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Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd gained for a fifth straight session today. The stock is quoting at Rs 417, up 3.59% on the day as on 12:44 IST on the NSE. The benchmark NIFTY is down around 0.01% on the day, quoting at 14561.7. The Sensex is at 49508.38, down 0.02%. Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd has risen around 2.85% in last one month.
Meanwhile, Nifty Energy index of which Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd is a constituent, has risen around 0.68% in last one month and is currently quoting at 17329.6, up 0.8% on the day. The volume in the stock stood at 155.13 lakh shares today, compared to the daily average of 70.81 lakh shares in last one month.
The benchmark January futures contract for the stock is quoting at Rs 421.1, up 4.14% on the day. Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd is down 11.9% in last one year as compared to a 17.79% spurt in NIFTY and a 8.82% spurt in the Nifty Energy index.
The PE of the stock is 16.2 based on TTM earnings ending September 20.
BPCL said the Board of Directors has also approved the proposal to approach Government of Madhya Pradesh for acquiring 269,00,000 warrants held by the Government in Bharat Oman Refineries.
BORL was incorporated on 25 February 1994 where BPCL holds 63.38% stake while OQ S.A.O.C holds 36.62% of the paid up share capital. The revenue from operations of BORL for the financial years in 2019-20 was Rs 41,940.96 crore, in 2018-19 it was Rs 31,597.59 crore and in 2017-18 was Rs 31,287.48 crore.
BORL has a refinery of 7.8 MMTPA capacity at Bina, Madhya Pradesh, crude oil import / supply system consisting of a single point mooring System, crude oil Terminal at Vadinar, Gujarat and 937 kms long cross-country crude oil pipeline from Vadinar to Bina.
Shares of BPCL are currently trading higher by 0.21% at Rs 396.40 on the BSE.
In a separate announcement, BPCL said its board of directors has accorded its 'in principle' approval for merger of Bharat Gas Resources (a wholly owned subsidiary of BPCL) with BPCL. BGRL is engaged in the business of Natural Gas. During the financial year 2019-20, BGRL has recorded revenue from operations of Rs.273.35 crore.
BPCL operates in refinery and marketing activities, which includes downstream petroleum sector. The Government of India holds 52.98% stake in BPCL as of 30 September 2020.
BORL was incorporated on 25 February, 1994. The Authorised share capital of BORL is Rs. 7000 crore and paid up share capital is Rs. 2426.83 crore. BPCL holds 63.38% of the paid up share capital of BORL and OQ S.A.0.C holds 36.62% of the paid up share capital. The revenue from Operations of BORL for the financial years; 20 19-20 was Rs. 41,940.96 crore, 20 18- 19 was Rs 31,597.59 crore, 20 17- 18 was Rs 31,287.48 crore.
BORL has a refinery of 7.8 MMTPA capacity at Bina, Madhya Pradesh, Crude Oil import / supply system consisting of a Single Point Mooring System, Crude Oil Terminal at Vadinar, Gujarat and 937 KMs long cross country crude oil pipeline from Vadinar to Bina.
BGRL is engaged in the business of Natural Gas. The Authorised Equity Share capital of BGRL is Rs.2300 crore and current paid up capital is Rs.558.62 crore. During the financial year 20 19-20, BGRL has recorded revenue from operations of Rs.273.35 crore.
(i) for acquisition of 36.62% of equity shares in Bharat Oman Refineries (BORL) from OQ S.A.0.C.(formerly known as Oman Oil Company S.A.O.C). This would amount to acquisition of 888,613,336 equity shares from O.Q. S.A.0.C. Presently, BPCL holds 63.38% of equity shares in BORL and OQ S.A.O.C holds 36.62% equity shares in BORL. The Board of Directors would also consider a proposal to approach Government of Madhya Pradesh (GoMP) for acquiring 269,00,000 warrants held by GoMP in BORL.
(ii) for merger of Bharat Gas Resources (a wholly owned subsidiary of BPCL) with BPCL.
