Frenzied buying in HFCL scrip: The markets are agog with the rumour that global telecom major British Telecommunications (BT) is going to pick up a 20-30 per cent stake in Himachal Futuristic Communications Ltd. BT is expected to pick up shares of Himachal Futuristic at around Rs 105-150. HFCL's scrip has been attracting a circuit filter in the past two trading sessions. On Monday, HFCL's scrip attracted a buyer freeze at Rs 31.60 (volume 4 lakh shares).

Impressive performance by Archies: Archies greets its shareholders withanother successful year of operations. While the turnover has increased by 35 per cent to Rs 46 crore, net profit has jumped by 91 per cent to Rs 4.75 crore. Not only has the company met the projections made during the public issue in 1996, it has also managed to record a CAGR of over 30 per cent in sales and around 72 in net profit for the past three years.

Credit Agricole Indosuez: Credit Agricole Indosuez shall henceforth cease to carry out its activities as bankers to an issue, according to Sebi. The validity of the erstwhile Banque Indosuez's certificate of registration as bankers to an issue with Sebi had expired on November 30, 1997, and the bank had applied for a renewal of certificate of registration which was subsequently withdrawn, a release issued by the regulator said on Monday.

IDBI bonds: BSE will admit to dealings new securities of IDBI (unsecured redeemable bonds flexibonds-3) from May 5 in `F' group in a market lot of 1 bond of a face value of Rs 5,000.

Accounting yearchanges: The following companies have changed their accounting year as follows: Tata Advanced Materials (March 31, 1997 to September 30, 1998), Vishwas Steels (March 31, 1997 to June 30, 1998), Worldlink Finance (December 31, 1996 to March 31, 1998), Velan Hotels (June 30, 1997 to March 31, 1998), ICDS (March 31, 1997 to December 31, 1997) and Jost's Engineering Company (March 31, 1997 to September 30, 1998).

BSE to keep circuit filter in Cipla open: BSE has decided to keep open the daily and weekly circuit filter in the equity shares of Cipla Ltd (rights issue) to enable the stock to trade at a realistic price. The scrip was last traded at Rs 560 on June 20, 1997.

Special margin on BFL Software shares: BSE has imposed special margins on the following securities with effect from May 4: Barasia Holdings (Rs 30), Bell South (Rs 10), BFL Software (Rs 70), Globe Stock (Rs 7), Haryana Metals (Rs 50), Himachal Futuristic (Rs 8), Indo Rama Synthetics (Rs 6), Nucleus Software (Rs 6), PertechComputer (Rs 4), RS Software (Rs 12), Ram Informat (Rs 4), Ras Propack (Rs 3), Sierra Optima (Rs 30), Silverline Industries (Rs 16), Softrak Industries (Rs 2), Svam Software (Rs 3) and Tasty Bite (Rs 5).

Nifty rises by 26 points: Stock prices rallied on the NSE on Monday following fresh buying by operators and foreign funds. About 129 securities hit their price bands. The NSE-50 Index settled at 1,185.15, up 25.80 points over the previous close. The Mid-cap index zoomed by 81.10 points to end at 1,670.00 points. The total turnover on the bourse stood at Rs 1,517.88 crore.

OTCEI Index ends unchanged: Share prices displayed a steady trend on the OTCEI on Monday on restricted activity. The OTCEI Composite Index opened at 110.94 and after moving in a narrow band, closed at the same level, showing no change from the previous close.

CSE shares gain ground: Equities staged a smart rally on the Calcutta Stock Exchange on Monday following active buying support in select pivotals. The40-share CSE index closed higher at 2,295.86 points after hovering between 2,297.24 and 2,213.04 points. ITC ended at Rs 811.20, Tisco at Rs 156.40 and Telco at Rs 285.80.

BgSE shares finish steady: Equities witnessed a steady trend at the Bangalore Stock Exchange on Monday. According to marketmen, there was good buying in pivotals like ITC. The turnover on the bourse stood at Rs 23.87 crore. ITC closed higher at Rs 810.10 from an opening of Rs 796.85 while BFL Software and Satyam Computers soared to Rs 330 (Rs 319) and Rs 517.20 (Rs 470). SBI, on the other hand, ended lower at Rs 290.35 (Rs 291.25).

MSE Index jumps 65 points: Equities gained ground on the Madras Stock Exchange on Monday. The MSE Share Price Index firmed up by 65.10 points to close at 4,314.90. ITC moved up to Rs 807.40 from Rs 788.35, Pond's to Rs 1,214.65 from Rs 1,158.75 and Satyam Computer to Rs 508.30 from Rs 463.90. ACC rose by Rs 66.50 to Rs 1,616.40, Telco Rs 4.50 to Rs 282.80 and Reliance Rs 3.45 to Rs194.45.

Skindia Index up 2.71%: The Skindia GDR Index moved up by 2.71 per cent from 928.42 to 953.54 on May 1. The Skindia GDR Index p/e ratio was 20.88 on April 1 compared with 20.47 on April 30. The top gainers were Indo Gulf, CESC and Arvind Mills which quoted at $1.35 ($1.10), $1.35 ($1.20) and $1.85 ($1.65) respectively.

Call rates end at 6%: The overnight call money market witnessed an extremely easy trend on Monday owing to plenty of loose liquidity in the system to meet the limited demand of borrowers. The call rates opened at 6.00-6.05 per cent and dipped to 5.75-6.00 per cent at the close. Most of the business was done at 5.90-6.00 per cent.

Rupee ends little changed: The inter-bank spot market witnessed dull conditions on Monday as there was little corporate demand for the greenback. The rupee opened at 39.72/73, unchanged from its previous close. The dollar traded in a narrow band of 39.72-39.73 till mid-session before closing at 39.74.

Silver, gold upslightly: Silver and gold prices improved marginally on the local bullion market on Monday. Silver of .999 fineness and tenderable silver edged up by Rs 10 each to end at Rs 8,650 and Rs 8,655. Standard gold looked up by Rs 5 to close at Rs 4,160.