BSE session hit by snag: Trading on the BSE started at 12.55 pm on Tuesday due to a snag in the airconditioning system. The session had to be rescheduled between 12.55 pm and 4 pm due to the malfunctioning of airconditioning units which affected the trading system. According to BSE executive director RC Mathur, though the trading began at 9.30 pm, it was discontinued three minutes later as the malfunctioning of airconditioner units led to the temperature in the computer room rise to unsafe levels.No-delivery period in Infosys extended: BSE has decided to extend the no-delivery period in the demat segment of InfosysTechnology up to settlement number 36 ie, May 21. The action follows an intimation by NSDL to this effect.

No-delivery period revised: As per the revised schedule of the no-delivery period (ND) decided by the market-operations department of BSE, the ND period for the settlement ended May 18 would be held between May 20 and June 14 (both days inclusive). However, the other dates like trading days, payin and payouts pertaining to the above-mentioned settlement would remain unchanged.

BSE special margins: BSE has decided to impose special margins on the following equity shares with effect from May 12: Barasia Holding (Rs 30), Bell South (Rs 13), Himachal Futuristic (Rs 10), Nucleus Software (Rs 6), Pertech Computers (Rs 4), Ram Informat (Rs 4), RS Software (Rs 15), Silverline Industries (Rs 18) and Tasty Bite (Rs 5).

Aimco Pesticides board meet: The board of Aimco Pesticides Ltd will meet on May 29 to take on record the unaudited financial results (provisional) for the six months endedMarch 31, 1998.

Nifty loses 28 points: Pivotals lost ground on heavy selling pressure from foreign and domestic institutions on the NSE on Tuesday. The NSE-50 Index closed at 1,132.25, down 28.05 points from the previous close. The Mid-cap Index fell by 68.25 points from the previous close of 1,630.15. The total turnover on the exchange stood at Rs 2,272.93 crore.

CSE shares end down: Although share prices started on a firm note at the Calcutta Stock Exchange on Tuesday, there was a sharp reaction subsequently. The selling pressure came from BSE and spread to the other bourses as bull operators squared up their commitments. The 40-share CSE Index finished the day at 2,195.18 points after fluctuating between 2,250.56 and 2,156.86 points.

BgSE shares slump: Share prices slumped at the Bangalore Stock Exchange on Tuesday. According to marketmen, the likely fallout of the Pokhran nuclear tests acted as a sentiment dampener. The turnover on the bourse stood at Rs 37.19 crore. ITC fell toRs 775 (Rs 784), BFL Software to Rs 307 (Rs 332), SBI to Rs 266.05 (Rs 279.70), Reliance to Rs 185 (Rs 187) and Tisco to Rs 153.35 (Rs 157).

MSE Index loses 39 points: Pivotals lost ground on the Madras Stock Exchange on Tuesday, reacting to the nuclear tests conducted on Monday. Reflecting the weak undertone in the market, the MSE Index moved in a narrow band of 4,221.88-4,233.88. The index dropped by 39.27 points to close at 4,234.69 points. Satyam Computer shed Rs 31.50 to Rs 480.70, DSQ Software by Rs 12.05 to Rs 171.45 and Software Solution by Rs 26.65 to Rs 291.55.

Skindia Index up 0.66%: The Skindia GDR Index increased by 0.66 per cent from 941.91 to 948.12 on May 11. The Skindia GDR Index p/e ratio was 20.81 on May 11 compared with 20.79 on May 8. The top gainers were Indo Gulf, JK Corp and Arvind Mills which quoted at $1.35 ($1.10), $0.75 ($0.65) and $1.90 ($1.70) respectively. Losers included Dr Reddy's Labs, EI Hotels and Indian Hotels.

HK stocks close sharply lower: HongKong stocks closed sharply down on Tuesday, battered by a fall in index futures and fears of a Wall Street retreat later in the day, brokers said. The blue chip Hang Seng Index dropped 254.86 points, or 2.52 per cent, to finish at 9,841.51. Market turnover was HK $4.98 billion, compared with HK $3.62billion on Monday.

KL shares end lower on brokerage fears: Malaysian shares closed lower on Tuesday as several regional markets also slipped, and fears of more weakness in the local stock broking industry kept investors wary, dealers and analysts said. By the close the benchmark Composite Index lost 10.88 points, or 1.88 per cent to 569.17, after dipping to 567.81 in late afternoon trade.

Call rate ends at 6.5%: The short-term interest rates ruled steady at the interbank call money market on Tuesday. The interest rates opened at 6.00-6.10 per cent and moved in a narrow range most of the day before closing slightly higher at 6.25-6.50 per cent, dealers said.

Rupee steady vs dollar: Theforward dollar premia quoted sharply higher while the spot rupee remained steady on the forex market on Tuesday. The rupee opened at 39.76/79 and moved up a little on demand from the corporate sector. According to dealers, SBI sold dollars heavily which saw the rupee finally closed at 39.67/77.

Silver, gold lose value: Both the precious metals declined on the bullion market on Tuesday on heavy offerings by stockists. Silver ready of .999 fineness dropped to Rs 8,190 from Rs 8,285. Raw silver of .916 fineness slumped to Rs 8,085 from Rs 8,185. Standard and 22-carat gold declined by Rs 15 each to Rs 4,080 and Rs 3,775.

Groundnut oil firms up: Edible oils firmed up in an otherwise dull and listless oilseeds market on Tuesday. Groundnut oil firmed up by a rupee to Rs 436. Imported palm oil rose sharply from Rs 398 to Rs 402 per 10 kg.