Daily Commodity Report as on Thursday, March 26, 2015 Date : Thursday, March 26, 2015 URL : www.achiieversequitiesltd.com Page No - 1 Open High Low Close Precious Metals Gold Silver 26280 37870 26498 38340 Alum. Copper Lead Nickel Zinc 111.2 386 114.85 870.9 129.3 111.45 387.7 115.4 872 129.9 2982 173.1 3111 174.2 26212 37750 % Cng OI 26483 38158 0.50 0.44 7389 8329 110.85 387.15 115.25 853.8 129.8 -0.49 -0.15 -0.26 -1.96 0.04 2782 14122 2595 12147 2533 3094 171 3.31 -1.72 20197 5257 Market Round up Gold gained as upbeat German sentiment data helped drive the euro higher, and as expectations for an imminent U.S. interest rate rise receded. Base Metal 110.2 383.95 114.05 852 128.55 Energy Crude Nat. Gas 2961 169.2 26280 26498 26212 26483 0.50 Turmeric Jeera Dhaniya 977 7980 14600 8200 989.9 8120 14720 8262 943 7730 14425 7913 Nickel prices ended with losses as pressure seen after inventories hit an all-time peak. 949.1 7778 14510 8002 -2.80 -2.75 0.07 0.72 1104 16430 16422 20870 1412 1428 1405 1422 0.71 3350 Mentha oil prices gained on hopes of lower production this year along with declining acreage. Oil and Oilseeds & Others Soyabean Ref. Oil CPO RMSeed Menthol Cotton 3363 586.5 443.4 3375 820 15380 3370 588.85 443.8 3384 839 15540 3351 583.4 441.2 3362 818.8 15350 3365 587.65 442 3377 834.8 15470 -0.09 0.29 -0.18 -0.09 1.73 0.85 70200 64025 4440 31470 4511 6392 Date : 62.37 68.35 92.80 52.15 62.50 68.62 93.11 52.32 62.33 68.05 92.62 52.05 Thursday, March 26, 2015 Soyabean prices dropped on weak demand for the crop in export market and on oversupply woes in global market. Chana settled up on late short covering after prices dropped driven by rising supplies from the new season crop. Turmeric prices ended with losses on rising supplies from the new season crop in southern states. Currency USDINR EURINR GBPINR JPYINR Natural gas dropped as market participants looked ahead to fresh weekly information on U.S. gas inventories amid expectations for a modest withdrawal. Ref.Soyaoil settled up as prices recovered on short covering after pressure seem on weak export demand and on higher supply of the oil. Cereals Wheat Copper prices ended with small losses as clouds over China's growth prospects curbed upside momentum. 7389 Spices Cardamom Crude prices gained as support seen after Saudi Arabia and its Gulf Arab allies began a military operation in Yemen, including airstrikes. Zinc prices settled flat after U.S. orders for durable goods dropped in February, fueling demand concerns. Pulses Chana Silver gained as weak data on U.S. durable goods strengthened the case for delaying a potential interest rate hike. 62.41 68.57 92.98 52.23 0.13 0.17 0.07 0.07 612740 27992 16823 9015 Jeera prices gained on concerns over production due to untimely rainfall. URL : www.achiieversequitiesltd.com Page No - 2 MCX Gold Apr 2015 TRADING IDEA OPEN 26280 SUP-2 26112 Gold trading range for the day is 26112-26684. HIGH 26498 SUP-1 26298 Gold gained as upbeat German sentiment data helped drive the euro higher, and as expectations for an imminent U.S. interest rate rise receded. LOW 26212 P.P. 26398 Federal Reserve chair Janet Yellen sounded a cautious note last week on the U.S. economy and potential interest rate increase. CLOSE 26483 RES-1 26584 SPDR gold trust holdings dropped by 1.19 tonnes i.e. 0.16% to 743.21 tonnes from 744.40 tonnes. % CNG 0.50 RES-2 26684 BUY GOLD APR @ 26350 SL 26200 TGT 26500-26750. MCX Gold settled up 0.5% at 26483 end at a three-week high as investors sought the safe haven of the precious metal after most global equity markets declined. The precious metal was also supported by a weak dollar after some soft durable goods data from the US. In some disappointing economic news from the U.S., new orders for U.S. manufactured durable goods decreased unexpectedly in February, with orders for transportation equipment showing a notable pullback. The weak data further weakens the Fed's case for a rate hike any time soon. Meanwhile, the euro trended higher against the dollar after a report showed German business morale to have improved for the fifth straight month to an eight-month high in March as firms expressed greater optimism about future developments. Softer economic growth could prompt the Fed to delay raising interest rates until later in the year. Also supporting this expectation was last week's Fed meet, when the U.S. central bank sounded caution over growth and the pace of any rate hikes. Markets