Five Indian stocks – BHEL, GMR Airports Infrastructure, NMDC, PNB and Union Bank of India – will be added to the MSCI Global Standard Index on February 29. The overall index will see 24 additions from 10 countries in Asia Pacific, while 101 securities will be deleted. India's weightage in the index will reach a historic high of 18.2%, leading to potential inflows of $800 million to $1 billion.

Reported Standalone quarterly numbers for Lancer Containers Lines are: Net Sales at Rs 104.83 crore in December 2023 down 22.96% from Rs. 136.07 crore in December 2022. Quarterly Net Profit at Rs. 6.11 crore in December 2023 down 32.41% from Rs. 9.03 crore in December 2022. EBITDA stands at Rs. 15.66 crore in December 2023 down 20.31% from Rs. 19.65 crore in December 2022.

Kesoram Industries, a company based in Mumbai, is planning to refinance its ₹1,500-crore debt that was borrowed at 20% interest from Goldman Sachs, Cerberus and Edelweiss. It is currently in talks with Tata Capital to secure a loan at a lower interest rate of 12-13%. This will help Kesoram reduce its interest cost by 7-8%. The new loan is expected to be finalized by the end

Brokerages have upgraded Coal India's rating and raised its target price after the company reported strong earnings in the December quarter. Nuvama Research maintains a 'buy' rating with an increased target price of Rs 561, while Motilal Oswal and Antique Stock Broking also maintain 'buy' ratings with higher targets of Rs 490 and Rs 508, respectively. The company's net profit rose 17.8% Y-O-Y.

Diagnostic player Krsnaa Diagnostics reported a 4.4 percent decrease in net profit for the December quarter, with a consolidated net profit of Rs 13 crore. However, revenue increased by 34 percent to Rs 158.3 crore and EBITDA rose from Rs 29.8 crore to Rs 39.6 crore. The company was selected for multiple contracts in Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh, highlighting their capabilities and proficiency.

Reported Standalone quarterly numbers for Jet Freight Logistics are: Net Sales at Rs 90.52 crore in December 2023 up 4.08% from Rs. 86.98 crore in December 2022. Quarterly Net Profit at Rs. 4.27 crore in December 2023 up 318.57% from Rs. 1.95 crore in December 2022. EBITDA stands at Rs. 3.17 crore in December 2023 up 1232.14% from Rs. 0.28 crore in December 2022.

Crude oil prices have been steady at $78-$82 per barrel due to geopolitical tensions and slowdown in China. CEO of XM Australia, Peter McGuire, predicts short-term price rise due to factors like weak US dollar and potential escalation in West Asia. He also sees potential for Bitcoin's price to increase following its recent surge. OPEC may continue production cuts for higher prices.

Reported Standalone quarterly numbers for Mercury Laboratories are: Net Sales at Rs 17.11 crore in December 2023 up 5.44% from Rs. 16.23 crore in December 2022. Quarterly Net Profit at Rs. 1.24 crore in December 2023 up 103.87% from Rs. 0.61 crore in December 2022. EBITDA stands at Rs. 2.41 crore in December 2023 up 107.76% from Rs. 1.16 crore in December 2022.

Bitcoin reached $50,000 for the first time in over two years due to expectations of interest rate cuts and the recent approval of US exchange-traded funds tracking its price. Crypto stocks also saw gains, while the price of ether rose as well. Analysts attribute bitcoin's recent surge to increased inflow into ETFs, with estimates that these products could draw billions of dollars this year.

NPCI and banks in the US and India are working together to establish a real-time payment system between the two countries. The focus is on building connectivity and starting with small consumer payments. This would require collaboration with large Indian and American banks, as well as the cooperation of authorities like the US Federal Reserve.

Reported Standalone quarterly numbers for Skipper are: Net Sales at Rs 801.58 crore in December 2023 up 80.19% from Rs. 444.85 crore in December 2022. Quarterly Net Profit at Rs. 17.78 crore in December 2023 up 149.94% from Rs. 7.11 crore in December 2022. EBITDA stands at Rs. 79.32 crore in December 2023 up 70.47% from Rs. 46.53 crore in December 2022.

Oil prices remained steady on Tuesday amid uncertainty about potential U.S. interest rate cuts and their effect on fuel demand, balancing concerns about Middle East tensions that could disrupt supply. Brent futures slightly decreased to $81.99 per barrel, while U.S. WTI crude rose to $76.93 per barrel. Although conflict in the Middle East has kept prices high, worries about interest rates.

Anupam Rasayan India had a decrease in net sales, net profit, and EPS for the quarter ending December 2023 compared to the same quarter in 2022. EBITDA also decreased, leading to a decline in stock returns over the last 6 months and 12 months. There was no significant change in shareholding by promoters or promoter groups.

British American Tobacco (BAT) is planning to sell a portion of its 29.03% stake in India's ITC, worth about Rs 1.47 lakh crore ($17.75 billion), through a deal with Citi and Bank of America. However, the sale is awaiting approval from RBI due to restrictions on foreign investment in the tobacco sector. BAT plans to use the proceeds to reduce debt and potentially restart its share buyback.

In the last quarter of 2023, Silly Monks Entertainment reported a decrease in net sales by 7.3%, but an increase in net profit by 100.57% compared to the same period in 2022. EBITDA also showed growth of 196.3%. The company's stock closed at 18.70 on February 12, 2024 and has seen a 5.06% return over the last 6 months.