24 June 2008

RBI hikes repo rate, CRR by 50bps: UTVi.com

RBI hikes repo rate, CRR by 50bps
RBI hikes key rates, loans to be dearer
RBI announces Monetary Measures
Click here to download the RBI release

Important developments have taken place in recent weeks with regard to inflation. To assess these developments, it is important to recognise the key forces at work. The escalation in inflation last week mainly reflects the pass-through of international crude prices to domestic prices effected on June 5, 2008. Unlike in some mature economies, however, the pass-through is not occurring on a continuous basis in developing economies including India. Thus, the policy response to the escalation in crude prices could be somewhat similar to other countries but tailored to suit our conditions.
Besides oil prices, there are some underlying inflationary pressures impacting inflation in India. Inflation, based on variations in the wholesale price index (WPI) on a year-on-year basis, increased to 11.05 per cent as on June 7, 2008 from 7.75 per cent at end-March 2008 and 4.28 per cent a year ago. Excluding the fuel sub-group, inflation rose to 9.61 per cent from 5.92 per cent a year ago. Excluding fuel and food, inflation was 10.33 per cent as against 6.33 per cent in the corresponding period of the preceding year. inflation based on the consumer price index (CPI) for industrial workers (IW) and urban non-manual employees (UNME) stood at 7.81 per cent and 6.99 per cent, respectively, on a year-on-year basis in April 2008 as compared with 6.67 per cent and 7.74 per cent a year ago. Inflation based on CPI for agricultural labourers (AL) and rural labourers (RL) stood at 9.11 per cent and 8.84 per cent in May 2008, respectively, as compared with 8.22 per cent and 7.90 per cent a year ago. Therefore, it is important to recognise that an adjustment of overall aggregate demand on an economy-wide basis is warranted to ensure that generalised instability does not develop and erodes the hard-earned gains in terms of both outcomes of and positive sentiments on India's growth momentum.
The urgency of this broader, albeit somewhat painful but timely contraction has to be viewed in the context of the new reality of high and volatile energy prices not necessarily being a temporary phenomenon any longer. Monetary policy recognises the need to smoothen and enable this adjustment so that inflation expectations are contained. The Reserve Bank has been acting pre-emptively from April 2008 onwards, keeping in view the lagged effects of such measures on the economy. Accordingly, the cash reserve ratio (CRR) was raised by 25 basis points each from the fortnights beginning April 26, May 10 and May 24, 2008. On May 30, 2008 special market operations were announced to alleviate the binding financing constraints faced by public oil companies in importing POL as also to minimise the potential adverse consequences for financial markets in which these oil companies are important participants. Subsequent to the announcement of the oil price hike, the repo rate was increased by 25 basis points on June 11, 2008.
This calibrated approach on an ongoing basis and in a timely manner draws upon the lessons from managing these challenges in the recent period. Graduated monetary policy actions undertaken since September 2004 to withdraw monetary accommodation have successfully moderated signs of overheating that emerged in 2006-07 and continue to have some stabilising influence on the economy. Supply management strategies undertaken by the Government of India are also working through the economy.
However, on a year-on-year basis, money supply (M3) increased by 21.4 per cent as on June 6, 2008 over and above the growth of 21.0 per cent a year ago and well above the indicative projection of 16.5-17.0 per cent set for 2008-09 in the Annual Policy Statement of April 2008. Similarly, reserve money increased by 28.5 per cent on June 13, 2008 as compared with 24.6 per cent a year ago. Aggregate deposits rose by 23.2 per cent on a year-on-year basis on June 6, 2008 which is above the indicative projection of 17.0 per cent for 2008-09. Non-food credit growth was 26.2 per cent and was also above the indicative projection of 20.0 per cent.
At this juncture, the overriding priority for monetary policy is to eschew any further intensification of inflationary pressures and to firmly anchor inflation expectations. Several positive factors that currently exist need to be recognised. Relative to several other emerging economies, the Indian economy has, by and large, a reasonable supply-demand balance which provides some insulation in managing this unprecedented shock from global oil markets. Domestic financial markets and institutions have been largely secured against the contagion from the unsettled conditions in international financial markets. Furthermore, India is somewhat de-coupled from the intensifying global food crisis in view of the improvement in domestic agricultural performance. The external sector is strong and resilient with modest current account deficits relative to the size of the economy and has a comfortable level of foreign exchange reserves. Accordingly, the major focus of public policy at the current juncture needs to be on dealing with the impact of the escalation of international crude prices in a well-managed and smooth adjustment that draws on demonstrated strengths and positive outcomes. Moderating and managing aggregate demand so that pressures on prices are not intensified is a critical element of this approach.
In this regard, monetary policy has to urgently address aggregate demand pressures which appear to be strongly in evidence. First, inflation has increased to a 13-year high and inflation expectations have been driven up by unrelenting pressures from international commodity prices, particularly crude and metals. Second, investment demand continues to be strong, growing in the range of 14-19 per cent annually since 2002-03 and currently constituting 36 per cent of GDP. This is also reflected in the pick-up in the growth of domestic capital goods production in April 2008 after some deceleration in January-March. Furthermore, consumption demand appears to be reviving the production of consumer goods, with a turnaround in the production of durables. Third, with merchandise imports running ahead of exports, the trade deficit widened sizeably in 2007-08 and has continued to expand in April 2008. Although large oil imports appear to be the main driver, non-oil imports have also increased at a considerable pace, contributing more than 60 per cent of the overall import growth in April 2008 and reflecting the pressure of domestic demand. There has also been some tightening of external financing conditions in the ongoing global financial turmoil. Fourth, fiscal pressures are emerging due to the possibility of enhanced subsidies on account of food, fertiliser and POL as well as for financing deferred liabilities relating to farm loan waivers with implications for additional pressures on aggregate demand, and with potential spillovers into the external sector.
The overall stance of monetary policy in 2008-09 was set in terms of ensuring a monetary and interest rate environment that accords high priority to price stability, well-anchored inflation expectations and orderly conditions in financial markets while being conducive to continuation of the growth momentum with due emphasis on credit quality and credit delivery. It was resolved to respond swiftly on a continuing basis to the evolving constellation of adverse international developments and to the domestic situation impinging on inflation expectations, financial stability and growth momentum, with both conventional and unconventional measures, as appropriate.
Consistent with the stance of monetary policy as set out above and on the basis of incoming information on domestic and global macroeconomic and financial developments, it has been decided to take the following measures:
(a) The repo rate under the Liquidity Adjustment Facility (LAF) is increased from 8.00 per cent to 8.50 per cent with immediate effect.
(b) The cash reserve ratio (CRR) of the scheduled commercial banks, regional rural banks (RRBs), scheduled state co-operative banks and scheduled primary (urban) co-operative banks is being increased by 50 basis points to 8.75 per cent in two stages, effective from specified fortnights as indicated below:
Effective date CRR on net demand and time liabilities (%)
July 5, 2008 8.50
July 19, 2008 8.75
In view of the criticality of anchoring inflation expectations, a continuous heightened vigil over ensuing monetary and macroeconomic developments is warranted to enable swift responses with appropriate measures as necessary, consistent with the monetary policy stance.



