Indian equity benchmarks
continued northward journey on the fifth consecutive session on Monday, led by
gains in Consumer Durables and Telecom stocks. Markets started positively but
gyrated between gains and losses in the initial hours as some cautiousness came
after the latest data by Reserve Bank of India (RBI) showed that India's
foreign exchange reserves dipped by $5.24 billion to $617.23 billion for the
week ending on February 9. However, key
gauges soon gained traction in late morning deals, as traders found support
with data showing that India's outward foreign direct investment (FDI)
commitments rose by 25.7 per cent on a year-on-year (Y-o-Y) basis to $2.09
billion in January 2024, compared to over $1.66 billion in January 2023. Some
support also came as the commerce ministry decided to extend export benefits
under the Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products (RoDTEP) scheme
for companies in the special economic zones (SEZs) and export-oriented units
(EOUs). Sentiments remained up-beat in afternoon deals, taking support from
India's G-20 Sherpa and former NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant's statement that
India needs to grow at an annual rate of 9-10 per cent for around three decades
and constant innovations to become a $35 trillion economy by 2047. Adding to
the optimism, a private report stated that the government is mulling over
introducing a new production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme for the
pharmaceutical sector to boost the production of key chemicals critical to the
manufacture of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). In doing so, it aims
to reduce Indian companies' dependence on China for such supplies. Besides, the
exchange data showed Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs) were net buyers as they
purchased securities worth Rs 253.28 crore on February 16. But, some gains got
trimmed in final minutes of trade due to weak global cues as fading hopes of
early rate cuts weighed on sentiment.
Finally, the BSE Sensex rose 281.52 points or 0.39% to 72,708.16 and the
CNX Nifty was up by 81.55 points or 0.37% to 22,122.25.
The US markets were closed on
Monday on account of Washington's Birthday.
Forex markets remained shut on
Monday on account of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Jayanti.
The FIIs as per Friday's data
were net buyers in both equity and debt segments. In equity segment, the gross
buying was of Rs 15021.09 crore against gross selling of Rs 13878.04 crore,
while in the debt segment, the gross purchase was of Rs 1553.00 crore with
gross sales of Rs 694.82 crore. Besides, in the hybrid segment, the gross
buying was of Rs 21.83 crore against gross selling of Rs 6.89 crore.
The US markets were closed on
Monday on account of Washington's Birthday. Asian markets are trading mixed in
early deals on Tuesday amid investors parsed Chinese central bank's decisions
on key lending rates. China's central bank has cut the benchmark five-year loan
prime rate for the first time since June, while leaving the one-year tenure
unchanged. Indian equity markets ended higher on Monday ahead of the RBI and US
FOMC's latest meeting minutes to be out later in the week. Today, markets are
likely to make negative start amid mixed cues from the other Asian markets.
Foreign fund outflows likely to dampen sentiments. Foreign institutional
investors (FIIs) net sold shares worth Rs 754.59 crore on February 19,
provisional data from the NSE showed. Cautiousness may also come in as oil
prices hold near 3-week highs on Middle East tensions, China demand. However,
some respite may come later in the day as Union minister Hardeep Singh Puri
said Infrastructure will be a vital component for India to become a developed
country by 2047. He asserted that the country will be the third-largest
construction market globally by next year. Highlighting the vitality of the
construction industry for the Indian economy, he said the construction industry
is among the fastest growing industries in the country. Traders may also get some
encouragement as Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal exuded confidence
that the Reserve Bank will cut interest rates as inflation is under control.
Goyal said that the economic fundamentals of the country are strong and
inflation is under check. Meanwhile, government think tank NITI Aayog has
pitched for tax reforms, mandatory saving plan, and housing plan for elderly in
India, as the population of senior citizens is projected to reach 19.5 per cent
of the country's population by 2050. There may some be buzz in tyre and rubber
industries' stocks as the government is not looking at reducing import duty on
rubber as of now amid a certain section of the industry demanding a duty cut.
This is because the government believes the differential between local and
international prices has been maintained.
Support
and Resistance: NSE (Nifty) and BSE (Sensex)
Index
|
Previous close
|
Support
|
Resistance
|
NSE
Nifty
|
22,122.25
|
22,033.31
|
22,198.91
|
BSE
Sensex
|
72,708.16
|
72,383.91
|
72,957.16
|
Nifty Top volumes
Stock
|
Volume
|
Previous close (Rs)
|
Support (Rs)
|
Resistance (Rs)
|
(in Lacs)
|
Coal
India
|
197.98
|
459.65
|
447.59
|
479.59
|
HDFC
Bank
|
172.26
|
1419.00
|
1413.14
|
1426.94
|
Tata
Steel
|
169.74
|
141.80
|
140.99
|
142.99
|
ITC
|
169.50
|
409.20
|
404.95
|
413.10
|
ONGC
|
153.23
|
274.55
|
271.61
|
278.26
|
Larsen & Toubro's wholly owned subsidiary -- L&T Realty Developers has incorporated a wholly owned subsidiary namely LH Uttarayan Premium Realty on February 17, 2024.
Power Grid's Board has approved investment worth Rs 514.66 crore.
Bharti Airtel has launched two new stores in the city of Jammu.
Tata Power has received Letter of Intent (LoI) from REC Power Development and Consultancy (a wholly-owned subsidiary of REC) to acquire Jalpura Khurja Power Transmission, a project special purpose vehicle (SPV).