Four Days Of Gains But Sensex, Nifty Post A Weekly Loss

Catch all live updates on share prices, index moves, corporate announcements and more from the Sensex and Nifty, today. 

Statues of a bear and a bull sit on a windowsill at a stock exchange. (Photographer: Alex Kraus/Bloomberg)
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Closing Bell: A Modest Rebound

Indian equity markets could not fully recover the losses made during Thursday's trading session, ending with weekly losses despite gaining for four other days of the week.

The S&P BSE Sensex ended 0.6% higher at 39,982 while the NSE Nifty 50 index ended 0.7% higher at 11,762. Both Sensex and Nifty have posted losses of over 1% this week - the first instance in three weeks.

It was the day of the Metal stocks to shine in today's session. The Nifty Metal index was the top sectoral gainer, ending 4% higher. Three out of the top five Nifty gainers - JSW Steel (up 6.7%), Tata Steel (up 5.4%) and Hindalco (up 3.7%) were metal stocks. This was the biggest single-day gain for the index in close to six months.

The Nifty Bank ended 2% higher, courtesy gains in Private Banks while the Nifty Realty and Nifty Pharma indices were up 2.6% and 1.5% respectively.

What didn't do well in today's session was Nifty Media (down 0.4%) and Nifty I.T. (down 0.1%)

Broader markets outperformed after days of underperformance. The Nifty Midcap index ended 1.1% higher while the smallcap index gained 1.4%.

The India Volatility Index ended 1.9% lower at 21.64.

1,160 stocks on the NSE ended with gains while 675 stocks posted losses.

How Did The Markets Fare For The Week

Biocon Chairperson On Covid-19 Testing

Also Read: India Has Potential to Increase Covid Testing 10-Fold, Drugmaker Exec Says

Gold Set For Weekly Loss

Gold headed for its first weekly loss in three weeks, as investors weighed the outlook for fresh U.S. stimulus and rising virus cases in Europe.

Traders will also keep an eye out for trade talks between the U.K. and the European Union. U.K. PM Boris Johnson is set to decide whether to abandon negotiations after the bloc's leaders refused to give him the clear signal he wants to remain at the table.

“The concern for precious metal traders and other financial market players, is the size of the second fiscal stimulus package after the election,” Avtar Sandu, a senior manager for commodities at Phillip Futures Pte. told Bloomberg.

Spot Gold is currently trading little changed at $1,907.6/Oz.

Buzzing Stock: Tata Steel

  • Second best performer on the Nifty 50 index
  • Gains as much as 5.7% to Rs 395.3
  • Biggest single-day gain in over two months
  • Trades at the highest level in a month
  • Has alternated between gains and losses over the last seven trading sessions
  • Today's volumes are 80% higher than its 20-day average
  • One-month implied volatility is 48%
  • Heading towards its 50-Day Moving Average at 399.7 on the upside
  • Relative Strength Index (RSI) of the stock at 56
  • Trading 22% below its 52-week high of Rs 506 on January 14, 2020
  • 21 out of the 29 analysts tracking the stock have a buy recommendation; 3 sell calls
  • Return potential of the stock as per Bloomberg data is 17%

Nifty Metal Is The Top Sectoral Gainer

Stock Reaction: Inox Leisure

The multiplex player has informed the exchanges that it has begun the process to re-open its facilities in 10 Indian states.

The 10 Indian states are West Bengal, Gujarat, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Assam, Andhra Pradesh, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Delhi and Goa.

The exchange filing also said that the company shall re-open units in other states when any notification is issued by respective authorities and that it will follow guidelines of authorities when it comes to restrictions on capacity and protocols.

Shares are off the day's low, currently trading 1.1% lower at Rs 270.4. The stock is trading lower for the second straight day.

Active Stock Options

  • HDFC Bank's 1,200 Call: Premium up 45% to Rs 30.75. The contract has added 1.5 lakh shares in Open Interest.
  • HCL Tech's 900 Call: Premium down 64.4% to Rs 5.9. The contract has added 12.7 lakh shares in Open Interest.
  • Tata Steel's 400 Call: Premium down 89.6% to Rs 11.85. The contract has shed 6.3 lakh shares in Open Interest.

