[Source: Research & Innovation] An EU-funded consortium is developing advanced X-ray and 3D imaging technologies to enable European miners to extract essential metal and mineral resources more efficiently and sustainably.

[Source: Research & Innovation] EU-funded researchers have employed quantum physics to develop an optical microscope that opens up the potential to view the tiniest of objects - including many viruses - directly for the first time.

[Source: Research & Innovation] Polymer Comply Europe (PCE) is pleased to announce its next live webinar on the polynSPIRE project “Demonstration of innovative technologies towards a more efficient and sustainable plastic recycling”, organised on behalf of European Plastics Converters (EuPC) and the polynSPIRE project. The live webinar will focus on recycling and redesigning the plastics value chain are essential in reusing plastic waste material and avoiding landfill. Webinar agenda: Welcome & Introduction About CIRCE The polynSPIRE project: goals, challenges and progress Questions & Answers Closing

[Source: Research & Innovation] Generating safe antigens to induce immunity is one of several key steps in vaccine production. Purification is another, and it is typically a complex process. EU-funded researchers have designed a way to simplify the process, boost yields, limit waste and reduce costs, in a bid to help make more doses available more affordably.

[Source: Research & Innovation] Armed with a novel biosensor that uses acoustic waves to detect tumour DNA, an EU-funded project could increase the precision and affordability of cancer diagnosis and help make personalised treatment a reality for more patients.

PwC India has called for simplification of India's goods and services tax regime, in a report to mark 200 days since the regime entered into force.

India's Central Board of Direct Taxes has launched a consultation on changes to the country's tax ruling process and forms to enable the country to exchange information on tax rulings with other countries' tax authorities, as proposed by the OECD in its base erosion and profit shifting (BEPS) project.

The Dutch Government has confirmed that a registry of ultimate beneficial owners of companies will enter into force in the Netherlands from January 2020.

On the same day the Court ruled against Fiat's appeal, the EU General Court has decided that Starbucks was not in fact granted a selective tax advantage in a Dutch tax ruling, contrary to a European Commission conclusion.

On March 17, 2020, the Dutch Ministry of Finance announced that the Government has adopted a package of measures intended to protect the economy from the coronavirus epidemic, including several tax changes.

Indonesia's Ministry of Finance is preparing a legislative response to ensure the collection of VAT on electronically supplied services to Indonesian consumers.

J.B.CHEMICALS share price has hit a 52-week high at Rs 625 (up 2.0%).

Meanwhile, the BSE 500 Index is at 12,146 (up 1.7%).

Among the top gainers in the BSE 500 Index today are J.B.CHEMICALS (up 2.0%) and ICICI SECURITIES LTD (up 10.5%).

CYIENT (down 5.6%) and RELIANCE CAPITAL (down 5.0%) are among the top losers today.

Over the last one year, J.B.CHEMICALS has moved up from Rs 331 to Rs 625, registering a gain of Rs 294 (up 87.64%).

The BSE 500 has moved down from 14,958 to 12,146, loss of 2,812 points (down 18.8%) during the last 12 months.

The top gainers among the BSE 500 Index stocks during this same period were ADANI GREEN ENERGY (up 435.7%), ABBOTT INDIA (up 145.8%) and NAVIN FLUORINE (up 122.8%).

What About the Benchmark Indices?

The BSE Sensex is at 32,089 (up 1.8%). The top gainers among the BSE Sensex stocks today are HUL (up 3.0%), INDUSIND BANK (up 2.9%) and BAJAJ FINANCE (up 2.8%). Other gainers include AXIS BANK (up 2.7%) and RELIANCE IND. (up 2.5%). The most traded stocks in the BSE Sensex are RELIANCE IND. and SBI.

In the meantime, NSE Nifty is at 9,383 (up 1.5%). DR. REDDYS LAB (up 4.1%) and INDIABULLS HOU. FIN. (up 3.8%) are among the top gainers in NSE Nifty.

