India’s sugar stocks could be headed for a crucial season. The country’s sugar output is projected to rise nearly 18% in 2025-26, even as ethanol faces pricing pressures and the looming threat of tariffs on potential imports.&nbsp;With the government’s focus on pushing ethanol-blended fuel and cane pricing in focus, the next few months will help determine if the sugar sector can regain its sweet spot.A few sugar stocks have been gaining traction on investors' radar from this space. <a href="https://stocktwits.com/symbol/EIDPARRY.NSE">EID Parry (India)</a> has rallied 45% in the last six months, <a href="https://stocktwits.com/symbol/BALRAMCHIN.NSE">Balrampur Chini</a>, and <a href="https://stocktwits.com/symbol/DALMIASUG.NSE">Dalmia Bharat</a> have clocked in over 25% gains.&nbsp;Other notable companies include <a href="https://stocktwits.com/symbol/BAJAJHIND.NSE">Bajaj Hindusthan Sugar</a> and <a href="https://stocktwits.com/symbol/RENUKA.NSE">Shree Renuka Sugars</a>.Strong Output ForecastIndia’s sugar output is projected to surge nearly 18% to 34.9 million tonnes in the 2025–26 season, according to the Indian Sugar and Bio-energy Manufacturers Association (ISMA). Additionally, sugar diverted for ethanol production is expected to rise to 5 million tonnes, compared with 3.5 million tonnes in the current season.Ethanol from Sugar: The ChallengesEthanol is made from sugarcane, maize, and grains. It is a clear, colorless alcohol that is commonly used as a blending agent with petrol to reduce vehicle emissions.In August 2024, the Indian government permitted sugar mills to produce ethanol from cane juice, syrup, and B‑heavy molasses, a byproduct with higher sucrose levels. The move was expected to support the goal of 20% ethanol blending into petrol by 2025‑26.The original goal of achieving 20% blending (E20) by 2030 was brought forward to 2025 and was met in March 2025. Now the Indian government is aiming to blend 30% ethanol in petrol by 2030.However, the sugar industry hasn’t yet benefited from the success of ethanol blending as the sector’s share in the national ethanol program has plunged from 73% to 28% in just two years.Capacity Present, But Not Enough UtilizationIndia has the capacity to produce 952 crore litres of ethanol per year, with the potential to divert 40 lakh tonnes of sugar. And still, only 32 lakh tonnes are expected to be used this year, which highlights the underutilization in the sector.The National Federation of Cooperative Sugar Factories (NFCSF) said sugar-based ethanol supply is expected to fall from 369 crore litres in 2022-23 to 250 crore litres in 2024-25, as stagnant ethanol prices lag behind rising sugarcane costs, making direct sugar sales more profitable.The Tariff Overhang&nbsp;The ongoing tariff-related challenges could act as another stumbling block.&nbsp;Last month, the Indian Sugar and Bio-energy Manufacturers Association (ISMA) objected to the proposed talks on permitting ethanol imports under the India-US trade framework, warning that it could hinder payment of the Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) to sugarcane farmers and result in underutilization of domestic ethanol production capacity.Sugar Stocks: Mixed Moves In 2025Using Stocktwits data, we see a mixed 2025 so far for the sugar sector, with retail investors primarily in a wait-and-watch mode. The Nifty Commodities index, by comparison, is up around 8% in the same period.<img src="https://news.stocktwits-cdn.com/G_Nd_LY_indian_sugar_stocks_ytd_performance_png_a7a1d4af27.webp" alt="GNdLY-indian-sugar-stocks-ytd-performance.png">Given below is the Q4 FY25 financial data for five key sugar companies.<img src="https://news.stocktwits-cdn.com/1i_Tlx_q4_fy25_earnings_data_png_6ffd038376.webp" alt="1iTlx-q4-fy25-earnings-data.png">The Next Triggers: What Investors Are WatchingAny upward revision in ethanol pricing is likely to boost sentiment for sugar stocks. Additionally, clarity on import pricing for ethanol during the upcoming US-India trade discussions will be crucial.&nbsp;For updates and corrections, email newsroom[at]stocktwits[dot]com.&nbsp;

