Trading of Nifty 50 index futures on the Singapore stock exchange indicates that the Nifty could fall 34 points at the opening bell.

Overseas, Asian stocks fell with technology stocks leading the way following a downbeat outlook from Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Inflation remained weak in Japan. Core consumer prices rose 0.9% from a year earlier in March, versus February's reading of 1%. US stocks ended lower yesterday, 19 April 2018 with consumer staples, real estate and technology shares leading the losses.

Meanwhile, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) meets later today, 20 April 2018 to discuss production caps. Oil futures were down slightly in Asia after hitting a 3½-year high this week.

Back home, key benchmark indices settled higher yesterday, 19 April 2018 on positive global cues. The barometer index, the S&P BSE Sensex, rose 95.61 points or 0.28% to settle at 34,427.29. The Nifty 50 index rose 39.10 points or 0.37% to settle at 10,565.30. The Sensex and the Nifty, both, settled at their highest closing levels in more than seven weeks.

The trading activity on that day showed that the foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) sold shares worth a net Rs 624.99 crore yesterday, 19 April 2018, as per provisional data released by the stock exchanges. Domestic institutional investors (DIIs) bought shares worth a net Rs 448.61 crore yesterday, 19 April 2018, as per provisional data.

Among corporate news, Indiabulls Housing Finance declares its Q4 March 2018 results today, 20 April 2018.

On a consolidated basis, IT major TCS' net profit rose 5.81% to Rs 6925 crore on 3.79% increase in net sales to Rs 32075 crore in Q4 March 2018 over Q3 December 2017. Net profit fell 1.81% to Rs 25,880 crore on 4.36% increase in net sales to Rs 123104 crore in the year ended March 2018 over the year ended March 2017. The result was announced after market hours yesterday, 19 April 2018.

The board of TCS recommended bonus issue of equity shares in the ratio of 1 equity share of Re 1 each for every 1 equity share of Re 1 each.

Commenting on the Q4 performance, Rajesh Gopinathan, CEO and MD, said strong demand in digital across all industry verticals and large transformational deal wins have made this one of our best fourth quarters In recent years. The strong exit allows the company to start the new fiscal on a confident note.

Trading of Nifty 50 index futures on the Singapore stock exchange indicates that the Nifty could rise 36 points at the opening bell.

Overseas, most Asian stocks rose, building on gains a day earlier, with oil prices at 3½-year highs helping to boost sentiment for the region's equities.

In US, the Dow industrials ended lower yesterday, 18 April 2018 as IBM's shares got walloped; however, gains in shares of energy-related firms helped the broader market post modest gains. Wall Street showed a muted reaction to the release of the Beige Book report, which underscored that economic activity remained at a modest to moderate pace in March and early April.

The Fed's Beige Book showed that economic activity remained at a modest to moderate pace, though nine of the 12 regional banks expressed concerns about trade tariffs, centered on the tit-for-tat spat between Beijing and Washington.

Back home, domestic shares corrected yesterday, 18 April 2018 after rising in past nine consecutive sessions. The barometer index, the S&P BSE Sensex, fell 63.38 points or 0.18% at 34,331.68. The Nifty 50 index fell 22.50 points or 0.21% at 10,526.20.

The trading activity on that day showed that the foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) sold shares worth a net Rs 915.71 crore yesterday, 19 April 2018, as per provisional data released by the stock exchanges. Domestic institutional investors (DIIs) bought shares worth a net Rs 869.70 crore yesterday, 19 April 2018, as per provisional data.

Among corporate news, ACC said its consolidated profit after tax rose 18.48% to Rs 250 crore on 14.45% increase in net sales to Rs 3557 crore in Q1 March 2018 over Q1 March 2017. Operating EBITDA rose 17.99% to Rs 492 crore in Q1 March 2018 over Q1 March 2017. Cement sales volume rose 7.73% to 7.11 million tonnes in Q1 March 2018 over Q1 March 2017. The result was announced after market hours yesterday, 18 April 2018.

In its outlook, ACC said increased government spending on infrastructure development including roads and railways, housing and other schemes as announced in the Union Budget are expected to reinvigorate the construction sector and boost demand for cement and concrete during 2018.

Sun Pharmaceutical Industries said that one of the wholly-owned subsidiaries has increased its shareholding in Ranbaxy Malaysia Sdn Bhd, Malaysia, by way of further purchase of 394,404 shares of face value of MYR 1 each (equivalent to 4.93%) of Ranbaxy Malaysia Sdn Bhd. The announcement was made after market hours yesterday, 18 April 2018.

Ranbaxy Malaysia Sdn Bhd., is a subsidiary of the company, and the total shareholding of Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, alongwith its wholly owned subsidiary is 90.74%, prior to this purchase of shares. Post completion of this purchase of shares, the total holding of the company along with its wholly owned subsidiary will increase to 95.67% in Ranbaxy Malaysia Sdn Bhd.

Infosys will be watched. With reference to media article titled, Whistleblower allegations unfounded: Shaw, Infosys clarified that it has not, till date, received the alleged anonymous whistleblower complaint through its whistleblower complaint reporting channels or from Sebi or SEC and is therefore unable to comment on the complaint or the allegations made therein. In the event the anonymous whistleblower complaint is received by the company through its whistleblower complaint reporting channels or from Sebi or SEC, it will deal with it in accordance with the company's whistleblower policy. The announcement was made after market hours yesterday, 18 April 2018.

Trading of Nifty 50 index futures on the Singapore stock exchange indicates that the Nifty could rise 42 points at the opening bell.

Overseas, Asian stocks rose as an encouraging US earnings season underscored resilient growth. US stocks rallied yesterday, 17 April 2018 amid better-than-expected earnings from industry heavyweights, adding to evidence that the strengthening economy is lifting corporate profits.

