Tag: Economy

  • Rupee gains 14 paise to 75.79 against US dollar in early trade

    Rupee gains 14 paise

    The rupee appreciated 14 paise to 75.79 against the US dollar in opening trade on Monday, amid a pullback in crude oil prices.

    At the interbank foreign exchange, the rupee opened at 75.94 against the American dollar, then gained further ground to quote 75.79, registering a rise of 14 paise from the last close.

    On Friday, the rupee appreciated 10 paise to settle at 75.93 against the US dollar.

    The dollar index, which gauges the greenback’s strength against a basket of six currencies, was trading 0.13 per cent higher at 99.92.

    Most Asian and emerging market peers are trading weaker against the US dollar this Monday morning and could weigh on sentiments, however subdued crude oil prices will cap depreciation bias, said Sriram Iyer, Senior Research Analyst at Reliance Securities.

    However, the big trigger for the markets will be Indian and US CPI inflation data on Tuesday, Iyer said.

    On the domestic equity market front, the 30-share Sensex was trading 322.35 points or 0.54 per cent lower at 59,124.83, while the broader NSE Nifty declined 73.70 points or 0.41 per cent to 17,710.65.

    Global oil benchmark Brent crude futures fell 2.33 per cent to USD 100.39 per barrel.

    Foreign institutional investors were net sellers in the capital market on Friday, as they offloaded shares worth Rs 575.04 crore, as per stock exchange data.

  • Veranda lists 15% higher over issue price on BSE; down 5% on NSE

    Shares of Veranda Learning Solutions opened 15 per cent higher at Rs 157 against its issue price of Rs 137 per share on the BSE on Monday. At 10:22 am; the stock locked in upper circuit of Rs 164.85, after hitting a low of Rs 149.15 in intra-day trade so far. According to the exchange data, around 775,000 equity shares changed hands with pending buy orders of 5,151 shares on the BSE.

    However, the stock locked in lower circuit of Rs 131.25 on the National Stock Exchange (NSE). It opened 9 per cent lower at Rs 125 against its issue price of Rs 137 per share. Around 3.03 million shares changed hands with pending sell orders 2.8 million shares so far.

    The company has raised Rs 200 crore through initial public offering (IPO). It has proposed to utilize the net proceeds of the fresh issue towards repayment of its borrowings amounting to Rs 60 crore, payment of acquisition consideration of Edureka or repayment of bridge loan availed to discharge acquisition at Rs 25.19 crore, growth initiatives towards Rs 50 crore and the balance for general corporate purposes.

    Veranda Learning Solutions offers diversified and integrated learning solutions in online, offline hybrid and offline blended formats to students, aspirants, graduates, professionals and corporate employees through multitude of career-defining competitive exams, professional courses, exam-oriented courses, short term upskilling and reskilling courses.

    The company provides comprehensive long-term and short-term preparatory courses in simple and lucid manner for students preparing for Union Public Service Commission, State Public Service Commission, Staff Selection Commission, Banking, Insurance, Railways and Chartered Accountancy. The company also provides customised short term skilling courses, long term courses and other corporate courses to its learners.

  • Lankan papers run out of newsprint due to forex crisis; suspend publication

    Sri Lanka’s two major newspapers on Saturday suspended their publication over newsprint shortage and price escalation caused by the country’s all-time worst foreign exchange crisis.

    The Island, an English daily along with its sister Sinhala paper Divayina, ceased to print as the newsprint scarcities and price escalations hit the media organisation.

    We regret to inform our readers that we have been compelled to suspend the publication of The Island print edition on Saturday until further notice in view of the newsprint shortage, Upali Newspapers Limited said in a statement.

    Sri Lanka is facing its all-time worst foreign exchange crisis after the pandemic hit the nation’s earnings from tourism and remittances.

    The import costs of newsprint also rose remarkably since e government’s decision early this month to float the Sri Lankan rupee against the US dollar.

    The Island newspaper, which has been in print since October 1981, will now function as an e-paper.

    Sri Lanka is facing an acute economic and energy crisis triggered due to a shortage of foreign exchange. A sudden rise in prices of key commodities and fuel shortage forced tens of thousands of people to queue for hours outside petrol filling stations. People are also facing long hours of power cuts daily.

    All essentials are in short supply due o import restrictions forced by the forex crisis.

