Sensex falls 400 pts, Nifty breaks 8550; DRL, Bajaj Auto up

03:30 pm Market close

The market fall for seven consecutive day. The Nifty ended below 8550-level, down 134.70 points or 1.6 percent at 8526.35. The Sensex was down 490.52 points or 1.7 percent at 28227.39.

L&T lost 8 percent post disappointing December quarter results. Tata Steel was down 6 percent.

03:10 pm Results

Larsen and Toubro (L&T) disappointed street on Monday with the third quarter profit falling 14.6 percent year-on-year to Rs 1,060 crore on standalone basis.

Profit was expected at Rs 1,255 crore on revenue of Rs 15,973 crore for the quarter, according to the average of estimates of analysts polled.

Net sales grew 4.2 percent to Rs 14,995 crore during October-December quarter from Rs 14,388 crore in same quarter last year.

02:55 pm Nibbling India

Global investors are showing strong interest in India with more inquiries for investment portfolios, a Singapore-based top corporate official has said.

"We have multiple conversations with pension funds, insurance companies, private banks and family offices of the rich people with trust-type of investment outfits," said the UTI International CEO Praveen Jagwani. Jagwani sees investors' interest further improving as the Indian economic growth picks up and the rupee stabilises.

UTI International has USD 2.15 billion worth of assets under its management, a significant built-up as its Singapore business started seven years ago. "We are educating global investors about opportunities in India," he said, underlining UTI's ongoing engagement with global investors. "Our role as an international business of UTI is completely aligned with that of the Indian government." UTI is 74 percent owned by state-owned Enterprises.

02:35pm Corporation Bank in News

Corporation Bank's third quarter net profit climbed 16 percent year-on-year to Rs 147 crore, largely driven by lower provisions.

Net interest income of the public sector lender rose 2.7 percent to Rs 1,029 crore during October-December quarter from Rs 1,002 crore in same quarter last year. However, other income (non-interest income) declined 3 percent to Rs 328.3 crore and operating profit fell 2.3 percent to Rs 726.5 crore during the same period.

Provisions for bad loans dropped 21.8 percent year-on-year (up 24.2 percent sequentially) to Rs 646 crore during the quarter with provision coverage ratio at 52.47 percent as on December 31, 2014.

Capital adequacy ratio (as per Basel III norms) stood at 11.26 percent in the quarter gone by, declined compared to 11.28 percent in previous quarter and 11.89 percent in the year-ago period.

Asset quality weakened as gross non-performing assets (NPA) climbed 180 basis points on yearly basis (up 63 bps sequentially) to 4.88 percent during October-December quarter. Net NPA rose 112 bps Y-o-Y (up 35 bps Q-o-Q) to 3.27 percent during the same period.

02:00pm Market Check

The market remained under pressure in afternoon trade as exit polls have indicated Aam Aadmi Party could make a dramatic comeback in Delhi. This could be the first election defeat for the BJP after coming into power in May 2014.

The 30-share BSE Sensex dropped 425.82 points or 1.48 percent to 28292.09 and the 50-share NSE Nifty fell 105.45 points or 1.22 percent to 8555.60. The BSE Midcap and Smallcap indices dropped 0.8 percent each.

Nearly two shares declined for every share advancing on the Bombay Stock Exchange.
 

Sandeep Bhatia of Kotak Institutional Equities told that the market correction ahead will be led by earnings miss, not elections. There are still no signs of pick up in capex cycle, he says.

The market sentiment today is also hit by weak earnings from Tata Steel, GAIL and midcaps like Apollo Tyres and J&K Bank.

Cipla, GAIL, Tata Steel, ICICI Bank, Bharti Airtel and Sesa Sterlite fell 3-5 percent. L&T extended losses, down 3.5 percent ahead of Q3 earnings.

The rupee plunged past 62 a dollar due to fresh demand for the dollar from importers, falling 50 paise to 62.19 a dollar.

Global markets are also under pressure today. European markets like Germany, Britain, France fell almost 1-1.5 percent as Greece and Russia problems persisted while the crisis in Ukraine escalated without a peace deal. In Asia, Hang Seng closed down 160 points. 

Sensex, Nifty in red; oil & metals drag, IT stocks gain

03:30 Market close

The market ended at lower level. Nifty ends at 8711.70 (down 12 points), after sinking below 8700 intraday. The Sensex is down 32.14 points at 28850.97. About 1025 shares have advanced, 1889 shares declined and 229 shares are unchanged.

Tata Power was down 8 percent, Sesa Sterlite, BHEL, ONGC and M&M were losers in the Sensex.