(Photo by Soumyabrata Roy/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Can India’s Sugar Stocks Regain Momentum? Output Is Likely To Rise 18%, But Ethanol Woes Cloud Outlook

Relaxed export rules and increased diversion for ethanol production could partially offset challenges surrounding pricing. Key players like Balrampur Chini and EID Parry remain on investor watchlists

Equity

Indian cement companies started fiscal 2026 on a strong note, reporting double-digit growth in profits and revenues for the first quarter, despite price volatility caused by the monsoons. Top players like UltraTech, JK Cement, and Dalmia Bharat posted earnings surprises, supported by strong infrastructure and housing demand.Domestic brokerage firm ICICI Securities noted that pan-India cement prices rose 3 - 4% sequentially, marking the third consecutive quarter of price gains. This price momentum was reflected in the quarterly results.Q1FY26 Performance Snapshot&nbsp;India’s largest cement producer, <a href="https://stocktwits.com/symbol/ULTRACEMCO.NSE">UltraTech Cement</a>, posted a 49% year-on-year (YoY) rise in consolidated net profit, with revenues rising 17.7%. The integration of India Cements and Kesoram Industries’ cement business contributed to a 9.7% increase in sales volume. During the quarter, the company added 3.5 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) in grey cement capacity, pushing its total installed capacity to 192.26 MTPA.&nbsp;<a href="https://stocktwits.com/symbol/ACC.NSE">Adani Group-backed ACC</a> saw its profits being halved sequentially, even as realisation gains helped revenues rise. Its volumes grew to 11.5 million tonnes from 10.2 million tonnes in the first quarter of last year.<a href="https://stocktwits.com/symbol/JKCEMENT.NSE">JK Cement</a> recorded one of the strongest performances among mid-cap peers, with 15% volume growth in grey cement and revenue gains driven by price recovery in Central and Southern India. In contrast, Dalmia Bharat missed estimates on the bottom line but managed to hold costs. It saw a 5.8% decline in sales volume.&nbsp;<a href="https://stocktwits.com/symbol/ORIENTCEM.NSE">Orient Cement</a> saw strong growth in margins. During the quarter, <a href="https://stocktwits.com/symbol/AMBUJACEM.NSE">Ambuja Cements</a> acquired a 26% stake in Orient Cement through an open offer, raising its total shareholding in the company to 72.66%.&nbsp;Here’s a look at the earnings performance across India’s cement makers for Q1<img src="https://news.stocktwits-cdn.com/n_ZVNP_q1_earnings_at_a_glance_png_8cd9052fd9.webp" alt="nZVNP-q1-earnings-at-a-glance-.png">Yet to report: Ambuja Cements (July 31) Shree Cements (August 4), Ramco Cements (August 13)Analysts expect capacity expansion to boost sector growthIndia’s cement sector remains on a firm footing with leading players reporting solid growth, both in volume and operational performance, despite regional variations in pricing, said SEBI-registered <a href="https://stocktwits.com/Adarsh_SEBI_RIA">analyst Adarsh Nimborkar</a>.UltraTech Cement’s EBITDA per ton stood at ₹1,125, supported by tight cost control and its extensive pan-India reach. The company has a robust expansion plan, targeting an additional 22 MTPA capacity by FY27.<stembedurl>https://stocktwits.com/Adarsh_SEBI_RIA/message/622044925</stembedurl>Backed by the Adani Group, the combined entity of Ambuja Cements and ACC now commands a 77 MTPA capacity and aims to nearly double it to 140 MTPA by 2028. The company continues to invest in logistics, green fuel transition, and integration boost.Shree Cement posted an 8% volume growth and the highest EBITDA per ton at ₹1,130, the analyst said. It remains focused on expanding in South India while maintaining stable margins through disciplined cost management.Dalmia Bharat, with 42 MTPA capacity, emerged