Indian stocks to watch-Dec 27

GLOBAL MARKETS ROUNDUP 
    * Nifty futures on the Singapore Exchange fell 0.07
percent, while the MSCI-Asia Pacific index, excluding Japan 
, advanced 0.29 percent.     
    * Asian shares rose on Thursday amid caution about the
chances of U.S. lawmakers striking a deal to avoid a fiscal
crunch by Dec. 31, while the yen hit a 21-month low
against the dollar on the prospect of drastic monetary easing.
     
    * U.S. stocks fell for a third straight day on Wednesday,
dragged lower by retail stocks after a report showed consumers
spent less in the holiday shopping season than last year.  
     
    INDIAN FACTORS TO WATCH 
    * Prime Minister Singh, top govt officials to meet on
five-year plan
    * Expiry of monthly derivative contracts
    * PC Jeweller makes stock debut after 6.1 bln
rupees IPO
 
    INDIAN STOCKS TO WATCH
For additional press items double click 
NOTE: Reuters has not verified third-party stories and does not
vouch for their accuracy.

    FINANCIAL/REGULATORY
    * Indian banks' advances and deposits as of Dec. 14 grew 5.7
percent, slower than 7.8 percent in the year-ago period, while
deposits grew 5.6 percent, compared with 6.5 percent, data from
the central bank showed on Wednesday. (Reuters) 
    * More than two-thirds of non-banking finance companies face
closure if the Usha Thorat panel recommendation on minimum asset
size is implemented by the Reserve Bank of India. (Economic
Times)
here
    * The infrastructure development funds (IDFs) from mutual
fund houses are likely to get a fresh lease of life, as SEBI is
taking steps to address the bottlenecks faced by these funds,
industry officials say. (Financial Chronicle)
here
     * Belgium-based BDO International will call off its
four-year joint venture BDO India with Haribhakti Consulting by
selling its 10 percent stake to its Indian partner, The Economic
Times reported, citing Shailesh Haribhakti, chairman of
Haribhakti Consulting. (Economic Times)
here
    * SREI Infrastructure Ltd plans to set up about 25,000 white
label automated telling machines in rural areas, Hemant Kanoria,
chairman and managing director said (Business Standard)
here
    
    ENERGY/COMMODITIES
    * Eni, the Italian petroleum exploration and
production company, which holds 47.18 percent in Hindustan Oil
Exploration Co Ltd, is in talks with Anadarko
Petroleum Corp to sell its entire stake, according to
banking sources familiar with the development (Business
Standard)
here
    * NMDC is eyeing an iron ore property in Brazil,
said CS Verma, acting chairman of the miner. (Economic Times)
    * National Aluminium Co Ltd will shut more
capacity over the next fortnight, said B L Bagra, director of
finance at the aluminium maker. (Business Standard)
 
    INFRASTRUCTURE
    * Japan's Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Hitachi,
Mitsui Engineering & Shipbuilding Co, Toshiba, and
Sojitz are among the Japanese companies that have shown
an interest in executing the promised projects for the Delhi
Mumbai Industrial Corridor, The Economic Times reported. 
    The newspaper cited a list published in the official website
of Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. (Economic
Times)
here
    
    RETAIL
    * Commerce Minister Anand Sharma on Wednesday said the
government is willing to accept Ikea's global retail
model and a formal approval process is underway. (Economic
Times)
here
    * Tesco Plc has set up an Indian subsidiary to buy
fresh and processed foods from the country for its global
stores, The Economic Times reported citing a spokesperson at the
retailer. (Economic Times)
here

    AUTOS
    * Tata Motors is planning a quick makeover for the
Nano to pack the little Nano with more punch. An 800 cc engine
is in the works, while a diesel option is also under
consideration, people closely associated with the project said. 
(Economic Times)
here

Posted in: STOCKS TO WATCH