Beating cost pressure

INVESTING INSIGHT

The stocks of paints manufacturers have managed to stay afloat between October 2004 and January 2005 on the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) despite a squeeze on margins due to higher input costs.

Asian Paints rose from Rs 318.25 on October 1, to today's close of Rs 359.55. Bombay Paints increased from Rs 5 to Rs 7.80, up by 56 per cent, and Goodlass Nerolac from Rs 300 to Rs 441.60.

Shalimar Paints gained from Rs 51.20 to Rs 56.05 and Berger Paints from Rs 35.10 to Rs 42.05. Jenson & Nicholson strengthened from Rs 5.43 to Rs 11.87, Snowcem India from Rs 12.32 to Rs 16.55 and Organic Coatings from Rs 6.52 to Rs 30.90

Hardcastle & Waud Manufacturing Co declined from Rs 81.55 to Rs 80, down by 1.9 per cent.