The Hindu Business Line : Saturday, March 01, 2008

BUDGET
Stock markets not impressed
The air of excitement that typically surrounds Budget days on the bourses was missing this time. The signals from overseas were far from comforting on Friday morning. Continued onslaught of negative data on the US economy and the crude prices ... More

Liquidity would continue to chase stocks
“India is all set for an election” that’s what the Finance Minister’s Budget seems to suggest. This was one of the few or rather the one in recent memory where Agriculture, the Aam Admi or 60 per cent ... More

Service tax net expanded
Finally, I turn to my proposals on service tax. Fifty-five per cent of the GDP is contributed by the services sector, which is a growing sector that must contribute its legitimate share to the exchequer. I propose to bring under the ... More

Closely watched
More

Taxing times for stock market
Investors and traders on stock and commodity exchanges have to grapple with many unfriendly measures from the Union Budget of 2008. The hike in short-term capital gains tax, bringing transactions in the commodity exchanges under the ... More

No negative surprises – a big relief
Budget 2008 did not spring any negative surprise and that is a big relief. Broadly neutral, the Finance Minister has done a remarkable tightrope walking to balance growth and controlling inflationary pressure in the economy and presenting a ... More

‘Budget is disappointing’
Coimbatore, Feb. 29 The markets would give a thumbs-down to the inclusion of stock and commodity exchanges under the service tax net and the trading volume would dive, according to Mr K. Annamalai, former President, Coimbatore Stock ... More

Budget bonanza leaves out capital markets
The backdrop of this Budget was complicated with a slower growth and rising inflation, juxtaposed upon the demanding political scenario of ensuing elections. The Budget, and the Economic Review before that, emphasised the need to contain ... More

Voices

MUTUAL FUNDS
Opt for dividends
The Budget proposal to increase short-term capital gains tax to 15 per cent will be applicable to equity mutual funds as well. This means that investors who exit their equity fund units within a year of purchase will have to shell out tax at ... More

STOCKS
FMCG stocks gain
Bet on increased spending power among people More

Bank stocks recover post clarification
Announcement of loan waiver to farmers affected sentiment More

TECHNICAL ANALYSIS
Bears prevail
Bears prevailed over Friday’s trading activity. The sentiment reading of the tradable counters changed to bearish. Bull domination on Monday is likely to change the sentiment reading in their favour. On the contrary, the current ... More

STOCK MARKETS
Day-traders would be hit hard, say marketmen
Mumbai, Feb 29 The Finance Minister’s proposal to raise the tax on short-term capital gains (profits from sale of capital assets held for less than one year) on the transfer of listed equity shares from 10 per cent to 15 per cent ... More

COMMENTARY
Budget fails to cheer D-Street
Sensex opened with a downward gap of 44.94 points at 17,779.54 while the Nifty opened flat and soon dipped into the negative area on the most awaited eventful day — Union Budget 2008. The market was volatile before the Union ... More