Sensex, Nifty Post First Weekly Advance In Eight

• Benchmark indices end truncated week with double-digit gains
• Nifty ends 4.1 percent higher at 9,111
• Nifty futures end at a discount of 38 points
• Sensex ends 4.2 percent higher at 31,159
• Nifty Bank ends 5.1 percent higher at 19,913
• Nifty Midcap Index ends 3.3 percent higher
• Nifty Smallcap Index ends 3.8 percent higher
• India Volatility Index falls 5.1 percent to 49.56
• All Sectoral Indices end with gains
• Nifty Auto ends 10.5 percent higher, top sectoral gainer
• Nifty Bank, Nifty Metal, Nifty Pharma gain 5 percent
• Mahindra & Mahindra ends as top Nifty gainer; up 18 percent and posts biggest weekly advance on record.
• Hindustan Unilever ends as the top Nifty laggard; down 3.3 percent
• 1,516 stocks ended the day with gains while 294 ended with losses

Indian markets defied all the uncertainty around the Covid-19 to register their best weekly advance since May 2009. It was also their first weekly gain in two months, with the last one being in February.

The S&P BSE Sensex ended 4.23 percent higher at 31,159. 27 out of the 30 index stocks ended the day with gains. For the three-day truncated week, the index ended with gains of 13 percent.

The NSE Nifty 50 advanced 4.1 percent to end above the 9,000 mark. The index closed at 9,111 with 46 out of the 50 stocks registering gains. The Nifty too ended with gains of 12.9 percent for the week with all the constituents posting weekly gains.

Among sectoral indices, the Nifty Auto index was the top gainer, ending with gains of over 10 percent. The index saw its biggest one-day jump since September 2019 and the biggest weekly rise on record.

Among other indices, the Metal and Pharma index gained between 4-5 percent while the Nifty Bank ended with gains of 5 percent.

• Among top 3 performers on the Nifty Smallcap index
• Gains as much as 15.5 percent to Rs 394.5
• Up for the fourth day in a row
• Gains 36 percent in four days
• Best four-day rally since June 2018
• Set for best weekly advance since May 2017
• Volumes are 1.5 percent higher than its 30-day average
• All four analysts covering the stock have a buy recommendation
• Return potential for the stock as per Bloomberg data at 75 percent
• Up 56 percent from its 52-week low of Rs 250 on March 24, 2020

• Buy Nifty below 9,000 for target of 9,200 and stop loss of 8,900
• Buy Ceat at Rs 778 for target of Rs 810 and stop loss of Rs 758

• Buy ITC for target of Rs 192 and stop loss of Rs 180
• Buy Bharti Airtel for target of Rs 500 and stop loss of Rs 472
• Buy Container Corp for target of Rs 410 and stop loss of Rs 365

• Total fund outflows at Rs 2.12 lakh crore Vs outflow of Rs 1,986 crore month-on-month
• Total equity inflow at Rs 11,723 crore Vs Rs 10,796 crore
• Total AUM declines to Rs 24.7 lakh crore from Rs 28.3 lakh crore
• Equity AUM declines to Rs 6.5 lakh crore from Rs 7.95 lakh crore

• Benchmark indices hold on to gains
• Nifty up 3.4 percent at 9,045
• Nifty futures trade at a discount of 15 points
• Sensex up 3.4 percent at 30,909
• Nifty Bank up 3.6 percent at 19,628
• Nifty Midcap Index up 3.1 percent
• Nifty Smallcap Index up 3.6 percent
• All sectoral indices hold on to gains
• Nifty Auto index top gainer, up 9 percent
• Nifty Pharma up 6 percent while Nifty Metal up 4 percent
• Cipla remains top Nifty gainer, up 13.6 percent
• Hindustan Unilever remains top Nifty loser, down 4 percent
• 1,489 stocks are advancing while 291 trade with losses

The rupee ended marginally stronger at 76.29 against the U.S. dollar as compared to Wednesday’s close of 76.30.

The currency recovered lost ground after making a new record low of 76.54 against the greenback.

