Business Standard

Sensex turns volatile in late trade as June F&O contracts expire

Image

Capital Market

Volatility ruled the roost in late trade as key benchmark indices extended intraday losses. After trimming losses in mid-afternoon trade, the Sensex lost ground after a sudden slide in late trade. The barometer index once again trimmed losses at the fag end of the trading session. The barometer index, the S&P BSE Sensex, was provisionally down 211.96 points or 0.84%, up about 80 points from the day's low and off close to 205 points from the day's high. The market breadth indicating the overall health of the market was negative. The market sentiment was hit adversely as the government's decision to defer revision in gas prices for three months came contrary to market expectations that the new government will quickly take business-friendly decisions aimed at economic revival. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is perceived as a business friendly leader.

 

Reliance Industries (RIL), ONGC and Oil India dropped after the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) on Wednesday, 25 June 2014, deferred a decision on revision of natural gas pricing by three months. L&T rose after the company said its wholly owned subsidiary L&T Technology Services has purchased 74% of the equity capital of Thales Software India, the Indian subsidiary of Thales.

Indian stocks were volatile today, 26 June 2014, as traders rolled over positions in the futures & options (F&O) segment from the near month June 2014 series to July 2014 series. The June 2014 F&O contracts expired today, 26 June 2014.

As per provisional figures, the S&P BSE Sensex was down 211.96 points or 0.84% to 25,101.78. The index slumped 292.51 points at the day's low of 25,021.23 in late trade, its lowest level since 23 June 2014. The index fell 4.41 points at the day's high of 25,309.33 in early trade.

The CNX Nifty was down 66.20 points or 0.87% to 7,503.05, as per provisional figures. The index hit a low of 7,481.30 in intraday trade, its lowest level since 23 June 2014. The index hit a high of 7,570.20 in intraday trade.

The total turnover on BSE amounted to Rs 3272 crore, higher than Rs 3221.85 crore on Wednesday, 25 June 2014.

The market breadth indicating the overall health of the market was negative. On BSE, 1,538 shares fell and 1,489 shares rose. A total of 100 shares were unchanged. The market breadth alternately moved between positive and negative during the trading session.

The BSE Mid-Cap index was down 27.82 points or 0.3% at 9,180.84. The BSE Small-Cap index was down 31.41 points or 0.31% at 9,981.31. Both these indices outperformed the Sensex.

Reliance Industries (RIL), ONGC and Oil India dropped after the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) on Wednesday, 25 June 2014, deferred a decision on revision of natural gas pricing for three months. ONGC dropped 5.46% to Rs 413. Oil India shed 2.91% to Rs 571.50. RIL fell 3.22% to Rs 1,017. The decision to defer gas price revision means that gas will be sold at prevailing price of $4.2 per unit until end September 2014.

The government said that comprehensive discussions are necessary on the issue of natural gas pricing and the gas pricing guidelines. The government said that consultations will be held with all stakeholders and public interest will be kept in mind.

The price of natural gas would have doubled to $8.4 per unit from 1 April 2014 after the Congress led United Proressive Alliance (UPA) government in January this year approved a new formula for pricing all domestic gas from 1 April 2014. However, gas price revision could not be implemented because of the electoral code of conduct due to Lok Sabha elections in April-May 2014.

L&T rose 1.21% to Rs 1,670.40. L&T and Thales said in a joint statement during market hours that L&T's wholly owned subsidiary L&T Technology Services has purchased 74% of the equity capital of Thales Software India, the Indian subsidiary of Thales, the global technology leader in aerospace, transportation and defence and security markets. With this transaction, L&T Technology Services will now manage and oversee the management control, operations and delivery of services of the new joint venture.

The joint venture brings together the strategic strengths of both the groups. By retaining 26% equity stake, Thales will help the company develop the latest trends in the avionics industry, one of the core businesses. This collaboration adds to L&T Technology Services' growing competencies by enhancing its expertise in high-end avionic software.

