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Indian stocks drop on global growth worries

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Capital Market
Last Updated : Oct 10 2014 | 5:46 PM IST

Weakness in global stocks triggered a sell-off on the domestic bourses on last trading session of the week. Key indices extended losses in late trade after European stocks extended initial losses there. The barometer index, the S&P BSE Sensex, lost 339.90 points or 1.28% to settle at 26,297.38. Global stocks were weak amid concern global growth is slowing. The market breadth indicating the overall health of the market was weak, with almost two losers for every gainer on BSE. The BSE Mid-Cap index was off 1.38%. The BSE Small-Cap index was off 1.12%.

Key indices today, 10 October 2014, gave away a lion's portion of the strong gains of the previous trading session. Indian stocks had surged yesterday, 9 October 2014, after minutes of the latest Federal Reserve policy meeting focused on the downside risks to the US economy, suggesting the US central bank could take its time in raising interest rates.

Index heavyweight Reliance Industries (RIL) rose in volatile trade. Another index heavyweight and cigarette major ITC dropped. IT major Infosys surged to record high after the company reported good Q2 result and announced a liberal 1:1 bonus issue. Other IT stocks were mixed. Metal and mining stocks declined on global growth worries. Bank stocks saw across the board slide. Aviation stocks rose on recent slide in crude oil prices. FMCG stocks declined. Capital goods stocks also edged lower. Cairn India dropped as crude oil prices tumbled. Cement stocks also fell.

In overseas markets, European stocks extended initial losses amid concern the region's central bank will face obstacles in its measures to revive the region's economy. Asian stocks dropped after US shares tumbled yesterday, 9 October 2014, amid European slowdown concerns and after Hong Kong's government canceled talks with pro-democracy protesters.

Earlier, key indices had tumbled on a sell-off in global stocks.

In the foreign exchange market, the rupee edged lower against the dollar as equities dropped.

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Brent crude futures edged lower amid speculation that rising global oil supplies will be more than enough to meet slowing demand.

The S&P BSE Sensex declined 339.90 points or 1.28% to settle at 26,297.38, its lowest level since 8 October 2014. The index lost 375.67 points at the day's low of 26,261.61 in late trade. The index fell 81.36 points at the day's high of 26,555.92 in early trade.

The CNX Nifty declined 100.60 points or 1.26% to settle at 7,859.95, its lowest closing level since 8 October 2014. The index hit a low of 7,848.45 in intraday trade. The index hit a high of 7,924.05 in intraday trade.

The market breadth indicating the overall health of the market was weak, with almost two losers for every gainer on BSE. On BSE, 1,910 shares declined and 998 shares gained. A total of 115 shares were unchanged.

The BSE Mid-Cap index fell 131.97 points or 1.38% to settle at 9,444.41, underperforming the Sensex. The BSE Small-Cap index fell 120.69 points or 1.12% to settle at 10611, outperforming the Sensex.

Index heavyweight Reliance Industries (RIL) rose 0.67% to Rs 961. The stock was volatile. The stock hit high of Rs 968.35 and low of Rs 936.95. RIL announces its Q2 September 2014 results on Monday, 13 October 2014.

Cairn India dropped 3.72% as crude oil prices edged lower. Lower crude oil prices would result in lower realizations from crude sales for oil exploration firms like Cairn India. Meanwhile, Cairn India during market hours said its average gross production fell 9% to 194,508 barrels of oil equivalent per day (boepd) in Q2 September 2014 over Q2 September 2013.

Aban Offshore soared 9.08% after the company said it has secured two orders worth Rs 1114 crore from ONGC. The new orders were announced during market hours today, 10 October 2014.

Index heavyweight and cigarette major ITC dropped 3.35% to Rs 353. The stock hit high of Rs 365 and low of Rs 352.25.

FMCG stocks declined. Britannia Industries (down 1.19%), Colgate-Palmolive (India) (down 1.34%), Dabur India (down 0.97%), Godrej Consumer Products (down 1.18%), Hindustan Unilever (down 2.5%), Nestle India (down 1.81%) declined. Marico rose 1.11%.

Most capital goods stocks declined. L&T (down 1.83%), ABB India (down 2.78%), Bharat Electronics (down 1.79%), BEML (down 1.92%), Crompton Greaves (down 3.17%), and Siemens (down 3.4%) declined. Bharat Heavy Electricals (Bhel) rose 0.78%.