Back home, domestic stocks logged gains for the ninth day in a row yesterday, 17 April 2018 after the India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicted a normal monsoon this season. The barometer index, the S&P BSE Sensex, rose 89.63 points or 0.26% at 34,395.06. The Nifty 50 index rose 20.35 points or 0.19% at 10,548.70. The Nifty closed at a 7-week high.

The trading activity on that day showed that the foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) sold shares worth a net Rs 951.39 crore yesterday, 17 April 2018, as per provisional data released by the stock exchanges. Domestic institutional investors (DIIs) bought shares worth a net Rs 723.81 crore yesterday, 17 April 2018, as per provisional data.

Among corporate news, cement major ACC will declare its Q1 March 2018 result today, 18 April 2018.

Drug major Lupin announced that it has received tentative approval from the United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) to market a generic version of AbbVie Inc's AndraGel, 1.62%. Lupin's Testosterone Gel is the generic equivalent of AbbVie Inc.'s AndroGel. It is indicated for replacement therapy in males for conditions associated with a deficiency or absence of endogenous testosterone. Testosterone Gel, 1.62% (20.25 mg/1.25 gm actuation) had annual sales of approximate $956.90 million in the US (IQVIA MAT January 2018). The announcement was made after market hours yesterday, 17 April 2018.

Trading of Nifty 50 index futures on the Singapore stock exchange indicates that the Nifty could fall 3 points at the opening bell.

India is set to get a normal monsoon this year, with average rainfall likely to be 97%, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) announced after market hours yesterday, 16 April 2018. Between 96% and 104% of the long-period average is considered a normal monsoon, and the margin of error is 5%.

Overseas, Asian stocks were trading mixed as investors parsed a mixed set of economic numbers out of China and sought fresh leads after weeks of volatility sparked by trade frictions and geopolitical conflict. US stocks rose yesterday, 16 April 2018 as geopolitical tensions faded and investors turned to what's expected to be a blowout corporate earnings season.

Back home, the Sensex and the Nifty logged modest gains on first trading day of the week yesterday, 16 April 2018. The barometer index, the S&P BSE Sensex, rose 112.78 points or 0.33% to settle at 34,305.43. The Nifty 50 index rose 47.75 points or 0.46% to settle at 10,528.35. The Sensex and the Nifty advanced for the eight straight trading session. The Sensex and the Nifty, both, attained their highest closing levels in almost seven weeks.

The trading activity on that day showed that the foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) sold shares worth a net Rs 308.13 crore yesterday, 16 April 2018, as per provisional data released by the stock exchanges. Domestic institutional investors (DIIs) sold shares worth a net Rs 28.97 crore yesterday, 16 April 2018, as per provisional data.

Among corporate news, Housing Development Finance Corporation (HDFC) will be watched. HDFC Asset Management Company (HDFC AMC), a joint venture between HDFC and Standard Life Investments, reported a 31% jump in profit after tax at Rs 721.61 crore in the year ended March 2018 over the year ended March 2017. The asset management firm's total revenue rose 17.6% to Rs 1867.24 crore in the year ended March 2018 over the year ended March 2017. Total expenses were up 2.11% at Rs 804.73 crore. The announcement was made after market hours yesterday, 16 April 2018.

HDFC AMC last month filed a draft red herring prospectus with Sebi for a public offer of up to 2.54 crore shares.

Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone (APSEZ), India's leading port infrastructure developer and part of the Adani Group, said it signed a long term agreement with Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) to provide Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) regasification services on a use or pay basis to the state-run refiner, at its upcoming LNG import terminal at Dhamra in Odisha. As per the contract, IOC has booked 3 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) regasification capacity spread over 20 years. IOC plans to supply the gas to its refineries in Paradip in Odisha and Haldia in West Bengal. The announcement was made after market hours yesterday, 16 April 2018.

Trading of Nifty 50 index futures on the Singapore stock exchange indicates that the Nifty could fall 58 points at the opening bell. Shares of IT major Infosys will react to its Q4 March 2018 results declared after market hours on Friday, 13 April 2018.

Overseas, Asian stocks were mixed as traders assessed the likelihood the fallout of an American-led strike on Syria could be contained. US stocks fell on Friday, 13 April 2018 as weakness in shares of banks and finance firms added to the political and trade tensions weighing on the market.

US President Donald Trump declared mission accomplished via Twitter on Saturday, a day after the US, France and the UK launched military strikes in response to Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad's suspected chemical attack on civilians.

Back home, domestic stocks logged modest gains in a volatile trading session on Friday, 13 April 2018 led by gains in index heavyweights Reliance Industries, HDFC and Infosys. The barometer index, the S&P BSE Sensex, rose 91.52 points or 0.27% to settle at 34,192.65. The Nifty 50 index rose 21.95 points or 0.21% to settle at 10,480.60.

The trading activity on that day showed that the foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) sold shares worth a net Rs 399.59 crore on Friday, 13 April 2018, as per provisional data released by the stock exchanges. Domestic institutional investors (DIIs) bought shares worth a net Rs 306.05 crore on Friday, 13 April 2018 as per provisional data.

Among corporate news, IT major Infosys announced after market hours Friday, 13 April 2018, that consolidated net profit fell 28.1% to Rs 3690 crore on 1.6% increase in revenues to Rs 18083 crore in Q4 March 2018 over Q3 December 2017. The result are under International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).

On a consolidated basis, Infosys expects revenues to grow 6%-8% in constant currency in the fiscal year ending 31 March 2019 (FY 2019). It expects revenues to grow 8.2%-10.2% in rupee terms in FY 2019.

