Earnings season got rolling with three index stocks having announced their results, and general sentiments showed an inclination towards holding on to the recent gains, especially with IIP and CPI figures lending support. However, TCS and Infy’s volatility following their Q3 releases kept a check on gains amid signs that the “Trump trades” are wearing off.”
Anand James, Chief Market Strategist, Geojit BNP Paribas Financial Services wrote in a note.
The budget carrier placed an order for 205 Boeing planes worth a whopping $22 billion. The deal will be the biggest expansion plan by the Indian carrier that is seeking to claw back market share from leader IndiGo.
The deal, which includes 100 firm 737 Max 8 jets, builds on an existing order for 55 aircrafts, SpiceJet said in a statement. The airline also has the option to buy 50 more, including widebodies. The order is the largest ever placed by an Indian airline for Boeing aircraft.
Shares of the low cost airline gained 3.2 percent to Rs 65.9. It has gained 17.3 percent in the last 12 days.
Indian shares climbed for a fourth straight session as some investors assessed that the adverse impact of the demonetisation on corporate earnings may be limited.
The S&P BSE Sensex gained 0.8 percent to 27,459 while the NSE Nifty advanced 0.6 percent to 8,461. Both the indices are hovering near their two-month highs. The market breadth was skewed in favour of the buyers with 897 stocks advancing, 506 declining and 459 remaining unchanged.
Indian sovereign bonds are headed for their third week of gains as data showed, consumer inflation eased to a two-year low.
The consumer price inflation rose 3.41 percent in December compared to 3.51 percent in November. Nomura in a note said it expects macro data to remain soft over the next two to three months as the process of remonetisation could continue till the end of February.
With growth weak, inflation slowing and expectations that government will present a prudent Budget, said Nomura adding it expects the RBI to deliver a 25 basis points cut in policy rate in February.
In the currency market, it seems like another good day for the Asians. The South Korean won has risen 0.6 percent against the dollar. The rupee, which so far has weakened 0.2 percent in the week, could pull in some gains in the session.