Banks replace IT as key drivers of Indian shares

Banks are becoming the main drivers of Indian shares, with the NSE Bank index up 11.8 per cent in October as of Friday's close, compared with a 7.7 per cent gain for the broader NSE index.
That marks a second consecutive month of gains: the banking sub-index gained 6.3 per cent in September after the central bank's move to ease short-term rates offset the impact from its hike in the repo rate last month.
Analysts say gains in banking shares have also been spurred by an initial batch of earnings results in the sector showing stable margins and asset quality that met expectations.
By contrast, gains in IT shares have been slower recently. The sector had been the key driver in markets.
The NSE IT Index has gained 8.1 per cent so far this month, although the sub-index is still up 46.2 per cent for the year compared with the 13.5 per cent fall for banks.

PM says rupee sinking due to 'unexpected external developments'

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Friday said while the sharp slide in the value of the rupee caused by external developments was a matter of concern, there was no question of capital controls and India would remain an open economy.

"The depreciation in the value of the rupee since end of May is a matter of concern," the prime minister told the Lok Sabha. "What triggered the sharp depreciation in rupee was the market's reaction to unexpected external developments," he added.

"Clearly, we need to reduce our appetite for gold, economise the use of petroleum products and take steps to increase our exports," he said. At the same time, the fall in rupee's value is good to some extent as it makes exports competitive, he added.

The prime minister also assured that the country's growth which has slipped will pick up soon, and everything would be done to contain the fiscal deficit at 4.8 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP).

The Indian rupee has lost almost 20 percent against the US dollar this fiscal, largely due to pull-out by foreign funds from the Indian markets after the US central bank hinted that it would lower fiscal stimulus as the economy shows sign of recovery.

The rupee fell nearly 4 percent to hit a record low of 68.85 per dollar Wednesday, the biggest single-day percentage loss since October 1995. But the currency recovered and surged 3.5 percent to close at 66.55 against a dollar a day later.

The prime minister, who had made a brief statement on the economic situation Thursday as well, also sought to lift market sentiments Friday with assurances on reforms.

"Last two decades have seen India grow as an open economy and benefited from it. There is no question of reversing these policies," he said. "I would like to assure the house and the world the government is not contemplating any measures on capital controls."

The prime minister said the fundamentals of the Indian economy had continued to remain strong and that both the central bank and the government were taking steps to contain inflation. He said efforts were also underway to contain the current account deficit.

"Growth-friendly way to contain the deficit is to spend carefully, especially on subsidies that do not reach the poor. We will take steps," the prime minister said, while also seeking the support of political parties to pursue good policies.

"The easy reforms of the past have been done. For more difficult reforms, we need political consensus. I urge across political parties to work towards and join in the government's efforts to put the economy back on the path of stable growth."

Indian Banks well capitalised to provide for bad loans: PM

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today said Indian banks are 'well-capitalised' to provide for increased bad loans till they become performing.

"Our banks are fortunately well capitalised much above the Basel norms. They have the capacity to provide for any non-performing assets until those assets have turned around," Singh said while making a statement in Parliament.

"The question that need to be asked is that whether there is liquidity problem or a solvency problem. My belief is that there is liquidity problem," he said.

"Many of the projects are not unviable but are only delayed...as these projects come on stream, we will generate revenue and repay loans," he said.

Indian banking sector has seen some rise in bad loans, he admitted.

Gross non-performing assets (NPA) of public sector banks rose to Rs.1.76 lakh crore at the end of June quarter from Rs.1.55 lakh crore at March 31, 2013.

The stress on the asset quality is a reflection of the stress in the economy of the country.

Public sector banks had recovered Rs.1,905 crore by filing 97,701 suits in 2012-13 and Rs.1,700 crore through 79,117 suits in the earlier fiscal.

Read more at: http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/pm-says-rupee-sinking-due-to-unexpected-external-developments/1/304550.html