Funds buy into Archies Greetings stock
Institutions and mutual funds have steadily increased their holding in Archies Greetings and Gifts to around 12-15 per cent. Birla Mutual Fund and SBI Mutual Fund have hiked their stake in this Delhi-based company, which has a small equity base of Rs 3.2 crore. The two funds together hold 8-10 per cent of the equity.

20th Century Finance Corp debt programme downgraded to FA+
The Credit Rating Information Services of India Ltd (Crisil) has downgraded the fixed deposit (FD) programme of 20th Century Finance Corporation (TCFC) to FA+ from FAA+. The rating indicates adequate safety. Crisil has also assigned a P1 rating to the Rs 50 crore commercial paper (CP) programme of TCFC.

MSE to start trading on BOLT soon
The Madras Stock Exchange (MSE) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) for expansion of its on-line trading facility (BOLT) into Chennai. This will enable members of MSE to trade in BSE.

  Soft commodities to remain quiet
  LME base metals rangebound on low Asian trades
  Thai sugar dull on weak Asian buying
  Asia cocoa market depressed
  Chemicals sector gears up for on-line trade
  Commodity Briefing
  Castorseed, oil shoot up further; gold ends lower
  Brokers push paperless trades
  Institutions make select purchases at pharma scrips; Sensex up 28 points
  Market Briefing
  Wait for clearer signals to emerge
  Software scrips lead recovery on Delhi bourse
  Short-term money-market instrument rates firm up
  Market Round-Up