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At 09:29 IST, the barometer index, the S&P BSE Sensex, tumbled 970.83 points or 1.21% to 79,211.82. The Nifty 50 index dropped 301.60 points or 1.25% to 23,897.25.
The broader market underperformed the frontline indices. The S&P BSE Mid-Cap index plunged 1.52% and the S&P BSE Small-Cap index fell 1.39%.
The market breadth was weak. On the BSE, 539 shares rose and 2,340 shares fell. A total of 102 shares were unchanged.
Foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) sold shares worth Rs 1,316.81 crore, while domestic institutional investors (DIIs) were net buyers to the tune of Rs 4,084.08 crore in the Indian equity market on 18 December 2024, provisional data showed.
Stocks in Spotlight:
Bank of Baroda slipped 1.64%. The bank’s board has approved to raise Rs 10,000 crore through long term bonds for financing of infrastructure and affordable housing in single or multiple tranches during the FY25.
FDC shed 0.12%. The company received final approval from US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) for abbreviated new drug application for Cefixime 400 mg tablets. The FDA had inspected the company’s manufacturing facility in Himachal Pradesh.
IOL Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals rallied 3.83% after the company’s board will meet on 27 December 2024, to consider stock split.
Numbers to Track:
The yield on India's 10-year benchmark federal paper rose 0.51% to 6.896 as compared with previous close 6.861.
In the foreign exchange market, the rupee edged lower against the dollar. The partially convertible rupee was hovering at 85.0625, compared with its close of 84.9450 during the previous trading session.
MCX Gold futures for the 5 February 2024 settlement slipped 0.83% to Rs 76,017.
The US Dollar index (DXY), which tracks the greenback's value against a basket of currencies, was up 0.04% to 108.07.
The United States 10-year bond yield added 0.31% to 4.512.
In the commodities market, Brent crude for February 2024 settlement lost 28 cents, or 0.38% to $73.11 a barrel.
Global Markets:
The Dow Jones index futures were up 108 points, signaling a positive opening for U.S. stocks today.
Asian stocks fell on Thursday, with technology shares leading the decline. This followed the Federal Reserve's decision to cut interest rates by 25 basis points on Wednesday, its third consecutive rate reduction. However, the Fed hinted at fewer rate cuts in 2025 due to persistent inflation and a resilient economy.
Investors are now focused on the Bank of Japan's policy decision later today. Market sentiment is divided over whether the bank will opt for a rate hike or maintain its current stance.
The Fed's rate cut brought the target range to 4.25%-4.50%. While Chair Jerome Powell emphasized that future rate reductions would depend on inflation progress, the central bank's updated economic projections suggest a less dovish stance than previously anticipated. Policymakers now foresee two 25-basis-point rate cuts next year, compared to the four cuts projected in September.
The Fed's projections also indicate that inflation remains above the 2% target. It expects inflation to be 2.4% this year and 2.5% next year. Additionally, the central bank forecasts slightly stronger economic growth and lower unemployment in 2025.
The prospect of higher-for-longer interest rates weighed heavily on Wall Street on Wednesday. Technology stocks bore the brunt of the sell-off, with NVIDIA, Tesla, Intel, and Broadcom experiencing significant declines.
The S&P 500 fell 3%, the NASDAQ Composite dropped 3.6%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average declined 2.6%. The Dow's 10-day losing streak is its longest since 1974.
Bandhan Bank, Chambal Fertilizers, Granules, Hindustan Copper, Manappuram Finance, National Aluminium, NMDC, PVR Inox, RBL Bank, SAIL.
Stocks to Watch:
Bank of Baroda’s board approved to raise Rs 10,000 crore through long term bonds for financing of infrastructure and affordable housing in single or multiple tranches during the FY25.
FDC received final approval from US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) for abbreviated new drug application for Cefixime 400 mg tablets. The FDA had inspected the company’s manufacturing facility in Himachal Pradesh.
IOL Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals board will meet on 27 December 2024, to consider stock split.
State Bank of India’s board appointed Rama Mohan Rao Amara as managing director for three years. Meanwhile, Kshitij Mohan, deputy managing director (SARG) has been entrusted with additional charge of deputy managing director & group chief risk officer with effect from 18 December 2024.
Borosil Renewables’ board decided to withdraw its proposed right issue of an amount not exceeding Rs 450 crore and approved the proposal to raise Rs 600 crore through the preferential issue of equity shares and Rs 100 crore through warrants.
Lupin has received approval from USFDA for abbreviated new drug application for Emtricitabine and Tenofovir Alafenamide Tablets.
Zaggle Prepaid’s board approved qualified institutional placement (QIP) of equity shares and sets floor price at Rs 550.73 per share
Bank of Baroda is one of India's largest banks with a strong domestic presence spanning 8,266 branches and 10,419 ATMs and Cash Recyclers supported by self-service channels. The Bank has a significant international presence with a network of 84 overseas offices spanning 17 countries. As of 30 September 2024, Government of India held 63.97% stake in the bank.
The bank reported 23.16% jump in standalone net profit to Rs 5,237.93 crore on 10.65% increase in total income to Rs 35,444.70 crore in Q2 FY25 over Q2 FY24.
The scrip declined 0.80% to Rs 248.65 on the BSE.
Bank of Baroda has reviewed and kept unchanged Marginal Cost of Funds Based Lending Rate (MCLR) w.e.f. 12 December 2024 as under: