3 Top Chennai-based Stocks to Watch for Future Multibagger Potential: Apollo Hospitals, Ashok Leyland and MRF
- October 19, 2026
- Posted by: Manan Bisht
- Category: Best Stocks
Apollo Hospitals Rs 7,890. Ashok Leyland Rs 148.91. MRF Rs 1,22,790. Market caps from Rs 51,869 crore to Rs 1.14 lakh crore. Data as of 16 Oct 2026.
Quick Answer
Apollo Hospitals, Ashok Leyland and MRF are the 3 picks in this Chennai-based stocks watchlist, with market caps between Rs 51,869 crore and Rs 1.14 lakh crore. Apollo Hospitals stands out for the strongest latest-quarter profit growth at 38.41%, while Ashok Leyland offers the highest return on equity at 24.37%. PE ratios run from 21.45 to 52.53, so compare each one with its industry PE before investing. All figures are as of 16 October 2026.
Chennai-based stocks to watch for multibagger potential start with a simple filter: size, a clean financial record and earnings that keep growing. Apollo Hospitals, Ashok Leyland and MRF meet that test, with market caps from Rs 51,869 crore to Rs 1.14 lakh crore and Apollo Hospitals offering the strongest latest-quarter profit growth at 38.41%. Chennai is home to leaders in tyres, hospitals and commercial vehicles, each with a strong brand.
This list covers listed companies headquartered in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, with complete, verifiable financials, ranked by market capitalisation. Not every name here is a largecap, so the list takes the leading companies of the sector by market capitalisation. Investors screening Chennai-based stocks usually begin with size and balance sheet strength, and this list follows the same logic. All figures are as of 16 October 2026 and are drawn from NSE and BSE data and company filings.
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What Are Chennai-based Stocks and Why Do They Attract Multibagger Interest?
Chennai-based stocks are shares of companies with their headquarters in Chennai. They include a tyre maker, a hospital chain and a commercial vehicle maker, three businesses that grow with the Indian economy.
Rising road freight, more private healthcare and growing vehicle sales support these businesses. Companies with strong brands, steady margins and good returns are the ones investors compare in Chennai-based stocks.
Chennai-based Stocks at a Glance: Price, Market Cap, PE, ROE and Price to Book
Prices are closing prices as of 16 October 2026. MRF has the lowest PE of the group at 21.45, while Ashok Leyland posts the highest return on equity at 24.37%.
| Stock | CMP (Rs) | Market Cap (Rs Cr) | PE | Industry PE | ROE | Price to Book | 52-Week Range (Rs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apollo Hospitals Enterprise | 7,890 | 1,14,101 | 52.53 | 60.75 | 20.48% | 12.04 | 6,696.50 to 9,070.50 |
| Ashok Leyland | 148.91 | 86,933 | 23.31 | 23.62 | 24.37% | 6.10 | 134.21 to 215.42 |
| MRF | 1,22,790 | 51,869 | 21.45 | 19.24 | 11.57% | 2.47 | 1,21,310.00 to 1,63,600.00 |
Apollo Hospitals: Return on Equity of 20.48%
Apollo Hospitals Enterprise runs one of India’s largest hospital networks and also operates pharmacies and a digital health platform. It reported FY26 revenue of Rs 25,420.10 crore, up 15.58% year on year, and net profit of Rs 2,002.70 crore, up 33.06%. Net profit has compounded at 16.13% a year since FY22, while revenue has grown 14.59% a year. Operating margin was 15.80% in FY26.
In the June 2026 quarter, revenue rose 20.57% to Rs 7,092.30 crore and net profit grew 38.41% to Rs 610.40 crore. The share price has gained 83.08% over five years. Domestic institutions raised their holding from 21.12% in September 2025 to 22.07% in September 2026. The stock trades at a PE of 52.53 against an industry PE of 60.75, below the sector average, with a return on equity of 20.48%.
