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CNBC-TV18 launches Market Forum on investing opportunities for 2026
MUMBAI: CNBC-TV18 is sharpening its focus on the future of investing with the launch of a new flagship property, CNBC-TV18 Market Forum: The Alpha Generators for 2026. Designed as an invitation-only, on-ground gathering, the forum will convene some of India’s most trusted voices in markets, banking and macroeconomics to explore where real returns may be forged in the year ahead. The inaugural edition will be held in Mumbai on 13 January.
Think of it as a closed-door huddle of market veterans, where the conversation moves beyond daily noise and headline trades to the deeper currents shaping India’s investment story. With global capital flows shifting, policy priorities evolving and growth patterns being redefined, the forum aims to unpack the ideas, frameworks and convictions that could matter most in 2026.
The evening opens with a keynote conversation between two market heavyweights, Manish Chokhani of Enam Holdings and Raamdeo Agrawal of Motilal Oswal Financial Services. That is followed by a focused discussion between Agrawal and Sanjay Agarwal, MD and CEO of AU Small Finance Bank, tracing the bank’s multi-bagger journey and what may lie ahead.
A CIO panel will then turn the spotlight on the road to alpha after a testing 15 to 18 months for investors. Sandeep Tandon of Quant Mutual Fund, Taher Badshah of Invesco Mutual Fund and Neelesh Surana of Mirae Asset Investment Managers will share how they are reading opportunities, especially across broader markets.
The macro picture will round off the evening, with a discussion on economic trends and Budget expectations featuring Neelkanth Mishra of Axis Bank and Axis Capital, Sajjid Chinoy of JPMorgan and Saion Mukherjee of Nomura India. Together, they promise a wide-angle view of India’s market landscape across sectors and asset classes.
Announcing the launch, CNBC-TV18 managing editor Shereen Bhan, said the forum is about spotting alpha before it turns obvious. In a volatile world, she noted, long-term wealth creation calls for clear thinking, strong frameworks and conviction-led choices.
Network18 CEO of English and business news Smriti Mehra, added that the Market Forum is built to offer depth, trust and relevance, connecting audiences with insights that can shape long-term value.
Partnered by Mirae Asset Mutual Fund and ICICI Prudential Mutual Fund, with Reliance Industries as associate partner, the CNBC-TV18 Market Forum signals the network’s intent to make this the room where India’s most meaningful market conversations begin, well ahead of the consensus.
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UDF poised to return to power in Kerala, says Manorama-CVoter survey
Massive opinion poll projects shift in Kerala politics ahead of 2026 Assembly elections.
MUMBAI: The winds of change appear to be blowing through Kerala’s political landscape and this time, they seem to favour the United Democratic Front. A comprehensive mega opinion survey conducted by Manorama News in partnership with CVoter projects a potential comeback for the UDF in the upcoming Kerala Legislative Assembly Elections 2026. The survey, covering all 140 constituencies with a massive sample size of nearly 90,000 respondents, predicts the UDF could win between 69 and 81 seats.
The ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) is expected to secure 57 to 69 seats, a significant drop from the 99 seats it won in the 2021 elections. This would mean the LDF losing 30 to 42 of its sitting seats. Meanwhile, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), which drew a blank in 2021, is projected to open its account with 1 to 5 seats.
Region-wise, the UDF is expected to make strong gains in Malabar, winning 25 to 34 out of 48 seats, and in Central Kerala, where it could bag 29 to 33 out of 53 seats. In South Kerala, the LDF is likely to retain an edge with 21 to 25 seats, while the UDF may improve to 12 to 16 seats. The NDA could pick up 1 to 3 seats in the southern region.
The survey was conducted between 14 and 26 March 2026, with additional tracker and snap polls carried out from December 2025 to March 2026. A total of 89,693 respondents participated, ensuring representation across all demographics and social segments.
Manorama News has a strong track record of accuracy, with its previous projections closely matching the actual results of the 2019 and 2024 Lok Sabha elections as well as the 2021 Kerala Assembly polls.
In Kerala’s famously fierce political battles, this survey suggests the pendulum may be swinging back. Whether the final verdict matches these numbers or throws up another surprise, one thing is clear, the 2026 Assembly elections are shaping up to be one of the most keenly watched contests in the state’s history.
