Volatility, rupee slide dents markets
Mumbai, Feb 17: Volatility triggered by panic selling and the dwindling rupee value depressed the Indian equity markets during the mid-afternoon trade session on Wednesday.
Sentiments were further subdued due to investors’ doubts over the central government’s ability to push through key economic legislation during parliament’s and continued selling pressure by the foreign funds.
Consequently, the barometer 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) traded down 97 points or 0.42 percent.
Similarly, the wider 50-scrip Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) traded in the red. It was lower by 35.10 points or 0.50 percent at 7,013.15 points.
The Sensex, which opened at 23,237.23 points, traded at 23,094.71 points (1.35 p.m.) — down 97.26 points or 0.42 percent from the previous day’s close at 23,191.97 points.
During the intra-day trade, the Sensex touched a high of 23,241.88 points and a low of 22,920.84 points.
The BSE market breadth favoured the bears — with 1,778 declines and only 612 advances.
Initially, both the indices of the Indian equity markets opened on a positive note, as a result of healthy gains made in the US markets on Tuesday.
Besides, a rise in crude oil prices, which climbed to over the $30 a barrel mark (one barrel is equal to 159 litres), led investors to chase stock prices higher.
However, caution selling and profit bookings on the back of rising non-performing assets (NPAs) levels of the banking sector dragged the markets lower.
Moreover, investors’ confidence was eroded by the continuing conflict between the ruling NDA (National Democratic Alliance) and the opposition, which is seen as having a bearing on some key economic legislations.
The central government is expected to push through major economic legislations like bankruptcy code and Goods and Services Tax (GST) Bill during the upcoming session.
In addition, a weak rupee dented the equity markets. The Indian rupee opened on a weak note, down 14 paise to 68.52 against a US dollar from its previous close of 68.37-38 to a greenback.
During the intra-day trade, the Indian rupee touched its lowest level since late August-early September 2013 at 68.67 level on spot.
“Indian rupee touched the lowest point since September 2013 as prices after opening around 68.50 levels on spot, went on to depreciate towards 68.67 levels on spot,” Anindya Banerjee, associate vice president for currency derivatives with Kotak Securities, told.
“There have been reports of significant demand for vega-long strategies from custodian banks yesterday. It seems they have been able to anticipate the panic in domestic bond and equity markets.”
Furthermore, the continued selling pressure from the foreign institutional investors (FIIs) dragged markets lower.
The data with stock exchanges showed that FIIs divested Rs.964.19 crore on Tuesday.
“Volatility dragged the equity markets down. It was triggered by caution selling and profit-bookings on fears over the banking sector’s NPA levels and a possibility that there might be a washout of the parliamentary session,” Anand James, co-head, technical research desk with Geojit BNP Paribas Financial Services, told.
“The slide in rupee’s value too dented sentiments.” (IANS)