as the fastest-growing mid-sized player. It recorded an EBITDA per ton of ₹1,070. The company is targeting 75 MTPA capacity by FY27 and holds a strong position in East and South India.From a technical viewpoint, the sector outlook remains bullish, with attractive opportunities for long-term accumulation, Nimborkar concluded.SEBI-registered investment advisors <a href="https://stocktwits.com/TrueNorth_Capital">at TrueNorth Capital</a> anticipate that cement makers will aggressively expand capacity to meet overall demand, with the top players targeting significant scale-ups by FY27-FY28.Capacity ramp-up plans by India’s top cement players<img src="https://news.stocktwits-cdn.com/ca0b2e40_733b_45c5_8762_dbecd27ae9c2_jpg_bad57d4cbe.webp" alt="ca0b2e40-733b-45c5-8762-dbecd27ae9c2.jpg">Source: True North CapitalUltraTech: EBITDA/ton at ₹1,125; plans to add 22 MTPA by FY27.Adani Cement (Ambuja + ACC):&nbsp;77 MTPA capacity now; targeting 140 MTPA by FY28.Shree Cement:&nbsp;Highest EBITDA/ton at ₹1,130; targeting 80 MTPA by FY28.Dalmia Bharat:&nbsp;Fastest-growing midcap; targeting 75 MTPA by FY28.JK Cement:&nbsp;Investing ₹3,000 crore to expand to 30 MTPA by Q4 FY26.<stembedurl>https://stocktwits.com/TrueNorth_Capital/message/622053307</stembedurl>Early-quarter hikes cushion weak prices in JuneThe onset of monsoons disrupted demand momentum, leading to a decline of ₹6 - 8 per bag across the south, west, and east regions in June. Cement prices remained largely flat in north and central India.<img src="https://news.stocktwits-cdn.com/PKM_3m_cement_price_trends_june_2025_png_131190ff01.webp" alt="PKM3m-cement-price-trends-june-2025.png">Overall, brokerage firm Prabhudas Lilladher noted an average price dip of ₹4 per bag to ₹361 across the nation. While prices may decline further in July, they remain strong on a year-on-year basis, particularly in the South and East, which had witnessed steep hikes earlier in the quarter.Southern and eastern markets are expected to report robust Q1FY26 earnings, driven by improved pricing and operational efficiencies. Even though demand has softened, the housing (IHB) segment may provide some cushion due to increased interior work during and post monsoons. Further margin support could come from easing pet coke prices, the brokerage added.Brokerage Corner&nbsp;ICICI Securities expects a 45% YoY jump in Q1FY26 EBITDA for the sector. With another round of price hikes despite the ongoing monsoon, earnings upgrades are on the table for Q2FY26. It maintained a ‘Buy’ on UltraTech with a revised target price of ₹14,600, adding that firm prices in Q2 could boost FY26 earnings beyond consensus.Motilal Oswal reiterated a ‘Sell’ rating on India Cements, while cutting its price target to ₹280, citing modest growth. EBITDA per ton is expected to increase from ₹350 in FY26 to ₹760 in FY28.Nirmal Bang maintained a ‘Hold’ rating for JK Cement while raising the price target to ₹6,231. EBITDA per ton is seen rising from ₹1,167 in FY26 to ₹1,334 in FY27, resulting in estimated savings of ₹150 - ₹200 per ton.So far in 2025, UltraTech Cement shares have gained over 6%, Dalmia Bharat rose 24%, while JK Cements shares have surged 41% higher. On the other hand, ACC stock declined 11%, and Orient Cement fell 20%Despite regional challenges, the long-term outlook for the cement sector remains bullish, as capacity expansion, margin tailwinds, and infrastructure spending are expected to sustain momentum.For updates and corrections, email newsroom[at]stocktwits[dot]com

Labourers unload cement bags from freight trains at the railway junction. (Photo by Saqib Majeed/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

Cement Sector On Solid Ground In Q1: SEBI RAs Expect Bullish Momentum Amid Capacity Surge

Strong demand and steady pricing led to solid Q1FY26 earnings for most major players

