News I read on 22nd June

1) The volume of base metals traded on commodities bourse MCX has more than doubled since the lifting of the lockdown, hitting a daily high of Rs 5,531 crore on June 20 and has even bettered the March levels, according to the exchange.
Ref: Yahoo Finance

2) Foreign portfolio investors (FPI) have infused a net Rs 17,985 crore into the Indian capital markets in June so far amid increasing liquidity and higher risk appetite.
Ref: Yahoo Finance

3) India became the 12th largest holder of US government securities at the end of April, withholding worth USD 157.4 billion, according to official data.
Ref: Yahoo Finance

4) Grim consumer sentiment in the country - A 77% year-on-year dip in business in the first 15 days of the month; while high streets saw a business declined by over 60% in the same period. Restaurants and QSRs, that rely on high footfalls, are the worst affected with a 70% dip in year-on-year sales.
Ref: Livemint

5) Unbridled hike in fuel prices and rampant extortion at border check-posts in states have hit truckers hard, 65 percent of the total trucks in the country are sitting idle, if the government fails to intervene, disruption of transport services cannot be ruled out, AIMTC said.
Ref: Moneycontrol

6) Amazon.com Inc (AMZN.O) has secured clearance to deliver alcohol in India’s eastern state of West Bengal, according to a document seen by Reuters, signalling the U.S. e-commerce giant’s first foray into the country’s multi-billion-dollar sector.
Ref: Reuters

7) President Donald Trump said late on Saturday he would announce new restrictions on visas within a couple of days to block the entry of certain foreign workers and protect Americans struggling with a job market devastated by the coronavirus pandemic.
Ref: Business Standard

9) GST will be levied on the sale of land for which primary amenities - such as drainage, waterline, and electricity - have been provided by real estate developer, the Authority for Advance Ruling (AAR) has said.
Ref: Yahoo Finance

10) Coal India Limited (CIL) will engage mine developer cum operators (MDOs) to increase its coal output and reduce import dependency of the dry fuel in the coming years.
Ref: Yahoo Finance

On Friday, NIFTY closed 152.75 Points higher at 10,244.40.

VIX was down by 4.77% and closed at 29.96, the usual safe range for VIX is 12 to 20.

SGX Nifty trading 33.25 points higher at 7:30 am, Indian Time.