Stocks on the move - FMCG stocks shine

The FMCG Index has surged 1.7% to 1915 led by solid gains in HLL and ITC. Backed by the impressive Q4 performance of HLL, the FMCG pack is in demand. Bata India has rallied 5% to Rs 194. Colgate (Rs 388), Godrej Consumers (Rs 590), HLL (Rs 231) and ITC (Rs 167) are up 2-4% each. On the other hand, Marico has slumped 4.4% to Rs 416. McDowell (Rs 582), Tata Tea (Rs 977) and Nestle (Rs 1,034) are down 1-2% each.

Aban Loyd Chiles rallied to high of Rs 824 following the news that the company has secured a Rs 400 crore contract for three years from ONGC. The stock has now slipped into the red, and is down 0.5% at Rs 791 on trades of around 1.10 lakh shares.

GE Shipping today announced plans to buy a 1,10,000 DWT Aframax crude carrier. The stock is trading flat at Rs 232 after touching a high of Rs 237. The counter has seen trades of around 1.63 lakh shares.

MRPL soared to a high of Rs 45.80 following the annoucement made by the company that the board yesterday cleared a mega Rs 12,800 crore expansion plan. The stock is now up 3.7% at Rs 44.90, and the counter has clocked a volume of around 41.91 lakh shares.

Himalya International bagged its first ever $3 million cheese order. Following the annoucement, the stock spurted to a high of Rs 22.30, and is now up 2.2% at Rs 21.50. Around 1.90 lakh shares have changed hands at the counter.

Radha Madhav plunged from a early high of Rs 54 to touch a low of Rs 48.50 - down 10.2% from the high. The company announced a Rs 75 capital expenditure to fund its new project in Uttaranchal. The stock is now down 8.4% at Rs 49.3 amid trades of around 13 lakh shares.

The Sensex has now recovered some of its losses and is now down 18 points at 10,069.