The truncated week has seen the rupee post losses for the second week in a row. Yield on the 10-year bond closed at 6.49 after starting trade at 6.47.

• Among top performers on the Nifty 500 index
• Gains as much as 14 percent to Rs 326.9
• Up for the third day in a row
• Longest gaining streak in two months
• Up 20 percent in the last three sessions
• Best three-day rally since July 2018
• Volumes are 4.7 times higher than its 30-day average
• 8 out of the 14 analysts covering the stock have a buy rating
• Return potential of the stock as per Bloomberg data now at 50 percent
• Up 23 percent from 52-week low of Rs 260 made on April 3, 2020

Markets across Europe advanced alongside U.S. equity futures on Thursday. Oil prices too are higher after Russia signaled that it is ready to make production cuts.

The Stoxx Europe 600 opened higher along with all major indices across the continent.

Here's a look at how the benchmark indices are faring:

• DAX up 2.1 percent to 10,548
• CAC up 1.9 percent to 4,527
• FTSE 100 up 2.3 percent to 5,808
• IBEX 35 up 1.7 percent to 7,071
• Euro Stoxx 50 up 1.73 percent to 2,900

• Worst performer on the Nifty 500 index
• Down for the fourth straight day
• Down 19 percent in last four sessions
• Worst four-day losing streak on record
• Trades at lowest since December 2019
• Declines on high volumes, which are 2.2 times higher than its 30-day average
• 9 out of the 13 analysts tracking the stock have a buy recommendation
• Four analysts have recently downgraded the stock
• Return potential of the stock as per Bloomberg data is 47 percent

• Top gainer on the Nifty Smallcap index
• Gains as much as 18.2 percent to Rs 50.50
• Biggest one-day gain since April 9, 2014
• Gains for the third day in a row
• Up 33 percent in the last three sessions
• Today's volumes are 1.7 times higher than its 30-day average
• 23 out of the 24 analysts tracking the stock have a buy recommendation with zero sell calls
• Return potential of the stock as per Bloomberg data now 227 percent

• Benchmark indices extend gains
• Nifty up 3.4 percent at 9,047
• Sensex up 3.4 percent at 30,930
• Nifty Bank up 3.5 percent at 19,616
• Nifty Midcap Index up 3 percent
• Nifty Smallcap Index up 3.4 percent
• India Volatility Index down 2.1 percent to 51.1
• All sectoral indices hold on to gains
• Nifty Auto Index up 7.2 percent
• Nifty Pharma index up 6 percent
• Nifty Metal, Media and PSU Banking Inde Up Over 2.5 percent each
• Cipla remains top Nifty gainer, up 13 percent
• Hindustan Unilever remains top Nifty laggard, down 3.2 percent
• 1,467 stocks are advancing while 244 trade with losses

Shares are locked in a 10 percent upper circuit in today's trade. This is the third straight day of gains for the company, during which prices have risen 21 percent.

The company received permission from the Government of Gujarat to commence production at its unit-2 located in Bhuj. The company's wholly-owned subsidiary also received permission to commence operations.

Today's gains are on very high volumes which are 8.3 times higher than its 30-day average.

Zydus has received the final approval from the U.S. FDA to market Imatinib Mesylate Tablets, a drug used in the treatment of certain types of Leukemia, bone marrow disorders, skin cancers and tumours of the stomach.

The drug will be manufactured at the group's formulation manufacturing facility in Ahmedabad, the company said in an exchange filing.

Shares rose as much as 8.05 percent to Rs 378 before cooling off. The stock is up for the fourth day in a row, rising as much as 36 percent during this period.

• Top gainer on Nifty Midcap Index
• Locked in 10 percent upper circuit
• Second straight day of 10 percent upper circuit
• Third consecutive day of gains
• Up 26 percent in the last three sessions
• Volumes are 1.1 times its 3-day average
• Rises 50 percent from 52-week low of Rs 409.6 on March 25, 2020

• Up for the third straight day
• Up 18 percent in three sessions
• Best three-day rally since May 2009
• All constituents trade with gains
• Trades at highest level in over three weeks

Shares of the LIC-promoted lender rose as much as 11.42 percent, the most since November 2019 to Rs 21.95.

