The Nocil scrip flared up once again on the bourses as the Mafatlals-owned company was rumoured to have closed in on a much-awaited deal with a subsidiary of Shell, the giant multinational petrochemicals company. It is believed that the Mafatlals are close to inking the deal, said sources close to the group. The Nocil scrip opened at Rs 49.15 at the BSE and closed at Rs 54 on huge volumes of 25 lakh shares on Monday. On Saturday, the scrip flared up on the kerb to Rs 54.50 against its official close of Rs 49.15. On last Friday, too, the scrip jumped by Rs 2.40 to Rs 49.15 on volumes of 10.85 lakh shares on the BSE. The scrip moved up by Rs 1.25 to Rs 48.35 on the NSE on Friday.

BSE gets nod to spread BOLT to Vadodara: Sebi has cleared the expansion of BSE to Vadodara. The market regulator has cleared the memorandum of understanding entered into by BSE and the Vadodara Stock Exchange, as stipulated under the Sebi guidelines. This is the fifth stockexchange after Pune, Calcutta, Rajkot and Ahmedabad where BOLT terminals will be allowed to operate.

NSE application renewed: Sebi has approved the recognition of the National Stock Exchange for another five years. NSE, the premier stock exchange in the country, was given recognition under the SCRA for five years ending April 25, 1998. NSE had made a renewal application and has been granted approval till April 25, 2003.

BSE closed today: The Bombay Stock Exchange will remain closed on April 28 for `Chhatrapati Shivaji Jayanti'.

Fag Precision alters accounting year: The following companies have changed their accounting year: Fag Precision Bearings (March 31, 1998 to December 31, 1998), Vardhaman Wires & Polymers (June 30, 1997 to March 31, 1998), Orissa Extrusions (March 31, 1997 to June 30, 1998), Indo Gulf Industries (March 31, 1997 to June 30, 1998), Aachal Alloys (March 31, 1997 to June 30, 1998), Octonorm India (March 31, 1997 to September 30, 1998) and Alsa Constructions andHousing (March 31, 1997 to September 30, 1998).

BSE margin on Pertech Computer shares: BSE has decided to impose special margins on the following stocks with effect from April 27: Altos India (Rs 4), Barasia Holdings (Rs 30), Bell South (Rs 11), BFL Software (Rs 60), 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 6), Pertech Computer (Rs 4), RS Software (Rs 13), Ram Informat (Rs 5), Ras Propack (Rs 3), Sierra Optima (Rs 32), Silverline Industries (Rs 16), Softrak Technology (Rs 4), Svam Soft (Rs 3) and Tasty Bite (Rs 6).

MSE Index down 27 points: Equities declined on the Madras Stock Exchange on Monday. The MSE Share Price Index moved down by 26.96 points to close at 4,233.47 points. Satyam Computers declined by Rs 11.95 to Rs 447.90, Software Solutions by Rs 11.85 to Rs 257.00, ACC by Rs 5.35 to Rs 1,552.85, India Cements by Rs 5.30 to Rs 63.65 and Ashok Leyland by Rs 2.50 to Rs 50.

DSE Indexup 21 points: Equities recovered on the Delhi Stock Exchange on Monday, buoyed by the results announced by Reliance Industries. Brokers said the market was now awaiting the credit policy to be announced by RBI on Wednesday. The DSE benchmark index ended at 895.60 points, up 20.84 points over the previous close.

OTCEI shares end higher: Share prices gained ground on the OTCEI on Monday on brisk buying activity. The OTCEI Composite Index opened steady at 107.28 but rallied to end at 111.04, up 3.76 points over the previous close.

BgSE shares end down: Equities declined at the Bangalore Stock Exchange on Monday. According to marketmen, there were very few fresh advices. The turnover on the bourse stood at Rs 15.35 crore. ITC fell to Rs 770.90 from an opening of Rs 776.35. Reliance, SBI and Tisco were quoted at Rs 186.80 (Rs 191), Rs 295.70 (Rs 297.75) and Rs 148.50 (Rs 152.50) while Corporation Bank was picked up at Rs 140.25 (Rs 143). Software scrips sought lower levels with BFL Softwareclosing at Rs 236 (Rs 240) and Satyam Computers at Rs 449.60 (rs 460).

NSE debt market turnover at Rs 745 cr: The wholesale debt market of the NSE witnessed trading worth Rs 744.94 crore on Monday. The zero coupon government bond maturing in 2000 was traded at a weighted yield of 10.09 per cent for Rs 75 crore. The 11.10 per cent government stock maturing in 2003 was traded for Rs 89 crore at a weighted yield of 11 per cent.

Skindia Index loses 0.37%: The Skindia GDR Index dropped by 0.37 per cent from 941.43 to 937.95 on April 24. The Skindia GDR Index p/e ratio was 20.34 on April 24 compared with 20.39 on April 23. The top gainers were Bajaj Auto, EI Hotels and Videocon International which quoted at $18.75 ($18.00) $12.25 ($12.00) and $2.55 ($2.50) respectively. Losers included SIV Industries, SAIL and IPCL.

Rupee weakens vs dollar: The rupee opened at 39.70/71 on Monday, unchanged from its previous close. It stayed firm for most part of the day, but dipped to 39.75 owing to theState Bank of India (SBI) dollar-buying. The SBI was in the market to buy dollars for its public sector clients, dealers said. Most deals were struck at 39.70/71. The rupee closed at 39.73/74.

Call rate ends at 7%: The overnight call money market witnessed comfortable conditions on Monday owing to ample liquidity, despite good demand for funds to cover positions at the beginning of the fortnight trading. The call rates opened at 7-7.05 per cent and dipped to 6.75-7 per cent at the close owing to excess funds in the system.

Gold, silver drop further: Prices of both gold and silver lost further ground on the local bullion market on Monday on lack of demand coupled with increased arrivals. Standard gold fell by Rs 15 to close at Rs 4,240. 22-carat gold lost Rs 10 to end at Rs 3,925. Ready silver of .999 fineness eased by Rs 15 to Rs 8,725 on weak overseas advices.

Metal prices end unchanged: Metal prices showed little change on the non-ferrous metals market on Monday on restrictedactivity. Copper scrap heavy ended unchanged at Rs 108.50 (Rs 108.50), brass scrap at Rs 85.25 (Rs 85.25), aluminium scrap at Rs 62.00 (Rs 62.00), zinc at Rs 73.50 (Rs 73.50) and lead at Rs 41.25 (Rs 41.25).