GOLDEN RULES FOR TRADING

Oil Stocks Outlook for the week – 28.09.2015 to 01.10.2015 Seen in range on lack of triggers, news flow key

Oil Stocks Outlook for the week – 28.09.2015 to 01.10.2015
Seen in range on lack of triggers, news flow key

Stocks of most oil companies may trade in sync with the broad market next week as no immediate trigger is in sight. The stock of Reliance Industries Ltd may see some newsbased
activity as the Supreme Court will hear the company's plea over a dispute in the KG-D6 arbitration case. Stocks of public sector oil companies are seen trading in a range, but the bias will be negative in line with the broader market, which is seen a tad weak as foreign institutional investors continue selling in emerging markets. Market sentiments are unlikely to be swayed much in the positive direction even if the Reserve Bank of India cuts the policy rate by 25 basis points, as the market is expecting. The outlook for the oil market continues to remain weak. The Indian basket of crude oil has been holding steady around $45-46 a barrel in the past few weeks.

Refining margins also have weakened this quarter, after hitting record highs in Apr-Jun. Stocks of state-owned refiners--Indian Oil Corp Ltd, Bharat Petroleum Corp Ltd and Hindustan Petroleum Corp Ltd--will continue to move in a range, but not much upside is seen from current levels. These companies are expected to revise petrol and diesel prices next week. There was no price revision on Sep 15. The revision, if any, is likely to be small even on Sep 30 as oil prices have fallen only slightly. From $47.88 per barrel on Aug 31, the price of Indian basket of crude has declined to $46.33 this week.

Stocks of RIL are seen continuing in a weak trajectory. The ongoing court cases and arbitrations may only have short-lived sentimental impact on the stock, if at all. In the arbitration case, Reliance Industries has agreed with the Government on two of the three members of the arbitration panel, but has contended that the third and presiding member should not be from India. The Supreme Court's observations in the matter may have a bearing on the stock, but weakening refining margins and low oil prices may continue to weigh on the stock.