Sensex, Nifty snap six-day gains

Key equities indices snapped six-day rising streak to end with modest losses due to profit selling. Weakness in HDFC twins and Reliance Industries put pressure on bourses. Gains in IT shares supported the indices at lower levels.

The Sensex fell 106.69 points or 0.29% to settle at 36,134.31. The index rose 54.84 points, or 0.15% at the day's high of 36,295.84. The index fell 204.61 points, or 0.56% at the day's low of 36,036.39.

The Nifty 50 index fell 14.25 points or 0.13% to settle at 10,869.50. The index rose 7.20 points, or 0.07% at the day's high of 10,890.95. The index fell 50.40 points, or 0.46% at the day's low of 10,833.35.

Investors remained cautious ahead of the outcome of the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) monetary policy meeting. The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) will conclude its two-day meet tomorrow, 5 December 2018. The resolution of the MPC will be announced on 5 December 2018. Investors were also cautious ahead of election results of some states next week.

Indices drifted lower in early trade. Stocks hovered in a small range in negative zone in morning trade. Fresh selling in index pivotals pulled the key indices to day's low in mid-morning trade. After a mild recovery in early afternoon trade, indices once again moved towards the day's low in afternoon trade. Shares were trading in a small range with negative bias in mid-afternoon and late trade.

In broader market, the S&P BSE Mid-Cap index fell 0.07%. The S&P BSE Small-Cap index rose 0.14%. Both these indices outperformed the Sensex.

The market breadth, indicating the overall health of the market, was negative. On the BSE, 1160 shares rose and 1412 shares fell. A total of 145 shares were unchanged.

Among sectoral indices on BSE, the S&P BSE FMCG index (down 0.65%), the S&P BSE Telecom index (down 0.63%) and the S&P BSE Realty index (down 0.62%), underperformed the Sensex. The S&P BSE IT index (up 1.71%), the S&P BSE Oil & Gas index (up 0.85%) and he S&P BSE Metal index (up 0.28%), outperformed the Sensex.

Index heavyweight and housing finance major HDFC dropped 1.92% to Rs 1,939.20. HDFC Bank fell 1.17% to Rs 2,088.75.

Mahindra & Mahindra (down 2.36%), State Bank of India (down 1.64%), NTPC (down 1.41%) and IndusInd Bank (down 1.18%), were the other major Sensex losers.

Index heavyweight Reliance Industries fell 0.41%. Saavn Media, a subsidiary of Reliance Industries (RIL), today launched JioSaavn, South Asia's largest streaming, entertainment and artist platform. JioSaavn represents the official integration of JioMusic, India's most popular music app, and Saavn, India's leading global over-the-top platform. The announcement was made after during market hours today, 4 December 2018.

With the integrated JioSaavn app, users can expect a suite of new in-app products and music experiences, including an interactive lyrics feature, localized vernacular display, custom integrations with concerts and live events, as well as exclusive video content to roll out over the next few months.

Yes Bank fell 0.81%. Yes Bank announced that pursuant to the final regulatory approval (Certificate of Registration) from the Securities & Exchange Board of India (SEBI) to commence its mutual fund business, Yes Asset Management (India), the wholly owned subsidiary of Yes Bank has received SEBI approval to launch Yes Liquid Fund and Yes Ultra Short Term Fund. The announcement was made after during market hours today, 4 December 2018.

Sun Pharmaceutical Industries fell 2.75%. Sun Pharmaceutical Industries said that over the last one week, there have been some media reports on Sun Pharma around a note issued by one of the securities firm and a potential whistleblower complaint against the company.

With reference to allegations that one of the partners of an audit firm of Sun Pharma (Valia & Timbadia) was investigated in a stock price rigging case, the company clarified that none of the partners of this audit firm or the firm itself was a party to this investigation. With reference to news reports of a whistleblower complaint filed against Sun Pharma with Sebi, the company clarified that as of now, it has not received any query related to this from Sebi.

With reference to a question is being raised about an insider trading case which was settled with Sebi regarding the Ranbaxy acquisition, the company clarified that it has not been involved in any insider trading norm violations relating to the Ranbaxy deal. With reference to news reports about Sebi likely to re-open the old insider trading case, the company clarified that it has not received any information from Sebi in this regard.

With reference to concerns being raised about Sun Pharma's low single digit tax rate, the company clarified that this was the case many years back and now its effective tax rate is in mid-teens. With reference to queries on loans and advances given to non-related parties which have increased significantly in FY2018, the company clarified that these are loans and advances given in the normal course of business at arms-length basis at market interest rates and at market terms and conditions.

Axis Bank shed 0.34%. With reference to a news item titled "I-T dept probing Axis Bank staff for allegedly facilitating benami deals," the bank clarified after market hours yesterday, 3 December 2018, that the matter reported in certain sections of the media pertains to a complaint received by the bank in March 2018, referring to incidents of an earlier period. An internal inquiry in this regard has already been conducted by the bank. In case there are any queries from the income tax authorities in the said matter, the bank, as always, shall fully co-operate with the concerned authorities. The bank has always adhered to the highest standards of regulatory compliance and will continue to work towards maintaining a strict code of conduct in all spheres of business that it undertakes, it said.

Shares of IT companies rose after the rupee slipped against the dollar. Oracle Financial Services Software (up 3.62%), Infosys (up 2.18%), Wipro (up 2.06%), HCL Technologies (up 1.94%), Tech Mahindra (up 1.71%), TCS (up 1.37%), Persistent Systems (up 1.17%), Hexaware Technologies (up 1.16%) and MphasiS (up 0.61%), edged higher. MindTree was down 0.97%.

A weak rupee boosts revenue of IT firms in rupee terms as the sector derives a lion's share of revenue from exports.

In the foreign exchange market, the rupee edged lower against the dollar. The partially convertible rupee was hovering at 70.65, compared with its close of 70.46 during the previous trading session.

In the global commodities markets, Brent for February 2019 settlement was up $1.59 at $63.28 a barrel. The contract had risen $2.23 a barrel or 3.75% to settle at $61.69 a barrel during the previous trading session.

Overseas, European shares were trading lower while Asian stocks ended mixed following Monday's jumps across the region, signaling fading investor applause for the US-China trade truce. US stocks closed higher Monday, after the US and China over the weekend called a temporary truce to their trade war.

A trade standoff between the US and China saw a breakthrough at the G-20 meeting in Argentina, a gathering that included a highly-anticipated dinner between President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping. The two sides agreed to launch negotiations to reduce trade tensions and discuss forced technology transfer, intellectual-property protection, non-tariff barriers, and cyber and agriculture issues, among other concerns.

Meanwhile, the New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq will remain closed Wednesday as a national day of mourning will be held in memory of former President George H.W. Bush.

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