Key benchmark indices cut initial losses triggered by negative Asian stocks. The S&P BSE Sensex was down 30.74 points or 0.15%, up 32.71 points from the day's low and off 31.46 points from the day's high. The market breadth, indicating the overall health of the market, was strong.
Tata Power and Adani Power edged higher on reports the electricity regulator has allowed these companies to raise tariffs and receive compensation to make up for losses incurred at its flagship Mundra plant in Gujarat. Shares of India's largest power generation firm by capacity NTPC dropped.
Asian stocks were mostly lower on Monday, as investors appeared to give no more than a passing nod to the Group of 20's latest commitment to spur faster global growth.
The market may remain volatile this week on expiry of the near month February 2014 futures and options (F&O) contracts in a truncated trading week. The near month February 2014 F&O contracts expire on Wednesday, 26 February 2014. The stock market remains closed on Thursday, 27 February 2014, on account of Mahashivratri.
Foreign institutional investors (FIIs) bought shares worth a net Rs 603.41 crore on Friday, 21 February 2014, as per provisional data from the stock exchanges.
At 9:25 IST, the S&P BSE Sensex was down 30.74 points or 0.15% to 20,670.01. The index rose 0.72 points at the day's high of 20,701.47 in early trade. The index fell 63.45 points at the day's low of 20,637.30 in early trade.
The CNX Nifty was down 11.85 points or 0.19% to 6,143.60. The index hit a high of 6,150.65 in intraday trade. The index hit a low of 6,130.80 in intraday trade.
The market breadth, indicating the overall health of the market, was strong. On BSE, 642 shares gained and 407 shares fell. A total of 53 shares were unchanged.
The total turnover on BSE amounted to Rs 119 crore by 09:25 IST.
Among the 30-share Sensex pack, 20 stocks gained and rest of them declined.
Maruti Suzuki India shed 0.76%. The car major said it had received about 14,000 orders for the Celerio in less than two weeks of its introduction, Maruti's chief operating officer for marketing and sales Mayank Pareek said in a media interview on Friday, 21 February 2014. Mr. Pareek said that the Celerio's automatic transmission is driving demand for the vehicle. Half of the orders for the 14,000 Celerio were models with automatic transmissions, he said. "Demand for the Celerio has exceeded our expectations," he said. Maruti introduced the Celerio on 6 February 2014 with an optional automatic transmission, a rarity for an entry-level car in India. The Celerio's automatic gearbox allows the driver to switch between automatic and manual modes. Maruti expects to draw a large number of buyers for the automatic-transmission model due to the relatively small difference in price with the manual-transmission version. Maruti has also decided to stop manufacturing the A-Star and Estilo small cars due to weak demand for these two models.
The A-Star and Estilo join the former flagship model, the M800 in being junked. Maruti stopped making the M800 in January after a production run of about three decades.
Cipla rose 0.11%. Cipla and MSD after market hours on Friday, 21 February 2014 announced the formation of an India specific strategic partnership. Cipla and MSD issued a joint press release to this effect in a clarification to the exchange regarding news item titled "Cipla to market MSD's HIV Drug in India". Cipla clarified that the company continues to evaluate such opportunities in its ordinary course of business. The company has a portfolio of over 2,000 products and the revenues/profits from the sale of raltegravir are not expected to be material in the context of company's total revenues/profits.
Within the scope of the partnership with MSD, Cipla will have a non-exclusive license to market, promote and distribute MSD's raltegravir 400mg tablet, under a different brand name in India. With its history of over 75 years, Cipla has a formidable operation reaching the far corners of the country and therefore is well placed to ensure this key medication reaches the patients who need it, the statement said. Access to treatment and patient centric approach are cornerstone to this partnership, with this model both companies expect to broaden reach of raltegravir in private and public markets in India, the statement from both the companies said. Access to raltegravir is important for patients who require it as part of third line salvage regimen where there are few options left, the statement said.
Announcing the partnership, Dr Jaideep Gogtay, Chief Medical Officer, Cipla said, "This partnership reinforces Cipla's ongoing commitment to HIV/AIDS treatment making life-saving drugs accessible. raltegravir, a third line therapy treatment will be a value addition to Cipla's portfolio of HIV/AIDS treatment, especially for those patients who are resistant to the 1st and 2nd line therapy treatment. Cipla's HIV/AIDS medications, including the innovative triple cocktail drug has been available for patients for over a decade now. Cipla has been instrumental in physician and patient education and also instrumental in changing the perception of people about HIV being a fatal disease to a chronic infection. Since Cipla has such an extensive marketing and sales operation in India, the company will ensure that this vital treatment reaches those patients who are in need. In this way, Cipla will fulfil its promise of access in terms of geographical areas. We anticipate this drug being available to patients from middle of this year."
