Banks lift Sensex 390 points, Nifty reclaims 16,700; Ultratech Cement up 5%


Benchmark indices staged a one-way rally, surging nearly a per cent on Friday, despite tepid global cues. The frontline S&P BSE Sensex zoomed 390 points to close at 56,072. The index hit an intra-day high of 56,186.

The Nifty50, on the other hand, ended at 16,719, up 114 points. It hit a high of 16,752. Ultratech Cement, Grasim, UPL, HDFC, HDFC Bank, Eicher Motors, and ICICI Bank were the top gainers, ralling over 2 per cent each. Infosys, Tata Consumer Products, NTPC, and Power Grid, on the other hand, shed over 1 per cent.

Sectorally, the Nifty Bank added 1.6 per cent, followed by the Nifty PSU Bank index (up 1.5 per cent). The Nifty IT fell 0.6 per cent.

In the broader market, the BSE MidCap index fell 0.2 per cent, but the BSE SmallCap index added 0.2 per cent.

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New Covid variant spooks markets; Sensex ends 1,688-pts lower at 57,107


Fears that a new strain could fuel outbreaks in many countries, straining health systems, potentially evading vaccines and complicating efforts to reopen economies and borders, sent a wave of risk aversion across global markets Friday.

Falling in-line with all global peers, the BSE Sensex plunged 1,688 points, or 2.9 per cent, to end today’s bloodbath at 57,107 levels. The index hit a high and low of 58,255 and 56,994, respectively.
The Nifty50, too, erased 510 points, or 2.9 per cent, to close at 17,026. During the day, the index slipped below the 17,000-mark (at 16,986), a first since August this year.

The stocks witnessed their biggest intra-day fall since April 12, 2021, and also their biggest weekly fall since January 29, 2021.

The meltdown was equally bad in the broader markets, where the BSE MidCap and SmallCap indices fell 3.2 per cent and 2.6 per cent, respectively.

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Sensex ends 117 points up, logs best weekly gain in 10 months; SBI jumps 11%


Stellar December quarter results by State Bank of India (SBI) and a status-quo in policy rates by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) kept markets afloat on Friday even as mild profit-booking amid heightened volatility trimmed gains at higher levels.

In the early deals, the benchmark S&P BSE Sensex surpassed the 51,000-mark on the BSE for the first time and hit a fresh record high of 51,073. The index, however, erased gains partially and ended 117 points, or 0.23 per cent, higher at 50,732 levels.

SBI (up 11.3 per cent) was the top gainer on the index as analysts raised their targets on the stock post better-than-expected December quarter results. Global brokerage CLSA, for instance, has set a target price of Rs 560 on the lender’s stock. READ MORE

Kotak Mahindra Bank, UltraTech Cement, Dr Reddy’s Labs, ITC, HUL, and HDFC Bank, all up between 1 per cent and 4 per cent, were the other top gainers on the index. On the downside, Axis Bank (down 3 per cent), Bharti Airtel, ICICI Bank, Maruti Suzuki, TCS, and HCL Tech were the top laggards on the index.

On the other hand, Nifty50 index surpassed the psychological 15,000-mark and hit a record high of 15,015 levels. At close, the index was at 14,924 levels, up 29 points or 0.19 per cent.

The broader markets, however, came under selling pressure. The S&P BSE MidCap and SmallCap indices ended 0.93 per cent and 0.28 per cent lower, respectively.

On the sectoral front, the Nifty Auto an the IT indices ended 1 per cent lower each, while the Nifty PSU Bank index advanced 4 per cent on the NSE.

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Sensex surges 835 points, Nifty reclaims 11K; Nifty IT up over 3% on Friday


The Indian stock market ended over 2 per cent higher on Friday due to across-the-board buying.

The S&P BSE Sensex ended 835 points, or 2.28 per cent higher at 37,389 levels with all the 30 constituents ending in the green. Bajaj Finserv (up 6.6 per cent) was the top gainer on the index, followed by HCL Tech (up over 5 per cent), and Bharti Airtel (up 5 per cent).

NSE’s Nifty, meanwhile, reclaimed the crucial 11,000 level to settle at 11,050, up 245 points, or 2.26 per cent. India VIX dropped nearly 12 per cent to 20.76 levels.

On a weekly basis, both Sensex and Nifty declined nearly 4 per cent.

All the Nifty sectoral indices ended in the green, led by Nifty IT and FMCG indexes, both up nearly 3.5 per cent, each.