SGX Nifty:
Trading of Nifty 50 index futures on the Singapore stock exchange indicates that the Nifty could rise 116 points at the opening bell.
Global markets:
Overseas, Asian stocks were mixed in Monday trade as investors continue to monitor the situation surrounding the coronavirus pandemic.
Amid the pandemic, China surpassed the U.S. as the world's largest recipient of foreign direct investment, according to a report released Sunday from the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development. China brought in $163 billion in inflows last year, compared to $134 billion attracted by the U.S., according to the report.
Developments around Covid-19 are likely to be watched by investors, as the world races to adapt against the mutating coronavirus which has produced a number of potentially more infectious variants.
In US, stocks finished mixed on Friday — the S&P 500 and Dow finished in the red while the Nasdaq Composite closed at a record high. The Dow and S&P 500 ended modestly lower on Friday, dragged down by losses in blue-chip technology stalwarts Intel and IBM following their quarterly results.
Domestic markets:
Back home, domestic shares slumped on Friday, led by steep selling in banks stocks. Global stocks corrected as investors locked profits after a recent rally that was driven by hopes of a massive US economic stimulus plan by incoming President Joe Biden. The S&P BSE Sensex, tumbled 746.22 points or 1.5% at 48,878.54. The Nifty 50 index dropped 218.45 points or 1.5% at 14,371.90.
Foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) sold shares worth Rs 635.69 crore, while domestic institutional investors (DIIs), were net sellers to the tune of Rs 1,290.35 crore in the Indian equity market on 22 January, provisional data showed.
Trading of Nifty 50 index futures on the Singapore stock exchange indicates that the Nifty could fall 56 points at the opening bell.
Overseas, Asian stocks are trading lower on Friday as investors took some money off the table after a recent rally that was driven by hopes a massive U.S. economic stimulus plan by incoming President Joe Biden will help temper the COVID-19 impact.
Japan's core consumer prices slumped in December at the fastest annual pace in a decade. The nationwide core consumer price index (CPI), which includes oil but excludes fresh food costs, fell 1% in December from a year earlier, government data showed.
In US, the S&P 500 and Nasdaq closed at record highs on Thursday, propelled by optimism about more pandemic relief under the Biden administration to support the economy.
Investors are watching if President Joe Biden can get his proposed $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief bill through Congress. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Thursday the chamber is ready to pass the bill in the first week of February.
Biden released details of his Covid plan on his first full day in office, including 10 executive orders and his intent to use the Defense Production Act to ramp up protective equipment production. Biden will seek to accelerate the rollout of vaccines by providing more local and state funding, creating more vaccination sites and launching a national education campaign.
In Europe, the European Central Bank left its key bond-purchase program unchanged Thursday and also pledged to provide more support for the economy if needed as the 19-country eurozone endures a winter economic slowdown due to the pandemic.
Back home, domestic equity indices corrected on Thursday as investors booked profits after gains in past two consecutive sessions. The S&P BSE Sensex, slipped 167.36 points or 0.34% at 49,624.76. The Nifty 50 index fell 54.35 points or 0.37% at 14,590.35.
Foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) bought shares worth Rs 1,614.66 crore, while domestic institutional investors (DIIs), were net sellers to the tune of Rs 1,039.48 crore in the Indian equity market on 21 January, provisional data showed.
Trading of Nifty 50 index futures on the Singapore stock exchange indicates that the Nifty could rise 56 points at the opening bell.
Overseas, Asian stocks rose on Thursday after stocks on Wall Street sailed to record highs as U.S. President Joe Biden was sworn into office.
In US, the stock market rallied to a record close as President Joe Biden was sworn into office, sparking hopes for another stimulus package and smoother vaccine rollout ahead.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average jumped 257.86 points, or 0.8%, to a new closing high of 31,188.38. The S&P 500 advanced 1.4% to a record close of 3,851.85, led by the communication services sector. The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite jumped nearly 2% to 13,457.25, notching a fresh record. All three averages also touched their intraday highs during the session.
