Thursday, 17 August 2017

Nifty Pared Gains & Closed Almost Flat Helped By Infy But Dragged By Banks After A Moderate Day Of Volatility Tracking Weak Global/EU Cues



Market Wrap: 17/08/2017 (17:00)

NSE-NF (Aug):9914 (+9; +0.09%) (TTM PE: 25.07; Nr. 2 SD of 25; Avg PE: 20; TTM EPS: 395; NS: 9904)

NSE-BNF (Aug):24295 (-180; -0.74%) (TTM PE: 30.49; Abv 3 SD of 30; Avg PE: 20 TTM EPS: 795; BNS: 24237)

For 18/08/2017: 

Key support for NF: 9865-9815

Key resistance for NF: 9950-9980/10005

Key support for BNF: 24250-24150

Key resistance for BNF: 24425-24525

Hints for positional trading:

Time & Price action suggests that, NF has to sustain over 9980 area for further rally towards 10005/10035-10095 & 10115-10160 area in the short term (under bullish case scenario).

On the flip side, sustaining below 9950 area, NF may fall towards 9895/9865-9815 & 9765-9705 area in the short term (under bear case scenario).

Similarly, BNF has to sustain over 24525 area for further rally towards 24600-24725 & 24900-25025 area in the near term (under bullish case scenario).

On the flip side, sustaining below 24475-24425 area, BNF may fall towards 24250-24150 & 23950-23850 area in the near term (under bear case scenario).

Nifty Fut (Aug) today closed around 9914, almost unchanged (+0.09%) after a moderate day of volatility, in which it made an opening session high of 9940 and mid session low of 9882. Indian market (Nifty Fut-Aug) today opened in slight gap up around 9927 (+20 points) tracking muted global cues but some RBI/Govt sops of farm loan for certain categories & a hawkish RBI minutes, dashing for any further rate cut hopes in 2017.

But, after trading strong for the fast few hours, it came under some selling spree on weak opening of EU market as EUR got strong amid US political jitters & a dovish FOMC minutes coupled with some adverse new flow both in national & international media about the ongoing India-China border standoff in various LOC, which may take serious geo-political turn at any point of time despite regular flag meetings between the two armies.

Also, concern of shell cos & Govt’s war on black money, muted Q1FY18 earnings and RBI tightening on NPA coupled with restriction of fresh commercial lending, especially to various real estate developers may have adversely affected the Indian market sentiment today and without contribution from Infy, VEDL & HDFC, Nifty could have ended in moderate red; these 3 cos has contributed almost +42 points in Nifty.

Indian market may have today focused on RBI/Govt sops for some categories of farm loan (discounts in interest rate), which may be positive for PSBS and also some selected private banks having relevant farm loan portfolio.

Indian Market May be Also Dragged By Muted Q1FY18 Earnings And Concern Of Ind-China Border Standoff:

But, muted Q1FY18 Nifty earnings, down by almost 8.4% (YOY) due to adverse report cards from PSBS, Pharma, IT, Automobiles, FMCG, consumer durables & staples for various reasons including a common  cause of Pre-GST disruption may be highly disappointed as Nifty EPS continue to be under the 400 mark for several years despite so called green shoots.

Looking ahead, Q2FY18 also may not be rosy amid subdued guidance on general slowdown of the economy for challenge in GST adaption, especially by small traders, DeMo blues (war on black money) and resultant formalization of the economy, which may also delay the overall economic recovery.

For now, Govt capex is supporting the GDP, but ongoing euphoria about farm loan waivers in various states may be also affecting the State Govt capex now and in turn, Central Govt capex may be also in pressure coupled with increasing expenditure on PSBS recapitalization & infra/defence spending and lower revenue from telecom sector.
Thus, an extended slowdown in consumption, private investments, hiring & earnings downgrade can’t be ruled out; market may be assuming very high EBITDA margin & profitability for FY: 18-20, which may be far from reality!!

Also, a hawkish RBI minutes released yesterday may have dashed the hope of any further rate cuts by MPC in 2017 and coupled with that, US political risk, Trump’s NK narratives to divert attention from his political drama, ongoing border tensions with China-India and an eventual Fed/ECB QT from 2018 may be some of the headwinds for the Indian market despite power of domestic liquidity, which may be also in question amid Govt’s war on black money, eyeing for the 2019 general election.

Nifty was today supported by Infy (buyback offer shortly), VEDL (upbeat metals for global growth optimism & China supply constraint), HDFC, IOC, NTPC, Bharti Airtel (some telecom sops buzz by the Govt/IMG & extension of spectrum payment period at reduced bank interest rate), ITC , Eicher Motors & RIL ( no fresh notice from the Govt demanding for more fines; all the disputed amount are under BS provision and arbitration).

Nifty was dragged by HDFC Bank, Adani Ports, Maruti, Kotak Bank, Yes Bank, L&T, Indusind Bank, Tata Motors, Cipla, SBI, Bosch & HUL.

Overall banks, FMCG, Pharma stocks dragged Nifty, while IT counters helped it a lot today. Bank Nifty today saw a sharp sell off at the closing hours, dragging the overall market may be due to weekly exp day volatility on today (Thursday) coupled with a hawkish RBI minutes released yesterday and pessimistic outlook for the overall banking sector amid high NPA from corporate to retail & muted credit growth and pressure of RBI to transmit more rate cuts.

Pharma stocks were under pressure today due to concern of adverse new Pharma policy on Indian drug makers, which are accused of exorbitant prices & sub-standard quality by various generic cos for decades.

