Share markets in India are presently trading marginally lower. Sectoral indices are trading on a negative note with stocks in the IT sector and consumer durables sector witnessing maximum selling pressure.
The BSE Sensex is trading down by 12 points (down 0.03%), while the NSE Nifty is trading down by 7 points (down 0.1%). The BSE Mid Cap index is trading down by 0.3%, while the BSE Small Cap index is trading down by 0.2%.
The rupee is trading at 68.74 to the US$.
From the banking space, Punjab National Bank share price is in focus today as it was reported that the lender recovered Rs 80 billion from stressed assets during the first quarter of FY19.
The bank also plans to recover Rs 120 billion worth of stressed assets in the second quarter and is expects it to turn profitable from third quarter of this this financial year.
At the time of writing, Punjab National Bank share price was trading up by 0.4% on the BSE.
From the IT sector, Infosys share price is also in focus today. Shares of the company are witnessing selling pressure and were trading down by 4.8% at the time of writing.
In the news from the commodity space, crude oil is witnessing selling pressure today. Losses are seen as US President Donald Trump called on the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) to cut crude oil prices.
As per the news, Trump indirectly linked US foreign policy to his demand, saying the US defends some oil producing countries for very little money. He had also accused the OPEC of driving up fuel prices yesterday.
The above development come only days after the US and Saudi Arabia discussed the possibility of Saudi Arabia releasing more of its own crude oil to cool surging prices.
Note that crude oil prices have been witnessing a rising trend lately. This doesn't bode well as rising crude oil prices not only affect fuel prices, but also has many other repercussions for the Indian economy.
They can be a big worry for the Modi government as well as it has been a big beneficiary of lower crude oil prices.
Have a look at the chart below. It shows India's total import bill of crude oil and petroleum products on an annual basis during the Manmohan Singh regime and the Narendra Modi regime.
Here's Why Crude Oil Was Modi's Best Friend So Far
As Ankit Shah wrote in one of the editions of The 5 Minute WrapUp...
- During the UPA II regime, India's average annual oil import bill was US$ 133 billion. In fact, in the last three years of Manmohan Singh's leadership, the oil import bill exceeded US$ 150 billion. Compare that with an average annual oil bill of US$ 95 billion during the four years of Modi's leadership.
The actual savings would have been even higher, because I believe the consumption of crude oil and petroleum products would have been quite higher in the Modi era than the Manmohan era.
Last Thursday, Brent crude oil prices shot above US$ 80 a barrel.
This is the highest level since 2014. In the past one year alone, oil prices have surged more than 50%.
Now, what if oil prices go back to the levels during the Manmohan Singh regime? What would happen to India's current account and fiscal deficit? What would happen to inflation and RBI's stance on interest rates?
With the next general elections just a year away, rising crude oil prices are going to be a big worry for the Modi government.
It should worry you too...
Apart from that, what does rising crude oil prices mean for stock markets?
Richa Agarwal, editor of Hidden Treasure, tracks the oil and gas sector very closely. She believes the rise in crude oil prices is a bearish sign for stock markets globally. At the same time, any market correction, will throw up interesting buying opportunities in small-cap stocks.
This is what she wrote...
- After hitting a low of US$ 30 per barrel in January 2016, prices have more than doubled to US$ 68 in April 2018.
The recent news of Saudi Arabia wanting crude oil prices to touch US$ 100 per barrel doesn't help. The 2008 recession was preceded by crude oil touching US$ 150 per barrel. Any movement upwards can result in a possible downturn for the global market.
While the Hidden Treasure team looks for long-term wealth creators, such macro situations can help to recommend such stocks at a bargain. The ones who keeps calm, when everyone else is losing their heads, will gain the most when the tide turns.
How the government handles this situation of rising crude oil and fuel prices remains to be seen. Meanwhile, we will keep you posted on all the developments from this space. Stay tuned.
This article was originally published in English at www.equitymaster.com
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