Focus Shifts To Resurgent Bonds

The trading interest at the bourses is on the decline with every passing day which is evident from the lacklustre sentiment that prevails in the markets these days. As we mentioned in this column recently, the brokers are more interested in the Resurgent India Bonds which is fetching them handsome returns. In fact, brokers call this a once-in-a-life time opportunity, hence do not want to lose any chance.

The only factor that inspired some trading interest yesterday was that some stocks in the specified group of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) was coming out of the no-delivery period. Thus, on account of short-covering, these stocks witnessed sharp upward movement. Despite the market ruling at lower levels, the foreign funds have pressed heavy sales yesterday witnessed by the figures released by the exchanges. The foreign funds have remained net sellers to the tune of Rs 44.9 crore.

This comes as a surprise because players indicate that these levels are abysmally low for the fund managers to get out. But if they are doing so then the only reasons seems to be that they anticipate a further weak trend ahead.

The ITC stock seems to have lost its steam and no more finds favour with the operators or the speculators. In fact, the Dalal Street is agog with rumours that the company has been deserted by its godfather to the extent that he has gone heavily short at this counter. Thus, ITC seems to be in for a major trouble unless there is a change in sentiment. Having gone short at this counter, this leading operator is reported to have turned bullish at the Britannia and Infosys Technologies counter. This could partly explain the sharp upward movement at these two counters yesterday.

Britannia along with Dr Reddy came out of the no-delivery period yesterday at the BSE, which saw the stock price zooming and so did the volumes. The Britannia counter witnessed a combined turnover of over 2.82 lakh with the stock touching a new five-week high of Rs 749.75 at the BSE, while Dr Reddy saw a trade in over 16 lakh shares at both the bourses. Among the prominent foreign funds selling yesterday include, the one lakh shares of Zee Tele off loaded by a Singapore-based fund. This fund is also reported to have pressed sales at the MTNL counter, which saw the stock plunging to Rs 199 at the bourse. The company sold close to half-a-million shares of MTNL yesterday.

UTI Offshore funds is reported to have picked up about 1 lakh shares of Satyam yesterday. Meanwhile, the big daddy is busy picking up stocks at lower levels. UTI is actively scouting for stocks as Thermax, NIIT Carrier Aircon among other.

Dousing the flames

Foreign funds are reporting to be aggressively dumping the HPCL and BPCL scrips, pushing them to new 52-week lows. Though UTI and LIC are reported to be making purchases at the counter, the prices continue to slide unabated.

This despite the fact that both these companies are doing well. Players feel the price could make a sharp rebound once the sell-order is completed. A leading US-based fund continues to be an aggressive seller at the Pentafour Software counter. It is reported to have pressed sales yesterday, too, though the numbers could not be confirmed.

The Software Solutions scrip witnessed hectic buying interest yesterday in anticipation of excellent quarterly results. Fund managers and brokers are expecting an earning per share (EPS) of nearly Rs 30 following the results.

Innox continued to race to a new 52-week high unmindful of the prevailing weak sentiment at the bourses yesterday. Players are of the view that the open offer is just around the corner though the same talk has been doing the rounds for over a month now.

Teddy bear in trouble

A leading operator, who was largely responsible for the carnage at the BPL Videocon counter, seems to be hunted by the market regulator. It is learnt that the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) officials have been camping at the operator's office for the past couple of days, scrutinising his books.