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Indian equity indices slump tracking global sell-off (Market Review)
Mumbai, Feb 10 (IANS) Following a massive global sell-off, the Indian equity markets turned bearish for the second consecutive week — with the BSE Sensex dropping over a 1,000 points and the Nifty50 index over 300 points.
On a weekly basis, the barometer 30-scrip Sensitive Index (Sensex) tanked 1,060.99 points or 3.02 per cent to close trade at 34,005.76 points.
The wider Nifty50 of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) closed the week’s trade at 10,454.95 points — shedding 305.65 points or 2.84 per cent from its previous week’s close.
Since February 1, the BSE Sensex has shed around 1,900 points and the NSE Nifty over 500 points.
“In the week gone by, global stock market witnessed huge sell-off amid the fear of interest rates hike and this too sent the bond yields higher,” D.K. Aggarwal, Chairman and Managing Director of SMC Investments and Advisors, told IANS.
“Back at home, the Union Budget 2018 verdict played a catalyst role and since then market has been tumbling down. Though market recovered and closed in green on Thursday but on Friday market closed red tracking lower Asian and US markets,” he added.
Aggarwal said in line with expectations, the Reserve Bank of India — in its final bi-monthly monetary policy review of the fiscal on Wednesday — kept key interest rate unchanged at 6 per cent with neutral stance, citing concerns about the inflationary push by rising global crude oil prices.
On the currency front, the rupee weakened by 34 paise to close at 64.40 against the US dollar from its last week’s close at 64.06.
Provisional figures from the stock exchanges showed that foreign institutional investors sold off scrips worth Rs 8,260.96 crore, while domestic institutional investors purchased scrips worth Rs 6,286.58 crore during the week.
Figures from the National Securities Depository (NSDL) revealed that foreign portfolio investors off-loaded equities worth Rs 4,738.66 crore, or $738.24 million, during February 5-9.
“The week gone by saw the Nifty correcting further. The Nifty ended with week-on-week losses of 2.84 per cent,” Deepak Jasani, Head, Retail Research, HDFC Securities, told IANS.
“Sectorally, the top gainers were the pharma, metal and media indices. The top losers were the Bank Nifty, infra, FMCG and auto indices,” he added.
The top weekly Sensex gainers were: Sun Pharma (up 5.72 per cent at Rs 582.65); Dr Reddy’s Lab (up 3.43 per cent at Rs 2,194.80); Coal India (up 2.84 per cent at Rs 300.45); Tata Steel (up 2.08 per cent at Rs 683.65); and Power Grid (up 0.36 per cent at Rs 193.20).
The losers were: Yes Bank (down 6.99 per cent at Rs 325.55); HDFC (down 6.84 per cent at Rs 1,773.20); Larsen and Toubro (down 6.01 per cent at Rs 1,329.35); IndusInd Bank (down 5.94 per cent at Rs 1,651.40); and Tata Consultancy Services (down 5.62 per cent at Rs 2,972.30).
–IANS
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.
Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.
During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.
On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”
Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.
Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.
Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”
On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”
The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.