waaree Renewable Technologies all posted gains ranging from 120% to 142%, each maintaining profit margins well above the 10% benchmark over the past eight quarters.

What’s the secret sauce behind such outperformance? According to ETMarkets.com, it’s all about consistency. Firms that can reliably generate double-digit profit margins—even as market cycles ebb and flow—send a strong message to investors: this isn’t just a hot streak, but evidence of disciplined cost management, pricing power, and often, a unique competitive edge. For example, Supriya Lifescience delivered a 134% stock gain with a 25% net profit margin in the September quarter, while KFin Technologies notched a 123% gain and a 30% margin.

National Aluminium Company’s story is equally compelling, with shares more than doubling (up 131%) and a 33% net profit margin in the latest quarter. These numbers aren’t just statistics—they’re a barometer of operational health and a testament to the ability of these firms to weather economic headwinds.

Of course, not every sector or market tells the same story. In the UK, Lloyds Banking Group (LSE: LLOY) has emerged as a standout performer on the FTSE 100 for 2025. According to recent reporting, Lloyds shares surged by 76% since the start of the year, earning the bank ninth place on the FTSE 100 leaderboard. What’s more, the bank’s above-average dividend yield has provided an additional sweetener for income-focused investors.

Yet, despite this strong run, Lloyds doesn’t appear overvalued by traditional metrics. Its current price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio sits at 15, with a forward P/E of 11—both comfortably below the FTSE 100 average of 19 and far lower than tech giants like Nvidia, whose P/E stands at 47. The price-to-book (P/B) ratio for Lloyds is 1.25, which, while typical for FTSE 100 banks, remains well below the historical average of 3 to 4 seen in the early 2000s. This suggests that, even after a monster year, Lloyds shares may still be attractively priced relative to their underlying assets and earnings.

Looking ahead, several key dates could shape the trajectory for Lloyds and its peers. On January 29, 2026, the bank is set to announce preliminary full-year results—a moment that could either reinforce the bullish narrative or prompt a reassessment. As the report notes, “At the end of the day, a company’s earnings are what support increases in its share price.”

Another pivotal moment arrives on February 5, 2026, when the Bank of England will meet to discuss interest rates. Higher rates typically benefit banks by widening the margin between borrowing and lending costs, but they also carry the risk of increased loan defaults. The most recent decision was split by a razor-thin 5-4 vote, suggesting that the path forward remains uncertain. If rates stay higher for longer, as some analysts predict, Lloyds and other banks could see continued support for their share prices—though with the ever-present caveat that financial markets are rarely predictable.

For investors, the lessons from both markets are clear. Consistent profitability, prudent management, and a keen eye on valuation metrics can set the stage for outsized returns—even in turbulent times. The Indian companies highlighted by The Economic Times have demonstrated that operational discipline and sustainable margins can deliver multibagger gains, while Lloyds’ experience on the FTSE 100 shows that even after a stellar year, value may still be found for those willing to look beyond the headlines.

As 2026 unfolds, all eyes will be on whether these trends continue—or if new challengers emerge to claim the spotlight. But for now, the message is unmistakable: in markets across the globe, disciplined execution and solid fundamentals remain the surest path to long-term wealth creation.