Firmness continued on the bourses in mid-morning trade after key indices hit record high earlier during the day on the back of data showing that the gross domestic product (GDP) grew 5.7% in Q1 June 2014, its fastest pace in two-and-half years. The barometer index, the S&P BSE Sensex, was currently up 189.34 points or 0.71% at 26,827.45. The market breadth indicating the overall health of the market was strong, with more than two gainers for every loser on BSE. The BSE Mid-Cap index was up 1.22%. The BSE Small-Cap index was 1.11%. Both these indices outperformed the Sensex. Bank stocks gained across the board. Cement stocks also gained. Maruti Suzuki India rose after the company reported strong sales in August.
Data showing improvement in economic growth in Q1 June 2014 triggered a firm opening on the domestic bourses and took indices to record high. The 50-unit CNX Nifty hit record high above the psychological 8,000 level.
A Supreme Court hearing on coal blocks case is scheduled today, 1 September 2014. The apex court on 25 August 2014 deemed all coal block allocations made since 1993 as illegal. The allocations had no objective criteria and no fair and transparent procedure was followed, the court had said.
Asian stocks rose as investors weighed whether Chinese policy makers will add stimulus after reports showing slower manufacturing growth in August 2014. Brent crude was almost unchanged for the day after registering gains during the previous trading session.
At 11:19 IST, the S&P BSE Sensex was up 189.34 points or 0.71% at 26,827.45. The index jumped 215.97 points at the day's high of 26,854.08 in morning trade, a lifetime high for the index. The index rose 94.28 points at the day's low of 26,732.39 in early trade.
The CNX Nifty was up 61.80 points or 0.78% to 8,016.15. The index hit a high of 8,022.70 in intraday trade, a lifetime high for the index. The index hit a low of 7,984 in intraday trade.
The market breadth indicating the overall health of the market was strong, with more than two gainers for every loser on BSE. On BSE, 1,634 shares gained and 793 shares fell. A total of 105 shares were unchanged.
The BSE Mid-Cap index was up 113.36 points or 1.22% at 9,412.26. The BSE Small-Cap index was up 113.96 points or 1.11% at 10,378.41. Both these indices outperformed the Sensex.
Bank stocks gained across the board. State Bank of India (SBI) (up 1.34%), Canara Bank (up 2.55%), Union Bank of India (up 3.57%), Bank of India (up 2.63%), Punjab National Bank (up 2.03%), Syndicate Bank (up 2.63%), Indian Overseas Bank (up 1.4%), Andhra Bank (up 2.95%), Oriental Bank of Commerce (up 3.91%), Dena Bank (up 2.4%), and Indian Bank (up 2.56%), gained.
Among private sector banks, ICICI Bank (up 1.65%), HDFC Bank (up 0.4%), IndusInd Bank (up 2.06%), Yes Bank (up 1.51%), Federal Bank (up 1.57%), Kotak Mahindra Bank (up 0.73%) and Axis Bank (up 2.77%), gained.
Cement stocks also gained. ACC (up 1.05%), Ambuja Cements (up 0.75%), UltraTech Cement (up 1.69%) and Shree Cement (up 0.69%) gained.
Grasim Industries rose 0.87%. Grasim has exposure to the cement sector through its subsidiary UltraTech Cement.
Maruti Suzuki India rose 1.96% to Rs 2,865 after the company reported strong sales in August. The stock hit record high of Rs 2,867.70 in intraday trade. The company said during market hours that its total sales rose 26.9% to 1.1 lakh units in August 2014 over August 2013. Domestic sales rose 29.3% to 98,304 units in August 2014 over August 2013. Exports rose 10.3% to 12,472 units in August 2014 over August 2013.
Brent crude was almost unchanged for the day after registering gains during the previous trading session. Brent for October settlement was unchanged at $103.19 a barrel. The contract rose 73 cents to settle at $103.19 a barrel on Friday, 29 August 2014.
