Textile sector gets Rs 7,400 crore funds for technology upgradation

In a move that will help boost the prospects of Indian textile players in an increasingly competitive global export market, the government has on Tuesday increased the allocation for modernization of the textiles industry to Rs 15,404 crore from earlier sanction of Rs 8,000 crore to be disbursed within the current Five Year Plan ending March 2012.

Not only has it increased the allocation for the Technology Upgradation Fund Scheme (TUFS) but has also restructured the same to make it more effective. A wider gamut of players and particularly the smaller players will be able to get greater benefit and improve their scale of operations from the revised and restructured scheme according to the textile ministry. A decision to this effect was cleared by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) on Tuesday.

As per the restructured scheme, out of the fresh allocation a total of Rs 1972 crore would be available for fresh sanctions while the remaining Rs 5,432 crore will be utilized for meeting the already made commitments. Following the meeting of the CCEA, textile ministry stated that the approval from Cabinet will enable immediate lifting of the pause button imposed on the scheme by it since June 29, 2010. The scheme was put on hold last year following lack of funds.

According to the textile players, one way through which the restructuring will improve the reach of the scheme is the fact that capital ceiling under the margin money has been raised and this would encourage the weaving sector to go in for more number of looms and thus would also boost large-scale investments as well. So far, most of the investments were into second-hand looms.

TUFS was launched in 2007-08 to help the industry upgrade to advanced technology in order to improve competitiveness against other exporting countries.  The scheme mainly provides for reimbursement of 5% interest charged by the financial institutions/banks for technology upgradation projects in conformity with the policy. In case of overseas loans, it gives the option of availing a cover for exchange rate erosion of up to 5% per annum instead of 5% interest support. As per the changes made in the scheme the government under the re-structured scheme, 10% capital sops would also be provided on brand new looms.

India can resort to capital control as and when needed: RBI

Capital controls were a legitimate response to a surge in volatile capital inflows and India’s central bank will resort to the same if and when the need arises, said D Subbarao, Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Tuesday, adding that global perception of capital controls as an economic tool had improved.

Subbarao said that there was a broad consensus among most central banks about making capital controls a legitimate component of the policy response to surges in capital flows. While delivering a speech in Colombo on the occasion of the 60th anniversary celebrations of Central Bank of Sri Lanka, the Governor said the multi-speed recovery around the world and the consequent differential exit from accommodative monetary policy have triggered speculative capital flows into emerging market economies (EMEs).

'The most high profile problem thrown up by capital flows, in excess of a country's absorptive capacity, is currency appreciation which erodes export competitiveness,' he said adding that ideally capital inflows to EMEs should be stable on a medium term basis to benefit the host country and also be roughly equal to the economy's absorptive capacity.

He noted that while multilateral institutions like the International Monetary Fund (IMF) used to see capital controls as a form of protectionism, the views of most economists even in the developed world has changed since the financial crisis of 2008. 'The crisis has changed the terms of that debate. It is now broadly accepted that there could be circumstances in which capital controls can be a legitimate component of the policy response to surges in capital flows,' Subbarao said.

India has so far not imposed any capital inflows, but some other countries including Brazil had resorted to such restrictions. Capital controls are generally in form of some Tobin Tax, named after James Tobin, who was first to propose that cross boarder capital movement should attract a small tax to discourage volatile flows. Since India runs a significant current account deficit (CAD) of around 2.5-3% of its gross domestic product (GDP), it has been following a wait and watch policy on inflows so far. 

While there was a surge in capital inflows by middle of the current financial year, off late, foreign funds have been on the sell mode due to concerns including a high inflation and potential slowdown. Recovery in advanced regions has also lead to slowdown in inflows into emerging economies in recent months. Subbarao stressed that there was a need for economists from both developing and rich world to develop consensus on how temporary surge in inflows or outflows should be handled so as to bring more stability in global financial system.