Netflix soared after the company reported strong subscriber growth and said it's considering share buybacks. The company also said it expects to break even on a cash flow basis this year.
Biden was inaugurated to succeed President Donald Trump as the 46th president of the United States. Janet Yellen, Biden's designated nominee for Treasury Secretary, on Tuesday endorsed higher aid spending and urged lawmakers to “act big.”
Back home, the benchmark indices advanced for the second trading session on Wednesday, tracking positive global cues. The S&P BSE Sensex, surged 393.83 points or 0.80% at 49,792.12. The Nifty 50 index soared 123.55 points or 0.85% at 14,644.70.
Foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) bought shares worth Rs 2,289.05 crore, while domestic institutional investors (DIIs), were net sellers to the tune of Rs 864.62 crore in the Indian equity market on 20 January, provisional data showed.
Trading of Nifty 50 index futures on the Singapore stock exchange indicates that the Nifty could fall 46 points at the opening bell.
Overseas, Asian stocks were mostly higher on Wednesday as investors in Asia-Pacific reacted to the release of China's latest benchmark lending rate. The moves in Chinese stocks came as the one-year prime rate (LPR) and five-year LPR in China were both left unchanged at 3.85% and 4.65%, respectively.
US stocks climbed on Tuesday as investors digested results from the new earnings season as well as signals for another big stimulus and faster pace of vaccine distribution ahead.
Janet Yellen, President-elect Joe Biden's designated nominee for Treasury Secretary and a former chair of the Federal Reserve, appeared before the Senate Finance Committee on Tuesday. Yellen called for the federal government to enact a large stimulus to help the economy.
Biden, set to be inaugurated on Wednesday, unveiled his $1.9 trillion plan for economic relief last week as the country tries to get a handle on the Covid-19 pandemic.
Back home, the domestic indices bounced on Tuesday after falling for the past two consecutive sessions. The barometer index, the S&P BSE Sensex, surged 834.02 points or 1.72% to 49,398.29. The Nifty 50 index surged 239.85 points or 1.68% at 14,521.15.
Foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) bought shares worth Rs 257.55 crore, while domestic institutional investors (DIIs), were net sellers to the tune of Rs 199.30 crore in the Indian equity market on 19 January, provisional data showed.
Trading of Nifty 50 index futures on the Singapore stock exchange indicates that the Nifty could rise 96 points at the opening bell.
Overseas, Asian stocks traded mixed on Tuesday as investors await remarks from U.S. President-elect Joe Biden's nominee for Treasury secretary, Janet Yellen.
On the coronavirus front, the head of the World Health Organization warned Monday of a “catastrophic moral failure” due to unfair vaccine rollouts.
The U.S. stock market was closed on Monday in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Back home, benchmark indices ended with steep losses on Monday, extending fall for the second straight session. Rising coronavirus cases across US, Europe and China weighed on investors' sentiment. The barometer index, the S&P BSE Sensex, dropped 470.40 points or 0.96% to 48,564.27. The Nifty 50 index lost 152.40 points or 1.06% at 14,281.30.
Foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) bought shares worth Rs 650.60 crore, while domestic institutional investors (DIIs), were net sellers to the tune of Rs 42.51 crore in the Indian equity market on 18 January, provisional data showed.
Trading of Nifty 50 index futures on the Singapore stock exchange indicates that the Nifty could fall 29 points at the opening bell.
Overseas, Asian stocks are trading mixed on Monday as investors in the region reacted to Chinese economic data releases, including the country's GDP print for the fourth quarter.
China reported GDP rose 2.3% last year as the world struggled to contain the coronavirus pandemic. Gross domestic product grew by 6.5% in the fourth quarter from a year ago, official data from National Bureau of Statistics showed. However, Chinese consumers remained reluctant to spend, as retail sales contracted 3.9% for the year. Retail sales for the fourth quarter rose 4.6% from a year ago.
