Market Open

The BSE Sensex and NSE Nifty started the last trading day of FY25 on a weaker note, with the BSE Sensex started trading at 77,690.69, up 84.26 points or 0.11%, and the NSE NIFTY opened at 23,600.40, up by 8.45 points or 0.04%. On the other hand, the Nifty MidCap index soared 0.78% while the Nifty SmallCap index surged 1.13% in the broader market. Developments to be watched on Friday also include US President Donald Trump’s tariff announcements, Russia-Ukraine ceasefire updates, FII flows, gold prices and the Rupee-Dollar exchange rate.

Factors Influencing Market Sentiment

• US Tariffs: US President Donald Trump set a 25% tariff on all vehicles and foreign-made auto parts entering the United States. The White House pitched this as a step to help spur domestic manufacturing, but it could also add to the financial pressure on automakers who depend on overseas supply chains.
• Asia Markets: Asian markets were still mixed as investors digested news of Trump’s 25% tariffs on auto imports. Japan’s Nikkei 225 closed down 2.15% at 36,993, the Asia Dow fell 1.51% to 3,686.45 and South Korea’s Kospi was down 1.34% at 2,572. The Shanghai Composite was little changed at 3,373.74.
• FII Buying: FIIs went from net sellers to net buyers in March, buying about Rs 6,367 crore in cash market after net selling for five months.

Global Backdrop:

• US Dollar: The US Dollar Index, which measures the dollar’s strength against six key rivals, dipped 0.07 per cent to 104.27 on Thursday morning. At the same time, the rupee weakened 0.07%, ending on March 27 at 85.78 to the dollar.

• Gold Rate Today: Gold has been shining with its all-time high of ₹89,140. As of now, the price of 24-carat gold is approximately ₹88,900 per 10 grams. In the last week, the price has risen by 0.81%, and in the last month, by 3.20%. Currently, the price of 22-carat gold is ₹81,492 per 10 grams, while the cost of 18-carat gold stands at ₹66,675.

• Crude Oil: Crude oil prices rose on Thursday. On Thursday morning, WTI crude traded at $69.99, up 0.10%, and Brent crude rose 0.07% to $74.08.

Stocks in Focus:

• BSE Ltd: NSE announces that it will continue with Thursday as the expiry day of derivatives contracts; moves to Monday was announced in April after consultation paper from SEBI.
• Infosys: Signs deal with LKQ Europe to roll out an analytics-enabled HCM solution to 18 countries to enable HR improvement and cost reduction.
• UltraTech Cement: Added new clinker capacity of 3.35 mtpa and 2.7 mtpa cement mill at its Maihar facility; also finished brownfield expansion at its Dhule plant.
• Bharat Electronics (BEL): New orders, valued at ₹1,385 crore, have added to its existing order book of ₹18,415 crore for FY, which also includes contracts for radars, simulators and other defence systems.
• JINDAL STEEL & POWER (JSPL): Won the Saradhapur Jalatap East coal block, adjacent to its Angul steel plant as a successful bidder.
• Max Financial Services: Eight entities purchased a 1.6% stake in the firm, valued at ₹611.60 crore, via an open market deal.
• Asian Paints: Asian Paints (Polymers) Private Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the company, was approved to set up a manufacturing facility with a total project cost of ₹2,560 crore; another ₹690 crore capex has been approved.
• BEML: Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation — Signed orders worth ₹405 crore.
• HCL Technologies: Appointed as a Design Solution Partner in Samsung’s Advanced Foundry Ecosystem, and booked additional contracts with partners such as Larsen & Toubro.
• Adani Green Energy: Operationalized 396.7 MW of power projects at Khavda, which had taken its total renewable capacity to 13,487.8 MW.
• Force Motors: Signed a contract with Indian Defence Forces for supply of 2,978 Force Gurkha light vehicles.
• Jio Financial Services: Took over 85 million equity shares in Jio Payments Bank for ₹85 crore, raising its stake to 85.04%, to help with working capital.
• Samvardhana Motherson: Said a 25% US tariff on automobiles is unlikely to have a material impact on its financial performance after the majority of products for the US market are either manufactured locally or compliant with USMCA.

Disclaimer: This news is solely for educational purposes. The securities/investments quoted here are not recommendatory.

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