Key benchmark indices trimmed initial gains triggered by firm Asian stocks. At 10:19 IST, the barometer index, the S&P BSE Sensex, was up 130.67 points or 0.51% at 25,974.85. The Nifty 50 index was currently up 40.60 points or 0.51% at 7,955.35. The Sensex fell below the psychologically important 26,000 mark after moving past that level in early trade
The Sensex hit its highest level in more than 15 weeks when it gained 235.89 points or 0.91% at the day's high of 26,080.07 in morning trade. The barometer index rose 120.96 points at the day's low of 25,965.14 in early trade. The Nifty hit its highest level in over 20 weeks when it rose 63.70 points or 0.8% at the day's high of 7,978.45 in morning trade. The index rose 38.85 points or 0.49% at the day's low of 7,953.60 in early trade.
The broad market depicted strength. There were more than two gainers against every loser on BSE. 1,230 shares gained and 539 shares declined. A total of 80 shares were unchanged. The BSE Mid-Cap index was currently up 0.48%. The BSE Small-Cap index was currently up 0.53%. Both these indices underperformed the Sensex.
In overseas stocks markets, Chinese and Japanese stocks led gains in Asian stocks. Japanese stocks rose as the yen weakened against the dollar overnight. The Nikkei 225 index was currently up 2.37%. Chinese stocks edged higher as Chinese central bank's net cash injection of 220 billion yuan into the financial system helped ease worries about a short-term liquidity squeeze. In mainland China, the Shanghai Composite index was currently up 0.42%. In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng index was currently up 1.79%. US stocks clocked small gains yesterday, 20 April 2016, after upbeat housing data.
Public sector banks led rally in banking sector stocks on reports that provisioning for non-performing asset will be lower than anticipated in Q4 March 2016, which in turn could restrict the negative impact on bottom line. State Bank of India (SBI) (up 4.38%), Punjab National Bank (up 5.93%), Bank of Baroda (up 5.09%), Andhra Bank (up 3.66%), Canara Bank (up 4.54%), IDBI Bank (up 2.02%), Bank of India (up 3.7%) and Union Bank of India (up 4.8%) gained.
Among private sector banks, ICICI Bank (up 6.66%), Axis Bank (up 2.24%), Federal Bank (up 2.73%), HDFC Bank (up 0.31%), and Yes Bank (up 1.53%) rose. Kotak Mahindra Bank shed 0.04%.
As per media reports, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has pruned the list of companies whose loans need to be provided for against the risk of default. RBI has informed banks individually that they don't have to provide in the March quarter for outstanding loans to 20 firms, including Jaiprakash Associates and Coastal Energen, out of the 150 it had listed in December. The decision was prompted partly by the steps taken by companies to cut debt, according to reports. Banks were forced to make substantial provisions in the December quarter following an asset quality review (AQR) ordered by the central bank. Due to this, a number of banks reported losses in Q3 December 2015.
IndusInd Bank rose 0.16% ahead of its Q4 March 2016 results today, 21 April 2016.
More From This Section
Auto stocks gained on renewed buying. Tata Motors (up 2.7%), Maruti Suzuki India (up 1.07%), Eicher Motors (up 0.74%), Bajaj Auto (up 0.22%) and Ashok Leyland (up 0.05%) gained. Hero MotoCorp (down 0.12%) and TVS Motor Company (up 1.26%) fell.
Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) rose 0.31% after the company announced that India Ratings and Research (Ind-Ra) has affirmed the long-term issuer rating of M&M at 'IND AAA' with a 'stable' outlook. The rating on its Rs 800 crore non-fund-based bank lines has also been reaffirmed at 'IND A1+'. The announcement was made after market hours yesterday, 20 April 2016.
Powered by Capital Market - Live News