The bank's board approved a rupee bond borrowing limit of Rs 7,500 crore for FY21. The board also gave an in-principle nod to sell its stake in IDBI Federal Life Insurance between 23-27 percent.

The stock has gained today on high volumes. Volumes are 1.6 times higher than its 30-day average. The stock is set to post its first weekly gains in 9 weeks, snapping its longest weekly losing streak since July 2008.

Shares of the real estate developer rose as much as 8.9 percent to Rs 129.10 on the National Stock Exchange.

The company through its subsidiary entered into an agreement with U.K.-based real estate developer Planet Smart City for strategic land monetisation of a portion of Sector R10 in Life Republic township in Pune for Rs 91 crore.

The land parcel will be jointly developed by both the companies on a profit sharing basis.

Today's gains have come on high volumes for the stock. Volumes are 3.8 times higher than its 30-day average.

• Nifty April futures add 7.3 percent in open interest and 6.82 lakh shares
• Nifty Bank April futures add 10.64 percent in open interest and 1.05 lakh shares

Nifty: April 9 Expiry

• 9,000 Call: Premium up 160 percent to Rs 70.7. The contract has added 5.82 lakh shares in open interest.
• 9,200 Call: Premium up 56.3 percent to Rs 17.35. The contract has added 9.3 lakh shares in open interest.
• 8,800 Put: Premium falls 84 percent to Rs 25.25. The contract has added 10.4 lakh shares in open interest.

Nifty Bank: April 9 Expiry

• 20,000 Call: Premium rises 87.4 percent to Rs 129.25. The contract has added 3.42 lakh shares in open interest.
• 19,000 Put: Premium falls 84.3 percent to Rs 71.7. The contract has added 4.2 lakh shares in open interest.
• 20,500 Call: Premium rises 27.3 percent to Rs 39.1. The contract has added 3.6 lakh shares in open interest.

• Benchmark indices set to snap seven-week losing streak
• Nifty up 2.7 percent at 8,988
• Nifty futures trade at a discount of 9 points
• Sensex up 2.8 percent at 30,720
• Nifty Bank up 3.5 percent at 19,608
• Nifty Midcap Index up 2.9 percent
• Nifty Smallcap Index up 3.8 percent
• India Volatility Index down 1.6 percent to 51.42
• All sectoral indices trade with gains
• Nifty Pharma remains top sectoral gainer; up 5.5 percent
• Nifty Auto up 4.8 percent
• Nifty I.T., Metal index gain 3 percent
• Cipla remains top Nifty gainer, up 14.4 percent
• Hindustan Unilever the only Nifty laggard, down 2.4 percent
• 1,415 stocks are advancing while 205 trade with losses

The rupee managed to open stronger in today's trading session after hitting a new record low on Wednesday.

The local currency opened at 76.12 against the U.S. dollar as against Wednesday's close of 76.30. The rupee hit a record low of 76.34, minutes before the close of the truncated trading session.

Yield on the 10-year bond opened at 6.47 as against Wednesday's close of 6.44.

The infrastructure conglomerate's Power Transmission and Distribution business has bagged orders in India and abroad, as per an exchange filing.

• The company has won an order in Kuwait to upgrade substations and related power facilities in Mina Al Ahmadi oil refinery.
• It has also won a 400kV Grid Station order in Oman.
• It has won an order to design, supply, construct and commission a 220 kV Gas Insulated Substation in Egypt.
• An order has been won to strengthen the urban HT distribution network in Chennai.

The orders have been classified under the 'major' category implying a total value of Rs 5,000 - 7,000 crore.

The stock gained as much as 3.44 percent to Rs 834.90 and trades higher for the fourth day in a row.

Shares of the commercial bank gained as much as 9.2 percent to Rs 12.34.

In a notice to the exchanges, the bank informed that it will hold a board meeting on April 15, where it will consider raising funds to the tune of Rs 1,500 crore.

The funds will be raised through a QIP and a preferential issue in one or more tranches within a period of 12 months.

Shares are off the day's high but trading higher for the fourth day in a row.