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Intel Corp. engages in the design, manufacture, and sale of computer products and technologies. It delivers computer, networking, data storage, and communications platforms. The firm operates through the following segments: Client Computing Group (CCG), Data Center and AI (DCAI), Network and Edge (NEX), Mobileye, Accelerated Computing Systems and Graphics (AXG), Intel Foundry Services (IFS), and All Other. The CCG segment consists of platforms designed for notebooks, 2-in-1 systems, desktops, tablets, phones, wireless and wired connectivity products, and mobile communication components. The DCAI segment delivers solutions to cloud service providers and enterprise customers, along with silicon devices for communications service providers and high-performance computing customers. The NEX segment offers computing system solutions from inflexible fixed-function hardware to general-purpose compute, acceleration, and networking devices running cloud native software on programmable hardware. The Mobileye segment develops driving assistance and self-driving solutions. The AXG segment provides products and technologies designed to help customers solve the toughest computational problems. Its products include CPUs for high-performance computing and GPUs targeted for a range of workloads and platforms, from gaming and content creation on client devices to delivering media and gaming in the cloud, and the most demanding high-performance computing and AI workloads on supercomputers. The IFS segment refers to full stack solutions created from the foundry industry ecosystem. The All Other segment represents results from other non-reportable segments and corporate-related charges. The company was founded by Robert Norton Noyce and Gordon Earle Moore on July 18, 1968 and is headquartered in Santa Clara, CA.

Intel Corp.

Intel Corp

Intel is trending amid reports of potential partnerships and investments from major players like Apple and TSMC, fueling optimism about its comeback in the semiconductor industry. The community is actively discussing the potential impact of these deals, as well as government support, on Intel's future market position. This buzz is occurring within the broader context of the US aiming to bolster its domestic chip production capabilities.

BrokeCoin is a meme-meets-utility cryptocurrency project operating under the ethos of Transparency, Community, and Respect. Formally registered as an LLC in Wyoming, USA, BrokeCoin is building an expansive ecosystem that combines light-hearted spirit of meme culture with real-world crypto utilities—spanning gaming, staking, NFTs, web services, and an e-commerce platform. Brokecoin believes in developing useful and interesting meme-inspired utilities to both service the crypto industry, and generate value for holders.

Brokecoin

Brokecoin is trending as the community rallies, viewing the current dip as a buying opportunity before the next leg up. Active community members emphasize the project's ongoing developments, listings on multiple exchanges, and upcoming utilities, highlighting the development team's transparency and commitment. A buy contest is currently underway to push the price to the next milestone.

Pupu is a community-driven meme project centered around the character “Pupu the Frog,” who represents lighthearted fun and adventure within the crypto space. The project aims to build a digital ecosystem where holders can engage with the narrative of Pupu through memes, social interactions, and community activities. At its core, the project highlights creativity, entertainment, and community participation as primary utilities, while maintaining a transparent and decentralized structure that evolves through user engagement.

Pupu

$PUPU.X is trending as the community compares it to $PEPE.X, suggesting it could be the next big meme coin. Community members highlight its availability on Phantom Wallet and the Solana network, contributing to the increased buzz.

Pyth Network is a decentralised oracle network designed to provide real-time financial market data to decentralised applications (dApps) across multiple blockchains. It allows developer to secure smart contracts with reliable, low-latency market data from institutional sources, and build apps with high-fidelity oracle feeds designed for mission-critical systems.

Pyth Network

Pyth Network is trending as the community discusses its potential, particularly within the Real World Asset (RWA) space, and anticipates revenue generation from its products. Speculation around potential allocations from other projects are circulating, alongside general bullish sentiment and price target discussions. Some traders are watching for a breakout.

Trump Media & Technology Group Corp. engages in operating social media and in the technology business. Its brands include TRUTH Social, TMTG+ and TMTG News. The company was founded on March 28, 2024 and is headquartered in Sarasota, FL.

Trump Media & Technology Group Corp.

