3 Largecap Century-old Company Stocks to Watch for Future Multibagger Potential: ITC, Tata Steel and Britannia
- October 19, 2026
- Posted by: Manan Bisht
- Category: Best Stocks
ITC Rs 263.50. Tata Steel Rs 175.50. Britannia Rs 4,764. Market caps from Rs 1.18 lakh crore to Rs 3.27 lakh crore. Data as of 16 Oct 2026.
Quick Answer
ITC, Tata Steel and Britannia are the 3 picks in this century-old company stocks watchlist, with market caps between Rs 1.18 lakh crore and Rs 3.27 lakh crore. ITC stands out for the lowest PE of the group at 16.22, while Tata Steel offers the strongest latest-quarter profit growth at 18.82%. PE ratios run from 16.22 to 45.31, so compare each one with its industry PE before investing. All figures are as of 16 October 2026.
Century-old company stocks to watch for multibagger potential start with a simple filter: size, a clean financial record and earnings that keep growing. ITC, Tata Steel and Britannia meet that test, with market caps from Rs 1.18 lakh crore to Rs 3.27 lakh crore and ITC offering the lowest PE of the group at 16.22. ITC was founded in 1910, Tata Steel in 1907 and Britannia in 1892, and each has stayed a market leader for more than a century.
This list covers listed companies founded more than 100 years ago, with complete, verifiable financials, ranked by market capitalisation. Each company has a market cap above Rs 1 lakh crore. Investors screening century-old company 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 Century-old Company Stocks and Why Do They Attract Multibagger Interest?
Century-old company stocks are shares of companies that have operated for over a century. Surviving that long through wars, reforms and market cycles shows strong brands, sound management and the ability to adapt.
Businesses with a long record tend to hold deep customer trust and wide distribution. Companies that keep growing profit and pay regular dividends are the ones investors compare in century-old company stocks.
Century-old Company Stocks at a Glance: Price, Market Cap, PE and ROE
Prices are closing prices as of 16 October 2026. ITC has the lowest PE of the group at 16.22, while Britannia posts the highest return on equity at 49.61%.
| Stock | CMP (Rs) | Market Cap (Rs Cr) | PE | Industry PE | ROE | Debt to Equity | 52-Week Range (Rs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ITC | 263.50 | 3,27,360 | 16.22 | 34.68 | 28.53% | 0.03 | 253.15 to 426.40 |
| Tata Steel | 175.50 | 2,20,272 | 19.56 | 22.42 | 10.56% | 0.90 | 160.06 to 224.40 |
| Britannia Industries | 4,764 | 1,18,269 | 45.31 | 34.68 | 49.61% | 0.27 | 4,734.10 to 6,271.00 |
ITC: Return on Equity of 28.53%
ITC combines cigarettes with FMCG, paperboards, packaging and agri-business. It reported FY26 revenue of Rs 81,294.27 crore, up 4.41% year on year, and net profit of Rs 21,018.15 crore, up 4.90%. Net profit has compounded at 7.91% a year since FY22, while revenue has grown 6.79% a year. Operating margin was 33.18% in FY26. The debt-to-equity ratio is 0.03, which keeps interest costs low.
Revenue for the June 2026 quarter rose 26.74% to Rs 30,179.01 crore, at an operating margin of 21.52%. Domestic institutions raised their holding from 47.41% in September 2025 to 49.82% in September 2026. The stock trades at a PE of 16.22 against an industry PE of 34.68, below the sector average, with a return on equity of 28.53%. The dividend yield is 5.55%.
Tata Steel: Market Cap of Rs 2,20,272 Crore
Tata Steel is one of the world’s major steel makers, with operations in India, the UK and the Netherlands. It reported FY26 revenue of Rs 2,33,541.72 crore, up 6.12% year on year, and net profit of Rs 10,885.82 crore, up 242.99%. Operating margin was 15.12% in FY26.
The stock trades at a PE of 19.56 against an industry PE of 22.42, below the sector average. The dividend yield is 2.27%. In the June 2026 quarter, revenue rose 14.14% to Rs 61,026.97 crore and net profit grew 18.82% to Rs 2,385.24 crore. Domestic institutions raised their holding from 26.25% in June 2025 to 26.62% in June 2026.
Britannia: Return on Equity of 49.61%
Britannia Industries is one of the largest biscuit and bakery companies in India, with brands such as Good Day and Marie Gold. It reported FY26 revenue of Rs 19,375.62 crore, up 6.64% year on year, and net profit of Rs 2,537.01 crore, up 16.49%. Net profit has compounded at 13.74% a year since FY22, while revenue has grown 7.78% a year. Operating margin was 19.52% in FY26. The debt-to-equity ratio is 0.27.
In the June 2026 quarter, revenue rose 8.17% to Rs 5,061.38 crore and net profit grew 14.08% to Rs 593.38 crore. Domestic institutions raised their holding from 18.66% in June 2025 to 20.93% in June 2026. The stock trades at a PE of 45.31 against an industry PE of 34.68, with a return on equity of 49.61%. The dividend yield is 1.84%.