had expected U.S. rates, currently near zero, to be increased by the Fed from June, but last week's caution has many thinking that a rate increase would not come until September. Higher rates would boost the dollar, but hurt gold, a non-interest paying asset. Meanwhile Investors remained cautious over gold's outlook with SPDR Gold Trust, continuing to see outflows. The fund's holdings fell 0.2 percent to 743.21 tonnes on Wednesday. Technically market is under short covering as market has witnessed drop in open interest by -6.63% to settled at 7389 while prices up 132 rupee, now Gold is getting support at 26298 and below same could see a test of 26112 level, And resistance is now likely to be seen at 26584, a move above could see prices testing 26684. MCX Silver May 2015 TRADING IDEA OPEN 37870 SUP-2 37493 Silver trading range for the day is 37493-38673. HIGH 38340 SUP-1 37826 Silver gained as weak data on U.S. durable goods strengthened the case for delaying a potential interest rate hike. LOW 37750 P.P. 38083 Prices pared some of its gains after U.S. data showed an uptick in underlying inflation pressures and gains in home prices CLOSE 38158 RES-1 38416 A survey on German business morale fueled expectations that a euro zone economic recovery is strengthening. % CNG 0.44 RES-2 38673 BUY SILVER MAY @ 37900 SL 37600 TGT 38200-38500.MCX Silver settled up 0.44% at 38158 tracking firmness from Comex Silver which was at $16.96 an ounce after rising to a five-week high at $17.11 as upbeat German sentiment data helped drive the euro higher against the dollar, and as expectations for an imminent U.S. interest rate rise receded. The euro was up 0.4 percent versus the U.S. currency after a survey on German business morale fueled expectations that a euro zone economic recovery is strengthening, extending gains after U.S. durable goods data missed expectations. Bullion's six-day rally, its longest since August 2012, came after Federal Reserve chair Janet Yellen sounded a cautious note last week on the U.S. economy and potential interest rate increase. But since the Fed meet last week, consensus expectations for a U.S. interest rate increase have shifted, with most of Wall Street's top banks now expecting the central bank to hold off until at least September, compared with previous expectations of June. Investors rushed to cut long dollar positions after the Fed's dovish steer on interest rates, sending the greenback crashing back from multiyear highs. The dollar stabilised against a basket of major currencies on Wednesday. Bullion investors will be closely monitoring U.S. economic data and comments from Fed officials this week for clues on the timing of the rate hike. Fed policymaker James Bullard said on Tuesday that a first rate hike "sometime in the summer" would still leave monetary policy extremely accommodative, and that market expectations should be better aligned with those of the Fed considering the current "boom time" for the U.S. economy. Technically market is getting support at 37826 and below same could see a test of 37493 level, And resistance is now likely to be seen at 38416, a move above could see prices testing 38673. Date : Thursday, March 26, 2015 URL : www.achiieversequitiesltd.com Page No - 3 MCX Crudeoil Apr 2015 TRADING IDEA OPEN 2982 SUP-2 2905 Crudeoil trading range for the day is 2905-3205. HIGH 3111 SUP-1 2999 Crude prices gained as support seen after Saudi Arabia and its Gulf Arab allies began a military operation in Yemen, including airstrikes. LOW 2961 P.P. 3055 In its weekly report, the EIA said that U.S. crude inventories for the week ending Mar. 20, increased by 8.2 million barrels from the previous week. CLOSE 3094 RES-1 3149 Fighting in Yemen raised concerns about the security of oil shipments from the Middle East. % CNG 3.31 RES-2 3205 BUY CRUDE OIL APR ABV 3120 SL 3070 TGT 3160-3210-3240. MCX Crudeoil settled up 3.31% at 3094 ended higher for a fourth straight session despite the official weekly oil report from the EIA showed crude stockpiles to have risen more than expected last week. It for an eleventh straight week oil stockpiles have increased in the US. Crude oil prices also found support with the dollar weakening against a basket of major currencies after some disappointing durable goods data from the U.S. A run to 12-year highs for the dollar weighed on commodities for the past few months, but prices have risen this week as the buck relented versus the