DJT is trending amid discussions about tariffs on pharmaceuticals and other goods, with community members debating the potential economic impacts. Some are referencing Trump's past statements on tariffs and trade, while others are discussing potential beneficiaries and losers from these policies. Broader conversations include political commentary and comparisons to other economic policies.

Cipher Mining, Inc. operates as a Bitcoin mining ecosystem in the United States. The firm is developing a cryptocurrency business. The company was founded in 2021 and is headquartered in New York, NY.

Cipher Mining Inc

Cipher Mining ($CIFR) is trending due to a recently announced upsized private offering of convertible senior notes and a hosting agreement with Fluidstack backed by Google, leading to discussions about the company's AI data center strategy. While some express concerns over potential dilution, others view the deal as a strong signal of institutional confidence and a catalyst for growth, particularly given Google's equity stake and the potential for expansion in the HPC sector.

Clown Pepe, also known as Honk, its original name pepoclown, is a depiction of Pepe the Frog wearing a rainbow wig and red clown nose.  $HONK, the meme coin with 0 taxes, draws its inspiration from Clown Pepe, also known as Honk Honk or Honkler. This whimsical character, originally named pepoclown, depicts Pepe the Frog donning a rainbow wig and a red clown nose. Honkler is often associated with corny or cringeworthy jokes and the emojis, symbolizing the phrase "Clown World." Embracing the chaotic and absurd nature of meme culture, $HONK aims to bring humor, memes and vibes to the space.

Pepoclown

Pepoclown ($HONK.X) is trending as community members rally behind the meme, touting it as the mascot of "clown world" and a key part of the 4chan meme ecosystem.  Many are drawing comparisons to $PEPE.X and suggesting $HONK.X represents an opportunity to invest in a similar, but undervalued, meme coin.

Derive is a decentralized protocol that creates programmable onchain options, perpetuals, and structured products.   Derive is deployed and operates on Derive Chain, an Ethereum rollup built using the OP stack and is the home of the Derive Protocol. It is a permission-less smart contract platform.  The Derive DAO earns trading fees from the Derive Protocol and gas fees from the Derive Chain, governed by DRV token holders. Trading fees accrue to an insurance fund to foster robustness of the protocol and rollup.  Derive has built an AI-powered trading app built for pro traders. In collaboration with Messari, Derive Pro translates market views into trades. The agent then prepares transactions for users and leverages smart contract wallets to make trades one-click, gasless and chainless. The app will support spot, perps and options trading on Derive, and will also plug in to spot AMMs on L2s like Optimism, Arbitrum and Base.

Derive

Derive ($DRV.X) is trending amid community excitement, with some suggesting buybacks are contributing to recent upward momentum. Conversations mention potential gains and list several other crypto symbols, while others point to a partnership between Synthetix and Derive to build derivatives on ETH L1 as a catalyst.

Direxion Shares ETF Trust - Direxion Daily Semiconductor Bear 3X Shares

Direxion Daily Semiconductor Bear 3X Shares

SOXS is trending as the semiconductor sector defies broader market trends, fueled by AI optimism and significant investments despite concerns of overvaluation. The community is actively discussing Intel's recent surge and potential impact, along with the sustainability of the sector's growth given high capital expenditure and competition. Some traders are considering SOXS as a hedge, while others remain skeptical amid the ongoing rally in semiconductor stocks.

IREN Ltd. is a vertically integrated data center business powering the future of Bitcoin, AI and beyond with renewable energy. It is strategically located in renewable-rich, fiber-connected regions across the US and Canada. IREN’s large-scale, grid-connected facilities are purpose-built for the next generation of power-dense computing applications. The company was founded by Daniel Roberts and William Roberts on November 6, 2018, and is headquartered in Sydney, Australia.

IREN Ltd.

Iris Energy Ltd

IREN is trending due to analyst upgrades and optimism surrounding its shift towards AI cloud services, with community members actively discussing price targets and potential deals. Some are wary of its rapid growth, suggesting it may be overvalued, while others see significant long-term potential as the company expands its GPU capacity. Bullish sentiment remains strong as IREN navigates its transition into the AI infrastructure space.

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