Sensex Opens Marginally Up; Rupee Slumps to 6-Month Low

Wed, 14 Aug 09:30 am

   Previous Close   

   Pre-Open   

   12:30 pm   

   Closing   

Asian share markets are higher today as Chinese and Hong Kong shares show gains. The Shanghai Composite is up 0.8% while the Hang Seng is up 0.6%. The Nikkei 225 is trading up by 0.6%. US stocks closed higher on Tuesday after an announced delay of planned tariffs on some Chinese imports brought buyers back to the equities market in a broad-based rally. Tech stocks headed up by Apple Inc led all three major US indices into the black following the announcement, which calmed fears over the US-China trade war and growing signs of imminent recession.

Back home, India share markets opened on a positive note. The BSE Sensex is trading up by 99 points while the NSE Nifty is trading up by 31 points. The BSE Mid Cap index and BSE Small Cap index opened up by 0.6% and 0.4% respectively.

Sectoral indices have opened the day on a mixed note with metal stocks and realty stocks witnessing maximum buying interest. Healthcare stocks and consumer durables stocks have opened the day in red.

The rupee is currently trading at 71.40 against the US$.

The Indian rupee opened with a gap down at 71.16 and ended the day lower at 71.40, the lowest closing level in past six months, amid rising geopolitical tensions across the globe.

Crash in Argentine Peso and eventual stock market rout, reported increase in bad loans in the Chinese banking system, inverting German yield curve, non-ending protests in Hong Kong and recent devaluation of Yuan below multi-year low of 7 by China has triggered a fresh round of sell-off in equities and emerging market currencies.

Increasing chances of continuing trade conflict between US and China till US Presidential elections in 2020, recent indication by Reserve Bank of Australia about the possibility of reducing rates to sub-zero levels as in Switzerland and Japan and the argument that further rate cuts by central banks would inflate a possible bubble created by a decade of cheap money, point to worrying global scenario.

The rupee has been steadily weakening since the beginning of the month losing nearly 3.5%.

Because, the US Dollar index has softened since the Fed rate cut and the rupee instead of strengthening, has instead lost value against the dollar, shows inherent weakness in our currency and broad concerns overstate the economy.

Also, more than expected rate cuts by Central banks of Australia, New Zealand and Thailand along with India shows that central banks across the globe are concerned with the growth prospects of their respective economies.

A major reason for the weakness could be FPIs pulling out funds. FPIs have pulled out Rs 123 billion till date in July.

The reason for this are many.

From slowdown in the economy to the budget...

But, can the real reason be external?

In March this year, the Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) announced it would increase the weightage of Chinese A shares (stocks trading in mainland China) by 4 times. These shares form around 10% of total Chinese shares in the index.

FPIs investing in passive funds follow the MSCI EM index for investments in emerging markets.

A comparison of India's weightage with China in the MSCI EM index provides us clues on the recent outflows from FPIs.

It also explains the announcement to reduce promoter shareholding in the budget.

Will we see a similar FPI inflow in to Indian stocks?

Will India be the Next Hot FPI Destination?

Looking at the recent inflow in to the Chinese stock markets, it seems very likely.

Moving on to the news from the economy. As per the data released by the National Statistics Office (NSO), India's retail inflation stayed nearly steady in July halting an eight-month surge despite firmer food prices as oil price continued to stay subdued.

Consumer food price inflation inched upto 2.36% in July, compared to an upwardly revised 2.25% in June.

Crude oil price has been benign in recent past. In international markets, Brent crude futures were up 8 cents from the previous settlement at US$58.65 a barrel on Tuesday.

Retail inflation measured by changes to Consumer Price Index (CPI) stood at 3.15% in July, marginally below the 3.18% reported in June.

Retail inflation staying within the RBI's comfort range of 4% within a band of plus or minus 2% could encourage the central bank to consider a further reduction in policy rates considering the deceleration in industrial output seen in June owing to a slowdown in manufacturing and mining output.

Data released last week showed that factory output as measured by index of industrial production (IIP) had inched up 2% in June, compared to 3.1% in May and 7% in June last year.

The central bank had cut its repo rate four times so far this year amid benign inflation and sobering signals from economic indicators to stimulate growth, which had fallen to its slowest pace in nearly five years in the March quarter.

Indian economy which expanded at 8% in the first quarter of FY19 subsequently slowed down to 5.8% in the fourth quarter ending March 2019.

