The Sensex and the Nifty ended near flat line amid mixed cues from other Asian shares. Selling in Kotak Mahindra Bank, HDFC Bank and Reliance Industries capped gains. The indices opened lower, but bounced back in morning trade. The recovery was short lived as indices slipped once again in mid-morning trade. Benchmarks firmed up again in mid-afternoon trade and ended near flat line. The Nifty briefly crossed 10,800 mark in intraday trade.

The Sensex fell 26.87 points or 0.07% to settle at 35,871.48. The index rose 43.34 points, or 0.12% at the day's high of 35,941.69. The index fell 102.56 points, or 0.29% at the day's low of 35,795.79.

The Nifty 50 index rose 1.80 points or 0.02% to settle at 10,791.65. The index rose 11.70 points, or 0.11% at the day's high of 10,801.55. The index fell 31.45 points, or 0.29% at the day's low of 10,758.40.

Among secondary barometers, the BSE Mid-Cap index rose 0.38%. The BSE Small-Cap index rose 0.77%. Both these indices outperformed the Sensex.

The market breadth, indicating the overall health of the market, was strong. On BSE, 1622 shares rose and 910 shares fell. A total of 153 shares were unchanged.

Among the sectoral indices on BSE, the S&P BSE Metal index (up 1.62%), the S&P BSE Realty index (up 1.38%), the S&P BSE Auto index (up 1.55%) outperformed the Sensex. The S&P BSE Energy index (down 0.17%), the S&P BSE Finance index (down 0.31%), the S&P BSE Bankex (down 0.43%) underperformed the Sensex.

Auto shares advanced. Tata Motors (up 2.86%), Mahindra & Mahindra (up 2.01%), Maruti Suzuki India (up 1.76%), Hero MotoCorp (up 1.65%), TVS Motor Company (up 1.52%), Ashok Leyland (up 0.92%), Eicher Motors (up 0.39%) and Bajaj Auto (up 0.25%), edged higher. Escorts fell 0.02%.

Among index pivotals, HDFC Bank (down 1.11%), Reliance Industries (down 1.11%), HDFC (down 0.35%) and ITC (down 0.22%), edged lower.

Yes Bank rose 3.23%. The bank clarified during trading hours today, 22 February 2019, that its disclosure with regard to 'Divergence' was in line with the practice followed by the peer banks, wherein apart from the disclosure on 'Divergence', no mention is made on the rest of the RAR due to the reasons of confidentiality, i.e. no part of the RAR can be disclosed without prior approval of RBI. However, after receipt of the letter from RBI dated February 15, 2019, in response to the disclosure made by the bank on February 13, 2019, the Bank disseminated the contents of the said RBI letter on February 15, 2019, in which it was clearly disclosed to the stock exchanges that there are other lapses and regulatory breaches in various areas of the Bank's functioning in the RAR. Therefore, the bank has fully complied with the disclosure requirements in line with Regulations and also the directives of the RBI.

Kotak Mahindra Bank fell 3.71% at Rs 1241.05, following a series of bulk deals on the stock exchanges. Media reported on Thursday that ING Group could sell around 1.20% stake in the private sector lender through block deals at an offer price of in the range of Rs 1,125-1,250 per share. ING Mauritius Investments held a 3.06% stake in Kotak Mahindra Bank as of 31 December 2018.

Dr Reddy's Laboratories rose 2.01% at Rs 2637.40 after the company said that the audit of its formulations Shrevepmi plant, Louisiana, USA, by the USFDA, has been completed with zero observations. The announcement was made during market hours today, 22 February 2019.

Tata Steel rose 0.81% at Rs 501.95. The company informed that the meeting of the board of directors of the company is scheduled on 26 February 2019, inter alia, to consider and approve the issuance of unsecured Non-Convertible Debentures on private placement basis. The announcement was made after market hours yesterday, 21 February 2019.

Reliance Nippon Life Asset Management jumped 6.09% to Rs 198.45. Reliance Capital announced yesterday, 21 February 2019, that it has invited its partner, Nippon Life Insurance Co. to make an offer to acquire up to 42.88% stake held by Reliance Capital in Reliance Nippon Life Asset Management (RNAM). Nippon Life Insurance Co. already holds 42.88% stake in RNAM.

Suzlon Energy surged 30.93% to Rs 5.80. The stock hit an intraday high of Rs 6.15.

Meanwhile, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Thursday released the minutes of the Monetary Policy Committee's meeting held on February 5-7. Governor Shaktikanta Das has said that the neutral stance of the central bank will provide flexibility and the room to address challenges to sustained growth of the Indian economy over the coming months, as long as the inflation outlook remains benign.

In his statement, Das said that global growth was losing traction amidst lingering trade tensions and uncertainty around Brexit. On the positive side, crude oil prices remain soft, though the benefit for net exports could be restricted due to slowing global demand. GDP growth for 2019-20 is projected at 7.4% - in the range of 7.2-7.4% in H1, and 7.5% in Q3 - with risks evenly balanced.

Das noted that the CPI inflation print of December at 2.2% continued to surprise on the downside. The RBI Governor also believed that the outlook for food inflation was expected to be benign in the backdrop of excess domestic supply conditions in many food items. CPI inflation is projected at below 4% in the remaining four quarters - 2.8% in Q4:2018-19, 3.2-3.4% in H1:2019-20 and 3.9% in Q3:2019-20 - with risks broadly balanced.

In the foreign exchange market, the rupee edged higher against the dollar. The partially convertible rupee was hovering at 71.17, compared with closing of 71.24 during the previous trading session.

In global commodities markets, Brent crude oil futures edged higher. Brent for April 2019 settlement was up 16 cents at $67.23 a barrel.

Overseas, European stocks were trading higher Friday, as market participants closely monitored signs of progress in trade talks between the world's two largest economies.

Asian shares ended mixed, following a negative closing in the US stocks after the release of a stream of disappointing global economic data on Thursday. Investors continue to closely watch high-level talks between US and Chinese trade negotiators in Washington, with little more than a week left before a US-imposed deadline for an agreement expires, triggering higher tariffs.

US stocks finished lower Thursday as fresh economic data out of Europe and Japan suggest further slowing in global growth. Concerns about slowing global growth were underscored by the release of surveys from Europe and Japan that showed manufacturing contracting in February, with export-dependent German manufacturers reporting the worst drop in activity in more than six years.

In US, December's durable goods data showed a surprise slowdown in business spending. The Philadelphia Fed manufacturing survey fell to minus 4.1, the first negative number since May 2016 and the biggest drop since August 2011. Markit PMI data also showed manufacturing activity at the slowest pace in 17 months.

Domestic stocks ended higher for second straight session amid positive global cues. Broader market outperformed the main stock indices. The Nifty ended a tad below 10,800 mark.

The barometer index, the S&P BSE Sensex, rose 142.09 points or 0.40% to settle at 35,898.35. The index hit high of 35,983.07 and low of 35,707.29 in intraday trade.

The Nifty 50 index rose 54.40 points or 0.51% to settle at 10,789.85. The index hit high of 10,808.85 and low of 10,721.50 in intraday trade.

Broader market outperformed the main stock indices. Among secondary barometers, the BSE Mid-Cap index rose 0.88%. The BSE Small-Cap index rose 1.07%.

The market breadth, indicating the overall health of the market, was strong. On BSE, 1583 shares rose and 969 shares fell. A total of 147 shares were unchanged.

Among the sectoral indices on BSE, the S&P BSE Metal index (up 1.14%), the S&P BSE Basic Materials index (up 1.29%), the S&P BSE Consumer Durables index (down 1.43%) outperformed the Sensex. The S&P BSE IT index (down 0.32%), the S&P BSE Teck index (down 0.21%), the S&P BSE Utilities index (up 0.2%) underperformed the Sensex.

Tata Motors (up 2.94%), Vedanta (up 2.78%), ONGC (up 2.05%), Bajaj Finance (up 2.01%), Sun Pharmaceutical Industries (up 1.79%) and ICICI Bank (up 1.51%) were the major Sensex gainers.

