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Market Commentary 20 May 2021
Benchmarks to get flat-to-negative start amid weak global cues

 

Indian equity benchmarks took a breather after two days of solid rally and ended Wednesday's volatile session with over half percent losses amid selling in the domestic equity market. Weak global cues also dented the sentiments on Dalal Street. Markets made negative start but soon wiped-out losses to trade in green, as traders took some support with report that Union Finance Ministry, on the recommendation of the Panchayati Raj Ministry, released Rs 8,923.8 crore to 25 states for providing grant to rural local bodies. The spread of COVID-19 pandemic in different parts of the country has recently assumed serious proportions. The vulnerabilities of the rural communities need to be especially addressed. But, buying proved short-lived as key gauges once again entered into red terrain in morning deals, as traders were cautious, as smaller non-banking finance companies (NBFCs) have written to the Reserve Bank requesting liquidity support as they continue to face challenges in raising funds. In a letter addressed to RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das, Finance Industry Development Council (FIDC), a representative body of NBFCs, said the announcements made on May 5 by the central bank have addressed liquidity needs of small microfinance institutions MFIs, but NBFCs have missed out. Local equity markets have extended their losses in late afternoon deals and hovered near the lowest point of the day, even as UN data stated that India, China and South Africa have fared relatively better than other major economies in imports and exports in the first quarter of this year as global trade recovery from the COVID-19 crisis hit a record high during in the same period. Finally, the BSE Sensex lost 290.69 points or 0.58% to 49,902.64, while the CNX Nifty was down by 77.95 points or 0.52% to 15,030.15.

 

The US markets ended lower on Wednesday, extending their previous session's losses as worries about inflation and the bitcoin's sharp plunge weighed on the market. The minutes from the Federal Reserve's April meeting that showed some of the members were in favor of tapering the bank's asset buying program if the economy continues to show signs of recovery and inflation keeps trending higher weighed as well. Chairman Jerome Powell said that the recovery remains uneven and far from complete and the economy was still not showing the substantial further progress standard the committee has set before it will change policy. Besides, Technology stocks, including Tesla, which have big exposure to bitcoin, tumbled on selling pressure. Bitcoin, the world's largest crypto-currency, tanked by close to 40% from its record high levels to $31,000 on Wednesday, hitting its lowest level since February. Cisco Systems plunged more than 7 percent. Chevron shed about 3 percent, while Amgen, Caterpillar, Goldman Sachs, Boeing, DuPont and IBM lost 1 to 2 percent. However, the markets recovered after the bitcoin rebounded from the session's lows.

 

Crude oil futures ended deeply in red on Wednesday weighed down by data showing an increase in US crude stockpiles, and on worries about outlook for energy demand from Asian countries. Data released by Energy Information Administration (EIA) showed crude oil inventories in the US increased by 1.321 million barrels last week (May 14), less than an expected increase of 1.623 million barrels. The American Petroleum Institute reported on Tuesday that crude inventories rose by 620,000 barrels for the week ended May 14. Besides, growing concerns about inflation and fears that central banks might consider tightening their monetary policies weighed as well on oil prices. The potential of Iranian supply returning also weighed. Crude oil futures for June fell $2.13 or about 3.3 percent to settle at $63.36 barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. July Brent crude dropped $2.16 or 3.1 percent to settle at $66.55 a barrel on London's Intercontinental Exchange.

 

Rupee ended substantially weaker against dollar on Wednesday on account of continued dollar demand from importers and banks. Besides, selloff in domestic equity markets also weighed on the rupee sentiment. Traders were concerned from rising inflationary pressure globally and increasing apprehension among investors about Federal Reserve's soft monetary stance due to sharp rise in CPI inflation. Adding more pessimism, private report stated that India's second wave of virus cases will hit the economy by prompting consumers to save rather than spend, unlike last year's contraction that was driven mainly by supply disruptions. On the global front; pound traded flat to the dollar and hit its lowest in more than a week against a broadly stronger euro on Wednesday, after data showed a doubling of consumer price inflation in Britain in April. Finally, the rupee ended 73.18, weaker by 13 paise from its previous close of 73.05 on Monday.