Markets in the U.S. are closed on Monday for a holiday. US stocks fell on Friday as traders weighed President-elect Joe Biden's $1.9 trillion stimulus plan along with the latest earnings from some of the biggest U.S. banks.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed 177.26 points lower, or 0.6%, at 30,814.26. The S&P 500 dipped 0.7% to 3,768.25, and the Nasdaq Composite slid 0.9% to end the day at 12,998.50.
Among major banks, JPMorgan reported better-than-expected earnings. Wells Fargo and Citigroup posted earnings that beat analyst expectations.
Back home, domestic equity benchmarks declined sharply on Friday, led by broader selling pressure. The barometer index, the S&P BSE Sensex, dropped 549.49 points or 1.11% to 49,034.67. The Nifty 50 index lost 161.90 points or 1.11% at 14,433.70.
Foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) bought shares worth Rs 971.06 crore, while domestic institutional investors (DIIs), were net sellers to the tune of Rs 942.07 crore in the Indian equity market on 15 January, provisional data showed.
Trading of Nifty 50 index futures on the Singapore stock exchange indicates that the Nifty could fall 60 points at the opening bell.
Budget session:
The Union Budget 2021-22 would be presented on February 1. The Parliament session would be starting from January 29, and would be held in two phases. Subject to exigencies of government business, the session is likely to conclude on 8 April 2021.
Overseas, Asian stocks were mixed on Friday as investors regionally reacted to the release of U.S. President-elect Joe Biden's $1.9 trillion coronavirus rescue package.
U.S. President-elect Joe Biden on Thursday revealed details of a $1.9 trillion coronavirus rescue package. Biden's proposal, called the American Rescue Plan, includes some familiar stimulus measures in the hope of sustaining families and companies till vaccines are widely distributed. Some of the proposed measures include stimulus checks as well as unemployment support.
Shares of Chinese smartphone maker Xiaomi plunged in Friday after U.S. President Donald Trump's administration placed the firm on a blacklist of alleged Chinese military companies.
In US, stocks fell slightly on Thursday, with tech shares declining, as traders awaited the unveiling of a potentially big economic stimulus package.
Sentiment got a boost earlier in the session as trial data published late Wednesday showed that Johnson & Johnson's one-dose coronavirus vaccine is safe and generates a promising immune response.
Investors kept an eye on Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, who struck a dovish tone in comments at a virtual symposium with Princeton University. Powell said the U.S. central bank is not raising interest rates anytime soon and rejected suggestions the Fed might start reducing its bond purchases in the near term.
Meanwhile, Donald Trump became the first president in U.S. history to be impeached twice when the House voted 232-197 on Wednesday to charge him with inciting riots at the Capitol.
Back home, the domestic equity benchmarks reversed early losses and ended with decent gains on Thursday. The barometer index, the S&P BSE Sensex, added 91.84 points or 0.19% to 49,584.16. The Nifty 50 index gained 30.75 points or 0.21% at 14,595.60.
Foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) bought shares worth Rs 1,076.62 crore, while domestic institutional investors (DIIs), were net sellers to the tune of Rs 188.10 crore in the Indian equity market on 14 January, provisional data showed.
Trading of Nifty 50 index futures on the Singapore stock exchange indicates that the Nifty could rise 13 points at the opening bell.
Overseas, Asian stocks are trading mixed on Thursday as investors await the release of Chinese trade data for December.
On the coronavirus vaccine front, trial data published Wednesday in the New England Journal of Medicine reportedly showed Johnson & Johnson's one-shot Covid vaccine is safe and appears to generate a immune response in both young and elderly volunteers. J&J's vaccine candidate, which only requires one dose, could simplify logistics for health-care providers. The two vaccines currently authorized by the Food and Drug Administration from Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna require two doses about three to four weeks apart.