In the broader market, the S&P BSE MidCap index gained around 3 per cent to 14,337 levels while the S&P BSE SmallCap index added 2.31 per cent to 14,496 levels.

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Sensex trims losses, ends 12 points down; Nifty closes at 11194


The Indian stock market ended Friday’s volatile session on a flat note with negative bias led by selling in financial, auto, and metal counters. However, Reliance Industries (RIL) and IT stocks gave much-needed support.

The S&P BSE Sensex today ended at 38,129, down 12 points or 0.03 per cent while NSE’s Nifty ended 21 points or 0.19 per cent lower at 11,194 points.

Of 30 stocks on Sensex, 23 declined and the rest 7 advanced. HCL Tech (up over 4 per cent) ended as the top gainer on the index, followed by RIL (up 4 per cent) and Tech Mahindra (up over 3 per cent). On the flip side, Axis Bank (down over 3 per cent) emerged as the biggest loser.

During the day, the index hit a high and low of 38,235.73 and 37,748.41, respectively.

On a weekly basis, Sensex rallied 3 per cent while Nifty gained 2.68 per cent.

Among individual stocks, Reliance Industries continued to soar and hit a new high of Rs 2,162.80 on the BSE. The market capitalisation of the company breached Rs 14 trillion today. The stock ended at Rs 2,146, up over 4 per cent on the BSE.

Shares of Mphasis jumped over 14 per cent to Rs 1,118.70 on the BSE after the company’s April-June quarter (Q1FY21) earnings came in-line with Street estimate. Besides, signing of new deal worth $216 million deal in July 2020, in addition to the Q1 TCV declared wins worth $259 million, boosted sentiment.

In the broader market, the S&P BSE MidCap index slipped 0.6 per cent to 13,702.55 while the S&P BSE SmallCap ended at 12,967, down 0.23 per cent.

On the sectoral front, barring Nifty IT, all the other indices ended in the red. Nifty Bank declined 422 points or 1.83 per cent to 22,662 while Nifty Metal slipped over 2 per cent to 2,087.50 levels. Nifty IT, on the other hand, gained 1.4 per cent to 17,286 levels.

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Sensex surges 548 points amid broad-based buying; Nifty ends above 10,900


The Indian stock market ended 1.5 per cent higher on Friday, led by buying in Reliance Industries (RIL), HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, and HUL.

The S&P BSE Sensex settled 548 points or 1.5 per cent higher at 37,020 levels. Of 30 constituents, 25 advanced and the rest five declined. ONGC (up 5.5 per cent) ended as the biggest gainer on the index while TCS (down around 1.5 per cent) was the biggest loser. NSE’s Nifty advanced 162 points or 1.5 per cent to end at 10,902. Meanwhile, the volatility index, India VIX, slipped 5.4 per cent to 23.99 levels.

On a weekly basis, Sensex gained 1.16 per cent while Nifty added 1.24 per cent.

Sectorally, barring Nifty IT index, all the other indices ended in the positive territory. Nifty PSU Bank index rose 1.83 per cent to 1,431.60 levels while the Nifty Bank ended 1.7 per cent higher at 21,967 points. Nifty IT, on the other hand, slipped 0.62 per cent to 16,821 levels.

In the broader market, the S&P BSE MidCap gained 1.55 per cent while the S&P BSE SmallCap rose 1.11 per cent.

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Sensex slips 536 points, Nifty ends at 9,154; financials decline


The domestic equity market ended in the red on Friday amid weak global cues. The decision of Franklin Templeton Mutual Fund (MF) yesterday to wind up six of its debt schemes also eroded sentiment.

The Association of Mutual Funds of India (AMFI) assured investors that majority of Fixed Income Mutual Funds AUM is invested in superior credit quality securities and schemes have appropriate liquidity to ensure normal operations and hence, investors should remain invested in Mutual Funds to create wealth over the long term.

The S&P BSE Sensex ended 536 points or 1.7 per cent lower at 31,327.22 levels while the NSE’s Nifty ended at 9,154.40, down 159.5 points or 1.7 per cent.

Among individual stocks, Bajaj Finance (down 9 per cent) and IndusInd Bank (down over 6.5 per cent) were the top Sensex laggards. HDFC slipped 5 per cent and HDFC Bank ended nearly 2 per cent lower. On the other hand, Reliance Industries (up over 3 per cent) was the lead gainer.