Yes Bank (down 1.33%), Infosys (down 0.91%), and Maruti Suzuki India (down 0.76%) were the major Sensex losers.

Tata Steel rose 2.94% after Moody's Investors Service upgraded the company's corporate family rating by one notch to Ba2 from Ba3. The announcement was made after market hours yesterday, 20 February 2019.

Global ratings agency Moody's Investors Service upgraded Tata Steel's corporate family rating (CFR) by one notch to Ba2 from Ba3. The outlook is stable. Tata Steel's CFR is supported by its significant, diversified and growing operating base and its globally cost competitive steel operations in India, with the latter being a function of its ownership of key raw materials. These factors, alongside favorable industry dynamics in its key operating market in India have translated into the company's sustained track record of improving credit metrics.

Tech Mahindra rose 1.07% to Rs 820.40. The company announced during trading hours today, 21 February 2019, that its board approved the proposal to buyback upto 2.05 crore equity shares, or 2.10% equity, at Rs 950 each. The announcement was made during market hours today, 21 February 2019.

Tech Mahindra said the company's board of directors approved the proposal for buyback of equity shares not exceeding 20,585,000 equity shares (being 2.10% of the total paid-up equity capital of the company) from the equity shareholders of the company as on 6 March 2019 (Record Date) at Rs 950 per share, for an aggregate amount not exceeding Rs 1956 crore on a proportionate basis through the tender offer route.

Dr Reddy's Laboratories rose 3.02% after the company announced the re-launch of a therapeutic equivalent generic version of Suboxone sublingual film, in the United States market. The announcement was made after market hours yesterday, 20 February 2019.

Dr Reddy's Laboratories announced the re-launch of its Buprenorphine and Naloxone Sublingual Film, 2 mg/0.5 mg, 4 mg/1 mg, 8 mg/2 mg, and 12 mg/3 mg, a therapeutic equivalent generic version of Suboxone (buprenorphine and naloxone) sublingual film, in the United States market.

The re-launch comes on the heels of a favorable decision issued by the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit concluding that Indivior had not shown that it is likely to succeed on its claim that Dr Reddy's product infringes U.S. Patent No. 9,931,305. The Federal Circuit's decision vacates the District Court's preliminary injunction that had prohibited Dr Reddy's from selling its generic version of Suboxone (buprenorphine and naloxone) sublingual film. As a result of the Federal Circuit's ruling, Dr Reddy's has resumed shipping of the product.

JSW Steel rose 1.04%. Moody's Investors Service has changed outlook on JSW Steel's corporate family rating (CFR) and senior unsecured bond rating to Positive from Stable while affirming rating at Ba2. The announcement was made after market hours yesterday, 20 February 2019.

Bharat Heavy Electricals (Bhel) rose 0.32%. Bhel announced during trading hours today, 21 February 2019, that it has achieved yet another milestone by successfully commissioning a 250 MW coal-based thermal power plant (TPP) in Bihar.

Dynamatic Technologies surged 3.53% after the company signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Joint-Stock Company (JSC) Russian Helicopters on Ka-226T Helicopter with an intent to build major structural assemblies for fuselage and aggregate assembly, sub-assemblies and detail parts fabrication. The announcement was made after market hours yesterday, 20 February 2019.

Overseas, European shares were mixed, while most Asian shares ended higher after the US Federal Reserve signalled it would be patient on further interest rate increases and as trade talks between China and the United states seemed to progress.

US stock indices ended the choppy session moderately higher Wednesday, following the release of minutes from the US Federal Reserve's January meeting.

Fed minutes affirmed it would be patient on interest rate rises. Fed highlighted downside risks, including the possibilities of a sharper-than-expected slowdown in global economic growth, particularly in China and Europe, a rapid waning of fiscal policy stimulus, or a further tightening of financial market conditions.

The minutes showed extensive discussion of market conditions, particularly on the emphasis that Fed actions were having on prices of risky assets like stocks and corporate bonds. The Fed also judged that a patient approach to interest rate hikes would be prudent as it continued to weigh various headwinds to growth.

On the trade front, President Donald Trump said Tuesday that the US may not increase tariffs on Chinese goods as scheduled after March 1, but he did raise the specter of addressing auto tariffs in Europe.

Domestic stocks ended with strong gains, mirroring strength in other global stocks amid signs that US-China trade relations could be improving. Metal and mining stocks gained. Shares of index heavyweights, Reliance Industries, Infosys and HDFC Bank edged higher. The market breadth, indicating the overall health of the market, was positive. The Nifty crossed 10,700 mark in late trade.

The market opened higher and hit fresh intraday high in morning trade. Indices came off day's high in mid-morning trade and they further pared gains in early afternoon trade. After firming up once again in afternoon trade, indices failed to cross the day's high level and they pared gains in mid-afternoon trade. Fresh buying catapulted shares to fresh intraday high in late trade.

The barometer index, the S&P BSE Sensex, surged 403.65 points or 1.14% to settle at 35,756.26. The index hit high of 35,797.11 and low of 35,469.49 in intraday trade.

The Nifty 50 index surged 131.10 points or 1.24% to settle at 10,735.45. The index hit high of 10,752.70 and low of 10,646.40 in intraday trade.

Among secondary barometers, the BSE Mid-Cap index rose 0.91%. The BSE Small-Cap index rose 0.84%.

The market breadth, indicating the overall health of the market, was positive. On BSE, 1496 shares rose and 1110 shares fell. A total of 160 shares were unchanged.

Among the sectoral indices on BSE, the S&P BSE Basic Materials index (up 2.24%), the S&P BSE Metal index (up 2.99%), the S&P BSE Oil & Gas index (up 2.19%) outperformed the Sensex. The S&P BSE Consumer Discretionary Goods & Services index (up 0.69%), the S&P BSE FMCG index (up 0.23%), the S&P BSE Healthcare index (up 0.48%) underperformed the Sensex.

Among index heavyweights, Reliance Industries (up 1.48%), Infosys (up 2.05%) and HDFC Bank (up 1.07%) edged higher.

ONGC (up 3.63%), NTPC (up 2.85%), Yes Bank (up 2.57%), Sun Pharmaceutical Industries (up 1.89%) and Bharti Airtel (up 1.74%) were the major Sensex gainers.

Hero MotoCorp (down 0.56%), Hindustan Unilever (down 0.3%) and Bajaj Auto (down 0.16%) were the major Sensex losers.

HCL Technologies rose 1.59%. HCL Technologies (HCL) today announced it has won a five year IT infrastructure and application services contract with EDF Luminus, the second largest electricity producer and energy supplier in the Belgian energy market. HCL will help EDF Luminus to transform and modernize its IT infrastructure, applications landscape and will migrate its SAP portfolio to a public cloud environment. The announcement was made during market hours today, 20 February 2019.

EDF Luminus is a subsidiary of Electricité de France (EDF). The deal marks a significant win for HCL in Belgium, and will see it taking the responsibility for migrating all EDF Luminus' SAP applications to the Amazon Web Services (AWS) cloud. HCL will also provide integrated Cloud and Data Center services, Non- SAP Application management including infrastructure support, end-to-end network and security services, as well as Service Integration and Management (SIAM).

Metal and mining stocks gained. JSW Steel (up 3.68%), Tata Steel (up 4.13%), Steel Authority of India (Sail) (up 3.79%), Hindustan Zinc (up 2.06%), Jindal Steel & Power (up 6.12%), Hindalco Industries (up 3.38%), NMDC (up 1.13%), Hindustan Copper (up 0.68%) edged higher. National Aluminium Company (down 2.26%) fell.

Vedanta rose 4.67%. The company termed reports of alleged discussions between Vedanta and JSW Steel for a possible last-minute joint bid for Essar Steel as speculative and baseless. The company confirms categorically that it is not in the process of submitting any revised bid for Essar Steel under the IBC process as mentioned in the articles, Vedanta said. The announcement was made after market hours yesterday, 19 February 2019.