Super Spinning Mills zooms on its subsidiary acquiring Elgi Building Products

Super Spinning Mills is currently trading at Rs. 11.05, up by 0.65 points or 6.05% from its previous closing of Rs. 10.42 on the BSE.
The scrip opened at Rs. 10.85 and has touched a high and low of Rs. 11.45 and Rs. 10.60 respectively. So far 4480 shares were traded on the counter.
The BSE group 'B' stock of face value Re. 1 has touched a 52 week high of Rs. 20.40 on 28-Oct-2010 and a 52 week low of Rs. 10.00 on 26-May-2010.
Last one week high and low of the scrip stood at Rs. 11.45 and Rs. 10.11 respectively. The current market cap of the company is Rs. 57.20 crore.
The promoters holding in the company stood at 39.57% while Institutions and Non-Institutions held 2.75% and 57.68% respectively.
Super Spinning Mills wholly owned subsidiary - Sara Elgi Arteriors acquired 58.32% of equity share capital of Elgi Building Products, a leading manufacturer of PVC extrusions used in the manufacture of UPVC doors and windows.
With this acquisition Elgi Building Products became a subsidiary of Sara Elgi Arteriors and thereby step down subsidiary of Super Spinning Mills. Super Spinning Mills also holds the balance of 41.68% of equity share capital of Elgi Building Products.
Super Spinning Mills commenced operations with the manufacture of grey, gassed, mercerised and dyed cotton yarn. Today, the company has carved a niche for itself on the textile map of country.

TCS shines on plan of expanding its operation in European market

Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) is currently trading at Rs 1,159.40, up by 20.15 points or 1.77% from its previous closing of Rs 1,139.25 on the BSE.

The scrip opened at Rs 1,147.00 and has touched a high and low of Rs 1,163.00 and Rs 1,145.00 respectively. So far 49,800 shares were traded on the counter.

The BSE group 'A' stock of face value Rs 1 has touched a 52 week high of Rs 1,221.00 on 24-Jan-2011 and a 52 week low of Rs 692.00 on 25-May-2010.

Last one week high and low of the scrip stood at Rs 1,163.00 and Rs 1,069.40 respectively. The current market cap of the company is Rs 226059.03 crore.

The promoters holding in the company stood at 74.05% while Institutions and Non-Institutions held 20.68% and 5.27% respectively. Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), a leading global IT services, is planning to expand its operations in Europe in healthcare sectors. The company which derives about 27% of its revenues from Europe is aiming to concentrate more on the European market.

The infotech major is also planning to acquire companies in the German market which can bring certain domain expertise, particularly in the healthcare segment. The Japan’s calamity didn’t have much impact on the company and it moved its employees from there but will go back once the normalcy returns.

The company is looking forward to expand or enter into banking, financial services and insurance, retail, pharma, utilities and manufacturing segments. The company is already pursuing 20 large deals with investment of $50 million each in Asia and Latin America where ample opportunities is present.

Recently, TCS has announced that CUA, Australia’s largest customer-owned financial institution has selected its world-leading TCS BaNCS banking platform to deliver CUA’s new core banking system. The Shanghai Rural Commercial Bank has also selected company’s BaNCS Core Banking solution to achieve a competitive advantage.

