Soft trades continue, FMCG and oil stocks exert pressure

Broader markets also weak. However, pharma stocks buck trend

Markets continued to languish in noon trades with selling pressure in FMCG, capital goods and oil stocks. The Sensex is down 31 points at 19,454. Nifty is down 9 points at 5,893.

Broader markets have also delcined in line with the benchmark index. BSE mid-cap index is down 5 points at 6,751. Small-cap index has also declined 7 points at 6,787.

Nirmal Bang said in a research report, USD/INR can give a rise upto 53.80 but can be sold on rise for the day. It has a good intraday support at 53.40 and resistance is at 54.00. Expected intraday range is 53.40 – 53.80.

BSE consumer durables index has added 0.6% to 7,365. Healthcare, realty and bankex are up 0.2-0.5% each. On the other hand, FMCG index has declined half a per cent to 5,789.

From the pharma space, Cipla has added 2.5% to Rs 391. Dr Reddy's has gained 2.4% at Rs 1903. Among other key movers are HDFC Bank, Tata Motors and Hindustan Unilever.

Meanwhile, ONGC has slipped 2% to Rs 308. Bharti Airtel is down 1.5% at Rs 317. Maruti Suzuki, Hero MotoCorp and ITC are down over 1% each.

SKS Microfinance has locked in upper circuit of 10% at Rs 146 after the company said it concluded two highest rated microfinance securitization transactions aggregating to Rs 390 crore.

Cadila Healthcare has dipped 6% to Rs 743, extending its previous day’s 3% fall, on reported 31% year-on-year (yoy) drop in consolidated net profit at Rs 103 crore for the quarter ended December 31, 2012 (Q3) due to higher tax outgo and raw material cost.

BSE market breadth is negative. Out of 2435 stocks traded, 1218 shares declined and 1084 shares advanced in trades.