Over the last 12 months, the BSE Sensex has moved up from 38,277 to 32,089, registering a gain of -6,188 points (up -16.4%).

J.B.CHEMICALS Financial Update...

J.B.CHEMICALS net profit stood at Rs 622 million for the quarter ended December 2019, compared to a profit of Rs 464 million a year ago. Net Sales rose 9.3% to Rs 3.9 billion during the period as against Rs 3.5 billion in October-December 2018.

For the year ended March 2018, J.B.CHEMICALS reported 24.8% decrease in net profit to Rs 1.4 billion compared to net profit of Rs 1.8 billion during FY17.

Revenue of the company grew 3.3% to Rs 14 billion during FY18.

The current Price to earnings ratio of J.B.CHEMICALS, based on rolling 12 month earnings, stands at 20.0x.

This article (J.B.CHEMICALS at 52 Week High; BSE 500 Index Up 2.0% ) is authored by Equitymaster.

Equitymaster is a leading 'independent' equity research initiative focused on providing well-researched and unbiased opinions on stocks listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange.

J.B.CHEMICALS share price has hit an all-time high at Rs 635 (up 4.2%).

Meanwhile, the BSE HEALTHCARE Index is at 15,318 (up 1.3%).

Among the top gainers in the BSE HEALTHCARE Index today are J.B.CHEMICALS (up 4.2%) and ABBOTT INDIA (up 0.3%).

CADILA HEALTHCARE and DISHMAN CARBOGEN AMCIS LTD (down 0.1%) are among the top losers today.

Over the last one year, J.B.CHEMICALS has moved up from Rs 331 to Rs 635, registering a gain of Rs 304 (up 91.7%).

The BSE HEALTHCARE has moved up from 14,034 to 15,318, registering a gain of 1,284 points (up 8.7%) during the last 12 months.

The top gainers among the BSE HEALTHCARE Index stocks during this same period were ABBOTT INDIA (up 145.2%), J.B.CHEMICALS (up 91.7%) and IPCA LABS (up 62.9%).

What About the Benchmark Indices?

The BSE Sensex is at 32,089 (up 1.4%). The top gainers among the BSE Sensex stocks today are INDUSIND BANK (up 4.3%), HUL (up 3.3%) and KOTAK MAHINDRA BANK (up 2.9%). Other gainers include ICICI BANK (up 2.8%) and BAJAJ FINANCE (up 2.4%). The most traded stocks in the BSE Sensex are SBI and INDUSIND BANK.

In the meantime, NSE Nifty is at 9,383 (up 1.3%). The top gainers in the NSE Nifty include DR. REDDYS LAB (up 3.9%), INDIABULLS HOU. FIN. (up 3.6%) and INDUSIND BANK (up 3.6%). Other gainers include HUL (up 3.3%) and KOTAK MAHINDRA BANK (up 2.8%).

Over the last 12 months, the BSE Sensex has moved down from 38,277 to 32,089, registering a loss of -6,188 points (up -16.7%).

J.B.CHEMICALS Financial Update...

J.B.CHEMICALS net profit stood at Rs 622 million for the quarter ended December 2019, compared to a profit of Rs 464 million a year ago. Net Sales rose 9.3% to Rs 3.9 billion during the period as against Rs 3.5 billion in October-December 2018.

For the year ended March 2018, J.B.CHEMICALS reported 24.8% decrease in net profit to Rs 1.4 billion compared to net profit of Rs 1.8 billion during FY17.

Revenue of the company grew 3.3% to Rs 14 billion during FY18.

The current Price to earnings ratio of J.B.CHEMICALS, based on rolling 12 month earnings, stands at 20.4x.

This article (J.B.CHEMICALS at All Time High; BSE HEALTHCARE Index Up 1.3%) is authored by Equitymaster.

Equitymaster is a leading 'independent' equity research initiative focused on providing well-researched and unbiased opinions on stocks listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange.

Share markets in India are presently trading on a positive note. Benchmark indices advanced today tracking firm global cues.