The pharma player is the top gainer on the Nifty as well as the Nifty Pharma Index. Shares surged as much as 15 percent to Rs 589.65. This is the biggest one-day gain for the company since January 28, 2005.

The company got the final approval for its Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) for Albuterol Sulfate Inhalation Aerosol 90 mcg from the U.S. FDA., it said in a press release.

The drug is used in the treatment of acute episodes of bronchospasm or prevention of asthmatic symptoms.

The stock is up for the fourth straight day, rising 40 percent during this period. It now trades at the highest level since November 5, 2018.

Indian equity markets had a strong start to the final session of this truncated week, tracking positive cues from Wall Street. Benchmark indices are set to snap a seven-week losing streak.

The S&P BSE Sensex opened 2.27 percent higher at 30,571. All of the 30 index constituents opened with gains.

The NSE Nifty 50 opened at 8,973, up 2.56 percent. Gains were led by heavyweight stocks like HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank and Reliance Industries.

All sectoral indices opened with gains led by the Nifty Pharma index which gained 4 percent. Nifty Bank, Auto, and Metal indices gained close to 3 percent.

At the start of trade, 1,104 stocks traded with gains while 223 stocks were declining.

• Total cases across the globe at 1.39 million; death toll crosses 79,000
• U.K., New York state report their worst daily death toll
• China said it did not have any new deaths for the first time since the pandemic began
• Italy reports fewest new infections since March 13
• U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson in stable condition
• Japan declares emergency for Tokyo, Osaka
• Total confirmed cases in India now at 5,734 with death toll rising to 166

• Sell Nifty around 9,000 - 9,050 for target of 8,600 and stop loss of 9,150
• Sell Nifty Bank around 19,700 for target of 19,000 and stop loss of 20,000
• Buy ICICI Bank for target of Rs 350 and stop loss of Rs 305
• Sell Titan for target of Rs 800 and stop loss of Rs 925

• Buy Nifty's 9,400 Call of the April 30 expiry at Rs 140 for target of Rs 220 and stop loss of Rs 100
• Buy Bajaj Finance at Rs 2,330 for target of Rs 2,390 and stop loss of Rs 2,300
• Buy LIC Housing Finance at Rs 223 for target of Rs 231 and stop loss of Rs 219

• Titan: Expects revenue to contract in the fourth quarter due to Covid-19 outbreak.
• Marico: Expects low single-digit decline in domestic volumes in the March quarter as business was disrupted due to the nationwide lockdown.
• Hindalco: Novelis gets approval from European Commission for sale of the Duffel facility of Aleris to Liberty House Group for 310 million Euros.
• Kolte-Patil: Sold portion of its land in Pune to Planet Smart City. Subsidiary to develop the area jointly with Planet Smart City on a profit sharing basis.
• Gujarat Pipavav Ports: Cargo volumes handled in the fourth quarter down 10 percent to 1.97 lakh TEUs (Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit).
• Future Group: Said to tap UBS to sell stake in its insurance joint venture, as reported by Bloomberg News
• Astron Paper and Board Mill: Gets permission from Government of Gujarat to start production for its unit located in Bhuj.

Find out all that you need to know going into today’s trading session here.

• Benchmark indices manage to hold on to gains after ending with losses on Tuesday.
• The S&P 500 rises 3.4 percent, taking its total gains from the March low to over 20 percent
• The Dow Jones rose 3.1 percent to a four-week high
• Gains were led by Real estate, energy and utility shares
• The MSCI All-Country World Index rose 2 percent
• Yield on the 10-year treasury rose to 0.76 percent
• West Texas Intermediate Crude rose 11.1 percent to $26.3. It is up another 5 percent on Wednesday

The Singapore-traded SGX Nifty, an early indicator of NSE Nifty 50 Index’s performance in India, rose 1.6 percent to 8,890 as of 8:05 a.m.

Asian markets opened mixed on Thursday, declining in Japan while rising in Australia and South Korea. Oil prices rose after Algeria confirmed that an emergency meeting of the OPEC+ will be held today to discuss an output cut of 10 million barrels per day.

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