Benchmark indices tumbled on Friday as the long-term capital gains tax on equities investments dampened sentiment, while bonds slid for a second consecutive session on worries the central bank would become more hawkish on inflation.
The weak sentiment came a day after the government unveiled its budget for the year starting in April that raised spending for rural sectors and healthcare, widening the fiscal deficit target to 3.3% of gross domestic product from the previous 3.0%. The government also unveiled a 10 percent tax on long-term capital gains in equity markets.
Investors worried that higher spending and the government’s move to raise minimum support prices for crops could lead to higher retail prices at a time when consumer price inflation has already hit a 17-month high of 5.21%, well above the Reserve Bank of India’s target of 4%.
BHEL, Bajaj Auto, Bajaj Finance and Tata Power lost the most on both indices, while TCS, Wipro, Tech Mahindra, and HCL Tech were the top gainers.
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Benchmark indices fell on Thursday, snapping a six-day record-setting rally, as profit-taking hit IT stocks while large state-run lenders slid as they stood to receive less money than expected from a government recapitalisation plan.
The S&P BSE Sensex ended at 36,050, up 111 points while the broader Nifty50 index settled at 11,069, up 16 points.
The government’s Rs 881.39 billion capital infusion in struggling public sector banks should help in part to mitigate risks but resolution of bad assets and continued high credit costs hinder the sector’s near-term performance, Fitch Ratings said on Thursday. While the capital infusion plan was less than half of its estimate of $65 billion needed for the sector, Fitch said yesterday’s announcement will encourage banks to resolve their non-performing loan (NPL) stock faster as improved capital buffers bolster their ability to absorb potential large haircuts.
Jindal Saw dipped 8% to Rs 154, extending Wednesday’s 4% decline on BSE after the company reported 19% growth in net profit at Rs 963 million for the quarter ended December 2017 (Q3FY18). It had a profit of Rs 807 million in the same quarter last fiscal. Total income increased 49% to Rs 21,807 million from Rs 14,666 million in the corresponding quarter of previous year.
Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories Ltd posted a 38.5 percent slump in quarterly net profit as sales declined due to pricing pressure in the United States, its biggest market. Net profit was Rs 3.03 billion ($47.7 million) in the third quarter ended December 31, compared with Rs 4.92 billion a year earlier, the company said.
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When trading, one cannot overstate the importance of gaps.
Gaps refer to areas on a chart where the price of a currency or stock moves sharply up or down with little or no trading in between. As this area represents an abnormality in the normal price pattern of the stock / instrument, it gets referred to as a gap.
So of what use can a gap be to an investor? Because the tiny area represents a fluctuation in the pricing, a trader can potentially exploit the gap and make a profit.
Gaps occur as a result of underlying fundamental / technical factors that vary for each stock or instrument and require monitoring and knowledge by the investor.
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Benchmark indices ended at fresh closing highs for a third straight session on Friday, led by financial stocks amid improved investor sentiment after the government decided to cut tax rates on certain products and services.
The S&P BSE Sensex ended at 35,511, up 251 points while the broader Nifty50 index settled at 10,894, up 77 points.
ICICI Prudential Life said profit in Q3 grew by 0.5 percent to Rs 452.1 crore against Rs 450 crore reported in year-ago. Net premium income jumped 19.3 percent to Rs 6,795 crore from Rs 5,697 crore YoY.
PC Jeweller today reported 52 percent increase in its net profit at Rs 162.71 crore for the quarter ended December on higher sales and profit margins. The company, which has 84 retail jewelry stores across the country, had posted a net profit of Rs 106.97 crore in the year-ago period, the company said in a regulatory filing.
Private sector lender IDFC Bank said its profit for the quarter ended December 2017 declined 23.6 percent to Rs 146.1 crore, compared to Rs 191.3 crore in year-ago. Profitability was hit by lower net interest income, other income and operating income; but was largely supported lower provisions. Net interest income, the difference between interest earned and interest expended, fell 5 percent to Rs 495 crore compared to Rs 521 crore in year-ago. Asset quality worsened during the quarter. Gross non-performing assets (NPAs) as a percentage of gross advances were sharply higher at 5.62 percent against 3.92 percent in previous quarter and net NPA was also higher at 3.52 percent in Q3 against 1.61 percent in Q2FY18.
Kirloskar Oil Engines shares gained 3 percent after profit in Q3 increased 40.5 percent to Rs 39.5 crore from Rs 28.1 crore YoY. Revenue from operations rose 6.8 percent to Rs 684.6 crore while operating profit grew by 10.7 percent to Rs 64.1 crore and margin expanded 40 basis points to 9.4 percent.
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Benchmark indices ended at fresh record closing high today, backed by ICICI Bank, Reliance Industries and HDFC.
The 30-share BSE Sensex was up 88.90 points at 34,592.39 and the 50-share NSE Nifty gained 30.10 points at 10,681.30, but Midcap index underperformed.
Investors, however, remained wary as four senior sitting judges of the complaint that Supreme Court as administration of the country’s top court was not in order.
KEI Industries shares rallied 10 percent as Motilal Oswal has initiated coverage with Buy rating on the stock and target price at Rs 537, implying potential upside of 44 percent as the company is expected to be major beneficiary of key government initiatives.
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Benchmark indices ended at new closing high on Friday, tracking global equity markets on the back of robust economic data.
The S&P BSE Sensex ended at new closing high at 34,153, up 184 points while the broader Nifty50 index settled above 10,550 for the first time ever. It ended at 10,558, up 54 points.
Shares of telecommunication companies were in focus with the S&P BSE Telecom index rallying more than 3% on BSE, trading close to its record high.
Idea Cellular, Bharti Airtel, Reliance Communications (RCom), Tejas Networks, GTL, GTL Infrastructure, Aksh Optifibre and Sterlite Technologies from the telecom index have surged up to 12% on BSE in intra-day trade.
Subros hit an all-time high of Rs 347, up 11% on BSE in intra-day deal, after the company announced that it has started supply of blower for trucks to its customers include Tata Motors and Ashok Leyland.
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Equity benchmarks ended the last day of the year on a strong note as the Sensex was up 208.80 points at 34,056.83 and the Nifty rallied 52.80 points to 10,530.70. For the year, both the indices added nearly 28%.
About 1,566 shares advanced against 1,204 declining shares on the BSE.
Shares of Infibeam Incorporation turned volatile trading 12% lower at Rs 144.80 on Friday at 02:12 PM; on back of heavy volumes. The stock of internet software & services recovered 47% from its early morning low of Rs 98.80 on the BSE. It was closed at Rs 165 on Thursday.
Shares of Jaiprakash Associates (JP) Group stocks Jaiprakash Associates, Jaiprakash Power Ventures and Jaypee Infratech rallied by upto 20% in intra-day trade on the BSE, extending their gains for the past three days on back of positive media reports.
Jaiprakash Power Ventures has surged 20% to Rs 9.52, also its 52-week high on the BSE in intra-day trade today on back of heavy volumes. The stock rallied 37% in past four trading sessions after the media report suggested that lenders scout for new owner for JP Group arm Prayagraj Power.
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