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Sensex and Nifty settle at over 2-week low

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Last Updated : Jul 26 2013 | 5:10 PM IST

Key benchmark indices edged lower in volatile trade after the latest batch of Q1 results disappointed investors. The S&P BSE Sensex and the 50-unit CNX Nifty, both, reached their lowest closing level in more than two weeks. The Sensex lost 56.57 points or 0.29%, up about 50 points from the day's low and off close to 160 points from the day's high. The market breadth, indicating the overall health of the market, was weak. GAIL (India) extended Thursday's post-result losses. FMCG major Hindustan Unilever (HUL) fell on weak Q1 result.

Indian stocks fell for the third straight session today, 26 July 2013. The Sensex has fallen 553.94 points or 2.72% in three trading sessions from a recent high of 20,302.13 on 23 July 2013. The Sensex has risen 352.38 points or 1.81% so far in July 2013 (till 26 July 2013). The Sensex has gained 321.48 points or 1.65% in calendar 2013 so far (till 26 July 2013). From a 52-week high of 20,443.62 on 20 May 2013, the Sensex has fallen 695.43 points or 3.4%. From a 52-week low of 16,760.72 on 27 July 2012, the Sensex has surged 2,987.47 points or 17.82%.

Coming back to today's trade, Sterlite Industries (India) declined in choppy trade after announcing weak Q1 results. Many other metal stocks declined after Sterlite Industries' weak Q1 result. Tata Steel hit 52-week low. Punjab National Bank (PNB) tumbled as first quarter results showed that the bank's sticky loans rose. Bank of India also declined as first quarter results showed that the bank's sticky loans rose. Index heavyweight and cigarette major ITC recovered from Thursday's post-result slide.

The S&P BSE Sensex lost 56.57 points or 0.29% to settle at 19,748.19, its lowest closing level since 11 July 2013. The index fell 105 points at the day's low of 19,699.76 in mid-afternoon trade. The index jumped 102.69 points at the day's high of 19,907.45 in early trade.

The CNX Nifty was down 21.30 points or 0.36% to 5,886.20, its lowest closing level since 10 July 2013. The index hit a low of 5,869.50 in intraday trade. The index hit a high of 5,944.50 in intraday trade.

The BSE Mid-Cap index fell 0.99% and the BSE Small-Cap index declined 0.82%. Both these indices underperformed the Sensex.

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The total turnover on BSE amounted to Rs 2095 crore, lower than Rs 2144.18 crore on Thursday, 25 July 2013.

The market breadth, indicating the overall health of the market, was weak. On BSE, 1,410 shares fell and 856 shares rose. A total of 160 shares were unchanged.

Among the 30-share Sensex pack, 19 stocks fell and rest of them rose. Coal India (down 4.08%), Tata Motors (down 3.34%) and Maruti Suzuki India (down 2.77%), edged lower. Sun Pharmaceutical Industries (up 2.18%), M&M (up 1.53%) and Cipla (up 1.27%), edged higher.

IT major Wipro rose 1.74% in choppy trade ahead of its Q1 result today, 26 July 2013.

Index heavyweight Reliance Industries (RIL) fell 0.11%, with the stock reversing intraday gain.

Two-wheeler major Hero MotoCorp rose 1.97%, with the stock extending Thursday's 4.06% gain as the company managed to sustain its margins at the operating level in Q1 June 2013 despite the sluggishness of the auto industry. The company after trading hours on Wednesday, 24 July 2013, reported 10.86% decline in net profit to Rs 548.58 crore on 1.25% decline in total income to Rs 6271.78 crore in Q1 June 2013 over Q1 June 2012. The company said the net profit declined due to higher tax rate on account of the expiry of 5 years (April 2008-March 2013) of 100% exemption in Haridwar, where the largest-producing manufacturing plant of the company is located. With the expiry of the tax benefit, the tax liability of the company went up to 26.9% in Q1 June 2013, from 16.3% from Q1 June 2012. The decline in net profit is also reflective of the newly-levied higher surcharge in the Finance Bill 2013, Hero MotoCorp said in statement.

The operating profit margin (OPM) fell by a marginal 10 basis points on year on year basis to 14.9% in Q1 June 2013.

Realty stocks edged lower. Realty major DLF fell 1.74%, with the stock reversing initial gains. The company said after market hours on Thursday, 25 July 2013, that it has signed definitive agreements to sell its 74% equity stake in its Life Insurance Joint Venture -- DLF Pramerica Life Insurance Company, a joint venture with Prudential International Insurance Holdings (PIIHL), a subsidiary of Prudential Financial, Inc USA to Dewan Housing Finance Corporation (DHFL) and its group entities. As these agreements are subject to regulatory approvals, hence the transaction consideration shall be disclosed post receipt of all such approvals, DLF said. The transaction is in line with the DLF's ongoing strategy to divest non-core assets.

