Stocks to Watch, September 5: Aptus Value, Zydus Lifesciences, Varun Beverages, RIL, Swiggy, NTPC, cement, auto stocks

Stocks to Watch: Shares of Zydus Lifesciences are expected to be in the spotlight on Friday, September 5, as the company on Thursday said its wholly owned subsidiary, Zydus Lifesciences Global FZE, has entered into an exclusive licensing and supply agreement with Synthon BV of the Netherlands for Ozanimod Capsules (generic version of ZEPOSIA) for the US market. Stocks to Watch: The domestic stock market will likely open in the green on Friday. The GIFT NIFTY futures suggest that the NIFTY50 index will open 61 points higher. Here is a list of stocks that may remain in focus today. Zydus Lifesciences: Shares of Zydus Lifesciences are expected to be in the spotlight on Friday, September 5, as the company on Thursday said its wholly owned subsidiary, Zydus Lifesciences Global FZE, has entered into an exclusive licensing and supply agreement with Synthon BV of the Netherlands for Ozanimod Capsules (generic version of ZEPOSIA) for the US market. Reliance Industries: Shares will be in focus as Mukesh Ambani, the chairman and managing director of Reliance Industries Ltd, on Thursday termed the second-generation GST reforms as a big booster to consumption-driven growth, while his firm promised to pass on the benefit of the cut in tax rates to consumers. It will serve as a big booster to India's economic growth. "With the GDP growth rate having reached 7.8% in the first quarter of this financial year, the new reforms have the potential to accelerate the economy even further, raising the growth rate closer to double digits," Ambani said. L\&T: Semiconductor design firm L\&T Semiconductor has signed a pact with the Indian Institute of Science to collaborate on the development of the country's first national 2D Innovation Hub, the company said on Thursday. The envisioned hub will serve as a world-class facility focused on next-generation semiconductor innovation and beyond-silicon-chip technologies, placing India at the forefront of global semiconductor R\&D, the company said in a statement. "Building the National 2D Innovation Hub is a profound demonstration of India’s scientific leadership and collaborative strength. It will enable the acceleration of India’s journey toward leadership in 2D electronics and quantum technologies," Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore, Professor Mayank Shrivastava said. SpiceJet: SpiceJet on Thursday said it has inked an interline agreement with Bahrain's Gulf Air. "This partnership will provide SpiceJet passengers seamless access to Gulf Air's expansive network across the Middle East, Africa, Europe and Central Asia via Bahrain, while Gulf Air customers will gain enhanced connectivity to India through SpiceJet's extensive domestic network," SpiceJet said in a release. Ticket sales under the agreement are expected to commence by early 2026. Swiggy: Swiggy on Thursday announced the launch of an instant gifting delivery platform, Giftables, ahead of the festive season. The new service will be housed within the Swiggy app, alongside its other verticals like food delivery and the quick commerce segment, Instamart. The company said it will soon launch an AI-powered gifting chatbot that recommends items based on the occasion, relationship, recipient's personality, and interests. Auto stocks: The sweeping changes in the goods and services (GST) tax structure are expected to boost consumption massively and benefit sectors such as automobiles, FMCG, and cement in a big way. Maruti Suzuki India on Thursday said the GST rationalisation would help the automotive industry to come back to about 7% growth on a yearly basis. In a statement, Maruti Suzuki India Chairman RC Bhargava said the automotive industry would be a direct beneficiary of faster economic development. The GST Council on Wednesday (September 3) cleared proposed changes to the indirect tax regime, approving an overhaul of rates by limiting slabs to 5% and 18%, effective from September 22, 2025, the first day of Navaratri. Cement stocks: Shares of UltraTech Cement, ACC, Ambuja Cements, Dalmia Bharat, and others are expected to be in focus, as the GST rate reduction on cement will not only support domestic manufacturers but also accelerate the pace of infrastructure development and catalyse industrial expansion in India, industry players said on Thursday. The move is also expected to lower cement prices by ₹25-30 per 50 kg bag, according to analysts. A reduction in GST is likely to enhance the competitiveness of the Indian cement industry by creating a level playing field with global peers, said the Cement Manufacturers' Association (CMA). "For a long time, cement has been taxed at one of the highest rates among essential building materials compared to sectors such as steel and several other construction input materials. NTPC: State-owned power giant NTPC on Thursday announced the permanent discontinuation of operations of its 440 MW Stage-I of the Tanda thermal project in Uttar Pradesh from September 1. With this, the total installed and commercial capacity of the NTPC group has become 82,926 MW, a regulatory filing stated. According to the filing, consequent upon the due approval of the competent authority and communication dated September 4, 2025, to the Central Electricity Authority (CEA), it is hereby informed that operations of NTPC Tanda Thermal Power Station, Stage-I, comprising of four units of 110 MW each, have been permanently discontinued from September 1, 2025. Varun Beverages: Varun Beverages on Thursday, September 4, announced the incorporation of a joint venture (JV) with Everest International Holdings for manufacturing visi-coolers and other refrigeration equipment. Varun Beverages holds 50% paid-up capital, and Everest International Holdings holds the other 50% in the newly incorporated White Peak Refrigeration Pvt Ltd, it said in a regulatory filing. PepsiCo bottler has invested ₹21.25 crore in the JV and holds 2.13 crore (or 21,250,000) equity shares with a face value of ₹10 each in it. Since it's a 50:50 JV, Everest International holds the same number of shares in the visi-cooler manufacturing company. White Peak Refrigeration’s total paid-up share capital stands at ₹42.5 crore. (With inputs from PTI)