IT major Infosys jumped after the company reported good Q2 result and announced a liberal 1:1 bonus issue. The stock gained 6.6% at Rs 3,886.15. The stock hit record high of Rs 3,908.60 in intraday trade. Infosys' consolidated net profit as per International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) jumped 7.3% to Rs 3096 crore on 4.5% increase in revenue to Rs 13342 crore in Q2 September 2014 over Q1 June 2014. The result was announced during trading hours today, 10 October 2014.

Infosys has maintained its revenue growth guidance in dollar terms for the year ending 31 March 2015 (FY 2015) even as it raised its revenue growth guidance in rupee terms due to rupee depreciation. Infosys expects 7% to 9% growth in the company's revenue in dollar terms in FY 2015. The company now expects 6.7% to 8.7% growth its revenue in rupee terms in FY 2015. At the time of announcing Q1 June 2014 results in July 2014, Infosys had forecast 5.6% to 7.6% growth in revenue in rupee terms for FY 2015.

Infosys and its subsidiaries added 49 clients (gross) in Q2 September 2014.

Other shares from the IT sector were mixed. Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) (down 0.91%), Wipro (down 0.86%), Oracle Financial Services Software (down 1.1%) declined. HCL Technologies (up 2.37%), Hexaware Technologies (up 0.16%) and Tech Mahindra (up 0.19%) gained.

Metal and mining stocks declined on global growth worries. Hindustan Copper (down 1.88%), Tata Steel (down 4.03%), Hindalco Industries (down 4.44%), National Aluminum Company (down 0.42%), Jindal Steel & Power (down 5.77%) and NMDC (down 5.54%) declined. Steel Authority of India (Sail) rose 0.61%.

JSW Steel lost 5.92%. JSW Steel during market hours today, 10 October 2014, said that the company's total steel production rose 11% to 3.3 million tons in Q2 September 2014 over Q2 September 2013. Production of flat rolled products rose 6% to 2.61 million tons in Q2 September 2014 over Q2 September 2013. Production of long rolled products jumped 21% to 0.56 million tons in Q2 September 2014 over Q2 September 2013.

Sesa Sterlite dropped 4.13%. Sesa Sterlite during market hours said that during Q2 September 2014, mined metal production at Zinc India was 30% higher than Q1, but 4% lower than the corresponding prior year quarter. Copper cathode production was 22% higher than the corresponding prior period with the Tuticorin smelter delivering record production since its planned shutdown in Q1. The company expects to produce at over 90% utilizations going forward.

Hindustan Zinc lost 4% to Rs 159.25 at 13:07 IST on BSE after the company said its mined metal production declined 4% to 213 kt in Q2 September 2014 over Q2 September 2013. Hindustan Zinc's mined metal production surged 30% to 213 kt in Q2 September 2014 over Q1 June 2014. The announcement was made during market hours today, 10 October 2014.

The company's integrated production of refined zinc, lead and silver increased sequentially in Q2 September 2014 though it was down from a year ago due to lower mined metal production and smelter shutdown, Hindustan Zinc said in a statement.

Bank stocks saw across the board slide. Among private bank stocks, HDFC Bank (down 2.33%), IndusInd Bank (down 0.14%), Kotak Mahindra Bank (down 1.97%), Axis Bank (down 2.03%), Yes Bank (down 0.37%), and ICICI Bank (down 1.9%) declined.

PSU bank stocks also declined. State Bank of India (SBI) (down 1.19%), Canara Bank (down 0.54%), Bank of Baroda (down 1.19%), Union Bank of India (down 0.81%), Indian Overseas Bank (down 2.47%), Andhra Bank (down 1.12%), Bank of India (down 1.42%) and Oriental Bank of Commerce (down 3.79%) declined.

Punjab National Bank (PNB) rose 0.14%. PNB during market hours said it has decided to realign the interest rates in case of single domestic term deposit of Rs 1 crore to Rs 10 crore with effect from today, 10 October 2014. PNB said that interest rate has been hiked to 6% from 4% earlier for maturity period of 7 days to 14 days. For maturity period of 15 days to 29 days, interest rate was been hiked to 6% from 4.5% earlier. For maturity period of 30 days to 45 days, interest rate has been cut to 6.25% from 6.5% earlier. For maturity period of 46 days to 90 days, the rate has been cut to 7% from 7.25% earlier. For maturity period of 271 days to less than 1 year, the rate has been cut to 8.5% from 8.75% earlier.