    As part of its measures to tackle the crisis, the Sri Lankan government has sought India’s assistance. After months of resistance, the government is preparing to approach the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for an economic bailout.

    In a related development, the Indian Oil Corporation’s local entity LIOC effected another price hike of petrol with effect from midnight Friday. This was the LIOC’s fourth price hike since February.

    India recently announced to extend a USD 1 billion line of credit to Sri Lanka as part of its financial assistance to help the country deal with the economic crisis. New Delhi had extended a USD 500 million line of credit to Colombo in February to help it purchase petroleum products.

  • Forex reserves jump by $2.76 bn to $632.95 bn: RBI data

    The country’s foreign exchange reserves increased by USD 2.762 billion to USD 632.952 billion for the week ended February 18 on a healthy rise in the value of gold reserves and core currency assets, the RBI said on Friday.

    In the previous reporting week, the overall reserves had declined by USD 1.763 billion to USD 630.19 billion.

    During the reporting week, the rise in overall reserves was on account of an increase in the foreign currency assets (FCA), a major component of the overall reserves, the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) weekly data released on Friday showed.

    FCA increased by USD 1.496 billion to USD 567.06 billion in the week ended February 18, it said. Expressed in dollar terms, the foreign currency assets include the effect of appreciation or depreciation of non-US units like the euro, pound and yen held in the foreign exchange reserves.

    Gold reserves increased by USD 1.274 billion to USD 41.509 billion in the reporting week, the data showed.

    The special drawing rights (SDRs) with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) decreased by USD 11 million to USD 19.162 billion, RBI said.

    The country’s reserve position with the IMF increased by USD 4 million to USD 5.221 billion in the reporting week, the data showed.

  • Rupee crashes 40 paise to 75.73 against US dollar in early trade

    The rupee tumbled 40 paise to 75.33 in early trade on Monday, tracking surge in crude prices amid escalating tensions between Russia and Ukraine.

    At the interbank forex market, the local currency opened sharply lower against the dollar. It was moving in a tight range of 75.78 and 75.70. In early deals, it was trading at 75.73, registering a fall of 40 paise over its previous close.

    In the previous session, the rupee had gained 27 paise to settle at 75.33 against the US dollar.

    The dollar index, which gauges the greenback’s strength against a basket of six currencies, was trading 0.78 percent higher at 97.37.

    Global oil benchmark Brent crude futures surged 4.24 percent to USD 102.08 per barrel.

    Meanwhile, in a dramatic escalation of tensions in eastern Europe, Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered his nuclear forces to be on high alert in response to what he called “aggressive statements” by leading NATO powers over the Ukraine conflict.

    On the domestic equity market front, the 30-share Sensex was trading 709.15 points or 1.27 percent lower at 55,149.37, while the broader NSE Nifty fell 198.15 points or 1.19 percent to 16,460.25.

    Foreign institutional investors were net sellers in the capital market on Friday, as they offloaded shares worth Rs 4,470.70 crore, as per stock exchange data.

  • ₹34 to ₹142: Small-cap multibagger stock gives 300% return in 2022

    Amid stock market investors are busy finding out possible multibagger stocks for 2022, a good number of small-cap stocks have entered the list of multibagger stocks and multibagger penny stocks in 2022. Shares of Variman Global Enterprises are one of them. This BSE listed IT solution company stock has surged from ₹34.35 (close price on 31st December 2021 on BSE) to ₹141.90 apiece levels today, logging around 300 per cent rise in 2022.

    In last one week, multibagger stock has risen from around ₹124 apiece levels to ₹141.90 levels, logging around 14.50 per cent raise in this period. The small-cap stock has hit upper circuit on 3 out of 5 sessions in this period. In last one month, the small-cap IT stock has risen from around ₹52 to ₹141.90 levels, appreciating around 175 per cent in this period. Similarly, in year-to-date time, the multibagger IT stock has delivered more than 300 per cent return to its shareholders.

    Impact on investment

    Taking cue from Variman Global Enterprises share price history, if an investor had invested ₹1 lakh in this multibagger IT stock one week ago, its ₹1 lakh would have turned to ₹1.14 lakh today. Likewise, if an investor had invested ₹1 lakh in this stock one month ago and had remained invested in this stock till date, its ₹1 lakh would have turned to ₹2.75 lakh today.

