A bout of volatility was witnessed as key benchmark indices languished in red in mid-afternoon trade. While the losses for the barometer index, the S&P BSE Sensex, and the 50-unit CNX Nifty were modest, the broad market depicted weakness. There were more than two losers for every gainer on BSE. The barometer index, the S&P BSE Sensex, was currently off 65.12 points or 0.23% at 28,785.85. The BSE Mid-Cap index was off 0.77%. The Small-Cap index was off 1.32%. The decline in both these indices was higher than the Sensex's decline in percentage terms. Brent crude oil futures extended gains after a sharp surge in prices overnight triggered by reports of more unrest in the oil producing country Libya.
Meanwhile, as a measure to incentivise long term investors, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) yesterday, 5 February 2015, allowed foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) to invest in government securities the coupons received on their existing investments in government securities.
Auto stocks declined. Tata Motors tumbled after weak Q3 results. Cement shares also edged lower.
Earlier, the Sensex and the 50-unit CNX Nifty had, both, hit their lowest level in more than two weeks in mid-morning trade as these two key benchmark indices lost ground after seeing volatility earlier during the trading session.
Foreign portfolio investors sold shares worth a net Rs 27.43 crore yesterday, 5 February 2015, as per provisional data released by the stock exchanges. Domestic institutional investors (DIIs) bought shares worth a net Rs 325.61 crore yesterday, 5 February 2015, as per provisional data.
In the overseas markets, European stocks edged lower after disappointing German industrial production data and as concerns over Greece's future in the euro zone continued to dominate market sentiment. Asian stock markets were mixed today, 6 February 2015, as investors awaited the closely-watched US jobs report, which could provide cues on the US economic recovery. US stock markets surged yesterday, 5 February 2015, buoyed by a rebound in oil prices, deal news and upbeat quarterly earnings.
In the foreign exchange market, the rupee edged lower against the dollar in choppy trade.
Brent crude oil futures extended gains after a sharp surge in prices overnight triggered by reports of more unrest in the oil producing country Libya. Global crude oil prices have witnessed high volatility recently after a steep slide in prices over the past few months. The recent rebound in global crude oil prices will raise concerns pertaining to India's fiscal deficit, current account deficit and fuel price inflation. India imports about 80% of its crude oil requirements.
At 14:16 IST, the S&P BSE Sensex was off 65.12 points or 0.23% at 28,785.85. The index fell 129.73 points at the day's low of 28,721.24 in mid-morning trade, its lowest level since 20 January 2015. The index rose 71.88 points at the day's high of 28,922.85 in morning trade.
The CNX Nifty was off 19.90 points or 0.23% at 8,691.80. The index hit a low of 8,661.65 in intraday trade, its lowest level since 20 January 2015. The index hit a high of 8,726.20 in intraday trade.
The BSE Mid-Cap index was off 81.32 points or 0.77% at 10,522.25. The BSE Small-Cap index was off 148.43 points or 1.32% at 11,134.71. The decline in both these indices was higher than the Sensex's decline in percentage terms.
The market breadth indicating the overall health of the market was quite weak, with more than two losers for every gainer on BSE. 1,931 shares declined and 793 shares advanced. A total of 96 shares were unchanged.
Auto stocks declined. Mahindra & Mahindra (down 1.72%) and Eicher Motors (down 0.91%) edged lower.
Tata Motors tumbled 5.1% at Rs 559.50. Tata Motors' consolidated net profit declined 25.5% to Rs 3581 crore on 9.6% growth in revenue (net of excise) to Rs 69973 crore in Q3 December 2014 over Q3 December 2013. The result was announced after market hours yesterday, 5 February 2015. Tata Motors said that its topline in Q3 December 2014 grew despite continuing weak operating environment in the standalone business which was more than offset by, increase in wholesale volumes, richer product mix and market mix at Jaguar Land Rover (JLR).
Tata Motors' British luxury car unit JLR's net profit declined 4.2% to GBP 593 million on 10.3% growth in revenue to GBP 5879 million in Q3 December 2014 over Q3 December 2013. Operating profit (EBITDA) rose 7.8% to GBP 1096 million in Q3 December 2014 over Q3 December 2013. Continued strong revenue and operating performance were driven by wholesale volume increase, richer product mix supported by the ongoing success of Range Rover Sport, Range Rover and Jaguar F-TYPE and rich market mix, Tata Motors said. JLR's profit before tax (PBT) dropped 18.6% to GBP 685 million in Q3 December 2014 over Q3 December 2013. The decline in PBT was due to unfavourable revaluation of foreign currency debt and unrealised hedges and higher depreciation and amortisation.