Further, talks of an economic stimulus for small businesses battered by the coronavirus outbreak improved sentiment.

Reportedly, the government may unveil fiscal stimulus amounting to 0.3% of the country's gross domestic product, focusing on small and medium sized businesses, real estate firms and banks.

The BSE Sensex is trading up by 524 points while the NSE Nifty is trading up by 146 points.

The BSE Mid Cap index and the BSE Small Cap index are trading up by 0.9% and 0.7%, respectively.

Sectoral indices are trading mixed with stocks in the energy sector and telecom sector witnessing buying interest, while power stocks are witnessing selling pressure.

The rupee is currently trading at 75.44 against the US$.

Gold prices are currently trading down by 0.1% at Rs 46,134.

Speaking of the current stock market scenario, after a sharp rally in the past few weeks, the markets have turned volatile again.

You would be interested in knowing when the market will likely bottom out.

Vijay Bhambwani, editor of Weekly Cash Alerts, has the answer and he has recorded a video about it.

You can check the same here - This is When the Stock Market Will Bottom Out

Moving on, market participants are tracking Shree Cement share price, TCI Express share price, and SBI Cards and Payment Services share price as these companies are scheduled to announce their March quarter results (Q4FY20) later today.

You can read our recently released Q4FY20 results of other companies here: Ambuja Cement, IndusInd Bank, Axis Bank, Tech Mahindra, Reliance Industries, Marico, Kansai Nerolac, NIIT Technologies, Persistent Systems, SKF India.

In news from the banking sector, public sector banks (PSBs) sanctioned loans worth Rs 5.66 lakh crore for the March-April period to 41.81 lakh accounts, according to the finance ministry.

The borrowers represented the micro small and medium sized enterprises (MSMEs), retail, agriculture and corporate sectors.

Reportedly, PSB loans amounting to Rs 265 billion have been sanctioned in 2.37 lakh cases for MSMEs.

This is part of the PSB initiative to prioritise pre-approved emergency credit lines and enhanced working capital requirements to the sector.

Meanwhile, PSBs sanctioned loans worth Rs 773.8 billion to non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) and housing finance companies (HFCs) between March 1 and May 4.

Including the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) targeted long term repo operations (TLTRO) window, PSBs extended Rs 1.08 lakh crore of financing to ensure business stability and continuity.

The finance ministry said that the three-month loan moratorium facility announced by the RBI has been availed by 3.2 crore PSB accounts.

On Thursday, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said that the Indian economy is poised to recover from the recent crisis brought upon by the coronavirus pandemic with PSB sanctioning loans worth Rs 5.66 lakh crore in just two months.

Speaking of the banking sector, the low access to credit for micro small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) tells us there is a huge opportunity for lenders.

This is evident from the chart below:

India's Huge Lending Opportunity

Of the 60 million MSMEs in India, only 11% had access to credit from organised lenders. Most of them are self-financed or get credit from unorganised sources.

Here's what Tanushree Banerjee wrote about this in one of the editions of The 5 Minute WrapUp...

• Self-financing limits the growth of these MSMEs. On the other hand, high interest rates from unorganised sources makes it difficult for them to earn profits.
  
  The Modi government is looking at various ways to correct this problem. Mudra loans, online loans facilities are being made available to MSMEs.
  
  Slowly but surely, lenders are sensing the huge opportunity that lies ahead for this sector.
  
  Banks and other financial firms with prudent lending practices and strong distribution networks will benefit from this megatrend.

Tanushree is counting on 7 top stocks from the Indian stock market that will benefit from this megatrend.

As per her, now is the right time to buy these stocks to profit from the Rebirth of India. You can read about them here.

Moving on to news from the FMCG sector, shares of Hindustan Unilever (HUL) rose 4% today after institutional investors bought stake in the company via open market on Thursday.

The NSE bulk deal data showed that foreign portfolio investor Societe Generale, a French multinational investment bank and financial services company, bought 129 million shares of HUL at an average price of Rs 1,902.