03:00 pm Market in red

The Sensex is down 27.78 points at 28855.33 and the Nifty down 8.65 points or 0.10% at 8715.05. About 1081 shares have advanced, 1789 shares declined and 226 shares are unchanged.

Tata Power tanks over 7 percent, ONGC, Sesa Sterlite, Hindalco and ICICI Bank are major losers in the Sensex. Only IT stocks are up with gainers like TCS, Wipro and Infosys. HDFC and Coal India are other gainers in the Sensex.

02:45pm Market Update

The market trimmed gains on profit booking at higher levels. The Sensex gained 230.24 points at 29113.35 and the Nifty rose 69.70 points to 8793.40.

About 1254 shares have advanced, 1572 shares declined, and 236 shares are unchanged on the BSE.

02:30pm Petronet LNG falls

Petronet LNG disappointed street with the third quarter net profit falling 38.2 percent sequentially (up 20 percent year-on-year) to Rs 162.4 crore.

A poll had expected profit of Rs 227.9 crore on revenue of Rs 11,058 crore for the quarter.

Total income from operations grew 2 percent (up 19 percent Y-o-Y) to Rs 11,198 crore during October-December quarter from Rs 10,980 crore in pervious quarter.

Operating profit fell 34.2 percent quarter-on-quarter (down 3 percent year-on-year) to Rs 341 crore and margin declined 170 basis points to 3 percent in the quarter gone by. Analysts had estimated operating profit at Rs 475.2 crore and margin at 4.3 percent for the quarter.

02:00pm Market Check

Equity benchmarks gained more than a percent higher in afternoon trade, aided by further upside in banking & financials, technology and FMCG stocks. The Sensex jumped 367.77 points to 29250.88 and the Nifty rallied 98.80 points to 8822.50.

However, the broader markets remained flat. About 1320 shares have advanced, 1412 shares declined, and 241 shares are unchanged on the BSE.

Samir Arora of Helios Capital says FIIs are excited about India, but most of them are still stocking to the quality names. They are still not upbeat on companies that are potential turnaround stories.

Looking at possibilities on the economy in terms of monetary stimulus and fiscal stimulus, financial sector stocks will still do well, and within that space, private sector banks will outperform, feels Samir Arora of Helios Capital.

Among banking & financials, HDFC toppped the buying list on Sensex, up 4.6 percent. Axis Bank and State Bank of India rallied 1-3 percent while rival ICICI Bank recouped all its losses.

HDFC Bank gained 2 percent as it kicked off a Rs 10,000 crore share sale, with a Rs 1,500 crore QIP book launched last night. Sources say the QIP book saw very strong response, was subscribed over 7 times. The bank is also looking to raise Rs 7,500-8,000 crore via ADR issue.

TCS, Infosys and Wipro climbed 3-3.6 percent after Cognizant positively surprised the street with a revenue growth of 6.2 percent Q-o-Q and provided an encouraging guidance of 19 percent for this year. CLSA says guidance should improve investor confidence on CY15 demand health for Indian IT companies.

Bharti Airtel rebounded after seeing a loss of 1 percent. The company delivered a tepid set of Q3 numbers as Africa performance continued to drag. CLSA downgraded Africa's FY15-18 EBITDA by 11-13 percent.

In key earnings, Tata Motors gained 1.4 percent ahead of its third quarter earnings today. A expects revenues to come in 3.5 percent higher while profits are likely to remain flat at Rs 4,846 crore on a consolidated basis.

However, ONGC, Mahindra & Mahindra, Sesa Sterlite, Tata Power, Cipla, GAIL, Hindalco and BHEL were down 1-4 percent. 

Sensex, Nifty consolidate; HUL up 2%, ONGC falls 2%

The market is consolidating with the Nifty hovering around 8750 levels. IT stocks support while banks continue to weigh. The Nifty is up 27.50 points at 8751.20 and the Sensex is up 115.24 points at 28998.35. About 1237 shares have advanced, 1028 shares declined, and 197 shares are unchanged.

Wipro, Axis Bank, HUL and Infosys are top gainers in the Sensex. Among the losers are Tata Power, ONGC, GAIL, M&M and Sesa Sterlite.

Globally, Asian markets are mixed. China is higher as the People's Bank of China reduced the reserve requirement by 50 bps, the first cut in 2 years. However, volatility in oil prices and worries about Greek debt after the European Central Bank banned the use of Greek government bonds as collateral weighs.

