Markets at a glance

The Sensex fell in three of the four trading sessions last week over US recession worries and the resultant global market meltdown. The Sensex lost 1,603.20 points, closing the week 9.12 per cent lower at 15,975.52.

The Nifty too shed 8.65 per cent to 4,771.60 points. Mid- and small-cap counters lost more, while automobile stocks were up in response to Budget sops. FIIs and mutual funds remained net buyers during the week

Stock to watch 
 

MARUTI SUZUKI
Last week's close (Rs)	930.50
Prev week's close (Rs)	867.70
Week's high (Rs)	945.03
Week's low (Rs)	848.25
Last week's avg daily turnover (Rs cr)	193.72
Prev week's avg daily turnover (Rs cr)	80.57
Number of up/down moves	3/1

Passenger vehicles leader, Maruti Suzuki managed to report a higher sales growth of 1.3 per cent year-on-year in February 2008 as against Tata Motor's decline of 19 per cent. The company reported a growth of 15.2 per cent on a year-to-date basis as against Tata Motors' decline of 8 per cent.

This is why it attracted great investor attention unlike other auto players. The stock ended the week with a gain of 7.6 per cent with a monthly gain of 16 per cent. The company reported strong growth in nine months ended December 2007.

While net sales surged 29 per cent to Rs 13,135 crore, operating profit grew by 25.5 per cent to Rs 1,768.7 crore and net profit was up by 29 per cent at Rs 1,433 crore.