Geo-political risks, ongoing Q4 results to steer equity indices
Mumbai, May 6: Geopolitical risks, coupled with the ongoing quarterly results season and macro-economic data points, are expected to influence the trajectory of key Indian equity indices next week, analysts opined.
According to market observers, even the upcoming state assembly election in Karnataka, along with crude oil price fluctuations as well as the direction of foreign fund flows and the rupee's movement against the US dollar will impact investors' risk-taking appetite.
"Two important events will drive the market sentiments during the next two weeks. First, is the outcome of the US-Iran nuclear deal and the other is the Karnataka elections, especially BJP's performance,"said Devendra Nevgi, Founder and Principal Partner, Delta Global Partners.
"The (expected) breakdown of the US-Iran deal and the ensuing sanctions on Iran would lead to a rise in crude oil prices and in geopolitical risks. And a poor performance by BJP in Karnataka would raise the political risk premium on India."
Besides these, the ongoing results season will play an important role in determining the equity indices' movement.
Companies like ICICI Bank, Pfizer, Tata Chemicals, ABB India, Sun Pharma Advanced Research, Eicher Motors, Jindal Steel & Power, Oriental Bank of Commerce, Adani Transmission, Apollo Tyres, Asian Paints and SpiceJet are expected to announce their Q4 earning results next week.
"Result season will gather pace in the coming weeks with major heavyweights set to unveil their results; as per recent history, results during the second phase are dull," said Vinod Nair, Head of Research at Geojit Financial Services.
Apart from Q4 results, investors will look out for upcoming macro-economic data points such as the country's fiscal deficit numbers and industrial production figures which will be released during the week starting May 7.
In addition, Nair said that outflow of "foreign funds due to rich valuation is a concern to the market".
In terms of investments, provisional figures from the stock exchanges showed that foreign institutional investors (FIIs) sold scrips worth Rs 2,688.05 crore, while the domestic institutional investors (DIIs) purchased stocks worth Rs 932.99 crore during the week.
Figures from the National Securities Depository (NSDL) revealed that foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) divested equities worth Rs 1,351.85 crore, or $202.56 million, during May 2-4.
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London, Nov 22: A bomb disposal squad deployed as a “precaution” to the South Terminal of Gatwick Airport concluded an investigation into a "security incident" on Friday after making a “suspect package” safe.
The South Terminal of Gatwick Airport, the UK's second busiest airport after Heathrow, which was briefly shut owing to the incident reopened following the incident.
The Gatwick is around 45 km south of London.
Two people detained during the enquiries have since been allowed to continue their journey as the airport was opened.
“Police have concluded their investigation into a report of a suspect package at Gatwick Airport. Officers from the EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) team made the package safe, and the airport has been handed back to its operator,” Sussex Police said in an updated statement.
“Two people detained while enquiries were ongoing have subsequently been allowed to continue their journeys. There will remain an increased police presence in the area to assist with passengers accessing the South Terminal for onward travel,” the statement added.
Earlier on Friday, the incident caused severe disruption at the busy airport’s South Terminal, while the North Terminal of Gatwick Airport remained unaffected.
“Police were called to the South Terminal at Gatwick Airport at 8.20 am on Friday (November 22) following the discovery of a suspected prohibited item in luggage,” a Sussex Police statement said.
“To ensure the safety of the public, staff and other airport users, a security cordon has been put in place whilst the matter is dealt with. As a precaution, an EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) team is being deployed to the airport. This is causing significant disruption and some roads around the South Terminal have been closed. We’d advise the public to avoid the area where possible,” it said.
Footage on social media taken outside the airport showed crowds of frustrated travellers being moved away from the terminal building.
Gatwick said it was working hard to resolve the issue.
“A large part of the South Terminal has been evacuated as a precaution while we continue to investigate a security incident," the airport said in a social media post.
“Passengers will not be able to enter the South Terminal while this is ongoing. The safety and security of our passengers and staff remain our top priority. We are working hard to resolve the issue as quickly as possible.”
Train and bus services that serve the airport were also impacted while the police carried out their inquiries.
In an unrelated incident in south London on Friday morning, the US Embassy area in Nine Elms by the River Thames was the scene of a controlled explosion by Scotland Yard dealing with what they believe may have been a “hoax device”.
“We can confirm the 'loud bang' reported in the area a short time ago was a controlled explosion carried out by officers,” the Metropolitan Police said in a post on X.
“Initial indications are that the item was a hoax device. An investigation will now follow. Some cordons will remain in place for the time being but the majority of the police response will now be stood down,” it added.
