Stock Market Today: Sensex, Nifty Log Gains As ICICI, Axis Bank Lead; FPIs Turn Net Buyers

Overseas investors turned net buyers of Indian equities on Friday, after two sessions of selling.

Foreign portfolio investors bought stocks worth Rs 487.94 crore, according to provisional data from the National Stock Exchange.

Domestic institutional investors remained net buyers and mopped up equities worth Rs 2,294.93 crore, the NSE data showed.

Foreign institutions have been net buyers of Rs 1,36,546 crore worth of Indian equities so far in 2023, according to data from the National Securities Depository Ltd., updated till the previous trading day.

The yield on the 10-year bond closed at 7.17% on Friday.

Source: Bloomberg

• The local currency strengthened 7 paise to close at Rs 82.72 against the U.S dollar on Friday.

• It closed at 82.79 on Thursday.

Source: Bloomberg

India's benchmark stock indices opened higher and steadily advanced on Friday after snapping three days of gains on Thursday. The indices advanced after snapping five weeks of losses.

Sensex ended Friday above 65,300 level, whereas Nifty surpassed 19,400 mark. Intraday, Sensex jumped 0.99%, the most since July 13 and Nifty rose 1.06%, the most since June 30.

Metals, energy, automotive and banking sectors rose in trade, whereas healthcare and pharmaceutical shares were under little pressure.

The S&P BSE Sensex closed up 556 points, or 0.86%, at 65,387.16, while the NSE Nifty 50 was 182 points, or 0.94%, higher at 19,435.30.

European stocks and American equity-index futures edged higher. Energy majors were among the gainers in the Stoxx Europe 600 index as crude oil headed for the biggest weekly advance since April. Miners outperformed as China’s latest stimulus measures boosted prices of some industrial metals.

Mainland China shares traded higher and metals looked set to extend this week’s advances. Hong Kong’s market is shut on what may be the strongest storm to hit the city in at least five years.

Japan’s Topix index posted its eighth consecutive month of increase in August — the longest winning streak since 2013 — and the gauge was now set for the best weekly advance since October.

ICICI Bank Ltd., NTPC Ltd., Axis Bank Ltd., Maruti Suzuki India Ltd., and Bajaj Finance Ltd. were positively adding to the change in the Nifty 50 Index.

Whereas, Cipla Ltd., UltraTech Cement Ltd., HDFC Life Insurance Co., Dr Reddy's Laboratories Ltd., and Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. were negatively contributing to the change.

The broader market indices ended higher; the S&P BSE MidCap Index was up 0.75%, whereas S&P BSE SmallCap Index was also 0.75% higher.

Nineteen out of the 20 sectors compiled by BSE advanced, while S&P BSE Healthcare declined. S&P BSE Utilities, S&P BSE Metal, and S&P BSE Telecommunication rose the most.

The market breadth was skewed in the favour of the buyers. About 2,177 stocks rose, 1,487 declined, while 122 remained unchanged on the BSE.

On a weekly basis, the headline indices snapped five weeks on fall. The S&P BSE Sensex rose 0.77% and NSE Nifty 50 was higher by 0.88%, this week.

Last week, indices declined for the fifth time in a row, the longest streak of weeekly losses since April 2022. The S&P BSE Sensex had fell 0.10% and NSE Nifty 50 was lower by 0.23%, as well.

Only Nifty Pharma and Nifty FMCG sectors declined this week, Nifty Realty and Nifty Metal, on the other hand, were the top gainers.

• August production at 52.3 million tons, up 13.2% YoY.

• August sales at 59 million tons, up 15.3% YoY.

Source: Exchange Filing

• Announced its collaboration with Flipkart for integrated line haul solutions.

• Will operate 32ft single axle commercial vehicles for Flipkart in collaboration with Daimler India.

Source: Exchange Filing

• Announces JV with Corning International Corp. to manufacture mobile glass covers in India.

Source: Exchange filing

• Signs agreement to buy 85% stake in Barrix Agro for Rs 85 crore.

Source: Exchange filing

• Manufacturing operations at Gabon partially impacted due to present political turmoil.

• Manufacturing plant had restored normal operations from Aug. 31, 2023.

Source: Exchange Filing

• Total sales rise 29.4% to 6,476 units.

• Domestic sales rise 30.4% to 5,907 units.

• Exports fall 8.5% to 332 units.