In US, the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite closed slightly higher on Wednesday, led by tech shares, as traders kept an eye on interest rates, the political uncertainty coming out of Washington and a still raging pandemic. President-elect Joe Biden is expected to release details on his economic plan on Thursday.
The S&P 500 index gained 0.2% to end the day at 3,809.84, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq advanced 0.4% to 13,128.95. The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed just 8.22 points lower, or 0.03%, at 31,060.47.
Meanwhile, turmoil in Washington continues with the House on Wednesday impeaching U.S. President Donald Trump for inciting the attack on the U.S. Capitol last week.
Back home, the domestic equity barometers ended almost flat after a volatile session on Wednesday. Select autos and PSU banks advanced while pharma and financial stocks lagged. The barometer index, the S&P BSE Sensex, was down 24.79 points or 0.05% to 49,492.32. The Nifty 50 index added 1.40 points or 0.01% to 14,564.85.
Foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) bought shares worth Rs 1,879.06 crore, while domestic institutional investors (DIIs), were net sellers to the tune of Rs 2,370.17 crore in the Indian equity market on 13 January, provisional data showed.
Trading of Nifty 50 index futures on the Singapore stock exchange indicates that the Nifty could rise 39 points at the opening bell.
On the macro front, the Index of Industrial Production (IIP) contracted 1.9% for November 2020, data released on Tuesday showed. The factory output in the country had grown at 3.6% in October. India's Consumer Price Index (CPI) eased to 4.59% in December from 6.93% in November.
Overseas, Asian stocks are trading mixed on Wednesday morning trade as investors watch for developments on the coronavirus front. In corporate news, Hong Kong-listed shares of Lenovo jumped after the firm announced Tuesday a proposed issuance and admission of Chinese depositary receipts on the Shanghai Stock Exchange's Science and Technology Innovation Board.
The Japanese government is set to expand the state of emergency to more areas on Wednesday, as per reports. That comes after Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga recently declared a state of emergency in Tokyo and three other areas in a bid to stem a rise in coronavirus infections. Meanwhile, local Chinese authorities in regions near Beijing are reportedly stepping up restrictions on social activity following a rise in new coronavirus cases.
In US, stocks closed along the flatline on Tuesday as traders weighed higher rates, possible stimulus and political turmoil.
Investors will watch for developments from Washington, with the U.S. House set to push ahead with efforts to remove President Donald Trump from office over his role in sparking last week's deadly attack on the Capitol. U.S. Vice President Mike Pence, however, said Tuesday night he will not remove Trump from office. The developments came just days ahead of President-elect Joe Biden's inauguration on January 20.
Back home, the domestic equity benchmark ended near the day's high on Tuesday. The barometer index, the S&P BSE Sensex, jumped, 247.79 points or 0.50% to 49,517.11. The Nifty 50 index added 78.70 points or 0.54% to 14,563.45.
Foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) bought shares worth Rs 571.47 crore, while domestic institutional investors (DIIs), were net sellers to the tune of Rs 1,334.50 crore in the Indian equity market on 12 January, provisional data showed.
Trading of Nifty 50 index futures on the Singapore stock exchange indicates that the Nifty could fall 12 points at the opening bell.
On the COVID-19 vaccine front, Bharat Biotech reportedly inked a purchase agreement with the Government of India on January 11 to provide 55 lakh doses of COVID-19 vaccine Covaxin at Rs 295 per dose. The pharma firm will be providing its coronavirus vaccine directly to 12 states, and the process will be completed in two days by January 14. Dispatches will begin from Hyderabad starting January 12. Bharat Biotech will be providing 38.5 lakh doses of the COVID-19 vaccine in stage 1 and 16.5 doses in stage 2.
Overseas, Asian stocks were trading mixed on Tuesday after shares on Wall Street pulled back overnight from all-time highs.
US stocks fell on Monday as investors assessed equity valuations and the outlook for more Covid-19 relief stimulus, along with ongoing political turmoil.