    Similarly, if an investor had invested ₹1 lakh in this stock at the end of 2021 buying one stock at around ₹34.50 apiece levels, its ₹1 lakh would have turned to ₹4 lakh today, provided the investor had remained invested in the scrip throughout this period.

    On Tuesday trade session, the multibagger stock climbed to its life-time high of ₹143.55 levels whereas its 52-week low is ₹11.65 apiece. Current market capital of the small-cap stock is ₹237 crore and its book value per share is 9.60. Its current trade volume is 88,457, which is much higher than its 20 days average volume of 62,432.

  • Power consumption grows 2.6% in January

    India’s power consumption grew marginally at 2.6 per cent year-on-year in January to 112.67 billion units (BU), showing the impact of local restrictions imposed by states amid the third wave of COVID-19.

    Power consumption in the entire January last year was 109.76 BU, which was 4.4 per cent higher than 105.15 BU in January 2020, as per the power ministry data.According to the data, peak power demand met or highest supply in a day rose to 192.07GW in the month under review compared to 189.39 GW in January 2021, and 170.97 GW in January 2020.

    Experts are of the view that the slowdown in power consumption growth in the fortnight of January has shown the impact of local restrictions imposed by states amid the third wave of COVID-19.

    They opined that the local restriction had affected industrial and commercial demand. The third wave of the pandemic hit the country in January 2022, which has forced many states to impose local restrictions like night and weekend curfews.

    They have also taken measures like banning dining in bars and restaurants. The experts opined that the power demand and consumption would improve in the coming months as many states are now lifting local restrictions after a decline in the number of positive cases.

    Power consumption had grown by 3.3 per cent in December 2021 to 109.17 BU from 105.62 BU in the year-ago period. In November 2021, power consumption grew by 2.5 per cent to 99.32 BU from 96.88 BU a year ago.

    In November 2021, power consumption grew by 2.5 per cent to 99.32 BU from 96.88 BU a year ago. Many states had imposed lockdown restrictions after the second wave of the pandemic in April 2021, which affected the recovery in commercial and industrial power demand.

    Curbs were gradually lifted as the number of COVID cases fell. Curbs were gradually lifted as the number of COVID cases fell. Power consumption witnessed a 6.6 per cent year-on-year growth in May 2021 at 108.80 BU, from 102.08 BU in the same month of 2020.

    In June 2021, it grew nearly 9 per cent to 114.48 BU, compared to 105.08 BU in the same month in 2020. In June 2021, it grew nearly 9 per cent to 114.48 BU, compared to 105.08 BU in the same month in 2020.

    In July 2021, it rose to 123.72 BU from 112.14 BU year-on-year, while in August, power consumption surged by over 17 per cent to 127.88 BU compared to 109.21 BU in the same month a year back.Power consumption in September 2021 witnessed flat growth at 112.43 BU, mainly due to the delayed monsoon. In October 2021, power consumption grew at 3.3 per cent to 112.79 BU from 109.17 BU in the same month in 2020.

  • Industrial and logistics sector top investment chart in 2021, touch new highs

    The industrial and logistics sector was the most sought-after, and investments rose to a five-year high of $1.1 billion, a five-fold increase from 2020.

    The sector has been drawing strong operator and investor interest due to increased demand from e-commerce and 3PL players post-pandemic.

    This growth momentum is likely to continue in 2022, as major global investors and developers continue to expand their footprint in proximity to high consumption areas across Tier I and II cities, said Colliers.

    “The pandemic has accelerated several structural trends and will have lasting changes on the nature of real estate business in India. The Investments across asset classes saw promising inflows in 2021, reflecting several opportunities for investors to recalibrate their strategy towards growth sectors. This is already evident in the rapid investment being allocated towards the residential, increasing development of data centres, alternatives, industrial, office, and the evolution of the life science sector. There is a reflection of confidence in the industry to participate in the growth story and hence develop, build and own real assets in the long term.” said Piyush Gupta, Managing Director, Capital Markets and Investment Services, Colliers India.

    Overall the real estate institutional investment volumes closed at $4 billion in 2021, a 17% dip yoy. However, capital flows came on a broad-based recovery across most asset classes, geographies and doubled in the number of deals compared to 2020, mentioned the report.

