Indices end up marginally

STOCK REPORT

Key indices ended slightly up after a choppy session ahead of expiry of January futures contract Thursday.

"Volumes were low today. Investors were unwinding their positions ahead of Thursday expiry, so the market was range bound," a dealer said.

Markets saw stock specific buying which capped the downside, dealers said.

Turnover on Bombay Stock Exchange and National Stock Exchange together was around Rs 113 billion against Rs 134 billion on Friday.

BSE's 30-share Sensex ended at 14209.24, up 26.53 points or 0.2 per cent from Friday. Intraday, it moved between 4069.95 and 4114.50.

NSE's 50-share Nifty ended at 4101.90, down 11.75 points or 0.3 per cent. Intraday, it touched a low and high of 14111.70 and 14259.07.

Dabur India and Satyam Computer, which detailed Oct-Dec quarter earnings Friday, were top Nifty losers, down 4.1 per cent and 3.4 per cent respectively.

Dabur India gained 10 per cent last week ahead of its third quarter earnings. The company reported Oct-Dec consolidated net profit at Rs792.7 million, lower than market expectations of Rs 807 million.

Satyam Computers Oct-Dec net fell 30 per cent on year to Rs 3.43 billion. The company also revised its yearly guidance downwards.

Index heavyweight Reliance Industries was down 0.6 per cent at Rs 1,373.85, while Infosys Technologies was up 2.4 per cent at Rs 2254.

Jet Airways topped the chart on Nifty at Rs 774.10, up 7 per cent from Friday.

Jet's posted a net profit of Rs 400.4 million for Oct-Dec, down 34.4 per cent on year.

The upside was triggered by reports that the company is in talks with several leading private equity firms to raise over $400 mln through qualified institutional placements.

Maruti Udyog shares were up 3 per cent at Rs 938.90 as the auto major today posted a net profit of Rs 3.76 billion for Oct-Dec, up 11 per cent.

Dr Reddy's ended marginally down by 0.2 per cent at Rs 810.