Metal stocks nudge higher

The stock market continued to trade with small gains in afternoon trade. At 13:15 IST, the barometer index, the S&P BSE Sensex, rose 46.27 points or 0.14% at 33,883.01. The Nifty 50 index gained 12.65 points or 0.12% at 10,475.85. The movement of indices was restricted within a small range around the flat line so far.

The market swung between gains and losses near the flat line in early trade. The Sensex and Nifty, both, hit record high at the onset of the session. Stocks soon slipped into the red and traded with small losses in morning trade. Indices turned positive in mid-morning trade and traded with small gains so far.

Among secondary indices, the S&P BSE Mid-Cap index rose 0.47%. The S&P BSE Small-Cap index gained 1%. Both these indices outperformed the Sensex.

The breadth, indicating the overall health of the market, was strong. On the BSE, 1,652 shares rose and 893 shares fell. A total of 174 shares were unchanged.

IT stocks were mixed. Wipro (up 0.79%), Infosys (up 0.74%) and HCL Technologies (up 0.29%) gained. Persistent Systems (down 0.69%), Tech Mahindra (down 0.32%) and TCS (down 0.26%) dropped.

Metal and mining stocks nudged higher. National Aluminium Company (up 4.39%), Jindal Steel & Power (up 3.81%), Steel Authority of India (up 1.98%), Hindalco Industries (up 1.87%), Hindustan Zinc (up 0.61%), Hindustan Copper (up 0.49%), JSW Steel (up 0.53%) and Vedanta (up 0.17%) gained. Tata Steel (down 1.06%) and NMDC (down 0.26%) edged lower.

Strides Shasun rose 2.7% at Rs 816.75 after the company said that its wholly owned Singapore subsidiary has entered into definitive agreements with Trinity Pharma, South Africa (Trinity) for acquisition of controlling stake in Trinity. Under the terms of the agreement, Strides Pharma Asia, Singapore will acquire 55% stake in Trinity for a cash consideration of South African Rand 55 million (approximately Rs 27.50 crore).

The current management will stay as minority partner and will continue to run the business under the supervision of Strides. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions including approval from the South African regulatory authority, Transaction Regulation Panel and expected to close on or before 5 January 2018. The announcement was made during trading hours today, 20 December 2017.

Meanwhile, the Companies (Amendment) Bill, 2017 which seeks to bring about major changes in the Companies Act, 2013, was passed by the Rajya Sabha yesterday, 19 December 2017 by a voice vote. The bill, which was adopted by the Lok Sabha in July, will now have to receive the assent of the President to become law. The amendment seeks to strengthen corporate governance standards, initiate strict action against defaulting companies and help improve ease of doing business in the country.

Overseas, Asian stocks dropped after Senate passed Republican tax bill in 51-48 vote sending the tax cut package back to the House of Representatives for a final vote later in the day.

US stocks ended with modest losses yesterday, 19 December 2017, pulling back from all-time highs. Stocks remained lower as the House of Representatives, as expected, passed tax legislation that would slash corporate rates but will have to vote again today because the current draft doesn't comply with Senate rules.

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