News:
Ø Homeland Mining and Energy SA Proprietary a wholly-owned subsidiary of Canada-listed Homeland Energy Group, in which GMR Energy has a majority stake has divested its stake in two coal assets for $50 million (about Rs.270 Crs) to multiple buyers.
Ø Prime Focus has thrown its hat in the ring to buy a bankrupt Hollywood visual effects company best known for bringing to life Ang Lee's Oscar winner Life of Pi. Prime, which has emerged as one of the few key visual effects studios in Hollywood, will jostle with India's Prana Studios and Psyop to buy Rhythm, which filed for bankruptcy recently.
Ø Clariant Chemicals (India) said its board has approved the proposal to divest the business of textile chemicals, paper specialities and the emulsion products, for a consideration of Rs. 209.15 Crs.
Ø Promoters of Aditya Birla Nuvo have raised their stake in the diversified company to 53.76% from 51.04% at present after converting warrants into equity. Warrants were converted at a price of . 910.86 apiece valuing the transaction at Rs.608.45 Crs.
Ø Bharat Oman Refineries, a joint venture between Bharat Petroleum Corporation and Oman Oil, is close to signing up with banks for a Rs2500 Crs loan as it aims to bring down the cost of funds.
Ø HCL Technologies has bagged a multi-year infrastructure management services contract from US-based automaker Ford Motor Company. "The value of the five-year contract is estimated to be close to $100 million.
Ø Matthew R Barney, vice-president and head of Infosys Leadership Institute (ILI), has quit, ending his four-year association with the Bangalore-based company.
Ø Balmer Lawrie board approves bonus issue in the ratio of 3:4 shares.
Ø Gitanjali Gems has decided to defer issue of FCCBs.
Ø Nifty Changes: IndusInd Bank and NMDC to replace Wipro and Siemens in Nifty effective April 1 (i.e. Monday).
Key events for the day:
Ø Exclusion of GVKPIL & Bhushan Steel from F&O segment from today. (No further contracts available in next series.)
Ø Release of Nationwide HPI in UK.
Ø Release of Retail PMI in Euro Zone.
Ø Release of Final GDP, Chicago PMI & Unemployment Claims in US.