Final Trading Day of 2025: Smart Stock Moves Before the Clock Strikes Midnight
December 31, 2025, isn’t just New Year’s Eve—it’s your last chance to position your portfolio for a strong start in 2026. While many investors are winding down, seasoned professionals like Mehul Kothari, Deputy Vice President at Anand Rathi Shares and Stock Brokers, are spotlighting strategic buying opportunities. And his picks for the top stocks to buy today aren’t random—they’re rooted in sector tailwinds, strong fundamentals, and compelling technical setups.
With markets poised for volatility and opportunity in the new year, getting in early on high-conviction names could make all the difference. Let’s break down Kothari’s three recommended stocks, their upside potential, and why they matter in today’s macroeconomic climate.
Table of Contents
- Why December 31 Matters for Investors
- Top Stocks to Buy Today: Expert Recommendations
- Deep Dive: Texmaco Rail & Engineering
- Deep Dive: Container Corporation of India (CONCOR)
- Deep Dive: Escorts Kubota
- Risk Factors and Smart Allocation Tips
- Conclusion: A Strategic New Year’s Kickoff
- Sources
Why December 31 Matters for Investors
The last trading day of the year often sees reduced volumes and heightened sentiment—making it a prime window for contrarian or early-bird positioning. Institutional rebalancing, year-end tax planning, and anticipation of January budget cycles can all create short-term dislocations that savvy investors exploit.
As Kothari notes, “Entering well-researched positions on days like December 31 allows you to ride the momentum of sectoral narratives right from day one of the new fiscal year.” This aligns with historical trends: many multi-bagger stocks begin their rallies in Q1, especially those tied to government spending and infrastructure.
Top Stocks to Buy Today: Expert Recommendations
Based on Kothari’s analysis, here are the three top stocks to buy on December 31, 2025, along with entry zones and target prices:
| Stock | Entry Zone (₹) | Target Price (₹) | Upside Potential |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texmaco Rail & Engineering | 280–290 | 340 | ~17% |
| Container Corporation of India (CONCOR) | 740–750 | 850 | ~14% |
| Escorts Kubota | 3,400–3,450 | 3,900 | ~13% |
Deep Dive: Texmaco Rail & Engineering
Texmaco Rail & Engineering is riding the coattails of India’s massive railway modernization push. As a key supplier of wagons, bogies, and bridge girders, the company is directly benefiting from the Ministry of Railways’ ₹2.53 lakh crore capital expenditure plan for FY26.
Recent order inflows—including contracts for freight wagons and metro rail components—have bolstered its order book to record highs. With improving margins and strong cash flows, Texmaco is no longer just a cyclical play but a structural growth story. Technical indicators also show a breakout above key resistance, confirming bullish momentum.
Deep Dive: Container Corporation of India (CONCOR)
As India’s largest container logistics player, CONCOR is strategically positioned at the heart of the ‘Make in India’ and export-led growth narrative. The government’s push to double India’s share in global trade by 2030 is a massive tailwind.
CONCOR’s asset-light model, with its focus on inland container depots (ICDs) and port connectivity, ensures steady rental income and low capex intensity. The company also stands to gain from the PM GatiShakti National Master Plan, which integrates multi-modal logistics. With a dividend yield above 3%, it’s a rare blend of growth and income.
Deep Dive: Escorts Kubota
Now rebranded from Escorts Limited following Kubota Corporation’s majority stake acquisition, Escorts Kubota is transforming into India’s premier farm mechanization champion. The company dominates the tractor segment under 30 HP and is rapidly expanding into higher-horsepower models and precision farming tech.
With rural demand recovering, government subsidies for farm equipment, and a strong export pipeline to Africa and Southeast Asia, Escorts Kubota’s growth runway is long. The Kubota partnership brings global R&D, quality control, and supply chain efficiencies—making this a play on both domestic revival and global expansion.
Risk Factors and Smart Allocation Tips
While these are high-conviction picks, investors should remain mindful of risks:
- Market volatility: January can see sharp corrections post-budget speculation.
- Execution risk: Delays in government capex could impact Texmaco and CONCOR.
- Monsoon dependency: Escorts Kubota’s rural sales remain partly tied to agricultural income.
Allocation advice: Limit exposure to 5–7% per stock in a diversified equity portfolio. Use staggered entries if markets gap up on January 2.
[INTERNAL_LINK:best-infrastructure-stocks-india] could offer further diversification ideas in this theme.
Conclusion: A Strategic New Year’s Kickoff
The top stocks to buy on December 31, 2025, aren’t just about short-term gains—they’re about aligning your portfolio with India’s long-term structural themes: infrastructure, logistics, and farm mechanization. Backed by expert analysis from Anand Rathi and grounded in real-world catalysts, Texmaco Rail, CONCOR, and Escorts Kubota offer a compelling trifecta for investors looking to start 2026 on a strong note. As the countdown to the new year begins, smart money isn’t just celebrating—it’s positioning.
Sources
- Times of India: Top stock recommendations for December 31, 2025
- National Stock Exchange of India (NSE)
- Anand Rathi Research Report: “Infrastructure & Agri-Machinery Focus,” December 2025
- Ministry of Railways, Government of India: Budget 2025–26 Highlights