Asian stocks gained.

Asian stocks gained, driving the MSCI Asia Pacific Index up the most since November, after a smaller-than-estimated increase in U.S. consumer prices eased concern the Federal Reserve will increase interest rates. Consumer prices rose 0.2 per cent in January, less than expected. Excluding food and energy, prices actually declined 0.1 per cent in the month. Banking regulators in China have ordered institutions to tighten controls on risk and carefully scrutinize borrowers' ability to pay their debts in a new step to rein in lending. The government's order comes as Beijing tries to prevent excessive lending that it says could lead to financial problems while ensuring adequate credit to keep the economic recovery on track. India has upped its wheat forecast to a record 82million tonnes, putting pressure on local and international prices. India’s sugar production during the current 2009-10 season, is estimated to be around 156 lakh tonnes. The UK Trade Minister, Lord Davies has suggested that Britain should wean off its dependence on the American companies investing there and instead pursue more Indian and Chinese firms. Prices of antibiotics may flare up 50% as government proposes to slap anti-dumping duties on Chinese and Mexican imports of two key pharma ingredients. Brazilian company, Grupo Equipav for an investment of Rs 1,530-crore ($329 million) for a majority controlling stake of 51 per cent. Anil Ambani-led Reliance MediaWorks has made a public offer to buy an additional 52.48 per cent stake in Fame India for about Rs 180.14 crore, countering an existing takeover bid by Inox Leisure. A British trade body Community Union has threatened to design its proposed industrial action against the Tatas-owned Corus over its decision to begin partial closure of Teesside Cast Products (TCP) in such a fashion that it causes maximum damage to the company with minimum damage to the workforce. Emami is planning its foray into the food and beverages (F&B) sector in a big way starting with its entry into the branded edible oil market. State Bank of India (SBI) chairman, OP Bhatt, has said that its margins will shrink by 20-25 basis point after the bank shifts to calculating interest on savings accounts on daily balances from April 1. NMDC is set to pick up 50% in Brazilian operations of Ferrous Resources for $2.5 billion. Ambuja Cements lines up Rs. 3500 cr to expand capacity to 24 million tonnes from the current 19 million tonnes, by the year-end to meet strong demand from the infrastructure sector.
Reliance Industries has produced natural gas worth over $1.5 billion, in the first ten months, from D6 fields. Nifty near contracts ends the week marginally up by 17.10 points at a marginal premium of 0.95 points with marginal paring of OI .
Nifty OI PCR in at 1.047 compared to 1.049 at the close of last week. Nifty puts sees addition of 37.08 Lakhs and calls sees addition of 36.41 Lakhs over the day.
Highest OI in Nifty calls seen at 5000 Feb strike and puts at 4700 Feb strike. Nifty VIX at 31.90 from 29.22 last day. Long build up over the week seen in GLAXO, PATNI & EDUCOMP. Short build up seen in GVKPIL, IBREALEST, VOLTAS, HCC, ABAN, CHAMBLFERT, PUNJLLOYD, BALRAMCHIN, RCOM, CENTURYTEX, BAJAJHIND, YESBANK, NAGARCONST, DLF, INDIANB & LITL. Nifty sees 22.31% rollover compared to 23.73% in January. Nifty rollover is lower by 13335 no of contracts compared to January expiry. Market wide rollover at 19.45% compared to 24.48% in the previous expiry. FII side over the week saws short covering and marginal long build up in Nifty futures and Nifty options was bought back. Long build up was seen in stock futures during the week.