The domestic equity barometers closed with significant gains on Friday, snapping a four-day declining streak. The Nifty settled near the 22,150 mark after hitting the day's low of 21,777.65 in early trade. Financial services, private bank and bank shares were in demand. On the other hand, media, realty and pharma stocks corrected.
As per provisional closing data, the barometer index, the S&P BSE Sensex jumped 599.34 points or 0.83% to 73,088.33. The Nifty 50 index gained 151.15 points or 0.69% to 22,147.
The broader market underperformed the frontline indices. The S&P BSE Mid-Cap index shed 0.39% while the S&P BSE Small-Cap index declined 0.04%.
The market breadth was negative. On the BSE, 1,716 shares rose and 2,073 shares fell. A total of 114 shares were unchanged.
The NSE's India VIX, a gauge of the market's expectation of volatility over the near term, climbed 3.20% to 13.46.
Politics:
India is gearing up for its election in 2024. The BJP is looking to consolidate its grip on power as it aims for a historic third term while a band of opposition parties, including the Congress, has formed a united front called INDIA to deny PM Modi another victory. The elections will occur in 7 phases, starting on 19 April and ending on 1 June. The Lok Sabha elections 2024 results will declared on 4 June.
Buzzing Index:
The Nifty Financial Services index slipped 1.31% to 21,173. The index has slipped 3.77% in the past four trading sessions.
Bajaj Finance (up 3.09%), HDFC Bank (up 2.64%), Bajaj Finserv (up 1.55%), ICICI Bank (up 1.19%), Cholamandalam Investment & Finance Company (up 1%), IDFC (up 0.9%), Power Finance Corporation (up 0.77%), Axis Bank (up 0.7%), State Bank of India (up 0.7%) and SBI Cards & Payment Services (up 0.66%) advanced.
On the other hand, ICICI Prudential Life Insurance Company (down 2.87%), HDFC Asset Management Company (down 1.71%) and ICICI Lombard General Insurance Company (down 1.3%) edged lower.
Stocks in Spotlight:
Infosys shed 0.63%. The IT major's consolidated net profit jumped 30.51% to Rs 7,969 crore in Q4 FY24 from Rs 6,106 crore in Q3 FY24. Revenue from operations declined 2.31% to Rs 37,923 crore in Q4 FY24 as compared with Rs 38,821 crore in Q3 FY24. In terms of guidance, the company has revised its FY25 revenue guidance to 1%-3% in constant currency and operating margin guidance at 20%-22%.
Bajaj Auto slipped 2.43%. The auto major?s standalone net profit jumped 35.11% to Rs 1,936 crore on 28.97% rise in revenue from operations to Rs 11,484.68 crore in Q4 FY24 over Q4 FY23.
ICICI Securities rose 1.08%. The broking firm?s consolidated net profit zoomed 104.3% to Rs 536.53 crore in Q4 FY24 as against Rs 262.68 crore recorded in Q4 FY23. Total income was at Rs 1,544.44 crore in the quarter ended 31 March 2024, registering a growth of 74.5% year on year (YoY).
ITC added 1.40% after the company announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, ITC Infotech India has entered into Share Purchase Agreement to acquire 100% stake in Blazeclan Technologies for total consideration of Rs 485 crore.
Network18 Media & Investments declined 2.39% after the company?s consolidated net loss widened to Rs 206.92 crore in Q4 FY24 as against Rs 35.19 crore recorded in Q4 FY23. Revenue from operations climbed 63.06% year on year to Rs 2,419.28 crore in the quarter ended 31 March 2024.
Aurionpro Solutions was locked in upper circuit of 5% after its board approved acquisition of 67% stake in Mumbai-based banking and insurance focused PaaS startup, Arya.ai, operated through legal entity Lithasa Technologies.
Motilal Oswal Financial Services gained 7.39% after the company said that its board will meet on Friday, 26 April 2024, to consider a proposal for declaration of bonus equity shares.
TV18 Broadcast declined 2.57% after the media company reported a consolidated net loss of Rs 51.73 crore in Q4 FY24 as against a net profit of Rs 35.19 crore posted in Q4 FY23. Revenue from operations jumped 65.7% year on year to Rs 2,329.58 crore in Q4 FY24.
Global Markets:
The US Dow Jones index futures were currently down by 123 points, signaling a negative opening for US stocks today.
European and Asian stocks declined on Friday as reports of Israeli strikes on Iran further ramped up concerns over worsening geopolitical conditions in the Middle East. Israel, early Friday morning local time, launched missiles in a retaliatory strike against Iran, as per reports. The missile launches follow Iran's attack last Saturday.
U.S. stocks closed mixed on Thursday in another jittery day of trade, as investors focused on rising bond yields and uncertain oil prices.
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