Stocks in the news: HDFC Bank, DRL, Ceat, Coal India and NFL

Nifty futures on the Singapore Exchange traded 49.5 points, or 0.28 per cent higher at 17,428.50, signaling that Dalal Street was headed for a positive start on Wednesday. Here are a dozen stocks which may buzz the most in today's trade:

HDFC Bank: The private lender said it has signed a pact with the National Small Industries Corporation (NSIC) for providing credit support to the micro, small and medium enterprise (MSME) sector.

Dr Reddy's Laboratories: The pharma major said it initiated supply of the first dose component of Russian COVID-19 vaccine Sputnik V to partner hospitals all over the country. Earlier, it suspended the supply of the first dose of Sputnik V following supply constraints from Russian Direct Investment Fund.

Coal India: The state-owned miner's arm Mahanadi Coalfields Ltd (MCL) despatched a total of 85 rakes of coal to power plants on Monday, as against a target of 84 rakes, according to a statement. The development assumes significance in the wake of the power plants across the country grappling with coal shortages.

HDFC Life Insurance Company: The private life insurer will seek shareholders' approval later this month for the issuance of preference shares to Exide Industries in the Rs 6,687-crore deal to acquire Exide Life.

Ceat: The tyre maker said it has initiated an exercise to revamp its retail sales network to enhance customer experience. The company said it would be revamping Ceat Shoppes nationwide, which will start with 10 new design stores in metro cities and key markets in the coming months.

National Fertilizers: The state-owned fertilizer firm said Nirlep Singh Rai has been appointed as Chairman and Managing Director of the company. In a regulatory filing, NFL informed that Nirlep Singh Rai, Director (Technical), has been appointed as Chairman & Managing Director on the Board of the company.

PSP Projects: The company is in receipt of Letter of Intent(s) for projects worth Rs 132.57 crore towards industrial and precast segment from different clients in Gujarat.

ICRA: Life Insurance Corporation of India sold more than 2.07 lakh equity shares in the company via open market transaction, reducing shareholding to 5.81 per cent from 7.96 per cent earlier.

EID Parry India: The company has approved the setting up of a 120 KLPD grain/sugar syrup/molasses based Distillery at Sankili unit in Andhra Pradesh.

AC companies: Electronic biggies, including Voltas, Blue Star, Dixon Tech, Amber Enterprises and Hindalco, are set to apply for the government’s production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme for air-conditioner components, bringing immediate investments of more than Rs 3,000 crore, multiple industry executives said.