Sensex down 39 points amid weak trend in world markets

FINANCIAL/REGULATORY

Life insurance companies such as HDFC Life, Birla Sun Life and ICICI Prudential have shown interest in purchasing HSBC's stake in its JV with two public sector banks, two people with direct knowledge of the development said.

Oriental Bank of Commerce Ltd and Canara Bank Ltd , HSBC's partners in the joint venture, have not yet decided whether to sell or not, and they may take a call depending upon the price being offered by the bidders.

India's central bank has relaxed rules on gold deposit scheme offered by banks by allowing the lenders to offer the product with lesser maturity. ENERGY/COMMODITIES

GAIL (India) said October-December net profit rose 17.8 percent to 12.85 billion rupees from a year ago.

Coal India Ltd will miss its production target for the current year by up to 6 million tonnes and will meet its supply target by drawing on stocks, its chairman said on Thursday.

Canadian oil and gas producer Niko Resources Ltd said the sale price of gas from its wells in India may nearly double to between $8 and $8.50 per million British thermal units based on a pricing formula recommended by an Indian government panel. TELECOMS

The finance ministry is likely to seek permission from the Cabinet to enter into discussions with Vodafone Group Plc to settle the long-running $2-billion tax dispute between the Indian government and British telecom giant,

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