Tensions were high in Washington again to start the week as House Democrats introduced an article of impeachment on Monday against President Donald Trump for inciting the mob attack at the Capitol. The lower chamber plans to vote on the article sometime this week. Multiple Cabinet-level officials have quit since the riot, with President-elect Joe Biden set to be inaugurated on January 20.
Back home, domestic equity benchmarks jumped to end near the day's high on Monday, supported by rally in IT and auto shares. The barometer index, the S&P BSE Sensex, jumped 486.81 points or 1% to 49,269.32. The Nifty 50 index gained 137.50 points or 0.96% to 14,484.75.
Foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) bought shares worth Rs 3,138.90 crore, while domestic institutional investors (DIIs), were net sellers to the tune of Rs 2,610.13 crore in the Indian equity market on 11 January, provisional data showed.
Trading of Nifty 50 index futures on the Singapore stock exchange indicates that the Nifty could rise 61 points at the opening bell.
Overseas, Asian stocks are trading mixed on Monday, with South Korean stocks surging again on the back of big gains last week. Shares in South Korea's auto sector surged again on Monday following reports that Hyundai Motor and Apple are set to sign a partnership deal on autonomous electric cars. Markets in Japan are closed on Monday for a holiday.
In US, Wall Street scaled new highs on Friday as hopes of more stimulus from Washington were bolstered after U.S. President-elect Joe Biden said his economic package will be in the trillions of dollars.
In economic data, the US economy shed jobs for the first time in eight months in December. Nonfarm payrolls decreased by 140,000 jobs last month, the Labor Department said on Friday. Data for November was revised up to show 336,000 jobs added instead of 245,000 as previously reported.
Back home, the equity market ended with robust gains on Friday, mirroring strong global cues. The S&P BSE Sensex, jumped 689.19 points or 1.43% at 48,782.51. The Nifty 50 index rallied 209.9 points or 1.48% at 14,347.55.
Foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) bought shares worth Rs 6,029.83 crore, while domestic institutional investors (DIIs), were net sellers to the tune of Rs 2,372.54 crore in the Indian equity market on 8 January, provisional data showed.
Trading of Nifty 50 index futures on the Singapore stock exchange indicates that the Nifty could rise 74 points at the opening bell.
On the macro front, the central government projects the country's economy to contract by 7.7% in the current fiscal year 2020-21, as per the first advance estimates of gross domestic product released by the National Statistical Office on 7 January 2021.
Overseas, Asian stocks are trading mixed on Friday trade after stocks on Wall Street cruised to new record highs overnight. Shares of South Korean automaker Hyundai Motor soared following reports of a deal between the firm and Cupertino-based tech giant Apple on developing electric vehicles and batteries.
In US, stocks rose to all-time highs on Thursday as the U.S. Congress confirmed the election of Joe Biden as president early Thursday, a day after supporters of Donald Trump invaded the U.S. Capitol. Thursday marked the Nasdaq's first-ever close above 13,000. It was also the first time the Dow and S&P 500 ended a session above 31,000 and 3,800, respectively.
Traders continued to focus on the possibility for additional fiscal aid after the Democratic party secured a slim majority in the Senate, giving it control of both congressional chambers.
Sentiment on Wall Street also got a boost after the Institute for Supply Management said its index for nonmanufacturing activity in the U.S. rose to 57.2 in December from 55.9 in November.
Back home, the main equity indices closed mildly lower on Thursday. The S&P BSE Sensex, fell 80.74 points or 0.17% at 48,093.32. The Nifty 50 index fell 8.90 points or 0.06% at 14,137.35.
Foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) bought shares worth Rs 382.30 crore, while domestic institutional investors (DIIs), were net sellers to the tune of Rs 989.50 crore in the Indian equity market on 7 January, provisional data showed.
Trading of Nifty 50 index futures on the Singapore stock exchange indicates that the Nifty could surge 78.50 points at the opening bell.
Overseas, Asian stocks are trading mixed on Thursday after the Dow Jones Industrial Average surged to an all-time high overnight despite unrest in Washington.
