Markets to remain shut on November 20 due to Maharashtra elections

In a recent notification, the NSE (National Stock Exchange) noted that markets will remain closed on Wednesday, November 20, 2024, on account of state elections taking place in Maharashtra. However, BSE has issued no notification on this matter so far. However, given how both the exchanges largely operate in sync, BSE is likely to declare a holiday as well.

Before the elections, both BSE and NSE will be shut for trading on November 15 as well, on account of Guru Nanak Jayanti. Next month, the bourses will remain closed for regular trade on Christmas, i.e., December 25.

Earlier this week, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) mandated that all businesses and workplaces in Mumbai should grant paid leave on November 20, 2024, to all its employees so that they can participate in state elections. Failure to do so could mean penalties for employers. All the 288 states in the Maharashtra state assembly are set to go to polls in a single phase on November 20.

Markets close the week on muted note

Both Nifty and Sensex closed the week on a damp note, with Nifty dipping 0.21% to close at 24,148.20 points. On the other hand, Sensex also slipped below the 80,000 mark to close the week at 79,486.32 points. Of the 50 stocks that constitute Nifty, 23 stocks advanced during the day, while 27 saw declines. However, this week has not been all that bad for the markets, with Nifty rising 0.31% and Sensex inching up 0.65% during the last 5 days.

All broad market indices fell during today's trade, with smallcaps falling by over 1.5%, while midcaps also closed the day over 1% down.

As for sectoral indices, most of them ended the week in reds, with realty and media losing over 2% during trading today. Pharmaceuticals, healthcare, and consumer durables recorded marginal upticks during the day, inching up by 0.07%, 0.22%, and 0.41%, respectively.

FIIs (foreign institutional investors) continued their selling spree today as well. In this month so far, FIIs have been net cash sellers, offloading around Rs 16,445.49 crore. DIIs (domestic institutional investors) have stepped in to maintain some balance by becoming net buyers worth Rs 12,265.74 crore in November till date.

Shrikant Chouhan, Head Equity Research, Kotak Securities, explains that global market sentiment saw sharp volatility in the aftermath of Republicans winning all three branches of the US government, resulting in rising US bond yields and the dollar, as well as the US equity markets beating most EMs. Meanwhile, the Q2 FY25 earnings season continued to remain weak, with more misses than hits observed. FPI flows are expected to remain volatile for some time to come.

Amidst emerging markets, only Brazil saw inflows worth $115 million between November 1 and 7, 2024.