Source: www.UTVi.com and RBI. We thank (will be grateful to) the owners of the above articles/sites/sources/Govts for allowing/referring this. We are just providing the link/information of business updates from the leading sources for the benefit of readers. Viewers are strictly advised to take own decision in Stock buying and make verification about the information. Blog is not responsible for any faulty information

Sensex slips below 14k and Nifty below 4200 in intra-day trades,

Sensex slips below 14k in intra-day trades, ends 187 pts down

As the bears stayed away for a better part of the morning, the market enjoyed a bright, albeit a bit listless, spell with a few blue chip stocks, including index heavyweight Reliance Industries, posting handsome gains.

But the buoyancy did not last long. As concerns over inflation and the possibility of the Apex bank coming out with tight monetary measures started playing on the minds of the investors, the market began sliding down sharply. Uncertainties on the political front also dampened the sentiment. There were a couple of smart rallies from lower levels, thanks largely to some short-covering in select blue chip stocks, but the market plunged sharply into the red once again during the closing minutes and finished on a highly negative note for the fourth successive session.

The Sensex, which opened well and touched a high of 14,432.90 in early trade but plunged below the 14,000 mark towards the closing minutes, ended the day with a loss of 186.74 points or 1.31% at 14,106.58. The Nifty, which dropped down to a low of 4156.10 today, closed 1.76% or 75.30 points down at 4191.10.