Majesco rose 3.32%. The company announced that American Public Life Insurance Company (APL) selected Majesco L&A and Group Core Suite platform as the foundation of its digital business transformation strategy. The announcement was made after market hours yesterday, 19 February 2019.

Essel Propack lost 4.79%. The company has further received Rs 40 crore towards repayment of outstanding dues of Inter corporate deposit. Essel has already received Rs 25.30 crore in last month. The balance amount is expected to be received by March 2019. The announcement was made after market hours yesterday, 19 February 2019.

Overseas, shares in Europe and Asia edged higher Wednesday, amid rising hopes the world's two largest economies could soon secure a trade deal to end a protracted dispute.

Representatives from the US and China are meeting in Washington this week to resume trade negotiations, with high level discussions set to happen later in the week, the White House said Monday. US is reportedly seeking to secure a pledge from China that it will not devalue its yuan currency as part of a trade deal.

Japan's trade deficit expanded in January. The value of Japan's January exports fell by a faster-than-expected 8.4% from a year ago to 5.574 trillion yen, a two-year-low, according to data released by the country's finance ministry on Wednesday. The country logged its fourth straight monthly trade deficit, which grew by almost 50% to Y1.415 trillion. However, Japan's trade surplus with US increased 5.1% on year to Y367.4 billion in January. Japan's overall imports also fell by 0.6%, the ministry said.

Investors awaited the release later on Wednesday of minutes from the US Federal Reserve's January policy-setting meeting, where policymakers took a dovish turn, effectively signaling no further rate hikes.

US stock indices held steady above the break-even line after opening lower on Tuesday. US President Donald Trump reportedly said Tuesday that trade talks with China are going well, adding the current March deadline is not a magical date. Both countries have until then to come up with a deal. Otherwise, additional US tariffs on Chinese products could take effect. Trump indicated last week, however, he would be willing to push back the deadline.

Domestic stocks erased intraday gains to settle with modest losses in a volatile session of trade. Broader market outperformed the main stock indices. The Nifty reversed gains after touching 10,700 mark in mid-afternoon trade.

The indices opened higher and extended gains in early trade. After hitting fresh intraday high in morning trade, indices pared gains in mid-morning trade. Benchmarks firmed up once again and hit fresh intraday high in mid-afternoon trade. Steep selling pressure in late trade dragged indices in negative terrain.

The barometer index, the S&P BSE Sensex, fell 145.83 points or 0.41% to settle at 35,352.61. The index hit high of 35,776.04 and low of 35,287.16 in intraday trade.

The Nifty 50 index fell 36.60 points or 0.34% to settle at 10,604.35. The index hit high of 10,722.85 and low of 10,585.65 in intraday trade.

Among secondary barometers, the BSE Mid-Cap index rose 0.51%. The BSE Small-Cap index rose 0.33%.

The market breadth, indicating the overall health of the market, was positive. On BSE, 1363 shares rose and 1186 shares fell. A total of 124 shares were unchanged.

NTPC (down 2.34%), IndusInd Bank (down 2.3%), Infosys (down 2.02%), Hero MotoCorp (down 1.5%) and HDFC (down 1.24%) were the major Sensex losers.

Vedanta (up 3.38%), ICICI Bank (up 1.42%), ONGC (up 1.39%), Mahindra & Mahindra (up 1.37%), and Larsen & Toubro (up 1.25%) were the major Sensex gainers.

Grasim Industries rose 2.97%. Grasim Industries signed a definitive agreement to acquire the Chlor-Alkali Business (CAB) of KPR Industries (India) by way of a slump sale, for a cash consideration of Rs 253 crore. The transaction will be funded through internal accruals. KPR would in turn utilize Rs 253 crore towards a full and final settlement of the lenders' dues under a One-Time Settlement. The transaction is subject to regulatory approvals. The announcement was made after market hours yesterday, 18 February 2019.

The Business consists of an under-construction 200 TPD Chlor-Alkali project at Balabhadrapuram, Andhra Pradesh. Grasim would take over the assets and identified liabilities associated with the Chlor-Alkali Business.

The acquisition is in line with Grasim's strategy to strengthen operations on the East Coast of India. Further, the purchase of a partially-completed project vis-à-vis a greenfield project will translate into a shorter time-to-market. The acquired Business also has the potential for future expansions. Once operationalised, the project, along with other ongoing expansion projects, will enhance Grasim's caustic soda capacity to 1.22 MMTPA.

IT major TCS fell 3.39%. The company announced during trading hours today, 19 February 2019, a partnership with Nanoheal, a predictive workspace automation platform provider, to offer enterprises cognitive, self-healing end-user device management solutions.

Power Grid Corporation of India shed 0.42%. The company said that its board of directors has accorded 'Investment Approval for 'Northern Region System Strengthening - XL' at an estimated cost of Rs 572.98 crore with commissioning schedule of 22 months from the date of investment approval. The announcement was made after market hours yesterday, 18 February 2019.

Maruti Suzuki India fell 0.56%. The company announced during trading hours today, 19 February 2019, that its Vitara Brezza has set a new sales record in the compact SUV segment. The cumulative sales of India's most preferred compact SUV touched the 4 lakh units mark in less than three years. Vitara Brezza leads the compact SUV segment with a market share of over 44% year-to-date.

Tata Motors rose 0.31%. The company announced during trading hours today, 19 February 2019, that CARE Ratings has downgraded its ratings on the auto major's long term bank facilities and non-convertible debentures to 'CARE AA' from 'CARE AA+'. Outlook remains stable.

Ambuja Cements rose 1.14% after consolidated net profit surged 188.02% to Rs 1377.88 crore on 9.32% rise in total income to Rs 6855.22 crore in Q4 December 2018 over Q4 December 2017. The announcement was made after market hours yesterday, 18 February 2019.

Ambuja Cements' cement sales volumes increased to 13.63 million tonnes in Q4 December 2018 from 12.78 million tonnes in Q4 December 2017.

In its outlook, Ambuja Cements said that the higher allocation announced in the interim Budget 2019 to roads and the housing sector will help boost economic development in rural India which is expected to have a positive impact on cement demand.

Future Consumer rose 2.63% after the company said it is entering into an arrangement with the Middle East's leading chain of retail supermarkets, T Choithrams & Sons. The announcement was made after market hours yesterday, 18 February 2019.

Future Consumer (FCL) and Choithrams have identified an opportunity to strategically partner across the UAE, Bahrain and Qatar to bring FCL's portfolio of leading brands to consumers across the Middle East. With a network of more than 60 supermarkets across UAE, Bahrain and Qatar, Choithrams will, under this arrangement, market, distribute and retail FCL brand products for sale through its own stores, as well as distribute FCL brands to other retail stores.

On the economic front, the central board of the Reserve Bank of India on Monday, 18 February 2019, decided to transfer an interim surplus of Rs 28,000 crore to the central government for the half-year ended 31 December 2018. This is the second successive year that RBI will be transferring an interim surplus.

In a separate notification, RBI said that based on an assessment of prevailing liquidity conditions and also of the durable liquidity needs going forward, it has decided to conduct purchase of the following Government securities under open market operations for an aggregate amount of Rs 12,500 crore on Thursday, 21 February 2019, through multi-security auction using the multiple price method.

Overseas, European shares declined while Asian shares settled mixed as market participants anxiously waited for details from the latest round of US-China trade talks.

The White House reportedly said on Monday that trade talks between the two economic powerhouses will continue in Washington on Tuesday, with higher level negotiations starting later in the week.

US stock market was shut on Monday for a public holiday.

Domestic stocks ended with steep losses amid broad based selling pressure in index pivotals. After opening lower, key indices extended losses and hit fresh intraday low in mid-morning trade. Indices came off day's low in early afternoon trade. Benchmarks traded near day's low in mid-afternoon trade. Indices slumped in late trade as selling pressure intensified.

