Sensex, Nifty trim losses; Rupee above 74 mark

The market trimmed losses in mid-afternoon trade. At 14:25 IST, the barometer index, the S&P BSE Sensex, tanked 2008.95 points or 5.35% at 35,567.67. The Nifty 50 index slumped 568.45 points or 5.17% at 10,421.

The Nifty is down 16.16% from its record high of 12,430.50 hit on 20 January 2020.

Global stock markets witnessed a selloff amid a plunge in crude oil prices after OPEC failed to strike a deal with its allies on production cuts, adding to volatility already brought about by fears surrounding the coronavirus spread. Oil price crash is a worrying sign for the health of the world economy. Investor sentiments also turned weak amid the ongoing crisis at Yes Bank, which can impact the financial sector as a whole.

 

Meanwhile, the number of coronavirus cases in India rose to 43 on Monday with four people, including a three-year-old child in Kerala who had returned from Italy, testing positive for the disease, Health Ministry officials reportedly said.

In the broader market, the S&P BSE Mid-Cap index was down 4.64% and the S&P BSE Small-Cap index was down 4.38%. The fall in both these indices was lesser than the fall in the Sensex.

Sellers outpaced buyers. On the BSE, 277 shares rose and 2178 shares fell. A total of 167 shares were unchanged. In Nifty 50 index, 4 stocks advanced while 46 stocks declined.

Numbers to Track:

In the foreign exchange market, the partially convertible rupee was trading at 74.0825, lower than its previous closing of 73.87.

The yield on 10-year benchmark federal paper rose to 6.043% at 14:21 IST compared with 6.185% in the previous trading session.

In the commodities market, Brent crude for May 2020 settlement was down $9.26 to $36.01 a barrel. The contract fell $4.72 or 9.44% to settle at $45.27 a barrel in the previous trading session.

MCX Gold futures for 3 April 2020 settlement rose 0.03% to Rs 44,170.

Buzzing Index:

The Nifty Pharma index fell 3.17% to 7,763.80, extending decline for second day. The index has lost 4.69% in the past two sessions.

Wockhardt (down 8.97%), Aurobindo Pharma (down 6.76%), Cadila Healthcare (down 5.92%), Piramal Enterprises (down 5.25%), Alkem Laboratories (down 4.62%), Glenmark Pharmaceuticals (down 4.53%), Strides Shasun (down 3.47%), Dr Reddy's Laboratories (down 3.04%), Divi's Laboratories (down 3%), Sun Pharmaceutical Industries (down 2.27%), GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals (down 2.18%), Lupin (down 1.66%) and Cipla (down 1.41%) declined.

Divi's Laboratories fell 2.29% to Rs 2189. "This is to inform that the company has commenced commercial production effective from 9 March 2020 from DCV-SEZ unit of the company at Chippada Village, Bheemunipatnam Mandal, Visakhapatnam", the drug maker said in a statement.

SMS Pharmaceuticals slipped 0.27% to Rs 36.85. The United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) conducted a regulatory inspection of the testing facility Central Laboratory Analytical Services from 2 to 6 March 2020, the company said in an exchange filing. The audit resulted in zero observation, it said.

Hikal slumped 9.45% to Rs 104.90. The Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) asked the drug ingredient manufacturer to close its Mahad unit. The company received the notice of closure from MPCB following a complaint by the locals in Taloja. The complaint said a tanker of an authorized transporter, carrying byproduct of Hikal, was found near Kasadi river in Taloja. This material was on the way for further processing to a MPCB-approved manufacturer located in MIDC Dhule. The company has filed a writ petition in the Bombay High Court for a stay on the order. Some its operations at Mahad could be affected until the matter was resolved, it added.

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