Public sector stocks were in the focus after the CCD approved the sale of the residual stake in five erstwhile state-run companies, in which the Centre still holds minority stakes after their privatisation namely CMC, VSNL, IPCL, IBP and Balco.
CMC was up 12.94 per cent to close at Rs 490.95, IBP up 8.07 per cent to close at Rs 564.70, IPCL was up 6.52 per cent to close at Rs 126.60 and VSNL was up 4.91 per cent to close at Rs 136.80.
Maruti Udyog, which made its debut on Wednesday on the stock markets, was up 1.77 per cent to close at Rs 166.95 on Thursday. The stock moved in a narrow range of Rs 164.35-168.25. Over 35.65 lakh shares were traded on the bourse.
Dredging Corporation of India was up 13.04 per cent to close at Rs 407.95 as the Centre has cleared the sale of a 20 per cent equity stake in the public sector firm through a public issue.
Other state-run stocks such as Hindustan Copper was up 20 per cent to close at Rs 42.60 and National Fertilisers was up 7.17 per cent to close at Rs 68.75.