Havells India surges on plan of expanding its business prospects

Havells India is currently trading at Rs 361.00, up by 5.85 points or 1.65% from its previous closing of Rs 355.15 on the BSE.
The scrip opened at Rs 359.00 and has touched a high and low of Rs 365.50 and Rs 359.00 respectively. So far 14789 shares were traded on the counter.
The BSE group 'A' stock of face value Rs 5 has touched a 52 week high of Rs 446.50 on 05-Oct-2010 and a 52 week low of Rs 264.38 on 09-Jun-2010.
Last one week high and low of the scrip stood at Rs 377.00 and Rs 353.50 respectively. The current market cap of the company is Rs 4511.86 crore.
The promoters holding in the company stood at 61.56% while Institutions and Non-Institutions held 18.69% and 19.75% respectively. In a bid to expand its business prospects, Electrical components maker Havells India has opened its new European headquarters in London. The company is very bullish about the future prospects of business and focusing on energy efficiency products.
The company has four plants in Europe - one in the UK, one in Belgium, one in France, one in Germany, two in Latin America and nine in India and in the last one year, the company has hired 60 to 70 people in sales. It has 1,850 employees in Europe, including 300 in the UK.
Earlier, the European headquarters of the company was in Germany, but it has been shifted to London, where a lot of innovation is being done.
Havells India reported a net profit of Rs 61.12 crore for the quarter ended December 31, 2010 as compared to Rs 58.93 crore for the quarter ended December 31, 2009, up 3.72%. Its total income increased by 23.10% to Rs 728.01 crore for the quarter ended December 31, 2010 from Rs 591.40 crore for the quarter ended December 31, 2009.

Tata Motors rises on plan of spending 50 million pounds on UK’s R&D base

Tata Motors is currently trading at Rs 1251.00, up by 11.80 points or 0.95% from its previous closing of Rs 1239.20 on the BSE.
The scrip opened at Rs 1240.00 and has touched a high and low of Rs 1258.00 and Rs 1239.80 respectively. So far 63172 shares were traded on the counter.
The BSE group 'A' stock of face value Rs 10 has touched a 52 week high of Rs 1381.40 on 06-Dec-2010 and a 52 week low of Rs 670.00 on 25-May-2010.
Last one week high and low of the scrip stood at Rs 1258.00 and Rs 1145.20 respectively. The current market cap of the company is Rs 67082.27 crore.
The promoters holding in the company stood at 34.93% while Institutions and Non-Institutions held 38.16% and 8.67% respectively. Tata Motors, India's largest automobile company, is investing around 50 million pounds in its research and development base in the Midlands over the next two years, in a vote of confidence for UK manufacturing.
The company is planning to hire 100 new engineers at the Tata Motors' European Technical Centre (TMETC), thereby boosting the workforce by more than 40% to 340, as the company steps up its focus on low-carbon technologies. TMETC has developed Tata's Vista electric vehicle and the Pixel city car, which the company is targeting at European drivers.
The centre is based at the University of Warwick and is operated in partnership with WMG, formerly known as the Warwick Manufacturing Group. Tata has invested 85 million pounds since incorporating TMETC in 2005.

Andhra Pradesh Paper Mills touches the roof on International Paper's plan to acquire 53.5% stake in it

Andhra Pradesh Paper Mills is currently locked at its upper circuit limit of Rs. 236.15, up by 39.35 points or 19.99 % from its previous closing of Rs. 196.80 on the BSE.

The scrip opened at Rs. 236.15 and has touched a high and low of Rs. 236.15 and Rs. 236.15 respectively. So far 9,781 shares were traded on the counter.

The BSE group 'B' stock of face value Rs. 10 has touched a 52 week high of Rs. 244.00 on 06-Sep-2010 and a 52 week low of Rs. 76.50 on 31-Mar-2010.

Last one week high and low of the scrip stood at Rs. 236.15 and Rs. 172.20 respectively. The current market cap of the company is Rs. 939.17 crore.

The promoters holding in the company stood at 53.46 % while Institutions and Non-Institutions held 21.36 % and 25.19 % respectively.

International Paper has entered into agreements with LN Bangur, and related family members and affiliates to purchase about 53.5% of the outstanding shares of Andhra Pradesh Paper Mills (APPM) for about $257 million in cash. In addition, International Paper has agreed to pay a $62 million non-compete payment to the sellers.

Pursuant to Indian securities law, International Paper will also launch a mandatory public tender offer to acquire up to an additional 21.5% of the outstanding shares of APPM for approximately $104 million in cash. International Paper anticipates acquiring up to 75% of the company’s outstanding shares through these two transactions.

