Market Live: Sensex strong, Nifty inches towards record high; Nifty Bank up 300 pts

12:15 pm Buzzing: Gujarat Borosil share price has touched a 52-week high of Rs 129.95, 14.5 percent intraday Friday, following the strong outlook by management.

“We are actively considering doubling our capacity,” Pradeep Kheruka, Vice Chairman, Gujarat Borosil said in an interview to CNBC-TV18.

He expects to sell glass on a decent premium than normal glass and expects revenue around Rs 200 crore in FY18.

Gujarat Borosil had reported total revenue at Rs 184 crore in FY17, up 0.6 percent compared with Rs 182.9 crore in previous financial year. Profit during the year was at Rs 14.1 crore, increased from Rs 7.4 crore in previous year.

12:00 pm Market Check: Equity benchmarks remained strong in noon, with the Nifty inching towards its record high of 10,178.95 level hit on September 19.

The 30-share BSE Sensex was up 234.31 points at 32,416.53 and the 50-share NSE Nifty rose 63.30 points to 10,159.70.

The BSE Midcap underperformed benchmarks, trading flat but the BSE Smallcap index gained half a percent. About 1,389 shares advanced against 983 declining shares on the BSE.

Nifty Bank index surged over 300 points on lower retail inflation, higher industrial output growth and hope of early resolution of telecom sector.

11:44 am FII View: Investors in the Indian market seem to cheer the festive rally on frontline indices, as the Nifty surpassed the previous closing high. But, is this rally here to stay or will bears give a strong counter attack?

Deutsche Equities said it was encouraging to see the Diwali cheer in the market and the momentum could well continue.

“Going forward, the direction of this market will shift according to how Q2 earnings will pan out. Right now, it is an interplay between global and domestic factors. While rest of the world is seeing return of economic and earnings growth, in India we are seeing a consolidation of both,” Abhay Laijawala of Deutsche Equities told CNBC-TV18 in an interview, adding that how this dynamic plays out will be critical.

Speaking on the global setup, Laijawala said FIIs are now beginning to look at risk-reward for India in comparison to other emerging markets. Currently, valuations in India are higher than other EMs, he added.

On the earnings expectations, he expects Q2 Nifty earnings to improve to 14 percent after 11 percent fall last year.

11:34 am Order Win: Shriram EPC share price rallied 20 percent intraday on the back of receiving multiple orders worth Rs 349 crore.

The first order amounting to Rs 311 crore from Bihar Urban Infrastructure Development Corporation involves improvement of water supply system in Gaya Municipal Corporation, the company said in its filing.

The Asian Development Bank funded project is to be executed over a period of 42 months, with operations and maintenance period of 3 years, it added.

The second order worth Rs 38 crore received from Karnataka Urban Infrastructure Development and Finance Corporation, which entails construction of pipeline, overhead tank and distribution network of 24*7 water supply system at Byadgi along with operations and maintenance.

11:24 am Buzzing: Jaiprakash Associates share price gained 4 percent after the company told Supreme Court that it was unable to raise Rs 2,000 crore to deposit before court as directed.

It sought court nod to sell Yamuna Expressway to mobilise funds.

Supreme Court will hear Jaiprakash Associates plea on October 23.

11:15 am Rate cut likely post macro data?: Sonal Varma of Nomura said the macro data on both growth and inflation are currently tracking below the RBI’s projections.

Given higher core inflation and risks of fiscal slippage, she expects the RBI to stay on hold in base case (75 percent probability), but given the possibility of undershooting on macro forecasts, she also assigned a 25 percent probability to a cut.

11:06 am Management interview: Private sector lender IndusInd Bank aims to grow its microfinance portfolio to 5-6 percent in three years, likely to be boosted by the merger with microfinance player Bharat Financial Inclusion.

The Bank’s board members will meet on Saturday, October 14, and most likely announce the merger deal.

Currently, IndusInd Bank’s microfinance book is a little less than Rs 3,000 crore, which is 2.5 percent of the total loan book.