Metal, PSU, FMCG, IT, auto, bank and realty stocks went down sharply. Power, capital goods and pharma stocks were not spared either. The indices tracking the performance of stocks from these sectors, ended lower by 1.25% - 3.5%. The Oil & Gas index ended just marginally down, thanks mainly to some strong buying in Reliance Industries which ended with a sharp gain of 2.2% today. The Reliance counter attracted attention on reports that the company has acquired the polyester manufacturing facility of Unifi Kinston in North Carolina for about $12.2 million.
HDFC (2.35%), Ranbaxy Laboratories (2.35%), BHEL (2.2%), Jaiprakash Associates (1.25%), State Bank of India (0.6%) and Cipla (0.45%) were the other gainers from the Sensex.

Hindustan Unilever slipped by as much as 5.3% today. Tata Steel ended with a loss of 4.6%. NTPC, ONGC, Larsen & Toubro, Ambuja Cements and HDFC Bank lost 3% - 4%.
Infosys Technologies eased by 2.95%. Grasim Industries lost 2.75%. Reliance Communications (down 2.65%), Hindalco (down 2.45%), ACC (down 2.25%), ICICI Bank (down 2.2%), ITC (down 2.2%), Mahindra & Mahindra (down 2.1%), Wipro (down 1.95%), Tata Consultancy Services (down 1.6%), DLF (down 1.4%), Maruti Suzuki (down 1.4%), Tata Motors (down 1.35%), Satyam Computer Services (down 1.2%) and Bharti Airtel (down 1%) ended with sharp losses. Reliance Infrastructure closed with a loss of 0.6%.


Nalco (down 9.05%) was the biggest loser in the Nifty index. Sun Pharmaceuticals lost 6.75%. Tata Power shed 6.25%. Siemens and Sterlite Industries went down by 5.3% and 5.15% respectively. GAIL India, Hero Honda, Idea Cellular, Power Grid, Tata Communications, Cairn India and Reliance Petroleum also finished with sharp losses today.

Mirroring heavy selling in midcap and smallcap segments, the BSE Midcap and Smallcap indices declined by 1.76% and 1.82% respectively. The market breadth was very weak. Out of 2707 stocks traded on BSE, 1925 stocks closed with losses. 718 stocks posted gains and 64 stocks ended at their previous closing levels.


Source: Sify.com

Tata chem, Sadbhav, Indusind Bk And other Results

Tata Chemicals net profit rises 113.68% in the year ended March 2008

Net profit of Tata Chemicals rose 492.96% to Rs 559.99 crore in the quarter ended March 2008 as against Rs 94.44 crore during the previous quarter ended March 2007. Sales rose 15.91% to Rs 930.85 crore in the quarter ended March 2008 as against Rs 803.05 crore during the previous quarter ended March 2007. For the full year, net profit rose 113.68% to Rs 949.18 crore in the year ended March 2008 as against Rs 444.21 crore during the previous year ended March 2007. Sales rose 2.27% to Rs 4075.63 crore in the year ended March 2008 as against Rs 3985.03 crore during the previous year ended March 2007.

Sadbhav Engineering net profit rises 98.45% in the year ended March 2008

Net profit of Sadbhav Engineering rose 104.50% to Rs 24.52 crore in the quarter ended March 2008 as against Rs 11.99 crore during the previous quarter ended March 2007. Sales rose 83.35% to Rs 360.67 crore in the quarter ended March 2008 as against Rs 196.71 crore during the previous quarter ended March 2007. For the full year, net profit rose 98.45% to Rs 52.37 crore in the year ended March 2008 as against Rs 26.39 crore during the previous year ended March 2007. Sales rose 77.95% to Rs 872.10 crore in the year ended March 2008 as against Rs 490.08 crore during the previous year ended March 2007.

PSL net profit rises 41.36% in the March 2008 quarter
Net profit of PSL rose 41.36% to Rs 18.32 crore in the quarter ended March 2008 as against Rs 12.96 crore during the previous quarter ended March 2007. Sales rose 63.38% to Rs 655.62 crore in the quarter ended March 2008 as against Rs 401.28 crore during the previous quarter ended March 2007. For the full year, net profit rose 36.37% to Rs 84.77 crore in the year ended March 2008 as against Rs 62.16 crore during the previous year ended March 2007. Sales rose 40.15% to Rs 2218.85 crore in the year ended March 2008 as against Rs 1583.21 crore during the previous year ended March 2007.