Among other realty stocks, Unitech (down 1.64%), HDIL (down 4.1%), D B Realty (down 1.27%) and Sobha Developer (down 1.83%), edged lower.

Shares of power equipment major Bharat Heavy Electricals rose 0.13% to Rs 158.80. The stock stock reversed direction after hitting 52-week low of Rs 156.10 in intraday trade today, 26 July 2013.

L&T fell 0.97% to Rs 845.65. The stock hit 52-week low of Rs 843.25 in intraday trade today, 26 July 2013. L&T's net profit declined 12.46% to Rs 756.03 crore on 3.69% growth in total income to Rs 13027.66 crore in Q1 June 2013 over Q1 June 2012. L&T attributed the decline in net profit to unfavorable job mix, lower margin accruals and lower other income. The Q1 result was announced on 22 July 2013.

Tata Power Company declined 0.57% as the stock turned ex-dividend today, 26 July 2013 for the dividend of Rs 1.15 a share for the financial year ended March 2013 (FY 2013).

GAIL (India) fell 3.16%, with the stock extending Thursday's losses triggered by weak Q1 result. The company's net profit declined 28.17% to Rs 808.17 crore on 16.01% growth in total income to Rs 12957.48 crore in Q1 June 2013 over Q1 June 2012. The Q1 result was announced during market hours on Thursday, 25 July 2013. In terms of the decision of the Government of India to share the under recoveries on LPG, the company provided provisional discount of Rs 700 crore in Q1 June 2013, which was equal to the amount provided in Q1 June 2012.

Index heavyweight and cigarette major ITC rose 3.04%. The stock had fallen 4.57% on Thursday after reporting Q1 result. ITC's net profit rose 18.05% to Rs 1891.33 crore on 10.5% increase in income from operations to Rs 7410.70 crore in Q1 June 2013 over Q1 June 2012. The result was announced during trading hours on Thursday, 25 July 2013.

FMCG major Hindustan Unilever (HUL) fell 3.51% to Rs 662.40 after net profit declined 23.43% to Rs 1019.25 crore on 5.88% increase in total income to Rs 6985.79 crore in Q1 June 2013 over Q1 June 2012. The result was announced during trading hours today, 26 July 2013. Ahead of the results, the HUL stock had lost 3.21% to Rs 686.50 on Thursday, 25 July 2013.

The company said that the year on year fall in net profit was due to significant exceptional income generated in Q1 June 2012 from the sale of properties. Profit after tax but before exceptional items rose 4% to Rs 885 crore in Q1 June 2013 over Q1 June 2012. HUL stated that while commodity costs were relatively benign, PFAD prices started to move up and the rupee sharply depreciated towards the end of the quarter. Competitive intensity remained at high levels and the company continued to invest in its brands. Advertisement and promotion (A&P) cost increased by Rs 70 crore on year on year basin in Q1 June 2013.

Commenting on the first quarter results, Harish Manwani, Chairman, HUL, said: "In a difficult market environment, we have again delivered competitive growth and strong margin expansion through a sustained focus on innovation, in-market execution and robust cost management. While there are near term concerns particularly around slowing market growth, we are confident of the medium to long term growth prospect of the FMCG sector and our strategy of driving growth and profitability through innovation and operational excellence."

Meanwhile, HUL announced key changes in the board of directors and management committee. Mr. Nitin Paranjpe, currently the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the company will be joining the Unilever Leadership Executive (ULE), taking on the role of President, Home Care with effect from 1 October 2013. Mr. Sanjiv Mehta, currently Chairman, North Africa & Middle East (NAME), Unilever, has been appointed as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the company in place of Mr. Nitin Paranjpe with effect from 1 October 2013. Mr. Sanjiv Mehta will also be responsible for South Asia cluster which includes India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Nepal.

Punjab National Bank tumbled 5.32% on a surge in the bank's gross non-performing assets in Q1 June 2013. The bank's net profit rose 2.38% to Rs 1275.32 crore on 0.21% rise in total income to Rs 11746.59 crore in Q1 June 2013 over Q1 June 2012. The bank announced Q1 result during market hours today, 26 July 2013.