The joint venture capitalises on the existing strong relationship between the two groups, L&T and Thales and ensures a long term partnership in the engineering services domain. Furthermore, the transaction should enable Thales to select this new group as its Indian offset partner, resulting in inflow of offset related revenues in the joint venture, the statement said.

Coal India was down 2.07% to Rs 389.45. The stock edged lower in late trade after a news agency quoted Sangita Chourre, joint secretary in the department of disinvestment in finance ministry, as saying that stake sale in Coal India is in "action plan".

Dewan Housing Finance Corporation jumped 7.81% to Rs 362 after the company said that credit rating agency Credit Analysis & Research (CARE) has up-graded the ratings assigned to the long term bank facilities and other instruments/securities of the company.

Kesoram Industries surged 8.07% to Rs 119.85. The company said during market hours that the board of directors of the company at its meeting held today, 26 June 2014, constituted a core committee comprising of three directors, two of whom are independent, to consider and evaluate steps that the company may need to pursue to implement reorganisation and realignment due to the imminent necessity for the company to explore options for reorganising and realigning its existing businesses.

A bout of volatility was witnessed as key benchmark indices trimmed losses after a weak opening. A sudden slide took key benchmark indices lower in morning trade. The Sensex languished in negative terrain in early afternoon trade. Weakness continued on the bourses in afternoon trade. Key benchmark indices trimmed losses after hitting fresh intraday low in mid-afternoon trade. Volatility ruled the roost in late trade as key benchmark indices extended intraday losses. After trimming losses in mid-afternoon trade, the Sensex lost ground after a sudden slide in late trade. The barometer index once again trimmed losses at the fag end of the trading session.

Indian stocks fell for the second day in a row today, 26 June 2014.

In the foreign exchange market, the rupee edged lower against the dollar. The partially convertible rupee was hovering at 60.16, compared with its close of 60.125/135 on Wednesday, 25 June 2014.

The government on Wednesday, 25 June 2014, announced extension of concessional excise duty on automobiles, capital goods and consumer durables by six months up to 31 December 2014. It may be recalled that the Congress led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government had in Interim Budget for 2014-15 in February this year reduced excise duty on small cars, two wheelers, scooters and commercial vehicles to 8% from 12%. Excise duty on sports utility vehicles (SUVs) was cut to 24% from 30% and that on mid and large cars was cut to 24/20% from 27/24%. At that time, the reduction is excise duty was restricted till 30 June 2014 as an interim relief measure for the auto sector.

Similarly, excise duty was cut to 10% from 12% for a period up to 30 June 2014 for capital goods and consumer durable falling under chapter 84 and chapter 85 of the Schedule to the Central Excise Tariff Act. The chapter 84/85 includes products like boiler, turbine, transformers, motors, air conditioners, toaster, oven, switches, switchgears etc.

European markets edged lower in choppy trade on Thursday, 26 June 2014, on weaker than expected US growth figures. Key benchmark indices in France and Germany were down 1% each. UK's FTSE 100 rose 0.04%.

Asian stocks rose on Thursday, 26 June 2014, amid optimism the US economy is emerging from a worse-than-estimated contraction last quarter. Key benchmark indices in Japan, China, Indonesia, Singapore, Hong Kong, South Korea and Taiwan rose by 0.27% to 1.45%.

Trading in US index futures indicated that the Dow could gain 5 points at the opening bell on Thursday, 26 June 2014. US stocks gained for the first time in three days on Wednesday, 25 June 2014, as investors speculated the economy is recovering from a first-quarter contraction and Monsanto Co. announced a $10 billion stock buyback plan.

A report showed that US gross domestic product shrank 2.9% in the first quarter, the worst reading since 2009. Orders for business equipment climbed in May, a sign that corporate investment is helping revive the economy after slumping at the start of the year.

Powered by Capital Market - Live News

Don't miss the most important news and views of the day. Get them on our Telegram channel

First Published: Jun 26 2014 | 3:38 PM IST

Explore News