Source: Exchange filing

• Total sales fall 0.3% to 76,261 units.

• Total commercial vehicle sales rise 1.9% to 32,077 units.

• Heavy commercial vehicle sales rise 14.4% to 9,000 units.

• Passenger vehicle sales fall 3% to 45,933 units.

• Electric passenger vehicle sales up 55% to 6,236 units.

Source: Exchange filing

• Total sales rise 14.5% to 1.89 lakh units.

• Domestic sales rise 14.5% to 1.64 lakh units.

• Exports rise 14.6% to 24,614 units.

• Utility vehicle sales up 118% to 58,746 units.

• Sales of mini and compact cars fall 9.7% to 84,660 units.

Source: Exchange filing

• About 25.3 lakh shares changed hands in a large trade.

• 0.026 % equity changed hands at Rs 229.95 apiece.

• Buyers and sellers not known immediately.

Source: Bloomberg

• Approves issuance of 33.33 lakh shares at a price to Motilal Oswal Financial Services.

• Shares to be issued at Rs 300 apiece, aggregating to Rs 99.99 crore.

Source: Exchange filing

Shares of Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd. rose the most in two weeks after it launched Indian Navy's warship Mahendragiri in Mumbai on Friday.

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar was the chief guest at the launch ceremony. Named after a mountain peak in the Eastern Ghats of Odisha, this is the seventh ship of Project 17A frigates series and boasts enhanced stealth features, advanced weapons, sensors, and platform management systems.

The scrip rose 2.45% to Rs 1,894.3 apiece as of 12:57 p.m., as compared to a 0.64% advance in the NSE Nifty 50. The stock rose as much as 4.59% intra-day, most since Aug. 18, 2023.

It has risen 139% on a year-to-date basis. The total traded volume stood at 1.3 times its 30-day average. The relative strength index was at 60.1.

Of the four analysts tracking the company, two maintain a buy rating, one recommends a hold and one suggests a sell on the stock, according to Bloomberg data. The average 12-month consensus price target implies a potential downside of 18.2%.

• Gets U.S. FDA final approval for Erythromycin tablets USP.

• Alert: Erythromycin tablets is an antibacterial product used to prevent and treat multiple infections.

Source: Exchange filing

• Appoints Ritesh Mohan Idnani as MD and CEO w.e.f. Sept. 1, 2023.

• Vipul Khanna resigned as MD and CEO w.e.f Aug. 31, 2023.

Source: Exchange Filing

India's benchmark stock indices opened higher and steadily advanced on Friday after snapping three days of gains on Thursday. Metals, PSU banks, Oil and Gas and Auto sectors rose in trade, whereas Helthcare and private banking shares were under little pressure.

As of 12:13 p.m., the S&P BSE Sensex was up 204 points, or 0.31%, at 64,035.44, while the NSE Nifty 50 was 81 points, or 0.42%, higher at 19,334.60.

NTPC Ltd., Tata Steel Ltd., Oil & Natural Gas Corporation Ltd., TCS Ltd., and Bajaj Finance Ltd. were positively adding to the change in the Nifty 50 Index.

Whereas, HDFC Bank Ltd., ICICI Bank Ltd., Asian Paints Ltd., Dr Reddy's Laboratories Ltd., and Axis Bank Ltd. were negatively contributing to the change.

The broader market indices outperformed larger peers; the S&P BSE MidCap Index was up 0.43%, whereas S&P BSE SmallCap Index was 0.65% higher.

Nineteen out of the 20 sectors compiled by BSE advanced, while S&P BSE Healthcare declined. S&P BSE Telecommunication, S&P BSE Utilities, S&P BSE Metal rose the most.

The market breadth was skewed in the favour of the buyers. About 2,087 stocks rose, 1,364 declined, while 173 remained unchanged on the BSE.

• Passenger vehicle sales rise 25% to 37,270 units.

• Three-wheeler sales rise 47% to 7,044 units.

• Tractor sales rise 1% to 21,676 units.

• Tractor exports fell 26% to 1,029 units.

Source: Exchange filing

Shares of Bombay Stock Exchange Ltd. hit a record high in trade after the exchange increased its buyback office price by Rs 264 apiece and set Sept. 14, 2023 as the record date for determining the eligible shareholders for the buyback.

The buyback offer price was raised to Rs 1,080 from Rs 816 per equity share. The total size of the buyback is Rs 374.8 crore, as per its exchange filing on NSE.

