After a weak opening, Indian share markets continued to decline in the last two trading hours. Majority of the sectoral indices are trading negative with metal, consumer durables and capital good stocks leading the pack of losers. Only IT, FMCG and power stocks are trading in green.
BSE-Sensex is down 53 points and NSE-Nifty is trading down 20 points. BSE Mid Cap and BSE Small Cap indices are down by 0.9% each. The rupee is trading at 55.3 to the US dollar.
Majority of FMCG stocks are trading in red with Henkel India and Paper Products being the biggest losers. According to Nielsen, the mid-tier towns will drive the FMCG growth story over the next decade. As per the report released by the fund house, Middle India comprising of 400 towns having population of 1-10 lakh witnessed the fastest consumption growth of 20% in 2010 as against 19% growth in the metros and 17.5% growth in rural areas. Moreover in the past eight years, FMCG sales value in Middle India and the metros have surpassed the overall India growth. The report has projected the FMCG market size of Middle India to expand from Rs 2870 bn in 2010 to Rs 4000 bn by 2026. The report states that the rise of the Indian middle class story that began in the metros and mini-metros will disproportionately advance the expansion of the Middle India over the next decade.
Auto stocks are currently trading weak with TVS Motors, Ashok Leyland and Tata Motors leading the pack of losers. A leading business daily has reported that auto major Mahindra and Mahindra (M&M) would be launching its compact sports utility vehicle (SUV) - the Quanto - during the month of September 2012, i.e. next month. At sub-4 meters, this SUV will be the smallest SUV in the company's portfolio. This SUV is based on the 'Ingenio' platform and will be powered by a 1.5 litre engine. Since the car will attract lesser excise duty, that of smaller cars, it would be priced lesser (price points not yet released) and will compete with sedans. As per the company's management, M&M is aiming at filling the gap in the Indian auto market by launching a versatile and compact SUV.
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