Despite strong Q3 hopes, upsides for Asian Paints' stock could be capped

Pandemic related restrictions, rural slowdown and input costs are key concerns

From its lows earlier this month, the stock of the market leader in decorative paints, Asian Paints, is up nearly 11 per cent. Recent price hikes, expectations of a strong October-December (third quarter, or Q3) quarter results, and sustained market share gains were the factors that drove the gains for the stock.

While the current levels of hikes by Asian Paints should be enough to neutralise commodity costs, the Street will keenly watch the input cost trajectory, given the recent surge in crude oil prices.

The near-term trigger for the stock would be the Q3 results. Vishal Gutka and Binay Shukla of