euro. In economic news from the U.S., new orders for U.S. manufactured durable goods decreased unexpectedly in February, with orders for transportation equipment showing a notable pullback. Market attribute the surge in oil prices to the ongoing chaos and fighting in Yemen which many believe is the beginning of a civil war in the troubled Middle-East country. Earlier in the week, Shiite rebels in Yemen urged its followers to fight forces loyal to the nation's embattled president in a bid to take full control. The development comes in wake of a U.S. decision to evacuate its troops from a southern airbase in Yemen after militants seized adjoining areas. Yesterday a weekly report from the U.S. EIA showed U.S. crude oil inventories to have surged 8.2 million barrels in the week ended March 20, Stockpiles have been climbing every week since the week ended January 9. Gasoline stocks dropped by 2mbls last week, Inventories of distillate, including heating fuel, remained unchanged. Technically market is getting support at 2999 and below same could see a test of 2905 level, And resistance is now likely to be seen at 3149, a move above could see prices testing 3205. MCX Copper Apr 2015 TRADING IDEA OPEN 386.0 SUP-2 382.5 Copper trading range for the day is 382.5-390.1. HIGH 387.7 SUP-1 384.9 Copper prices ended with small losses as clouds over China's growth prospects curbed upside momentum. LOW 384.0 P.P. 386.3 Torrential downpours in the north of Chile, have forced companies to suspend operations at several of the area's major mines. CLOSE 387.2 RES-1 388.7 China’s refined copper imports posted a 24.23% fall on the year in February this year, to 211,609 tonnes, Customs data indicates. % CNG -0.15 RES-2 390.1 BUY COPPER APR @ 385 SL 381 TGT 389-393.50. MCX Copper settled down -0.15% at 387.15 as clouds over China's growth prospects curbed upside momentum. Torrential downpours in the north of Chile have forced companies to suspend operations at some major mines, putting an estimated 1.6 million tonnes of capacity of the red metal on hold. Supply challenges should dominate although the Chinese numbers remain a little bit of a drag on demand. Floods may disrupt Chilean supply short term, but are unlikely to quell a supply threat that has come from a long drought in world's biggest copper producer. Losses on metals markets were also limited by the dollar, which fell further against a basket of currencies after weaker than expected U.S. durable goods data for February weighed, and after a robust German business sentiment survey boosted the euro. US durable goods orders excluding transporting section, fell 0.4% in February, down for five months in a row, a sign that US companies remained cautious towards purchase against sluggish demand globally. IFO business climate index for Germany in March hit its highest of 107.9 since July 2014. But this failed to boost European stocks. Technically market is under long liquidation as market has witnessed drop in open interest by -6.08% to settled at 14122 while prices down -0.6 rupee, now Copper is getting support at 384.9 and below same could see a test of 382.5 level, And resistance is now likely to be seen at 388.7, a move above could see prices testing 390.1. Date : Thursday, March 26, 2015 URL : www.achiieversequitiesltd.com Page No - 4 MCX Zinc Mar 2015 TRADING IDEA OPEN 129.3 SUP-2 128.0 Zinc trading range for the day is 128-130.8. HIGH 129.9 SUP-1 128.9 Zinc prices settled flat after U.S. orders for durable goods dropped in February, fueling demand concerns. LOW 128.6 P.P. 129.4 U.S. business investment spending plans fell for a sixth straight month in February, likely weighed down by a strong dollar and weak global demand. CLOSE 129.8 RES-1 130.3 Zinc daily stocks at Shanghai exchange came down by 199 tonnes. % CNG 0.04 RES-2 130.8 BUY ZINC MAR ABV 130 SL 128.50 TGT 131.20-132.50. MCX Zinc settled flat after U.S. orders for durable goods dropped in February, fueling demand concerns. Losses on metals markets were also limited by the dollar, which fell further against a basket of currencies after weaker than expected U.S. durable goods data for February weighed, and after a robust German business sentiment survey boosted the euro. Major economic indicators released yesterday were mixed. Investors returned cautious on growing geopolitical tensions. US durable goods orders in February were sluggish, falling far short of market expectations, which dropped 