Helping You Build Wealth With Honest Research
Since 1996. Try Now

MEMBER'S LOGINX

     
Invalid Username / Password
   
     
   
     
 
Invalid Captcha
   
 
 
 
(Please do not use this option on a public machine)
 
     
 
 
 
  Sign Up | Forgot Password?  

Indian Indices Trade Marginally Higher; Telecom Stocks Witness Buying Interest
Wed, 9 May 12:30 pm

After opening the day on a negative note, stock markets in India witnessed buying interest and went on to trade marginally higher. Sectoral indices are trading on a mixed note with stocks in the telecom sector and IT sector witnessing maximum buying interest.

The BSE Sensex is trading up 51 points (up 0.2%) and the NSE Nifty is trading up 10 points (up 0.1%). The BSE Mid Cap index is trading down by 0.3%, while the BSE Small Cap index is trading up by 0.1%. The rupee is trading at 67.39 to the US$.

As per a leading financial daily, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has rejected the government's demand to relax the guidelines on resolution of stressed assets for power companies, pushing over 20,000 MW projects closer to liquidation.

RBI, in a letter to the power ministry, has expressed its inability to provide any relaxation to power plants saying it does not look into sectoral issues.

The power ministry had written to RBI asking for extension of the 180 days resolution period for power projects to one year.

In the news from global financial markets, US President Donald Trump yesterday pulled the United States out of nuclear deal with Iran.

As per the news, Trump called the Obama-era deal decaying and rotten and an embarrassment to him as a citizen.

In response, Iran said it was preparing to restart uranium enrichment, key for making both nuclear energy and weapons.

The above development has raised the risk of conflict in West Asia, upsetting European allies and casting uncertainty over global oil supplies.

Crude oil prices spiked following the above news, which consequently led to a sell-off in shares of oil marketing companies today.

Note that crude oil prices have been witnessing a rising trend of late. Prices have been escalating due to a pick-up in global demand coupled with supply cuts by the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and Russia. Even geopolitical tensions between US, Russia, North Korea and Iran have kept prices on the boil.

Steadily Rising Crude Oil Prices

Rising crude oil prices is not good news from India's perspective.

As we wrote in a recent edition of The 5 Minute WrapUp...

  • Fiscal revenues are at risk. Particularly if the government is forced to consider a cut in fuel excise duties due to a rally in oil prices. In recent times, a sharp jump in excise collections has helped indirect tax collections. Any risk to revenues and subsequent threat to the fiscal deficit target at 3.2% of GDP would require tighter spending cuts.

    Secondly, the impact on inflation needs to be monitored. This narrowing the central bank's scope for further rate cuts.

    Lastly, low crude prices were a positive growth impetus through higher discretionary incomes for households and lower input costs for manufacturers and farmers. Part of this benefit is likely to be eroded as retail fuel costs rise. As for corporations, expansion in gross margins caused by falling commodity prices is also likely to wane, pressurising profitability.

You can read the entire article here.

What does rising crude prices mean for stock markets?

Richa Agarwal, editor of Hidden Treasure, tracks the oil and gas sector very closely. She believes the rise in crude oil prices is a bearish sign for stock markets globally. At the same time, any market correction, will throw up interesting buying opportunities in small-cap stocks.

This is what she wrote...

  • After hitting a low of US$ 30 per barrel in January 2016, prices have more than doubled to US$ 68 in April 2018.

    The recent news of Saudi Arabia wanting crude oil prices to touch US$ 100 per barrel doesn't help. The 2008 recession was preceded by crude oil touching US$ 150 per barrel. Any movement upwards can result in a possible downturn for the global market.

    While the Hidden Treasure team looks for long-term wealth creators, such macro situations can help to recommend such stocks at a bargain. The ones who keeps calm, when everyone else is losing their heads, will gain the most when the tide turns.

How the above decision by the US affects crude oil prices in the near term remains to be seen. Meanwhile, we will keep you updated on all the developments from this space.

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


Equitymaster requests your view! Post a comment on "Indian Indices Trade Marginally Higher; Telecom Stocks Witness Buying Interest". Click here!