Under these contradicting influences, prices did advance further in several scrips that had turned active in the last three days. Alternately, they moved down a bit, but not the entire eight per cent allowed for a day. On the Mumbai Stock Exchange (BSE), the number of advances went down from 561 to 419 and the number of declines went up from 446 to 661. On the National Stock Exchange (NSE), the number of advances went down from 606 to 355 and that of declines moved up from 302 to 535.

The stochastic indicator on the Sensex daily charts is still in positive territory, above its trigger line. As can be seen in the chart, the day's movement were fully engulfed in the previousday's range and that too on the upper side. Many of the Sensex heavyweights, like HLL, HPCL, Hindalco and Sail have stayed firm. Bajaj Auto reacted mildly and BHEL a little more. But both the scrips have retained their buoyancy.

Friday's trading could be influenced by several factors. Unwinding of positions might already be in progress. So it is difficult to predict any heightened trend for unwinding. On the other hand, you must consider this. Next week, NSE could be open for trading on a day when BSE is closed. At such times operators take full advantage.

You must build for this factor while reviewing your position on Friday. Picking up attractive scrips on the low during any dips could ultimately put you in profit, even after paying badla. HLL, Hindalco, HPCL, Reliance and Sail are showing their capacity to resist to further fall.