1.4% MoM. This offset market optimism that the Fed will not increase interest rate any time soon. US stocks slid across the board. The Nasdaq Composite Index slumped 2.4%, its largest daily losses since April 2014. US Q4 GDP and household spending slated for release this Friday will also be a focus of markets. IFO business climate index for Germany in March hit its highest of 107.9 since July 2014. But this failed to boost European stocks. LME zinc prices opened at USD 2,085/mt, then fell to USD 2,067/mt, but rallied to USD 2,080/mt and closed at USD 2,082.5/mt, down USD 2.5/mt. Trading volumes were down 2,718 to 8,077 lots, and total positions decreased 36 to 285,331. LME zinc inventories fell 25 to 520,175 mt. Technically market is under short covering as market has witnessed drop in open interest by -6.67% to settled at 2533 while prices up 0.05 rupee, now Zinc is getting support at 128.9 and below same could see a test of 128 level, And resistance is now likely to be seen at 130.3, a move above could see prices testing 130.8. MCX Nickel Mar 2015 TRADING IDEA OPEN 870.9 SUP-2 839.3 Nickel trading range for the day is 839.3-879.3. HIGH 872.0 SUP-1 846.6 Nickel prices ended with losses as pressure seen after inventories hit an all-time peak. LOW 852.0 P.P. 859.3 US durable goods orders in February fell 1.4% MoM, falling far short of market expectations. CLOSE 853.8 RES-1 866.6 Manufacturing in China slowed to an 11-month low in March, the preliminary reading of a private Purchasing Managers’ Index showed. % CNG -1.96 RES-2 879.3 SELL NICKEL MAR @ 865 SL 878 TGT 854-840. MCX Nickel settled down -1.96% at 853.8 as pressure seen after inventories hit an all-time peak. US durable goods orders in February fell 1.4% MoM, falling far short of market expectations. Revised January durable goods orders in the country were down to 2.0%. Growing geopolitical turmoil allowed crude oil prices to surge. This offset market optimism that the Fed will not increase interest rate any time soon. US stocks slid across the board. US Q4 GDP and household spending slated for release this Friday will also be a focus of markets. IFO business climate index for Germany in March hit its highest of 107.9 since July 2014. But this failed to boost European stocks. The DAX inched down following the release of this economic indicator, with major European stocks falling mostly. German business morale improved for the fifth straight month to an eight-month high in March as firms expressed greater optimism about future developments. The business climate index rose more-than-expected to 107.9 in March from 106.8 in February, results of a survey by Munich-based Ifo Institute showed Wednesday. This was the highest score since July 2014 when the reading was 108. It was forecast to rise to 107.3. LME nickel prices opened at USD 13,965/mt, then fluctuated between USD 13,950-14,000/mt. During European and US trading session, LME nickel prices inched down and closed at USD 13,670/mt, down 2.04%. LME nickel inventories grew 2,490 to 433,980 mt. Technically market is under fresh selling as market has witnessed gain in open interest by 49.06% to settled at 12147 while prices down -17.1 rupee, now Nickel is getting support at 846.6 and below same could see a test of 839.3 level, And resistance is now likely to be seen at 866.6, a move above could see prices testing 879.3. Date : Thursday, March 26, 2015 URL : www.achiieversequitiesltd.com Page No - 5 NCDEX Chana Apr 2015 TRADING IDEA OPEN 3613 SUP-2 3579 Chana trading range for the day is 3579-3657. HIGH 3635 SUP-1 3601 Chana settled up on late short covering after prices dropped driven by rising supplies from the new season crop. LOW 3596 P.P. 3618 Delayed sowing and un-seasonal rains and hailstorms will affect the quality and yield of chana in Madhya Pradesh. CLOSE 3624 RES-1 3640 Chana production is estimated in the range of 5-6.2 million tons by the Industry, year on year down by 20%. % CNG 0.22 RES-2 3657 BUY CHANA APR @ 3625 SL BELOW 3585 TGT 3668-3700-3735. NCDEX (BTST) Chana settled up by 0.22% at 3624 on late short covering after prices dropped driven by rising supplies from the new season crop. Domestic demand for chana is weak in local mandis as the quality available is of inferior variety. Chana production is estimated in the range of 5-6.2 million tons by the Industry experts, year on year down by 20%. Kabuli chana production estimated at 450,000-500,000 tons. As on Feb 2015 opening