Amid heightened market volatility driven by the Iran conflict, elevated crude oil prices and persistent foreign investor selling, retail investors continued to selectively increase exposure to several domestic stocks during the March 2026 quarter. Data from Primeinfobase shows investors gravitated towards sectors such as metals, energy, industrials and capital markets, with a number of stocks also delivering strong gains during the period. Here are top 10 names.
Vedanta
Vedanta saw the highest increase in retail holding value during the March 2026 quarter, with holdings rising by Rs 2,191 crore to Rs 28,570 crore from Rs 26,379 crore in December 2025. The stock gained 8.34% during the period.
Hitachi Energy India
Hitachi Energy India witnessed a Rs 1,745 crore increase in retail holding value over the quarter. Retail holdings rose to Rs 8,907 crore from Rs 7,163 crore, while the stock price surged 32.36%.
NALCO
National Aluminium (NALCO) recorded a Rs 1,176 crore rise in retail holding value in the March quarter. Retail investors held Rs 7,698 crore worth of shares at the end of March 2026 compared with Rs 6,522 crore in the previous quarter, while the stock gained 22.84%.
Acutaas Chemicals
Acutaas Chemicals saw retail holding value increase by Rs 1,006 crore quarter-on-quarter to Rs 3,103 crore from Rs 2,096 crore. The stock price jumped 50.07% during the same period.
Tata Steel
Tata Steel witnessed a Rs 970 crore increase in retail holding value during the quarter. Retail holdings rose to Rs 38,131 crore from Rs 37,161 crore, while the stock gained 6.54%.
ONGC
Oil & Natural Gas Corp recorded a Rs 843 crore rise in retail holding value in the March 2026 quarter. Retail investors held Rs 10,090 crore worth of shares compared with Rs 9,247 crore in December 2025, while the stock price climbed 18.42%.
GE Vernova T&D India
GE Vernova T&D India saw retail holding value rise by Rs 653 crore to Rs 4,998 crore at the end of March 2026 from Rs 4,345 crore in the previous quarter. The stock advanced 16.21% during the period.
Bharat Forge
Bharat Forge witnessed a Rs 624 crore increase in retail holding value during the quarter. Retail holdings stood at Rs 5,416 crore compared with Rs 4,792 crore three months earlier, while the stock gained 13.89%.
Sterlite Technologies
Sterlite Technologies recorded a Rs 612 crore increase in retail holding value in the March quarter. Retail holdings rose to Rs 1,600 crore from Rs 988 crore, while the stock price surged 70.89%.
