Five Picks, One Theme: Analysts See 10–30% Upside In Venus Pipes, Star Cement, And Three More Long-Term Bets For 2026

Ashik Bothra - Mumbai Bureau May 29, 2026 2,450 Views

Brokerages are flagging a fresh batch of long-term stock picks for 2026, with Venus Pipes & Tubes and Star Cement headlining a list of five names that analysts believe could deliver 10–30% returns. The selections span infrastructure, cement, banking, and industrials sectors tied closely to India's capex cycle and credit growth momentum.

Where The Money Is Flowing

With domestic consumption holding firm and government infrastructure spending showing no signs of easing, analysts are gravitating toward companies with strong order visibility and improving margins. This 2026 stock picks list reflects that broader macro bet, with each name carrying a Buy rating and specific price targets that suggest meaningful upside from current levels.

The Five Stocks On The Radar

Venus Pipes & Tubes has drawn sustained brokerage interest, with Axis Securities maintaining a Buy rating and a target price of ₹1,800, citing healthy capacity expansion and strong export demand across water infrastructure and industrial segments. Star Cement, riding the infrastructure wave in Northeast India, rounds out the cement theme with its regional dominance and low competition dynamics. JK Cement is another cement play that Emkay Global rates Buy with a target of ₹7,300 implying a 12% upside from current market price.

Banking And More

HDFC Bank has been retained on Buy by Nuvama with a target of ₹2,195, projecting 12% upside as the private lender continues to gain deposit share and expand its loan book in both retail and corporate segments. ICICI Bank also features prominently in long-term buy lists for 2026, supported by strong asset quality metrics and steady earnings growth.

Analyst View On Upsides

Key Highlights

Venus Pipes & Tubes carries a Buy rating with a target price of ₹1,800 from Axis Securities, suggesting 10% upside potential
Star Cement benefits from regional infrastructure push in Northeast India and low competitive intensity
JK Cement rated Buy by Emkay Global with a target of ₹7,300, indicating 12% return potential
HDFC Bank retained on Buy by Nuvama with a target of ₹2,195, projecting 12% upside from current levels
ICICI Bank also features in long-term stock recommendations for 2026 on strong fundamentals
Picks span cement, pipes, banking, and industrials aligned with India's capex-driven growth story and domestic demand recovery
Brokerage conviction remains high across sectors tied to government spending and private sector credit expansion