In the foreign exchange market, the rupee edged higher against the dollar. The partially convertible rupee was hovering at 60.49, compared with its close of 60.52 on Thursday, 28 August 2014. Indian financial markets were closed on Friday, 29 August 2014, for a holiday.
Markit Economics said today, 1 September 2014, that the seasonally adjusted HSBC India Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI)-a figure designed to give an accurate overview of business conditions in the manufacturing sector -dipped slightly from July's 17-month high of 53 to 52.4 in August. Nonetheless, the reading was consistent with a solid improvement in operating conditions. The latest PMI data highlighted a tenth consecutive monthly improvement in operating conditions in August, as solid output growth was supported by strong expansions in total new orders and business from abroad. Purchasing activity continued to rise, although a second consecutive decline in employment was recorded. Meanwhile, input cost pressures eased slightly following the acceleration seen in July.
India's gross domestic product (GDP) grew 5.7% in Q1 June 2014, its fastest pace of growth in two-and-half years. The GDP growth has shown sharp improvement from 4.6% in Q4 March 2014 and 4.7% in Q1 June 2013. The Central Statistical Office (CSO) released quarterly estimates of India's GDP on Friday, 29 August 2014, when Indian financial markets were closed for a holiday. The improvement in the GDP growth was facilitated by rebound in industrial sector growth after two sequential quarters of decline. More importantly, the GDP data showed that domestic investment demand has exhibited strong growth of 7% in Q1 June 2014.
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said at a press briefing on Saturday, 30 August 2014, that he expects the country's economic growth to accelerate as inflation moderates and government measures aimed at making it easier for companies to do business take effect. Mr. Jaitley also expressed confidence that the government would be able to achieve the 4.1% of GDP fiscal deficit target that the government set in the annual budget presented in July.
The Finance Ministry expects India's economy to grow at 5.7% to 5.9% during the current fiscal year. In a statement issued on 30 August 2014, the Finance Ministry said it expects India to reclaim the high growth rate of 7% within 2-3 years. The Finance Ministry further said that with a view to ensure macroeconomic stability, the current account deficit will be contained within 2% of GDP and fiscal deficit will be contained within 4.1% of GDP during the current fiscal year.
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Raghuram Rajan said in a newspaper interview published on Sunday, 31 August 2014, that India is better prepared to handle the impact of interest rate increases in the United States as foreign funds are less likely to desert the country due to signs of an upturn in economic growth. Rajan said that his commitment to cool surging prices will also support the rupee when US rates finally do rise.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is in the midst of his five-day trip to Japan to bolster security and business ties with Japan in the face of an assertive China.
Asian stocks rose today, 1 September 2014, as investors weighed whether Chinese policy makers will add stimulus after reports showing slower manufacturing growth in August 2014. Key benchmark indices in Indonesia, Hong Kong, China, Japan and Taiwan were up 0.27% to 0.86%. Key benchmark indices in Singapore and South Korea were off 0.07% to 0.48%.
Growth in China's large factory sector slipped to a three-month low in August as foreign and domestic demand cooled, a private survey showed on Monday, raising concerns that the economy is faltering after a bounce. The final HSBC/Markit Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) retreated to 50.2 in August, roughly in line with a preliminary reading of 50.3 and only a shade above the 50-point mark that demarcates an expansion in activity from a contraction.
China's official manufacturing PMI for August, reported today, 1 September 2014, was 51.1, compared with July's 51.7.
US stocks climbed on Friday, 29 August 2014, ahead of a three-day weekend. US markets remain closed today, 1 September 2014, for Labor Day holiday.
On the economic front Friday, the Commerce Department reported American household spending fell 0.1% in July, bucking forecast for a 0.1% increase. Personal income rose a less-than-expected 0.2%.
On Saturday, 30 August 2014, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko warned a "full-scale war" was imminent if Russian troops continued to advance in support of pro-Moscow rebels, while US and European leaders threatened Moscow with further sanctions.
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