stock for the season estimated at 600,000-700,000 tons. Yellow peas acreage estimated higher year on year by 3% to 796,000 hectare and as compared to 832,000 hectare by the government estimates and production expected slightly better at 445,000-545,000 tons. According to the ABARES, March quarter 2015 report, the Australian chana production in 2015-16 is expected to surge 636000 tonne from 517000 forecasted for 2014-15 on higher planted area. The field pea production is also expected at 327000 tonnes, up from 302000 tonnes forecasted for 2014-15 on higher planted area. In 2014-15, the Production of pulses estimated at 18.43 million tonnes is lower by 4.36% from 19.5 million tonnes produced in 2013-14. India is likely to harvest 16% lower chana in 2014-15 from last year on lower planted area (down 16% Y-O-Y). Meanwhile, the decline in tur production due to erratic rainfall conditions during the monsoon season-2014. In Delhi spot market, chana dropped by -14.85 rupee to end at 3600 rupee per 100 kgs.Technically market is under short covering as market has witnessed drop in open interest by -2.65% to settled at 138230 while prices up 8 rupee, now Chana is getting support at 3601 and below same could see a test of 3579 level, And resistance is now likely to be seen at 3640, a move above could see prices testing 3657. NCDEX Turmeric Apr 2015 TRADING IDEA OPEN 7980 SUP-2 7486 Turmeric trading range for the day is 7486-8266. HIGH 8120 SUP-1 7632 Turmeric prices ended with losses on rising supplies from the new season crop in southern states. LOW 7730 P.P. 7876 However upside seen limited due to fresh supplies in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka coupled with strong stock position. CLOSE 7778 RES-1 8022 NCDEX accredited warehouses turmeric stocks gained by 60 tonnes to 3226 tonnes. % CNG -2.75 RES-2 8266 SELL TURMERIC APR @ 7900 SL 8050 TGT 7750-7580.NCDEX Turmeric settled down by -2.75% at 7778 on rising supplies from the new season crop in southern states. However upside seen limited due to fresh supplies in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka coupled with strong stock position. Traders are expecting the total production in the range of 50-52 lakh bags in the current year, down 20 lakh bags from the last year in the same period. At Erode market arrivals were reported at 7000 quintals, higher by 2000 quintals as against previous day. At Nizamabad market arrivals were reported at 12000 quintals, down by 3000 quintals as against previous day. Spot turmeric prices in Erode markets decreased by Rs. 300 a quintal due to arrival of inferior quality produce. Prices of new turmeric decreased by Rs. 100 a quintal due to the arrival of medium and poor quality turmeric for sale. Only 10-15 bags of Salem Turmeric arrived and all were sold at previous day’s price. 5,800 bags arrived for sale, but only 45 per cent was sold. Availability of good quality spice is lower. According to traders, though carryover stocks are ample, traders are holding the produce on expectations of a surge in prices. Also, due to high moisture content in the newly-arrived produce, demand for the carryover stocks from last year is on the higher side. Worries over decline in production too are weighing on the crop. In Nizamabad, a major spot market in AP, the price ended at 7830 rupees dropped -32 rupees. Technically market is under fresh selling as market has witnessed gain in open interest by 0.98% to settled at 16430, now Turmeric is getting support at 7632 and below same could see a test of 7486 level, And resistance is now likely to be seen at 8022, a move above could see prices testing 8266. Date : Thursday, March 26, 2015 URL : www.achiieversequitiesltd.com Page No - 6 TRADING IDEA MCX Menthaoil Apr 2015 OPEN 820.0 SUP-2 810.7 Menthaoil trading range for the day is 810.7-851.1. HIGH 839.0 SUP-1 822.8 Menthaoil spot is at 920/-. Spot market is up by Rs.6/-. LOW 818.8 P.P. 830.9 Mentha oil prices gained on hopes of lower production this year along with declining acreage. CLOSE 834.8 RES-1 843.0 Though, sluggish demand from consuming industries against ample stock position in the physical market, capped some gains. % CNG 1.73 RES-2 851.1 BUY MENTHA OIL APR @ 836 SL BELOW 824 TGT 845-854-864. MCX (BTST) Mentha oil settled up by 1.73% at 834.8 on hopes of lower production this year along with declining acreage. Though, sluggish demand from consuming industries against ample stock position in