Markets trim gains on renewed geopolitical tensions in Middle East; Sensex rises 150 pts
Mumbai, Jun 24 (PTI): Equity benchmarks Sensex and Nifty on Tuesday gave up most of their sharp intra-day gains due to the emergence of profit-taking as investors turned cautious amid reports of a ceasefire violation between Iran and Israel.
In the morning trade, markets bounced back sharply, mirroring a rally in global peers and a steep decline in crude oil prices amid hopes of a potential de-escalation in the Middle East conflict.
After surging 1,121.37 points or 1.36 per cent to 83,018.16 in intra-day trade, the 30-share Sensex later trimmed most of its gains as reports surfaced of the ceasefire plan faltering. But, the benchmark still managed to settle in the green, climbing 158.32 points or 0.19 per cent to 82,055.11.
As many as 2,662 stocks advanced and 1,339 declined while 143 remained unchanged on the BSE.
On similar lines, the 50-share Nifty rose 72.45 points or 0.29 per cent to end at 25,044.35. The index fell from an intra-day high of 25,317.70.
"Initial gains in the domestic market, driven by the ceasefire announcement and sharp drop in crude prices, were short-lived as renewed geopolitical tensions in the Middle East unsettled investor sentiment.
"Adding to the uncertainty was heightened volatility due to expiry day dynamics. Although the market attempted to break out of its recent consolidation range, persistent global risks continue to impede momentum," Vinod Nair, Head of Research, Geojit Investments Limited, said.
From the Sensex constituents, Adani Ports, Tata Steel, Kotak Mahindra Bank, UltraTech Cement, Bajaj Finserv and Titan were among the biggest gainers.
In contrast, Power Grid, Trent, NTPC, Maruti, HCL Tech and Bharat Electronics were among the laggards.
Shares of crude oil sensitive sectors -- oil marketing companies, aviation, paints and adhesives -- jumped on Tuesday after a sharp correction in Brent crude oil prices.
The stock of Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd jumped 3.24 per cent, Indian Oil Corporation rallied 2.04 per cent and Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd went up by 1.92 per cent on the BSE.
Shares of InterGlobe Aviation edged higher by 2.55 per cent and SpiceJet rallied 2.15 per cent.
Kansai Nerolac Paints advanced by 1.82 per cent, Shalimar Paints rallied by 1.80 per cent, Asian Paints went up by 0.48 per cent and Indigo Paints (0.38 per cent).
"It turned out to be an eventful day for market participants, as the benchmark index witnessed sharp swings in both directions before finally closing with marginal gains. Initially, sentiment was buoyed by reports of a potential ceasefire between Iran and Israel, along with a sharp decline in crude oil prices.
"However, concerns resurfaced in the latter half following reports of a possible ceasefire violation by Iran, which led to a pullback and erased most of the early gains. Eventually, the Nifty ended with marginal gains," Ajit Mishra - SVP, Research, Religare Broking Ltd, said.
The BSE smallcap gauge climbed 0.71 per cent and the midcap index rose 0.54 per cent.
Among BSE sectoral indices, services jumped 2.13 per cent, telecommunication (1.13 per cent), commodities (1.12 per cent), metal (0.96 per cent), financial services (0.81 per cent), bankex (0.72 per cent) and auto (0.62 per cent).
On the other hand, IT, oil & gas, teck and BSE Focused IT were the laggards.
"Indian equity benchmarks pared early gains on Tuesday after fresh geopolitical tensions emerged. Investors are now watching oil prices and geopolitical cues closely. A sustained spike in crude could cap any near-term upside in equities despite otherwise supportive domestic fundamentals," Gaurav Garg, Analyst, Lemonn Markets Desk, said.
All of the 10 listed Adani group stocks ended higher on Tuesday, with Ambuja Cements surging 4 per cent, on a day when the group conducted its annual general meeting.
The Adani Group also plans to invest a record USD 15-20 billion across businesses over the next five years to chart out the next phase of growth, Chairman Gautam Adani said on Tuesday as he touted the conglomerate's strong balance sheet and robust business to shrug off relentless scrutiny it faces.
Meanwhile, Adani Group has raised USD 1 billion from global investors led by New York-based Apollo Global Management to refinance existing debt for its Mumbai airport.
Mumbai International Airport Ltd (MIAL), a unit which operates India's second largest airport, will use the proceeds to refinance debt raised in 2022, it said in a statement.
In another development, London-based Vedanta Resources Limited (VRL), the parent firm of Mumbai-listed mining conglomerate Vedanta Ltd, has secured a term loan facility of up to USD 600 million that will be used to refinance a high-cost private credit facility, according to a communication sent to bondholders.
Shares of Vodafone Idea on Tuesday jumped 4.89 per cent to close at 6.87 apiece after reports of the government mulling multiple options to provide relief to the telco on its Rs 84,000 crore outstanding AGR dues.