According to the revised buyback offer price total number of shares that will be bought back by the company stands at 34.70 lakh, representing 2.56% equity.

Shares of BSE Ltd. rose as much as 4.80% to Rs 1,113.8 per share as of 11:15 a.m., in comparison with 0.39% advance in the NSE Nifty 50. It rose as much as 5.58% to hit a record high of Rs 1,122 per share.

The stock has risen 105.4% on a year-to-date basis. Total traded volume so far in the day stood at 3.9 times its 30-day average. The relative strength index was at 84, implying that the stock maybe overbought.

Of the six analysts tracking the company, three maintain a 'buy' rating, three recommend a ‘hold’, and none suggest to 'sell' the stock, according to Bloomberg data. The average 12-month consensus price target implies an downside of 15.8%.

Shares of Oil & Natural Gas Corporation Ltd. rose as much as 4.82% to Rs 182.55 per share as of 10:54 a.m., in comparison with 0.38% advance in the NSE Nifty 50. It rose as much as 5.37% to hit Rs 183.5 per share, the highest level in over 12 months since Aug. 4, 2020.

The stock has risen 24.4% on a year-to-date basis. Total traded volume so far in the day stood at 4.4 times its 30-day average. The relative strength index was at 68.

Of the 28 analysts tracking the company, 21 maintain a 'buy' rating, three recommend a ‘hold’, and four suggest to 'sell' the stock, according to Bloomberg data. However, the average 12-month consensus price target implies an upside of 4.3%.

• Recorded gross box office revenue of Rs 532 crore.

• Breaks highest box office monthly and daily admissions.

• Entertained nearly 1.9 crore viewers in August across the country.

Source: Exchange Filing

Moody's on India GDP

• See India 2024 GDP growth at 6.1% from 6.5% earlier.

• See India 2023 GDP growth at 6.7% from 5.5% earlier.

Source: Moody's Investor Service

• Raises buyback offer price to Rs 1,080 from Rs 816 per equity share.

• 34.7 lakh shares or 2.56% equity to be bought back at revised price.

• Sets record date for determining eligible shareholders as Sept. 14, 2023.

Source: Exchange filing

Shares of Five-Star Business Finance plugged over 4% on Friday after 8.5% or 2.48 crore shares equity changed hands in two large trades, according to Bloomberg data.

However, the buyers and sellers were not known immediately.

The stock is trading at 3.48% lower at Rs 739 lower at 10:28 a.m. This compares to a 0.39% advance in the NSE Nifty 50. Shares of the company fell as much as 4.79% intraday. The stock fell the most since Aug. 24. It has risen 20.18% on a year-to-date basis. The total traded volume stood at 186 times its 30-day average. The relative strength index was at 47.59.

The five analysts tracking the company, maintain a 'buy' rating on the stock, as per Bloomberg data. The average 12-month consensus price target implies a potential upside of 14.6%.

• Sales and production rise at fastest pace in almost three years.

• Input stocks built at second-strongest rate on record.

• Cost inflation hits one-year high.

Source: Press Release

• 50.5 lakh shares changed hands in a large trade.

• 0.19 % equity changed hands at Rs 253.90 apiece.

• Buyers and sellers not known immediately.

Source: Bloomberg

• Indian Oil Corp. cuts commercial LPG price by 9.37% in Delhi.

• Indian Oil Corp. cuts commercial LPG price by Rs 158/19-kg cylinder in Delhi.

• Indian Oil Corp. current price for 19-kg cylinder in Delhi at Rs 1522.50.

Source: Indian Oil Corp. Website, Exchange Filing

Shares of Genus Power Infrastructures Ltd. hit upper circuit of 5% after company's wholly owned subsidiary bagged a Rs 2,247.37 crore order including taxes.

The company's step-down wholly owned subsidiary has received a letter of award for 24.18 lakh Advanced Metering Infrastructure Service, including their design, supply, installation, and commissioning.

The scrip hit an upper circuit of 5%, trading at Rs 271.5 as of 9:54 a.m., as compared to a 0.31% advance in the NSE Nifty 50.

It has risen 221.3% on a year-to-date basis. The total traded volume stood at 0.2 times its 30-day average. The relative strength index was at 75, implying that the stock maybe overbought.