Mr. Subhanu Saxena, MD and Global CEO, Cipla said, "With Cipla's strength in India, South Africa and other emerging markets, we have long been the pharmaceutical company serving patients who most need access to affordable medicines. By entering into this marketing partnership with MSD, Cipla is demonstrating its commitment to working with partners globally who shares the same pro access philosophy of Cipla. We want to ensure that all patients, particularly in developing countries, get access to the most innovative, breakthrough medicines available. We look forward to more such collaborations ensuring lifesaving drugs like raltegravir reach the patients in need."
Announcing the partnership, Mr. K. G. Ananthakrishnan, Managing Director, MSD in India said, "MSD is committed to developing innovative therapies that offer advances in the treatment of infectious diseases - including HIV. MSD's efforts to develop treatments for HIV/AIDS have been under way for more than 20 years and continue today. We are proud to have entered into a strategic, India-specific partnership with Cipla. This partnership is aligned with our commitment towards patients in India and also addressing treatment challenges for high risk patients by providing broader access to our innovative medicines and vaccines. It is a complementary partnership as MSD brings the research and scientific excellence for raltegravir, and Cipla brings their marketing excellence, significant reach among key clinician categories to drive product access. MSD and Cipla both share the same commitment of providing broader access to HIV treatment."
MSD is a global healthcare leader. MSD is a trade name of Merck & Co., Inc., with headquarters in Whitehouse Station, N.J., USA. Through its prescription medicines, vaccines, biologic therapies, and consumer care and animal health products, MSD works with customers and operate in more than 140 countries to deliver innovative health solutions.
Infosys fell 0.31%. Infosys on Saturday, 22 February 2014 announced that it has commenced work on its new campus in Mohali, Punjab. The Honorable Deputy Chief Minister of Punjab, Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal, laid the foundation stone for the campus at Mohali in the presence of Mr. N. R. Narayana Murthy, Founder and Executive Chairman, Infosys.
The new campus at SAS Nagar, Mohali, will be spread over 50 acres of land allocated by the Government of Punjab and will see construction undertaken in phases.
In the first phase of construction, the company will make an investment of Rs 425 crore to create a built-up area of 6.5 lakh sq. ft. to seat 5,000 software professionals. Phase I of this state-of-the-art facility is likely to be completed in the next 24 months.
Mr. N. R. Narayana Murthy, Founder and Executive Chairman of the Board, Infosys said: "The State Government of Punjab has done a commendable job in developing Mohali as an investment destination with its new industrial policy and good infrastructure facilities. We have been successful in Chandigarh and are eager to tap into the talent pool in the region. We are very grateful to the State Government of Punjab for extending their proactive support as we expand our operations in Mohali."
Tata Power jumped 5.78%. Adani Power rose 3.36%. As per reports the electricity regulator has allowed these companies to raise tariffs and receive compensation to make up for losses incurred at its flagship Mundra plant in Gujarat. According to reports, the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) said Tata Power should be reimbursed Rs 330 crore for the fiscal year that ended in March 2013. It can also raise tariffs by Rs 0.524 per unit for the current fiscal year for electricity generated from Mundra, the regulator reportedly said in an order dated 21 February 2014.
Shares of India's largest power generation firm by capacity NTPC lost 7.08%.
JSW Steel rose 1.08%. JSW Steel after market hours on Friday, 21 February 2014 said that subject to customary closing conditions and third party consents, the company intends to acquire 26% equity in Vallabh Tinplate (VTPL) immediately and shall increase its equity stake in VTPL to 50% in due course. The total investment to acquire 50% equity stake in VTPL is estimated to be a maximum of Rs 46 crore depending upon financial performance of VTPL. Accordingly JSW Steel has executed a legally binding Share Purchase Agreement and Shareholders Agreement with the shareholders of VTPL. JSW Steel will have representation in the Board of VTPL proportionate to its equity holding with a right to appoint certain key managerial personnel. This acquisition marks JSW Steel's entry into growing Tinplate business in India, the company said.
VTPL is currently operating a 60,000 MT per annum tinplate manufacturing facility in Beopror Village, Rajpura, Patiala District in the State of Punjab in India. VTPL is owned by Vardhaman Industries (VIL) along with its promoters.