The barometer index, the S&P BSE Sensex, fell 310.51 points or 0.87% to 35,498.44. The index hit high of 35,912.44 and low of 35,470.76 in intraday trade.

The Nifty 50 index fell 83.45 points or 0.78% to 10,640.95. The index hit high of 10,759.90 and low of 10,628.40 in intraday trade.

The market exhibited cautious sentiment fearing an escalation in tensions between India and Pakistan in the aftermath of the Thursday's Pulwama terror attack. The devastating terror attack last week in Pulwama district of Jammu and Kashmir took lives of at least 40 CRPF personnel.

Among secondary barometers, the BSE Mid-Cap index fell 1.04%. The BSE Small-Cap index fell 1.01%.

The market breadth, indicating the overall health of the market, was weak. On BSE, 879 shares rose and 1676 shares fell. A total of 179 shares were unchanged.

Among the sectoral indices on BSE, the S&P BSE Energy index (down 1.38%), the S&P BSE FMCG index (down 1.36%), the S&P BSE Consumer Durables index (down 1.39%) underperformed the Sensex. The S&P BSE Telecom index (up 0.88%), the S&P BSE Realty index (up 0.62%), the S&P BSE Oil & Gas index (down 0.28%) outperformed the Sensex.

TCS (down 2.91%), ITC (down 1.95%), Sun Pharmaceutical Industries (down 1.94%), Reliance Industries (down 1.91%) and Coal India (down 1.74%) were the major Sensex losers.

ONGC (up 1.48%), Tata Motors (up 1.18%), Axis Bank (up 0.88%), NTPC (up 0.48%) and Vedanta (up 0.37%) were the major Sensex gainers.

Larsen & Toubro (L&T) shed 0.24%. L&T announced that L&T Construction has won a mega contract for design and construction of a major airport. L&T Construction is a brand of L&T. The announcement was made during market hours today, 18 February 2019.

Yes Bank fell 2.54%. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) reprimanded Yes Bank for selectively revealing a confidential report by the regulator that led to a surge in the lender's shares on Thursday, calling the disclosure a deliberate attempt to mislead the public.

Yes Bank said that it received a letter from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) stating that as the Risk Assessment Report (RAR) report was marked confidential, it was expected that no part of the report and information contained therein be divulged except for the information in the form and manner of disclosure prescribed by Regulations. Therefore, the Press Release breaches confidentiality and violates regulatory guidelines. Moreover, NIL divergence is not an achievement to be published and is only compliance with the extant Income Recognition and Asset Classification norms. The RAR also identifies several other lapses and regulatory breaches in various areas of the Bank's functioning and the disclosure of just one part of the RAR is viewed by RBI as a deliberate attempt to mislead the public. The issuance of the press release has, therefore, been viewed seriously by the RBI and could entail further regulatory action.

IndusInd Bank rose 0.47%. The bank said it inaugurated two branches in Kolkata. One of the two branches is located in the posta Bazar area of the city, while the other is situated on Sarat Bose Road. Both braches house an ATM each that will be operational 24X7. With this, the bank now has a wide network of 60 branches across West Bengal.

Tech Mahindra rose 0.36% after the company scheduled a board meeting on 21 February 2019 to consider a proposal to buy-back equity shares of the company. The announcement was made on Saturday, 16 February 2019.

Dr Reddy's Laboratories rose 0.51%. The company said that the company received a written communication from the US FDA, about the issuance of Establishment Inspection Report (EIR) for FTO VII, its formulations manufacturing facility at Duvvada, Visakhapatnam. This site was included in the warning letter received from US FDA in November, 2015. Subsequently, the site was audited by US FDA in March 2017 for which the company received EIR in November 2017, wherein the site's status remained unchanged. The site was again audited in October 2018. Based on the company's responses and follow up actions, the US FDA has concluded that this inspection is closed and has determined the inspection classification of this facility as Voluntary Action Initiated (VAI). The announcement was made on Saturday, 16 February 2019.

Jindal Steel & Power rose 1.05% after the company announced securing additional order from Indian Railways for 30,000 Tonnes Long Rails. The announcement was made during market hours today, 18 February 2019.

In the foreign exchange market, the rupee edged lower against the dollar. The partially convertible rupee was hovering at 71.3650, compared with closing of 71.23 during the previous trading session.

In global commodities markets, Brent crude oil futures edged lower. Brent for January 2019 settlement was off 17 cents at $66.08 a barrel.

On the economic front, India's merchandise exports rose 3.7% to $26.36 billion in January 2019 over a year ago. Meanwhile, merchandise imports was flat at $41.09 billion. The trade deficit for January 2019 was at $14.73 billion as against the deficit of $15.67 billion in January 2018.

Overseas, European shares were mixed as investors continued to monitor trade talks between the world's two largest economies. Asian shares edged higher on Monday, with trade talks between the US and China set to continue in Washington this week after high-level meetings in Beijing concluded on Friday.

US stock indices surged on Friday, 15 February 2019, buoyed by growing optimism that the US and China can strike a trade truce ahead of the March 1 deadline. US stock market will be closed on Monday in observance of the Presidents Day holiday.

In political news, tensions rose in Washington D.C. when President Donald Trump declared a national emergency citing a humanitarian crisis at the Southern Border. In economic news, the Empire State manufacturing index rose 4.9 points in February to 8.8 and industrial production fell 0.6% in January, the first decline in eight months.

Local stocks ended with modest losses led by slide index pivotals HDFC, Sun Pharmaceutical Industries and HDFC Bank. Intraday volatility was high. Shares of index heavyweight HDFC dropped. Global stocks were mixed.

The barometer index, the S&P BSE Sensex, fell 67.27 points or 0.19% to settle at 35,808.95. The index hit high of 36,022.57 and low of 35,510.97 in intraday trade.

The Nifty 50 index fell 21.65 points or 0.2% to settle at 10,724.40. The index hit high of 10,785.75 and low of 10,620.40 in intraday trade.

Domestic stocks edged lower in early trade on negative Asian stocks. Key indices extended fall in morning trade. Fresh selling in index pivotals dragged the key indices lower in mid-morning trade. Indices hit fresh intraday low in early afternoon trade. Key equity indices were trading near day's low in afternoon trade. Local stocks staged a strong recovery in mid-afternoon trade tracking positive opening in European stocks. Recovery continued in late trade.

The S&P BSE Mid-Cap index fell 1.18%. The S&P BSE Small-Cap index fell 0.83%.

The market breadth, indicating the overall health of the market, was weak. On the BSE, 922 shares rose and 1604 shares fell. A total of 135 shares were unchanged.

Among the sectoral indices on BSE, the S&P BSE Metal index (down 2.32%), the S&P BSE Healthcare index (down 2.27%) and the S&P BSE Auto index (down 1.21%), underperformed the Sensex. The S&P BSE Power index (up 2.17%), the S&P BSE Oil & Gas index (up 1.44%) and the S&P BSE Telecom index (up 1.06%), outperformed the Sensex.

Sun Pharmaceutical Industries (down 3.94%), Tata Steel (down 3.12%), Vedanta (down 2.87%), Hero MotoCorp (down 2.75%) and Bajaj Finance (down 1.9%) edged lower from the Sensex pack.

NTPC (up 4.13%), Power Grid Corporation of India (up 3.12%), Reliance Industries (up 1.47%), L&T (up 1.31%) and Bharti Airtel (up 1.05%) edged higher from the Sensex pack.

Shares of index heavyweight HDFC dropped 1.36% to Rs 1,875.25

ONGC gained 2.27% to Rs 135.10. The company's net profit rose 64.8% to Rs 8,262.70 crore on 20.4% increase in net sales to Rs 27,694.09 crore in Q3 December 2018 over Q3 December 2017. The result was announced after market hours yesterday, 14 February 2019.