Buzzing Stock: Prestige Estates Projects

  • Top gainer on the Nifty Midcap index
  • Second best performing stock on the Nifty Realty index
  • Gains as much as 5.3% to Rs 261
  • Biggest single-day gain in three weeks
  • At the day's high, it traded at the highest level in a month
  • Has gained in three out of the last four trading sessions
  • Today's volumes are 48% below its 20-day average
  • Takes support at 50-Day Moving Average of 247.6
  • Relative Strength Index (RSI) of the stock at 54.8
  • Trading 39% below its 52-week high of Rs 426 on January 20, 2020
  • 19 out of the 20 analysts tracking the stock have a buy recommendation; 1 sell call
  • Return potential of the stock as per Bloomberg data is 16.6%

Markets At 2:10 P.M.

  • Benchmark indices holding on to gains near the day's high
  • Nifty up 0.75% at 11,765
  • Sensex up 0.73% at 40,016
  • Nifty Bank up 2% at 23,546
  • Nifty Midcap index up 0.9%
  • Nifty Smallcap index up 0.7%
  • India Volatility Index down 1.6% to 21.7
  • Nifty Metal index is the top sectoral gainer; up 3%
  • Nifty Pharma is the other sectoral gainer; up 1.7%
  • Nifty Media is the top sectoral laggard; down 1.1%
  • Tata Steel remains the top Nifty gainer; up 4.8%
  • UPL remains the top Nifty laggard; down 7.3%
  • 1,044 stocks on the NSE are trading with gains while 750 are declining

Money Market Update

The currency has ended little changed for today's trading session.

The rupee ended at 73.35 against the U.S. Dollar which is the same level at which it closed on Thursday.

73.27 acted as the day's high for the currency while 73.43 acted as the lowest point of the day.

The rupee was the fourth worst performer among its peers for today's trading session.

For the week, the currency ended 0.3% lower and was the second worst performing currency in Asia.

Yield on the 10-year bond ended at 5.916% as compared to Thursday's close of 5.898%.

Also Read: RBI Announces First Open Market Operation In State Bonds

F&O Snapshot: Active Options Contracts

  • Nifty October futures shed 0.7% and 73,725 shares in Open Interest.
  • Nifty Bank October futures add 8.2% and 1.31 lakh shares in Open Interest

Nifty: October 22 Expiry

  • 11,700 Put: Premium down 40.1% to Rs 82.7. The contract has added 12.8 lakh shares in Open Interest.
  • 11,800 Call: Premium up 34% to Rs 109.1. The contract has added 11 lakh shares in Open Interest.
  • 12,000 Call: Premium up 20.3% to Rs 34.4. The contract has added 7.1 lakh shares in Open Interest.

Nifty Bank: October 22 Expiry

  • 23,500 Call: Premium up 98.4% to Rs 499. The contract has added 1.65 lakh shares in Open Interest.
  • 24,000 Call: Premium up 119% to Rs 264.2. The contract has added 3.7 lakh shares in Open Interest.
  • 23,000 Put: Premium up 47.6% to Rs 204.6. The contract has added 3.7 lakh shares in Open Interest.

Earnings Reaction: Phillips Carbon Black Q2FY21

  • Revenue down 23% to Rs 663.9 crore
  • Net profit down 25% to Rs 57.5 crore
  • Ebitda down 21% to Rs 104.8 crore
  • Ebitda margin at 15.8% from 15.3%
  • Carbon Black segment revenue down 23% to Rs 644.1 crore
  • Power segment revenue down 7% to Rs 37.4 crore
  • All numbers are standalone and compared on a year-on-year basis

Shares gained as much as 3.7% to Rs 135.8, post the announcement, rising to the highest level in nearly nine months.

Earnings Reaction: Federal Bank Q2FY21

  • Net Interest Income up 23% to Rs 1,379.9 crore
  • Net profit down 26% to Rs 307.6 crore
  • Gross NPA at 2.84% from 2.96% last quarter
  • Net NPA at 0.99% from 1.22% last quarter
  • Provisions up 50% from the previous quarter to Rs 592.6 crore
  • Additional provisions of Rs 401.6 crore pertaining to Covid-19
  • Total Covid-19 provisions now at Rs 587.9 crore
  • Amount in SMA/overdue categories where moratorium / deferment was extended as on March 31, 2020 at Rs 3,712.6 crore
  • Amount where asset classification benefits extend as on September 30, 2020 at Rs 763.9 crore
  • Net profit and Net Interest Income compared on a year-on-year basis

Shares rose as much as 3.1% to Rs 53.35, post the announcement.

Stock Reaction: Persistent Systems

The company announced on Thursday that it has entered into a stock purchase agreement with Capiot Software to acquire its entire business along with its subsidiaries in India, Singapore and Australia.

