Foreign players short on markets, SGX Nifty 90 points down

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MUMBAI: Worsening world economic conditions are expected to drag Indian stock markets sharply lower Thursday. Stocks fell in Asia and US,
dragging the regional stock benchmarks to their lowest in a month, after machinery orders plunged in Japan and US retail sales slumped, signaling the global recession is deepening. Also, with Nifty Singapore futures at 90 points discount, CNX Nifty may give up all of Wednesday’s gains in early trade.

Despite a significant rally in Indian markets on Wednesday, foreign players sold in index futures while they bought just Rs 91 crore in spot market raising questions over sustainability of the rally. The FIIs net sold Rs 300 crore in index futures while they bought stock futures worth Rs 200 crore.

Snapping a four-day losing streak, Indian markets rose Wednesday on a rally in Reliance group companies. There are rumours that the warring Ambani brothers may be headed for some settlement bringing an end to their rivalry over KG-Basin gas. National Stock Exchange's 50-share Nifty surged 3.29 per cent to close at 2835.30. Intraday, it touched a high of 2853.25 and low of 2748.40.

Significant call buying was observed from 2800 to 3000 strikes and unwinding of short calls was seen at 3100 strike. On the other hand, huge put writing witnessed from 2800 to 2600 while little put buying was seen at 2900 strike.

Huge unwinding of long positions coupled with profit booking in stocks was seen from investors. "This is a traders' market and retail investors having small risk appetite should liquidate their positions at current levels. I expect markets to test new lows in near term. For a little upside of 2-3 per cent, one should not take downside risk of 15-20 per cent," said Shekhar Ranade of Goldwin Wealth Management.

Traders are unlikely to keep their long positions open in the current unsustainable market. However, given the high amount of volatility, players may cover some of their shorts in late trade to gain profit from the intraday trade.