In the standalone business, Tata Motors reported a massive net loss of Rs 2123 crore for Q3 December 2014. Loss before tax for Q3 December 2014 was Rs 2105 crore. The loss before tax for the quarter ended 31 December 2014 includes provision of Rs 310 crore to the carrying cost of buildings at Singur due to uncertainty on the timing of the resolution of the legal case pending in the Supreme Court of India and the unamortized exchange loss of Rs 216 crores due to the prepayment of the existing foreign currency borrowings with new foreign currency borrowings in the quarter.
Maruti Suzuki India fell 0.77% at Rs 3,495.05. The company during market hours today, 6 February 2015, said its total production rose 11.07% to 1.21 lakh units in January 2015 over January 2014.
Among two-wheeler makers, Bajaj Auto (down 1.02%) and Hero MotoCorp (down 2.37%) edged lower. TVS Motor Company (up 0.05%) edged higher.
Cement shares declined. Jaiprakash Associates (down 1.14%), UltraTech Cement (down 1.31%), Shree Cement (down 0.72%), and ACC (down 0.29%) edged lower. Ambuja Cements (up 0.4%) edged higher.
Grasim Industries fell 1.74% at Rs 3,816. Grasim Industries has exposure to cement industry through its subsidiary UltraTech Cement.
Tata Chemicals fell 1.37% at Rs 456.20. The stock hit a high of Rs 466.10 and a low of Rs 443.60 so far during the day. Tata Chemicals reported a consolidated net profit of Rs 238.12 crore in Q3 December 2014, compared with net loss of Rs 15.93 crore in Q3 December 2013. Total income rose 5.33% to Rs 4844.72 crore in Q3 December 2014 over Q3 December 2013. The result was announced during market hours today, 6 February 2015.
In the foreign exchange market, the rupee edged lower against the dollar in choppy trade. The partially convertible rupee was hovering at 61.775, compared with its close of 61.74 during the previous trading session.
Brent crude oil futures extended gains after a sharp surge in prices overnight triggered by reports of more unrest in the oil producing country Libya. Brent for March settlement was up 91 cents at $57.48 a barrel. The contract had advanced $2.41 a barrel or 4.44% to settle at $56.57 a barrel during the previous trading session.
Meanwhile, as a measure to incentivise long term investors, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) yesterday, 5 February 2015, allowed foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) to invest in government securities the coupons received on their existing investments in government securities. These investments shall be kept outside the applicable limit for investments by FPIs in government securities, currently capped at $30 billion, the RBI said in a notification.
European stock markets were lower today, 6 February 2015, after disappointing German industrial production data and as concerns over Greece's future in the euro zone continued to dominate market sentiment. Key benchmark indices in Germany, France and UK were off 0.25% to 0.6%.
Industrial output in Germany finished the last month of 2014 above the growth line, albeit just barely, data from the economy ministry showed today, 6 February 2015. Output rose only 0.1% in December 2014. Broken down by category, manufacturing output was up 0.5%, while construction output declined 2.9%.
Greece remains in the spotlight. German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schauble said yesterday, 5 February 2015, said that Greece's financial difficulties were the result of the nation's domestic problems and that Germany would do all in its power to help Greece. Schauble was speaking at a joint press conference with his Greek counterpart Yanis Varoufakis in Berlin. The comments came after the European Central Bank on Wednesday, 4 February 2015, said it would no longer accept Greek bonds as collateral for lending, shifting the burden on to Greece's central bank to provide additional liquidity for its lenders and increasing pressure on Athens. Greece's government is seeking debt relief on its current 240 billion bailout, which has fuelled fears over a clash with its creditors that could bring about its eventual exit from the euro zone.
Asian stock markets were mixed today, 6 February 2015, as investors awaited the closely-watched US jobs report, which could provide cues on the US economic recovery. Key indices in Japan, Singapore, South Korea, and Indonesia were up 0.14% to 0.94%. In Taiwan, the Taiwan Weighted was off 0.59%.
Stocks fell in China after a senior official from the People's Bank of China said the latest reserve-ratio cut by the central bank is not the start of strong stimulus, according to state media reports in the previous day. In mainland China, the Shanghai Composite index was off 1.91%. In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng index was off 0.41%.
Australia's central bank today, 6 February 2015, lowered both its medium-term forecasts for inflation and economic growth, saying the economy won't grow fast enough in the next year to prevent a further rise in unemployment. The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) said GDP growth is expect to remain weak through 2015, tracking below 3%, a rate often cited as needed to prevent unemployment from rising.
Trading in US index futures indicated that the Dow could gain 14 points at the opening bell today, 6 February 2015. US stock markets advanced yesterday, 5 February 2015, buoyed by a rebound in oil prices, deal news and upbeat quarterly earnings.
The US government is schedule to release nonfarm payroll data for January 2015 later in the global day today, 6 February 2015.
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