Stocks in the news: ITC, Vedanta, SBI, Emami, HDFC and Natco

Nifty futures on the Singapore Exchange traded only 1.5 points, or 0.01 per cent higher at 17,334.50, signaling that Dalal Street was headed for a flat start on Wednesday. Here are a dozen stocks which may buzz the most in today's trade:

ITC: The multi-business conglomerate has not given any concrete plan for demerger and listing of businesses to unlock value at its analyst meet , but did not rule out that those are options for the company, according to analysts present at the programme.

State Bank of India: The country's largest lender said it has raised Rs 3,974 crore by issuing Basel III compliant bonds to subscribers. The bonds, bearing coupon of 7.55 per cent payable annually, aggregating to Rs 3,974 crore were accorded to bond subscribers on Tuesday.

HDFC: The country's largest mortgage lender said it has invoked 50 lakh shares pledged by Ansal Housing Ltd to recover its dues from the company.

Vedanta: Anil Agarwal led company said it is committed to the decarbonisation of its aluminium business operations in the long term. Vedanta Aluminium has set a target of achieving a 24 per cent reduction in GHG (Greenhouse Gas) emissions intensity by FY25, the company said.

GAIL India: The State-owned gas distributor plans to import India's first and the largest to date electrolyser for producing green hydrogen within a year and may look to hire another ship to ferry LNG from the US, officials said.

Axis Bank: The private lender said it will not be joining force with peers seeking an extension of timelines for meeting financial parameters on loans recast under the Kamath committee framework because of the pandemic-related stress.

Emami: The FMCG major announced introducing its German skincare brand Creme 21 to the Indian market, a brand which was acquired by the homegrown FMCG firm in January 2019.

Glenmark Pharmaceuticals: Ichnos Sciences Inc, a wholly-owned arm of the drug marker, said it has entered into an exclusive licensing pact with Almirall SA, a global biopharmaceutical company focused on skin health, for development and commercialisation of a compound intended for autoimmune disease indications.

Natco Pharma: The drug maker said its board has approved a proposal to acquire US-based Dash Pharmaceuticals LLC for a cash consideration of $18 million. The company's board has approved to acquire Dash Pharmaceuticals through one of its subsidiary units.

Aditya Birla Fashion: The Kumar Mangalam Birla-led Aditya Birla Fashion & Retail has signed a long-term licensing agreement with Authentic Brand Group of New York, which has the marketing and branding rights of Reebok, to run the operations of the global sportswear, athletic and lifestyle major in the country and ASEAN markets.

Mold-Tek Packaging: The company launched QIP issue on December 14 and approved the floor price of Rs 722.40 per equity share for the QIP.

GR Infraprojects: The company said the project "Development of Purvanchal Expressway (Package-IV) from Sidhi Ganeshpur to Sansarpur in Uttar Pradesh on EPC basis" has been provisionally completed.

Deepak Nitrite: The board of directors of the chemical players will meet on December 22 to consider raising funds.

Aptus Value Housing Finance: ICRA has upgraded the company's credit rating to 'AA-' from 'A+' while reviewing the existing ratings.

SMS Lifesciences India: The company has executed a Share Purchase Agreement and Share-Subscription Agreement with ChemWerth Inc. USA, strategic investor and their associates on December 13, for divestment up to 10% shareholding in Mahi Drugs, and raising fresh equity in Mahi Drugs, on a private placement basis.