Reducing Abdominal Fat

Research have shown that abdominal fat is one of the most risky type of body fats. Slimming down in the belly area can reduce the chances of having illnesses like heart disease and diabetes. A fit and healthy tummy is the aim of many people but the real question is how to fight the belly flab.

Do not skip breakfast, the first meal of the day to kick-start your morning with an energy boost. Though not taking breakfast can decrease the calorie intake, you will find yourself hungry very quickly. In today’s society, sugar laden diets and highly processed food are the main causes of abdominal fat problems. To start to fight the belly flab, try not to take foods high in refined sugar and junk food. Learn to replace the junk food with better options. You can introduce fruits, whole grains and vegetables into the daily diet.

Not having sufficient sleep is something that you have to avoid when you are looking at losing that abdominal fat. Sleep is an important part of a weight loss plan. If you work late into the night, you will end up eating more as your body produces ghrelin when you are exhausted. Ghrelin will in turn trigger your body’s craving for sugar and food. Sleeping five hours or lesser a night will cause one to gain more weight as compared to people who have adequate sleep of between seven to eight hours. Not having enough sleep will cause the alteration of hormone production, resulting in insulin sensitivity which is the main contribution for belly fat. Having adequate sleep of at least seven to eight hours daily is crucial for people who wish to achieve a lean and flat belly.

Proper hydration is also essential during weight loss. Studies have shown that drinking a sufficient eight glasses of water a day can help in losing weight. Ample hydration can allow the body to get rid of toxins as well as makes you feel fuller when eating. Drinking enough water can keep the stomach calm for a longer period of time. Have a habit of drinking a glass of water every hour. This can help to curb your food cravings as it keeps your stomach full.

High intensity exercises can help in fighting abdominal flab. Exercise on a treadmill and set it at various speed levels from brisk walk to a slow but steady run. It is an intense exercise that can help you achieve your goal. Alternate between the two paces of walking and running. Food laden with fats and transfats are the types of food to avoid as it cause belly fat. You can use good fats to counter the bad ones.

Consume foods that are rich in monounsaturated fats and Omega 3, these include avocados, soybeans, walnuts and salmon.

There are definitely no shortcuts to shed the fats at your belly. It takes lots of effort and hard work as well as a healthy and balanced diet to a slim and lean tummy. More information please visit site www.flattenyourabs.net

Obesity Fix - What science says about losing weight and keeping off in your middle age

Your health and fitness needs change as you age, especially regarding weight loss. When you reach middle age, you need to pay even more attention to maintaining your weight, eating a healthy diet, and the habits you keep.

There are many middle-aged men who have suffered an injury or illness, which causes them to be sedentary in his or her lifestyle. This is often the cause of the gain in weight. However, even given these circumstances, there are a number of fixes that can be made to habits, which result in a loss of weight.

Firstly, let`s look at the serious nature of obesity.

Facts on obesity

Obesity is such a major health risk because of all the serious health problems that it poses. Obesity is associated with an increased risk of severe conditions, including diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and certain cancers, and with increased risk of disability along with the chance of an early death.

Obesity is scientifically known as a public health concern in the United States, although it has taken decades for this fact to be officially recognized. In fact, in the United States, obesity (medically diagnosed) prevalence doubled among adults between 1980 and 2004.

Other studies show that more than 65% of adults are currently overweight or obese in the USA. As of 1999 more than 60 percent of American adults were overweight or obese

However, there is good news, as there are many methods of fixing obesity, which science has recognized. These methods are now going to be explained in detail.

Understanding obesity

There is a scale that the doctors and medical professionals use to classify obesity. Being overweight is classed as being 10 to 20 percent higher than your normal, healthy weight. Obese means that you weigh 20 percent more than your normal, healthy weight, and your extra weight comes from fat.

Finally, being classed as morbidly obese means that you are 50 to 100 percent above your healthy weight, or that you are so overweight that it could cause serious health problems.

It is important to see your doctor in order know where you fall on the scale. You can then take action based on this scientific understanding.

Nutrition is a key piece of the puzzle

The amount of food that you eat is just as important as the types of foods that you eat. It is important to know that you can eat too much of any type of food, so you need to have a balanced diet.

It should be noted that all foods have a calorie count, so if you consume too much of any food, you will gain weight (irrespective of any new foods that claim the opposite).

There are a number of methods that can be used to help you fix obesity issues. In order to combat obesity, you must control your portion sizes. Portion control is very important. A portion size represents a certain number of calories of your daily intake.

However, you should never restrict yourself or starve, as it will lead to an eventual binge. When you feel hungry and want to eat between meals or after a meal, think about making healthy and low calorie choices.