On 13 April 2018, Infosys entered into a definitive agreement to acquire WongDoody Holding Company, Inc., a US-based digital creative and consumer insights agency for a total consideration of up to $75 million including contingent consideration and retention payouts, subject to regulatory approvals and fulfillment of closing conditions.

Market may open higher mirroring positive cues from Asian markets and overnight rally on the Wall Street. Trading of Nifty 50 index futures on the Singapore stock exchange indicates that the Nifty could rise 24 points at the opening bell.

The all-India general consumer price index (CPI) inflation eased marginally to five-month low of 4.28% in March 2018, compared with 4.44% in February 2018.

India's industrial production continued to record a healthy growth for the fourth straight month at 7.1% in February 2018 over February 2017. The manufacturing sector's production surged 8.7% in February 2018, contributing to the overall growth in industrial production. However, the growth of electricity generation output moderated to 4.5%, while the mining output declined 0.3% in February 2018.

Overseas, Asian shares were trading higher after US market gained in the last session as geopolitical worries ebbed. US stocks closed sharply higher on Thursday, as geopolitical concerns appeared to fade after President Donald Trump tweeted that a military strike on Syria may not be imminent. Escalating tensions over the Middle Eastern country were seen as a major contributor to weakness in Wednesday's session.

Closer home, foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) bought shares worth a net Rs 368.90 crore yesterday, 12 April 2018, as per provisional data released by the stock exchanges. Domestic institutional investors (DIIs) sold shares worth a net Rs 615.81 crore yesterday, 12 April 2018, as per provisional data.

Among corporate news, IT major Infosys announces its Q4 results today, 13 April 2018.

Domestic stocks logged modest gains yesterday, 12 April 2018. The barometer index, the S&P BSE Sensex, rose 160.69 points or 0.47% to settle at 34,101.13. The Nifty 50 index rose 41.50 points or 0.40% to settle at 10,458.65. The Sensex reclaimed the crucial 34,000 level in intraday trade. Extending gains for the sixth straight trading session, the Sensex and the Nifty, both, settled at their highest closing level in over six weeks.

Trading of Nifty 50 index futures on the Singapore stock exchange indicates that the Nifty could rise 21.50 points at the opening bell.

Overseas, most Asian shares declined after Syria tensions and hawkish statements from the US Federal Reserve dented investors' sentiment.

US stocks declined on Wednesday, as worries about geopolitical developments deflated the buying mood on Wall Street. An early morning tweet by President Donald Trump implied the possibility of a military strike in Syria and set the downbeat tone for the session.

Trump's tweet that Russia should get ready for a potential strike on Syria came after a likely chemical weapons attack over the weekend on a rebel-held town in the eastern Ghouta region of Syria. The newfound focus on geopolitics took the focus off a trade spat between the US and China.

Investors also digested the release of minutes from the Federal Open Market Committee's (FOMC) March meeting, which reflected that all policymakers expected the US economy to continue growing and for inflation to rise. Those views strengthened the belief that more interest rate hikes lay ahead.

Closer home, foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) bought shares worth a net Rs 362.30 crore yesterday, 11 April 2018, as per provisional data released by the stock exchanges. Domestic institutional investors (DIIs) bought shares worth a net Rs 111.82 crore yesterday, 11 April 2018, as per provisional data.

Among corporate news, Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) along with BPCL and HPCL incorporated a joint venture company named Ratnagiri Refinery & Petrochemicals (RRPCL) with equity holding of 50:25:25 to jointly develop and build an integrated refinery and petrochemicals complex at Ratnagiri in Maharashtra.

BPCL, IOC, and HPCL signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Saudi Aramco, a leading global integrated energy and chemicals company in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, to jointly develop and build the said project. The partnership would bring together the crude supply, resources, technologies, experiences, and expertise of these multiple oil companies with an established commercial presence around the world. Saudi Aramco may also bring in a strategic partner to co-invest in the project. The announcement was made after market hours yesterday, 11 April 2018.

Key benchmark indices settled with small gains yesterday, 11 April 2018, following a divergent trend in index pivotals. The barometer index, the S&P BSE Sensex, rose 60.19 points or 0.18% to settle at 33,940.44. The Nifty 50 index rose 14.90 points or 0.14% to settle at 10,417.15. Extending gains for the fifth trading session, the Sensex settled at almost six-week high while the Nifty hit over four-week closing high. The market breadth, indicating the overall health of the market, was negative.

Market could see a flat opening after reporting gains in the past four trading sessions. Trading of Nifty 50 index futures on the Singapore stock exchange indicates that the Nifty could rise 1 point at the opening bell.

Overseas, most Asian shares rose as investors sentiment improved after China's President Xi Jinping helped ease fears over a US-China trade row.

China's factory inflation slowed for a fifth month while the consumer price index retreated from a four-year high. The producer price index rose 3.1% in March from a year earlier, compared with 3.7% in February. The consumer price index climbed 2.1%, the statistics bureau said Wednesday, versus 2.9% in February.

US stocks surged on Tuesday, 10 April 2018, thanks to a less-aggressive stance on trade taken by Chinese President Xi Jinping. Xi's conciliatory comments on tariffs sent prices of risky assets such as global equities and commodities higher.

Chinese President Xi said that Beijing plans to give foreign companies greater access to financial and manufacturing sectors. He also talked about a cut in tariffs on car imports and an improvement in protection of intellectual property, among other measures.

Closer home, foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) sold shares worth a net Rs 684.99 crore yesterday, 10 April 2018, as per provisional data released by the stock exchanges. Domestic institutional investors (DIIs) bought shares worth a net Rs 653.65 crore yesterday, 10 April 2018, as per provisional data.

