The 33rd GST Council meeting is set to be held on February 20. The market participant has started speculating that in this meeting the tax rate on realty sector, lottery, cement, etc. may be reduced. 

Grasim Industries has signed a definitive agreement to acquire the chlor-alkali business of K.P.R. Industries (KPR) by way of a slump sale for a cash consideration of Rs 253 crore. The transaction will be funded through internal accruals.

The promoters of Emami Ltd. have sold 10 per cent stake in the company for a sum of Rs 1,600 crore. Some of the purchasers involved in the transaction include SBI Mutual Fund, PremjiInvest, Amundi, IDFC, L&T Mutual Fund, PI Opportunities Fund and Pioneer Investment Fund.

Bodal Chemicals has informed the bourses that it has re-established the complete production of dye intermediates and dyestuff operations which were disrupted and closed partially on October 22, 2018, due to an environmental issue — leakage of ammonia. 

Following stocks are close to their 52-weeks low as at 1.03 p.m. on February 19, 2019.

The markets on February 19, 2019 opened gap up. BSE Sensex is trading at 35,742.01, up by 243.57 points and the Nifty is trading at 10,704.30, up by 63.35 points. 

Steel behemoth Tata Steel has informed the bourses that it has completely divested its stake in indirect subsidiary Black Ginger 461 Pty Ltd (Black Ginger). TS Global Minerals Holding Pte Ltd, an indirect subsidiary of Tata Steel and IMR Asia Holding Pte Ltd had entered into a pact to divest its entire stake in Black Ginger. Black Ginger has a stake in an iron ore mine located in South Africa. 

The government of India is all set to receive Rs. 28,000 crore as interim dividend from Reserve Bank of India (RBI) for the period July to December 2018.
The Reserve Bank of India which held its meeting on February 2018 made the decision after a limited audit review and applying the Economic Capital Framework

Overall volumes in futures & options currently stand at 88.06 lakh contracts with a turnover of Rs. 5,49,669.46 crore.

Overall volumes in futures & options currently stand at 88.06 lakh contracts with a turnover of Rs. 5,49,669.46 crore.