PNB's gross non-performing assets surged to Rs 15090.63 crore as on 30 June 2013, from Rs 13465.79 crore as on 31 March 2013 and sharply higher than Rs 9988.17 crore as 30 June 2012. The ratio of gross non-performing assets (NPA) to gross advances edged up to 4.84% as on 30 June 2013, from 4.27% as on 31 March 2013 and 3.34% as on 30 June 2012. The ratio of net NPA to net advances edged up to 2.98% as on 30 June 2013, from 2.35% as on 31 March 2013 and 1.68% as on 30 June 2012.

Bank of India lost 4.84% as the bank's gross non-performing assets surged to Rs 9413.45 crore as on 30 June 2013, from Rs 8765.25 crore as on 31 March 2013 and sharply higher than Rs 6751.81 crore as on 30 June 2012. Bank of India's (BoI) ratio of gross non-performing assets (NPAs) to gross advances increased to 3.04% as on 30 June 2013, from 2.99% as on 31 March 2013 and 2.56% as on 30 June 2012. The ratio of net NPA to net advances increased to Rs 2.1% as on 30 June 2013, from 2.06% as on 31 March 2013 and 1.69% as on 30 June 2012.

BoI's net profit rose 8.64% to Rs 964.18 crore on 13.7% growth in total income to Rs 9722.01 crore in Q1 June 2013 over Q1 June 2012. The state-run bank announced its first quarter results during trading hours today, 26 July 2013.

BoI's provisions and contingencies surged 47.08% to Rs 694.56 crore in Q1 June 2013 over Q1 June 2012.

Shares of many other PSU banks dropped after both PNB and Bank of India reported increase in sticky loans. State Bank of India, Canara Bank, Union Bank of India, and Bank of Baroda shed by 1.66% to 8.56%.

Among private sector banks, ICICI Bank (down 0.32%) and HDFC Bank (down 1.45%), edged lower.

IndusInd Bank fell 0.83%. The bank said during market hours today, 26 July 2013, that it has opened two new branches in Patna in Bihar.

Sterlite Industries (India) fell 3.86% to Rs 77.20, after the company reported weak Q1 results after trading hours on Thursday, 25 July 2013. The stock was volatile. The scrip hit high of Rs 82.20 and low Rs 74. Sterlite Industries' consolidated net profit fell 22% to Rs 934 crore on 23% fall net sales/income from operations to Rs 8190 crore in Q1 June 2013 over Q1 June 2012.

Earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) declined 7% to Rs 2173 crore in Q1 June 2013 over Q1 June 2012. Sterlite said revenue and EBITDA were lower primarily on account of a temporary closure of the Tuticorin copper smelter, which was partially offset by higher power generation at the Jharsuguda 2,400 megawatts (MW) power plant and higher production at Zinc India. Temporary closure of the Tuticorin smelter negatively impacted EBITDA by Rs. 180 crore. The profit after tax (PAT) and basic EPS were impacted by lower EBITDA and higher losses at associate. Higher interest cost on borrowings was largely offset by increase in other income.

Following the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board's (TNPCB) order for closure of the Tuticorin copper smelter on 29 March 2013, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) after hearing company's appeal, passed an interim order on 31 May 2013, conditionally allowing the smelter to recommence operations, and the plant restarted on 23 June 2013. On July 15, 2013, an expert committee confirmed that the plant meets the prescribed standards, and the NGT in its order of even date took cognizance of the findings of the expert committee and observed that the company "is neither an existing pollutant nor is a threat of future pollution (not violating prescribed standards) resulting in health hazards", and declined to modify its earlier interim order dated 31 May 2013, enabling the plant to continue to operate. Separately, the TNPCB has also filed an appeal against the NGT's earlier interim order before the Supreme Court.

Meanwhile, Sterlite Industries (India) said after market hours on Thursday, 25 July 2013 that the proposed merger of the company with Sesa Goa and Vedanta Group consolidation and simplification has received the approval of the High Court of Madras on 25 July 2013 and the High Court of Bombay at Goa on 3 April 2013. One of the shareholders of Sesa Goa has filed an appeal against the order passed dated 3 April 2013 by the High Court of Bombay at Goa before the Division Bench. The hearing before the Division Bench has been completed and the order of the Division Bench is awaited.

Commenting on the company's first quarter results, Mr. Anil Agarwal, Chairman, Sterlite Industries said: "We achieved a strong performance in the first quarter of FY 2014, and delivered production growth at our world-class zinc, silver, power and aluminium businesses despite global economic volatility and lower metal prices. We remain focused on completing the merger with Sesa Goa, and ramping up production from our growth projects across our world class asset portfolio."

