Key benchmark indices drifted lower in early trade on negative Asian stocks. At 9:25 IST, the barometer index, the S&P BSE Sensex was down 91.49 points or 0.36% at 25,606.53. The Nifty 50 index was currently down 30.45 points or 0.39% at 7,839.70. Investors in emerging markets, including India are worried that the likely rate hike by US Fed will drain liquidity from global emerging markets and redirect it to developed economies.
On the political front, counting of votes for the state assembly elections which concluded on 16 May 2016 is underway today, 19 May 2016. Various exit polls on 17 May 2016 had predicted a victory for the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK)-Congress alliance in assembly elections in Tamil Nadu, a victory for Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPM)-led Left Democratic Front government in Kerala assembly elections and a maiden win for the BJP led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in Assam assembly elections. The exit polls predicted victory for West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in assembly elections that state. The Congress-DMK alliance looks set to form government in the Union territory of Puducherry, the post-poll surveys indicated.
In overseas markets, Asian markets declined on the possibility of an imminent Fed hike. US stocks finished little-changed yesterday, 18 May 2016 following after minutes from the Federal Reserve's April 26-27 meeting indicated that most of its members are ready to lift rates as early as June. The Fed will likely raise interest rates in June if economic data points to stronger US second-quarter economic growth along with higher inflation and employment, according to minutes from the US central bank's April policy meeting released yesterday, 18 May 2016.
Closer home, the market breadth indicating the overall health of the market was positive. On BSE, 687 shares rose and 554 shares declined. A total of 73 shares were unchanged. The BSE Mid-Cap index was currently up 0.15%. The BSE Small-Cap index was currently up 0.19%. Both these indices outperformed the Sensex.
Pharma major Lupin rose 1.21% ahead of its Q4 March 2016 earnings today, 19 May 2016.
TCS shed 0.53%. The company announced five-year partnership with Lidingoloppet, the legendary Swedish sports event, widely regarded as the world's largest cross-country race. Under the terms of the agreement, TCS will become the title sponsor and official technology partner for the event. The announcement was made after market hours yesterday, 18 May 2016.
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Wipro slipped 0.13%. The company announced that Vestas Wind Systems selected the company as its strategic IT partner to provide workplace services. The announcement was made after market hours yesterday, 18 May 2016. Headquartered in Aarhus, Denmark, Vestas is a global energy company that delivers best in class wind energy solutions in over 75 countries.
Axis Bank fell 0.73%. The bank announced that its board of directors at a meeting held yesterday, 18 May 2016, passed a resolution approving the allotment of two senior notes aggregating to $10 million each, under the MTN programme through its Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) branch. The announcement was made after market hours yesterday, 18 May 2016.
Coal India (CIL) declined 0.65%. CIL said that on 17 May 2016, the Competition Appellate Tribunal (Compat) allowed CIL's appeal setting aside the orders of the Competition Commission of India (CCI) imposing penalty of Rs 1773 crore in relation to complaints filed by various power and non-power companies on 9 December 2013 against Coal India and three of its subsidiaries alleging misuse of their monopoly to supply poor quality coal and fixing prices. The case has been remitted back to CCI for it to hear the matter again on merits and pass fresh orders. The CCI has been directed to pass this order within two months. The announcement was made after market hours yesterday, 18 May 2016.
The CCI in December 2013 had found Coal India and its three subsidiaries viz. Mahanadi Coalfields, Western Coalfields and South Eastern Coalfields guilty of abusing their dominant position for supplying non-coking coal and having unfair fuel supply contracts.
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