UK-based Glaxo-SmithKline (GSK) offloaded its stake in HUL via block deals, yesterday.

According to the term sheet, over 133 million shares were offered in the range of Rs 1,850-1,950 to investors through a special block window.

The deal is valued roughly between Rs 246 billion to Rs 259 billion.

Note that last week, HUL reported a 7% decline in volumes in Q4FY20. The company's profit before tax fell 10.6% to Rs 19.9 billion, while net profit declined 1.2% year-on-year (YoY) to Rs 15.2 billion.

HUL share price is presently trading up by 3%.

To know more about the company, you can HUL's latest result analysis on our website.

And to know what's moving the Indian stock markets today, check out the most recent share market updates here.

BHARAT DYNAMICS share price has plunged 5% and is presently trading at Rs 231.

Meanwhile, the BSE 500 Index is at 12,146 (up 0.8%).

Among the top losers in the BSE 500 Index today are BHARAT DYNAMICS (down 5.4%) and LAURUS LABS LTD (down 9.0%).

TV18 BROADCAST (up 7.9%) and E.I.D. PARRY (up 7.6%) are among the top gainers today.

Over the last one year, BHARAT DYNAMICS has moved down from Rs 281 to Rs 231, registering a loss of Rs 50 (down 17.8%)..

The BSE 500 has moved down from 14,958 to 12,146, loss of 2,812 points (down 18.8%) during the last 12 months.

The top gainers among the BSE 500 Index stocks during this same period were ADANI GREEN ENERGY (up 431.9%), ABBOTT INDIA (up 142.8%) and NAVIN FLUORINE (up 115.0%).

What About the Benchmark Indices?

The BSE Sensex is at 32,089 (up 1.0%). The top gainers among the BSE Sensex stocks today are RELIANCE IND. (up 4.0%). The most traded stocks in the BSE Sensex are INDUSIND BANK and ICICI BANK.

In the meantime, NSE Nifty is at 9,383 (up 1.1%). ZEE ENTERTAINMENT (up 5.1%) and DR. REDDYS LAB (up 4.2%) are among the top gainers in NSE Nifty.

Over the last 12 months, the BSE Sensex has moved down from 38,277 to 32,089, registering a loss of 6,188 points (down 17.03%).

ECLERX SERVICES share price has plunged 5% and is presently trading at Rs 474.

Meanwhile, the BSE IT Index is at 13,667 (up 0.7%).

Among the top losers in the BSE IT Index today are ECLERX SERVICES (down 5.1%) and CYIENT (down 10.0%).

TECH MAHINDRA (up 3.1%) and MINDTREE (up 2.3%) are among the top gainers today.

Over the last one year, ECLERX SERVICES has moved down from Rs 1,134 to Rs 474, registering a loss of Rs 660 (down 58.2%)..

The BSE IT has moved down from 15,682 to 13,667, loss of 2,015 points (down 12.8%) during the last 12 months.

The top gainers among the BSE IT Index stocks during this same period were INFIBEAM AVENUES (up 15.5%) and NIIT TECHNOLOGIES (up 11.5%).

What About the Benchmark Indices?

The BSE Sensex is at 32,089 (up 0.9%). The top gainers among the BSE Sensex stocks today are HUL (up 4.3%). The most traded stocks in the BSE Sensex are ICICI BANK and RELIANCE IND..

In the meantime, NSE Nifty is at 9,383 (up 0.6%). HUL (up 4.4%) and DR. REDDYS LAB (up 4.2%) are among the top gainers in NSE Nifty.

Over the last 12 months, the BSE Sensex has moved down from 38,277 to 32,089, registering a loss of 6,188 points (down 17.15%).

ECLERX SERVICES Financial Update...

ECLERX SERVICES net profit stood at Rs 701 million for the quarter ended December 2019, compared to a profit of Rs 390 million a year ago. Net Sales rose 5.0% to Rs 3.8 billion during the period as against Rs 3.6 billion in October-December 2018.

