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New economy stocks stage smart recovery
Mumbai: The software and banking stocks spearheaded the rally of the BSE Sensex on Wednesday's trading. The Sensex jumped by 48.52 points (or 1.57 per cent) to settle at 3130.46 points. The new economy stocks, which have been languishing for some time, staged a smart recovery as the Nasdaq Composite Index marched up by 46.60 points (or 3.09 per cent) to 1556.69 points on Tuesday. Similarly, the Dow Jones Industrial Average also moved up by 179.97 points (or 2.09 per cent) to close at 8781.35 points. For the banking stocks, the trigger for the rise in prices was the decision by the Centre not to charge any premium on the return of equity capital by public sector banks. The Sensex opened for the day at 3093.72 points, touched a high of 3133.17 and a low of 3086.15 points. The gross turnover at the exchange was higher at Rs 1295.55 crore, up from Rs 1171.94 crore on Tuesday's trading. The advances to declines ratio stood at 1.08, with 841 stocks appreciating in value while 776 stocks logged declines.
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Lupin up sharply on stake sale rumours
Kochi: Speculation over promoters of Lupin Ltd being close to placing 15-20 per cent of their equity with the London-based Citigroup Venture Capital saw the share touch a 52-week high on the bourses during intra-day trading. According to rumours, the deal has been struck at around $80 million, the valuation for which was completed at Rs 230 per share. Brokers said the perception that if the deal were to actually take place an open offer could be triggered added strength to the counter. This is despite the fact that the company had gone on record in February, denying the stake sale. The stock ended the day at Rs 180.60, up 2.88 per cent on the BSE, with around 6.07 lakh shares being traded. On the NSE, the stock closed at around Rs 180.10, up 2.48 per cent, with around 9.1 lakh shares traded.
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It's not all glitter for diamond cos
Mumbai: Diamonds do not lose their sheen. But for those in the business of selling it for profit, the prospects don't appear to be all that glittering. Though the topline of major diamond exporters has registered a modest growth, their bottom line has witnessed a significant drop, an analysis of the companies in diamond jewellery business revealed. Net sales of top eight listed diamond companies on an average have grown by 23 per cent for the year ending March 2003, from that of the previous year. However, the net profit, on an average has plummeted by about 64 per cent, during the period. The drop was particularly sharp in Su-raj diamonds, Goldiam International and Sovereign Diamonds. On the other hand, diamond stocks did not provide much solace to the investors either. The average market return of 15 major diamond exporters in the last one-year has been negative and stands at - 4.0 per cent. Suashish Diamond (-15.7 per cent), Flawless Diamond (-40 per cent), Classic Diamonds (-31.5 per cent) and Parekh Platinum (-37.3 per cent) recorded significant drop in their stock prices. On the other hand SB&T International (58.1 per cent), Su-raj Diamonds (13.4 per cent) and Zodiac-JRD (12.4 per cent) registered gains.
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China hopes lift steel stocks
Mumbai: Steel counters witnessed hectic activity on Wednesday with volumes swelling at the counters of Steel Authority of India and Tata Steel. SAIL had a combined volume of 2.3 crore shares on the BSE and the NSE. About 45 lakh Tata Steel shares changed hands on the two bourses. Dealers said steel makers' stock was up on news that China issued fresh import quotas for the metal, setting aside worries of that country reducing steel imports. Sector analysts consider the move as a big positive for Indian steel makers as many of them have significant exports to China. It has also reportedly lowered import duty should a country exceed quota limits. State-owned SAIL led the rally with a 5.12 per cent gain that also reflected its good performance during the last quarter of the past fiscal year, dealers said. The stock closed at Rs 11.30 compared to the previous day's close of Rs 10.75.
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Rupee volatile; gilts rally
Mumbai: It was an unexpected day of high volatility for the Indian rupee on Wednesday. The domestic currency depreciated by ten paise against the dollar on the back of month-end demand for dollars from corporates. The rupee today reversed the trend of consistent appreciation and ended the day at 46.98/99 down from Tuesday's close of 46.89/90 against the dollar. However, the dealers said that the rupee movement an aberration and it was expected to continue its appreciation. Nitin Iyer, a Senior Forex Analyst in Mecklai Financial Ltd, said, "The rupee is certain to appreciate further in June. What was seen today was just month-end demand by corporates and consolidation. This might be observed tomorrow also."
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domain-B : Indian business : News Review : 29 May 2003 : capital market