JSW Steel said that investment in Tinplate business was made in line with the company's strategic goal to enhance the share of value added products segment in the overall product basket to about 40%.
IDFC fell 0.47%. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Friday, 21 February 2014, notified that the foreign share holding by foreign institutional investors (FIIs) in IDFC has crossed the overall limit of its paid-up capital. Therefore, no further purchases of shares of this company would be allowed through stock exchanges in India on behalf of FIIs, RBI said. IDFC has passed resolutions at the board of directors' level and a special resolution by the shareholders, agreeing for decreasing the limit from 54% to 52.5% for FIIs. RBI said that since FIIs had crossed the overall limit to buy stake in IDFC, they will not be allowed to purchase any further number of shares through the Indian stock exchanges. FIIs shareholding in IDFC stood at 51.39% as on quarter ended 31 December 2013.
Tech Mahindra slipped 0.39%. Tech Mahindra and Church Mutual Insurance Company (Church Mutual) announced a partnership to continue development of a new cloud based policy processing system for Church Mutual. The announcement was made after market hours on Friday, 21 February 2014.
Merrill-based Church Mutual, an insurer rated A (Excellent) by A.M. Best Company, is the leading insurer of religious institutions in the United States. It has 935 employees across the nation. Church Mutual began developing a new policy processing system several years ago. Church Mutual has entered into an agreement transferring ownership of the system to Tech Mahindra, the Indian company said in a statement.
"Tech Mahindra brings a high level of system integration expertise for global insurance players," Church Mutual President and CEO Mike Ravn explained. "With them maintaining the policy administration system going forward, our company will be able to focus our technology efforts and resources on strategic work. This move will save us development and maintenance costs for years to come."
As part of the engagement, Tech Mahindra would be converting the existing Policy administration and billing systems into a cloud based model and take this product along with Church Mutual to the Tier 2 and Tier 3 P&C carriers in US market. The focus of this cloud model would be faster processing and Line of Business rollouts using Insurance Product Modeling. With this cloud model, Insurance carriers can focus their attention on their core business and technology can convert costs from Capex to Opex model, Tech Mahindra said.
"Our in-depth understanding of the insurance business processes has enabled us to design solutions that will help insurance customers derive the best value from their IT investments. We are proud to partner with Church Mutual in this digital transformation journey," said CP Gurnani, MD & CEO, Tech Mahindra.
The goal of the partnership is to create a state-of-the-art system that supports Church Mutual's strategic growth needs. This will be a technology that other insurance companies may want to purchase, providing Church Mutual and Tech Mahindra with potential royalties from future licensing fees, the company said.
Tech Mahindra's innovative solutions are equipping the insurance industry help move along with the uncertain future and exploit emerging opportunities since 20+ years. The Insurance practice at Tech Mahindra has a strong team of domain experts and boasts of some major names in the industry as customers, the company added.
GMR Infrastructure rose 0.49%. GMR, Temasek and IDFC Alternatives led consortium of Investors (IDFC Consortium) have agreed to restructure their existing investment in GMR Energy (GEL). These investors had invested Rs 1395 crore in Compulsorily Convertible Preference Shares (CCPS) in GEL in 2010. GMR Group and the investors have now agreed to restructure the terms taking into account the interest of both the parties. The announcement was made after market hours on Friday, 21 February 2014.
Subject to satisfaction of conditions precedent, GMR Infrastructure (GIL) will issue CCPS worth Rs 788.8 crore to Temasek and Rs 347.8 crore to the IDFC Consortium through a preferential allotment. The residual investment of the investors in GEL will continue, GMR Infrastructure said.
Compulsorily Convertible Preference Shares ("CCPS") to be issued by GMR Infrastructure to Tamasek and IDFC consortia amounting to Rs 1136.6 crore would be converted into equity shares of GIL after 17 / 18 months i.e. during September - October, 2015 based on the price to be determined as per Securities and Exchange Board of India (Issue of Capital and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2009 [SEBI (ICDR) Regulations] at the time of conversion i.e. higher of the average of the weekly high and low of the closing prices of the GIL equity shares during the 26 weeks or the average of the weekly high and low of the closing prices of the GIL equity shares quoted on a recognised stock exchange during the 2 weeks ending with 30 days prior to date of conversion.