 

The FIIs as per Wednesday's data were net buyer in equity segment, while net seller in debt segment. In equity segment, the gross buying was of Rs 8843.86 crore against gross selling of Rs 7704.10 crore, while in the debt segment, the gross purchase was of Rs 287.84 crore with gross sales of Rs 583.44 crore. Besides, in the hybrid segment, the gross buying was of Rs 4.92 crore against gross selling of Rs 15.49 crore.

 

The US markets ended in red on Wednesday after minutes from an April Federal Reserve meeting showed participants agreed the US economy remained far from the central bank's goals, with some eyeing a future discussion of tapering its bond buying program. Asian markets are trading mostly lower on Thursday after a jittery session on Wall as a hint of tapering talk from the US Fed drove selling in the bond market and lifted the safe-haven dollar. Indian markets ended lower on Wednesday after a two-day rally, pressured by financial, auto and metal stocks. Today, the markets are likely to continue their sluggish performance with flat-to-negative start amid weakness in global markets. Traders will be concerned as India witnessed 276,261 fresh cases, with the new infection count remaining below the 300,000-mark for the fourth consecutive day. The total caseload stands at 25,771,405, Wordometer showed. There will be some cautiousness with ratings agency ICRA's statement that sequential growth slackening driven by the second wave of Covid-19 in India has emerged as a concern. ICRA also cautioned that bruised sentiment, high healthcare and fuel expenses will limit discretionary purchases in the immediate term. Furthermore, the agency expects a cut-back in spending on contact-intensive services. However, traders may take note of report that the Indian government claimed it has ramped up the production of Remdesivir, an anti-viral drug prescribed for treating moderate-to-critical Covid patients, by 10 times. From 1 million vials per month in April, the Centre claims it will produce 10 million vials this month, as it has increased the number of plants manufacturing Remdesivir from 20 to 60. Meanwhile, the Income Tax department has issued over Rs 24,792 crore refunds to more than 15 lakh taxpayers so far this fiscal. Of this personal income tax refunds worth Rs 7,458 crore has been issued in over 14.98 lakh cases. Corporate tax refunds of Rs 17,334 crore have been issued to 43,661 taxpayers. Banking stocks will be in focus as RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das asked state-owned banks to quickly implement measures announced by the central bank recently in the right earnest, and to continue focussing on steps to enhance the resilience of their balance sheets. There will be some reaction in fertilizer stocks as the Centre increased its share of subsidy for di-ammonia phosphate (DAP) by 140 per cent from Rs 500 to Rs 1,200 per bag, thereby rolling back the steep 58 per cent hike in prices announced by companies since April. There will be some important result announcements to keep the markets in action.

 

Support and Resistance: NSE (Nifty) and BSE (Sensex)

 

Index

Previous close

Support

Resistance

NSE Nifty

15,030.15

14,981.54

15,106.09

BSE Sensex

49,902.64

49,729.69

50,177.30

 

Nifty Top volumes

 

Stock

 

Volume

Previous close (Rs)

Support  (Rs)

Resistance (Rs)

(in Lacs)

Tata Motors

1,194.07

314.45

310.05

320.90

Indian Oil Corporation

741.74

107.20

104.55

109.40

State Bank of India

481.89

384.40

380.56

388.86

Oil & Natural Gas Corporation

252.95

114.90

113.60

116.00

ITC

244.05

207.75

206.40

210.25

 

  • Infosys has collaborated with Majesco to work together to help joint customers accelerate their digital transformation journey. 
  • L&T's wholly owned subsidiary -- LTIFZE has entered into a Share Purchase Agreement to purchase, 6.35% stake in Help Lightning INC., a Delaware Corporation. 
  • Maruti Suzuki India along with Zydus Hospitals has commenced operations of a multi-speciality hospital at Sitapur in Ahmedabad district of Gujarat. 
  • Bajaj Auto has extended the free service period of all its brands in the country till July 31 in the wake of lockdowns and travel restrictions announced by several states due the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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