The cost of the acquisition is $6 million with an additional deferred income of $1 million per annum over the next three years on completion of certain conditions along with an additional incentive of $1 million in the first year for achieving certain revenue targets.

The acquisition is subject to customary closing conditions which are likely to be completed in the coming 2-4 weeks, the company said in an exchange filing.

Shares fell as much as 7% to Rs 1,200 and are the worst performers on the Nifty Smallcap index.

European Stocks Open Higher

Benchmark indices have opened higher in today's session after a sharp sell-off on Thursday ahead of today's Brexit negotiations.

The Stoxx 600 has risen 0.7% with consumer products, retail and travel stocks leading the gains.

Asian markets, barring those in Hong Kong have ended lower, while futures on the Dow Jones are trading little changed.

Brent crude is currently trading 1.2% lower at $42.65 per barrel while Gold prices are trading flat at $1,905/Oz.

Let's take a look at how European Markets are trading:

  • Euro Stoxx 50 up 0.7% at 3,216
  • DAX up 0.6% at 12,781
  • CAC up 1.3% at 4,898
  • FTSE 100 up 0.9% at 5,885
  • IBEX 35 up 0.4% at 6,843

How Are The Sectoral Indices Faring

Indian Diesel Sales Surge In October First Half

Diesel sales in India for the first-half of October surged 8.8% year-on-year, its first increase since the country went into a complete lockdown in March.

Sale of India's most widely-used petroleum product rose to 2.65 million tonnes, Bloomberg reports citing data from India's three biggest fuel retailers.

Company officials who asked not to be cited told Bloomberg that volumes rose 24.3% as compared to the previous month.

The recovery was attributed to an easing of virus-related lockdown measures, end of the rainy season and preparations in the run-up to major festivals in India starting October.

BPCL is among the top gainers on the Nifty 50 index, trading 2.5% higher at Rs 329.

Buzzing Stock: Indian Hotels

  • Among top gainers on the Nifty Midcap index
  • Gains as much as 4.5% to Rs 97.6
  • Biggest single-day gain in over three weeks
  • Has gained only thrice in the last 10 trading sessions
  • Today's volumes are 63% below its 20-day average
  • Trading near 50-Day Moving Average of 97.7 and 100-Day Moving Average of 98.5
  • Relative Strength Index (RSI) of the stock at 52
  • Trading 39% below its 52-week high of Rs 158 on November 5, 2019
  • 10 out of the 12 analysts tracking the stock have a buy recommendation; 0 sell calls
  • Return potential of the stock as per Bloomberg data is 9.7%

Strong Traction In The Nifty Bank

Markets At Noon

  • Benchmark indices fluctuate between the day's high and day's low
  • Nifty up 0.4% at 11,723
  • Sensex up 0.3% at 39,861
  • Nifty Bank up 1% at 23,303
  • Nifty Midcap index up 0.4%
  • Nifty Smallcap index up 0.4%
  • India Volatility Index up 0.2% to 22.11
  • Nifty Media remains the top sectoral laggard; down 1.3%
  • Nifty Pharma is the top sectoral gainer; up 1.2%
  • Nifty Metal and Nifty Auto up 0.8% and 0.6% respectively
  • Divi's Laboratories is the top sectoral gainer; up 2.7%
  • UPL remains the top Nifty laggard; down 5%
  • 975 stocks on the NSE are trading with gains while 768 are declining

Stock Reaction: Indiabulls Housing Finance

The company has informed the exchanges that it has sold further portion of its stake in OakNorth Holdings - the wholly-owning parent company of OakNorth Bank for Rs 220 crore.

The quantum of the stake sold has not been specified.

The company has now raised a total of Rs 2,493 crore as fresh equity in September and October of 2020 through these stake sales and the QIP issue.

The proceeds from the stake sale will be accretive to the regulatory net worth and the CRAR of the company, it said in an exchange filing.

Shares are trading 1.5% lower at Rs 149.25, down for the second straight day.

RBI To Buy State Government Debt

Brokerage Reaction: Sunteck Realty

Shares of the Mumbai-based real estate company are rising in today's session after brokerage firm Emkay initiated coverage on the stock with a buy rating and price target of Rs 393.

Emkay's Rationale:

  • Mumbai market stands out among other metros despite high inventory due to upcoming infra upgradation, stable demand and slowing new launches
  • Mumbai's inventory overhang may drop to 32 months by FY23 from 44 months
  • Improving affordability and market share gains for large organised developers are structural positives
  • Potential saleable inventory of over 20 times its FY20 pre-sales and pending receivables from existing/ongoing costs
  • Well placed to reap benefits from aggressive push into the affordable homes category.