The company got $66.38 for every barrel of crude oil it sold in the quarter, 13.6% higher than $58.42 per barrel realisation a year ago. Gas prices were 16.3% higher at $3.36 per million British thermal unit. ONGC said total crude oil production dropped 4.8% to 6.036 million tonne, but total gas output rose 6.6% to 6.691 billion cubic metre.

Further, the ONGC board approved a proposal for buyback of its equity shares. Around 25.29 crore equity shares of the company will be bought back at the price of Rs 159 per equity share payable in cash. The total cost of this share buyback will not exceed Rs 4,022 crore, ONGC said in its statement. The process of buyback is likely to be completed in February 2019.

HCL Technologies (HCL) fell 0.33%. HCL announced a collaboration with IBM designed to help advance the hybrid cloud journeys of organizations worldwide. HCL announced new re-platforming and refactoring services to enable enterprises to build and migrate applications to IBM Cloud Private from within the company's HCL Cloud Native Labs. The services will be orchestrated and available from HCL's Cloud Native Labs in London, New York, and Noida, later this year. The announcement was made after market hours yesterday, 14 February 2018.

Siemens fell 2.64%. Siemens said it will transfer its leasehold interest in the property located at Halol, Gujarat to LM Wind Power Blades (India) for Rs 193.50 crore. The proposal is subject to receipt of all requisite statutory and regulatory approvals from the concerned authorities and signing of firm agreements between the company and the proposed assignee in this regard. The announcement was made after market hours yesterday, 14 February 2019.

Nestle India lost 0.28%. The company's net profit rose 9.6% to Rs 341.76 crore on 11.2% increase in net sales to Rs 2,878.83 crore in Q4 December 2018 over Q4 December 2017. The result was announced after market hours yesterday, 14 February 2019.

Total sales increased by 11.2% while domestic sales grew 12% in the December quarter supported by volumes and was broad based, it said. Export sales remained flat due to lower exports to Bangladesh & United Arab Emirates.

Commenting on the results, Suresh Narayanan, chairman and managing director, Nestle India said that the firm has, once again, delivered volume led profitable growth. There was double digit growth in almost all the categories, supported by a step up in demand generating activities including on new products. Brands like Maggi, Nescafe, Kitkat, Munch and Everyday continued to deliver strong performances, he added.

Glenmark Pharmaceuticals fell 6.12% after consolidated net profit rose 11.08% to Rs 116.34 crore on 15.58% increase in net sales to Rs 2,509.78 crore in Q3 December 2018 over Q3 December 2017. Consolidated EBITDA was at Rs 434.68 crore in Q3 December 2018 as against Rs 322.69 crore in Q3 December 2017, an increase of 34.70%. The result was announced after market hours yesterday, 14 February 2019.

Meanwhile, Glenmark Pharmaceuticals announced that its board of directors has given an in-principle approval to spin off the innovation business into a new company in the US. Setting up of the new company will provide an enhanced focus to the innovation business and help accelerate the pipeline towards commercialization.

Jet Airways (India) gained 2.99%. Jet Airways (India) reported net loss of Rs 587.77 crore in Q3 December 2018 compared with net profit of Rs 165.25 crore in Q3 December 2017. Net sales rose 1% to Rs 6,147.98 crore in Q3 December 2018 over Q3 December 2017. The result was announced after market hours yesterday, 14 February 2019.

Meanwhile, Jet Airways' board approved a Bank led Provisional Resolution Plan (BLPRP), proposing restructuring under the provisions of the “RBI Circular” in order to meet a funding gap of nearly Rs 8500 crore which is to be met by an appropriate mix of equity infusion, debt restructuring, sale/ sale and lease back/ refinancing of aircraft, among other things.

The BLPRP will be presented for consideration of each of the consortium of lenders, the overseeing committee of the Indian bankers' association, the board of directors of Etihad Airways, and the promoter.

Overseas, European stocks were trading higher while Asian stocks edged lower on Friday as traders awaited the conclusion of U.S.-China talks in Beijing.

Traders are waiting for results of a meeting on Friday between the Trump administration's top two negotiators and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing. There has been no decision to extend a March 1 US deadline for a deal, White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow reportedly said on Thursday.

U.S. stocks closed mostly lower Thursday as disappointment over weak retail sales overshadowed optimism over U.S.-China trade talks, but the Nasdaq eked out gains to rise for a fifth session in a row. U.S. retail sales fell by 1.2% in December, the largest single-month decline since 2009. The U.S. producer-price index fell by 0.1% in January.

The market ended on a mixed note today, 14 February 2019, as key benchmarks settled with modest losses while mid- and small-cap indices finished with gains. Shares of Yes Bank surged over 30%.

The Sensex fell 157.89 points or 0.44% to settle at 35,876.22, its lowest closing level since 30 January 2019. The index rose 74.99 points, or 0.21% at the day's high of 36,109.10. The index fell 234.69 points, or 0.65% at the day's low of 35,799.42.

The Nifty 50 index fell 47.60 points or 0.44% to settle at 10,746.05, its lowest closing level since 30 January 2019. The index fell 0.95 points, or 0.01% at the day's high of 10,792.70. The index fell 74.90 points, or 0.69% at the day's low of 10,718.75.

Domestic stocks drifted lower in early trade on selling pressure in index pivotals. Key indices extended decline in morning trade. Stocks hovered in negative zone in mid-morning trade. Weakness persisted on the bourses in early afternoon trade. Key equity indices trimmed losses after hitting fresh intraday low in afternoon trade. Key indices cut losses in mid-afternoon trade as European stocks rose in early trade.

The S&P BSE Mid-Cap index rose 0.52%. The S&P BSE Small-Cap index rose 0.17%. Both these indices outperformed the Sensex.

The market breadth, indicating the overall health of the market, was negative. On the BSE, 1164 shares rose and 1365 shares fell. A total of 125 shares were unchanged.

Among the sectoral indices on BSE, the S&P BSE Bankex (up 0.78%), the S&P BSE Healthcare index (up 0.49%) and the S&P BSE Realty index (up 0.47%), outperformed the Sensex. The S&P BSE Oil & Gas index (down 2.11%), the S&P BSE Telecom index (down 1.95%) and the S&P BSE IT index (down 1.28%), underperformed the Sensex.

Bharti Airtel (down 3.09%), Infosys (down 2.01%), Asian Paints (down 1.66%), Reliance Industries (down 1.52%), Coal India (down 1.5%), HDFC Bank (down 1.43%) and HDFC (down 1.27%), were the major Sensex losers.

Tata Motors (up 3.17%), Sun Pharmaceutical Industries (up 2.20%), IndusInd Bank (up 1.27%), ICICI Bank (up 0.91%), Hero MotoCorp (up 0.80%) and Vedanta (up 0.73%), were the major Sensex gainers.

Yes Bank jumped 30.73% after the bank announced after market hours yesterday, 13 February 2019, that the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) assesses compliance by banks with extant prudential norms on income recognition, asset classification and provisioning (IRACP) as part of its supervisory processes. As part of this process, Yes Bank has received the Risk Assessment Report for FY2018. The report observes NIL divergences in the bank's asset classification and provisioning from the RBI norms.

ONGC dropped 1.12% ahead of its Q3 results today, 14 February 2019.

L&T rose 0.61%. L&T Construction said that the company was awarded significant contracts for the Power Transmission & Distribution and Water & Effluent Treatment Businesses. The announcement was made during market hours today, 14 February 2019.

Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) fell 1.08%. M&M today launched new SUV, the XUV300 at an ex-showroom starting price of Rs 7.90 lakh for the Petrol W4 variant and Rs 8.49 lakh for the Diesel W4 variant (one price applicable across India). The announcement was made during market hours today, 14 February 2019.