Secorally, barring Nifty Pharma, all the other indices on the NSE ended in the red. Nifty Bank slipped 3.36 per cent to 19,587 levels while Nifty PSU Bank index declined around 4 per cent to 1,263. Nifty Financial Services index declined nearly 4 per cent to 9,432 levels.

In the broader market, the S&P BSE MidCap index fell 1.77 per cent to 11,464 while the S&P BSE SmallCap index ended at 10,634, down 151.5 points or 1.4 per cent.

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Sensex ends 986 points higher on Friday; financials rally post RBI measures


The domestic stock market witnessed a sharp rally on Friday after the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Shaktikanta Das announced a slew of measures to support the economy in the wake of Coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak. The central bank slashed reverse repo rate by 25 basis points to 3.75 per cent. It also announced special refinance facility of Rs 15,000 crore to SIDBI; Rs 25,000 crore to NABARD, and Rs 10,000 cr to HFCs to support liquidity.

Reacting to it, financials stocks made solid gains, thus aiding the benchmark indices to settle over 3 per cent higher. The S&P BSE Sensex surged 986 points or 3.22 per cent to end at 31,588.72, with Axis Bank (up nearly 13.5 per cent) being the top gainer. ICICI Bank (up 10 per cent), IndusInd Bank (up 9 per cent), and Maruti (up 7 per cent) were next on the list.

On the NSE, the Nifty gained 274 points or 3.05 per cent to end at 9,266.75. Volatility index, India VIX, continued to cool-off. It slipped 7.71 per cent to 42.54 levels.

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Indices end at 6-month lows, Sensex tanks 894 points; YES Bank down 56%


Bears continued to be in the driver’s seat on Friday as markets witnessed another bout of across-the-board sell-off due to Coronavirus fears. Further, YES Bank crisis was another major factor that dragged the markets lower.

The S&P BSE Sensex tanked 894 points or 2.32 per cent to settle the day at 37,577. During the day, the index hit a low of 37,011 levels. Bajaj Auto emerged as the biggest gainer on the index while Tata Steel (down over 6.5 per cent) was the top loser.

On NSE, the broader Nifty50 index ended at 10,989, down 279.5 points or 2.48 per cent.

On a weekly basis, Sensex dropped 1.8 per cent while Nifty lost 1.89 per cent.

Among individual stocks, YES Bank cracked as much as 85 per cent during the day after RBI suspended the bank’s board and placed it under moratorium for 30 days and capped withdrawal limit to Rs 50,000 for the one-month period. The stock eventually settled at Rs 16, down 56 per cent.

State Bank of India (SBI) closed around 6.5 per cent lower at Rs 270, after it informed that its board has given in-principle approval to consider an “investment opportunity” in YES Bank. In a late night statement on Thursday, SBI, however, said no decision had yet been taken to pick up stake in the bank.

Besides, other banking stocks, too, tumbled in the trade. The Nifty Bank index ended at 27,781, down over 1,000 points or 3.6 per cent.

Volatility index India VIX rose around 12 per cent to 25.96 levels.

In the broader market, the S&P BSE MidCap index declined 343.5 points or over 2 per cent to 14,227 levels while the S&P BSE SmallCap index ended at 13,330, down 261.5 points or around 2 per cent.

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Sensex up 36 points, Nifty ends at 11,899.50; Dish TV jumps 29%


Indices were highly volatile in the afternoon deals on Friday.

The benchmark S&P BSE Sensex was trading at 40,075 level. IndusInd Bank was the top performer on the index, up 4 per cent, while YES Bank was trading over 6 per cent lower ahead of its Q2 results. On NSE, the Nifty50 was trading at 11,850-mark.

Sectorally, Nifty Auto and IT indices were trading in the red. NIfty ITl index was the top loser, down 0.35 per cent. On the upside, Nifty PSU Bank, and Realty indices were trading over 1 per cent higher.

In the broader market, both S&P BSE mid and small-cap indices were trading 0.3 per cent higher.

Bank of India, Dr Reddy’s Lab, JK Lakshmi Cement, and YES Bank are among the 33 companies scheduled to report their Q2 earnings on Friday.

Analysts expect Yes Bank to report a loss up to Rs 1,907.3 crore due to exposure to bankrupt companies like DHFL, McLeod Russel, and Cox & Kings. However, all eyes would be on the Board’s decision with regards to the receipt of a binding offer worth $1.2 billion by a global investor.

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