Subprime-hit market had quite a few gainers

ITC tops among Sensex stocks; Chambal Fertilizers led A group rally.

FMCG major ITC Ltd, Chambal Fertilizers, Lanco Infrastructure and Ballarpur Industries are the standout performers among Sensex and A-Group companies since July 25 when the US subprime mortage crisis hit the domestic markets.

The Sensex was at its peak on July 24 at 15,794.92 points.

Hindalco (down 17 per cent), Mahindra & Mahindra (down 17.55 per cent) and Tata Steel (down 16.05 per cent) bore the brunt of the fall after investors dumped the stocks on fears that the drying up of global liquidity would impact the performance of these stocks in the near to medium term.
 

In Rs	Jul-25	Aug-28	% change
Top 5 gainers Sensex
ITC	152.25	167.25	9.85
Ranbaxy	344.55	366.80	6.46
NTPC	163.60	167.30	2.26
Maruti Udyog	819.15	832.45	1.62
HUL	199.65	202.20	1.28
A group
Chambal Fertilisers	35.70	47.10	31.93
Lanco Infratech	234.00	284.00	21.37
Ballarpur Ind	120.05	137.80	14.79
Alok Industries	57.85	64.70	11.84
Crompton Greaves	273.95	304.50	11.15
B1 group
ETC Network	53.65	120.05	123.77
Jai Corp	3207.80	6361.60	98.32
Assam Co.	15.55	27.25	75.24
Voltamp	802.20	1207.30	50.50
Panasonic AVC	15.35	22.65	47.56
	Jul-25	Aug-28	% change
Top 5 Losers Sensex
Hindalco	186.55	153.30	-17.82
M & M	796.50	656.70	-17.55
Tata Steel	721.10	605.40	-16.04
Satyam Comp	518.29	449.70	-13.23
TCS	1170.65	1028.20	-12.17
A group
Sun TV	425.75	312.80	-26.53
Parsvnath	386.50	287.00	-25.74
Escorts	109.20	81.80	-25.09
Hinduja TMT	449.50	352.00	-21.69
VSNL	478.00	376.00	-21.34
B1 group
Celebrity Fashions	82.80	58.60	-29.23
Kothari Products	1070.75	761.50	-28.88
Shasun Chemicals	125.05	90.00	-28.03
Insecticides (I)	81.90	59.20	-27.72
Asian Electronics	1106.05	816.40	-26.19

ITC Ltd., which rose by 9.85 per cent (July 25 to August 28) to Rs 167.25, was the fastest gainer among the Sensex stocks. Only five other Sensex stocks (Ranbaxy, NTPC, Maruti Udyog and Hindustan Lever) ended in the positive territory in the same period.

"FMCG and healthcare stocks were not major participants in the rally, and hence, it is not surprising that they resisted the fall," said an analyst in a brokerage outfit. "Most stocks, which resisted the fall, have risen onstock-specific news," he added.

Chambal Fertilizers led the rally in A-group stocks. The stock gained by a hefty 32 percent since July 25 to Rs 47.10, after the good monsoon and increasing demand for fertilizer boosted sentiment in the counter, said analysts.

"Small and mid-cap stocks have, more or less, resisted the fall. This shows there is inherent strength in these segments. Several mutual funds are actively buying in some of the select mid- and small-cap companies," said Anita Gandhi, head of institutional business with Arihant Capital.

The other smart movers in the A-group were Lanco Infratech (up 21.37 per cent), Ballarpur Industries (up 14.79 per cent), Alok Industries (up nearly 12 per cent) and Crompton Greaves (11.15 per cent).

The eye-popping moves, however, came from some B1 group stocks. The share price of ETC Network more than doubled (123.77 per cent) caring less about the troubles all around. It had company in Jai Corp (up 98.32 per cent), and Assam Company (up 75.24 per cent).