The two analysts tracking the company, maintain a buy rating on the stock, according to Bloomberg data. The average 12-month consensus price target implies a potential downside of 7.9%.

Shares of Reliance Group's media units TV18 Broadcast Ltd. and Network18 Media and Investments Ltd. rose after Viacom 18 Media Pvt., a joint venture between Mukesh Ambani and Paramount Global, secured the five-year media rights for BCCI's home international games for the next five years.

The Mumbai-based media firm spent Rs 5,963 crore or $721 million to broadcast on both TV and digitally stream the matches. Viacom 18 paid Rs 3,101 crore for digital and Rs 2,862 crore for linear or television rights, as per PTI.

Viacom18's new sports channel Sports18 will telecast all the matches on TV while OTT platform JioCinema will live stream the matches online. The rights will come into effect with India's three-match home series against Australia beginning Sept. 22 and ending March 31, 2028.

Jay Shah congratulated Viacom18 for winning the BCCI Media Rights.

Shares of TV18 Broadcast Ltd. rose 3.23% to Rs 49.6 apiece as of 10:15 a.m., as compared to a 0.26% advance in the NSE Nifty 50. The stock rose as much as 7.08% to Rs 51.45 apiece, the highest level in over 15 months since May 5, 2022.

It has risen 34.5% on a year-to-date basis. The total traded volume stood at 3.5 times its 30-day average. The relative strength index was at 75, implying that the stock maybe overbought.

One analyst tracking the company suggests to sell the stock, according to Bloomberg data. The average of 12-month analyst price targets implies a potential downside of 47.8%.

Shares of Network18 Media and Investments Ltd. rose as much as 3.88% to Rs 71 per share as of 10:15 a.m., in comparison with 0.26% advance in the NSE Nifty 50. It rose as much as 7.97% to hit Rs 73.8 per share, the highest level in over eight months since Dec. 16, 2021.

The stock has risen 8.02% on a year-to-date basis. Total traded volume so far in the day stood at 7.6 times its 30-day average. The relative strength index was at 72, implying that the stock maybe overbought. Bloomberg covers no analyst tracking the company.

Shares of ITD Cementation Ltd. hit an all-time high after it bagged a marine contract worth Rs 3,290 crore, excluding GST, the company informed in an exchange filing on Thursday evening.

The scrip rose 12.17% to Rs 243.8 apiece as of 9:39 a.m., as compared to a 0.30% advance in the NSE Nifty 50. The stock rose as much as 13.87% intra-day to hit a record high at Rs 247.5 apiece.

It has risen 105.3% on a year-to-date basis. The total traded volume stood at 22 times its 30-day average. The relative strength index was at 80, implying that the stock maybe overbought.

Of the five analysts tracking the company, four maintain a buy rating, one recommends a hold and none suggest a sell on the stock, according to Bloomberg data. The average 12-month consensus price target implies a potential downside of 4.3%.

The broader market indices outperformed larger peers; the S&P BSE MidCap Index was up 0.18%, whereas S&P BSE SmallCap Index was 0.45% higher.

Five out of the 20 sectors compiled by BSE declined, while 15 sectors advanced. S&P BSE Power fell the most, whereas, S&P BSE Metal rose the most.

The market breadth was skewed in the favour of the buyers. About 1,687 stocks rose, 768 declined, while 114 remained unchanged on the BSE.

• 2.48 crore shares or 8.5% equity changes hands in two large trades.

• Buyers and sellers not known immediately.

Source: Bloomberg

• 28.04 crore shares or 4.2% equity changes hands in three large trades.

• Buyers and sellers not known immediately.

Source: Bloomberg

• Total sales fall 15% to 3.42 lakh units.

• Total two-wheeler sales fall 20% to 2.85 lakh units.

• Domestic two-wheeler sales fall 31% to 1.61 lakh units.

• Two-wheeler exports rise 2% to 1.24 lakh units.

• Three-wheeler sales rise 23% to 56,617 units.

Source: Exchange filing

India's benchmark stock indices opened marginally higher on Friday after snapping three days of gains on Thursday.

At pre-open, the S&P BSE Sensex was up 24 points, or 0.04%, at 64,855.51, while the NSE Nifty 50 was 4 points, or 0.02%, lower at 19,258.15.

Stocks in Asia rose as China rolled out more stimulus to aid its ailing economy and as traders awaited Friday’s jobs reading to gauge the outlook for Federal Reserve policy.

