10:00AM New York – Bank of America investment in Countrywide spurred stocks at the opening. After thirty minutes investors grew more cautious and averages pared gains.

Market averages at the opening rallied. The news of cash infusion from Bank of America in Countrywide provided added cushion that the company needs and is widely seen as a vote of confidence in the mortgage market and in the company. The stock rallied 15% at the opening but quickly settled to a gain of 5%.

Bank of America invested $2 billion in convertible preferred stock with annual yield of 7.25% at a conversion price of $18 a share within the next 18 months. At the conversion the bank will own between 16% and 17% stake in Countrywide. The Bank of America with this investment, if fully converted, will become the largest investor in the company. AXA, French insurance company holds 11% of stocks in Countrywide followed by funds controlled by Barclays and Legg Mason. The deal received a quick approval from the regulatory authorities.

The quality of the mortgage portfolio at Countrywide has deteriorated in the last one year. In the current housing market conditions investors expect a flow of bad news from the housing market is expected to continue. Loans that are overdue at least 30 days or more have risen to 5.7% from 1.6% a year ago. Approximately $600 billion of mortgages issued under variable rates are expected to be re financed in the year 2008. However, a significant percentage of homes have loans that exceed market value.

The Children’s Place (PLCE: chart) reported second quarter loss of $27.1 million on net sales rise of 7% to $424.3 million including sales at Disney brand stores. The company revised its annual earnings guidance between $2.25 and $2.40 lower than a consensus estimate of $2.75 polled by 123jump. The stock declined 18% on the news. The company also expects a delay in SEC filings related to options investigation.

European markets were trading fractionally higher led by 0.7% gain in Paris and Germany. In the overnight trading Asian markets rose sharply led by near 3% gain in Philippines, Taiwan, Indonesia and 2.6% gain in Japan. The Bank of Japan left the rates unchanged but said the bank is prepared to raise rates if necessary.

8:30AM New York, 6:00PM Mumbai – Sharp division in ruling coalition roil market sentiment in the afternoon trading.

Politics came back to haunt stock market in the afternoon trading.

Sensex dropped 84.7 or 0.6% to close at 14,163.98 after adding nearly 300 points by the mid-day trading. Markets across Asia rose sharply led by the Bank of Japan to decision to leave the rates unchanged. In Mumbai trading traders worried that the coalition government may be heading for turbulent times. CNX Nifty dropped 38.20 or 0.9% to close at 4,114.95.

The news from the Central Committee of CPI – Marxist Party left investors nervous. The party passed resolution to oppose nuclear pact with the U.S. and warning to the government to face serious fallout if negotiations with the International Atomic Energy Agency and Nuclear Suppliers Group continued.

The press release published on the party’s web site said that “the Central Committee does not want the current crisis to affect the government. However, this is contingent upon the government not proceeding further with the agreement. The Central Committee, therefore, authorises the Polit Bureau to take whatever necessary measures to see that the agreement is not operationalised.” The press release also noted the majority in parliament is against this nuclear deal.

On a separate note in a response to the party position, Prakash Karat, General Secretary of the party said that the ‘’party does not share the views of the BJP on the matter, since their approach has been to bargain with the United States for a favorable nuclear adjustment while accepting the status of a subordinate ally of the US.”

Of the stocks traded on BSE, 1,749 declined, 943 gained and 67 were unchanged. Of the 30 stocks in the index, 15 gained and 15 declined. Daily turnover on BSE rose to 4,779 crore rupees from 4,404 crore rupees in previous session. On NSE, turnover increased to 11,491 crore rupees from 10,533 crore rupees a day ago.

Gainers

Cement stocks rallied on the news that Swiss company Holcim SA has picked up 3.9% additional stake Ambuja Cements at 154 rupees for a total price of $200 million. The news lifted the sector. Birla Corporation jumped 6.8% to 263 rupees, India Cements increased 3.9% to 218 rupees, ACC gained 2% to 972, and Ambuja Cement added 1.2% to 132 rupees.

ITD Cementation soared 15% 462 rupees after the news that the company parent was awarded order of 893 crore rupees from Delhi Metro Rail Corp.

ITC, cigarette maker, jumped 2.3% to 162 rupees on the news that the company is planning to set up convenience stores in rural locations and plans to increase the number of stores in the network to 200 by the end of fiscal year in March 2008. The current large format retail store Choupal Sagar will be expanded to from villages to small towns.

Bharti Airtel jumped 1.2% to 858 rupees on the news that it is planning a sale of its tower business. Earlier the company said that it plans to increase number of towers to 80,000 from 40,000 in the next twelve months.

Larsen & Toubro increased 0.9% to 2,405. The company won repeat business of $70 million from a shipbuilding company in the Netherlands.

Birla Kennametal jumped 4.6% to 255 rupees after the board approved the five for one stock split. The 10 rupees stock will be valued at 5 rupees after the division.