NTPC fell 0.91%. With respect to news article titled "NTPC eyes $5bn power assets," NTPC during market hours clarified that the company has nothing to comment on the news story as it is factually incorrect. Media reports had stated recently that NTPC is evaluating a proposal to buy stranded power assets worth $5 billion, or Rs 31000 crore. The reports had further stated that NTPC had received responses from 34 private sector power plants across the country and has shortlisted eight of them so far for acquisitions.

Tata Power Company fell 2.19%. As per reports, private equity fund, ICICI Venture, is in talks to team up with Tata Power Company to take over troubled power plants that have been short circuited by regulatory uncertainties, fuel supply disruptions, low demand and high debt. Both parties are finalising a joint venture platform the exact nature of the arrangement is being finalised with a mandate to buy out power plants which are facing stress for one reason or the other, reports added. While ICICI Venture will primarily be responsible for organising both debt and equity funding for these acquisitions, Tata Power Company will handle the operation and maintenance of these plants, post acquisition, as an asset manager.

Cipla slipped marginally in volatile trade. The stock was off 0.05% to Rs 591. The stock hit high of Rs 598 and low of Rs 580.80. Cipla during market hours said that India Ratings & Research, a Fitch Group Company, has affirmed the Long-Term Issuer Rating of 'IND AAA' to the company and 'IND A1+' rating to the company's Rs 1000 crore Commercial Paper/Short Term Debt Programme. Further, India Ratings & Research has assigned 'IND AAA' rating to the company's proposed Rs 2000 crore NCD programme, Cipla said.

Cadila Healthcare fell 2.86%. With respect to a news item captioned "Sun, Dr Reddy's, cadila named in US Congress price probe", Cadila Healthcare today, 10 October 2014, clarified that its US subsidiary has received recently a data request from US Congress relating to the price increase of 2 products being distributed by Zydus subsidiary in the US market. This has no material impact on the company, Cadila Healthcare said. Media reports recently stated that that Dr Reddy's Laboratories, Sun Pharmaceuticals and Cadila healthcare are among 14 drug makers which are being probed by the US Congress over price escalation of generic drugs.

Cement stocks edged lower. Ambuja Cements (down 1.3%), UltraTech Cement (down 3.19%) declined. Shree Cement rose 0.92%.

Grasim Industries was off 2.26%. Grasim Industries has exposure to the cement sector through its subsidiary UltraTech Cement.

ACC declined 1.92%. ACC after trading hours today, 10 October 2014, said that after a Supreme Court ruling on renewal of mining leases, the Jharkhand and Odisha state governments have served notices on the company to suspend limestone mining operations at Chaibasa and Bargarh cement plants. The clinker production at Chaibasa and Bargarh plants has stopped. However, the operations of cement grinding units associated with these plants are continuing with transfer of clinker to them from sister works, ACC said. The company said it is awaiting further developments in the matter. Whilst the company has complied with the court order seeking stopping mining activities, the company is in the process of seeking relief in the matter and is hopeful of a positive outcome, ACC said.

Aviation stocks rose on recent slide in crude oil prices. SpiceJet (up 5.87%) and Jet Airways (India) (up 9.56%) gained. Aviation turbine fuel (ATF) or jet fuel price is directly linked to international crude oil prices. Jet fuel constitutes about 40% of airlines' operating cost.

T D Power Systems spurted 13.38% at Rs 378. HDFC TCL A/C HDFC Prudence Fund bought 2.50 lakh shares of T D Power Systems at Rs 325 per share in a bulk deal on NSE on Thursday, 9 October 2014. Nikhil Kumar sold 3.75 lakh shares at Rs 325.06 per share on NSE in a bulk deal on Thursday, 9 October 2014.

Unitech fell 6.33% to Rs 19.25 on profit booking after the stock rose 8.44% in the preceding four trading sessions to Rs 20.55 on 9 October 2014, from a recent low of Rs 18.95 on 30 September 2014.

BF Utilities fell 3.78% to Rs 545 on profit booking after the stock rose 11.10% in the preceding two trading sessions to Rs 566.40 on 9 October 2014, from a recent low of Rs 509.80 on 7 October 2014.

