Amid a divergent trend among index heavyweight stocks, key benchmark indices ended flat for the day. A miniscule fall pushed the 50-unit CNX Nifty to its lowest closing level in more than 10 weeks. The barometer index, the S&P BSE Sensex, eked out miniscule gain for the day. Index heavyweights HDFC, ITC and Reliance Industries dropped even as three other heavyweights viz. Infosys, L&T and HDFC Bank edged higher. The Sensex rose 1.06 points to settle at 27,458.64. The market breadth indicating the overall health of the market was weak.
Index heavyweight and engineering & construction major L&T rose after the company said that its construction division won orders worth Rs 1711 crore across various business segments in this month. IT stocks rose after global consulting and outsourcing firm Accenture raised its full year revenue growth forecast for the second time in a year. Oil & gas stocks declined. Shares of power generation companies declined. Telecom stocks edged lower in volatile trade after all the major telecom companies separately announced information about the spectrum won by them in the recently concluded spectrum auction. Pharma shares edged lower.
Earlier, the Sensex and the Nifty, both, hit their lowest level in more than 10 weeks in afternoon trade as these two key benchmark indices extended intraday losses.
Foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) sold shares worth a net Rs 519.57 crore into the secondary equity market yesterday, 26 March 2015, as per data released by Central Depository Services (India). Domestic institutional investors (DIIs) bought shares worth a net Rs 687.09 crore yesterday, 26 March 2015, as per provisional data released by the stock exchanges.
In overseas markets, European stocks edged higher as a renewed fall in the euro currency helped boost the shares of exporting companies. Asian stocks were mixed. US stocks edged lower yesterday, 26 March 2015, as a better-than-expected report on weekly jobless claims did little to alleviate concerns of a marked slowdown in the US economy during the first quarter.
In the foreign exchange market, the rupee edged higher against the dollar.
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Brent crude oil futures declined after sharp gains in the previous session as worries of a disruption to crude supplies due to Saudi Arabia-led air strikes in Yemen eased.
The S&P BSE Sensex rose 1.06 points to settle at 27,458.64, its highest closing level since 25 March 2015. The index jumped 236.83 points at the day's high of 27,694.41 at the onset of the trading session. The index fell 209.13 points at the day's low of 27,248.45 in afternoon trade, its lowest level since 14 January 2015.
The 50-unit CNX Nifty fell 0.75 points or 0.01% to settle at 8,341.40, its lowest closing level since 14 January 2015. The index hit a high of 8,413.20 in intraday trade. The index hit a low of 8,269.15 in intraday trade.
The market breadth indicating the overall health of the market was weak. 1,774 shares declined and 1,070 shares rose. A total of 123 shares were unchanged.
The BSE Mid-Cap index rose 4.90 points or 0.05% to settle at 10,359.93, outperforming the Sensex. The BSE Small-Cap index fell 33.87 points or 0.32% to settle at 10,440.69, underperforming the Sensex.
The total turnover on BSE amounted to Rs 3444 crore, higher than turnover of Rs 2999 crore registered yesterday, 26 March 2015.
Index heavyweight and cigarette major ITC was down 1.66% at Rs 317.30. The stock hit a high of Rs 325 and a low of Rs 315.25.
Index heavyweight and engineering & construction major L&T rose after the company said that its construction division won orders worth Rs 1711 crore across various business segments in this month. The stock was up 2.75% at Rs 1,681. The announcement was made during market hours today, 27 March 2015.
Banking stocks were mostly higher. Among PSU bank stocks, State Bank of India (SBI) (up 2.42%), Canara Bank (up 0.26%), Andhra Bank (up 2.15%), Allahabad Bank (up 3.62%), Bank of Baroda (up 0.25%) and Bank of India (up 0.56%) gained. Punjab National Bank (down 1.34%), and Union Bank of India (down 1.42%) declined.
Among private bank stocks, HDFC Bank (up 0.93%), IndusInd Bank (up 2.05%), Axis Bank (up 0.28%) and ICICI Bank (up 2.42%) gained. Kotak Mahindra Bank (down 0.34%) and ING Vysya Bank (down 0.08%), declined.