Mainland China shares climbed after closing the month over 5% lower, with financial and real estate stocks leading the gains. The Hong Kong stock market is shut on what may be the strongest storm to hit the city in at least five years.

Meanwhile, Japan’s Topix Index is set for is best weekly advance since October as companies’ profits rose 11.6% on an annual basis in the second quarter. Futures for the S&P 500 edged higher after the index closed lower on Thursday to notch its first monthly slide since February.

• At pre-open, the S&P BSE Sensex was up 24 points, or 0.04%, at 64,855.51, while the NSE Nifty 50 was 4 points, or 0.02%, lower at 19,258.15.

Source: Bloomberg

• Total sales fall 8.5% to 5,593 units.

• Domestic sales fall 2% to 5,198 units.

• Exports decline 51% to 395 units.

Source: Exchange filing

• About 14 lakh shares changed hands in a large trade.

• 0.44% equity changed hands at Rs 395 apiece.

• Buyers and sellers not known immediately.

Source: Bloomberg

• The local currency strengthened 21 paise to open at Rs 82.58 against the U.S dollar on Friday.

• It closed at 82.79 on Thursday.

Source: Bloomberg

• The yield on the 10-year bond opened flat at 7.17% on Friday.

Source: Bloomberg

• Indian Oil Corp. increases ATF prices in Delhi by 14.12%.

• Indian Oil Corp. fixes ATF prices at Rs 1.12 lakh/Kilo Litre vs Rs 98,508.26/Kilo Litre in July.

Source: Company Website

• Indian Oil Corp. fixes ATF price at Rs 1.21 lakh/Kilo Litre for Kolkata.

• Indian Oil Corp. fixes ATF price at Rs 1.05 lakh/Kilo Litre for Mumbai.

• Indian Oil Corp. fixes ATF price at Rs 1.16 lakh/Kilo Litre for Chennai.

• New prices will be applicable from Sept. 1, 2023.

Source: IOC Website

• Sets IPO price band at Rs 695 to Rs 735 per equity share with face value of Rs 10 apiece.

• Initial share sale for anchor investors will be done on Sept. 5, 2023.

• Initial share sale for public subscription will be open from Sept. 6, and close on Sept. 8, 2023.

Source: Company announcement

• Exited joint-venture for HumeLink (East) transmission line project proposed by Transgrid, Australia.

Source: Exchange Filing

• U.S. Dollar Index at 103.6

• U.S. 10-year bond yield at 4.10%

• Brent crude up 0.16% at $86.97 per barrel

• Nymex crude up 0.16% at $83.76 per barrel

• GIFT Nifty down 16 points or 0.08% at 19,413 as of 7:30 a.m.

• Bitcoin down 0.06% at $25,997.89

• Ex-date Dividend: Ganesh Housing Corp., Vinati Organics, Shipping Corp., Themis Medicare, Triveni Engineering & Industries, NBCC (India), APL Apollo Tubes, Gujarat State Petronet, Vakrangee, Arvind Fashions, GNA Axles, PSP Projects, Ram Ratna Wires, Sansera Engineering, Metro Brands, Syrma SGS Technology, Gujarat Themis Biosyn

• Ex-date AGM: Vinati Organics, Shipping Corp., Themis Medicare, Triveni Engineering & Industries, Bombay Dyeing, Hatsun Agro Product, Arvind Fashions, PSP Projects, Sansera Engineering, Syrma SGS Technology

• Ex-date Bonus Issue: GNA Axles

• Ex/Record-date Interim Dividend: Ujjivan Financial Services, Pearl Global Industries

• Ex/Record Date Stock Split: Remedium Lifecare

• Record-date Dividend: Ganesh Housing Corp., Triveni Engineering & Industries, NBCC (India), Gujarat State Petronet, Ram Ratna Wires, Metro Brands, Syrma SGS Technology

• Move Into Short-Term ASM Framework: Hindustan Construction Co., Indiabulls Housing Finance, India Pesticides, S Chand and Co.

• Move Out Of Short-Term ASM Framework: Paisalo Digital, Universal Cables.

• Atul Auto: Promoters Prafullaben Jayantibhai Chandra sold 1.63 lakh shares, Harishkumar Jagjivan Chandra sold 1.05 lakh shares, Ushaben Dharmendrabhai Chandra sold 1.2 lakh shares and Manishaben Atulkumar Chandra sold 71,691 shares on Aug. 25.