Eicher Motors fell 0.63% after the company informed that a certain section of workforce has resorted to an illegal strike at Royal Enfield's Oragadam plant in Chennai. The firm said that it working closely with the workforce and have undertaken various constructive and confidence building initiatives. Currently, a majority of the workforce continues to report for work at the Oragadam plant. The company's other manufacturing facilities, including its plants at Vallam Vadagaland and Tiruvottiyur, continue to remain fully operational. The company added that it is focused on resolving all issues in an amicable manner while keeping the best interests of the organization and its workforce in mind. The announcement was made during trading hours today, 14 February 2019.

Tata Power Company rose 3.76%. Tata Power Company, The AES Corporation and Mitsubishi Corporation inaugurated India's first grid-scale battery-based energy storage system in Rohini, Delhi. This 10 MW project is located at Tata Power Delhi Distribution's (Tata Power-DDL) sub-station in Rohini, Delhi and will provide grid stabilization, better peak load management, add system flexibility, enhance reliability and protect critical facilities for 2 million consumers served by the company. The announcement was made after market hours yesterday, 13 February 2019.

On the data front, India's wholesale price inflation (WPI) cooled to 2.76% in January from 3.8% in December, data released on Thursday showed. It was 3.02% in January last year.

In the foreign exchange market, the rupee edged lower against the dollar. The partially convertible rupee was hovering at 71.10, compared with its close of 70.805 during the previous trading session.

In the global commodities markets, Brent for April 2019 settlement was up 83 cents at $64.44 a barrel. The contract rose $1.19 per barrel, or 1.91% to settle at $63.61 a barrel during the previous trading session.

Overseas, European stocks were higher on Thursday amid a flurry of earnings results. Meanwhile, lawmakers in the U.K. are set to debate and vote on the next steps in the Brexit process later in the session.

Most Asian stocks edged lower Thursday as investors awaited the outcome of high-level trade talks between the U.S. and China, and data on the Chinese economy. A third day of bilateral trade negotiations were under way in Beijing, with Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer expected Thursday for more high-level discussions.

On the data front, China's exports unexpectedly accelerated last month, official data released on Thursday showed. The country's exports surged 9.1% from a year earlier in January, reversing a 4.4% decline in December. Imports dropped 1.5% in January, following a 7.6% decrease in December. China's trade surplus with all trading partners stood at $39.16 billion in January, much smaller than the $57.06 billion surplus recorded in December.

The Japanese economy rebounded in the final quarter of 2018 due to solid spending by households and companies. The economy expanded at an annualized rate of 1.4% in the October-December period following a 2.6% contraction in the previous quarter, government data showed Thursday. The economy grew 0.3% from the quarter before.

U.S. stocks closed higher Wednesday, trimming gains but with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq rising for a fourth straight session, on hopes that negotiators will come close to a deal after trade talks. US President Donald Trump said Tuesday that he would allow for flexibility on the timeline for a deal with China if an agreement looks close. Meanwhile, Chinese President Xi Jinping is reportedly expected to meet key members of the U.S. delegation on Friday.

Key indices wiped off early gains to end with modest losses in a volatile session. The Sensex regained the psychological 36,000 after sliding below that level in intraday trade. The Nifty ended below 10,800 mark. State-run oil marketing companies tumbled amid firming crude oil prices.

The Sensex fell 119.51 points or 0.33% to settle at 36,034.11, its lowest closing level since 30 January 2019. The index rose 222.18 points, or 0.61% at the day's high of 36,375.80. The index fell 190.94 points, or 0.53% at the day's low of 35,962.68.

The Nifty 50 index fell 37.75 points or 0.35% to settle at 10,793.65, its lowest closing level since 30 January 2019. The index rose 60.25 points, or 0.56% at the day's high of 10,891.65. The index fell 59.30 points, or 0.55% at the day's low of 10,772.10.

Domestic stocks edged higher in early trade boosted by improved industrial production data for December. Stocks trimmed gains in morning trade. Key indices hovered with modest gains in mid-morning trade. The market was trading in a narrow range in afternoon trade. Volatility struck bourses in mid-afternoon trade as the key indices regained positive zone soon after sinking in negative zone. Fresh selling pulled the key indices to day's low in late trade.

The S&P BSE Mid-Cap index fell 0.52%. The S&P BSE Small-Cap index fell 0.38%.

The market breadth, indicating the overall health of the market, was weak. On the BSE, 982 shares rose and 1556 shares fell. A total of 133 shares were unchanged.

Among the sectoral indices on BSE, the S&P BSE Oil & Gas index (down 2.11%), the S&P BSE Capital Goods index (down 1.76%) and the S&P BSE Power index (down 1.46%), underperformed the Sensex. The S&P BSE IT index (up 0.67%) and the S&P BSE Realty index (up 0.32%), outperformed the Sensex.

Shares of the state-run oil marketing companies declined after Brent crude prices firmed up in international market. HPCL (down 3.51%), BPCL (down 3.10%) and Indian Oil Corporation (IOCL) (down 3.27%) declined. Higher crude oil prices could increase under-recoveries of PSU OMCs on domestic sale of LPG and kerosene at controlled prices. The government has already freed pricing of petrol and diesel.

Bata India rose 6.93% to Rs 1271.40 after net profit rose 51.4% to Rs 103.18 crore on 15.5% increase in net sales to Rs 778.70 crore in Q3 December 2018 over Q3 December 2017. Revenues were buoyed by robust festive sales, well-received consumer campaigns and the expansion of 50 new red-concept stores, the company said. The result was announced after market hours yesterday, 12 February 2019.

Oil India rose 1.71% to Rs 172.75 after net profit rose 74.9% to Rs 1,233.45 crore on 23.2% increase in net sales to Rs 3,514.03 crore in Q3 December 2018 over Q3 December 2017. The result was announced after market hours yesterday, 12 February 2019.

Sun Pharmaceutical Industries lost 1.28% to Rs 431.15. Consolidated net profit rose 310% to Rs 1461.03 crore on 16.04% increase in net sales to Rs 7656.71 crore in Q3 December 2018 over Q3 December 2017. The company said that net profit for Q3 last year was adversely impacted by one-time deferred tax adjustment of Rs 513 crore related to changes in US tax rates. The result was announced after market hours yesterday, 12 February 2019.

EBITDA was reported at Rs 2,069 crore in Q3 December 2018, up by 48% over Q3 December 2017, with resulting EBITDA margin of 27%. Margins were partly driven by forex gains, the company said.

Sale of branded formulations in India in Q3 was Rs 2,235 crore, up by 7% and accounted for 29% of total sales. Sales in the US were $362 million for the quarter, a growth of 10% over same period last year and accounted for 34% of total sales. Sales in emerging markets were at $203 million in Q3, up 7% over same quarter last year and accounted for 19% of total sales. Formulation sales in Rest of World (ROW) markets excluding US and Emerging Markets were $125 million in Q3, a growth of 4% over Q3 last year and accounted for approximately 12% of revenues.

Coal India fell 1.19% to Rs 220.30. The company's consolidated net profit rose 50.09% to Rs 4566.81 crore on 12.58% rise in net sales to Rs 23385.43 crore in Q3 December 2018 over Q3 December 2017. The result was announced after market hours yesterday, 12 February 2019.

During the quarter ended 31 December 2018, the government further divested 3.19%, 2.21% and 0.01% of total equity share capital equivalent to 33,59,97,714 number of equity shares by way of placement of shares in Bharat 22 ETF, CPSE ETF and OFS, respectively, and post such divestment, the Centre holds 72.91% of equity share capital, Coal India said.

L&T dropped 2% to Rs 1219.80. L&T Construction said that Buildings and Factories business has secured a design and build order for the construction of hospitals from a private developer in India. The project that will feature 37 linear accelerator bunkers has to be completed within stringent timelines of 30 months. The business has also secured another order for the construction of a hospital in Udupi, Karnataka. The announcement was made during market hours today, 13 February 2019.

Infosys rose 0.61%. Infosys during market hours today said that the company has inaugurated its Digital Innovation and Design Center in Providence and announced a partnership with the Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) to build and launch the Digital Economy Aspirations Lab (DEAL) to enable and develop students for the digital jobs of the future. The Providence Center will help close the gap for design and human-centric skills in technology fields and enhance Infosys' ability to provide digital technologies and breakthrough innovations at the intersection of industry and design for its clients.