Telecom stocks edged lower in volatile trade after all the major telecom companies separately announced details about the spectrum won by them in the recently concluded spectrum auction.
Bharti Airtel dropped 4.79% to Rs 379.60. The stock hit a high of Rs 404.25 and low of Rs 371.50. Bharti Airtel said before market hours today, 27 March 2015, that it has acquired 111.6 MHz of prime spectrum across 900 MHz, 1800 MHz and 2100 MHz bands for a total consideration of Rs 29130 crore in the just concluded spectrum auction conducted by the Government of India. Of this, Rs 17618 crore has been spent on the renewal of existing spectrum while the balance Rs 11512 crore has been spent on procuring new spectrum. The company's spectrum acquisition strategy is aimed at enhancing its leadership position in the fast growing data segment in the country. The auction results are subject to the outcome of the decision by the Supreme Court.
Reliance Communications lost 3.64%. Reliance Communications before market hours today, 27 March 2015, said total bids made by the company in the spectrum auctions stood at Rs 4299 crore, with upfront payment at Rs 1106 crore. Reliance Communications said that it became India's first and only operator with nationwide footprint of contiguous 800/850 MHz spectrum. The company's auction participation centered on building appropriate spectrum portfolio and value creation for next 20 years.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Communications & Information Technology said in a statement late yesterday, 26 March 2015, that the spectrum auction in 1800 MHz, 900 MHz, 2100 MHz and 800 MHz band, which commenced on 4th March 2015 and ended on 25th March 2015 after 115 rounds over 19 days has fetched over Rs 1.09 lakh crore. In all 470.75 MHz has been put to auction in various LSAs (in 800, 900, 1800 & 2100 MHz bands). This compares with 390 MHz in November 2012 and 426 MHz in February 2014.
There was robust activity in the all the spectrum bands and vibrant bidding. Prices have significantly increased in 50 of the 69 offerings with bid price being as high as 300% over reserve price in some instances. Over 88% of the spectrum on offer has been provisionally committed at a value of over Rs 1.09 lakh crore. The overall increase over estimated proceeds from auction is about 37%, the ministry said.
Idea Cellular lost 5.9% to Rs 169.75. The stock was volatile. The stock hit a 52-week high of Rs 186.90 in intraday trade. The stock hit a low of Rs 166.25. Idea Cellular before market hours today, 27 March 2015, said that the company has successfully retained the crucial 900 MHz spectrum and won 54 MHz of 900 MHz Spectrum out of overall win of 79.4 MHz Spectrum, for nine of its leadership Service Areas covering over 73% of the company's revenues. With the acquisition of 79.40 MHz across three spectrum bands of 900, 1800 & 2100 MHz in the recent auction, Idea now has a total of 270.7 MHz of spectrum on a pan-India level. Including this Auction and November 2012 Spectrum Auction, Idea has managed to acquire/renew new licenses with liberalized spectrum for 16 out of the 22 Service Areas, which is among the highest for any telecom operator. The company has next renewal of only four Service Areas in the Year 2021 and remaining two Service Areas as late as Year 2026. The total spectrum bid made by Idea is valued at approximately Rs 30100 crore. The company will be availing of the deferred payment facility offered by the Government and likely to pay Rs 7732 crore as upfront payment, and the remaining amount in 10 equal annual installments starting after a moratorium of 2 years.
Private sector bank Yes Bank rose 1.39%. Realty major DLF lost 3.05%.
Jindal Steel & Power (JSPL) jumped 4.46% after the Delhi High Court reportedly said yesterday, 26 March 2015, that the government's decision to cancel the bid of the company's power unit Jindal Power (JPL) for two Chhattisgarh coal mines by annulling the tender process and allotting them to Coal India (CIL) is prima facie wrong. It may be recalled that that the Government of India had rejected JSPL's bids for Gare Palma IV/2 & IV/3 and Tara coal blocks in the recently concluded coal auctions.
Idea Cellular and Yes Bank today, 27 March 2015, replaced DLF and Jindal Steel & Power as the constituents of the 50-unit CNX Nifty index.