Among corporate news, Infosys will be watched. Calix announced a strategic multi-year partnership with Infosys, that will accelerate communications service provider (CSP) adoption of AXOS, its Software Defined Access (SDA) Platform. Calix and Infosys will jointly invest to co-create new services and value-added offerings on the award winning AXOS platform. By reducing time-to-market for new AXOS capabilities and greatly broadening AXOS offerings, the partnership will enable service providers to accelerate deployments of next generation access networks that will dramatically reduce their operating cost and enable them to deploy new services at a rapid pace. The announcement was made after market hours yesterday, 10 April 2018.

Key benchmark indices logged modest gains on Tuesday, 10 April 2018, on firm global cues. The barometer index, the S&P BSE Sensex, rose 91.71 points or 0.27% to settle 33,880.25. The Nifty 50 index rose 22.90 points or 0.22% to settle at 10,402.25. Shares across the globe edged higher after a speech by Chinese President Xi Jinping calmed investor jitters over an escalating US-China trade row. Domestic stocks logged gains for the fourth day in a row yesterday, 10 April 2018.

Trading of Nifty 50 index futures on the Singapore stock exchange indicates that the Nifty could rise 22 points at the opening bell on positive Asian cues.

Overseas, Asian shares rose as Chinese President Xi Jinping reportedly discussed plans to further open up the Chinese economy during a Tuesday address. Xi's address, from the Boao Forum for Asia, an annual summit, comes amid escalating trade tensions between China and the US take turns announcing punitive trade measures against each other. Jinping reportedly said China's reform and opening up will definitely succeed and that a Cold War mentality, zero-sum thinking, and isolationism would hit walls.

US stocks pared intraday gains in the final minutes of trading, closing with modest gains on Monday following news reports that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) raided the office of Michael Cohen, President Donald Trump's personal lawyer. Earlier, all the main indexes were trading sharply higher, as comments from Trump and administration officials alleviated fears about rising trade hostilities between the US and China.

Closer home, foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) sold shares worth a net Rs 1300.93 crore yesterday, 9 April 2018, as per provisional data released by the stock exchanges. Domestic institutional investors (DIIs) bought shares worth a net Rs 359.35 crore yesterday, 9 April 2018, as per provisional data.

Among corporate news, Wipro announced after market hours yesterday, 9 April 2018, that its fourth-quarter revenue and profitability would be hit by the insolvency proceedings of one of its telecom clients in India. The company said it has been working with the Insolvency Resolution Professional to discuss the potential outcome of its client's insolvency petition.

It is estimated that this development will have an impact on both revenue and profitability. The company is likely to see an impact on profitability at the net income level in the range of 65-75 basis points of the consolidated revenues for the quarter ended 31 March 2018, Wipro said in a statement.

Though Wipro did not name the telecom client, it said that it had initially signed a deal with the client in 2008 and had renewed the contract in 2013. Wipro added that the client had filed its insolvency petition on 28 February 2018.

Key benchmark indices logged modest gains as global stocks rose on hopes that a full blown trade war between the United States and China could be averted. The barometer index, the S&P BSE Sensex, rose 161.57 points or 0.48% to settle at 33,788.54. The Nifty 50 index rose 47.75 points or 0.46% to settle at 10,379.35.

Trading of Nifty 50 index futures on the Singapore stock exchange indicates that the Nifty could fall 42.50 points at the opening bell.

Overseas, most Asian stocks were trading higher. China has tightened restrictions on exports to North Korea of items with potential dual use in weapons of mass destruction and conventional arms. The ban on exports of potential dual-use items, including software, machinery and chemicals, is in line with UN Security Council resolution number 2375. That resolution was passed in September.

US stocks closed sharply lower on Friday, 6 April 2018, led by a selloff in industrials and financials, as investors continued to fret over an escalating China-US trade fight.

The selling pressure followed Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell's speech in which he backed a patient approach to raising interest rates. The Fed chairman said going slow on rate hikes has also reduced the risk of an unforeseen blow to the economy that might have pushed the economy into recession.

Investors also digested a weaker-than-expected jobs report that showed that wage growth remains tepid. The US economy added just 103,000 new jobs in March. The unemployment rate was unchanged at 4.1%.

Closer home, foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) sold shares worth a net Rs 524.85 crore on Friday, 6 April 2018, as per provisional data released by the stock exchanges. Domestic institutional investors (DIIs) bought shares worth a net Rs 1305.45 crore on Friday, 6 April 2018, as per provisional data.

Key domestic indices reported small gains after alternately moving in positive and negative zone throughout the trading session on Friday, 6 April 2018. The barometer index, the S&P BSE Sensex, rose 30.17 points or 0.09% at 33,626.97. The Nifty 50 index rose 6.45 points, or 0.06% at 10,331.60.

Trading of Nifty 50 index futures on the Singapore stock exchange indicates that the Nifty could fall 18 points at the opening bell.

Overseas, most Asian stocks fell while US stock futures dropped sharply after US President Donald Trump ordered his administration to consider tariffs on an additional $100 billion worth of Chinese imports.

US stocks rose for a third day yesterday, 5 April 2018 as White House officials signaled that the president's tough talk on trade won't lead to growth-sapping tariffs.

Back home, key benchmark indices logged strong gains yesterday, 5 April 2018 in tandem with world stocks, as concerns over trade tensions between between US and China ebbed. The Sensex rose 577.73 points or 1.75% to settle at 33,596.80, its highest closing level since 15 March 2018.

The trading activity on that day showed that the foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) sold shares worth a net Rs 108.02 crore yesterday, 5 April 2018 as per provisional data released by the stock exchanges. Domestic institutional investors (DIIs) bought shares worth a net Rs 615.28 crore yesterday, 5 April 2018, as per provisional data.

