Derivatives Mart Ended Lower

The two-day rise in the derivatives markets ended on profit taking today. The National Stock Exchange Nifty futures fell over previous levels, with only the far month futures ending higher.

Nifty June futures ended lower by 2.15 points at 1088.40 points, S&P CNX Nifty closed lower by 4.25 points at 1092.80 points. Thus the near month futures ended at a discount to the underlying. Volumes and open interest in the June futures were lower at 4,831 and 4,689 contracts, respectively.

Volumes in July futures inched up marginally at 283 contracts with the mid-month futures closing lower by 2.60 points at 1093.

 

However, Nifty August ended on a slightly positive note by gaining 0.25 points at 1097.25 amid a paper thin volume of 18 contracts.

In options, the Nifty June call at 1100 with 238 contracts traded was the top index option. Other calls to generate volumes were the Nifty June call at 1080 and 1060. The top puts were the Nifty June put at 1080 with 122 contracts and puts at strike of 1060 and 1040.

Among individual stock options, Satyam Computer continued to be the most sought-after stock options. Its June call at 240 logged 702 contracts. Other counters in demand were the BPCL June call at 280. HPCL June call at 300 and L&T June call at 180.

The Bombay Stock Exchange sensex futures ended lower and closed at a discount to the cash markets. The futures fell in line with the negative close in the cash segment. Only the June contract was traded among sensex futures.