The weakness in shipping and logistics stocks today comes amid rising uncertainty in global trade and energy markets after the conflict in the Middle East disrupted tanker movements through the Strait of Hormuz.
Among the sharpest losers in shipping and logistics stocks were Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone, Aegis Vopak Terminals and Essar Shipping, falling 5-6 percent each. The sell-off in logistics and port stocks comes as crude oil prices surged amid the Middle East conflict.
On September 19, the department of economic affairs notified a modification to the harmonised master list of infrastructure sectors
Indian shipping stocks surged up to 10% on June 13, defying a weak market, as rising Middle East tensions and fears of trade disruption through the Strait of Hormuz fueled concerns of rising tanker rates
SCI's subsidiary Shipping Corporation of India Land and Assets Limited also recorded a strong rise in its share price
Shipping stocks, including Mazagon Dock and GRSE, surged following news of anticipated defense deals worth Rs 1.3 lakh crore.
Shipping stocks fell up to 3 percent as the Budget 2024 lacked significant sector-specific announcements, although reforms in ownership, leasing, and flagging were mentioned to boost the Indian shipping industry.
Shipping and shipbuilding stocks surged as investors anticipate the Union Budget 2024 will boost the sector with a revived PLI scheme, a maritime development fund, and green shipping initiatives.
Mazagon Dock, Cochin Shipyard, Shipping Corporation of India, Seamec, other shipping stocks were trading with gains of up to five percent amid expectations of positive announcements for the sector in the upcoming Union Budget on July 23.
Union Budget 2024: The shipping industry anticipates the Budget to greenlight revised PLI schemes, port modernization funding, green shipping incentives, and potential extensions of financial aid policies.
Shares of Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd. gained over 6 percent to hit a fresh record high of Rs 4,989.95 on the National Stock Exchange (NSE), pushing the company's market cap beyond Rs 1 lakh crore.
Over the next 5-7 years, ICICI Securities expects nearly Rs 1.2 lakh crore order inflow opportunity available for Mazagon Dock; however, ordering/execution timelines remain unclear at this stage.
Mazagon Dock stock has rallied over 40 percent year-to-date. Its one-year massive returns of over 300 percent far outpaced Nifty's return of 25 percent during this period.
Against the discovered price of Rs 890 a share, Transworld Holdings Limited has offered Rs 400, which is at a 16 percent discount to the September 28 closing price of Rs 473.83
Shipping stocks were on buyers' radar on Wednesday on hopes that Shipping Ministry will award large chunk of projects by end of current fiscal.
Japan's Nikkei stock average inched down in thin trade on Monday as investors grew cautious ahead of key corporate earnings reports and a closely watched US Federal Reserve meeting this week but buoyant shipping stocks provided support.