Australian shares opened fractionally higher Thursday. Equity index futures for Japan and Hong Kong also climbed while a gauge of US-listed Chinese companies advanced 2.7% Wednesday. US equity futures edged higher after the S&P 500 fell 0.3% Wednesday and the Nasdaq 100 rose 0.1%.
The October-December quarter results showcased a mixed performance across sectors. Consumer-centric markets witnessed rural demand recovery, while urban demand remained muted. Banks faced NIM pressure but reported strong profit growth. IT, pharma, and telecom sectors displayed growth, although with certain challenges impacting margins and volume growth.
Sebi has introduced the Industry Standards Recognition Manual to guide the formation and operation of Industry Standards Fora, launched as a pilot in July 2023. These fora assist in implementing regulatory instructions for various market participants, ensuring good governance and compliance with regulatory directives.
Equity schemes, led by small- , mid-cap and thematic funds, received 39,688 crore inflows during the month as against 41,156 crore in December. Investments through monthly systematic investment plans (SIPs) softened a tad to 26,400 from the previous month's 26,459 crore.
