RBI MPC minutes show naysayers are worried about food and oil prices

• The combination of rising food and crude oil prices could result in inflationary expectations rising again, RBI MPC members believe
• There was a consensus on growth among members and future rate cuts are likely to depend on how they perceive growth slowdown

Auto sector slowdown, tech changes a double whammy for auto component firms

• Auto component makers need to brace up for sharp production cuts in the near term, with their large customers cutting production
• Cost pressures due to new safety and emission norms may impact profit margins of both auto and auto component firms

RIL Q4 results should provide a reality check for investors

• The big drag for RIL continues to come from its refining business, where Ebit fell by 18.6% sequentially
• Reliance Jio and Reliance Retail did relatively better, but could not make up from the refining shortfall

Sensex ends lower after hitting new high

• Jet Airways India Ltd slumped over 32% to hit 10-year low of ₹165.25 a share
• Reliance Industries Ltd rose 2.88% to close at ₹1,384, ahead of its earnings announcement

Crisil net profit falls 6.8% to ₹76.6 crore in January-March quarter

• The consolidated total income in the first quarter was nearly flat at ₹422.9 crore
• 'Consolidated profit for the quarter was impacted due to foreign exchange loss of ₹7.8 crore,' said Crisil

Jet Airways grounded but its investors’ hopes are still flying high

• Investors are seen pinning hopes on the outcome of the bidding process for Jet Airways set to end on 10 May
• But it seems unlikely that any buyer will cut a deal that has positive implications for existing shareholders

Govt targets IRCTC, IRFC IPOs by Sept, to raise about ₹1,500 crore

• While IRCTC IPO could fetch about ₹500 crore, public offering of IRCTC could garner close to ₹1,000 crore to the government
• Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs had approved listing of five railway companies — IRCON international, RITES, RVNL, IRFC and IRCTC

Gold prices fall to lowest this year, silver edges lower

• Spot gold fell 0.1% to $1,271.97 per ounce
• The metal has so far lost about 1.4% in the holiday-shortened week

Rupee is set for a post-election hangover

• Rupee has shown a tendency to flip directions after polls have been completed, according to a study by Edelweiss Securities Pvt
• The month of May, when election results are usually announced, has proven to be an unfavorable one for the rupee

Rupee closes marginally stronger against US dollar

• The 10-year bond yield was trading at 7.419%, up from its Tuesday's close of 7.39%
• So far this year, the rupee has gained 0.4%

Logistics firms’ prospects dampen on sluggish volume growth

• After disruptions due to GST implementation and demonetisation, logistics firms are seeing better days
• How these firms push through the current sluggish phase should determine future course of action for investors

Pharma sales growth back to normal in March after strong boost in winter

• Pharma sales in March grew 8.9%, easing from a more than 10% rise each in the earlier three months
• For investors eyeing double-digit rise in sales, the slowdown in March is seen as a tough pill to swallow

A sober March quarter for Crisil as research business continues to drag

• The bright spot, however, was the growth in the ratings business, which posted a 13% increase in revenue
• Crisil's research business didn't do well in the March quarter, which impacted revenues, while forex loss hit profits

Mindtree matches guidance, but lower orders may weigh on growth

• Growth in March quarter exceeded Street estimates, underscoring strong execution
• However order bookings dropped, stoking concerns about the focus of the management

Issuance of govt bonds jump to ₹64,192 crore in FY19: report

• This borrowings are estimated to have accounted for 0.34% of GDP for FY19 as compared to 0.09% of GDP for FY18
• Total outstanding value of the GoI-FSBs stood at ₹88,454 crore at the end of FY19

For Saudi Aramco, a Reliance deal will not come cheap

• Saudi Aramco is said to be in serious discussions to buy as much as 25% in the refining and petrochemical business of Reliance
• A stake sale in the core business, at a desirable valuation, will free up resources for Reliance Jio and Reliance Retail

US markets rise on earnings, China data optimism

• The S&P 500 pushed to a fresh six-month high, while the Nasdaq 100 topped its intraday record
• Qualcomm headed for the highest since 2014 after settling with Apple over royalties

Copper prices advance on upbeat China growth data

• Benchmark LME copper rose 0.7% to $6,543 per tonne, inching to a near two-week high of $6,545 touched earlier
• LME aluminium rose 0.4% to $1,863 per tonne

Indian refiners turn to OPEC, Mexico, US to make up Iran oil gap

• State refiners have not yet placed orders for Iranian oil for May, when the current waiver expires, pending clarity from the US
• OPEC and other producers including Russia have gradually tightened supply through 2019 to reduce a global glut