FIRST TRADE: Sensex, Nifty open little changed amid caution ahead of US jobs data release

Stock market today: The benchmark indices on Friday, September 1, opened on a muted note amid caution ahead of the US jobs data report, which, as per analysts, will be crucial in the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) interest rate decision-making process. Bank and Financial Services were the only counters that traded in red on the NSE.

At the time of filing this report, the S&P BSE Sensex was flat but in the green. It was trading 0.08 per cent or 50.16 points, higher at 64,881.57, and the NSE Nifty was trading 0.06 per cent or 11.16 points, higher at 19,264.95.

In the Nifty 50 basket, 37 stocks advanced, whereas 13 stocks declined. Nifty Mid Cap 100 and Small Cap 100 were trading in green.

Nifty Bank was trading in the red at 43,976.1 points.

BUZZING STOCKS 

Hero MotoCorp shares were up over 1 per cent as the company said it would diversify into the premium segment under the A2B brand as it aims to create differentiated brands to cater to multiple segments in the electric mobility space.

Jio Financial Services stock was up over 2 per cent ahead of its removal from all BSE indices today.

Adani Group stocks traded lower after the Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) published a report on Thursday alleging that the business group's hundreds of millions of dollars were invested in publicly traded group stocks through Mauritius-based 'opaque' investment funds, managed by partners of the promoter family.

Five-Star Business Finance shares were down over 2 per cent after reports suggested that private equity investors could sell up to 8.8 per cent their stakes through block deals.

Oil marketing companies traded in positive territory after the government reduced import duty, agri, and infra cess on liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) to zero.

Jet Airways was down nearly 2 per cent after OMCs increased ATF prices. 

ITD Cementation India shares were up nearly 12 per cent after the company bagged a marine contract worth Rs 3,290 crore.

Genus Power Infrastructure stock hit the upper circuit after the company's subsidiary bagged an order worth Rs 2,247 crore.

Prudent Corporate shares were up over 2 per cent after multiple block deals took place.

Amber Enterprises shares were up over 3 per cent after Jefferies raised the target price.

Emami shares were up over 2 per cent after Citi double-upgraded the stock.

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