the physical market, capped some gains. Farmers are preparing field for new crop in major regions of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Haryana. As per sources, this year Mentha acreage is likely to down by around 10-15% from last year in Uttar Pradesh. Mentha oil production is expected to fall this year by 30 per cent to 40,000 tonnes from 55,000 tonnes a year ago, with acreage under the commodity declining as farmers sentiment were dampened due to lower prices. Mentha oil arrivals to the spot market, especially from the Chandausi in Uttar Pradesh, have increased substantially. The resulting fall in prices was capped due to lower production of the commodity this season. Acreage is expected to fall by 20 per cent this year, to 17,500 hectare on the back of a large carry-over stock from last year, which also had an impact on prices. At Barabanki market estimated market supply was at 60 Drums(1-drum180kg), unchanged as compared to previous day’s arrival. At Rampur market sources reported arrivals at 6 Drums(1-drum=180kg), down by 1 Drums(1-drum=180kg) as against previous day. At Sambhal market sources reported arrivals at 60 Drums(1-drum=180kg), unchanged as compared to previous day’s arrival. At Bareilly market sources reported arrivals at 10 Drums(1-drum-180kg), higher by 3 Drums(1-drum-180kg) from previous day’s arrivals. Technically market is under fresh buying as market has witnessed gain in open interest by 15.84% to settled at 4511, now Menthaoil is getting support at 822.8 and below same could see a test of 810.7 level, And resistance is now likely to be seen at 843, a move above could see prices testing 851.1. DAILY MARKET LEVEL FOR METAL AND ENERGY COMMODITIES GOLD SILVER CRUDE NAT.GAS COPPER ZINC NICKEL ALUMINUM CLOSE OI TREND 26483 26870 26684 26584 26398 26298 26112 26012 7389 Positive 38158 39006 38673 38416 38083 37826 37493 37236 8329 Positive 3094 3299 3205 3149 3055 2999 2905 2849 20197 Positive 171 178.8 176.5 173.8 171.5 168.8 166.5 163.8 5257 Positive 387.15 392.5 390.1 388.7 386.3 384.9 382.5 381.1 14122 Positive 129.8 131.7 130.8 130.3 129.4 128.9 128.0 127.5 2533 Positive 853.8 886.6 879.3 866.6 859.3 846.6 839.3 826.6 12147 Positive 110.85 112.6 112.0 111.4 110.8 110.2 109.6 109.0 2782 Positive 115.3 117.2 116.3 115.8 114.9 114.4 113.5 113.0 2595 Positive SPREAD 223 430 114.00 2.80 4.40 0.75 7.20 1.05 0.75 RESISTANCE P. POINT SUPPORT Date : Thursday, March 26, 2015 URL : www.achiieversequitiesltd.com LEAD Page No - 7 NEWS YOU CAN USE DAY The Federal Reserve should probably hike interest rates by the end of the year, Federal Reserve Vice Chairman Stanley Fischer said Monday in New York. "Whether it's going to be June or September, or some later date, or some date in between, will depend on the data," said Fischer to the Economic Club of New York. "We've got two very positive numbers for the first quarter of 2015 and we're waiting for another one," he added, referring to the strong U.S. jobs reports from January and February. The Federal Reserve backed away from its pledge to be "patient" Wednesday, a strong signal that the central bank will hike interest rates in July or September. The move to remove the "patient" phrase came despite concerns about the rapid rise in the U.S. dollar, which touched 12-year highs against the euro this week. Thu TIME ECONOMICAL DATA ZONE EXP PREV 12:30pm EUR GfK German Consumer Climate 9.8 9.7 2:30pm EUR M3 Money Supply y/y 0.043 0.041 2:30pm EUR Private Loans y/y 0.001 -0.001 6:00pm USD Unemployment Claims 291K 291K 6:30pm USD FOMC Member Lockhart Speaks 7:15pm USD Flash Services PMI 8:00pm USD Natural Gas Storage 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 57.2 57.1 10B -45B 0 0 European Central Bank Governing Council member Christian Noyer said that Greece must consider capital controls only as a "last resort" and urged the government to do more to restore confidence on the economy. In an interview to Bloomberg, Noyer said capital controls were "really a tool of last resort", and Greece should consider them only to prevent the outflow of private funds from the country. He also urged the government to do everything to restore confidence among the corporates and the households and "set a clear path of restoring economic competitiveness". Further, Noyer said the ECB can provide more liquidity assistance to Greek banks if they will not use it to finance the government which is struggling to raise funds. Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras is set to meet German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Monday. The Greek government could run out of money soon and faces more debt payments at the end of this week. Separately, Noyer, who heads the Bank of France, said in a speech in Paris that the threat of unintended spillovers while withdrawing unconventional policies should not prevent central banks from "acting decisively" when price stability faces risks. New home sales in the U.S. unexpectedly increased in the month of February, the Commerce Department revealed in a report, with sales jumping to their highest level in seven years. The report said new home sales surged up by 7.8 percent to an annual rate of 539,000 in February from the revised January rate of 500,000. The increase came as a surprise to economists, who had expected new home sales to drop to a rate of 462,000 from the 481,000 originally reported for the previous month. With the unexpected increase, new home sales rose to their highest level since hitting a rate of 593,000 in February of 2008. The Commerce Department also noted that new home sales are up by 24.8 percent compared to 432,000 in the same month a year ago. The report showed a substantial rebound in new home sales in the Northeast, which soared 152.9 percent to a rate of 43,000 in February after tumbling 45.2 percent to a rate of 17,000 in January. New home sales in the South also increased by 10.1 percent, while new home sales in the West and Midwest dropped by 6.0 percent and 12.9 percent, respectively. Meanwhile, the report said the median sales price of new houses sold in February was $275,500, down 4.8 percent from $289,400 from January. The median price was still up by 2.6 percent year-over-year. Government is considering continuation of zero import duty on pulses as output is expected to be lower while demand is growing, a top consumer affairs ministry official has said. There is zero duty on import of pulses till March 31. India imports about 3-4 million tonnes of pulses annually to meet domestic demand. The country produces about 19 million tonnes of pulses. "We are considering the continuation of zero duty status for import of pulses. The decision on this will be taken before March 31," Consumer Affairs Secretary Keshav Desiraju said on the sidelines of India Pulses and Grains Association (IPGA) here. "The industry had asked us to continue with the duty free status as the production is expected to be lower and consumer demand is increasing," he added. According to industry estimates, import of pulses is expected to be over 4 million tonnes in 2014-15 as against 3.8 million tonnes in the previous year. Pulses processors and importers demanded the government set up a Pulses Upgradation Fund in line with the Technology Upgradation Fund to revive the textile sector. Even though the ban by West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on sale of potatoes to other states over the past three years has been lifted, cases of farmer suicides, which some say may have been driven by the fear of heavy losses, are still being reported. Farmers here are unable to cash in on the impact of unseasonal rains on the output in Uttar Pradesh while the traditional buyers in Odisha, Bihar, Jharkhand and the northeast have already reduced their dependence on West Bengal. Potato production has been 15 per cent higher in the state this year than in the previous one, at 110 lakh tonne. Since the neighbouring states are not picking up much from Bengal, the farmers are being forced to sell potatoes at Rs 140 for a 50 kg packet while the cost of production has been the same at Rs 250. This means, the farmers are facing a loss of Rs 110 on a 50 kg packet. Last year, the farmers had sold a 50 kg packet at Rs 300-350. The government has announced that it will buy potatoes but the traders and farmers say that they have not seen bulk buying by the state government. "The government is buying in very small quantities and there is not much impact in the market," said De. The state government has announced a transport subsidy of Rs 100 per quintal on potato exports through Kolkata port to clear the stock so that field level prices become remunerative. Date : Thursday, March 26, 2015 URL : www.achiieversequitiesltd.com Page No - 8 Date : Thursday, March 26, 2015 URL : www.achiieversequitiesltd.com Page No - 9
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