U.S. futures fell while Asian stocks were mixed as crude oil prices rose, as the war in Ukraine neared the end of its first month and investors tracked geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.
Australian equities advanced while South Korean shares were volatile. The moves signal a pause to the best weekly performance in global equities in over 15 months. Singapore-traded SGX Nifty, an early barometer of India's benchmark Nifty 50 index, rose 1.21% to 17,490.50 points as of 6:30 am. Nymex crude rose to nearly $107 per barrel while bitcoin is hovering around $41,400.
Focus will shift to U.S. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, who is to delivered a speech later today. This come a week after Fed effected a 25 basis-point rate hike to kickstart the monetary policy renormalisation.
Here are the stocks to watch in today's trade:
Adani Group stocks: The Gautam Adani-led conglomerate is exploring potential partnerships in Saudi Arabia, including the possibility of buying a stake in Saudi Aramco, Bloomberg reported citing people with knowledge of the matter.
Indian Oil, BPCL, HPCL: The price of diesel sold to bulk users has been hiked by about Rs 25 per litre in line with a near 40% rise in international oil prices, but retail rates at petrol pumps remain unchanged, PTI reported citing sources.
Cochin Shipyard: The company signed an agreement with Dredging Corporation of India to build India's largest dredger in collaboration with IHC Holland. The project cost is Rs 950 crore.
Jubilant Pharmova: The company's wholly owned subsidiary Jubilant Pharma through its subsidiary Jubilant Cadista Pharmaceuticals has received final approval for Doxepin Hydrochloride capsules. The generic version of Sinequan is used for the treatment of anxiety, depression, and other target symptoms of psychoneurosis.
Tata Consultancy Services: The company has reappointed Rajesh Gopinathan as managing director and chief executive officer and extended N Ganapathy Subramaniam's appointment as chief operating officer for five years.
Tata Steel: The company acquired 10 crore 0.01% non-convertible redeemable preference shares of face value Rs 100 each of Tata Steel Long Products for Rs 1,000 crore.
SJVN: The company has secured 100 MW grid-connected solar power project in Gujarat through tariff-based competitive bidding conducted by Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam. The project has a tentative cost of Rs 500 crore.
Bharat Electronics: The company declared second interim dividend of Rs 1.5 per share.
SRF: The company has incorporated wholly owned subsidiary SRF Altech to engage in the business of manufacture of aluminium foil.
RBL Bank: The bank has extended interim Managing Director and CEO Rajeev Ahuja's tenure by three months with effect from March 25.
Torrent Pharma: The company has signed a licence agreement to use the patents and know-how of Nirmatrelvir with UN-backed Medicines Patent Pool for manufacture and commercialisation of generic version of Paxlovid in 95 countries including India for treatment and/or prevention of Covid-19.
Aurobindo Pharma: The company has signed sub-licence agreement for a generic version of Pfizer's Covid-19 oral treatment Nirmatrelvir with the UN-backed Medicines Patent Pool, for manufacturing and supplying the generic drug product to 95 countries including India.
Dhanlaxmi Bank: The bank approved rights issue for an aggregate amount not exceeding Rs 130 crore (including premium).
Strides Pharma Science: Biolexis will leverage the capabilities of the company for launching Akston's AKS-452, a protein sub-unit for Covid-19 vaccine.
Ashok Leyland: Sells Rs 200 crore 5Y Bonds at 7.30%.
Future Retail: Shareholders to meet on on April 20 to approve sale of retail assets to Reliance Industries.
Kotak Mahindra Bank: Sells Rs 500 crore three-year bonds at 6.20%.
State Bank Of India: Sri Lanka secures $1 billion credit facility.
Sintex Plastics: Reliance-Acre's resolution plan approved by lenders.
TVS Motor Co.: To Pay Rs 3.75 per share as mid-year dividend.
Reliance Retail: Acquires 89% equity stake in Purple Panda Fashions, which owns and operates Clovia—a direct-to-consumer brand for women's innerwear and loungewear.
Block Deals
PVR: Niharika Bijli bought 1.84 lakh shares (0.3% stake), Nayana Bijli sold 1.03 lakh shares (0.16% stake) and Aamer Krishan Bijli sold 81,783 shares (0.13% stake) at Rs 1,701.95 piece.
Pledged Shares Details
Swan Energy: Promoter Group Dave Impex revoked a pledge of 14.23 lakh shares on March 16.
Apollo Hospitals: Promoter & Director Suneeta Reddy revoked a pledge of 4.2 lakh shares on March 15. Promoter K Vishweshwar Reddy revoked a pledge of 2.5 lakh shares on March 15.
Motherson Sumi Systems: Promoter Group Radha Rani Holdings Pte created a pledge of 3.1 crore shares on March 10.
Insider Trades
Ramco Cements: Promoter Group Rajapalayam sold 76,500 shares between March 15 and March 16.
Maharashtra Seamless: Promoter Group Sudha Apparels bought 92,400 shares on March 15.
Seshasayee Paper & Boards: Promoter Group Time Square Investments bought 25,000 shares on March 15.
Westlife Development: Promoter Group Anurag Jatia sold 2 lakh shares on March 15.
UPL: Promoter Group Harmonic Ventures bought 2.12 lakh shares between March 11 and March 15.
Vaibhav Global: Promoter Group Brett Enterprises bought 2,500 shares on March 16.
Navin Fluorine: Promoter & Director Vishad P. Mafatlal sold 2.4 lakh shares between March 14 and March 16.
Strides Pharma Science: Promoter Group Agraganya bought 3 lakh shares on March 14.
Globus Spirits: Promoter Chandbagh Investments bought 10,700 shares on March 16.
Nuvoco Vistas Corporation: Promoter Niyogi Enterprise bought 50,000 shares on March 15.
Trading Tweaks
Price band revised from 5% to 20%: Arshiya Ltd.
Moved into short-term ASM framework: AVT Natural Products, Andhra Paper, Seshasayee Paper, JK Paper, Gujarat Ambuja Exports
Record date interim dividend: Sun TV Network
Ex-date interim dividend: GAIL (India)
Ex-date bonus: BSE
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