“We plan to take our microfinance book to about 5-6 percent over a period of three years…We have strong faith in the microfinance business and want to grow in it organically and inorganically,” said Romesh Sobti, Managing Director and CEO of the bank.

The two entities entered into discussions earlier this year and announced its exclusive talks in September to consider a merger.

10:59 am TCS in focus: TCS gained over 1 percent as investors digested the company’s earnings numbers that it declared on Thursday.

The IT major’s second quarter (July-September) earnings beat analysts’ expectations as consolidated profit rose 8.4 percent sequentially Rs 6,446 crore, backed by robust volume growth and operational performance.

Consolidated revenue during the quarter grew by 3.2 percent to Rs 30,541 crore on sequential basis, with volume growth of also 3.2 percent, driven by all industry verticals except retail and CMI.

Dollar revenue growth for the quarter was also 3.2 percent at USD 4,739 million compared with previous quarter, which was slightly ahead of estimates (of USD 4,731 million).

Constant currency revenue growth was 1.7 percent in Q2, driven by digital service offering.

Brokerages remain mixed on the results, but highlighted that there were some sectoral gains seen in the September quarter performance.

10:52 am Market Check: Benchmark indices extend rally in morning, with the Nifty inching towards its previous record high of 10,178.95 hit on September 19.

The 30-share BSE Sensex was up 237.20 points at 32,419.42 and the 50-share NSE Nifty rose 68.90 points to 10,165.30.

The market breadth was positive as about 1,383 shares advanced against 828 declining shares on the BSE.

Bharti Airtel (up 6.7 percent), Reliance Industries (up 0.95 percent) and TCS (up 1.34 percent) were most active shares on the National Stock Exchange.
Buying activity picked up momentum on positive economic
data after industrial production grew to a 9-month high of
4.3 percent in August while retail inflation came in at 3.28

percent in September, unchanged from August.

10:38 am FII View: Ridham Desai of Morgan Stanley said the Indian market seems poised for a big macro trade, which may be triggered by any sign that the economy and earnings are registering broad-based change.

He further said India’s return correlation with the world has fallen sharply, reflecting concerns about the domestic economy but, even so, one should not disregard the fact that the bulk of India’s absolute performance is a reflection of a global equity market.

That remains the key source of risk, both upside and downside to the market call, he feels.

10:25 am IIP Analysis: IIP for August came in at 4.3 percent YoY (Edelweiss estimate: 3.0 percent), a rebound from paltry 0.4 percent average growth clocked in previous 2 months.

While mining and electricity jumped particularly sharply, manufacturing also picked up pace to 3.1 percent (-0.4 percent past 2 months’ average). Within manufacturing, the consumer goods space performed particularly well, perhaps a reflection of early festive season.

However, given that August is a restocking month post destocking in previous two months, 3-month average will be a better gauge, which shows growth of around 1 percent in manufacturing versus 3 percent clocked in May month.

Further, breadth is weak with 15 of 23 manufacturing industries contracting on trend basis. Thus, the rebound in IIP is largely a result of re-stocking and early festive season and may not necessarily be a true reflection of underlying activity, Edelweiss said.

Going ahead, IIP readings will be supported by low base, the research house feels. However, exports and government spending (given mounting fiscal challenges) trends will shape the underlying momentum, it said.

10:15 am Buzzing: Reliance Industries hit a fresh record high of Rs 891 in morning ahead of second quarter earnings later today.

10:10 am Rupee trade: The rupee strengthened 17 paise to 64.91 against the US dollar today, buoyed by a set of positive economic data.

Industrial production expanded to a 9-month high of 4.3 percent in August while retail inflation was stagnant at 3.28 per cent in September compared to the previous month.

A stronger opening in domestic stocks and the dollar’s reduced strength against some currencies overseas kept the rupee on a firm ground, traders said. But continuous outflow of foreign money kept the upmove in check.

Yesterday, the rupee had appreciated by another 6 paise to end at a fresh one-week high of 65.08 on continued selling of the greenback.

