Uptrend for key benchmark indices continued, with the barometer index, the S&P BSE Sensex, and the 50-unit Nifty 50 index, both, hitting their highest level in more than three weeks. At 13:21 IST, the Sensex was up 330.76 points or 1.36% at 24,573.74. The gains for the 50-unit Nifty 50 index were lower in percentage terms than those for the Sensex. The Nifty was currently up 92.70 points or 1.26% at 7,461.55. In overseas stock markets, Asian stocks moved higher on favourable US economic data overnight. The Sensex and the Nifty have remained in positive zone so far during the trading session after opening with an upward gap.
The Sensex jumped 338.40 points or 1.39% at the day's high of 24,581.38 in afternoon trade, its highest level since 8 February 2016. The barometer index rose 140.30 points or 0.57% at the day's low of 24,383.28 in morning trade. The Nifty rose 98.60 points or 1.33% at the day's high of 7,467.45 in afternoon trade, its highest level since 8 February 2016. The index rose 37.20 points or 0.5% at the day's low of 7,406.05 in morning trade.
Data showing substantial purchases of Indian stocks by foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) during the previous trading session boosted sentiment on the domestic bourses. FPIs bought stocks worth a net Rs 1437.50 crore yesterday 2 March 2016, as per provisional data released by the stock exchanges. The Sensex had risen almost 2% yesterday, 2 March 2016, mirroring a rally in Asian stocks.
In overseas stock markets, Asian markets edged higher on favourable US economic data overnight. US stocks closed slightly higher yesterday, 2 March 2016, helped by gains in energy stocks on rise in oil prices. A monthly employment report showed acceleration in US private sector job addition last month.
Closer home, the market breadth indicating the overall health of the market was strong. On BSE, 1,536 shares rose and 886 shares fell. A total of 128 shares were unchanged. The BSE Mid-Cap index was currently up 0.19%. The BSE Small-Cap index was currently up 0.97%. Both these indices underperformed the Sensex.
Metal and mining stocks were in demand after favourable announcements in the Union Budget 2016-17 announced early this week. Hindustan Copper rose 2.49%.
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Among steel makers, Steel Authority of India (Sail) (up 4.37%), JSW Steel (up 2.43%) and Jindal Steel & Power (up 8.01%) edged higher. The doubling of clean energy cess on coal from Rs 200 to 400 per tonne in Union Budget 2016-17 would further increase the input cost for domestic steel makers and hurt margins. On the flip side, the thrust on infrastructure sector in the Budget will help generate much needed demand for steel industry which is reeling under competition from imports and poor domestic demand.
Tata Steel surged 6.08% on reports that the company has received final environment clearance for its Rs 1877 crore expansion project to be carried out at Jamshedpur Steel Works in Jharkhand. The company has been asked to develop green belt in more than 33% of the area within and around the plant premises as per the Central Pollution Control Board guidelines, reports suggested. It has also been asked to earmark at least 5% of the total cost of the project towards corporate social responsibility, reports added. As per the proposal, Tata Steel will expand crude steel production from 9.7 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) to 11 MTPA at Jamshedpur Steel Works, reports indicated.
Shares of aluminium makers edged higher on renewed buying. Hindalco Industries (up 6.02%) and National Aluminium Company (up 3.13%) edged higher. Union Budget 2016-17 addressed rising import issue of the aluminium sector by increasing the custom duty on primary aluminium to 7.5% from 5% and increasing the Basic Customs Duty on other aluminium products to 10% from 7.5%. The increase in custom duty will help to check imports of aluminium. On the flip side, the reduction in export duty on bauxite to 15% from 20% would decrease domestic ore availability.
Hindustan Zinc gained 2.68%. The government raised the Basic Customs Duty on zinc alloys to 7.5% from 5% in the Union Budget 2016-17.
Vedanta was up 6.92% and NMDC rose 5.12%. In Union Budget 2016-17, Finance minister Arun Jaitley withdrew export duty on iron ore fines and iron ore lumps with iron content below 58%, which were previously charged export duty of 10% and 30%, respectively. The low grade iron ore, exported by Vedanta from Goa, has few takers in the country, which still relies of high quality iron ore to produce steel. Hence, cut in export duty on low grade iron ore augurs well for the company. The finance minister also hiked import duty on aluminium to 7.5% from 5% in a bid to save the industry from cheap imports, which is also a positive development for Vedanta. Basic customs duty on other aluminium products increased from 7.5% to 10%. Basic customs duty on zinc alloys also increased from 5% to 7.5%.
Capital goods stocks extended recent gains. L&T (up 4.45%), Bharat Heavy Electricals (Bhel) (up 4.88%), BEML (up 1.35%), Bharat Electronics (up 1.57%), Crompton Greaves (up 0.51%), ABB India (up 0.31%) and Thermax (up 1.81%) gained. Siemens fell 1.01%.
The increased outlay in core infrastructure sectors of roads including village roads, power, ports and railways as well as incentives for affordable housing in the Union Budget 2016-17 are expected to improve the business opportunities of both domestic capital goods players as well as construction companies with increased order flow. Additionally, the rationalisation of tax structure so as to boost the domestic manufacturing under the 'Make in India' Scheme is expected to boost demand for domestic manufacturers and have cascading impact on domestic capital goods manufacturers.
Meanwhile, the outcome of a monthly survey showed that the rate of growth in India's services sector eased last month. The seasonally adjusted Nikkei India Services Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) fell to a three-month low of 51.4 in February 2016, from January's reading of 54.3. Service providers' confidence with regards to the 12-month outlook for business activity remained positive, with panellists indicating that improved marketing campaigns are likely to drive sales. However, the sentiment waned since January 2016.
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