Sebi has cleared the public issue offer document of Punjab National Bank amounting to Rs 497 crore in the week to April 3. During the same week, the regulator cleared the rights issue of Talbros Engineering and Transmedica Ltd amounting to Rs 1.41 crore and Rs 14.92 crore, respectively. The Punjab National Bank issue will be lead managed by ICICI Securities.

Kochi SE gets Sebi nod for modified badla: The Cochin Stock Exchange has got Sebi's permission to introduce modified carryforward system subject to the conditions stipulated by the regulator. This makes CSE the first stock exchange in South India to get Sebi clearance for introducing the revised badla system. CSE President Oommen Issen told The Financial Express here on Monday that the bourse would kick-start the revised badla system in a couple of days.

Dr Beck & Co's shares perk up on dividend dose: Shareholders of Dr Beck & Co have every reason to smile. The company hasrecently announced a special interim dividend of 138.5 per cent after spinning off one of its divisions. At Dr Beck & Co's current market price of Rs 62, the interim dividend of 138.5 per cent gives an attractive dividend yield of 23 per cent.

BSE, NSE closed today: The BSE, NSE and OTCEI will remain closed on April 14 for `Ambedkar Jayanti'. There will, therefore, be no trading at these exchanges.

Software stocks attract special margin: BSE has imposed special margins on the following stocks from April 13: Altos India (Rs 6), Barasia Holding (Rs 25), BFL Software (Rs 50), BPL (Rs 46), CG-Vak Software (Rs 4), Globe Stock (Rs 7), Haryana Metals (Rs 50), Indo Rama Synthetics (Rs 6), Nexus Software (Rs 2), Nucleus Software (Rs 7), Pertech Computers (Rs 4), RS Software (Rs 12), Ram Informat (Rs 5), Ras Propack (Rs 3), Sesa Goa (Rs 73), Sierra Optima (Rs 30), Silverline Industries (Rs 16), Softrak Technology (Rs 4), Sterlite Industries (Rs 80), Svam Soft (Rs 4), Tasty Bite (Rs 6) and VideoconInternational (Rs 18).

Nifty loses 33 points: Pivotal prices reacted on the last day of the current settlement cycle on the NSE on Monday. The NSE-50 Index settled at 1,159.45 points, losing 32.95 points against the previous close. The Mid-cap Index settled at 1,531.05 points, down 50.30 points over the previous close. The total turnover on the exchange stood at Rs 1,788.80 crore in 847.97 crore shares.

NSE debt market turnover at Rs 434 cr: The prices in the government securities market moved up by 15-20 paise on Monday. The wholesale debt market of the NSE witnessed trades worth Rs 437.97 crore. The 11.10 per cent government loan maturing in 2003 was traded for Rs 75 crore at a weighted yield of 11.09 per cent. The 11 per cent government loan maturing in 2002 was traded for Rs 50 crore at a weighted yield of 10.93 per cent.

CSE shares end down: Equities reacted on the Calcutta Stock Exchange on Monday. The CSE's 40-share index wound up the day at 2,273.48 points after fluctuatingbetween 2,305.71 and 2,271.65 points. Market sentiment was dampened by the higher badla charges at the BSE last Saturday, leading to a depression in prices at that centre.

DSE shares gain ground: After a brief correction, share prices on the Delhi Stock Exchange rebounded to close higher as domestic financial houses and speculators made fresh purchases. Marketmen said the announcement of a modified exim policy mainly triggered Monday's buying spree. The DSE Sensitive Index recovered by 14.49 points to close at 898.53 points.

MSE Index loses 51 points: Scrip values declined on the Madras Stock Exchange on Monday. The MSE Index drifted down by 50.68 points to close at 4,300.69. Satyam Computer moved down to Rs 339.50 from Rs 369.30, Software Solution to Rs 247.30 (Rs 263.35), Reliance slipped by Rs 4.15 to Rs 190.05, SBI by Rs 8.15 to Rs 292.35, Telco by Rs 8.55 to Rs 283.85 and Tata Tea by Rs 11.15 to Rs 418.65.

Mixed trend at BgSE: Pivotals witnessed a divergent trend on Monday atthe Bangalore Stock Exchange. According to marketmen, ITC was in good demand on Monday. The turnover on the bourse stood at Rs 17.37 crore. SBI fell to Rs 295.35 (Rs 297) on heavy selling pressure while ITC was firm at Rs 765.15 (Rs 760.05). Reliance and Tisco were marginally lower at Rs 191.50 (Rs 191.60) and Rs 160.30 (Rs 161.10).

Skindia Index up 1.51%: The Skindia GDR Index moved up by 1.51 per cent from 999.93 to 1,015.01 on April 10. The Skindia GDR Index p/e ratio was 22.21 on April 10 compared with 21.94 on April 9. The top gainers were CESC, Arvind Mills and Indo Gulf which quoted at $1.50 ($1.15), $2.10 ($1.90) and $1.30 ($1.20) respectively.

Jakarta stocks end down: Jakarta stocks ended down on Monday as the strengthening of the rupiah weakened sentiment on some dollar-earning blue chips, brokers said. The composite index ended down 3.52 points, or 0.67 per cent, at 524.06 points on an estimated total turnover of 444 billion rupiah. Decliners led advancers by 70 to 56 with 75unchanged.

KL key stocks down in thin trade: Kuala Lumpur's main blue chips ended an uninspired, thinly-traded session down nearly one per cent, with more declines seen over the near-term amid a dearth of good news, dealers said. At the close, the Composite Index of 100 blue chips was down 0.92 per cent or 6.21 points to 666.93.

Call ends at 6.75%: Call money ended on Monday at around 6.75 per cent, slightly down from the day's open of 7 per cent amid ample liquidity, dealers said. There were stray deals at 6.5 per cent, they said. Most deals were struck for two-day money since banks are closed on Tuesday for Ambedkar Jayanti.

Rupee loses ground vs dollar: The rupee lost 10 paise against the greenback on hectic demand and shortage of funds in the forex market on Monday. Opening at 39.51/54 on demand from corporate sectors and banks, the dollar gradually went up to 39.54/56. The dollar moved up to 39.62/63 before closing to 39.60/62, dealers said.

Silver recovers, goldunchanged: Silver prices recovered on the local bullion market on Monday following higher overseas advices and poor arrivals. Ready silver and raw silver recovered by Rs 90 each to close at Rs 8,940 and Rs 8,840. Standard gold closed unchanged at Rs 4,250.