CG Power and Industrial Solutions fell 29.63% to Rs 23.75 after reporting consolidated net loss of Rs 150.18 crore in Q3 December 2018, higher than net loss of Rs 28.23 crore in Q3 December 2017. The company reported exceptional loss of Rs 116.64 crore in Q3 December 2018. Consolidated revenue from operations rose 11.9% to Rs 1719.52 crore in Q3 December 2018 over Q3 December 2017. The result was announced after market hours yesterday, 12 February 2019.

On the macro front, India's industrial production (base year 2011-12=100) increased at improved pace of 2.4% in December 2018, compared with 0.3% growth recorded in November 2018. The industrial production growth for November 2018 has been revised downwards from 0.5% increase reported provisionally. The data was released by government after market hours yesterday, 12 February 2019.

The all-India general CPI inflation eased to 2.05% in January 2019 (new base 2012=100), compared with 2.11% in December 2018. The corresponding provisional inflation rate for rural area was 1.29% and urban area 2.91% in January 2019 as against 1.50% and 2.91% in December 2018. The core CPI inflation eased to 5.36% in January 2019 compared with 5.66% in December 2018. The data was released by government after market hours yesterday, 12 February 2019.

In the foreign exchange market, the rupee edged lower against the dollar. The partially convertible rupee was hovering at 70.765, compared with its close of 70.70 during the previous trading session.

In the global commodities markets, Brent for April 2019 settlement was up 94 cents at $63.36 a barrel. The contract rose 91 cents, or 1.48% to settle at $62.42 a barrel during the previous trading session.

Overseas, European shares edged up on Wednesday as optimism towards Washington and Beijing trade talks lifted global markets and data showed earnings growth forecasts for Europe were no longer falling for the fourth quarter after steep downward revisions.

Asian stocks nudged higher on Wednesday, lifted by optimism that the United States and China might be able to hammer out a deal to resolve their nearly year-long trade dispute. US stock indexes closed at their highest levels for 2019 on Tuesday after lawmakers reached a tentative deal to prevent a government shutdown and as optimism grew over a potential trade deal between the U.S. and China.

Democratic and Republican lawmakers reached a deal late Monday to avert another government closure after GOP negotiators agreed to a border-security deal that will involve far less money for an extension of the southern U.S. border wall than President Donald Trump has been demanding.

Bilateral trade negotiations entered a second day in Beijing, with Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer due to arrive Thursday for more high-level discussions.

Key equity benchmarks declined for the third straight trading session. Sentiment was cautious ahead of release of key domestic macro-economic data. Metal shares bucked weak market trend. Most IT shares declined.

The Sensex fell 241.41 points or 0.66% to settle at 36,153.62, its lowest closing level since 30 January 2019. The index rose 70.37 points, or 0.19% at the day's high of 36,465.40. The index fell 281.12 points, or 0.77% at the day's low of 36,113.91.

The Nifty 50 index fell 57.40 points or 0.53% to settle at 10,831.40, its lowest closing level since 31 January 2019. The index rose 22.10 points, or 0.20% at the day's high of 10,910.90. The index fell 65 points, or 0.60% at the day's low of 10,823.80.

Domestic stocks eked out small gains in early trade. Key indices reversed direction to sink in negative zone in morning trade. Key indices hovered in a small range in mid-morning and early afternoon trade. Key benchmarks trimmed losses after hitting fresh intraday low in afternoon trade. Key benchmarks hovered in a small range in negative zone in mid-afternoon trade.

The S&P BSE Mid-Cap index fell 0.06%. The S&P BSE Small-Cap index fell 0.43%.

The market breadth, indicating the overall health of the market, was negative. On the BSE, 1057 shares rose and 1476 shares fell. A total of 138 shares were unchanged.

Among the sectoral indices on BSE, the S&P BSE Telecom index (down 1.69%), the S&P BSE Realty index (down 1.29%) and the S&P BSE IT index (down 0.94%), underperformed the Sensex. The S&P BSE Metal index (up 1.65%), the S&P BSE Healthcare index (up 0.3%) and the S&P BSE Energy index (up 0.29%), outperformed the Sensex.

Sun Pharmaceutical Industries rose 2% to Rs 436.75 ahead of its Q3 results today, 12 February 2019.

Tata Motors declined 0.66%. The Tata Motors Group global wholesales in January 2019, including Jaguar Land Rover, were at 100,572 units, lower by 12%, as compared to January 2018. The announcement was made during market hours today, 12 February 2019.

L&T fell 0.10%. L&T Hydrocarbon Engineering (LTHE), a wholly owned subsidiary of L&T, has won a mega order from Sonatrach-Algeria. The Engineering, Procurement, Construction and Commissioning (EPCC) contract is to set up three Central Processing (CPF) facilities in Algeria. The announcement was made during market hours today, 12 February 2019.

Most IT shares declined. MindTree (down 1.84%), Infosys (down 1.47%), HCL Technologies (down 1.4%), TCS (down 0.72%), Tech Mahindra (down 0.42%) and Persistent Systems (down 0.12%), edged lower. Oracle Financial Services Software (up 0.38%), Wipro (up 0.48%), Hexaware Technologies (up 1.62%) and MphasiS (up 2.41%), edged higher.

Metal shares advanced. Jindal Steel & Power (up 9.84%), Steel Authority of India (up 5.47%), Hindustan Copper (up 5.06%), JSW Steel (up 4.19%), Tata Steel (up 1.57%), NMDC (up 0.80%), Vedanta (up 0.53%) and Hindustan Zinc (up 0.40%), edged higher. National Aluminium Company fell 3.70%.

Hindalco Industries fell 0.38% after the company reported Q3 December 2018 results during trading hours today, 12 February 2019. The company's profit after tax rose 47.31% to Rs 713 crore on 8.09% increase in revenue from operations to Rs 11,938 crore in Q3 December 2018 over Q3 December 2017. Total EBITDA (Earnings before Interest, Tax, Depreciation and Amortisation) rose 3.49% to Rs 1,926 crore in Q3 December 2018 over Q3 December 2017.

The financials include relevant numbers of Utkal Alumina International (100% subsidiary of Hindalco), from its accounts, to present a comprehensive view of the business. For this purpose, standard principles of consolidation have been applied by elimination of inter-company transactions and unrealised profit or loss in the inventory. For comparison purposes, previous period numbers have also been presented in a similar manner.

The company said that Q3 numbers were backed by supporting macros, improvement in operational efficiencies and better realisations. This was despite increase in input costs, mainly of coal and furnace oil. Interest expense was lower by 12% at Rs 477 crore, mainly due to re-pricing of long term project loans and loan re-payments. The rise in profit after tax was driven by higher EBITDA and lower finance costs. Net Debt to EBITDA (on TTM Basis) at end December 2018 improved to 2.36x from 2.67x at end March 2018. Under its continuous deleveraging focus, the company has prepaid another Rs 1,575 crore in October 2018.

Data of Consumer Price Index (CPI) for January and Index of Industrial Production (IIP) for December 2018 is slated to be released after market hours today, 12 February 2019.

In the foreign exchange market, the rupee edged higher against the dollar. The partially convertible rupee was hovering at 70.765, compared with its close of 71.18 during the previous trading session.

In the global commodities markets, Brent for April 2019 settlement was up 46 cents at $61.97 a barrel. The contract fell 59 cents, or 0.95% to settle at $61.51 a barrel during the previous trading session.

Overseas, stocks in Europe moved higher Tuesday as investors monitored trade and political developments. The UK, meanwhile, is bracing to exit the European Union on March 29 with or without a trade agreement in hand. UK Prime Minister Theresa May will update lawmakers on the latest Brexit developments.