Globally, most of the major Asian markets barring China & South Korea were trading in red tracking muted global cues after Trump dissolves all his business advisory council in an epic turn of US politics & the tragic VG incident following resignation of all the leading members (prominent business heads & CEO) amid an environment of intolerance, racism & violence and Trump’s stance on the whole affairs.

This may be a huge blow to Trump & his narratives of Trumponomics as these business councils were one of his strength despite daily political drama. These councils were formed with much fanfare after Trump took charge of the oval office to guide his administration in areas of trade, tax reforms, deregulations and investments in US to help US employment & to “make America great again”.

Thus, this disbanding of Trump’s strategy & policy council may be a serious blow to his presidency and eventually, he may resign coupled with rising pressure on his alleged Russian links investigation. Although, a resignation or an impeachment of Trump may be a temporary black swan event for the marker (risk assets), it may be positive in the long term as an element of daily political entertainment & uncertainty may be removed in his resignation from WH.
Also, yesterday’s FOMC minutes may be termed as dovish as several members are concerned over lower trajectory of US inflation for not only short/midterm, but also for longer term (2 yrs), which is a surprise as Fed/Yellen thinks the current subdued inflation is transitory & also idiosyncratic.

Fed is also concerned over rising asset (stock) prices as it has eased financial conditions despite multiple rate hikes by 3 times in the last 6 months. But, FOMC minutes yesterday also virtually confirmed a gradual BS tapering in the “upcoming” policy meets, most probably from either Sep or Dec’17, starting with no reinvestments of the matured bond amount principle and then gradually selling un-matured bonds in the market.

Fed may be also concerned over tepid private/public investments in US due to fiscal policy uncertainty and poor visibility of Trumponomics amid intense US political turmoil almost on daily basis.

Thus, Fed may not take the risk of dual QT (both rate hikes & BS tapering) in Dec’17 and will go only for gradual QE/BS tapering first, which may be also equivalent to a rate hike for the US economy as bond yields will surge on the back of greater US TSY bond supplies and if everything, from economics (inflation, GDP, employment/wage growth etc) to politics (Trump & Co) are fine, then Fed may go for further 3 rate hikes in 2018 starting from March’18 (Q1).

Although, Fed may be now taking some excuses of lower US inflation to not hike in Dec’17, several US policymakers have also acknowledged the fact that subdued US wage inflation & CPI may be a structural issue, which can’t be solved by QE alone.

The tepid US wage growth may be a function of ageing US demography, lack of relevant working skills, automation & also globalization. Thus inflation model of 1980’s may not be relevant now and thus the 2% inflation goal may be remained as elusive, unless the Govt stimulate the economy in a structural way; i.e. it needs fiscal stimulus rather than monetary stimulus. The same perception may be also applicable for other G-10 economics including EU & Japan.

All these US economical & political jitters has made the USD lower despite some hawkish effort from Fed’s Mester later in the day arguing for another 2017 rate hike inspite of lower inflation and ECB’s dialing back of Draghi’s QE signal talk at the Jackson Hole Symposium next week. USD is also under pressure from Trump’s rhetoric of trade war with China over NK issues and his narratives on NAFTA involving Canada & Mexico.

A lower USD may be now bad for global markets, most of which are dependent on exports, but it may be also good for US market & economy. Thus, despite so much US political headwinds, US market (DJ-30) yesterday closed almost flat around 22024 (+0.12%); SPX-500 is now trading around 2465, almost flat (-0.05%) on weaker USD ahead of ECB minutes today.

US market is also being supported by upbeat earnings, but the rally may not be broad based and may be limited to few stocks, having greater weightage on the index. FFR is now showing only a 40% probability of a Dec’17 rate hike, down from around 50% just before the FOMC minutes. A lower USD is positive for US earnings.

Elsewhere, Australia (ASX-200) closed around 5779, almost flat (-0.10%) on higher AUDUSD amid upbeat commodities and AU employment report. Telecom sector is also dragging the AU market today after Telstra slashed its dividend by 30% for 2017.

Japan (Nikkei-225) closed around 19703 (-0.14%) on lower USDJPY (higher Yen), which is negative for its export oriented economy. JPY today got more strength after an upbeat JP trade data, reflecting robust export (+13.2%) to China & US and also solid domestic demand (private consumption) amid good import (+16.3%). Today’s JP trade data may be also good for global economic recovery narrative along with Japan despite an overall strong Yen.

China (SSE) was trading around 3268, in deep green (+0.68%) on upbeat earnings of tech shares and metal optimism. Today PBOC fixed USDCNY slightly lower at 6.6709 vs 6.6779 yesterday and made a net injection of 50 bln Yen through its daily OMO. Metals are upbeat on perception of strong global demand & tight supplies coupled with lower USD.

Hong-Kong (HKG-33) was trading almost flat around 27345 (-0.20%) on lower USD, but upbeat tech shares amid strong earnings by Tencent and miners; but oil/energy related sectors may be in pressure today.

South-Korean market (Kospi) also surged by 0.65% after NK’s Kim back off from his Guam missile attack rhetoric and subsequent cool down by Trump, terming Kim’s decision as “wise” and avoided a “catastrophic” war situation.  SK’s Prez also warned NK about crossing the red line, if it go ahead with a nuke ready ICBM test, but has also remind that US will have to take Seoul’s approval for any military action on NK. 

Meanwhile, Crude Oil (WTI) was trading around 46.78, almost flat (+0.10%) after overnight plunge from around 47.98 tracking mixed inventory report amid surprised crude drawdown, but unexpected gasoline storage & US oil production surge.

Asian Market Update:  

FX UPDATE:



SGX-NF


BNF




GBPUSD

No comments:

Post a Comment