Active Stocks
Thu Mar 28 2024 15:59:33
  1. Tata Steel share price
  2. 155.90 2.00%
  1. ICICI Bank share price
  2. 1,095.75 1.08%
  1. HDFC Bank share price
  2. 1,448.20 0.52%
  1. ITC share price
  2. 428.55 0.13%
  1. Power Grid Corporation Of India share price
  2. 277.05 2.21%
Business News/ Market / Stock-market-news/  Sensex, Nifty tumble; rupee sinks to 2-year low
BackBack

Sensex, Nifty tumble; rupee sinks to 2-year low

Emerging market rout fuelled by the weakest Chinese manufacturing data since the 2008 global financial crisis

Year-to-date, the Sensex is down 0.5%, while the Nifty is up 0.2%. Photo: MintPremium
Year-to-date, the Sensex is down 0.5%, while the Nifty is up 0.2%. Photo: Mint

Mumbai: Benchmark equity indices tumbled and the rupee fell to a two-year low on Friday in an emerging market rout fuelled by the weakest Chinese manufacturing data since the global financial crisis.

The S&P BSE Sensex fell 0.88% to 27,366.07 points at the close of trading and the National Stock Exchange’s CNX Nifty dropped 0.87% to 8,299.95 points. It was the lowest close since 19 June for both indices.

Indian and other emerging markets are feeling the heat from international concerns over China’s slowing economic growth, falling exports and the shock devaluation of the yuan last week, analysts said.

The concerns were fuelled on Friday by data showing that a key measure of manufacturing in China fell to the lowest in more than six years in August, suggesting that the economy will need further policy support to stem a deepening slowdown.

“It is primarily...global markets weighing the domestic market down. There are a cluster of issues such as China worries, Fed (US Federal Reserve) minutes, the situation in other emerging markets in light of the commodity rout that are bothering (investors)," said Gautam Chhaochharia, head of research at UBS Securities India Pvt. Ltd.

“Locally, the concern is that the economic growth recovery is slower than expected. That remains an area of disappointment for us," he added.

Earlier this week, international credit assessor Moody’s Investors Service forecast that India’s growth would slow to 7% in the year to next March from 7.3% in the previous year because of below-normal monsoon rainfall.

Indian stock markets are essentially suffering collateral damage from global concerns over China, said Deven Choksey, managing director and chief executive of KR Choksey Shares and Securities Pvt. Ltd.

“Depreciation of currency is getting to be threatening as well," he said.

The rupee posted its steepest two-week drop since August 2013. The unit closed at 65.83 per dollar, down 0.43% from its previous close of 65.55. In August so far, it has declined 2.6%.

Dollar sales by state-owned banks, likely on behalf of the Reserve Bank of India, helped the rupee recover from its day’s low of 65.91 per dollar, dealers said.

Foreign institutional investors are net buyers of Indian shares to the tune of $13.3 billion (around 87,515 crore today) for the year to date, but have been net sellers in May, June and so far in August as well.

Domestic institutional investors have been net buyers of local shares for all months this year except January. So far in 2015, they have pumped 29,788.74 crore into equities.

Emerging market stocks completed their worst week in two years on Friday. More than $3.3 trillion has been erased from the value of global equities after China’s decision to devalue its currency last week spurred a wave of selling across emerging markets.

The MSCI Emerging Markets Index slid 1.94% at 9pm, with the Malaysian ringgit and South Korean won leading currencies lower.

European shares headed for a correction; equities in Hong Kong, Indonesia and Taiwan entered bear markets, and junk bond yields globally rose to the highest since October 2012. Oil was set for its longest weekly losing streak since 1986 and copper extended a rout that has sent it to the lowest price in more than six years. Copper slid 1.2%, while the yen strengthened for a third day against the dollar.

The Stoxx Europe 600 Index lost 1.6%, briefly paring earlier declines after manufacturing in the euro area expanded more than forecast.

“This week’s sell-off started from the yuan’s devaluation, which generated speculation about the true state of China’s economy," Hertta Alava, who helps oversee the equivalent of $395 million as the head of emerging markets at FIM Asset Management Ltd in Helsinki, said by email. “China’s PMI (Purchasing Managers’ Index) was weak, so it is just adding fuel to this negativity."

The rout in US stocks continued for the fourth straight day on Friday, with all three major indices down more than 1%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average and the S&P were poised for their sharpest weekly fall since November 2011. The Nasdaq was on track for its steepest weekly fall since August 2011.

Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed – it's all here, just a click away! Login Now!

Catch all the Business News, Market News, Breaking News Events and Latest News Updates on Live Mint. Download The Mint News App to get Daily Market Updates.
More Less
Published: 21 Aug 2015, 05:55 PM IST
Next Story footLogo
Recommended For You
Switch to the Mint app for fast and personalized news - Get App