Ashok Leyland: Return on Equity of 24.37%
Ashok Leyland makes trucks, buses and defence vehicles and is among the largest commercial vehicle makers in India. It reported FY26 revenue of Rs 56,946.90 crore, up 16.47% year on year, and net profit of Rs 3,720.98 crore, up 10.00%. Revenue has compounded at 21.28% a year since FY22. Operating margin was 19.17% in FY26.
The stock trades at a PE of 23.31 against an industry PE of 23.62, below the sector average, with a return on equity of 24.37%. The dividend yield is 2.36%. In the June 2026 quarter, revenue rose 12.29% to Rs 13,258.24 crore and net profit grew 1.53% to Rs 667.77 crore. The share price has gained 106.37% over five years. Domestic institutions raised their holding from 13.61% in July 2025 to 15.76% in June 2026.
MRF: 37.98% Profit CAGR Since FY22
MRF makes tyres for cars, trucks, two-wheelers and farm vehicles and sells them under the MRF brand. It reported FY26 revenue of Rs 31,653.64 crore, up 10.79% year on year, and net profit of Rs 2,426.10 crore, up 29.51%. Net profit has compounded at 37.98% a year since FY22, while revenue has grown 12.68% a year. Operating margin was 17.18% in FY26. The debt-to-equity ratio is 0.15, which keeps interest costs low.
Revenue for the June 2026 quarter rose 10.33% to Rs 8,610.56 crore, at an operating margin of 14.09%. Domestic institutions raised their holding from 11.67% in June 2025 to 12.10% in June 2026. The stock trades at a PE of 21.45 against an industry PE of 19.24.
Chennai-based Stocks: Financial Comparison on Growth and Margins
The table compares scale and growth across these Chennai-based stocks. Latest quarter means the most recent reported quarter for each company, and only metrics that are positive for every company are shown.
| Stock | Revenue (Rs Cr) | Net Profit (Rs Cr) | Revenue Growth (YoY) | 4-Year Revenue CAGR | Latest Quarter Revenue Growth | Operating Margin (Latest Quarter) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apollo Hospitals | 25,420.10 | 2,002.70 | 15.58% | 14.59% | 20.57% | 16.39% |
| Ashok Leyland | 56,946.90 | 3,720.98 | 16.47% | 21.28% | 12.29% | 20.01% |
| MRF | 31,653.64 | 2,426.10 | 10.79% | 12.68% | 10.33% | 14.09% |
Check the Univest Screener for live data on these Chennai-based stocks
Institutional Holding in Apollo Hospitals, Ashok Leyland and MRF
Institutional holding shows who is backing these Chennai-based stocks alongside the promoter. The table uses the latest reported quarter for each. Apollo Hospitals has the deepest institutional backing, with FII and DII together holding 65.25% as of September 2026. Domestic institutions increased their holding over the past year in Apollo Hospitals (from 21.12% to 22.07%), Ashok Leyland (from 13.61% to 15.76%) and MRF (from 11.67% to 12.10%).
| Stock | Promoter | FII | DII | Public | Quarter |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apollo Hospitals | 28.02% | 43.18% | 22.07% | 6.72% | September 2026 |
| Ashok Leyland | 51.51% | 20.68% | 15.76% | 12.05% | June 2026 |
| MRF | 27.77% | 17.42% | 12.10% | 42.71% | June 2026 |
Risks to Weigh in Chennai-based Stocks
Being careful with Chennai-based stocks means looking at what can slow the story as well as what can speed it up. Four points matter most:
- Vehicle-linked earnings follow the auto cycle.
- Rubber and input costs can influence margins.
- Valuation: MRF trades at a PE of 21.45 against an industry PE of 19.24, so earnings need to keep growing to support the price.
- Concentration: Holding all 3 names puts the allocation in one sector, so size each position to match your risk appetite.
How to Choose Between Chennai-based Stocks
Picking from Chennai-based stocks comes down to four checks, applied in order.
- Check balance sheet strength first, and prefer a debt-to-equity ratio below 1 for non-financial companies.
- Compare each PE with the industry PE (19.24 to 60.75) and ask whether the growth rate justifies any gap.
