A bout of volatility was witnessed as key benchmark indices alternately swung between positive and negative zone in early afternoon trade. The losses for the benchmark indices were small. The barometer index, the S&P BSE Sensex, was currently off 22.36 points or 0.08% at 28,237.78. The market breadth indicating the overall health of the market was strong.
Meanwhile, a weaker-than-expected US jobs data released on Friday, 3 April 2015, has led to investors delaying expectations of an increase in the US Federal Reserve's key interest rate. Meanwhile, the outcome of a survey today, 6 April 2015, showed that growth in India's services sector moderated last month.
IT stocks also declined after weaker-than-expected US jobs data for March 2015. HCL Technologies extended losses registered during the previous trading session triggered by the company warning of adverse cross currency impact on its revenue and EBIT in Q3 March 2015.
Earlier, key benchmark indices hit their highest level in almost two weeks at the onset of the trading session after opening with an upward gap.
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is widely expected to keep its benchmark lending rate viz. the repo rate unchanged at first bi-monthly Monetary Policy for 2015-16 scheduled tomorrow, 7 April 2015, as Governor Raghuram Rajan waits to see how RBI's recent rate cuts percolate through the country's financial system.
The government after trading hours on Wednesday, 1 April 2015, in its five-year Foreign Trade Policy 2015-20 (FTP 2015-20) announced the launch of a new Merchandise Exports from India Scheme (MEIS) for export of specified goods to specified markets. Meanwhile, the outcome of a survey on Thursday, 2 April 2015, showed that manufacturing activity in India witnessed an overall improvement last month.
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Foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) bought shares worth a net Rs 209.87 crore during the previous trading session on Wednesday, 1 April 2015, as per provisional data released by the stock exchanges. Domestic institutional investors (DIIs) bought shares worth a net Rs 197.25 crore on Wednesday, 1 April 2015, as per provisional data. The stock market was closed on 2 April and 3 April on account of holidays.
In the foreign exchange market, the rupee edged higher against the dollar.
Brent crude oil futures edged higher after Saudi Arabia raised prices for crude sales to Asia for a second month, signalling better demand in the region.
In overseas markets, Asian stocks were mixed. US stock index futures fell after worse-than-expected US jobs data for March 2015 which was announced on Friday, 3 April 2015, when US stock market was closed on account of Good Friday.
At 12:16 IST, the S&P BSE Sensex was down 22.36 points or 0.08% at 28,237.78. The index fell 38.15 points at the day's low of 28,221.99 in early afternoon trade. The index jumped 107.44 points at the day's high of 28,367.58 in early trade, its highest level since 24 March 2015.
The CNX Nifty was down 1.30 points or 0.02% at 8,584.95. The index hit a low of 8,573.75 in intraday trade. The index hit a high of 8,619.15 in intraday trade, its highest level since 24 March 2015.
The BSE Mid-Cap index was up 56.45 points or 0.53% at 10,806.87. The BSE Small-Cap index was up 100.61 points or 0.9% at 11,247.33. Both these indices outperformed the Sensex.
The market breadth indicating the overall health of the market was strong on BSE. 1,448 shares gained and 866 shares fell. A total of 110 shares were unchanged.
IT stocks also declined after weaker-than-expected US jobs data for March 2015. US is the biggest outsourcing market for the Indian IT firms. Infosys (down 0.34%), TCS (down 0.76%) and Wipro (down 1.35%) declined. Tech Mahindra rose 1.67%.
HCL Technologies extended losses registered during the previous trading session triggered by the company warning of adverse cross currency impact on its revenue and EBIT in Q3 March 2015. The stock was off 1.38% at Rs 926.50. HCL Technologies in a pre-quarter earnings update issued on 31 March 2015 said that the company's revenues and EBIT in Q3 March 2015 to be reported in US dollar terms would have adverse impact of about 280 basis points (bps) and 80 bps respectively in Q3 March 2015 as dollar continued to strengthen against almost all global currencies during the quarter ended 31 March 2015. In spite of the adverse impact of exchange rate movement, the company is confident of achieving EBIT in the range of about 21 to 22% in Q3 March 2015, HCL Technologies said.
HCL Technologies expects to post foreign exchange loss of about $5.5 million in Q3 March 2015, covering both cash flow hedges and mark-to-market of the foreign currency assets and liabilities. This foreign exchange gain or loss would continue to be reported below EBIT, HCL Technologies said. The treasury income (net) for the quarter is expected to be around $32 million being the same level as reported in the previous quarter, HCL Technologies said. The company expects effective tax rate for the year ending 30 June 2015 to be in the previously guided range of 21% to 22%.
In the foreign exchange market, the rupee edged higher against the dollar. The partially convertible rupee was hovering at 62.1825, compared with its close of 62.49 during the previous trading session on 31 March 2015. The foreign exchange market was closed from 1 April to 3 April 2015.
