China and Japan, the two biggest foreign holders of Treasuries.

China and Japan, the two biggest foreign holders of Treasuries, reduced their positions of U.S. government debt in January as a measure of demand for American financial assets fell to a six-month low. China remained the biggest owner abroad of Treasuries, even as its holdings dropped by a net $5.8 billion to $889 billion, according to Treasury Department data released yesterday in Washington. Japan cut its holdings in January by $300 million to $765.4 billion, the report showed.
US Industrial production rose 0.1% in February, after rising 0.9% in January. Economists surveyed by Briefing.com thought industrial production would be unchanged, according to a consensus of economists surveyed by Briefing.com. Capacity utilization rose to 72.7% from 72.5% in January, versus forecasts for an unchanged reading. The Empire manufacturing survey, a regional reading on manufacturing, fell to 22.86 in March from 24.91 in February, a little stronger than the 22 level expected by economists. On Tuesday, the focus turns to the Federal Reserve, meeting to discuss interest rates. The central bank is widely expected to hold the fed funds rate, a key overnight banking rate, steady at historic lows near zero. However, what the bankers say in the statement about the economic outlook and the future of Fed policy will be critical. Inflation for the month of February 2010 stood at 9.89%.
Major ports in India are back on recovery track with an increase of 5% in cargo handled. Air traffic during the month of February has increased 15% y-o-y. Corporate tax collections have increased 20% y-o-y. TCS has signed a five-year contract with Malaysia Airlines for end-to-end information technology infrastructure services.
L&T has bagged an order worth Rs.2035 crore order from ONGC to construct an aromatics complex at a special economic zone in Mangalore. BHEL has bagged a Rs.3348 crore turnkey contract to set up 376MW captive power plant at Indian Oil Corporation. Reliance Communications has crossed the 100 million mobile subscriber mark. Hero Honda may set up a plant in Himachal Pradesh. Hindustan Construction Company buy 66% stake in Swiss firm, Karl Steiner AG. SAIL is eyeing Rs.43000 crore sales in FY’11. Madhucon Projects has got mining license in Indonesia for exploration of 30,970 hectares at Mauraduwa in Indonesia. Kiri Dyes has acquired DyStar of Germany for 50 million euros. Nifty March contracts ends the Day down by 12.80 points at a premium of 3.00 points paring OI by 1.4%. Nifty OI PCR at 1.513 compared to 1.316 at the close of last Day. Nifty puts sees addition of 22.76 Lakhs and calls sees paring of 10.98 Lakhs over the Day. Highest OI in Nifty calls seen at 5100 March strike and puts at 5000 March strike. Nifty VIX at 20.26% from 19.73 last Day. Long build up seen in MCLEODRUSS, LITL, TCS, WIPRO, DRREDDY, BOSCHLTD, BALRAMCHIN & INDIACEM during the Day. Short build up seen in during the Day in ABAN, AREVAT&D, TRIVENI, PUNJLLOYD, SINTEX, RELINFRA, PIRHEALTH, RNRL, IOC, KSOILS, CANBK, IBREALEST, VIDEOIND, EKC, RELMEDIA & DENABANK etc. FII side over the Day saws short build up in Nifty futures and marginal long build up in stock futures. Nifty options was written over the day.