Among corporate news, HCL Technologies (HCL) announced the acquisition of C3i Solutions, a leader in multi-channel customer engagement services for the life sciences and consumer packaged goods (CPG) industries, from Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, New Jersey, USA (known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada). With this acquisition, HCL will complement its broad-based IT and business services capability with the additional depth that C3i has in the life sciences and CPG verticals. The announcement was made after market hours yesterday, 5 April 2018.

Domestic stocks are likely to see a gap-up opening tracking firm Asian stocks. Trading of Nifty 50 index futures on the Singapore stock exchange indicates that the Nifty could jump 150 points at the opening bell. Traders and investors are awaiting the outcome of the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) monetary policy meeting.

The RBI's two-day Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting began yesterday, 4 April 2018 for the first bi-monthly monetary policy for 2018-2019. The resolution of the MPC will be announced at 14:30 IST today, 5 April 2018. As per reports, the central bank is likely to keep interest rates unchanged in the first monetary policy review of the current fiscal year, amid a gradual recovery in growth and easing inflation.

In its last meeting on 7 February 2018, RBI decided to keep the policy repo rate under the liquidity adjustment facility (LAF) unchanged at 6%. Consequently, the reverse repo rate under the LAF was at 5.75%, and the marginal standing facility (MSF) rate and the bank rate at 6.25%.

Overseas, Asian shares were trading higher as investors welcomed signals the US and China are open to negotiations rather than escalating threatened tit-for-tat trade tariffs. Markets in mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan were closed for holidays.

China's tariffs would place 25% duties on major US exports to China including airplanes, autos and soybeans, covering 106 categories of products and affecting $50 billion of goods. The announcement followed plans by the Trump administration to impose tariffs of 25% on Chinese products worth $50 billion, on top of levies introduced on steel and aluminum last month. Retaliatory Chinese levies on US pork and fruit came into effect early this week.

US stocks closed sharply higher yesterday, 4 April 2018 amid heavy intraday volatility as investors speculated the likelihood of, or the potential impact from, a trade war between the United States and China.

Back home, the market declined sharply yesterday, 4 April 2018, mirroring weak global stocks, amid escalating trade war between China and the US. The Sensex fell 351.56 points or 1.05% to settle at 33,019.07, its lowest closing level since 28 March 2018.

The trading activity on that day showed that the foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) bought shares worth a net Rs 335.18 crore yesterday, 4 April 2018 as per provisional data released by the stock exchanges. Domestic institutional investors (DIIs) sold shares worth a net Rs 152.55 crore yesterday, 4 April 2018, as per provisional data.

Among corporate news, shares in interest-rate sensitive sectors such as auto, banking and realty will be in focus ahead of the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) monetary policy decision today, 5 April 2018.

ICICI Bank will be watched. With reference to news article titled, 'SFIO awaits ministry nod to investigate ICICI-Videocon case', ICICI Bank clarified after market hours yesterday, 4 April 2018, that it has not received any communication from the Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO) in the above matter.

Stock indices may open on a flat note tracking mixed trend in Asian stocks. Trading of Nifty 50 index futures on the Singapore stock exchange indicates that the Nifty could fall 2 points at the opening bell. Traders and investors are awaiting the outcome of the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) monetary policy meeting.

The RBI's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meets today, 4 April 2018 and tomorrow, 5 April 2018 for the first bi-monthly monetary policy for 2018-2019. The resolution of the MPC will be announced at 14:30 IST tomorrow, 5 April 2018.

In its last meeting on 7 February 2018, RBI decided to keep the policy repo rate under the liquidity adjustment facility (LAF) unchanged at 6%. Consequently, the reverse repo rate under the LAF remains at 5.75%, and the marginal standing facility (MSF) rate and the bank rate at 6.25%.

Overseas, Asian stocks were trading mixed as investors took a cautious stance following the latest developments in US-China trade tensions. US stocks closed higher yesterday, 3 April 2018 as investors digested a sharp move lower in the previous session and gauged the likelihood of both trade risk and further weakness in technology names.

The US unveiled 25% levies on a range of Chinese imports from high-tech industries like medicine, aviation and semiconductor machinery to intermediate goods like machinery and chemicals.

Back home, key benchmarks registered modest gains after a volatile trading session led by gains in index pivotals ICICI Bank and Reliance Industries. The Sensex rose 115.27 points or 0.35% to settle at 33,370.63, its highest closing level since 15 March 2018.

The trading activity on that day showed that the foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) sold shares worth a net Rs 376.51 crore yesterday, 3 April 2018, as per provisional data released by the stock exchanges. Domestic institutional investors (DIIs) bought shares worth a net Rs 479.18 crore yesterday, 3 April 2018, as per provisional data.

Among corporate news, Akzo Nobel India said that its board will meet on 6 April 2018, to consider a proposal to buyback equity shares. The announcement was made after market hours yesterday, 3 April 2018.

AU Small Finance Bank said it entered into agreement with Future Generali India Life Insurance Company to act as corporate agent for life insurance business. This tie up shall be mutually beneficial for bank and Future Generali India Life Insurance Company in terms of business, market penetration and reach. The announcement was made after market hours yesterday, 3 April 2018.

Domestic stocks are headed for a weak start on negative Asian stocks. Trading of Nifty 50 index futures on the Singapore stock exchange indicates that the Nifty could slide 60 points at the opening bell.

Traders and investors are awaiting the outcome of the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) monetary policy meeting. The RBI's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meets on 4 April 2018 and 5 April 2018 for the first bi-monthly monetary policy for 2018-2019. The resolution of the MPC will be announced at 14:30 IST on 5 April 2018.

