Business Standard Podcast

US internet giant Google, whose Android mobile operating system powers most of the world's smartphones, said on Sunday it was beginning to cut ties with China's Huawei, which Washington considers a national security threat. In the midst of a trade war with Beijing, President Donald Trump has barred US companies from engaging in telecommunications trade with foreign companies said to threaten American national security. The measure targets Huawei, a Chinese telecoms giant in Washington's sights, that is listed by the Commerce Department among firms with which American companies can only engage in trade after obtaining the green light from the authorities. The ban includes technology sharing. Listen to this podcast for more.

US internet giant Google, whose Android mobile operating system powers most of the world's smartphones, said on Sunday it was beginning to cut ties with China's Huawei, which Washington considers a national security threat. In the midst of a trade war with Beijing, President Donald Trump has barred US companies from engaging in telecommunications trade with foreign companies said to threaten American national security. The measure targets Huawei, a Chinese telecoms giant in Washington's sights, that is listed by the Commerce Department among firms with which American companies can only engage in trade after obtaining the green light from the authorities. The ban includes technology sharing. Listen to this podcast for more.

The optimism that ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is set to come to power again in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections will continue to dominate investor sentiment on Tuesday. However, weak global cues such as escalating trade tensions between the US and China and volatile crude oil prices may dent positive sentiment.  Besides, March quarter earnings and the movement of rupee against the US dollar will also play a key role.  On Monday, the S&P BSE Sensex ended the day 1,422 points higher at 39,352 levels while the broader Nifty50 gained 421 points to settle at 11,828. The rupee closed at Rs 69.74 a dollar. Corporate earnings About 97 companies are scheduled to announce their Q4FY19 results today including Tech Mahindra, DLF, Cochin Shipyard, and Jindal Steel and Power.  Global Cues Asian stocks were trading near four-month low on Tuesday. MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan was flat in early trade with Japan’s Nikkei trading 0.5 per cent lower. On Wall Street, the Dow Jones fell 84 points to 25,680 levels while the S&P500 fell 19 points to end at 2,840 levels. The Nasdaq, too, shed 114 points to close at 7,702.   In commodities, oil prices inched up on Tuesday as tensions between the US and Iran escalated. Brent crude futures were at $72.07 per barrel at 6:00 am up 0.1 per cent from their last close.

The optimism that ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is set to come to power again in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections will continue to dominate investor sentiment on Tuesday. However, weak global cues such as escalating trade tensions between the US and China and volatile crude oil prices may dent positive sentiment.  Besides, March quarter earnings and the movement of rupee against the US dollar will also play a key role.  On Monday, the S&P BSE Sensex ended the day 1,422 points higher at 39,352 levels while the broader Nifty50 gained 421 points to settle at 11,828. The rupee closed at Rs 69.74 a dollar. Corporate earnings About 97 companies are scheduled to announce their Q4FY19 results today including Tech Mahindra, DLF, Cochin Shipyard, and Jindal Steel and Power.  Global Cues Asian stocks were trading near four-month low on Tuesday. MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan was flat in early trade with Japan’s Nikkei trading 0.5 per cent lower. On Wall Street, the Dow Jones fell 84 points to 25,680 levels while the S&P500 fell 19 points to end at 2,840 levels. The Nasdaq, too, shed 114 points to close at 7,702.   In commodities, oil prices inched up on Tuesday as tensions between the US and Iran escalated. Brent crude futures were at $72.07 per barrel at 6:00 am up 0.1 per cent from their last close.

Benchmark indices ended Monday's session at record closing high, surging almost 4 per cent, a day after exit polls predicted the return of the Narendra Modi-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) to power. In the process, the S&P BSE Sensex reclaimed the 39,000-mark, while the Nifty Bank posted its biggest one-day gain. The S&P BSE Sensex ended the day 3.75 per cent, or 1,422 points, higher at 39,352 levels, with State Bank of India, YES Bank, IndusInd Bank, Larsen & Toubro, and YES Bank leading the list of gainers. Infosys and Bajaj Auto, however, settled in the red. The market breadth remained in favour of buyers as 2,018 stocks advanced and 611 declined, The broader Nifty50 gained 421 points, or 3.7 per cent, to settle at 11,828. BIGGEST GAIN POST EXIT POLLS SINCE 1999 Monday's gain is also the biggest gain for the benchmark indices after exit poll results since the 1999 Lok Sabha elections. On the previous exit poll day -- May 13, 2014 -- the S&P BSE Sensex and Nifty50 were up 2.4 per cent each.  Polling for the seventh and final phase of Lok Sabha (LS) elections 2019 ended on Sunday evening, with most exit polls predicting the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP’s) phir ek baar Modi sarkar, or ‘once more Modi government’ slogan likely to get vindicated on the counting day on Thursday (May 23).    All the Nifty sectoral indices remained in the green, with the Nifty PSU Bank index gaining the highest 7.9 per cent while the rest were up 0.6 to 5.7 per cent. In the broader market, the S&P BSE MidCap index gained 493 points, or 3.57 per cent, to end at 14,819, while the S&P BSE SmallCap index was up 3.6 per cent, or 493 points, higher at 14,381. BUZZING STOCKS Shares of Adani Group companies surged up to 17 per cent intra-day on the BSE on Monday supported by heavy buy volumes after exit polls predicted the Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) to form government on May 23. Shares of public sector banks were on a roll with Nifty PSU Bank index surging 7 per cent intra-day on the National Stock Exchange (NSE) amid expectations that the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) may retain power at the Centre. Indian Bank, Bank of Baroda, Bank of India (BOI), Canara Bank, Allahabad Bank and Syndicate Bank were up more than 7 per cent each on the NSE.

