INSIGHT

Market thumbs down petro pricing control
It is time the Government initiated bold action in the oil sector, as it has done in the telecom sector. More

Deposit rate spikes may just be the start
Profits from industry's core operations are now growing at a robust rate, though risks such as strong oil prices and fiscal profligacy persist. Given the backdrop of rising rates, the ideal strategy would be to go overweight on equities as return fro m equities is likely to be much better than that on debt. More

MUTUAL FUNDS

Past, a weak benchmark
AS INVESTORS, we typically choose mutual funds that have performed well in the recent past. Studies, however, show that funds that perform well in the past often fare poorly in the future. Does this mean that our ... More

HDFC Capital Builder: Hold
THE dramatic shift in HDFC Capital Builder's investment strategy since 2003 appears to have delivered good returns for its investors until now. The fund's one-year return of about 65 per cent beats that of ... More

Birla MF launches new scheme

STOCKS

Mahindra and Mahindra: Hold
SHAREHOLDERS of Mahindra and Mahindra (M&M) can continue to hold on to the stock at the current Rs 475 level. At this price, the stock discounts its current annualised per share earnings by about 12 times. Shareholders, ... More

SKF India: Buy
DESPITE the recent increase in the stock price, long-term investors may consider exposure in SKF India at prevailing price levels. The sustained rise in automobile production along with pick-up in the tractor segment ... More

Subex Systems: Hold
INVESTORS with a medium-term perspective can retain their exposure in the Subex Systems (Subex) stock. From the current price levels, the stock may yield fair capital appreciation to investors willing to hold on more ... More

Century Textiles: Hold
The company's capacity to cater to the market where a finer balance between demand and supply has started to emerge could ensure a more stable revenue and earnings stream. More

Thermax: Hold
INVESTORS can retain their exposure in the stock of Thermax. At 465, the stock trades at 15 times its 2004-05 expected consolidated per share earnings. The robust order backlog and a sharp growth in order booking even ... More

Coromandel Fertilisers: Buy
SKYROCKETING prices of inputs and an uncertain subsidy dispensation combine to make this a challenging period for companies focussed on the production and marketing of phosphatic and complex fertilisers. But Coromandel ... More

TAXATION

TECHNICAL ANALYSIS

Positive near term for HDFC
HDFC (Rs 715.6): The near-term outlook for the stock is bullish. A move to the target zone of the Rs 745-750 range appears likely. Investors may use price dips to add this stock to the portfolio. The positive outlook would be negated only ... More

Focus of the week
Kotak Mahindra Bank (Rs 215): The outlook is positive and the stock could move to the target zone of Rs 245-250 range. Existing holders may remain invested with a stop-loss at Rs 190. Fresh buying may be considered on price dips with a ... More

CARS

LIFE INSURANCE

DERIVATIVES MARKETS

Beware of these risks and more
THE National Stock Exchange of India Ltd (NSEIL) has not passed the merits of participating in this trading segment nor has NSEIL passed the adequacy or accuracy of this disclosure document. This brief statement does not disclose all of the risks ... More

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