Shares gained as much as 6.1% - the most in nearly two months to Rs 267.2.

Q2 Business Update: Talbros Automotive Components

  • On a standalone basis, the company has achieved double-digit revenue growth over the same quarter last year.
  • Revenue for the current quarter has more than doubled as compared to the previous quarter.
  • All JV businesses are at the same level of revenue this quarter as reported in Q2FY20.
  • Revenue growth of JV businesses has seen high single-digit growth year-on-year.
  • Forging business has continued to do well with growth of over 30% year-on-year, the highest among all product segments.
  • Standalone gasket business grew by high single-digits as compared to Q2FY20.
  • Achieved maiden business for BS-VI compliant heat shield product from tow of the largest OEMs in the Indian Passenger Vehicle market.

Shares rose as much as 7.6% to Rs 114.7, post the announcement. This is the biggest single-day gain for the stock in two months.

Also Read: Passenger Vehicle Sales Rose For The Second Straight Month In September: SIAM Data

Stock Reaction: Alembic Pharma

The company has announced that it received approval from the U.S. FDA for its Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) Amantadine Hydrochloride tablets, 100 mg.

The ANDA is therapeutically equivalent to the reference listed drug product, Symmetrel Tablets, 100 mg, of Endo Pharmaceuticals, the company said in an exchange filing.

The drug is used for the treatment of signs and symptoms of infections caused by various strains of influenza A virus.

The drug is also used in the treatment of parkinsonism and drug-induced extrapyramidal reactions, the company said.

Shares are off the day's low and currently trading little changed at Rs 946.8, post the announcement.

Buzzing Stock: IDBI Bank

  • Top gainer on the Nifty Smallcap index
  • Gains as much as 12.5% to Rs 37.75
  • Biggest single-day gain in four months
  • Trades at the highest level in a month
  • Today's volumes are more than 11 times its 20-day average
  • One-month implied volatility at 165%
  • Trading near its 50-Day Moving Average at 37.6 and 100-Day Moving Average at 37.9
  • Relative Strength Index (RSI) of the stock is 54.5
  • Trading 35% below its 52-week high of Rs 56.2 on July 7, 2020
  • The stock has declined 1.5% this year

Earnings Reaction: Cyient Q2FY21

  • U.S. Dollar revenue up 3.4% to $135 million
  • Revenue up 1.2% to Rs 1,003.3 crore
  • Net profit up 3% to Rs 83.9 crore
  • Ebit up 2.5 times to Rs 99.7 crore
  • Ebit margin at 9.9% from 4%
  • Lower employee costs aid margin expansion
  • Other income of Rs 68.4 crore in the base quarter
  • Constant Currency Revenue growth of 1.3%
  • All numbers are consolidated and compared on a quarter-on-quarter basis

Management Commentary:

  • Q3 revenue expected to decline for A&D business due to business cyclicality.
  • Outlook for A&D business for the next few quarters remains uncertain due to poor market demand for passenger travel.
  • Outlook for communications business for H2FY21 supported by favourable industry trends of technology led network transformation
  • Outlook for transportation business in H2FY21 remains positive supported by expectation of a steady recovery in the rail transportation industry.

Shares rose as much as 4.7% to Rs 383.9, before cooling off. The stock has snapped a five-day losing streak.

Stock Reaction: Cadila Healthcare

The drugmaker announced today that Zydus Cadila has received final approval from the U.S. FDA for Fingolimod capsules and Verapamil Hydrochloride injections.

Fingolimod is an immunomodulating drug and is used in the treatment of relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis. The drug will be manufactured at the company's formulations manufacturing facility at SEZ, Ahmedabad.

It has also received permission from the U.S. FDA to market the Verapamil Hydrochloride injection USP, 5mg/2mL and 10 mg/4mL. The injection is used to rapidly or temporarily restore normal heartbeats in people with certain heart rhythm disorders. The injection will be manufactured at the company's facility at Jarod, near Vadodara.

Shares gained as much as 2.9% to Rs 427.9, post the announcement. The stock is the top gainer on the Nifty Pharma index.