Benchmark indices ended Monday's session at record closing high, surging almost 4 per cent, a day after exit polls predicted the return of the Narendra Modi-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) to power. In the process, the S&P BSE Sensex reclaimed the 39,000-mark, while the Nifty Bank posted its biggest one-day gain. The S&P BSE Sensex ended the day 3.75 per cent, or 1,422 points, higher at 39,352 levels, with State Bank of India, YES Bank, IndusInd Bank, Larsen & Toubro, and YES Bank leading the list of gainers. Infosys and Bajaj Auto, however, settled in the red. The market breadth remained in favour of buyers as 2,018 stocks advanced and 611 declined, The broader Nifty50 gained 421 points, or 3.7 per cent, to settle at 11,828. BIGGEST GAIN POST EXIT POLLS SINCE 1999 Monday's gain is also the biggest gain for the benchmark indices after exit poll results since the 1999 Lok Sabha elections. On the previous exit poll day -- May 13, 2014 -- the S&P BSE Sensex and Nifty50 were up 2.4 per cent each.  Polling for the seventh and final phase of Lok Sabha (LS) elections 2019 ended on Sunday evening, with most exit polls predicting the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP’s) phir ek baar Modi sarkar, or ‘once more Modi government’ slogan likely to get vindicated on the counting day on Thursday (May 23).    All the Nifty sectoral indices remained in the green, with the Nifty PSU Bank index gaining the highest 7.9 per cent while the rest were up 0.6 to 5.7 per cent. In the broader market, the S&P BSE MidCap index gained 493 points, or 3.57 per cent, to end at 14,819, while the S&P BSE SmallCap index was up 3.6 per cent, or 493 points, higher at 14,381. BUZZING STOCKS Shares of Adani Group companies surged up to 17 per cent intra-day on the BSE on Monday supported by heavy buy volumes after exit polls predicted the Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) to form government on May 23. Shares of public sector banks were on a roll with Nifty PSU Bank index surging 7 per cent intra-day on the National Stock Exchange (NSE) amid expectations that the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) may retain power at the Centre. Indian Bank, Bank of Baroda, Bank of India (BOI), Canara Bank, Allahabad Bank and Syndicate Bank were up more than 7 per cent each on the NSE.

Most exit polls forecast a majority for the ruling BJP-led NDA in Lok Sabha polls with varying numbers as the seven-phase polling in the general elections ended Sunday Two exit polls telecast by Times Now gave the NDA 296 and 306 seats, while they projected 126 and 132 for the Congress-led UPA The CVoter-Republic exit poll has forecast 287 and 128 seats for the NDA and UPA respectively However, Neta-News X predicted that the National Democratic Alliance could fall short of the majority and win 242 seats. It gave the UPA 164 seats Elections to 542 seats of the Lok Sabha ended Sunday. The majority mark is 272 An exit poll on News 18 forecast that the NDA will win 292-312 seats while it gave 62-72 seats for the UPA Many exit polls predicted that SP-BSP alliance in Uttar Pradesh is likely to trump the BJP in the country's politically most crucial state. The BJP had won 71 and its ally Apna Dal two of its 80 seats in 2014 The saffron alliance may not touch even half way mark of 40 in Uttar Pradesh this time, some exit polls said.  The counting of votes will take place on May 23. Listen to this podcast for more.