Bajaj Auto rose 0.86%. Bajaj Auto yesterday, 26 March 2015, launched the Pulsar RS 200 bike in the super-sport segment priced at Rs 1,18,500 and Rs 1,30,268 for the non ABS and ABS versions respectively, ex-showroom Maharashtra.
Pharma shares edged lower. Dr Reddy's Laboratories (down 1.28%), Glenmark Pharmaceuticals (down 2.49%), Lupin (down 1.12%), Ranbaxy Laboratories (down 1.22%), Cipla (down 1.19%), Sun Pharmaceutical Industries (down 1.45%), and Wockhardt (down 2.2%) declined. Aurobindo Pharma jumped 5.94%.
Cadila Healthcare shed 0.2%. Cadila Healthcare after market hours yesterday, 26 March 2015, announced that the company has purchased 50% shares of Zydus BSV Pharma from Bharat Serums and Vaccines and after the purchase of the additional stake Zydus BSV has become 100% subsidiary of Cadila Healthcare.
Sesa Sterlite shed 0.29%. Sesa Sterlite during market hours today, 27 March 2015, said that the merger of Goa Energy with Sesa Sterlite became effective from 24 March 2015. Since Goa Energy is a wholly owned subsidiary of the company no new shares are issued pursuant to the merger, Sesa Sterlite said.
Shares of oil exploration and production (E&P) companies edged lower. Cairn India lost 3.16%.
ONGC rose 0.08%. Oil India fell 2.49%. Both these state-run companies may reportedly be exempt from paying subsidies to fuel retailers in the March 2015 quarter.
PSU OMCs fell as crude oil prices surged yesterday, 26 March 2015. BPCL (down 1.53%), and Indian Oil Corporation (down 1.52%) declined. HPCL rose 0.87%. Increase in crude oil prices could raise under-recoveries of PSU OMCs on domestic sale of LPG and kerosene at controlled prices. However, gains in rupee against the dollar will mitigate the negative impact of higher crude oil price. Gains in local currency will reduce the cost of imports. The government has already freed pricing of petrol and diesel.
Shares of state-run gas transmission and distribution firm GAIL (India) were off 0.08%. GAIL (India) bears a part of the subsidy burden of PSU OMCs on sale of LPG.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, today, 27 March 2015, appealed to well-to-do sections of Indian society to voluntarily give up LPG subsidy so that the benefit of the same could be shared more widely with poorer sections of society. Delivering the inaugural address at the global energy summit - Urja Sangam-2015 - in New Delhi, the Prime Minister said about 2.8 lakh people from across the country had already given up LPG subsidy. He said this was an important contribution for the service of the poor.
The Prime Minister called for enhancing domestic production to reduce the energy import burden of the country by at least 10%, till 2022, the occasion of the platinum jubilee of India's independence. The Prime Minister called upon India's energy sector to plan for the next five decades with a global perspective. He said India, with one-sixth of the world's population, should shoulder one-sixth of the world's energy responsibility, hence contributing to global prosperity.
The Prime Minister highlighted various achievements of the Union Government, and reforms initiated in the energy sector over the last ten months. He said these reforms were motivated by the quest for greater energy security, which is both a necessity and responsibility. He said transfer of LPG subsidy directly into bank accounts through the world's largest cash subsidy transfer programme in the world - PAHAL - had resulted in elimination of leakages, and curbing corruption. He also mentioned deregulation of diesel prices, ethanol blended petrol to help sugarcane farmers, promotion of bio-diesel, and extension of the gas grid in eastern India, as some of the other major initiatives of the Government. The Prime Minister said the Union Government aims to extend piped natural gas (PNG) to one crore houses over the next five years.
Index heavyweight Reliance Industries (RIL) fell 2.58% at Rs 809.15. The stock hit a high of Rs 835.15 and a low of Rs 801.50. Reliance Jio Infocomm (RJIL), a subsidiary of RIL, announced before market hours today, 27 March 2015, that it has successfully acquired the right to use spectrum in 13 key circles across India in the recently concluded spectrum auction conducted by DoT, Government of India. RJIL plans to provide seamless 4G services using LTE in 800MHz, 1800MHz and 2300MHz bands through an integrated ecosystem.