For the year ended March 2018, ECLERX SERVICES reported 24.1% decrease in net profit to Rs 2.7 billion compared to net profit of Rs 3.5 billion during FY17.

Revenue of the company grew 2.6% to Rs 14 billion during FY18.

The current Price to earnings ratio of ECLERX SERVICES, based on rolling 12 month earnings, stands at 7.9x.

This article (ECLERX SERVICES Plunges by 5%; BSE IT Index Up 0.7%) is authored by Equitymaster.

Equitymaster is a leading 'independent' equity research initiative focused on providing well-researched and unbiased opinions on stocks listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange.

ICICI SECURITIES LTD share price has plunged 5% and is presently trading at Rs 429.

Meanwhile, the BSE 500 Index is at 12,146 (up 0.5%).

Among the top losers in the BSE 500 Index today are ICICI SECURITIES LTD (down 5.3%) and TIMKEN INDIA (down 5.3%).

E.I.D. PARRY (up 9.9%) and TV18 BROADCAST (up 6.6%) are among the top gainers today.

Over the last one year, ICICI SECURITIES LTD has moved up from Rs 220 to Rs 429, registering a gain of Rs 209 (up 95.1%)..

The BSE 500 has moved down from 14,958 to 12,146, loss of 2,812 points (down 18.8%) during the last 12 months.

The top gainers among the BSE 500 Index stocks during this same period were ADANI GREEN ENERGY (up 433.0%), ABBOTT INDIA (up 143.0%) and NAVIN FLUORINE (up 111.0%).

What About the Benchmark Indices?

The BSE Sensex is at 32,089 (up 0.7%). The top gainers among the BSE Sensex stocks today are HUL (up 4.5%). The most traded stocks in the BSE Sensex are ICICI BANK and RELIANCE IND..

In the meantime, NSE Nifty is at 9,383 (up 0.7%). HUL (up 4.6%) and DR. REDDYS LAB (up 4.0%) are among the top gainers in NSE Nifty.

Over the last 12 months, the BSE Sensex has moved down from 38,277 to 32,089, registering a loss of 6,188 points (down 17.27%).

ICICI SECURITIES LTD share price has plunged 5% and is presently trading at Rs 429.

Meanwhile, the BSE 500 Index is at 12,146 (up 0.5%).

Among the top losers in the BSE 500 Index today are ICICI SECURITIES LTD (down 5.0%) and TIMKEN INDIA (down 5.1%).

E.I.D. PARRY (up 10.0%) and TV18 BROADCAST (up 6.3%) are among the top gainers today.

Over the last one year, ICICI SECURITIES LTD has moved up from Rs 220 to Rs 429, registering a gain of Rs 209 (up 95.1%)..

The BSE 500 has moved down from 14,958 to 12,146, loss of 2,812 points (down 18.8%) during the last 12 months.

The top gainers among the BSE 500 Index stocks during this same period were ADANI GREEN ENERGY (up 431.1%), ABBOTT INDIA (up 142.5%) and NAVIN FLUORINE (up 111.5%).

What About the Benchmark Indices?

The BSE Sensex is at 32,089 (up 0.6%). The top gainers among the BSE Sensex stocks today are HUL (up 5.1%). The most traded stocks in the BSE Sensex are ICICI BANK and RELIANCE IND..

In the meantime, NSE Nifty is at 9,383 (up 0.6%). HUL (up 5.1%) and DR. REDDYS LAB (up 3.9%) are among the top gainers in NSE Nifty.

Over the last 12 months, the BSE Sensex has moved down from 38,277 to 32,089, registering a loss of 6,188 points (down 17.32%).

Luxembourg's Government Council, comprising government ministers, has approved legislative changes to the territory's VAT regime to introduce the four quick fixes to improve the functioning of VAT rules in the European Union.

African countries are steadily improving their tax revenue collections, according to Revenue Statistics in Africa 2017, a new report released recently at a meeting of tax and finance officials from 21 African countries.

The South African Revenue Service announced on October 30 that it had paid over ZAR120bn (USD8.4bn) in refunds across all tax types in the last seven months, from the beginning of April of the tax season to date.