Most exit polls forecast a majority for the ruling BJP-led NDA in Lok Sabha polls with varying numbers as the seven-phase polling in the general elections ended Sunday Two exit polls telecast by Times Now gave the NDA 296 and 306 seats, while they projected 126 and 132 for the Congress-led UPA The CVoter-Republic exit poll has forecast 287 and 128 seats for the NDA and UPA respectively However, Neta-News X predicted that the National Democratic Alliance could fall short of the majority and win 242 seats. It gave the UPA 164 seats Elections to 542 seats of the Lok Sabha ended Sunday. The majority mark is 272 An exit poll on News 18 forecast that the NDA will win 292-312 seats while it gave 62-72 seats for the UPA Many exit polls predicted that SP-BSP alliance in Uttar Pradesh is likely to trump the BJP in the country's politically most crucial state. The BJP had won 71 and its ally Apna Dal two of its 80 seats in 2014 The saffron alliance may not touch even half way mark of 40 in Uttar Pradesh this time, some exit polls said.  The counting of votes will take place on May 23. Listen to this podcast for more.

Lok Sabha 2019 election results will be the biggest trigger for the markets this week. On Sunday, most exit polls showed Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to return to power after a mammoth general election that ended yesterday. Markets are expected to react to the exit polls when the trading resumes on Monday. Counting of votes will begin on May 23. Apart from this, March quarter earnings, crude oil prices, and US-China trade dialogues will also dominate investor sentiment.  On Friday, the benchmark S&P BSE Sensex ended 537 points or 1.24 per cent higher at 37,931, while broader Nifty50 ended at 11,407 mark, up 150 points or 1.13 per cent. The rupee closed at Rs 70.22 per US dollar, depreciating 31 paise on a weekly basis. Corporate earnings About 658 companies are scheduled to declare their Q4FY19 numbers this week including BPCL, HPCL, Tata Motors and Tech Mahindra.  Global cues Asian equities rose from a five-month low during early trade on Monday. Japan’s Nikkei index was up 0.34 per cent while South Korea’s Kospi index advanced 0.57 per cent. On Friday, US shares ended lower. The Dow Jones was down 0.38 per cent to end at 25,764 while the S&P500 slipped 0.58 per cent to close at 2,860. The Nasdaq was down 1.04 per cent to close at 7,816 levels. Oil prices jumped by 1 per cent on Monday after Saudi Energy Minister Khalid al-Falih indicated that oil producing countries would continue to limit supplies. Brent crude futures were at $72.98 a barrel around 5:30 am, up 1.1 per cent, from their last close.

Lok Sabha 2019 election results will be the biggest trigger for the markets this week. On Sunday, most exit polls showed Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to return to power after a mammoth general election that ended yesterday. Markets are expected to react to the exit polls when the trading resumes on Monday. Counting of votes will begin on May 23. Apart from this, March quarter earnings, crude oil prices, and US-China trade dialogues will also dominate investor sentiment.  On Friday, the benchmark S&P BSE Sensex ended 537 points or 1.24 per cent higher at 37,931, while broader Nifty50 ended at 11,407 mark, up 150 points or 1.13 per cent. The rupee closed at Rs 70.22 per US dollar, depreciating 31 paise on a weekly basis. Corporate earnings About 658 companies are scheduled to declare their Q4FY19 numbers this week including BPCL, HPCL, Tata Motors and Tech Mahindra.  Global cues Asian equities rose from a five-month low during early trade on Monday. Japan’s Nikkei index was up 0.34 per cent while South Korea’s Kospi index advanced 0.57 per cent. On Friday, US shares ended lower. The Dow Jones was down 0.38 per cent to end at 25,764 while the S&P500 slipped 0.58 per cent to close at 2,860. The Nasdaq was down 1.04 per cent to close at 7,816 levels. Oil prices jumped by 1 per cent on Monday after Saudi Energy Minister Khalid al-Falih indicated that oil producing countries would continue to limit supplies. Brent crude futures were at $72.98 a barrel around 5:30 am, up 1.1 per cent, from their last close.

Sensex and Nifty surged on the final day of a volatile week on Friday with both the benchmark indices gaining over a per cent each ahead of exit polls outcome on Sunday. The benchmark Sensex zoomed almost 1.5 per cent, up 537 points, to close at 37,931, with Bajaj Finance, Hero MotoCorp, Maruti Suzuki India, Kotak Bank, and Bajaj Auto registering the biggest gains. Market breadth remained in favour of buyers with the advance-decline ratio at 3:2. Kotak Mahindra, ICICI Bank, HDFC twins, and ITC were the biggest contributors in Sensex's march to the north. The broader Nifty50 also surged 1.33 per cent, or 150 points, to end the day at 11,407. About 1,029 stocks advanced and 723 shares declined on National Stock Exchange. Among sectoral indices, only three indices remained in the red, with Nifty Media gaining the highest 3.53 per cent. Nifty Bank, Nifty Auto, Nifty Finance Service, Nifty FMCG and Nifty Private Bank all rose more than 2 per cent. In the broader market, the S&P BSE MidCap gained 153 points, or 1.08 per cent, at 14,308.36, while the S&P BSE SmallCap also rose 70 points, or 0.51 per cent, at 13,887. Bajaj Finance shares hit a fresh all-time high of Rs 3,262, up 5 per cent, in early morning trade on the BSE on Friday after the company reported a better-than-expected profit and net interest income (NII) in March quarter. Aurobindo Pharma shares fell 6 per cent to Rs 682 in early morning trade on the BSE on Friday after the drug firm announced that the American drug regulator classified the inspection of the company’s API intermediates facilities of Unit I, IX and XI as Official Action Indicated (OAI).

