Stocks to watch on Friday, August 23, 2024: Indian bourses are likely to see a listless opening on Friday, tracking weak global peers. The GIFT Nifty futures also suggest a flat start, as they quoted just 6 points lower than Nifty50 futures at 24,834 levels.
Asia-Pacific markets were trading lower on Friday as investors await comments from the US Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell, awaiting guidance on the future policy path.
In Asia, data from Japan revealed that headline inflation remained unchanged at 2.8 per cent in July, compared to previous month. Core inflation, excluding fresh food prices, was 2.7 per cent, matching economists expectations and up from June’s 2.6 per cent.
Japan’s Nikkei 225 was down 0.17 per cent this morning, with the broader based Topix index nearly flat, up 0.04 per cent.
South Korea’s Kospi fell 0.13 per cent, while the Kosdaq declined by 0.79 per cent.
Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 was down by 0.40 per cent. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index plummeted by 0.55 per cent at 17,543 levels.
Overnight in the US, the Nasdaq Composite led losses, dropping 1.67 per cent due to declines in tech stocks. The S&P 500 fell 0.89 per cent, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 0.43 per cent.
Meanwhile, back home below are some top stocks to watch on Friday:
FSN E-Commerce Ventures (Nykaa): Harindarpal Singh Banga, a pre-IPO investor in Nykaa, is set to sell up to 1.4 per cent of his stake in the beauty and personal care platform at a floor price of Rs 198 per share. Singh held a 6.4 per cent stake in Nykaa at the end of the June quarter.
Ambuja Cements: Holderind Investments, a promoter group entity, is launching a block deal to sell a 2.84 per cent stake in Ambuja Cements for $500 million. The floor price for the deal is Rs 600 per share, reflecting a 5 per cent discount from the last closing price of Rs 631.80 on August 22.
Shriram Finance: The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has approved Shriram Housing Finance’s sale to Mango Crest Investment Ltd, an affiliate of Warburg Pincus. The approval is contingent upon receiving additional regulatory approvals.
Bharti Airtel: Bharti Airtel has announced a reduction in its Goods and Services Tax (GST) liability following an appeal. The dispute involved the reverse charge mechanism on Licence Fees and Spectrum Usage Charges, initially assessed by the Additional Commissioner of the Central GST in Delhi. The Central Goods and Services Tax Appellate Authority has reduced Bharti Airtel’s GST demand from Rs 604.66 crore to Rs 194 crore following the company’s appeal.
Infosys: The Indian government is exploring ways to resolve tax disputes with major companies, including Infosys, which recently faced a demand for Rs 32,403 crore ($3.9 billion) in back taxes dating back to 2017. Authorities are considering options to settle these disputes to maintain investor confidence.
GAIL: GAIL (India) Ltd has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with US-based Petron Scientech Inc. to explore the establishment of a 500 kilo ton per annum bio-ethylene plant and downstream units in India through a joint venture.
Central Bank: Central Bank of India has successfully bid for the acquisition of Future Enterprises Ltd’s (FEL) stakes in life and general insurance ventures. FEL owns a 25 per cent stake in Future Generali India Insurance Company and a 33 per cent stake in Future Generali Life Insurance.
Wipro: Rizing Management LLC, a step-down subsidiary of Wipro, has been voluntarily liquidated as of August 21. Additionally, Wipro has been selected by John Lewis Partnership to modernise its IT infrastructure.
Bandhan Bank: The bank has introduced “Avni,” a savings account exclusively for women, and launched “Bandhan Bank Delights,” a loyalty program where customers can earn and redeem “delight points.”
SBI Life Insurance Company: The Deputy Excise and Taxation Commissioner in Haryana has demanded Rs 239.27 crore from SBI Life for GST, including interest and penalties, for FY20.
RailTel Corporation of India: The company has received a Rs 52.66 crore work order from the Uttar Pradesh Police Recruitment and Promotion Board.
Zomato: Zomato is shutting down its Intercity Legends service, which delivered iconic dishes from 10 cities across India, effective immediately.
Bharat Forge: The company will invest Rs 105.45 crore in its subsidiary Kalyani Powertrain by subscribing to 10,545,000 equity shares. Kalyani Powertrain specializes in EV and e-mobility solutions.
Spandana Sphoorty Financial: The board will meet on August 27 to consider issuing non-convertible debentures via private placement.
Jain Irrigation Systems: The company has developed a Tissue Culture protocol for coffee and signed an MoU with the Coffee Board of India to commercially release high-quality, disease-resistant coffee plants.
Power Mech Projects: Power Mech Projects has decided to issue bonus shares in a 1:1 ratio.
Prism Johnson: Prism Johnson has entered into a shareholders agreement with Sunbath Sanitary Private for an investment of Rs 18.72 crore through the subscription of equity shares. The company is engaged in manufacturing sanitaryware in Gujarat.
Akums Drugs and Pharma: Akums Drugs and Pharma’s wholly-owned subsidiary has commenced operations at its second production facility in Uttarakhand. The new facility will manufacture eye/ear drops, injectables, and infusions dosage forms.
First Published: Aug 23 2024 | 7:39 AM IST
