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Corporate Economy Expressions Markets Leisure 05 February 1998   Investors urged to play safe in plantation deposit schemes Investors have been urged to follow a cautious approach before investing in deposit schemes of plantation companies and resorts. Until operating guidelines are set up for the mobilisation of public deposits by these companies, depositors have been advised not to invest in such high-risk schemes.   NSE may kick off index futures trading in 50s lot The National Stock Exchange (NSE) has decided to introduce index-based futures with a small contract size of 50 units of an index. The move has been prompted by the huge success of small contract sizes in the US futures market. Sensex slips 36 points on war-cries in the Gulf The market reacted strongly to an impending US-Iraq showdown in the Gulf. The Sensex fell 80 points before recovering to close at 3319.19 points, down 35.69 points over the close on February 3. The Nifty index also declined by 7.30 points to close at 967.95 points, with the exchange recording a turnover of Rs 1,518.43 crore. Canpremium to go open-ended upon unit-holders'approval Canbank Mutual Fund has announced that its Canpremium scheme will be made open-ended shortly. The scheme, which was launched as an income-cum-growth scheme in May, 1991, was redeemed on January 31, 1998. Canbank Investment Management Services, the asset management company (AMC), has written to the unitholders seeking their consent for making the scheme open-ended. The AMC also has plans to change some of the fundamental attributes of the scheme.   SEBI bans Hoffland's portfolio management activities The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has withdrawn the permission granted to Hoffland Finance for undertaking portfolio management activities. Sebi has also directed the company to hand over its existing portfolio to their respective clients within 15 days of the receipt of the order. Kanthal India scrip spurts 14 % on open offer by promoter For Kanthal India (KIL) shareholders it could be a bonanza from the Swedish-based promoter Kanthal AB. The foreign promoter is making an open offer to KIL's shareholders for picking up 8.33 lakh equity shares at a price of Rs 32 (a premium of approximately 45% in comparison to the current market price). Buoyed by this public offer, Kanthal India counter has shot into the limelight on the Mumbai Stock Exchange (BSE) with the scrip zooming by almost 14% to Rs 22.1 on February 4.     Munde meets BSE members   G'nut oil recovers   Asian markets end mixed on further consolidation   NSE to invest its funds in gilts, T-bills directly   Market Briefing   Traders batter auto-ancillary stocks   Market Round-up