In its last meeting on 7 February 2018, RBI decided to keep the policy repo rate under the liquidity adjustment facility (LAF) unchanged at 6%. Consequently, the reverse repo rate under the LAF remains at 5.75%, and the marginal standing facility (MSF) rate and the bank rate at 6.25%.

Markit Economics will today, 3 April 2018 unveil the result of a monthly survey on the performance of India's manufacturing sector in March 2018. The Nikkei India Manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) fell to 52.1 in February 2018 from 52.4 in January 2018.

Overseas, Asian stocks declined as a sell-off in once much-favored US technology shares deepened and volatility soared. US stocks fell sharply yesterday, 2 April 2018 driven by both uncertainty surrounding trade policy and weakness in the large-capitalization technology and internet sectors.

The IHS Markit manufacturing purchasing managers index hit a three-year high of 55.6 in March, up from 55.3. The ISM manufacturing report for the same month came in at 59.3, compared with a previous monthly reading of 60.8. A reading of 50 or above indicates improving conditions.

Back home, domestic stocks logged modest gains in steady session of trade led by index heavyweights HDFC Bank, Kotak Mahindra Bank and Reliance Industries. The Sensex gained 286.68 points or 0.87% to settle at 33,255.36, its highest closing level since 15 March 2018.

The trading activity on that day showed that the foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) sold shares worth a net Rs 689.75 crore yesterday, 2 April 2018, as per provisional data released by the stock exchanges. Domestic institutional investors (DIIs) bought shares worth a net Rs 413.16 crore yesterday, 2 April 2018, as per provisional data.

Domestic stocks are likely to open on a firm note as trading resumes after a long weekend. Trading of Nifty 50 index futures on the Singapore stock exchange indicates that the Nifty could jump 72 points at the opening bell. Stock specific action will be witnessed on account of rejig in the Nifty 50 index.

Overseas, Asian shares were trading higher. US stocks rose on Thursday, 29 March 2018 with tech shares leading the way, as equity markets ended a tumultuous quarter on a high note. Many major financial centers were closed for the Good Friday Easter holiday

Back home, the stock market closed the volatile session on Wednesday, 28 March 2018 with modest losses amid weak global cues. The Sensex fell 205.71 points or 0.62% to settle at 32,968.68, its lowest closing level since 23 March 2018.

The stock market had remained shut on Thursday, 29 March 2018 for Mahavir Jayanti and also on Friday, 30 March 2018 on the eve of Good Friday.

The trading activity on that day showed that the foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) sold shares worth a net Rs 1190.55 crore on Wednesday, 28 March 2018, as per provisional data released by the stock exchanges. Domestic institutional investors (DIIs) bought shares worth a net Rs 1960.67 crore on Wednesday, 28 March 2018, as per provisional data.

Among corporate news, stock specific action will be witnessed on account of rejig in the Nifty 50 index. Bajaj Finserv, Grasim Industries and Titan Company will replace Ambuja Cements, Aurobindo Pharma and Bosch in the Nifty 50 index today, 2 April 2018.

Maruti Suzuki India said that its total sales rose 14.9% to 1.60 lakh units in March 2018 over March 2017. The announcement was made on Sunday, 1 April 2018.

Tata Motors registered a growth of 35% at 69,440 units in March 2018 as against 51,309 units in March 2017 due to the continued strong sales performance of its commercial and passenger vehicles business in the domestic market. The announcement was made on Sunday, 1 April 2018.

Coal India announced the provisional production and offtake figures of the company and its subsidiaries in March 2018. The company achieved 105% of the targeted coal production at 72.28 million tonnes in March 2018. Actual offtake was 95% of the targeted offtake at 55.19 million tonnes in March 2018. The announcement was made on Sunday, 1 April 2018.

ICICI Bank will be in focus. Media reports alleged that the bank sanctioned Rs 3250 crore of loans to Videocon Group because its chairman Venugopal Dhoot supposedly had dealings with NuPower Renewables, founded by ICICI Bank's MD & CEO Chanda Kochhar's husband Deepak Kochhar.

ICICI Bank clarified to the bourses after market hours on 28 March 2018 that its board reviewed the bank's internal processes for credit approval and found them robust. The board also expressed and reposed full faith and confidence in its MD & CEO, Chanda Kochhar.

In a separate announcement on 29 March 2018, ICICI Bank said that the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) imposed through an order dated 26 March 2018, a monetary penalty of Rs 58.90 crore on ICICI Bank for non-compliance with directions issued by RBI on direct sale of securities from its Held To Maturity (HTM) portfolio and specified disclosure in this regard.

ICICI Bank clarified that RBI has imposed a penalty on the bank for continued sale of government securities classified as HTM. ICICI Bank continued with the sales from HTM category for a few weeks during the quarter ended 31 March 2017, due to a genuine misunderstanding on the timing of the applicability of RBI's direction in this matter.

Market may edge lower in early trade amid weak global cues. Trading of Nifty 50 index futures on the Singapore stock exchange indicates that the Nifty could fall 58 points at the opening bell.

Overseas, Asian stocks drop tracking slide on Wall Street. US stocks closed sharply lower yesterday, 27 March 2018, erasing earlier gains, as a decline in the broader tech sector brought the major indices down. Last week, reports emerged alleging that Cambridge Analytica, an analytics company, had gathered data from 50 million Facebook profiles without users' permission, raising concerns over data privacy.

Back home, State Bank of India (SBI) announced that the committee of directors for capital raising approved allotment of 29.25 crore equity shares on preferential basis to the Government of India, at Rs 300.82 per share, aggregating to Rs 8799.99 crore. The announcement was made after market hours yesterday, 27 March 2018.