• DB Realty: Promoter Shravan Kumar Bali sold 30,000 shares on Aug. 28.

• Advanced Enzyme Technologies: Promoter Advanced Vital Enzymes sold 95,000 shares between Aug. 28 and 30.

• Shoppers Stop: Promoters Cape Trading bought 48,858 shares between Aug. 28 and 30, Ravi C Raheja bought 73,026 shares between Aug. 28 and 29, and Anbee Constructions bought 50,000 shares on Aug. 28.

• Sula Vineyards: Verlinvest Asia sold 1.06 crore shares, or 12.6%, at Rs 484.13 apiece, while HDFC Mutual Fund, through its three funds, bought a combined 35.2 lakh shares (4.2%), Morgan Stanley Asia bought 13.1 lakh shares (1.6%), Societe Generale bought 6.5 lakh shares (0.8%), and Ghisallo Master Fund bought 4.8 lakh shares (0.6%) at Rs 484 apiece.

• ACC: BNP Paribas Arbitrage bought 22.9 lakh shares (1.2%) at Rs 2,006.73 apiece.

• Ashok Leyland: BNP Paribas Arbitrage sold 6.03 crore shares (2%) at Rs 183.83 apiece.

• Supreme Industries: BNP Paribas Arbitrage sold 27 lakh shares (2.1%) at Rs 4,438.13 apiece.

• REC: BNP Paribas Arbitrage sold 4.2 crore shares (1.6%) at Rs 238.91 apiece.

• Astral: BNP Paribas Arbitrage sold 48 lakh shares (1.8%) at Rs 1,952.76 apiece.

• Power Finance Corp: BNP Paribas Arbitrage sold 3.97 crore shares (1.5%) at Rs 260.93 apiece, and Windacre Partnership Master Fund sold 3.43 crore shares (1.3%) at Rs 261.44 apiece.

• Prudent Corporate Advisory Services: TA FDI Investors sold 37.37 lakh shares (9%) at Rs 1,125.07 apiece, and Mansi Share and Stock Advisors sold 3.36 lakh shares (0.8%) at Rs 1,096.02 apiece. DSP Mutual Fund bought 20 lakh shares (4.8%), India Arcon ICAV bought 3.98 lakh shares (1%) and Abu Dhabi Investment Authority bought 3.36 lakh shares (0.8%) at Rs 1,125 apiece.

• Cummins India: BNP Paribas Arbitrage sold 53.36 lakh shares (1.9%) at Rs 1,707.52 apiece.

• Neuland Laboratories: BNP Paribas Arbitrage sold 64,893 shares (0.5%) at Rs 3,871.31 apiece.

• HDFC AMC: BNP Paribas Arbitrage sold 32.8 lakh shares (1.5%) at Rs 2,515.4 apiece.

• IDFC First Bank: BNP Paribas Arbitrage sold 11.22 crore shares (1.7%) at Rs 93.04 apiece, and Copthall Mauritius Investment sold 3.35 crore shares (0.5%) at Rs 93 apiece.

• Kesoram Industries: Euston Industries sold 25.2 lakh shares (0.8%) at Rs 89.69 apiece.

• Orient Green Power (RE): LIC sold 47.4 lakh shares (2%) at Rs 2.78 apiece.

• Medplus Health Services: Lavender Rose Investment and PI Opportunities Fund I sold 70 lakh shares (5.9%) each at Rs 861.68 and Rs 861.93, respectively. Nippon India MF bought 39.8 lakh shares (3.3%) at Rs 862 apiece, Singapore government bought 14.4 lakh shares (1.2%) at Rs 862 apiece, Fidelity Fund bought 14 lakh shares (1.2%) at Rs 856.79 apiece and Steadview Capital Mauritius bought 9.6 lakh shares (0.8%) at Rs 862 apiece.

• Reliance Industries: The company's media unit, Viacom 18, bagged both TV and digital rights of the Indian cricket team's home series for the next five years with a cumulative bid of approximately Rs 6,000 crore, beating Star India and Sony in a three-way battle. The rights will come into effect with India's three-match home series against Australia beginning Sept. 22 and ending March 31, 2028.

• Jio Financial Services: The scrip will be removed from S&P BSE indices before trading starts on Sept. 1.