Nifty Pharma Top Sectoral Gainer

Earnings Reaction: Mindtree Q2FY21

  • U.S. Dollar revenue up 3.1% to $261 million
  • Revenue up 1% to Rs 1,926 crore
  • Net profit up 19.1% to Rs 253.7 crore
  • Ebit up 11.6% to Rs 321.5 crore
  • Ebit margin at 16.7% from 15.1%
  • Constant Currency Growth of 2.1%
  • Declares interim dividend of Rs 7.5 per share
  • All numbers are consolidated and compared on a quarter-on-quarter basis

Of the 38 analysts tracking Mindtree, 16 have a ‘buy’ rating, nine suggest a ‘hold’ and the rest recommends a ‘sell’. The average of Bloomberg consensus 12-month target price is 3.9%.

Shares fell as much as 11.4% - the most since March this year to Rs 1,262. The stock is trading lower for the third day in a row.

Markets At 10:10 A.M.

  • Benchmark indices give up gains; trading little changed
  • Nifty up 0.1% at 11,697
  • Sensex up 0.2% at 39,823
  • Nifty Bank up 0.8% at 23,262
  • Nifty Midcap index down 0.2%
  • Nifty Smallcap index down 0.5%
  • India Volatility Index up 1.4% to 22.38
  • Nifty Media and Nifty I.T. are the top sectoral laggards; down 1.4% each
  • Nifty Realty is the other sectoral laggard; down 0.7%
  • Other sectoral indices are flat and trading with a negative bias
  • BPCL is the top Nifty gainer; up 2.2%
  • UPL is the top Nifty laggard; down 7.2%
  • 811 stocks on the NSE are trading with gains while 848 are declining

Money Market Update

The rupee has opened lower for the second straight day, in-line with the cautious sentiment prevailing around the global markets.

The currency opened at 73.43 against the U.S. Dollar as compared to Thursday's close of 73.38. Commerzbank has forecasted the currency to head towards 74.5 towards the end of the year.

Commerzbank in its note said that the rupee has held in a narrow range, consistent with the RBI's new stance of tolerating a stronger rupee to keep a lid on imported inflation.

Yield on the five-year bond rose 10 basis points to 5.26% while that on the benchmark 10-year bond rose 3 basis points to 5.93%.

The government on Thursday expanded its market borrowing plan for the second time this year to Rs 1.3 lakh crore.

ICICI Securities Primary Dealership believes that short-end yields would be under pressure today due to the extra borrowing, as told to Bloomberg.

Stock Reaction: UPL

KPMG, who was the auditor for the company's arm UPL Corporation resigned on Thursday, citing no reason for the same.

“There are no circumstances connected with our resignation which we consider should be brought to the notice of the members,” it said in its letter.

The company clarified late last night that BSE & Co. LLP, who were appointed as statutory auditors of the company in 2017 for a period of five years, continue to remain so. BSR & Co LLP is a sub-licensee of KPMG in India.

It will continue to carry out the audit of Group consolidated financials of UPL, the company said in its clarification.

Shares fell as much as 9.5% - the most in five months to Rs 458.2, the lowest level in over two months.

Stock Reaction: AC Makers

The government on Thursday banned the imports of 'air conditioners with refrigerants' with a view to promote domestic manufacturing and cut imports of non-essential items.

“Import policy of air conditioners with refrigerants ...is amended from free to prohibited,” the Directorate General of Foreign Trade said in a notification on October 15.

This adds to a list of recent import restrictions as the government is intent to reduce import bill of non-essential goods and promote domestic manufacturing under the Atmanirbhar India policy.

Stock Reaction:

  • Blue Star: Shares gained as much as 4.6% - the biggest single-day gain in a month, to Rs 641.
  • Voltas: Shares gained as much as 4% - the most in a month to Rs 699. The stock trades at the highest level in nearly eight months and is up for the third straight day.
  • Amber Enterprises: Shares rose as much as 15.1% to an all-time high of Rs 2,300. The stock is up for the second straight day.

Coronavirus India Update

  • Active cases in India decline for 13th straight day
  • 63,371 new cases reported in the last 24 hours
  • Total confirmed cases now at 73,70,468
  • Active cases at 8,04,528
  • Patients cured / discharged / migrated at 64,53,779
  • Death toll rises to 1,12,161
  • 895 deaths reported in the last 24 hours
  • 70,338 patients recovered in the last 24 hours

Also Read: Coronavirus India Updates: Tally Tops 73.7 Lakh; ‘Unlock 5.0’ Kicks In

Earnings Reaction: HCL Technologies Q2FY21

  • U.S. Dollar revenue up 6.4% to Rs 2,507 crore
  • Revenue up 4.2% to Rs 18,594 crore
  • Ebit up 9.7% to Rs 4,016 crore
  • Ebit margin at 21.6% from 20.5%
  • Net profit up 7.4% to Rs 3,142 crore
  • Declares dividend of Rs 4 per share
  • Maintains FY21 revenue guidance of 1.5-2.5% growth for Q3 and Q4
  • Raises FY21 Ebit margin guidance to 20-21% from 19.5% to 21% earlier
  • Constant Currency growth of 4.5% as compared to a company projection of 3.5%

Shares fell as much as 2% to Rs 843.45, post the announcement. The stock is down for the third straight day.

