Ventura Research Analyst Recommends Long-Term Investment in 8 Stocks for Potential Returns

Stocks to Buy for Long-Term Growth Amid Market Uncertainty

The Indian stock market has been rangebound for several sessions as investors remain cautious due to persistent uncertainty over a potential US-Iran peace deal, crude oil price volatility, and foreign capital outflow. Despite this, experts believe that a final peace deal between the US and Iran may trigger a fresh wave of strong buying in the market.

However, they caution that the rally may not sustain for the long term as apprehensions are growing about the impact of elevated crude oil prices on the Indian economy and corporate earnings. Oil prices have been up since the US-Iran war started on 28 February.

Most experts believe that this is a stock picker's market. While the benchmark index may not see a runaway rally this year, many quality stocks can potentially deliver strong returns. Vinit Bolinjkar, the head of research at Ventura, recommends eight such stocks based on six structural themes that he believes will define India's investment landscape over the next five to ten years.

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India's Structural Growth Story

India's structural growth story - anchored in a multi-decade infrastructure buildout, the energy transition, rising consumption, and deepening financial markets - offers investors a compelling multi-year compounding opportunity. The following eight stocks are selected on the basis of business quality, earnings visibility, competitive moat, and alignment with India's long-term structural themes.

Stock Picks for the Long Term

1. Hindustan Construction Company (HCC): With a previous close of ₹23.21 and a target price of ₹50, HCC offers an upside potential of 115%. Bolinjkar pointed out that HCC is a high-conviction turnaround story that combines a deeply specialised, irreplaceable engineering capability with a balance sheet that has undergone a genuine and measurable transformation.

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2. IRB Infrastructure Developers: With a previous close of ₹21.69 and a target price of ₹46.4, IRB Infrastructure offers an upside potential of 114%. IRB Infrastructure is India's largest integrated roads and highways developer and the dominant player in the toll-operated transfer segment.

3. HDFC Bank: With a previous close of ₹758.65 and a target price of ₹1,446, HDFC Bank offers an upside potential of 91%. Bolinjkar pointed out that HDFC Bank is India's most formidable private sector banking franchise and the most direct, high-conviction play on the long-term financialisation of the Indian economy.

4. Welspun Corp: With a previous close of ₹1,372.90 and a target price of ₹2,057, Welspun Corp offers an upside potential of 50%. Bolinjkar pointed out that Welspun Corp is one of the world's largest manufacturers of large-diameter pipes and represents a rare Indian industrial company with a genuinely global competitive position.

5. United Spirits: With a previous close of ₹1,302.50 and a target price of ₹1,804, United Spirits offers an upside potential of 39%. According to Bolinjkar, United Spirits is the most direct and highest-quality way to own India's structural premiumisation wave in alcoholic beverages.

6. Hero MotoCorp: With a previous close of ₹5,075 and a target price of ₹6,915, Hero MotoCorp offers an upside potential of 36%. Bolinjkar highlighted that Hero MotoCorp is the world's largest two-wheeler manufacturer and holds an entrenched, near-unassailable position in India's commuter motorcycle segment.

7. BSE: With a previous close of ₹4,248.40 and a target price of ₹5,282, BSE offers an upside potential of 24%. Bolinjkar underscored that BSE has undergone one of the most remarkable structural transformations in Indian financial markets in recent memory.

8. Larsen & Toubro: With a previous close of ₹4,047.50 and a target price of ₹4,775, Larsen & Toubro offers an upside potential of 18%. Bolinjkar underscored that from roads, metros, airports, and smart cities to defence platforms, nuclear facilities, data centres, and green hydrogen infrastructure - L&T's order book is a mirror of the nation's infrastructure ambitions.