- Track revenue growth, the operating margin and the return on equity in every quarterly result.
- Stagger entries across quarters and review institutional holding every reporting season.
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Conclusion
Among Chennai-based stocks, Apollo Hospitals stands out for the strongest latest-quarter profit growth at 38.41%, Ashok Leyland for the highest return on equity at 24.37% and MRF for the fastest profit growth, 37.98% a year since FY22. Which one suits a portfolio depends on how much valuation risk it can carry, so staggering entries and reviewing each quarterly result is a sound habit. Investors comparing Chennai-based stocks should rank them on growth, financial strength and the price paid, and anyone who wants personalised guidance can consult a SEBI-registered advisor before acting.
Disclaimer: Data and figures in this article are sourced from publicly available information. These may or may not be accurate. Please verify all data with the official NSE (nseindia.com) and BSE (bseindia.com) websites before making any investment decision. Investments in securities are subject to market risk. This content is for educational purposes only and is not investment advice by Univest (SEBI RA INH000013776).
Frequently Asked Questions on Chennai-based Stocks to Watch
Which are the best Chennai-based stocks to watch for multibagger potential?
Ans. Apollo Hospitals, Ashok Leyland and MRF are the 3 names this list highlights, with market caps of Rs 1,14,101 crore, Rs 86,933 crore and Rs 51,869 crore respectively. Apollo Hospitals is notable for the strongest latest-quarter profit growth at 38.41%. Ashok Leyland stands out for the highest return on equity at 24.37%. MRF offers the fastest profit growth, 37.98% a year since FY22. These are watchlist names for Chennai-based stocks, not recommendations, so match each one to your own risk profile and time horizon.
Is Ashok Leyland a good stock for long-term investors?
Ans. Ashok Leyland has a return on equity of 24.37%, a PE of 23.31 against an industry PE of 23.62 and a market cap of Rs 86,933 crore. FY26 revenue rose 16.47%, and June 2026 quarter net profit grew 1.53%. Long-term returns in Chennai-based stocks depend on earnings growth and the price paid at entry, so staggering purchases and consulting a SEBI-registered advisor is sensible.
Can MRF become a multibagger from here?
Ans. MRF has a market cap of Rs 51,869 crore. A multibagger outcome in Chennai-based stocks requires earnings to keep growing faster than the market for several years. Net profit has compounded at 37.98% a year since FY22, and FY26 revenue rose 10.79%. At a PE of 21.45 against an industry PE of 19.24, valuation should be checked against that growth before investing.
What is the market cap of Apollo Hospitals, Ashok Leyland and MRF?
Ans. As of 16 October 2026, Apollo Hospitals has a market cap of Rs 1,14,101 crore, Ashok Leyland has a market cap of Rs 86,933 crore and MRF has a market cap of Rs 51,869 crore. Apollo Hospitals is the largest of the group. Market cap changes daily with the share price, so check the latest figure on the Univest Screener or on NSE before taking a decision on Chennai-based stocks.
What are the risks of investing in Chennai-based stocks?
Ans. The main risks are changes in vehicle demand, raw material costs and capacity additions in healthcare. Companies with strong brands and varied revenue handle these better. MRF trades at a PE of 21.45 against an industry PE of 19.24, so earnings growth needs to hold up.
Is MRF trading below its industry PE?
Ans. MRF trades at a PE of 21.45 against an industry PE of 19.24. A lower PE means investors pay less for each rupee of earnings, but it should be read with growth (net profit has compounded at 37.98% a year since FY22 and FY26 revenue rose 10.79%) and balance sheet strength before drawing a conclusion.
How much do institutions hold in Apollo Hospitals, Ashok Leyland and MRF?
Ans. As of the latest reported quarter, FII and DII together hold 65.25% of Apollo Hospitals (43.18% and 22.07%), 36.44% of Ashok Leyland (20.68% and 15.76%) and 29.52% of MRF (17.42% and 12.10%). Rising institutional holding is a useful signal in Chennai-based stocks, though it should be read with earnings trends rather than on its own.
