Stocks to Watch Today, Wednesday, August 19, 2026: RailTel, Exide Industries, Hindustan Zinc, Aster DM Quality Care and BPCL

Mumbai, Aug 19: Five stocks are in focus on Wednesday, from RailTel’s fresh EPFO work order to Exide Industries’ continued investment in its battery arm, Hindustan Zinc’s renewable energy progress, a large block deal buzz around Aster DM Quality Care and BPCL’s board-approved NCD fundraise. Here’s what’s driving each stock and what to track through the day. 

RailTel Corporation of India (RAILTEL): Bags Rs 166.8 crore EPFO work order 

RailTel Corporation of India has received a work order worth Rs 166.8 crore from the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO), adding a significant win to its order book. RailTel, a Miniratna central public sector enterprise under the Ministry of Railways, has increasingly diversified into large-scale IT and digital infrastructure projects for government departments and agencies, beyond its core railway telecom network. A contract of this scale from a large public body such as EPFO strengthens the company’s presence in the government IT services segment. The company has not yet detailed the scope of work or execution timeline. Investors will watch subsequent exchange filings for details on the contract duration, deliverables and its contribution to overall revenue visibility. 

Exide Industries (EXIDEIND): Invests Rs 200 crore more in Exide Energy Solutions 

Exide Industries has invested Rs 200 crore in its wholly owned subsidiary, Exide Energy Solutions (EESL), through a rights issue, taking the company’s total investment in EESL to Rs 5,102.23 crore. There is no change in Exide Industries’ shareholding percentage in EESL following the latest infusion. The fresh capital forms part of additional funding of up to Rs 1,400 crore approved by the board for setting up a greenfield, multi-gigawatt lithium-ion cell manufacturing facility in India. The project is central to Exide’s push into the electric vehicle and energy storage value chain as it looks to reduce dependence on its traditional lead-acid battery business. Investors will track further tranches of funding and progress updates on the facility’s construction timeline. 

Hindustan Zinc (HINDZINC): Renewable share in power mix rises to 22% 

Hindustan Zinc has increased the share of renewable power in its overall energy consumption to 22 percent, up from approximately 18 percent in FY26, marking continued progress in the company’s clean energy transition. The Vedanta group company is targeting nearly 70 percent of its overall power requirements from renewable sources by FY28, as it scales up clean energy adoption across its mining and smelting operations. The push toward renewables is part of a broader trend among metal and mining companies to lower carbon intensity and align with sustainability commitments amid tightening environmental regulations. Investors will watch for further disclosures on capital expenditure tied to the renewable transition and its potential impact on operating costs. 

Aster DM Quality Care (ASTERDM): Centella Mauritius eyes 7.2% stake sale via block deal 

Centella Mauritius Holdings Ltd is reportedly planning to divest a 7.2 percent stake in Aster DM Quality Care Ltd, formerly known as Aster DM Healthcare Ltd, through a block deal valued at approximately Rs 4,780 crore. Aster DM Quality Care is India’s largest integrated healthcare provider, with a network spanning hospitals, clinics and pharmacies across the country. A stake sale of this size by a large existing shareholder typically draws attention from institutional investors and can weigh on near-term stock sentiment, depending on the pricing and demand for the block. Neither the company nor Centella Mauritius has issued an official confirmation yet. Investors will watch for a formal exchange disclosure on the deal’s pricing, structure and eventual buyers. 

BPCL (BPCL): Board okays Rs 5,000 crore NCD fundraise 

Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd‘s board has approved a proposal to raise up to Rs 5,000 crore through secured or unsecured redeemable non-convertible debentures (NCDs), to be issued in one or more series or tranches. The aggregate amount of the issuance will be capped at Rs 5,000 crore. The state-owned oil marketing company routinely taps the debt market to fund its capital expenditure and working capital requirements, particularly as it continues investments across refining, marketing and new energy segments. The fundraise comes at a time when elevated global crude oil prices have kept oil marketing companies’ margins and cash flows under scrutiny. Investors will track the timing, tenure and coupon rate of the NCD issuance as further details emerge. 

Source

• Company filings
• BSE
• NSE
• PTI and business media reports