For example, you can eat plenty of lettuce or spinach, and it will make very little impact on your weight, plus it will really help your immune system. For many people, the big salad is a great tool to be used at lunchtime.

Also be sure to cut down on foods that are high in sugar, carbs, or fat to maintain heart health. Avoid commonly known unhealthy ingredients to help maintain good heart health and general wellbeing.

As fat is the most dense food in terms of calories, it makes sense to substitute some high fat foods for more protein or carbohydrate based foods.

The best sources of protein are seafood, lean meats, nuts and reduced-fat dairy products. Other good sources are soy products, grain products and plant foods. These healthy protein sources can be made into a range of very tasty dishes that will satisfy your appetite, reduce your waistline and increase your health overall.

Exercise is essential for good health

Eating the right foods in the right amounts is the key factor in combatting obesity; however, it is not possible to be really healthy without engaging in some type of physical exercise.

The U.S. Health and Human Services recommends that everyone engage in at least thirty minutes of moderate activity each day for good health. It will be tough to get back into an exercise routine, but this is something you must do.

Most obese people experience some discomfort after being inactive for a long time, but this is something that can be overcome with determination and discipline. A little discomfort is not a major health issue or reason to remain sedentary. As a middle-aged man, you still have a lot of vigor left inside, so use that to change your life.

Investing into a set of free weights for your household can help you a lot. If you don`t want to go to the gym, then you can workout at the start or end of your day. Free weights around the household can also give you more motivation to workout because you don't have any strangers staring at you.

When you get started, always have a rest day in between training days. The body naturally needs rest and time to recover, especially when you have been inactive for a long time.

One of the best ways to lose weight quickly is running.  Obese men often have trouble with their breathing so here is a tip: when you inhale, ensure that your stomach rises. When you breathe in this way, it means your lungs are fully inflating with oxygen. This will help your stamina and means you won`t get exhausted so quickly.

Try downloading a mobile app to your smartphone to keep track of your workouts. These handy apps can give you an accurate report of how long you've exercised and how many calories you`ve burned. You can also set them up to compare yourself to others to see how you rank (having a friend that you exercise with is a great way to stay on track).

Use a support group to help you

If you have a group of people that you can tap into then it will really help with motivation, staying on track and reaching your goals. There is nothing better than talking with people who understand what you`re going through, and are also looking to overcome obesity. You can find friends, family or local support groups to help you.

A great method is to post your progress pictures on an online forum such as bodybuilidng.com.  Other people will be able to critique how you`re doing, and can help steer you in a better direction.  Posting pictures is also a great way to get motivation and remain accountable to others.

Change your habits and behaviors

As you start to overcome obesity, there will always be some issues that you need to face as you adopt a new lifestyle. This is just natural, as you have built up habits over the years.

When you experience something that seems to take you off track, it is very important to avoid a guilt trip and just get back to your new healthy lifestyle.

Binging on food is the worst thing you can do. A binge is the worst of all habits and is a signal that you are emotional about some issue, as logically you know you are destroying any progress you have made (not to mention the damage that is done to your health).

Another habit is false hunger. Many people claim to be hungry, when it is impossible. For example, if you have eaten within the last few hours, your body does not need more calories; therefore you are not really hungry. Your brain has just taken on this habit, and you need to reverse it.

There are also other personal habits that you need to look at honestly and then face. If you can do this, then you will be on your way to fixing your obesity issue, and will enjoy life from a much healthier perspective. 

Summary 

Always keep the health frame of mind in focus, as it is the long-term goal. You don`t need to weigh a certain number of pounds in order to be fit and healthy, so remove that thought from your mind. The World Health Organization defines health as A state of complete physical, mental and social well being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.

It is essential that obese middle age men recognize that there is a solution to their weight issues and see that steps can be taken to overcome it. In the end you need to take action and find the solution that is balanced and healthy. There have been a number of methods laid out in this article that will let you get started. More information please visit site www.flattenyourabs.net

A Look At Diet Vs Training For Weight Loss Success

If you look at many different weight loss experts, they all seem to fall within one of two camps. The first claims that it is possible to achieve weight loss through diet alone. The other camp claims just the opposite- that training alone is enough to achieve weight loss. For someone who is trying to decide what route they want to take it can be difficult to figure out which claims are true in order to achieve the weight loss results they are looking for.

There is a third camp that states that diet and training are both necessary, not only for weight loss but also to maintain a lifestyle that is much healthier than either extreme by itself would be. Unfortunately, many people do not understand how diet and exercise go hand in hand in order to maximize good health. Here is what they need to know.

