Key benchmark indices hovered between positive and negative terrain within a small range near the flat line in morning trade. At 10:20 IST, the barometer index, the S&P BSE Sensex was up 17.10 points or 0.06% at 28,469.27. The Nifty 50 index was currently up 9.95 points or 0.11% at 8,796.15.
In overseas stock markets, Asian stocks were mixed as markets cautiously awaited the release of US jobs data scheduled tomorrow, 2 September 2016. China's official manufacturing purchasing managers' index, a gauge of factory activity, rose to 50.4 in August, returning to expansionary territory, official data showed today, 1 September 2016. The rise from July's 49.9 could be a sign of improvement in the world's second-largest economy. A PMI reading above 50 indicates an expansion in manufacturing activity, while a reading below 50 points to a contraction. However, the Caixin China manufacturing purchasing managers' index, a private gauge of nationwide factory activity, fell to 50 in August from 50.6 in July.
US stocks finished lower yesterday, 31 August 2016, as oil prices fell and promising economic data supported the case for a Federal Reserve rate hike this year. Data showed yesterday, 31 August 2016 the private sector created 177,000 jobs in August, in line with expectations, and contracts to buy previously owned homes surged in July, suggesting the economy was regaining sufficient momentum for the Federal Reserve to raise interest rates this year.
Closer home, the market breadth indicating the overall health of the market was positive. On BSE, 1,103 shares rose and 859 shares declined. A total of 107 shares were unchanged. The BSE Mid-Cap index was currently up 0.29%. The BSE Small-Cap index was currently up 0.24%. Both these indices outperformed the Sensex.
Cement stocks declined after the Competition Commission of India (CCI) has imposed penalties upon ten cement companies and their trade association, Cement Manufacturers Association (CMA) for cartelisation in the cement industry. The final order has been passed by CCI pursuant to the directions issued by Competition Appellate Tribunal remanding the matter back while setting aside the original order of CCI.
ACC dropped 1.79%. A penalty of Rs 1147.59 crore is imposed on ACC. Ambuja Cements shed 2.31%. A penalty of Rs 1163.91 crores is imposed on Ambuja Cements. Binani Industries dropped 2.15%. A penalty of Rs 167.32 crore is imposed on Binani Industries. India Cements shed 1.53%. A penalty of Rs 187.48 crore is imposed on India Cements. J K Cement dropped 2.39%. A penalty of Rs 128.54 crore is imposed on J K Cement. A penalty of Rs 1175.49 crore is imposed on UltraTech Cement declined 0.67%. Jaiprakash Associates shed 4.03%. A penalty of Rs 1323.60 crore is imposed on Jaiprakash Associates. Among other cement firms, a penalty of Rs 274.02 crore is imposed on Century. A penalty of Rs 490.01 crore is imposed on Lafarge India and a penalty of Rs 258.63 crore is imposed on Ramco.
The information in the present case was filed by Builders Association of India under Section 19(1)(a) of the Competition Act, 2002 (the Act) against the cement companies and CMA alleging contravention of the provisions of the Act. While holding the cement companies and CMA in contravention of the Act, it was noted by CCI that the cement companies used the platform provided by CMA and shared details relating to prices, capacity utilisation, production and dispatch and thereby restricted production and supplies in the market, contravening the provisions of Section 3(1) read with Section 3(3)(b) of the Act. Further, CCI also found the cement companies to be acting in concert in fixing prices of cement in contravention of the provisions of Section 3(1) read with Section 3(3)(a) of the Act.
The cement companies and CMA have been directed to cease and desist from indulging in any activity relating to agreement, understanding or arrangement on prices, production and supply of cement in the market. CMA has been further directed to disengage and disassociate itself from collecting wholesale and retail prices through member cement companies or otherwise. Also, CMA has been restrained from collecting and circulating the details relating to production and dispatch by cement companies.
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Shree Cement dropped 0.3%. Vide separate order, CCI has also imposed a penalty of Rs 397.51 crore upon Shree Cement in RTPE No. 52 of 2006.
Grasim Industries declined 0.13%. Grasim has exposure to the cement sector through its holding in UltraTech Cement.
HCC jumped 16% after the company announced that the Union Cabinet's latest decision requiring the government agencies to pay 75% of arbitral awards will result in HCC's debt being reduced by half. The announcement was made after market hours yesterday, 31 August 2016. HCC has arbitration awards for over Rs 3200 crore and with the cabinet decision, the company will get 75% of this amount immediately. Similarly, claims worth around Rs 5000 crore are in arbitration process. The cabinet decision will further help HCC to secure these awards within a duration of 12 months.
HCC's Chairman and Managing Director said that the company is pleased with the Cabinet's decision on payment of arbitration awards to infrastructure companies. HCC will immediately be able to reduce its debt by almost half as a result and within 12 to 24 months, materially reduce it even further. With this, HCC will be able to participate in country's infrastructure development in a much bigger way.
It may be recalled that the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) yesterday, 31 August 2016, approved a series of initiatives to revive the construction sector. As per the new initiatives, CCEA allowed contractors to move to the new speedier arbitration process, approved release of 75% of the amount in dispute against margin free bank guarantee and provided for a conciliation board comprising of independent subject experts in order to ensure speedy disposal of pending or new cases.
Punjab National Bank rose 0.24% after the bank announced lending rates based on marginal cost of funds to be effective from today, 1 September 2016. The announcement was made after market hours yesterday, 31 August 2016. Marginal Cost of Funds based Lending Rate (MCLR) for overnight loans will be 9.1%, for one month will be 9.15% and for three months will be 9.25%. The MCLR on 6-month loans will be 9.3% and for one-year loans the rate would be 9.35%, the bank said. MCLR for three-year loans would be at 9.50% and loans with five-year maturity would carry an MCLR of 9.65%, the bank said.
On macro front, India's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth slowed down to 7.1% in Q1 June 2016, as against 7.9% in Q4 March 2016 and 7.5% increase in Q1 June 2015.
Another data showed the index of eight core infrastructure sector rose 3.2% in July 2016 over July 2015 compared to 5.2% growth in June 2016 and 1.3% growth in July 2015. A cumulative growth stood at 4.9% for April to July 2016 period. The eight core industries comprising coal, crude oil, natural gas, refinery products, fertilizers, steel, cement and electricity have a combined weight of 38% in the Index of Industrial Production (IIP). Both the GDP and core infra data were announced after market hours yesterday, 31 August 2016.
Markit Economics will announce India Manufacturing PMI index for August 2016 today, 1 September 2016.
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