With the slowdown in growth rate affecting profits and jobs, businesses are expecting fiscal measures from the government to stage a turnaround.

To know what's moving the Indian stock markets today, check out the most recent share market updates here.

For information on how to pick stocks that have the potential to deliver big returns, download our special report now!

Read the latest Market Commentary

Top Gainers TodayTop Gainers over 1-WeekTop Gainers over 1-MonthTop Gainers over 1-YearTop Gainers over 3-YrsTop Gainers over 5-YrsTop Losers TodayTop Losers over 1-WeekTop Losers over 1-MonthTop Losers over 1-YearTop Losers over 3-YrsTop Losers over 5-YrsOnly BuyersOnly SellersMost Active StocksMost Popular Stocks52 Week High Stocks52 Week Low Stocks

INDICESBSE (Rs 0 to 1)BSE (Rs 1 to 2)BSE (Rs 2 to 4)BSE (Rs 4 to 10)BSE (Rs 10 to 20)BSE (Above Rs 20)BSE - AllBSE-30BSE-100BSE-200BSE-500BSE AutoBSE BankexBSE Capital GoodsBSE Consumer DurablesBSE FMCGBSE HealthcareBSE ITBSE MetalBSE Oil & GasBSE PSUBSE TeckBSE RealtyBSE PowerBSE A GroupBSE B GroupBSE Mid-CapBSE Small-CapBSE Basic MaterialsBSE Consumer DiscretionaryBSE IndustrialsBSE UtilitiesBSE Sensex 50BSE Sensex Next 50BSE Bharat 22BSE 150 MidCapBSE 250 SmallCapBSE 250 LargeMidCapBSE 400 MidSmallCapBSE AllCapBSE LargeCapBSE SmallCap SelectBSE 100 LargeCap TMCBSE InfraBSE ManufacturingBSE CPSEBSE Private BankBSE Diversified FinancialsBSE MomentumBSE Low VolatilityBSE QualityBSE Enhanced ValueBSE Divident StabilityS&P BSE IPOBSE SMEIPOBSE 100 ESGBSE CarbonexBSE GreenexNSE (Rs 0 to 10)NSE (Rs 10 to 20)NSE (Above Rs 20)NSE - AllNSE-50NSE ITNSE Nifty Midcap 50NSE JR. NiftyNSE Bank NiftyNIFTY Next 50NIFTY 100NIFTY 200NIFTY 500NIFTY MidCap 100NIFTY SmallCap 250NIFTY SmallCap 50NIFTY SmallCap 100NIFTY LargeMidCap 250NIFTY MidSmallCap 400NIFTY AutoNIFTY Consumer DurablesNIFTY FinanceNIFTY FMCGNIFTY MediaNIFTY MetalNIFTY PharmaNIFTY Private BankNIFTY PSU BankNIFTY RealtyNIFTY Oil & GasNIFTY SME EmergeNIFTY CommoditiesNIFTY CPSENIFTY EnergyNIFTY India ConsumptionNIFTY InfraNIFTY MNCNIFTY PSENIFTY Serv SectorNIFTY100 Liquid 15NIFTY Midcap Liquid 15NIFTY Midcap 150 Quality 50NIFTY50 Equal WeightNIFTY100 Equal WeightNIFTY100 Low Volatility 30NIFTY100 Alpha 30NIFTY Alpha 50NIFTY Dividend Opportunities 50NIFTY High Beta 50NIFTY Low Volatility 50NIFTY200 Quality 30NIFTY 500 Value 50NIFTY 100 Quality 30SECTORSAgricultureAirlinesAluminiumAsset Management CompaniesAutomobilesAuto AncillariesBanks (Private)Banks (PSU)BankingCementChemicalsDefenceDiagnosticsDronesEngineeringElectric VehicleElectric Vehicle BatteryEnergy SourcesESGEthanolFertilizersFintechFMCGFoodGreen HydrogenHotelsInfrastructureInsuranceInvestment and FinanceInvITIT (Large)IT (Others)LogisticsMediaMetalMiningIndia's Big Tech StocksIndian PharmaMNC PharmaPSUPaintPaperPlasticPowerRating AgenciesReal EstateREITsRenewable EnergyRetailingSemiconductorShippingSteelSugarSupply ChainTelecomTextilesTravel Support Services

10 results 25 results 50 results 100 results All results

Indian Share Market Update: Top Gainers and Losers