9:55 am Divestment: The government invited bids from private companies, including foreign ones, to buy out its entire 51 percent stake along with management control in helicopter service operator Pawan Hans Ltd.

The Miniratna PSU is under the administrative control of the civil aviation ministry and the remaining 49 percent stake is held by oil behemoth ONGC.

In a “global invitation for expression of interest”, the government asked private players to submit the bids by December 8.

“The government proposes to disinvest its entire equity shareholding of 51 per cent in Pawan Hans Ltd by way of strategic disinvestment to investors, along with transfer of management control,” it said while inviting bids.

The Department of Investment and Public Asset Management (DIPAM) has already lined up a host of PSUs for strategic disinvestment.

9:45 am Market Check: Equity benchmarks gained further in morning as the Nifty hit its previous record closing high of 10,153.10, backed by Reliance Industries and telecom stocks.

The 30-share BSE Sensex was up 165.45 points at 32,347.67 and the 50-share NSE Nifty gained 48.20 points at 10,144.60.

9:34 am Listing on Monday: Godrej Agrovet is set to debut on bourses on Monday, October 16. The issue price is fixed at Rs 460 per share, the higher end of price band.

The Rs 1,157-crore initial public offer was a big hit as the issue oversubscribed 95.34 times.

The issue comprises a fresh issue of shares worth Rs 291.51 crore besides an offer for sale worth up to Rs 300 crore by Godrej Industries and sale of up to 1.23 crore shares by V- Science.

The price band has been fixed at Rs 450-460 per share.

9:25 am Management Interview: We at TCS are finding that the customers are much more specific about the projects that they are speaking about and they are working towards a strategy, a plan, Rajesh Gopinathan, CEO & MD said in an interview with CNBC-TV18.

Diligenta will start growing here onwards, the pipeline still continues to be good for Diligenta, he added.

It is difficult to call the timeframe but directionally we definitely see optimism returning, he further mentioned.

COO, NG Subramaniam said demand environment remains stable. The way we have structured ourselves now, we are able to more positively participate in some of the digital initiatives and our digital services growth is a direct result of some of those initiatives that we have taken.

9:20 am IPO subscription: The initial public offer (IPO) of state-owned General Insurance Corporation of India has been subscribed 90 percent. Today is the last day for its subscription.

GIC Re’s Rs 11,370-crore IPO received bids for 11,16,79,024 shares against total issue size of 12,47,00,000 shares, data available with the NSE showed.

The portion meant for qualified institutional buyers (QIBs) was oversubscribed 1.68 times, that for non- institutional investors by 2 percent and retail investors’ quota by 16 percent.

9:15 am Market Check: Equity benchmarks extended previous day’s gains in opening, with the Nifty reclaiming 10,100 level and inching towards its record high level.

The rally was driven by Reliance Industries and Bharti Airtel.

The 30-share BSE Sensex was up 113.08 points at 32,295.30 and the 50-share NSE Nifty rose 31.40 points to 10,127.80.

Bharti Airtel was up 6 percent, Tata Teleservices up 9 percent and Tata Communications up 2 percent after Airtel decided to buy consumer telecom business of Tata Sons. Bharti Infratel was up 3 percent.

Reliance Industries gained a percent ahead of second quarter earnings later today.

Shriram EPC rallied 15 percent post bagging of multiple orders.

Bharat Financial and IndusInd Bank gained 0.4 percent each ahead of IndusInd’s board meeting on Saturday.

Nifty Midcap was up 0.3 percent as about three shares advanced for every share falling on the NSE.

BHEL, EON Electric, LEEL Electricals, Indian Toners, Aimco Pesticides, Indo Count, Teamlease, NBCC, Adani Transmission, Cyient, MCX (ahead of Q2 earnings later today), Manappuram Finance and DHFL gained 1-10 percent.

The Indian rupee started off last day of the week at Rs 64.95 against the US dollar, continuing the appreciation further.

It gained 13 paise compared with previous closing value of 65.08 per dollar.
Disclosure: Reliance Industries Ltd. is the sole beneficiary of Independent Media Trust which controls Network18 Media & Investments Ltd.