    The industrial and warehousing sector accounted for half of 2021 investment, while the office sector attracted the highest investments at $1.2 billion, accounting for 31% of the total investments in 2021. This reaffirms the resilience and the long-term growth story of the sector.

    “The year 2021 has seen a strong investor appetite for residential and industrial & logistics sectors while office continues to be dominant. The broad-based recovery signals signs of ebullience amongst investors and expansion of REITs, asset diversification, imminent potential in industrial & logistics will keep them busy in the Indian market. Moreover, niche asset classes such as Data centers, student housing and life science will provide a unique opportunity for investors to diversify their investments.” said Vimal Nadar, Senior Director and Head of Research, Colliers India.

    The report mentioned that the Inflows in the residential segment witnessed a significant uptick with a two-fold increase YoY amid a recovery in the residential sector and increased demand for capital. Private Equity funds are looking at providing capital for fresh investments in residential projects, and also for refinancing/restructuring existing loans of banks and NBFCs. The luxury segment accounted for about 35% of the total investments, with the rest in mid-income and affordable category projects. Luxury residential projects witnessed increased investments in 2021 as demand for bigger homes and gated communities has significantly increased during the past one year.

    As compared to last year, the share of single city deals witnessed a two-fold increase during 2021, indicating investors’ rising preference towards specific high-quality assets in key locations. With increased investments in select luxury residential projects and data centres, Mumbai led the investment pie in 2021 with a 20% share. Foreign private equity investors continued to have the majority share in the investment volumes, but domestic funds have shown higher confidence, compared to last year, led by a steady recovery in the economy.

  • Turkey: Stock trading halted again due to rapid losses

    Turkish stocks extended their losses following Friday’s rout, prompting a fresh automatic trading halt after the lira slid to a record low.

    The Borsa Istanbul 100 Index tumbled 5%, after climbing as much as 3.1% earlier. Trading was set to restart at 4:23 p.m. Istanbul time, according to the bourse’s statement.

    This is the second session in a row that Turkish equities’ trading is halted due to rapid losses. The benchmark plunged as much as 9.1% on Friday, triggering automatic circuit breakers during the second-steepest selloff of the year. The slump was made worse by high levels of margin trading among local investors who have borrowed funds to join a recent rally in stocks.

    Calls on margins “led to snowballing losses” on Friday, turning a price correction into “panic selling,” said Tuna Cetinkaya, assistant general manager at the Info Yatirim brokerage.

    The lira’s 58% decline this year in the wake of 500 basis points of central bank rate cuts has sent local investors flocking to stocks to shield their savings, making Istanbul among the best-performing markets of 2021 in local currency terms, but the worst when measured in U.S. dollars.

    The lira tumbled to another record low on Monday after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan pledged to continue cutting interest rates, referring to Islamic proscriptions on usury as a basis for his policy.

    Discount grocer BIM Birlesik Magazalar AS underperformed, while telecom operator Turk Telekom was among the only four stocks that gained.

  • Turkey: Stock trading halted again due to rapid losses

    Turkish stocks extended their losses following Friday’s rout, prompting a fresh automatic trading halt after the lira slid to a record low.

    The Borsa Istanbul 100 Index tumbled 5%, after climbing as much as 3.1% earlier. Trading was set to restart at 4:23 p.m. Istanbul time, according to the bourse’s statement.

    This is the second session in a row that Turkish equities’ trading is halted due to rapid losses. The benchmark plunged as much as 9.1% on Friday, triggering automatic circuit breakers during the second-steepest selloff of the year. The slump was made worse by high levels of margin trading among local investors who have borrowed funds to join a recent rally in stocks.

    Calls on margins “led to snowballing losses” on Friday, turning a price correction into “panic selling,” said Tuna Cetinkaya, assistant general manager at the Info Yatirim brokerage.

    The lira’s 58% decline this year in the wake of 500 basis points of central bank rate cuts has sent local investors flocking to stocks to shield their savings, making Istanbul among the best-performing markets of 2021 in local currency terms, but the worst when measured in U.S. dollars.

    The lira tumbled to another record low on Monday after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan pledged to continue cutting interest rates, referring to Islamic proscriptions on usury as a basis for his policy.

    Discount grocer BIM Birlesik Magazalar AS underperformed, while telecom operator Turk Telekom was among the only four stocks that gained.