Hero MotoCorp, Coal India and Bharat Forge among stocks to watch today

Stocks to watch today: At 8:02 AM, GIFT Nifty futures traded 91.9 points, or 0.42 per cent, higher at 21,934.5, indicating a positive start for domestic equities today. Led by gains in banking, financial, and pharma stocks, Indian equities on Friday ended higher. Nifty closed at 21,782.5, up 0.3 per cent, or 64.55 points, while Sensex ended at 71,595.49 points, up 167.06 points, or 0.23 per cent. 

Here's a look at the key stocks that are expected to hog the limelight today.

Hero MotoCorp: For the December-ended quarter, the 2-wheeler major posted strong results, with profit inching 51 per cent higher on year. The board announced a dividend of Rs 100 per share.

ONGC: The oil exploration company posted weak results that were below estimates. Revenue at the company declined 1.1 per cent on year, while profit declined 6.7 per cent on year.

Bharat Forge: The parent company has infused USD 15 million in Bharat Forge America Inc., a wholly subsidiary of the company.

Max Healthcare: The board has approved the execution of a share purchase agreement for the acquisition of a 100 per cent equity stake in Alexis Multi-Specialty Hospital.

Divi's Laboratories: The pharma company posted results below estimates for the October-December period. For Q3, the company's margins came in at 26.4 per cent versus estimates of 28 per cent.

Tata Power: The Tata-Group utility company posted mixed results, with PAT for the quarter coming higher than estimates. For Q3, the company's profit stood at Rs 953 crore, versus an estimate of Rs 865 crore.

PI Industries: The agri-sciences company posted strong December quarter results, with profit coming in 28 per cent higher on year. Margins at the firm also increased to 29.2 per cent. 

Bandhan Bank: The private lender posted weak Q3 results, with profit coming in lower than estimates at Rs 732.7 crore. Nonetheless, the company's asset quality improved.

MCX: The commodity exchange posted Q3 results below estimates. Revenue at the company edged higher by 33.4 per cent on year, while EBITDA loss during the period stood at Rs 19.7 crore.

Aurobindo Pharma: Profit at the pharma company increased by a whopping 91 per cent on year, while margins expanded to 21.8 per cent versus 14.9 per cent in Q3 FY23.

Dr. Reddy's Laboratories: The pharma company, in a filing, said that it has received the Establishment Inspection Report (EIR). The USFDA has classified the inspection as voluntary action indicated (VAI) and concluded that the inspection is "closed" under 21 CFR 20.64(d)(3). This is with the company's facility in Hyderabad.

Vedanta: The diversified metals company's subsidiary completed the repayment of bondholders on February 7 amid debt restructuring at the company.