GMR Group Chairman, Mr. G. M Rao has said, "We are extremely happy to have Temasek and the IDFC Consortium as shareholders of GIL. This is the culmination of the long term partnership with the Investors and demonstrates their confidence in the Group. We are confident that together with the support from the Investors, we will build a strong Energy portfolio. This will also pave way for value creation at GMR Energy and GIL as the Power portfolio has almost reached the peak of its capex cycle and is getting into the operational phase".
Mr. Satish Mandhana, Managing Partner & Chief Investment Officer at IDFC Alternatives commented that "GMR Energy has been our 4th investment with the GMR group in the past 10 years. This step is a clear demonstration of how the investors and GMR worked together to forge a win-win solution by being considerate of partnership obligations, in a very difficult and challenging external environment for the power sector. We look forward to a successful IPO of GEL in near future"
The Reserve Bank of India next undertakes monetary policy review on 1 April 2014. Citing price pressures, the Reserve Bank of India raised its key lending rates by 25 basis points after Third Quarter Review of Monetary Policy for 2013-14 on 28 January 2014.
Asian stocks were mostly lower on Monday, as investors appeared to give no more than a passing nod to the Group of 20's latest commitment to spur faster global growth. Key benchmark indices in Japan, Indonesia, Taiwan, China, Hong Kong and South Korea fell by 0.38% to 2.03%. In Singapore, the Straits Times index rose 0.01%
US stocks edged lower Friday, 21 February 2014 on a report showing the housing sector sagged in January.
On Friday, existing-home sales in January showed a bigger-than-expected decline, but unusually poor weather may have played a role, the National Association of Realtors said.
The National Association of Realtors said existing home sales fell 5.1% in January to an 18-month low. Sales of standing homes have dropped in five of the past six months.
In other economic news on Friday, Dallas Federal Reserve President Richard Fisher said the central bank should continue to taper its bond-buying program that's boosted stocks.
Richmond Fed President Jeffrey Lacker on Friday, 21 February 2014, said the 2008 Federal Open Market Committee transcripts released earlier in the day show "me and several other consumers of economic research grappling with some very difficult policy decisions." In prepared comments at Arizona State, he said there wasn't enough discussion during the crisis about specific models of banking and financial markets that there could have been, and there wasn't enough discussion about long-term consequences. Lacker said he still opposes the Fed's credit market interventions and said he remains "deeply skeptical about the advisability of those actions." Speaking of the market for asset-backed commercial paper, he said markets were responding in a plausibly efficient manner to significant revisions in expectations about the underlying economic fundamentals. Lacker also said the Fed's emergency lending program simply reallocated credit and was not like the "lender of last resort" that Henry Thornton and Walter Bagehot wrote about in the 1800s.
The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) next undertakes monetary policy review on 18-19 March 2014. After a monetary policy review, the FOMC on 29 January 2014 announced it will reduce monthly bond purchases by another $10 billion to $65 billion.
Finance leaders from the world's biggest economies leaned on central banks and governments to help spur growth, reverting to the global economy's playbook of recent years, in an effort to safeguard a fragile recovery.
Group of 20 officials ended their summit on Sunday, 23 February 2014 saying they would look to boost world growth by more than $2 trillion over the next few years under a strategy crafted by the International Monetary Fund.
Officials spent the weekend exploring ways to navigate the global economy's choppy waters as the U.S. exits its easy-money policies, emerging markets try to subdue volatile capital flows and the euro zone attempts to avert growth-killing deflation.
Under the G-20 plan, advanced economies would continue with their easy-money policies while emerging markets would seek to restructure their economies and tame inflation. In addition, governments everywhere would be expected to channel private-sector finance into new infrastructure projects.
The communiquwarned that the global economy faces a period of potential "excessive volatility" harmful to growth as countries adjust their economic policies. "We do not want any surprises," Joe Hockey, Australia's treasurer and G-20 host, said at the conclusion of the summit on Sunday.
Meanwhile, European Central Bank President Mario Draghi Sunday signaled the central bank's March policy meeting could be critical in determining whether the ECB will provide more stimulus to the euro-zone economy.
"By then we'll have the full set of information needed for us to decide whether to act or not," the central bank chief said at a meeting of global financial leaders, referring to fresh ECB economic forecasts through 2016.
The recovery in Europe is "modest, fragile, with uneven levels of activity, but less and less so," he said.
"We still see progress, but we still see downside risks to recovery," he said, adding, "We stand ready to act."
Mr. Draghi dismissed deflation fears, however, saying inflation expectations in the euro zone are anchored in line with the central bank's mandate of just less than 2% over the medium term.
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