In US, the Dow and the S&P 500 ended higher, soaring to all-time highs on Wednesday, as investors piled into financial and industrial stocks on bets a Democratic sweep in Georgia would lead to more fiscal stimulus and infrastructure spending.
Stocks closed off their highs as pro-Trump rioters stormed the U.S. Capitol and caused Congress to suspend proceedings to confirm the election of Joe Biden as president. The Capitol was finally secured late Wednesday afternoon, and Congress resumed the process of counting electoral votes and confirming President-elect Joe Biden's victory.
Back home, market ended with modest losses on Wednesday. The barometer index, the S&P BSE Sensex, dropped 263.72 points or 0.54% at 48,174.06. The Nifty 50 index slipped 53.25 points or 0.38% at 14,146.25.
Foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) sold shares worth Rs 483.64 crore, while domestic institutional investors (DIIs), were net sellers to the tune of Rs 380.41 crore in the Indian equity market on 6 January, provisional data showed.
Trading of Nifty 50 index futures on the Singapore stock exchange indicates that the Nifty could fall 3 points at the opening bell.
The Union Budget for 2021-2022 will be presented on February 1 and President Ram Nath Kovind will address a joint sitting of both the Houses of Parliament on January 29.
Overseas, Asian stocks are trading mixed on Wednesday as investors anxiously awaited results of U.S. runoff elections that would determine the legislative balance of power in the world's largest economy.
A private survey showed services sector activity in China expanding at a slower pace in December, with the Caixin/Markit services Purchasing Managers' Index coming in at 56.3. That compared against November's reading of 57.8.
US stocks ended higher on Tuesday in choppy trading, ahead of the outcome of the Senate runoff elections in the battleground state of Georgia, which will determine the balance of power in Washington.
Investors also looked ahead to two key elections in Georgia, which will determine whether Republicans can hold on to control in the Senate. Many fear that increased tax rates and more progressive policies could weigh on the market if Democrats gain control of the Senate. However, such an outcome could create an opportunity for a bigger and faster spending package.
In U.S. economic data, the Institute for Supply Management said its manufacturing index rose to 60.7 in December — its highest level since August 2018 — from 57.5 in November.
Back home, domestic indices ended with modest gains on Tuesday, led by strength in IT, banks and financial shares. The barometer index, the S&P BSE Sensex, gained 260.98 points or 0.54% to 48,437.78. The Nifty 50 index added 66.60 points or 0.47% to 14,199.50.
Foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) bought shares worth Rs 986.30 crore, while domestic institutional investors (DIIs), were net buyers to the tune of Rs 490.03 crore in the Indian equity market on 5 January, provisional data showed.
Trading of Nifty 50 index futures on the Singapore stock exchange indicates that the Nifty could slide 105 points at the opening bell.
Overseas, Asian stocks are trading mixed in Tuesday trade following an overnight drop on Wall Street as fears surrounding the coronavirus pandemic lingered.
US stocks dropped on Monday, the first trading day of 2021, amid concerns about global coronavirus cases and the Georgia runoff elections.
Investors are keeping eye on Tuesday's Senate runoffs in Georgia, which could have a big impact on incoming U.S. President Joe Biden's economic policies.
In the U.K., Prime Minister Boris Johnson imposed a national lockdown on England to curb the spread of the new coronavirus variant. As part of the new restrictions, people can only leave their homes for essentials, work if they can't from home and exercise. Most schools will also move to remote learning, including universities.
Back home, domestic equity benchmarks closed with strong gains on Monday. The barometer index, the S&P BSE Sensex, gained 307.82 points or 0.64% to 48,176.80. The Nifty 50 index rallied 114.40 points or 0.82% to 14,132.90.
Foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) bought shares worth Rs 1,843.22 crore, while domestic institutional investors (DIIs), were net sellers to the tune of Rs 715.21 crore in the Indian equity market on 4 January, provisional data showed.