With this investment, in addition to the pan-India 2300MHz spectrum, RJIL has spectrum in either 800MHz or 1800MHz or both in 20 out of total 22 circles in the country. The payment to be made for the right to use this technology agnostic spectrum for a period of 20 years is Rs 10077.53 crore, RJIL said.
IT stocks rose after global consulting and outsourcing firm Accenture raised its full year revenue growth forecast for the second time in a year. Infosys (up 2.97%), TCS (up 0.26%), Oracle Financial Services Software (up 0.7%), Tech Mahindra (down 0.79%), Hexaware Technologies (up 7.11%) and MphasiS (up 1.09%) gained. Wipro (down 3.61%) and HCL Technologies (down 2.28%) declined.
Accenture yesterday, 26 March 2015, said it expects revenue to grow 8-10% on a local-currency basis in the year ending August 2015. Earlier, the company had raised its revenue growth forecast to 5-8% in December from 4-7% for the full year. Accenture reported financial results for the second quarter of fiscal 2015 ended 28 February 2015, with net revenues of $7.5 billion, an increase of 5% in US dollars and 12% in local currency over the same period last year. Operating income was $1.02 billion, an increase of 7% over the same period last year, and operating margin was 13.6%, a year-over-year expansion of 30 basis points.
Shares of power generation companies declined. Jaiprakash Power Ventures (down 1.37%), Tata Power (down 1.64%), JSW Energy (down 1.62%), Reliance Infrastructure (down 1.05%), Adani Power (down 0.43%), CESC (down 0.15%) edged lower. GMR Infrastructure (up 1.96%) and Reliance Power (up 0.09%) rose.
Shares of state-run power generation major NTPC were up 1.32%. The finance ministry yesterday, 26 March 2015, said that there was a need for capital optimization which is the reason why NTPC recently issued bonus debentures to the shareholders of the company. Since NTPC is in the regulated power generation business, there is little room for improvement of profitability the company. NTPC's high net worth of around Rs 85000 crore depresses the Return on Equity (ROE) which works out to only around 12.78% on reported basis, the finance ministry said citing the reason for the NTPC's decision to reward shareholders with bonus issue of debentures.
With a 74.96% shareholding in NTPC, the Government of India is the biggest beneficiary of the bonus debentures issue.
In the foreign exchange market, the rupee edged higher against the dollar. The partially convertible rupee was hovering at 62.47, compared with its close of 62.68 during the previous trading session.
Brent crude oil futures declined after sharp gains in the previous session as worries of a disruption to crude supplies due to Saudi Arabia-led air strikes in Yemen eased. Brent for May settlement was off 71 cents at $58.48 a barrel. The contract had gained $2.71 a barrel or 4.79% to settle at $59.19 a barrel yesterday, 26 March 2015. Global oil prices had surged yesterday, 26 March 2015, as air strikes in Yemen by Saudi Arabia and its Gulf Arab allies sparked fears that escalation of the Middle East battle could disrupt world crude supplies.
In overseas market, European stocks rose today, 27 March 2015, as a renewed fall in the euro currency helped boost the shares of exporting companies. Key benchmark indices in France and Germany were up 0.58% to 0.68%. In UK, the FTSE 100 shed 0.22%.
Greece is locked in talks with the IMF and European creditors on a deal on economic reforms that would unlock 7.2 billion euros in aid. Greece needs the funding as it faces several major debt repayments in early April.
Asian stocks were mixed today, 27 March 2015. Key benchmark indices in Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan and South Korea fell by 0.04% to 1.2%. Key benchmark indices in China, Indonesia and Singapore rose by 0.24% to 0.54%.
Trading in US index futures indicated that the Dow could fall 18 points at the opening bell today, 27 March 2015. US stocks edged lower yesterday, 26 March 2015, as a better-than-expected report on weekly jobless claims did little to alleviate concerns of a marked slowdown in the US economy during the first quarter.
In economic data, the number of people who applied for US unemployment benefits fell by 9,000 to 282,000 in the seven days from March 15 to March 21. The average of new claims over the past month, meanwhile, dipped below the key 300,000 threshold for the first time since late February. The four-week average dropped by 7,750 to 297,000, the Labor Department said yesterday, 26 March 2015.
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