Most Asian stocks rose with investors looking to a new round of Sino-US trade talks as the world's two largest economies try to resolve a tariff dispute that has put a dent on global growth and corporate earnings.

US stocks closed mostly higher Monday after a choppy session as a round of US-China tariff negotiations in Beijing commenced and as the threat of another partial government shutdown loomed.

The latest round of trade negotiations between the US and China began Monday with working-level talks in Beijing, while Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer are reportedly due to arrive Thursday for more high-level discussions.

Key equity indices declined for second straight session due to selling pressure in index pivotals. Investors worried over global uncertainties amid lingering fears over US-China trade talks and global growth.

The Sensex fell 151.45 points or 0.41% to settle at 36,395.03, its lowest closing level since 31 January 2019. The index rose 41.93 points, or 0.11% at the day's high of 36,588.41. The index fell 246 points, or 0.67% at the day's low of 36,300.48.

The Nifty 50 index fell 54.80 points or 0.50% to settle at 10,888.80, its lowest closing level since 31 January 2019. The index fell 12.70 points, or 0.12% at the day's high of 10,930.90. The index fell 86.50 points, or 0.79% at the day's low of 10,857.10.

Domestic stocks drifted lower in early trade as most Asian stocks declined. Key benchmark indices extended losses and hit intraday low in morning trade. Stocks cut losses in mid-morning trade. Key indices recovered further ground in early afternoon trade. Indices traded near day's low in afternoon trade. Key equity indices hovered in negative zone in mid-afternoon trade.

The market breadth, indicating the overall health of the market, was weak. On the BSE, 835 shares rose and 1714 shares fell. A total of 163 shares were unchanged.

Broader market tumbled. The S&P BSE Mid-Cap index fell 1.47%. The S&P BSE Small-Cap index fell 1.51%.

Among the sectoral indices on BSE, the S&P BSE Healthcare index (down 1.88%), the S&P BSE Energy index (down 1.53%) and the S&P BSE Capital Goods index (down 1.46%), underperformed the Sensex. The S&P BSE Teck index (up 0.25%), the S&P BSE IT index (up 0.2%) and the S&P BSE FMCG index (down 0.37%), outperformed the Sensex.

Mahindra & Mahindra (down 5.31%), ONGC (down 3.14%), Bajaj Finance (down 1.92%), State Bank of India (down 1.84%) and Hero MotoCorp (down 1.68%), were the major Sensex losers.

Power Grid Corporation of India (up 1.36%), HCL Technologies (up 0.95%), Tata Motors (up 0.76%), Kotak Mahindra Bank (up 0.71%) and IndusInd Bank (up 0.62%), were the major Sensex gainers.

Tata Steel rose 2.31% after consolidated net profit rose 54.33% to Rs 1753.07 crore on 22.33% rise in net sales to Rs 40457.11 crore in Q3 December 2018 over Q3 December 2017. Consolidated adjusted earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) rose 27% to Rs 7,225 crore in Q3 December 2018 over Q3 December 2017. The result was announced after market hours on Friday, 8 February 2019.

Commenting on the results, CEO & managing director TV Narendran said despite a sharp drop in international steel prices, Tata Steel was able to maintain its overall realizations and increase its volumes significantly in India. The integration of Tata Steel BSL continues and its 5 MTPA expansion at Tata Steel Kalinganagar is also making good progress. The company is also looking forward to enhancing its long products and downstream capability through the acquisition of the 1 mtpa steel business of Usha Martin.

The phase II review of the TSE ThyssenKrupp JV is ongoing and the company is closely working with the European Commission to facilitate the same. In line with the company's strategy of divesting non-core assets and focusing on India, the firm has announced a divestment of a 70% stake in its SEA business and it continues to work on exploring similar opportunities across its portfolio.

Dr Reddy's Laboratories dropped 5.60%. Dr Reddy's Laboratories announced that the audit of its formulations manufacturing plant - 3 at Bachupally, Hyderabad by the US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) completed on 8 February 2019. The company has been issued a Form 483 with 11 observations. The company said it will address them comprehensively within the stipulated timeline. The announcement was made after market hours on Friday, 8 February 2019.

Reliance Industries (RIL) fell 1.87%. RIL announced that Reliance Brands (RBL), a subsidiary of the company, has acquired a further stake of 2.5% in Future101 Design (Future101) on 7 February 2019, for a consideration of Rs. 1.99 crore, taking its total stake in Future101 to 15%.

Reliance Retail Ventures (RRVL), a subsidiary of the company has acquired a further stake of 9.44% on 7 February 2019 in Genesis Colors (GCL), for a consideration of Rs 45 crore taking its total stake in GCL to 29.07% on the enhanced capital of GCL. Consequently, the stake of RBL in GCL shall be 43.66% and the aggregate equity shareholding of RRVL and RBL in GCL stands at 72.73%.

The acquisitions will help the company to strengthen its footage in the retail industry and support its long term strategy to enhance its value in the retail industry. No regulatory approvals were required for the said acquisition of shares. The investment does not fall within related party transaction for the Company and none of RIL's promoter / promoter group / group companies have interest in the above entities. The announcement was made after market hours on Friday, 8 February 2019.

Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) rose 0.14%. TCS during market hours today announced a global partnership with JDA Software, the leading provider of end-to-end supply chain and retail solutions, to build next-generation cognitive solutions, and offer consulting and system integration services around digital technologies, to optimize supply chains for customers worldwide

Bharti Airtel shed 0.03%. The company announced the signing of an agreement by its subsidiary, Airtel Networks Kenya (Airtel Kenya) with Telkom Kenya (Telkom Kenya) for merging their respective mobile, enterprise and carrier services businesses in Kenya to operate as - 'Airtel- Telkom'. The finalisation and closure of the transaction is subject to approval by the relevant authorities.

As per the agreement, both the partners will combine their operations in Kenya and establish an entity with enhanced scale, operational efficiency and strategic brand presence. The entity will invest in networks to further accelerate roll out of future technologies. The enterprise and carrier services businesses should benefit from a larger fibre footprint and an increased number of enterprise customers - including both large corporations and SMEs who would have access to a diverse portfolio of world-class solutions. The announcement was made after market hours on Friday, 8 February 2019.

Bharat Petroleum Corporation (BPCL) fell 1.13%. BPCL's net profit declined 76.90% to Rs 495.14 crore on 30.59% rise in net sales to Rs 79168.84 crore in Q3 December 2018 over Q3 December 2017. The result was announced after market hours on Friday, 8 February 2019.

In the foreign exchange market, the rupee edged higher against the dollar. The partially convertible rupee was hovering at 71.1875, compared with its close of 71.31 during the previous trading session.

In the global commodities markets, Brent for April 2019 settlement was up 10 cents at $62.20 a barrel. The contract rose 42 cents, or 0.76% to settle at $62.10 a barrel during the previous trading session.

Overseas, European stocks were trading higher Monday, with market participants looking ahead to a fresh round of US-China trade talks this week. The latest set of trade talks will take place in Beijing from Monday. It comes after discussions in Washington last week concluded without a deal. Both sides are trying to secure a comprehensive trade agreement ahead of a March 1 deadline when U.S. tariffs on $200 billion worth of Chinese imports are scheduled to increase to 25% from 10%.

In Europe, with Brexit just 47 days away, the British government has reportedly asked lawmakers on Sunday to give Prime Minister Theresa May more time to rework her divorce deal with the European Union. Communities Secretary James Brokenshire said Parliament would get to pass judgment on May's Brexit plan no later than February 27. Britain is due to leave the EU on March 29, but Parliament has rejected May's divorce bill, leaving the prime minister to seek changes from the EU.

Asian stocks were mixed on Monday as concerns over global growth and US-China trade talks kept investors cautious. Markets in China and Taiwan, reopened after a weeklong Lunar New Year break. Japanese markets were closed for a holiday.

US stocks bounced off intraday lows to close mostly higher Friday as late afternoon buying offset pressure from lingering fears over U.S-China trade tensions.