Bargain hunting in the index heavy weights fueled a sharp surge in the domestic indices. Rapid pace of recapitalization process has kept the PSU bank stocks buoyant meanwhile the steadiness in oil prices on hopes of an extended output deal buoyed the global markets. Close to the end of the domestic earnings season, investors will now turn their focus on the US tax reform bill and other major global cues.
3:46 PM
Sectoral trend: Nifty IT top gainer
Source: NSE
3:43 PM
Sensex heatmap at close
Source: BSE
3:40 PM
Markets at close
The S&P BSE Sensex ended at 33,106, up 346 points, while the broader Nifty50 close at 10,214, up 96 points.
3:25 PM
HDFC Standard Life to make stock market debut tomorrow
HDFC Standard Life Insurance Company, which has recently concluded its Rs 8,695-crore initial public offering, will make a debut on stock exchanges tomorrow.
The shares will be listed on the BSE and the NSE, the company said. READ FULL REPORT
3:23 PM
Liquor shares rally
Shares of liquor companies were in focus and rallied up to 18% on the BSE in intra-day trade on the back of heavy volumes.
Radico Khaitan, Globus Spirits, GM Breweries and Som Distilleries were up more than 5%, while Empee Distilleries, Tilaknagar Industries, Pioneer Distilleries, United Spirits and United Breweries were up in the range of 2% to 5%. READ MORE
Grasim Industries’ (Grasim) standalone EBITDA of Rs 7.85bn (not comparable on YoY/QoQ basis due to merger with AB Nuvo) stood marginally ahead of INR7.67bn estimate. VSF margin expanded 310bps QoQ following restart of domestic pulp unit even as realisations dipped 3% QoQ. Comparable VSF volume rose 5% YoY, implying >100% capacity utilisation. Chemical margins expanded by 190bps QoQ on improved realisation for chlorine even as blended realisations dipped ~8% QoQ. Margin outlook for both these leading segments remain stable and planned capacity addition offers steady volume growth visibility. With outlook for key subsidiaries – UltraTech Cement (UTCL) and Aditya Birla Capital (ABCL), remaining robust, we maintain our positive stance on Grasim. Maintain ‘BUY’ with TP of Rs 1,297.
2:33 PM
Infosys hits over two-month high
The stock of IT consulting & software Company is trading at its highest level since August 21, 2017, up 14% from its 52-week low of Rs 862, touched on August 22, in intra-day trade. Thus far in the month of November, Infosys outperformed the market by gaining 6.5% against 0.54% decline in the S&P BSE Sensex. READ MORE
2:05 PM
Top five gainers on Nifty
Source: NSE
2:01 PM
How India Inc numbers on WhatsApp chats compared with actual results
Reuters has documented at least 12 cases of prescient messages about major Indian companies being posted in private WhatsApp groups.
Below are examples of the numbers being circulated with an explanation of local market abbreviations and terms.
The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) did not respond to requests for comment. WhatsApp responded to a request for comment by pointing to its terms of services, which state users can use the platform only for "legal, authorized, and acceptable purposes".
Britannia's revenue/EBITDA/PAT CAGR came in at 11%/32%/36% respectively during FY13-FY17. Given healthy earnings growth (21% EPS CAGR over FY17-20E), improving core RoCE and FCF generation of Rs 11-12 billion in FY19-20E, high valuations are justified.
With improving demand (especially in rural areas), benign RM and BRIT’s successful execution of various initiatives, we upgrade our target P/E multiple to 42x (40x earlier). We value BRIT based on P/E of 42x Sep-19EPS. Maintain BUY with a target price of Rs 5,226.
1:10 PM
Suzlon Energy extends fall post Q2 results
Suzlon Energy hit a 52-week low of Rs 12.80, down 6%, extending its 12% decline of the past three trading sessions, after the company reported Rs 374 crore consolidated loss before exceptional items and tax in September quarter (Q2FY18). It had reported profit of Rs 251 crore before exceptional items and tax in a year ago quarter. READ MORE
1:00 PM
Markets check at 1:00 pm
At 1:00 pm, the S&P BSE Sensex was trading at 33,038, up 277 points, while the broader Nifty50 was ruling at 10,196, up 78 points.
12:37 PM
HDFC Securities on Idea Cellular
Ideation in progress Idea’s 2QFY18 numbers came in weak, as expected. Sequentially, revenue declined 8.6%, EBITDA 19.9%, subscribers 3.5% and ARPU 6.4%. Yet, healthy growth in data usage and strict cost control measures were key positives. Our positive thesis on Idea is premised on the proposed merger with Vodafone, and delivery on guided synergies of Rs 140bn, with ~60% in opex from the fifth year of merged operations.
BUY with a target price of Rs 120: Our target price is based on pro-forma financials of the merged entities, and factors in modest synergies. In the medium-term, Idea could deliver superior returns, as its merger consummates in 2HCY18, and EBITDA rebounds in a broadly three-player market.
The benchmark indices extended gains to settle higher on Thursday thanks to a rally in index heavyweights Infosys, State Bank of India, Reliance Industries, and TCS.
Oil refiners gained as lower crude oil prices cut input costs. The Nifty energy index gained nearly 2% with Reliance Industries rising 2% and Indian Oil Corp and ONGC advancing 1% each.
Oil markets were weighed down by rising US crude production and inventories, but prices were prevented from falling by expectations that OPEC will extend an ongoing production cut during a meeting at the end of this month.
Overseas, European markets were trading higher as investors monitored earnings and key data releases. Asian markets also shrugged off Wall Street losses after a lackluster start to the day, while the dollar edged up as investors priced in more US rate hikes after upbeat economic data.
 "Sensex rallies 346 points, Nifty ends above 10,200; Infosys, SBI, RIL gain")