South Africa is to launch an inquiry into the reasons behind a shortfall in tax revenue collections.

The United States Economic Commission for Africa says African countries are gearing up to sign the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement, with a key deadline this month being hit with an agreement among ministers.

The South African Revenue Service has released the 2017 edition of its Tax Statistics report, looking at the agency's performance over the 2013 to 2016 tax years.

The South African Revenue Service has reminded taxpayers that individual tax payment is required by January 31, 2018.

South Africa has issued a guide on the value-added tax rate increase to 15 percent from 14 percent due to take effect from April 1, 2018.

On April 1, 2018, South Africa will raise its value-added tax rate to 15 percent from 14 percent.

44 African countries have signed a landmark free trade pact to simplify tax and non-tax rules for trading between their borders.

On April 1, 2018, South Africa increased its value-added tax rate to 15 percent from 14 percent.

Having increased the headline value-added tax rate to 15 percent from 14 percent on April 1, South Africa has appointed a panel to consider a review of the list of food items subject to the zero rate.

South Africa's National Treasury is inviting the public to contribute to a review of the list of items zero-rated for value-added tax purposes.

The South African Revenue Service has removed certain paper forms from its branches in an attempt to encourage more taxpayers to file tax returns electronically.

The African Continental Free Trade Agreement will enter into force on May 30, 2019, after Sierra Leone and the Sahrawi Republic deposited their instruments of ratification of the agreement.

On October 23, 2019, the Commissioner of the South African Revenue Service launched the re-established Large Business Centre, which aims to bring about higher levels of voluntary tax compliance among large taxpayers.

The OnePlus Bullets Wireless Z earphones come with a magnetic stripe on the earbuds that pause music when attached.

Xiaomi has finally launched the Mi 10 in India, and with starting price of Rs 49,999, it goes up against the likes of the OnePlus 8 and the OnePlus 8 Pro, which were recently launched in India. Here it is compared with the OnePlus 8 Pro.

Panasonic has prepared for staggered operations at retail and brand stores that have been recalibrated to abide by social distancing norms and deployed all safety measures such as placement of sanitisers, mandatory usage of masks, and contact-less assistance to consumers

Share price of SBI Cards and Payment Services gained 2.44% to Rs 587.80 compared to the previous close of Rs 573.80 on BSE

Share price of Biocon rose up to 3.22% to Rs 360.9 against previous close of Rs 349.65 on BSE

Share price of RBL Bank fell up to 8.77% to Rs 117.6 compared to the previous close of Rs 128.90 on BSE

Share price of Tata Motors slipped 2.36% intra day to Rs 84.85 compared to the previous close of Rs 82.50 on BSE

For the fourth quarter ended March 31, 2020, ICICI Bank reported a 26 per cent rise in net profit at Rs 1,221 crore compared to Rs 969 crore a year ago

In a letter to Banerjee, Shah accused the Bengal government of not allowing "shramik (worker)" trains to reach Bengal and warned that non-cooperation would create hardship for state's migrants

ICICI Bank's board also approved issuances of bonds/notes/offshore Certificate of Deposits in overseas markets up to $3 billion in single or multiple tranches for a period of one year

Globally, efforts are underway to develop a vaccine to treat Covid 19 which has stalled economic activity and led to death of over 2.77 lakh people across the world

Once the menace of COVID-19 pandemic is over, a new ecopolitical order will emerge which will be more focussed on human development, infrastructure around health and education, climate preservation and most importantly on people

The European Commission has invited comments on commitments offered by fifteen container liner shipping companies to address concerns raised relating to concerted practices.

The South African National Treasury has issued a discussion paper on a new diesel tax refund system, reviewing its administration and addressing anomalies related to its qualifying activities and beneficiaries.

The European Free Trade Association states (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland), and the South African Customs Union have begun negotiations to review their existing free trade agreement.

Dalal Street expects ICICI Bank to report healthy earnings in Q4