The total revenue received under Goods and Services Tax (GST) for the month of February 2018 (received in February/March upto 26 March) has been Rs 85174 crore. 1.05 crore taxpayers have been registered under GST so far till 25 March 2018.

The stock market registered small gains on positive global cues yesterday, 27 March 2018 amid easing trade war fears between the US and China. The Sensex had risen 107.98 points or 0.33% to settle at 33,174.39, its highest closing level since 16 March 2018.

The trading activity showed that the foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) bought shares worth a net Rs 1063.12 crore on 27 March 2018 as per provisional data released by the stock exchanges. Domestic institutional investors (DIIs) purchased shares worth a net Rs 2172.91 crore on 27 March 2018, as per provisional data.

The stock market may see higher opening on strong global cues. Overseas, Asian stocks edged higher after Wall Street rebounded in previous trading session amid a slight easing in trade tensions. US stocks closed sharply higher yesterday, 26 March 2018, bouncing back from strong losses in the previous session as trade tensions between the US and China appeared to ease.

Back home, IT major Wipro announced an expanded global relationship with Adobe to create, build and run digital marketing solutions and campaigns for their clients, across the globe. As a part of this alliance, Wipro will embed Adobe's design and prototyping software, Adobe XD CC, the all-in-one UX/UI solution for designing and prototyping mobile apps and websites, into its Digital Experience Platform. The announcement was made after trading hours yesterday, 26 March 2018.

On the macro economic front, the Government of India (GoI), in consultation with Reserve Bank of India (RBI), deliberated over its borrowing programme for FY 2019 and finalised its borrowing calendar for the first half of FY 2019. GoI had budgeted for FY 2019 Gross G-Sec borrowing of Rs 6.05 lakh crore. The GoI intends to use larger inflows from small savings schemes to fund its fiscal deficit during the year. The GoI will borrow Rs 1 lakh crore from NSSF as against budgeted amount of Rs 75000 crore. After making careful assessment of its financial needs for the first half, the GoI's gross G-Sec borrowing will be only Rs 2.88 lakh crore in the first half of FY 2019. This makes up only 47.5% as against 60-65% share in this period in previous years.

The GoI also plans to issue more Floating Rate Bonds (FRBs) and introduce CPI linked bonds, both put together, to the extent of 10% of issuances during the year.

The GoI will introduce two benchmarks during this half year - 2-year and 5-year - to meet the market demand. More issuance will be planned in short and long-term maturity bucket, reducing the issuance in medium term segments of 10-14 years to around 29%, as against more than 50% issuances in previous years.

GoI's T Bill programme for the first quarter is to raise Rs 1.95 lakh crore. During this period, T Bills of Rs 1.53 lakh crore will expire. The gross borrowing per week under T-Bills will be Rs 15000 crore.

The stock market jumped yesterday, 26 March 2018, as gains in European stocks and recovery in Asian shares boosted investors' sentiment on easing fears of global trade wars. The Sensex had surged 469.87 points or 1.44% to settle at 33,066.41, its highest closing level since 21 March 2018.

The trading activity showed that the foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) sold shares worth a net Rs 741.19 crore on 26 March 2018 as per provisional data released by the stock exchanges. Domestic institutional investors (DIIs) bought shares worth a net Rs 2017.95 crore on 26 March 2018, as per provisional data.

The stock market may extend Friday's losses amid weak global cues. Trading of Nifty 50 index futures on the Singapore stock exchange indicates that the Nifty could fall 40 points at the opening bell.

Overseas, Asian stocks edged lower amid fears that rising tensions between the United States and China could lead to a full-blown trade war. US stocks fell sharply on Friday, 23 March 2018 as investors assessed the possibility of a trade war brewing between the US and China.

Back home, Reliance Industries (RIL) on 23 March 2018 executed definitive agreements for combination of Saavn, a leading global music OTT platform, with its digital music service, JioMusic. The combined entity is valued at over US$1 billion, with JioMusic's implied valuation at US$ 670 million. The integrated business will be developed into a media platform of the future with global reach, cross-border original content, an independent artist marketplace, consolidated data and one of the largest mobile advertising mediums.

Reliance will also invest upto Rupee equivalent of US$100 million, out of which Rupee equivalent of US$20 million will be invested upfront, for growth and expansion of the platform into one of the largest streaming services in the world. The company will continue to operate the over-the-top media platform available on all app stores. The three co-founders of Saavn, Rishi Malhotra, Paramdeep Singh and Vinodh Bhat, will continue in their leadership roles and will drive growth of the combined entity.

In addition, Reliance is acquiring partial stake from the existing shareholders of Saavn for US$104 million, while these shareholders retain their balance stake. The shareholder base of Saavn includes Tiger Global Management, Liberty Media and Bertelsmann among others. The announcement was made after market hours on Friday, 23 March 2018.

The stock market tumbled on Friday, 23 March 2018 due to weak global equities after US President Donald Trump announced tariffs on Chinese goods, stoking fears of a trade war. The Sensex had fallen 409.73 points or 1.24% to settle at 32,596.54, its lowest closing level since 23 October 2017.

The trading activity showed that the foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) bought shares worth a net Rs 1628.19 crore on 23 March 2018 as per provisional data released by the stock exchanges. Domestic institutional investors (DIIs) sold shares worth a net Rs 935.41 crore on 23 March 2018, as per provisional data.

Market is seen opening sharply lower tracking weak global cues amid concerns that trade war could hit global growth. Trading of Nifty 50 index futures on the Singapore stock exchange indicates that the Nifty could slump 101 points at the opening bell.