Hind Rectifiers net profit rises 32.26% in the March 2008 quarter

Jet Airways India reports net loss of Rs 221.18 crore in the March 2008 quarter
Jet Airways India reported net loss of Rs 221.18 crore in the quarter ended March 2008 as against net profit of Rs 88.01 crore during the previous quarter ended March 2007. Sales rose 39.51% to Rs 2759.90 crore in the quarter ended March 2008 as against Rs 1978.27 crore during the previous quarter ended March 2007. For the full year, net loss reported to Rs 253.06 crore in the year ended March 2008 as against net profit of Rs 27.94 crore during the previous year ended March 2007. Sales rose 24.84% to Rs 8811.10 crore in the year ended March 2008 as against Rs 7057.78 crore during the previous year ended March 2007.

IndusInd Bank net profit declines 32.48% in the March 2008 quarter
Net profit of IndusInd Bank declined 32.48% to Rs 14.45 crore in the quarter ended March 2008 as against Rs 21.40 crore during the previous quarter ended March 2007. Total operating income rose 23.21% to Rs 525.53 crore in the quarter ended March 2008 as against Rs 426.52 crore during the previous quarter ended March 2007.
For the full year, net profit rose 10.01% to Rs 75.05 crore in the year ended March 2008 as against Rs 68.22 crore during the previous year ended March 2007. Total operating income rose 27.99% to Rs 1920.23 crore in the year ended March 2008 as against Rs 1500.26 crore during the previous year ended March 2007.

Patel Engineering net profit rises 58.41% in the March 2008 quarter
Net profit of Patel Engineering rose 58.41% to Rs 53.78 crore in the quarter ended March 2008 as against Rs 33.95 crore during the previous quarter ended March 2007. Sales rose 26.69% to Rs 501.98 crore in the quarter ended March 2008 as against Rs 396.23 crore during the previous quarter ended March 2007. For the full year, net profit rose 34.03% to Rs 147.61 crore in the year ended March 2008 as against Rs 110.13 crore during the previous year ended March 2007. Sales rose 19.79% to Rs 1330.02 crore in the year ended March 2008 as against Rs 1110.27 crore during the previous year ended March 2007.

T.V. Today Network net profit rises 10.20% in the March 2008 quarter
Ramsarup Industries net profit rises 43.55% in the March 2008 quarter
Apollo Hospitals Enterprise net profit rises 50.00% in the March 2008 quarter
United Breweries net profit rises 67.64% in the March 2008 quarter
Sagar Cements net profit rises 1.01% in the March 2008 quarter


Source: http://www.capitalmarket.com . We thank (will be grateful to) the owners of the above articles/sites/sources/Govts for allowing/referring this. We are just providing the link/information of business updates from the leading sources for the benefit of readers. Viewers are strictly advised to take own decision in Stock buying and make verification about the information. Blog is not responsible for any faulty information

Heard on the street from ET, Infosys AGM report, Other Stock news.

Heard on the street

Sun Pharma eyeing Torrent Pharma?
The Ranbaxy-Daichii deal has sparked off rumours about many more M&A transactions in the pharmaceutical industry. The latest buzz is that Vadodara-based Sun Pharmaceuticals is eyeing a substantial stake in the Ahmedabad-based Torrent Pharmaceuticals. According to market sources, Sun Pharma is gunning for at least 50% of the promoter’s stake in Torrent Pharma. Promoters hold 74.09% in Torrent Pharmaceuticals. Though email queries send to both the companies failed to elicit any response, senior officials have refuted any such development.

“We are not looking for any domestic acquisitions at the moment. Further, we do not like to comment on market rumours,” said a Sun Pharma spokesperson. An analyst, who is tracking Sun Pharma closely, also termed the deal as highly improbable. “The company will utilise all its resources to close its merger arrangement with Israel-based Taro Pharmaceutical. The Indian company is already in trouble with Taro moving court against Sun for protecting minority shareholders in the event of the former trying to gain voting rights through open market share purchase,” the analyst said. According to market sources, a couple of operators (one of whom is a big-shot in diamond trade) and some funds have been buying Torrent Pharma shares in sizeable quantities over the last few days. Torrent Pharma ended 1.2% lower at Rs 155 while Sun Pharma shed 3% to close at Rs 1,429 on the BSE on Monday.

Chinese boost for Anu’s Labs
Recently-listed Anu’s Laboratories is riding high on the back of China’s efforts to clamp down on chemical factories ahead of the Beijing Olympics. According to market buzz, shortage of raw material supplies from China will provide a boost to intermediary companies like Anu’s Lab as acetophenone will not be available for shipments from China during the peak demand season of monsoons from mid-July to end-August. China has made transportation of chemical and other hazardous substances a difficult task. Despite the positive talk surrounding the stock, Anu’s Lab shares fell 5% to close at Rs 386. To cash on this opportunity, the company has initiated a capacity expansion to meet a sudden surge in demand. Market sources add that the company is in talks with a Chinese company for a joint venture to further strengthen its position. When contacted, Anu’s Labs managing director Hari Babu declined to comment on these developments.