APPM is one of the leading integrated paper manufacturers in India, with two mills with combined capacity of about 250,000 tonnes of uncoated freesheet paper annually. The existing and capable management team and 2,500 employees of APPM will continue to operate the business, supplemented by additional IP leadership and technical resources.

Paper stocks trade higher on the bourses

All the paper stocks are trading with a huge gain in the trade today as in a surprising deal International Paper Company, the US based paper and packaging giant, has bought 53.5% in Andhra Pradesh Paper Mills from its promoters for around Rs 1160 crore, the valuation comes well over 175% from its closing in previous session.
Andhra Pradesh Paper Mills is currently trading at Rs 236.15, up by 39.35 points or 19.99% from its previous closing of Rs 196.80 on the BSE. The scrip opened at Rs 236.15 and has touched a high and low of Rs 236.15 and Rs 236.15 respectively. So far 9781 shares were traded on the counter.
Tamil Nadu Newsprint & Papers is currently trading at Rs 136.15, up by 13.75 points or 11.23% from its previous closing of Rs 122.40 on the BSE. The scrip opened at Rs 128.00 and has touched a high and low of Rs 146.00 and Rs 128.00 respectively. So far 145904 shares were traded on the counter.

NTPC gains on synchronizing its 500 MW unit of Simhadri Super Thermal Power Project

NTPC is currently trading at Rs. 189.05, up by 1.00 points or 0.53% from its previous closing of Rs. 188.05 on the BSE.

The scrip opened at Rs. 188.00 and has touched a high and low of Rs. 189.95 and Rs. 188.00 respectively. So far 16,000 shares were traded on the counter.

The BSE group 'A' stock of face value Rs. 10 has touched a 52 week high of Rs. 222.20 on 04-Oct-2010 and a 52 week low of Rs. 168.60 on 25-Feb-2011.

Last one week high and low of the scrip stood at Rs. 189.95 and Rs. 175.00 respectively. The current market cap of the company is Rs. 156334.01 crore.

The promoters holding in the company stood at 84.50% while Institutions and Non-Institutions held 11.78% and 3.72% respectively.

National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) has successfully synchronized Unit 3 (500 MW) of Simhadri Super Thermal Power Project with grid on coal firing on March 29, 2011.

Recently, NTPC has commissioned unit 6 of 500 MW of Farakka Super Thermal Power Station. Following the commissioning, the total capacity of the company has become 33,694 MW. With the coming of unit 6, the total installed capacity of Farakka Super Thermal Power Station has become 2,100 MW.

The company had also started Stage-III commercial operation at Unit-VII of 500 MW of Korba Super Thermal Power Project with effect from March 21, 2011.

NTPC posted a marginal increase of 0.27% in its net profit of Rs 2371.48 crore for the quarter ended December 31, 2010 as compared to Rs 2364.98 crore for the quarter ended December 31, 2009. Its total income has increased from Rs 11961.31 crore for the quarter ended December 31, 2009 to Rs 14165.90 crore for the quarter ended December 31, 2010.

PTC India Financial Services makes a sluggish debut

PTC India Financial Services debuted at Rs 28 at its issue price on the BSE
The scrip is currently trading at Rs 25.35, down by 2.65 points or 9.46% from its issue price and has touched a high and low of Rs 28.00  and Rs 24.65 respectively. So far 3870647 shares were traded on the counter.
Indian non-banking financial institution promoted by PTC India has fixed the issue price at Rs 28, at the higher end of price band of Rs 26-28 a share. The issue was subscribed 1.7 times.
It is a special purpose investment vehicle to provide total financial services to the entities in energy value chain, which inter-alia includes investing in equity and/or extending debt to power projects in generation, transmission, distribution; fuel sources, fuel related infrastructure like gas pipelines, LNG terminals, ports, equipment manufacturers and EPC contractors etc. It also provides non-fund based financial services adding value to green field and brown field projects at various stages of growth and development.