Overseas, Asian markets slumped on Friday, tracking sharp falls in US stocks, which took a hit on fears of a potential trade war. In China, Shanghai Composite was down 2.69%. In Japan, the Nikkei 225 was down 3.71%.

US stocks fell sharply on Thursday, with major indices suffering their worst day in weeks as the threat of a trade war with China sparked a widespread selloff.

US President Donald Trump signed an executive memorandum on Thursday that would impose retaliatory tariffs on at least $50 billion in Chinese imports. The new measures are designed to penalise China for trade practices that the Trump administration says involve stealing American companies' intellectual property. They will primarily target certain products in the technology sector where China holds an advantage over the US. Investors are concerned that protectionist trade policies could be met with retaliatory measures by major trading partners, and that a trade war could contribute to inflation in the economy.

Closer home, foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) bought shares worth a net Rs 161.11 crore yesterday, 22 March 2018, as per provisional data released by the stock exchanges. Domestic institutional investors (DIIs) bought shares worth a net Rs 409.89 crore yesterday, 22 March 2018, as per provisional data.

Among corporate news, Hero MotoCorp (HMCL) said that the company through its wholly owned subsidiary, HMCL Netherlands B.V. (HMCL BV), entered into a joint venture agreement in 2014 (as subsequently amended from time to time) and certain ancillary agreements inter alia, for sale, distribution and marketing of the company's products in Colombia. The joint venture is being implemented through a joint venture company incorporated in Colombia, i.e. HMCL Colombia S.a.S (the JVC). The announcement was made after market hours yesterday, 22 March 2018.

Pursuant to subsequent investment by HMCL BV into the share capital of the JVC, the equity interests/shareholding of the joint venture partners in the JVC have been re-aligned whereby the company's equity interest/shareholding in the JVC (through HMCL BV) has increased to 68%, on a fully diluted basis, from 51%; and the other joint venture partner's equity interest/shareholding in the JVC, held through Woven Holdings LLC, has decreased to 32%, on a fully diluted basis, from 49%.

L&T Technology Services said that Germany's Covestro, a world-leading manufacturer of high-tech polymer materials, has chosen the company as one of its major engineering services partners to implement digitalization based Engineering Programs across Covestro's global locations. L&T Technology Services has been awarded a multi-million dollar contract by Covestro to execute these engineering transformational programs. The announcement was made after market hours yesterday, 22 March 2018.

Covestro is running a digitalization program for engineering, operations and maintenance activities: “OSI2020” (Optimized System Integration). Within this program, L&T Technology Services has been selected as the engineering partner to drive digital transformation across Covestro's 8 global locations, especially in the area of data migration.

Key benchmark indices logged modest losses yesterday, 22 March 2018. The barometer index, the S&P BSE Sensex, fell 129.91 points or 0.39% to settle at 33,006.27. The Nifty 50 index fell 40.50 points or 0.40% to settle at 10,114.75. The Sensex finished a tad above the psychologically important 33,000 mark after gyrating above and below that level.

Market is seen opening higher, tracking positive leads from Asian markets. Trading of Nifty 50 index futures on the Singapore stock exchange indicates that the Nifty could rise 38 points at the opening bell.

Overseas, Asian markets rose on Thursday after the US Federal Reserve raised interest rates for the first time this year. US stocks ended a volatile session slightly lower on Wednesday after the Federal Reserve delivered its sixth interest-rate increase since the end of 2015 and signaled it still expects to deliver two more before the end of the year.

The Fed raised overnight rates by 25 basis points, in line with market expectations. Central bank officials also raised their GDP forecast. Fed officials also released their projections for the federal funds rate, which remained unchanged for 2018. The central bank, however, raised its 2019 forecast, saying it sees the benchmark rate at 2.9%, up from a 2.7% projection released in December.

In US, the current-account deficit rose by 26% in the fourth quarter, widening to $128.20 billion from a revised $101.5 billion in the third quarter. Existing-home sales ran at a seasonally adjusted annual pace of 5.54 million in February.

Closer home, foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) bought shares worth a net Rs 98.44 crore yesterday, 21 March 2018, as per provisional data released by the stock exchanges. Domestic institutional investors (DIIs) bought shares worth a net Rs 197.78 crore yesterday, 21 March 2018, as per provisional data.

Among corporate news, Sun Pharmaceutical Industries (Sun Pharma) announced that the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved ILUMYA (tildrakizumab-asmn) for the treatment of adults with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis who are candidates for systemic therapy or phototherapy. The announcement was made after market hours yesterday, 21 March 2018.

Axis Bank issued a clarification after market hours yesterday, 21 March 2018, to media reports referring to a bank guarantee issued by the bank to certain telecom companies. Axis Bank said that the bank guarantee has been issued by the bank on behalf of Bharti Airtel. Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT), vide its order dated 9 January 2018 has required the bank guarantee to be returned. Axis Bank has been informed that the TDSAT order is operative. The bank is seeking clarification from TDSAT on the matter, and will comply with all directions.

Axis Bank clarified that the bank has non-fund based exposure of Rs 9222 crore to the telecom sector as of 31 December 2017, of which approximately 97% is to clients rated AA or better. The bank also informed that it has no exposure to Aircel.

After an intraday rally in first half, the key benchmark indices trimmed gains in second half of the day's trading session to end with modest gains yesterday, 21 March 2018. The barometer index, the S&P BSE Sensex, gained 139.42 points or 0.42% to settle at 33,136.18. The Nifty 50 index rose 30.90 points or 0.31% to settle at 10,155.25. The Sensex settled above the psychological 33,000 mark, a day after falling below that level. Domestic stocks rose for second day in a row even as investors await US Federal Reserve's policy statement due later in the day.