Meanwhile, foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) made small purchases of Indian stocks yesterday, 9 October 2014, as per data from Securities & Exchange Board of India (Sebi). FPIs bought shares worth a net Rs 13.98 crore from the secondary equity market on that day.

In the foreign exchange market, the rupee edged lower against the dollar as equities dropped. The partially convertible rupee was hovering at 61.32, compared with its close of 61.0575 during the previous trading session.

Brent crude futures edged lower amid speculation that rising global oil supplies will be more than enough to meet slowing demand. Brent for November settlement was off 59 cents $89.46 a barrel. The contract dropped to $88.11 a barrel in intraday trade -- its lowest level since December 2010.

Lower crude oil prices will help India in containing its fiscal deficit, current account deficit and fuel price inflation. India imports 80% of its crude oil requirement.

Meanwhile, the growth in industrial production is seen accelerating to 2.9% in August 2014, from 0.5% in July 2014, as per the median estimate of a poll of economists carried out by Capital Market. The government will unveil industrial production data for August 2014 after market hours today, 10 October 2014.

Meanwhile, Pakistan's National Security Committee reportedly said today, 10 October 2014, that war with India was not an option, but that it would respond with "full force" to any attempt to challenge its sovereignty. Fighting between India and Pakistan paused today, 10 October 2014, after days of heavy shelling and gun battles across their disputed Himalayan border in Kashmir.

European stocks extended initial losses today, 10 October 2014, amid concern the region's central bank will face obstacles in its measures to revive the region's economy. Key benchmark indices in France, Germany and UK shed 1.39% to 2.17%.

French industrial production stagnated in August, adding to concerns over the eurozone's wider economic health in the third quarter of this year. French industrial output was unchanged in August from July, when it rose 0.3% on a monthly basis.

Italy's industrial production rose slightly less than expected in August, even though output of almost all products grew, led by the consumer goods sector. Industrial output in the eurozone's third-largest economy gained 0.3% on the month in seasonally adjusted terms, national statistics institute Istat said.

Meanwhile, 13 people in Spain are reportedly being observed for signs of Ebola infection. The reports sparked concern the deadly virus that killed almost 3,900 people in Africa is spreading to Europe.

Differences between the European Central Bank (ECB) and Germany over the steps needed to revive the euro-area economy came to the fore yesterday, 9 October 2014. Speaking in Washington, ECB President Mario Draghi pledged to keep monetary policy loose and urged those governments with the room to ease fiscal policy to do so. By contrast, German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble warned against US-style quantitative easing and urged continued budgetary discipline. Draghi said there are signs the region's recovery is losing momentum.

Germany reported on Thursday, 9 October 2014 that its exports fell 5.8% in August, the worst decline since January 2009.

The Bank of England (BoE) voted on Thursday, 9 October 2014, to keep its main interest rate at a record-low level of 0.5%, with Britain experiencing low inflation and steady economic recovery. The central bank's nine-strong monetary policy committee opted also to maintain the level of its cash stimulus, or quantitative easing, at 375 billion ($608 billion, 476 billion), the BoE said in a statement issued following a regular monthly meeting.

Asian stocks dropped today, 10 October 2014, after US shares tumbled yesterday, 9 October 2014, amid European slowdown concerns and after Hong Kong's government canceled talks with pro-democracy protesters. Key benchmark indices in China, Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan, Indonesia and South Korea were off 0.62% to 1.9%. Taiwan's markets are shut today.

Hong Kong's government today, 10 October 2014, canceled talks with pro-democracy protesters after leaders of the movement called supporters back into the streets. The occupation by demonstrators, who are upset with Beijing demands to vet candidates for the city's leadership, is illegal and must end, Carrie Lam, Hong Kong's No. 2 official, told reporters.

In Japan, minutes from a central bank meeting showed that one board member warned of possible negative effects of additional stimulus. The comment indicated that not all board members were comfortable with aggressively easing policy further.

Trading in US index futures indicated that the Dow could fall 95 points at the opening bell on Friday, 10 October 2014. US stocks slumped on Thursday, 9 October 2014, on concern that slowing growth in Europe will hurt the American economy.

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First Published: Oct 10 2014 | 4:35 PM IST

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