Kirloskar Oil Engines jumps on entering into license agreement with Daihatsu Diesel Manufacturing

Kirloskar Oil Engines is currently trading at Rs. 155.00, up by 13.40 points or 9.46% from its previous closing of Rs. 141.60 on the BSE.

The scrip opened at Rs. 150.00 and has touched a high and low of Rs. 160.05 and Rs. 150.00 respectively. So far 1,045 shares were traded on the counter.

The BSE group 'B' stock of face value Rs. 2 has touched a 52 week high of Rs. 261.90 on 24-Dec-2010 and a 52 week low of Rs. 130.05 on 11-Mar-2011.

Last one week high and low of the scrip stood at Rs. 160.05 and Rs. 137.00 respectively. The current market cap of the company is Rs. 2062.11 crore.

The promoters holding in the company stood at 62.37% while Institutions and Non-Institutions held 22.69% and 14.94% respectively.

Kirloskar Oil Engines has entered into a license agreement with Daihatsu Diesel Manufacturing Company of Japan for manufacturing of diesel engines in range of 610 KW to 2560 KW, to cater to the commercial marine market segment.

The effective date of this agreement is subject to the necessary approvals and permissions.

Recently, Kirloskar Oil Engines (KOEL) is eying 20 per cent year-on-year sales growth for the next two years by FY 2012-13. The company is also looking at its expansion plan and is in process of increasing its product range and volume.

KOEL manufactures the widest range of diesel engines in India. Its other product range includes irrigation pump sets, diesel generating sets and engine bearings.

FII DII DATA 30/03/2011

Net Index Futures (98), Net Stock Futures (-108), Derivative Market: Total Open Interest (Rs 1,62,045 cr), Stock Futures Open Interest (Rs 35,808 cr)

Indian ADRs Update 30/03/2011

INFOSYS Up 1.3 (1.9%), WIPRO Up 0.2 (1.5%), ICICI BANK Up 1.5 (0.7%), HDFC BANK Up 1.8 (2.9%)

Global Markets update 30/03/2011

DJIA Up 81.1 (0.7%) NSDQ Up 26.2 (1.0%) FTSE 100 Up 27.7 (0.5%) Asian Markets as on 8.45 AM  NIKKEI Up 116 (1.22%) HANG SENG Up 313 (1.36) SGX NIFTY Down 21.50

Tata Steel aims to slash steelmaking costs

Tata Steel is working on a pilot project that will enable it to use waste material in iron ore. It has devised a novel way to produce iron-ore from waste, which will cut steelmaking costs. The company is in talks with the central government for a pilot project.
The company will produce sponge iron and make use of lean materials that have higher alumina. The sponge iron produced would be used for producing steel through the electric arc furnace route and may be used in future projects of Tata Steel. Tata Steel, so far, has been producing steel using the blast furnace technology. Tata Steel signed a memorandum of understanding with the institutes for the purpose.
As part of the plan, the Jamshedpur Human Resource Development Centre in association with Veltech would be established. The proposed post graduate diploma in iron and steel making would be a self-funded three year diploma course after BSc for employment in the officer’ category. It would entail active involvement of Tata Steel such as conditional placement at the officer level. 

Usher Agro starts commercial production of its expanded Rice Milling Facilities in UP

Usher Agro has commenced commercial production of its expanded rice milling facilities at Chhata, District Mathura, UP, which has an additional installed capacity of 2,91,600 MTPA with effect from March 28, 2011. After successful completion of the expansion, the total operational and installed rice milling capacity of the company has been increased to 5, 43,600 MTPA. Out of the said total rice milling capacity, the company has capacity to process and produce 'Par Boiled Rice' up to 4,50,000 MTPA, which is one of the largest in the country.

The company is of the view that the operations of the expanded capacity will have a positive bearing on the top line and the profitability of the company.