Union Telecom Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia on Tuesday said duopoly is not good and there must be competition in every sector.
S&P Global Ratings on Tuesday upped India's GDP growth forecast for the current fiscal to 6.5 per cent, citing lower crude prices, monetary easing and normal monsoon, and said the ongoing geopolitical tensions are unlikely to put a "significant pressure" on the rupee or inflation.
In Asian markets, South Korea's Kospi, Japan's Nikkei 225 index, Shanghai's SSE Composite index and Hong Kong's Hang Seng settled significantly higher.
European markets were trading with gains in mid-session trade.
US markets ended in positive territory on Monday.
Global oil benchmark Brent crude dropped 3.20 per cent to USD 69.13 a barrel.
Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) offloaded equities worth Rs 1,874.38 crore on Monday, while Domestic Institutional Investors (DII) bought stocks worth Rs 5,591.77 crore, according to exchange data.
On Monday, the 30-share BSE Sensex ended with a loss of 511.38 points or 0.62 per cent at 81,896.79. The Nifty dropped 140.50 points or 0.56 per cent to 24,971.90.
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Rohit identifies Arshdeep, Hardik as key to India's chances in T20 World Cup
New Delhi (PTI): T20 World Cup-winning captain Rohit Sharma reckons all-rounder Hardik Pandya and left-arm seamer Arshdeep Singh will hold the key to India's prospects in the upcoming edition of the tournament.
Defending champions India will enter the T20 showpiece as one of the overwhelming favourites due to their massive depth and quality.
Rohit highlighted Arshdeep's effectiveness with the new ball and at the death.
"It is a big positive to have both Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh together because they always attack for wickets. Arshdeep's biggest strength is swinging the new ball and taking early wickets. He mainly bowls with the new ball and at the death. Starting and finishing are the most important phases, and he is strong in both," Rohit told JioHotstar.
"With the new ball, he swings it to get left-handers caught in the slips and targets the pads of right-handers. He has also started taking the ball away from right-handers. These skills are key for a new-ball bowler. He always tries to take wickets, which is why he bowls the first over."
Rohit added, "In the 2024 T20 World Cup final against South Africa, he did a great job. I still remember he dismissed Quinton de Kock when he was set and batting well. In the 19th over, he gave away just two or three runs, which built pressure on the South Africans.
"That is his game, bowling with the new ball and at the death, and he will play a key role for India in the 2026 T20 World Cup."
India won the last edition of the tournament in the Americas under Rohit's captaincy, after which the dashing opener retired from the T20 format internationally.
Rohit also spoke about how Hardik's dual role as a finisher and multi-phase bowler provides crucial balance to the Indian team.
"Whenever Hardik Pandya is in the team, his role is huge. He bats and bowls very consistently. His batting is crucial when the team is stuck. If we have a score of 160 on the board in 15-16 overs and Hardik is batting, then he's the one who can help the team reach 210-220 from there or if we are 50 for 4, he has to build the innings.
"Batting in the middle order at 5, 6, or 7 is very tough. That is why Hardik's role is critical in any format. We know his bowling. He bowls in key phases, with the new ball, in the middle and in the death as well. His role is very important because he gives the team balance, letting us play six bowlers and keep our batting deep."
Rohit said accommodating both Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakravarthy together in the playing XI is going to be a big challenge for the Indian team management.
"The biggest challenge for captain Suryakumar Yadav and coach Gautam Gambhir will be how to play both Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakaravarthy together. If you want that combination, you can only do it if you play with two seamers, which is a big challenge.
"But honestly, I would be tempted to play both Varun and Kuldeep because they are wicket-takers and batters struggle to read them. I would surely pick them."
The former India skipper added, "Looking at the conditions in India, like in this New Zealand series, there is a lot of dew. In February and March, dew will be heavy across most parts as winter ends.
"Even in Mumbai, which doesn't get cold, there's still dew. I'd say 90-95 percent of grounds in India have dew. That's the challenge. What do the coach and captain think? Are they comfortable with three spinners? Then they can play spin, but there's no fixed rule. It depends on the team leaders' thinking."
Rohit also urged Kuldeep to stop appealing on every ball and to rely on the wicketkeeper's judgment for reviews.
"My one simple advice to Kuldeep is to just bowl quietly and go back to his mark. You can't appeal on every ball. This is basic. I keep saying it, but it still happens often. Even after telling him many times, he appeals at every chance. You have to use your head. Just because it touches the pad, it doesn't mean it's out every time. This isn't gully cricket.
"I get he is enthusiastic, but think of the team first. Each team only gets two DRS reviews. If I was the keeper, I could see where the ball pitched and if it was hitting, I could tell the bowler.
"But from covers or slip, you don't know the angle. You have to listen to what the keeper and bowler say. That's why when there's a review off Kuldeep's bowling, I don't look at him, I look at the keeper to decide."
The T20 World Cup is scheduled to be held in venues across India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8.