Brent crude oil futures edged higher after Saudi Arabia raised prices for crude sales to Asia for a second month, signalling better demand in the region. Brent for May settlement was up $1.18 a barrel at $56.13 a barrel. While Saudi Arabia's state-run oil company Saudi Aramco Oil Co. raised price differentials for all its crude grades sold to Asia, it lowered most prices for the US, reflecting weaker Nymex crude prices and an oversupply in the US market.
Closer home, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is widely expected to keep its benchmark lending rate viz. the repo rate unchanged at first bi-monthly Monetary Policy for 2015-16 scheduled tomorrow, 7 April 2015, as Governor Raghuram Rajan waits to see how RBI's recent rate cuts percolate through the country's financial system. The RBI had surprised financial markets by announcing reduction in repo rate by 25 basis points to 7.5% in an unscheduled monetary policy review on 4 March 2015. Earlier, the RBI had on 15 January 2015 announced a cut in the repo rate by 25 basis points to 7.75%. Despite a cumulative rate cut of 50 basis points from the RBI, most commercial banks have refrained from cutting their lending rates.
The government after trading hours on Wednesday, 1 April 2015, in its five-year Foreign Trade Policy 2015-20 (FTP 2015-20) announced the launch of a new Merchandise Exports from India Scheme (MEIS) for export of specified goods to specified markets. For grant of rewards under MEIS, the countries have been categorized into 3 groups whereas the rates of rewards under MEIS range from 2% to 5%. MEIS has replaced 5 different schemes of earlier Foreign Trade Policy. Under the FTP 2015-20, Served from India Scheme (SFIS) has been replaced with Service Exports from India Scheme (SEIS) for increasing exports of notified services from India. Under SEIS, the selected services would be rewarded at the rates of 3% and 5%.
Growth in India's services sector moderated last month, the outcome of a survey showed today, 6 April 2015. The seasonally adjusted HSBC India Services Business Activity Index dropped to 53 in March 2015 from 53.9 in February 2015. The latest reading was indicative of a moderate rate of expansion that was slightly weaker than in the prior month. Anecdotal evidence highlighted sustained new business growth. Output rose in four of the six broad areas of the service economy, the exceptions being Financial Intermediation and Hotels & Restaurants. Service providers remain upbeat towards the prospects for business activity over the next 12 months. Over 25% of survey members anticipate output growth over the course of the next year, citing strengthening demand conditions.
Manufacturing activity in India witnessed an overall improvement last month, the outcome of a survey showed on Thursday, 2 April 2015. The headline HSBC India Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) nudged higher at 52.1 in March 2015 from 51.2 in February 2015. Underpinning the expansion in output was a quicker rise in new order flows. There was a marked increase in input costs for manufacturing companies which has resulted in firms raising their tariffs once again. Markit economist Pollyanna De Lima said that greater cost burdens add to the pressure on margins which could potentially be squeezed by competitive pressures. Faster increases in incoming new work, buying levels and backlogs at manufacturing firms indicate that the subdued labour market is likely to recover in coming months, according to the survey.
Meanwhile, the government reportedly re-promulgated the land acquisition ordinance on Friday, 3 April 2015, after President Pranab Mukherjee gave his assent for the same. The ordinance will now be presented in both houses of parliament again. The ordinance includes nine amendments made when a bill to replace it was passed in the Lok Sabha last month. The second half of the Budget session of the parliaments begins on 20 April 2015 and concludes on 8 May 2015.
In overseas markets, Asian markets were mixed today, 6 April 2015. Key indices in Indonesia and South Korea rose by 0.05% to 0.42%. Key indices in Singapore and Japan fell by 0.05% to 0.19%. Chinese stock markets remain closed today, 6 April 2015. Markets in Australia and Hong Kong remain closed for Easter today, 6 April 2015. Hong Kong will also be closed tomorrow, 7 April 2015, for Ching Ming Festival.
In China, data on Friday, 3 April 2015, showed that a gauge of service sector activity, the HSBC China Services Purchasing Managers' Index, came in stronger at 52.3 in March 2015 from 52 in February 2015.
US stock index futures fell after worse-than-expected US jobs data for March 2015 which was announced on Friday, 3 April 2015, when US stock market was closed on account of Good Friday. Trading in US index futures indicates that the Dow Jones industrial average could slide 128 points at the opening bell today, 6 April 2015.
US employers added the fewest number of jobs in more than a year in March, the latest sign of weakness in the economy and one likely to further delay an anticipated interest rate increase by the Federal Reserve nonfarm payrolls rose 126,000 last month, less than half February's pace and the smallest gain since December 2013, the Labor Department said on Friday, 3 April 2015.
In Europe, Greek Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis reportedly said yesterday, 5 April 2015, after holding bilateral talks with International Monetary Fund Managing (IMF) Director Christine Lagarde that Greece intends to meet all obligations to all its creditors. His comments come as Greece has to make a roughly 450 million euro loan repayment to the IMF on Thursday, 9 April 2015. Varoufakis held informal talks on the Greek government's reform program with Lagarde. The IMF MD said that due diligence efforts in Athens and talks with teams in Brussels over the terms of Greece's bailout would resume promptly on Monday, 6 April 2015.
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