Business Standard Podcast

The RBI's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meet is likely to be the top factor guiding the domestic equities market on Wednesday which will also track stock-specific action, movement of rupee against the US dollar, oil prices and FII inflows. The RBI's rate-setting panel Tuesday started its 3-day deliberations for the first bi-monthly monetary policy of 2019-20 amid expectations of a cut in key lending rate by another 25 basis points to boost economic activities. The six-member MPC, headed by RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das, will announce the resolution of the meeting at around noon on Thursday. On the global front, British Prime Minister Theresa May said Tuesday she will seek another "short" extension of Brexit in order to pass the deal she agreed with the European Union. Japanese services sector activity expanded in March at a slightly slower pace than the previous month as growth in new business slowed and business optimism was at an 18-month low. The Markit/Nikkei Japan Services Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) fell to a seasonally adjusted 52.0 in March from 52.3 in February. On the home front, the domestic equity market ended in the positive territory on Tuesday. The S&P BSE Sensex closed above the crucial 39,000-mark for the first time at 39,057, up 185 points or 0.48 per cent. The NSE's Nifty50 index closed at 11,713.  GLOBAL CUES Asian shares hovered near seven-month highs early on Wednesday as global investors paused for breath after the strong rally seen earlier this week. MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan was up less than 0.1 per cent early in the Asian trading day. Australian shares were up 0.6 per cent, while Japan’s Nikkei stock index added 0.2 per cent. On Tuesday, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.3 per cent to 26,179.13 points, the S&P 500 was flat and the Nasdaq Composite added 0.25 per cent to 7,848.69. Oil prices rose for a fourth day on Wednesday, holding firm despite an industry report showing that U.S. inventories rose unexpectedly last week, with supply cuts and sanctions supporting the market. STOCKS IN FOCUS Marico: Company expects improved operating margin in Q4. Mindtree: According to reports, L&T has made a cash offer of Rs 980 per share to acquire 5.13 crore shares representing 31 per cent of the voting share capital from its shareholders. Besides, Mindtree appointed Khaitan and Co as legal counsel and ICICI Securities as the financial advisor to provide assistance on L&T's open offer. Metropolis Healthcare IPO: Metropolis Healthcare opens for subscription toda Jet Airways: Additional 15 aircraft have been grounded due to non-payment of dues to lessors. Infosys: Subsidiary gets order from Kuwait’s Ahli United Bank for automation services. Karnataka Bank: Karnataka Bank join hands with Bharti Axa Life Insurance company for life insurance business. Forbes & Company: Company handed over 50 per cent of the business undertaking in project Vicinia to Paikar Real Estates Private Limited towards completion of the transaction. Emami: The Delhi High Court has rejected a plea by Hindustan Unilever Ltd (HUL) seeking a restraint on an advertisement by Emami Ltd which the former claimed to have been damaging its Fair and Lovely brand of fairness cream besides infringement of the trademark, disparagement and unfair trade practices. Tata Steel: S&P Global Ratings revises outlook on Tata Steel to positive from stable