Usher Agro is engaged in the production and sale of agricultural products. For the quarter ended September 30, 2010, the company had posted a net profit of Rs 8.14 crore on the back of revenues of Rs 114.48 crore.

CARE reaffirms ratings assigned to bank facilities of Vivimed Labs

Credit rating agency, CARE has reaffirmed BBB+ rating assigned to Rs 94.24 crore long term bank facilities of Vivimed Labs. The rating agency has also reaffirmed PR2+ rating assigned to Rs 26 crore short term bank facilities of the company.

The ratings continue to draw strength from the company’s track record in the business of active ingredients for the home and personal care industry, reputed customer base, contract research and manufacturing, specialty pharmaceuticals, adequate profitability and diversification of products/segments.

Vivimed Labs is engaged in the business of manufacturing ingredients for the home and personal care (H&PC) industry and Contract Research and Manufacturing Services (CRAMS). It carries on its business from 4 manufacturing facilities which are located at Bidar (Karnataka), Jeedimetla (Hyderabad), Bonthapally (Hyderabad) and Kashipur (Uttaranchal).

Karur Vysya Bank opens its 365th branch at Chennimalai

Karur Vysya Bank has opened its 365th branch at Chennimalai, situated between Erode and Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu on March 28, 2011. The bank is also in the process of opening its 366th branch at Dharapuram Road, Aravakurichi on March 30, 2011. Aravakurichi is a panchayat town in Karur district in the state of Tamil Nadu.

Earlier in this month, the bank had opened two new branches at Tamil Nadu. The first branch which is located at Salem Main Road, Vengamedu was opened on March 10, 2011 while the second branch is located at Rajapalayam Main Road, Sankarankoil was inaugurated on March 16, 2011.

The bank registered an increase in its net profit by 49.23% for the quarter ended December 31, 2010, which stood at Rs 113.22 crore against Rs 75.87 crore for the quarter ended on December 31, 2009. The Bank has posted total income of Rs 645.87 crore for quarter ended December 31, 2010 against Rs 512.11 crore for the quarter ended on December 31, 2009, up by 26.12%.

Cairn India submits bids for 2 blocks at NELP-IX

Cairn India bid for 2 out of 34 oil and gas exploration blocks on offer in the 9th round of auction under the New Exploration Licensing Policy (NELP). Out of 34 blocks, 19 blocks are totally new areas - 7 in deep sea, 2 in shallow water and 10 onland blocks. The remaining 15 - 1 in deep water, 5 in shallow water and 9 onland blocks are recycled blocks.
Cairn India submitted offers for only two blocks, one onland and one offshore. It did not bid for any two exploration blocks on offer in Rajasthan.
The Mangala oilfield in Cairn India's prolific RJ-ON-90/1 block in the Thar desert of Rajasthan is currently producing 125,000 barrels per day and the entire area, where the company has made number of oil discoveries, has the potential to produce up to 300,000 bpd (15 million tonnes a year).

Reliance Communications inks pact with handygo Technologies

handygo Technologies, the mobile value-added service provider has entered into a partnership with Reliance Communications (RCom), to offer information regarding health, education and finance, besides other areas, to rural subscribers.

The unique voice-based rural solution which is available in all regional languages along with Hindi and English by handygo provides credible and authentic information to rural subscribers.

For the latest and reliable updates, handygo has partnered with various organizations such as Care India, Aviva Life Insurance, Indian Metrological Department, Hariyali Kisan Bazaar, Network for Fish Quality Management and Sustainable Fishing, Transparency International India, India Financial Services and plethora of other organizations.

Recently, RCom’s plan to sell its 50,000 towers asset faces a set back as American Tower Corporation (ATC) is not eyeing these towers. There was an increased speculation that Reliance Communications was being wooed by players to pick up the company’s asset with US headquartered - ATC one among them.

The telecom service provider has also added 3.3 million mobile customers in February. Following the said addition, the company’s total subscriber’s base stood at 132.2 million.