Opening Bell: A Steady Start

Indian equity markets opened on a sedate note after their biggest fall in over three weeks on Thursday.

The S&P BSE Sensex has opened 0.5% higher at 39,936 while the NSE Nifty 50 index opened above the mark of 11,700 - up o.4% at 11,727.

All sectoral indices have opened higher. THe Nifty Bank and the PSU Bank index have opened with gains of 0.6% while the Nifty Metal, Media and FMCG indices have opened with gains of 0.5% each.

Broader markets have opened with gains. The Midcap index is up 0.5% while the Smallcap index is gaining 0.7% at the start of trading.

Current Market Update

Trading Ideas For The Day

  • Nifty: Sell 12,000 Call of the October 22 expiry in the range of Rs 32-34. Target of Rs 18-10 and stop loss of Rs 48.
  • Nifty Bank: Sell in the range of 23,300-23,350 for target of 23,100-23,000 and stop loss of 23,500.
  • Buy MGL October futures for target of Rs 834 and Rs 856.5 with a stop loss of Rs 804
  • Sell Bajaj Finance October futures for target of Rs 3,162 and Rs 3,108 with a stop loss of R 3,234.
  • Bajaj Finance and MGL are intraday recommendations

Source: ICICI Direct

How Did The Fund Flows Fare On Thursday

Key Stocks In Focus

  • AstraZeneca Pharma: To launch Calquence in India on October 21. Company had received import and market permission from Drugs Controller General of India on March 12. The drug is used to treat various types of blood cancer.
  • Hindustan Zinc: Board to consider interim dividend in a board meeting on October 20.
  • Tech Mahindra: Executes JV with Sumitomo Corporation to provide engineering services to the automotive sector. The proposed JV shall have both partners holding 50% stake each. Each party will initially subscribe to 2,000 ordinary shares and contribute 100 million Yen each towards the stated capital.
  • Sun Pharma: Clarified on the news of SEBI probe of its ex-board member Ashwin Dani, saying that it has not received any information or notice either from SEBI or anyone regarding the matter.
  • Persistent Systems: To acquire entire business of U.S.-based Capiot Software for $6.34 million. Additional incentive-based payments for the next three years amount to another 6 million. The acquisition is subject to customary closing conditions and is likely to be completed within 2-4 weeks.
  • Non-Nifty Earnings Today: Bajaj Consumer Care, Federal Bank, Phillips Carbon Black, IIFL Securities, Shoppers Stop, Tata Communications, Tinplate, Uniply Industries, Shakti Pumps

To know more about earnings reported after market hours, key brokerage updates and F&O cues, click here.

Your Trade Setup For The Day

A Check On Indian ADRs

Final Trading Day Of The Week

Good Morning!

Indian equity markets gave up gains worth six trading sessions in the final two hours of the weekly options expiry session on Thursday.

The S&P BSE Sensex and NSE Nifty 50 ended over 2.5% lower, bringing their 10-day winning streak to a halt.

The start to the final trading day of the week is likely to be steady, as indicated by the futures. The Singapore-traded SGX Nifty, an early indicator of the Nifty 50 Index’s performance in India, rose 0.5% to 11,755 as of 7:50 a.m.

As of closing on Thursday, the Sensex and Nifty are down close to 2% for the week.

HCL Technologies will be reporting earnings pre-market open today. Among non-index names that will be reporting earnings today include Bajaj Consumer Care, Federal Bank, Phillips Carbon Black, IIFL Securities, Shoppers Stop and Tata Communications.

Asian markets are mixed this morning as investors assess fresh restrictions in various parts of Europe amid a resurgence in Covid-19 cases.

Benchmark indices in South Korea, Japan and Australia are declining while those in Hong Kong are witnessing modest gains.

Futures on the Dow Jones are currently trading higher by 60 points. The index ended little changed on Thursday.

West Texas Intermediate crude fell 0.4% to $40.81 per barrel while Gold was flat at $1,908.1/Oz.

Short on time? Well, then listen to this podcast for a quick summary of All You Need To Know before the opening bell.

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