Indian markets opened on positive note taking positive cues from its Asian peers and ahead of U S Federal Reserve's decision on interest rates amid ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

A study by Deloitte found that 27 companies of the 100 listed on the NSE, won't be able to sustain current wage bill from cash profits, if their revenue dips by 30 per cent or more.

The Reserve Bank in October 2018 had barred the bank from granting or renewing any loan for six months and later extended the curbs twice. The bank was allowed to continue to undertake banking business with restrictions till "its financial position improves".

Vodafone Idea, formerly known as Vodafone Mobile Services Ltd, had however sought Rs 4,759.07 crore in tax refund from for AYs - 2014-15, 2015-16, 2016-17 and 2017-18.

MFIs have been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, with many finding it difficult to meet the operating costs and pay salaries during the ongoing lockdown.

The Rs 1 lakh crore flagship Delhi-Mumbai Expressway project is scheduled to be completed within three years and and expected to cut down the travel time between Delhi and Mumbai to just 12 hours.

A top US health official said Gilead Sciences Inc's antiviral drug remdesivir is likely to become the standard of care for Covid-19 after early results from a clinical trial showed it helped certain patients recover more quickly.

Oil prices have plunged to historic lows in recent weeks as collapsing demand due to worldwide lockdowns prompted a massive glut and led to storage capacity filling up.

The NSE Nifty 50 index advanced 3.11 per cent to 9,850.3 by 0455 GMT, while the benchmark S&P BSE Sensex was up 3.1 per cent at 33,734.26. Both indexes were on course for their fourth straight session of gains in a holiday shortened week.

Rising scrap supplies amid a fall in demand could dent the world's second-biggest bullion consumer's imports and cap a rally in global prices, which hit a more than seven-year high earlier this month.

On Wednesday, another Indian pharmaceutical company, Strides Pharma Science Ltd, said it had developed and commercialised favipiravir antiviral tablets, and had applied to Indian drug authorities to start trials.

After surging 1,167 points during the day, the 30-share index settled 997.46 points or 3.05 per cent higher at 33,717.62. It hit an intra-day high of 33,887.25.

The final report of the task force on NIP for 2019-2025 suggested steps like deepening bond markets, setting up of development financial institutions and land monetisation to meet the funding needs,

The company said it is the first firm in India to receive such an approval from the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI).

The report further said that the supply additions through infrastructure development boost short-term as well as the potential rate of GDP growth.

The ministry constructed 10,855 km of national highways against the targeted 16,420 km in fiscal 2019, with an average daily construction rate of about 30 km.

The Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) has submitted a blueprint suggesting a road map for opening up e-commerce based on the current containment model of zoning.

The greenback weakening overseas and optimism over a COVID-19 drug trial in the US further supported the local unit, forex traders said.

Reckitt Benckiser recorded a 13.3% rise in first quarter like-for-like sales, that was its best performance since the company was formed in 1999.

The PF returns have details about employees' and employers' contributions towards the social security scheme run by the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO).

Millions more Americans filed claims for unemployment benefits last week, lifting the number of applications to 30.3 million since March 21, data showed.

The proposed acquisition involves settlement or contribution of equity shares of the company to the four trusts by Ashok Todi, Bimla Todi, Pradip Todi and Shobha Todi.

The state government has also decided to provide working capital loans to MSMEs at lower interest rates. A fund to the tune of Rs 200 crore would be created to lend loans between Rs 2-10 lakh.

A year earlier, the conglomerate reported profits of $15.5 billion.

The RBI said the bank is not in a position to pay its current or future depositors and has violated regulatory norms for minimum capital requirement.

Reeling under pressure due to sharp drop in footfalls following the COVID-19 pandemic, operators in the country's coworking industry believe the blip could be temporary and demand for flexible space would go up again as some key factors are going for them.

Sebi has imposed a total penalty of Rs 1.05 crore on 21 entities for executing fraudulent trading in the scrip of Jolly Plastic Industries Ltd.

Asked about the reluctance of lenders to extend advances to small and medium enterprises, Panda said banks are "afraid" of increasing their lending to businesses despite several policy rate cuts by the Reserve Bank of India.

In commodity markets, US crude futures sank in early trade on worries about oil oversupply, even as some US states start to ease coronavirus pandemic restrictions.

The deal comes less than two weeks after Facebook spent $5.7 billion to buy a 9.99 percent stake in Jio. The Facebook-Jio deal was the social media network’s biggest since its $22 billion buyout of WhatsApp in 2014.

The NSE Nifty 50 index was down 4.25% at 9,448.15, while the S&P BSE Sensex was 4.34% lower at 32,260.30.

India's solar and gas-fired electricity generation rose in April even as overall power demand fell at the steepest monthly rate in at least thirteen years, a Reuters analysis of provisional government data showed.

On being asked about the effect of the decline in Aramco’s profits on its plans to invest in India, Saudi Arabia's Ambassador to India reiterated that investment plans were on track.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Sunday there was "a significant amount of evidence" that the virus emerged from a Chinese laboratory.

As prices face the 50-day moving average, trading it on the higher side in one move is difficult and some retracement is very likely.

Antibody testing is an important step to tell if someone has been previously infected. It will provide more understanding of the virus.

Remdesivir is authorised for the treatment of hospitalised patients with severe Covid-19 disease though the optimal duration of treatment is still being studied in ongoing clinical trials.

After a highly volatile session, the 30-share BSE index settled at 31,715.35, plunging 2,002.27 points, or 5.94 per cent.

The brand, whose clothes have been worn by former first lady Michelle Obama, said online sales operations, which account for more than half its revenues, will continue as normal.

Benchmarks fell in most countries except for Australia, which was lifted by signs its own virus outbreak is being brought under control.

Suggestions from various quarters, including from Indian Banks' Association, have come for the further extension of moratorium and the RBI is actively considering them, according to sources.

As many as 43 crore transactions leading to disbursement of Rs 16,101 crore took place during the lockdown period, the Finance Ministry said in a tweet on Monday.

ONGC was the top gainer in the Sensex pack, rallying over 5 per cent, followed by M&M, Bharti Airtel, IndusInd Bank, ICICI Bank, PowerGrid and Tech Mahindra.

An ISA official also confirmed Narendran's resignation but said the reason for his sudden resignation is not known yet.

Imposition of anti-dumping duty is permissible under the World Trade Organization (WTO) regime. India and China are members of this Geneva-based organisation, which deals with global trade norms.

Slumping over 810 points from the day's high, the 30-share BSE index settled 261.84 points or 0.83 per cent lower at 31,453.51.

Analysts agree that Covid-19 pandemic will lead to an increase in bank's gross non-performing assets with some reports pegging the stock to double as well.

Imports also fell, but only by 6.2 percent, as transportation and shipping began to close down worldwide.

The SC said cooperative banks cannot carry on any activity without compliance of the provisions of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 and any other legislation applicable to such banks relatable to 'Banking'.

US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures fell as much as 2.1 per cent to $24.05 a barrel and were down 14 cents at $24.41 a barrel at 0201 GMT. WTI has snapped a five-day winning streak.