Sensex and Nifty surged on the final day of a volatile week on Friday with both the benchmark indices gaining over a per cent each ahead of exit polls outcome on Sunday. The benchmark Sensex zoomed almost 1.5 per cent, up 537 points, to close at 37,931, with Bajaj Finance, Hero MotoCorp, Maruti Suzuki India, Kotak Bank, and Bajaj Auto registering the biggest gains. Market breadth remained in favour of buyers with the advance-decline ratio at 3:2. Kotak Mahindra, ICICI Bank, HDFC twins, and ITC were the biggest contributors in Sensex's march to the north. The broader Nifty50 also surged 1.33 per cent, or 150 points, to end the day at 11,407. About 1,029 stocks advanced and 723 shares declined on National Stock Exchange. Among sectoral indices, only three indices remained in the red, with Nifty Media gaining the highest 3.53 per cent. Nifty Bank, Nifty Auto, Nifty Finance Service, Nifty FMCG and Nifty Private Bank all rose more than 2 per cent. In the broader market, the S&P BSE MidCap gained 153 points, or 1.08 per cent, at 14,308.36, while the S&P BSE SmallCap also rose 70 points, or 0.51 per cent, at 13,887. Bajaj Finance shares hit a fresh all-time high of Rs 3,262, up 5 per cent, in early morning trade on the BSE on Friday after the company reported a better-than-expected profit and net interest income (NII) in March quarter. Aurobindo Pharma shares fell 6 per cent to Rs 682 in early morning trade on the BSE on Friday after the drug firm announced that the American drug regulator classified the inspection of the company’s API intermediates facilities of Unit I, IX and XI as Official Action Indicated (OAI).

US President Donald Trump has proposed a sweeping change to the immigration system to make it "merit-based" favouring professionals and well-educated people who will be high earners. Unveiling his plan at the White House on Thursday, he said the current immigration system discriminates against "genius" and "brilliance" and that he wanted to correct this with a new system he called "Build America Visa" that favours those with demonstrated potential. The plan is modelled on the immigration systems of Canada, Australia and New Zealand, which prioritise admission based on points awarded for various qualifications. Listen to this podcast for more.

US President Donald Trump has proposed a sweeping change to the immigration system to make it "merit-based" favouring professionals and well-educated people who will be high earners. Unveiling his plan at the White House on Thursday, he said the current immigration system discriminates against "genius" and "brilliance" and that he wanted to correct this with a new system he called "Build America Visa" that favours those with demonstrated potential. The plan is modelled on the immigration systems of Canada, Australia and New Zealand, which prioritise admission based on points awarded for various qualifications. Listen to this podcast for more.

Crude oil prices, March quarter earnings, and US-China trade tensions would be the key monitorable for investors on Friday. On Thursday, the benchmark S&P BSE Sensex rose 279 points to close at 37,393 levels. The broader Nfity50 index added 100 points to settle at 11,257 mark. The rupee closed marginally higher at Rs 70.03 per dollar, up 30 paise against Wednesday’s close of Rs 70.33. CORPORATE RESULTS Bajaj Auto, Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories, Indian Oil Corporation, and Zee Learn are among the 84 companies that are scheduled to report their Q4FY19 results today. GLOBAL CUES Asian shares were trying to hold steady on Friday. MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan inched up 0.1 per cent and was off a 15-week trough. Japan’s Nikkei bounced 0.7 per cent in early trade, while the main Australian index added 0.5 per cent. On Wall Street, indices ended higher during the overnight trade on Thursday adding about a per cent each. While Dow Jones Industrial Average added 215 points to settle at 25,863 levels, S&P500 closed 25 points higher at 2,876. Nasdaq was up 76 points to end at 7,898 levels.    CRUDE CHECK Oil prices extended gains on Friday as rising tensions in the Middle East stoked fears of potential supply disruptions. Brent crude futures were at $72.82 a barrel around 6:00 am, up 0.3 per cent, from their last close.