Real estate gains await Modern India
Mumbai-based Modern India is bucking the bearish wave that has engulfed real estate companies of late. Over the last one week, the stock has gained close to 16%. According to market buzz, the company is selling some of its apartments and penthouses for close to Rs 80-90 crore in Belvedere Court in Mahalaxmi. When contacted, Modern India chairman and managing director VK Jatia declined to comment. The stock closed at Rs 279, up 10% from the previous close. According to informed sources, company will report an EPS of about Rs 26-28 for the financial year 2008-09. (Contributed by Shailesh Menon & Apurv Gupta)
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Stocks to watch: DLF, Amtek, GHCL
Religare puts 'buy' on Sintex Industries; target Rs 587
STCI assigns 'outperformer' to Hindalco; target Rs 180
Bears go hammer and tongs at RIL
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Infosys Technologies Annual/Directors Report
Technical Calls - June 24 2008
EIH Hotels / Varun Shipping
Ambuja Cements / Mercator Lines
Zee Entertainment / BPCL
Shanti Gears / India Offshore Sector Update
China Metals / Information Technology - Sector Update
Shipping Sector / India Steel Sector


Source: http://www.theeconomictimes.com and www.deadpresident.blogspot.com . We thank (will be grateful to) the owners of the above articles/sites/sources/Govts for allowing/referring this. We are just providing the link/information of business updates from the leading sources for the benefit of readers. Viewers are strictly advised to take own decision in Stock buying and make verification about the information. Blog is not responsible for any faulty information

'China, India among worst performing stock markets of 2008' : ET

'China, India among worst performing stock markets of 2008'

NEW YORK: India and China, two of the investors' biggest darlings not so long ago, are among the world's worst-performing stock markets this year, says the Wall Street Journal (WSJ). Indian shares are down 28 percent this year as of Friday, clearly a bear phase. Chinese stocks have faced a worst fate - tumbling 46 percent, the WSJ reported on Monday.

Both countries started 2008 with stocks trading at expensive levels, leaving them vulnerable to a correction. While economic growth goes on apace in the two countries, it is not expected to match last year's superb performance. Growth could be further dented because investors are increasingly anxious about rising inflation and government efforts to stem it. June is likely to witness the fifth monthly loss in six months for a deeply depressed Chinese stock market that has seen some $2 trillion in market value evaporate since January.

Down by more than half from its peak, the Shanghai Composite Index is trading at levels last seen in early 2007. Many international investors are bearish, too, on India and China. "Neither is looking outstandingly attractive, but they're starting to get back in touch with reality," Allan Conway, who manages $23 billion in emerging-market shares for Schroders in London, was quoted as saying by the WSJ. Shares in India are trading at about 17 times their 2008 earnings, according to UBS estimates, as are Chinese shares in which foreigners invest.

Foreign investors have pulled a net total of more than $5.5 billion out of Indian stocks this year, according to Standard Chartered Bank. China's domestic stock market remains almost entirely closed to foreigners, whose investment is limited to a quota of about $10 billion. Foreigners can also buy some big Chinese shares in Hong Kong, where the Hang Seng index is down 18 percent this year. In a sign that not all emerging markets can be lumped together, stocks in Brazil and Russia have, however, held up relatively well, the WSJ said.

Even the US stocks haven't fared as badly as India and China, despite mounting pressure from credit crisis and rising oil prices - the Dow Jones Industrial Average is down 11 percent this year. Still, markets in India and China remain much higher than they were a few years ago, the business daily reported. India is still up 55 percent from the start of 2006, but it has its own concerns. If 2007 was a bumper year for India initial public offerings (IPO), these days such deals are getting a cold reception. Since the listing of Reliance Power, India's biggest IPO, the market has turned sour and other high-profile IPOs have been shelved. In China, the Shanghai index is still at double its July 2005 level, so some investors remain in good shape.

Bear bug: India's richest 5 incur Rs 5 tn loss



Source: http://www.theeconomictimes.com. We thank (will be grateful to) the owners of the above articles/sites/sources/Govts for allowing/referring this. We are just providing the link/information of business updates from the leading sources for the benefit of readers. Viewers are strictly advised to take own decision in Stock buying and make verification about the information. Blog is not responsible for any faulty information.