Century-old Company Stocks: Financial Comparison on Growth and Margins
The table compares scale and growth across these century-old company 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) | Latest Quarter Revenue Growth | Net Profit Growth (YoY) | Operating Margin (Latest Quarter) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ITC | 81,294.27 | 21,018.15 | 4.41% | 26.74% | 4.90% | 21.52% |
| Tata Steel | 2,33,541.72 | 10,885.82 | 6.12% | 14.14% | 242.99% | 15.31% |
| Britannia | 19,375.62 | 2,537.01 | 6.64% | 8.17% | 16.49% | 18.12% |
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Institutional Holding in ITC, Tata Steel and Britannia
Institutional holding shows who is backing these century-old company stocks alongside the promoter. The table uses the latest reported quarter for each. ITC has the deepest institutional backing, with FII and DII together holding 83.04% as of September 2026. Domestic institutions increased their holding over the past year in ITC (from 47.41% to 49.82%), Tata Steel (from 26.25% to 26.62%) and Britannia (from 18.66% to 20.93%).
| Stock | Promoter | FII | DII | Public | Quarter |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ITC | Nil | 33.22% | 49.82% | 16.96% | September 2026 |
| Tata Steel | 32.95% | 19.37% | 26.62% | 21.06% | June 2026 |
| Britannia | 50.55% | 13.40% | 20.93% | 15.13% | June 2026 |
Risks to Weigh in Century-old Company Stocks
Being careful with century-old company stocks means looking at what can slow the story as well as what can speed it up. Four points matter most:
- A long history does not guarantee future growth.
- Compare valuation with growth before investing.
- Valuation: Britannia trades at a PE of 45.31 against an industry PE of 34.68, 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 Century-old Company Stocks
Picking from century-old company 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 (22.42 to 34.68) and ask whether the growth rate justifies any gap.
- Track revenue growth, the operating margin and the dividend payout in every quarterly result.
- Stagger entries across quarters and review institutional holding every reporting season.
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Conclusion
Among century-old company stocks, ITC stands out for the lowest PE of the group at 16.22, Tata Steel for the strongest latest-quarter profit growth at 18.82% and Britannia for the highest return on equity at 49.61%. 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 century-old company 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 Century-old Company Stocks to Watch
Which are the best century-old company stocks to watch for multibagger potential?
Ans. ITC, Tata Steel and Britannia are the 3 names this list highlights, with market caps of Rs 3,27,360 crore, Rs 2,20,272 crore and Rs 1,18,269 crore respectively. ITC is notable for the lowest PE of the group at 16.22. Tata Steel stands out for the strongest latest-quarter profit growth at 18.82%. Britannia offers the highest return on equity at 49.61%. These are watchlist names for century-old company stocks, not recommendations, so match each one to your own risk profile and time horizon.
Is Britannia a good stock for long-term investors?
Ans. Britannia has a return on equity of 49.61%, a PE of 45.31 against an industry PE of 34.68 and a market cap of Rs 1,18,269 crore. Net profit has compounded at 13.74% a year since FY22, and FY26 revenue rose 6.64% while June 2026 quarter net profit grew 14.08%. Long-term returns in century-old company stocks depend on earnings growth and the price paid at entry, so staggering purchases and consulting a SEBI-registered advisor is sensible.
Can ITC become a multibagger from here?
Ans. ITC has a market cap of Rs 3,27,360 crore. A multibagger outcome in century-old company stocks requires earnings to keep growing faster than the market for several years. Net profit has compounded at 7.91% a year since FY22, and FY26 revenue rose 4.41%. At a PE of 16.22 against an industry PE of 34.68, valuation should be checked against that growth before investing.
What is the market cap of ITC, Tata Steel and Britannia?
Ans. As of 16 October 2026, ITC has a market cap of Rs 3,27,360 crore, Tata Steel has a market cap of Rs 2,20,272 crore and Britannia has a market cap of Rs 1,18,269 crore. All of them qualify as largecaps. 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 century-old company stocks.
What are the risks of investing in century-old company stocks?
Ans. The main risks are cyclical earnings, rising input costs and new competition. Companies with strong brands and steady cash flows handle these better. Britannia trades at a PE of 45.31 against an industry PE of 34.68, so earnings growth needs to hold up.
Why is Britannia trading at a PE of 45.31?
Ans. Britannia’s PE of 45.31 compares with an industry PE of 34.68. The market is paying a premium for a return on equity of 49.61%, profit growth of 13.74% a year since FY22 and latest-quarter profit growth of 14.08%, which also means the stock is more sensitive if growth slows. Investors in century-old company stocks who are comfortable with higher valuation risk may prefer to stagger purchases instead of investing in one go.
How much do institutions hold in ITC, Tata Steel and Britannia?
Ans. As of the latest reported quarter, FII and DII together hold 83.04% of ITC (33.22% and 49.82%), 45.99% of Tata Steel (19.37% and 26.62%) and 34.33% of Britannia (13.40% and 20.93%). Rising institutional holding is a useful signal in century-old company stocks, though it should be read with earnings trends rather than on its own.
