Closing Bell- 14 March 2024: Frontline indices close higher while Nifty Smallcap soars over 3%!
Major Indices Performance:
On Thursday, the Indian Frontline indices experienced moderate gains while Broader indices showed robust performance breaking its 3-day losing streak. The Sensex closed moderately higher by 0.46%, closing at 73,097.28 level, while the Nifty also closed moderately higher by 0.68% closing at 22,146.65 level. Whereas Nifty Bank experienced a moderate loss of 0.41% and closed at 46,789.95 level. Furthermore, the broader market substantially gained with Nifty Midcap surging by 2.02%, while Nifty Smallcap soared by 3.45%.
Sectoral Performance:
Within the sectoral landscape, Nifty Metal surged by around 2% followed by Nifty IT, Nifty Media and Nifty Energy while Nifty Bank and Nifty Financial Services were among the major sectors which underperformed.
Top Gainers and Losers:
Among the Nifty 50, Adani Enterprises stood out as the leading gainer with a significant surge of over 6%, followed by Adani Ports, Hero Motocorp and Hindalco. Conversely, Axis Bank, Indusind Bank, JSW Steel and Bajaj Finance found themselves among the top losers.
Broader Markets:
In the broader markets, which include the Nifty Midcap and Nifty Smallcap, Fertilizers & Chemicals Travancore, Indian Railway Finance Corporation, BLS International Services and SJVN, registered substantial gains, standing among the top gainers. On the flip side, Prestige Estate, Indian Bank, IIFL Finance and Bikaji Foods have witnessed major declines, ranking among the top losers.
SBI Joins Paytm for UPI Services:
State Bank of India, India’s largest lender, has teamed up with One97 Communications, the company behind the Paytm brand and app, to facilitate consumer UPI payments. Previously, Paytm’s UPI operations were supported by Paytm Payments Bank Limited (PPBL). However, following regulatory action by the RBI against PPBL, Paytm has sought bank partnerships to operate as a third-party application provider (TPAP), similar to PhonePe and Google Pay.
Oil Prices:
On Wednesday, oil prices surged approximately 3%, reaching a four-month peak, fuelled by an unexpected decline in US crude inventories, a significant drop in US gasoline stocks, and concerns over potential supply disruptions following Ukrainian attacks on Russian refineries.
Brent futures climbed by $2.11, marking a 2.6% increase, settling at $84.03 per barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude saw a rise of $2.16, or 2.8%, closing at $79.72.
NSE Advance/Decline Ratio:
The broader market sentiment presents a nuanced trend, with 1832 advancing stocks compared to 445 declining stocks, signalling an optimistic sentiment in the broader market.
Disclaimer: This blog has been written exclusively for educational purposes. The securities mentioned are only examples and not recommendations. It is based on several secondary sources on the internet and is subject to changes. Please consult an expert before making related decisions.