The Hindu Business Line : Sunday, February 27, 2005

Boost for construction sector — FDI, the new building block
THE decision to liberalise norms of foreign direct investment in the construction sector is perhaps one of the more important economic policy decisions taken by this Government in the nine months of its existence. ... More

Economic Survey — Music to investor's ears
The thrust of the Economic Survey is encouraging for investors. If the Budget even partially reflects its priorities, that would be a positive for the economy. More

COMMODITY EXCHANGES

Electronic Settlement for commodities futures
THE National Securiteis Depository Ltd (NSDL), the first depository in the country was established in the year 1996 to remove the difficulties arising out of use of physical (paper) certificates for settlement of trades on stock exchanges and ... More

OPEN OFFERS

Ondeo Nalco: Accept
SHAREHOLDERS of Ondeo Nalco India may tender their holding to the open offer made by Suez of France, as the price appears attractive. The open offer is at Rs 594.85 (this includes Rs 271.85 towards interest to ... More

MUTUAL FUNDS

HDFC TaxSaver: Buy
AN investment may be considered in HDFC TaxSaver, as its impressive track record, small asset base and portfolio composition point to steady gains over a period of three to five years. Investments can, however, be phased out in small lots as ... More

Templeton India Growth Fund: Invest in small lots
TEMPLETON India Growth Fund may be a good investment option for conservative equity investors. The fund has consistently delivered better returns than the index, while staying with large-cap stocks. It is also among the ... More

Should I book profits?
I have been traditionally parking my savings in PPF and POMIS though I am are not eligible for any tax savings. I am adequately insured. I have been investing Rs 1,000 a month through systematic investment since May 2002 in HDFC Equity ... More

SEBI okays Fidelity plans

STOCKS

Sesa Goa: Buy
AN INVESTMENT can be considered in the Sesa Goa stock, as the outlook for earnings growth over the next couple of years appears attractive. The stock, which now trades on ex-bonus basis (the bonus offer was in the ratio ... More

GlaxoSmithKline Pharma: Hold
SHAREHOLDERS of GlaxoSmithKline Pharma (GSK) can retain their holdings in the stock. This recommendation represents a departure from the several `buy' recommendations we have outstanding on the stock since it was ... More

TAXATION

At sea on tax

There's tax benefit for home loans from near and dear too

TECHNICAL ANALYSIS

Focus of the week
Cipla (Rs 257.2): The stock appears to be in the final stages of the recent downward move. After a drop to Rs 238-242 range, the stock is likely to stage a recovery. Hold with a stop loss at Rs 253 and fresh exposures (with a suitable ... More

CARS

Honda City more fuel-efficient
I AM planning to replace my Ford Ikon 1.3 and am looking for a lower maintenance, fuel-efficient car with spacious and comfortable interiors. I am keen on the new Honda City, but is the Tata Indigo diesel a better buy? Of the three — the ... More

LIFE INSURANCE

MetLife's Met Smart
MET SMART, a unit-linked plan launched by MetLife, is a plan that matures when the policyholder attains the age of 100; the plan includes both savings and insurance elements. We will take a look at some of the key ... More

ECONOMICS

Quantum games
YOU may be familiar with game theory, made popular by the movie A Beautiful Mind. Game theory studies how we take decisions to maximise our benefits (payoffs). Scientists are now applying quantum physics to game ... More

DERIVATIVES MARKETS

Nifty may be volatile
LAST week saw the settlement of February contracts and the introduction of May contracts at the derivative segment. Trading was also robust, particularly on Friday ahead of the Budget. However, the rollover from February to March series was ... More

Futures guide

Options guide

INTERVIEW

Unparalleled in the products space
We have a three-pronged strategy of "build, buy and ally". We are building ferociously. We are buying as well as allying with several companies for our product suite. More

`Building relationships is our biggest challenge' — — Phiroz Vandrevala, Executive Vice-President, TCS
As yet another robust year is set to unfold for the software services industry, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), whose revenues are slated to cross $2 billion in 2004-05, is well positioned to ride the offshoring wave. Several variables that ... More

RIGHTS ISSUES

Karnataka Bank: Invest
SHAREHOLDERS can subscribe to the rights offer of Karnataka Bank. The offer price of Rs 20 is at a substantial discount to the prevailing market price of Rs 82. Shareholders are entitled to subscribe to two shares for ... More

TOURISM

If it's Tuesday, it must be Belgium
WITH summer vacation just round the corner, it is time again to plan for that memorable holiday with family and friends. And the unbelievably low airline fares and tempting offers from tour operators may have quite a ... More

BOOKS

Disenchanted with the market
THE Society for Capital Market Research & Development has big names such as Abad Ahmed, Chandra Mohan, Devendra Gupta, M. S. Verma, C. K. Hazari, D. H. Pai Panandiker, P. G. Mankad, N. K. Sengupa, Bodhishwar Rai, and .. More

CARTOON