Shares of Sesa Goa fell 4.97%.

Many other metal stocks declined after Sterlite Industries' weak Q1 result. Hindalco Industries slumped 7.68%.

Shares of most steel makers fell. JSW Steel (down 2.3%), and Jindal Steel & Power (down 3.43%), edged lower. Sail rose 1.04% in volatile trade.

Tata Steel fell 1.73% to Rs 219.20. The stock hit 52-week low of Rs 216.85 in intraday trade today, 26 July 2013.

Shares of Jet Airways (India) surged on speculation that the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) at its meeting on Monday, 29 July 2013, may approve Jet's proposal to sell 24% stake to Etihad Airways. The stock jumped 17.43% to Rs 395.50. The FIPB last month deferred a decision on Jet's plan to sell a 24% stake to Etihad.

Biocon jumped 7.34% after consolidated net profit rose 18.65% to Rs 93.50 crore on 22.03% growth in total income to Rs 723.17 crore in Q1 June 2013 over Q1 June 2012. The Q1 result was announced after market hours on Thursday, 25 July 2013.

Biocon said that the revenue growth in Q1 June 2013 reflects the inherent strength of the company's product portfolios. Revenue from the biopharma business rose 21% to 439 crore in Q1 June 2013 over Q1 June 2012. Revenue from branded formulations rose 17% to Rs 101 crore. Revenue from research services (Syngene and Clinigene) rose 26% to Rs 155 crore.

Biocon's Research and Development investments for Q1 June 2013 stood at Rs 43 crore which is 10% of Biopharma sales.

With regard to the future business outlook, Biocon said that the focus in the current fiscal is to further the company's progress in the biosimilars, research services and the branded formulations space. The company said that the current business and regulatory environment is challenging and has impacted the Indian pharmaceutical industry's growth momentum. Biocon said it intends to manage the environmental uncertainties by building efficiencies across costs and processes as well as by improving the portfolio mix with margin accretive products. The Research and Development and Capex investments in the company's biosimilars programs continue as planned with Research and Development costs expected to increase during the year, Biocon said.

Biocon's board of directors at a meeting held on Thursday, 25 July 2013, noted the proposal for merger of its subsidiary Clinigene International with Syngene International.

Dish TV India lost 8.24% after the company reported net loss of Rs 30.37 crore in Q1 June 2013, lower than net loss of Rs 32.32 crore in Q1 June 2012. Dish TV India's (Dish) total income rose 12.14% to Rs 606.11 crore in Q1 June 2013 over Q1 June 2012. Operating revenue rose 11.2% to Rs 578.40 crore. The Q1 result was announced during trading hours today, 26 July 2013.

Bharat Electronics lost 3.29% after net profit declined 11.07% to Rs 17.18 crore on 5.25% growth in total income to Rs 1010.58 crore in Q1 June 2013 over Q1 June 2012. The Q1 result was announced during trading hours today, 26 July 2013.

Tata Coffee advanced 5.51% after consolidated net profit surged 43.29% to Rs 40.38 crore on 1.14% rose in total income from operations (net) to Rs 418.46 crore in Q1 June 2013 over Q1 June 2012. Tata Coffee declared Q1 June 2013 results during market hours today, 26 July 2013.

European shares were mostly in the red on Friday, 26 July 2013. Key benchmark indices in UK and Germany were off 0.16% to 0.57%. France's CAC 40 rose 0.59%.

UK's second-quarter gross domestic product expanded 0.6% compared with the first quarter and 1.4% higher than a year ago, data released on Thursday, 25 July 2013, showed.

Asian stocks were mostly in red on Friday, 26 July 2013. Key benchmark indices in Indonesia, China, Taiwan and Japan fell by 0.17% to 2.97%. Key benchmark indices in South Korea, Hong Kong and Singapore rose by 0.01% to 0.31%.

Japan consumer prices rose the most since 2008 in June, an early sign that the world's third-biggest economy may be starting to shake off 15 years of deflation. Consumer prices excluding fresh food increased 0.4% in June from a year earlier, the statistics bureau said in a statement today.

Trading in US index futures indicated that the Dow could fall 35 points at the opening bell on Friday, 26 July 2013. US stocks rose on Thursday, 25 July 2013, after better-than-expected results from Facebook Inc. Economic data released on Thursday, 25 July 2013, was mixed. Durable-goods orders in June came in better than expected, but weekly jobless claims posted a modest increase of 7,000 claims to 343,000.

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First Published: Jul 26 2013 | 4:40 PM IST

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