The Hindu Business Line : In what safe place have you bestow’d your money

Khan was working with the I-T Act by his side, to prepare a list of changes that the next Budget may bring in. Dakshinamoorthy sat crunching numbers to see how much he’d gained during the year. Sridevi was returning from the neighbourhood church. Just then, Jogin messaged everybody to remind them about the chat session. Loop in!

Jog: Overall mood is still upbeat.

Dax: Some expect the market to rise beyond 10,000…

Sri : While doomsayers say the Sensex will fall below 9,000.

Kay: Divergent views are good for the stock market in the long term!

Dax: “The sun with one eye vieweth all the world,” in King Henry VI.

Jog: But price movements are more due to liquidity than fundamentals.

Sri : In this scenario it is better to stick to good companies…

Kay: Rather than look for short-term stocks. Yes, you’re right!

Dax: Golden advice is to buy on dips rather than on the rise.

Jog: Wait… chart patterns suggest that the weak trend could continue!

Kay: With Nifty poised close to critical levels on the upside and down.

Sri : Market ended in the negative last Friday. Correction is healthy.

Dax: Hope it doesn’t fall heavily, as in October! :-|

Kay: Be prepared for some volatile movements this week.

Sri : FII net investments in Dec Rs 8,700 cr. Not +ve enough for market?

Jog: What about last week? Any numbers?

Dax: Balram Chini gained almost 7 per cent last Monday. Mawana Sugar was up about 5 per cent, while Dhampur Sugar and HLL made a profit of about 4 per cent on Dec 19.

Jog: ITC, Bharti Tele and Hindustan Zinc were up more than 2 per cent last Monday, even as Phoenix Mill gained just about 2 per cent. ONGC managed to stay positive on the first day of last week.

Kay: This week, expect Shipping Corp to be marked up!

Jog: On likely big-ticket order from Petronet LNG.

Sri : Varun Shipping may rule on the buzz about the contract.

Kay: Gati may rule firm as it has strengthened its network in Asia.

Dax: Tata Chemicals likely to be in the limelight.

Jog: Following its acquisition of stake in a UK-based soda ash maker.

Sri : Battery companies, such as Exide and Amar Raja, are worth a look.

Dax: Good sales of auto batteries. Because of zooming auto sales.

Kay: In general sugar stocks look good. One can look at Mawana Sugar, Bajaj Hindustan, Ponni Erode, Sakthi Sugars and Balrampur Chini.

Dax: Government’s assurance to decontrol sugar aiding sentiment.

Sri: “Honesty coupled to beauty is to have honey a sauce to sugar.”

Jog: As You Like It! Even Triveni Engg can be bought for long term.

Sri : In the short term, there is possibility for the stock to fall a bit.

Jog: A friend asks about Alchemist! Bought Rs 15. EPS 28. Long-term?

Kay: Avoid. Better to exit from it.

Sri : My mausi wants to know about Alpha Hi-tech. Bought it at Rs 30 and the scrip fell to Rs 14. Good fundas, EPS of Rs 12 per quarter!

Jog: Can’t find the stock. What’s the scrip code?

Dax: Interesting movement likely in Repro India; listed last week.

Kay: Thursday, delivery of 19 out of 26 lakh shares IPO!

Sri : Looks like some smart investors have cornered the stock.

Jog: Buy shares from IPO. They are safer in the current scenario.

Kay: “In what safe place you have bestow’d my money,” as in The Comedy of Errors may well be adapted as ‘our’ money!

Dax: Tinplate is still one of those Tata companies quoting sub-Rs 100.

Kay: On BSE it closed at Rs 90, Friday. With business prospects improving, there is some upside waiting to happen, suna tha.

Jog: JK Cement has an equity offer in the pipeline, say investors.

Sri : Expect more from the stock that is now trading at roughly Rs 160.

Dax: The promoter group is doing a lot of right things, they say!

Kay: Srei Infrastructure lately assumed the ‘infrastructure’ tag.

Jog: It is at Rs 62 or so. Obvious triggers could be new opportunities.

Dax: Including a subsidiary co’s foray into aviation advisory services.

Kay: Heard Thomas Cook may rise as it is under Dubai Investment fold.

Sri : Big action in agro counters such as Parry Agro and Nijjer Agro.

Jog: With Government’s announcement to divest 8 per cent stake in Maruti to banks and FIIs, it is likely to trade firm for some time now.

Kay: Ex-split and bonus, Himatsingka Siede ruled flat for long; good buy.

Dax: “Soldiers, have careful watch,” as in Antony and Cleopatra! CU’06!

Lee, with inputs from Vir, Nat, Mad, Nil, Sub, The and Sve.

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