FIFA 2018 fever is on! Take a look at these 5 'football-linked' stocks

Football fever is on! The FIFA 2018 World Cup carnival will kick off later this evening. Football frenzy has gripped the world, and the good thing is even hallowed precincts of Dalal Street has not been left behind. Germany, Brazil, Spain or Argentina, whichever country bags the trophy eventually, here are 5 stocks that have been making big play on Dalal Street  that will earn you money. Not just that, we have helpfully divided them into various football positional players - from strikers to goalkeeper - to better fit into your portfolio. And yes, we resisted the temptation to call any one of them a Lionel Messi or a Neymar, tough though it was!

1) D-Mart: Striker 1

Emkay has a buy rating on the stock with TP of Rs 1750

Market share of the company is going high
The company is aggressively focusing on expansion
Better margins that peers
Negligible debt on the company; cash flow Rs 650

Lionel Messi, Image source: Reuters

2) United Spirits: Striker 2 

JP Morgan has a Buy on the stock with TP of Rs 3550
 
Buyers may grow by 15-20% in next two years
Premium products will be in demand thanks to urbanisation drive
Promoters may hike stakes in the company
The company paid back 50% debt in last 3 years; focus on being debt-free

Neymar, Image source: Reuters

3) Maruti Suzuki: Midfielder 

Citi has a Buy with a target price of Rs 10700

Volume growth may come in at over 10% in FY19
New Swift, Dzire models performed above expectations 
Rural demand expected to see a pick-up
LIC has 4.98 per cent stake in the company

Kevin De Bruyne, Image source: Reuters

4) ITC: Defense 

Morgan Stanley has a Buy rating on the stock with a TP of Rs 320
 
Dependence on cigarette sales coming down
ITC owns 80% market share in cigarette segment
The company has substantial market share in hotel, FMCG business too
The stock is cheaper valuation-wise among peers
The company has Rs 13,500 crore cash flow and no debt

Sergio Ramos, Image source: Reuters

5) HDFC Bank: Goalkeeper

CLSA has a buy on the stock with a TP of Rs 2470

Asset quality strongest in the banking sector
The company has AUM worth Rs 43,500 crore 
The bank has big market share in retail segment
The bank has 1.2% stake in RBL Bank and 7.2% in CDSL

Manuel Neuer, Image source: Reuters