How We Gain And Lose Weight

Our bodies are made to store excess energy in the form of fat. We take in food energy, in the form of calories, with the foods that we eat. Everything we do, from walking to breathing to typing on a computer, uses up energy. If we take in more energy than we burn off during the day we will end up gaining weight. If that trend is reversed, and we begin to take in fewer calories than we use in a day, our weight will drop.

We can reduce our caloric intake by:

Choosing foods that have fewer calories

Reducing portion size

Eating a larger number of small meals and snacks throughout the day to keep up our metabolic rate

Choosing foods that have less fat in them. Fat is a prime source of calories and can also cause a range of other health problems depending on the amount and type of fat that is being consumed

We can increase the amount of exercise we get by:

Choosing to walk rather than drive a car

Taking stairs instead of an elevator or escalator

Finding ways to take part in activities that are not sedentary

The rate at which our bodies use the energy we take in is called the metabolic rate. When we are active, our metabolic rate increases so that we are able to burn energy more quickly. It continues to be elevated for some time after the activity is finished. As well, when we eat, for a short time after we take in food, our metabolic rate is also elevated. By eating several small meals and working periods of exercise into our daily routine we will be able to have a higher overall metabolic rate. This means that we will burn more calories and this, ultimately, can help us lose weight.

What Studies Have Shown About Diet vs. Training

The question of diet vs. training is a popular one for many researchers. There are a number of reasons for this. One is that the details of the studies being done are easy to set up. It is possible to simply have one test group undergo training but maintain their regular diet. The second group can simply limit the calories or other dietary components and monitor how much weight is lost without performing any additional exercise.

These studies are also popular because they attract a lot of attention. People are always looking for a way to maximize their weight loss with as little effort as possible. Here are the results of several of these studies:

A University of Manitoba study concluded that dietary changes did indeed produce better results than a change in the amount or type of exercise being performed. Specifically, the study showed that a sharp reduction in the amount of dietary fat being consumed led to more substantial weight loss. It also showed that without dietary changes it may be impossible for a woman to achieve significant weight loss through exercise alone

In an article published in 2000, researchers R. Ross, J.A. Freeman and I. Janssen stated that the findings of the American College of Sports Medicine were incorrect. These findings stated that without caloric reduction and dietary changes, exercise alone was not enough to cause significant fat loss. However, the article that was published by these researchers stated that there were randomly controlled styles that supported findings opposite to those of the ACSM. The feeling was that the factors had not been made equal and if this did occur, that exercise would be just as effective as dietary changes for losing weight

The Cochrane Collaboration which was made up of approximately 12,000 scientific researchers and experts found that exercise without dietary changes did not result in massive weight loss. However, it did have a beneficial impact on other areas of health such as cholesterol levels and blood pressure levels. This suggested that it would have an excellent impact on health in general

How To Improve Your Health Most Effectively

Although many of the studies have shown that exercise alone is not enough to burn fat and lose weight, they have also shown that to maximize weight loss there needs to be a combination of exercise and a balanced diet. By reducing calories and choosing foods that are high in nutrients and low in fat and calories we can improve our health.

By choosing foods that are high in fat and calories we can do a lot more damage to our bodies than an expanding waistline may let on. A diet that is high in fat and calories can cause the following issues:

High amounts of bad cholesterol and low amounts of good cholesterol

Cardiovascular issues such as clogged arteries and high blood pressure that can lead to a heart attack or stroke

Diabetes

Any one of these conditions can ultimately be fatal. Even if they are not, they can lead to other problems that may cause you to become handicapped or shorten your life by a substantial amount.

Some suggestions on ways to improve your diet include:

Eating a variety of fruits and vegetables of different colors. This is because they will vary in their nutritional content and variety will allow you to get the full benefit of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals

Choose to cook foods in ways that limit the use of fat. This includes steaming, sautéing, roasting and boiling instead of frying

Reducing the amount of red meat that is eaten. Choosing leaner cuts for the red meat that you do still eat

Alternating protein from animal sources with protein from plant sources such as beans, tofu and tempeh

Choosing protein sources such as chicken, turkey, and lean cuts of pork, lamb and veal

Using olive oil rather than butter or other sources of saturated fats. Olive oil is high in omega 3 fatty acids and other beneficial compounds that can help improve cardiovascular health

By choosing to increase the amount of training that you are doing you will find that you will be able to lose weight as quickly and safely as possible. In the end, a combination of both approaches will help you lose weight much more rapidly than either one would by themselves.

More Information please visits the site www.flattenyourabs.net