The market-breadth was weak. As 1,126 stocks advanced, 1,411 declined and only 61 stocks remained unchanged. Of the 30 stocks in the Sensex, only seven advanced, while all the others declined. The turnover on BSE was Rs 3,676 crore, signaling buying at the primary market. The turnover on BSE on Friday was Rs 4,229 crore. On NSE, the turnover was Rs 7,064 crore, lower than Rs 8,675 crore on Friday.

Economic news

The rupee gained 0.4% to 40.7125 against the dollar today. Meanwhile, India''s 10-year bonds gained for a third straight day after the government stated that there were fewer debt sales this week than last. The yield on the 7.49% bond due April 2017 shed 8 basis points, or 0.08%, to 8.20% as of to date.

The Central Board of Direct Taxes, or CBDT, announced its latest circular on Friday, 15 June 2007, after trading hours. The circular failed to clarify any further the tax on profit/gain coming from sale of shares.

Trading highlights

Time Technoplast was the most-active stock with a turnover of Rs 217 crore followed by Nestle and Reliance Industries.

Advancers

ICICI Bank led the few gainers on hopes that its plan to sell stock at a premium to the current share price will focus attention. ICICI announced on June 16 it intends to sell shares for Rs 885 to Rs 950 in the biggest Indian IPO, which opens for subscription on Tuesday, June 19 2007.

State run oil large-cap ONGC advanced 0.7% to Rs 890. The overseas exploration unit of the company, ONGC Videsh, received last week the Cabinet approval to buy a 33% stake in a deep-water gas field in Egypt from Royal Dutch Shell.

Hindalco Industries advanced 0.5% to Rs 162. The aluminium and copper large-cap has proposed to set up a new extrusion press at an investment of Rs 50 crore.

Decliners

Ranbaxy and Hero Honda led the decliners down nearly 4% each to Rs 359 and Rs 654, respectively. Hero Honda has been dropping since reports that it has reduced production on diminished demand as interest rates soared to five-year-high. Tata Steel dropped nearly 2% to Rs 589.

IT stocks declined on a further appreciation of the rupee against the dollar, as these stocks are export-oriented and deal in dollars. Satyam Computers lost 1.2% to Rs 477, Infosys declined 1% to Rs 1989, Wipro lost 1.4% to Rs 523 and TCS dipped 1.5% to Rs 1,167.

Index heavy Reliance Industries shed 0.5% to Rs 1,671. Reportedly, global oil companies including Shell, Exxon and Chevron are considering buying a stake in Reliance Industries’ overseas oil & gas assets.


6:30AM European stocks edge higher in early trading Monday with bid talk in focus.

European markets were slightly higher by mid-day Monday. The FTSE 100 was steady at 6,733.70, the German DAX 30 rose 0.6% to 8,075.19 and the French CAC 40 rose 0.1% to 6,109.01.

Advancers

BHP Billiton gained 0.8%. The biggest miner in the world advanced, as it has reportedly revived plans for a $40 billion takeover of Alcoa. EADS added 1.5% amid reports that its Airbus unit is on the verge of winning two big orders, a US Airways order for 30 A350s and an Emirates order for 10 A380s.

Decliners