• Sula Vineyards: Verlinvest Asia Pte sold a 12.6% stake in Sula Vineyards Ltd. for Rs 513.2 crore on Thursday. HDFC Mutual Fund, through its three funds, bought a combined 35.2 lakh shares, or a 4.2% stake. Other buyers include Morgan Stanley Asia (1.6%), Societe Generale (0.8%), and Ghisallo Master Fund (0.6%).

• Punjab National Bank: The bank has raised lending rates by 5 basis points across tenures, effective Sept. 1.

• LIC: Mini Ipe has ceased to be the managing director and Gajraj Singh Gill has ceased to be the executive director (senior business associate) with effect from Aug. 31 upon superannuation.

• Concor: Sanjay Swarup to be appointed as chairperson and managing director with effect from Oct. 1.

• Nykaa: The company invested Rs 3.97 crore in its international arm, FSN International, by acquiring 39.78 lakh shares of Rs 10 each on a rights basis for providing long-term funds.

• Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail: The company said it has completed the acquisition of a 29% stake in TCNS Clothing pursuant to the open offer. It also plans to raise Rs 750 crore on or after Sept. 4 through bonds on a private placement basis.

• Auto Stocks: To be in focus as automakers announce the wholesale figures for the month of August.

• Genus Power Infrastructure: The company's step-down wholly owned subsidiary has bagged a Rs 2,247.4 crore order for 24.18 lakh smart metres, including their design, supply, installation, and commissioning. The total order book now stands at around Rs 11,000 crore.

• ITD Cementation: The company bagged a marine contract worth Rs 3,290 crore, excluding GST.

• GlaxoSmithKline Pharma: The assistant commissioner of state tax, Maharashtra, initiated a search at certain premises of the company on Thursday. The officials are extending their full cooperation and responding to the queries raised by them, it said.

• Shakti Pumps: The company received an order from the Haryana Renewable Energy Department for the supply, installation, and commissioning of solar water pumping systems. The order will be executed within a 120-day period from the date of issue of the work order.

• India Pesticides: The company acquired 11,461 sq m of land adjacent to its existing Sandila plant in Uttar Pradesh to set up a pesticide manufacturing unit. The cost of acquisition is Rs 9.6 crore.

• Navneet Education: The board approved a composite scheme of arrangement for the amalgamation of Genext Students and the demerger of the Edtech business of Navneet Futuretech into Navneet Education.

Rishabh Instruments: The IPO was subscribed 2.46 times on its second day. The bids were led by non-institutional investors, who subscribed 4.65 times; followed by retail investors, who subscribed 2.79 times and institutional investors, who subscribed 0.22 times or 22%. The IPO was subscribed to 73% on day one.

Stocks in Asia were mixed after a muted session on Wall Street as traders await Friday's jobs reading to gauge the outlook for Federal Reserve policy.

Shares declined in Australia, while those for Japan edged higher. Earlier, data showed that Japanese businesses cut their spending for the first time in five quarters, an outcome that may prompt a downward revision to second-quarter economic growth data.

The Hong Kong stock market is shut as the city is bracing for a hit from what may be the strongest storm in at least five years. Futures for the S&P 500 were little changed after the index closed lower on Thursday to notch its first monthly slide since February.

Brent crude was trading above $86 a barrel and West Texas Intermediate was above the $83 mark. The yield on the 10-year U.S. bond was trading at 4.11% and Bitcoin was below 26,000-level.

At 7:30 a.m., the GIFT Nifty, an early indicator of the NSE Nifty 50's performance in India was down 316 points or 0.08% at 19,413.

India's benchmark stock indices opened higher and swung between gains and losses to finally end lower in trade on Thursday. Banks dragged the indices down after Fitch revised the credit ratings for a few lenders, and fast-moving consumer goods were also under pressure.

Only IT, real estate, and consumer durables were trading marginally higher as the Sensex closed below the 64,900 level and the Nifty slipped below the 19,300 mark. Broader markets outperformed as the Nifty Midcap 100 and Smallcap 100 hit record highs intraday.

Overseas investors remained net sellers of Indian equities on Thursday. Foreign portfolio investors offloaded stocks worth Rs 2,973.1 crore and domestic institutional investors remained net buyers and mopped up equities worth Rs 4,382.8 crore.

The local currency weakened 6 paise to close at Rs 82.79 against the U.S. dollar on Thursday.