Five stocks attracted backwardation charges on the BSE. Satyam Computers and Castrol hogged the limelight with the two stocks reporting higher backwardation charges of Rs 4.80 and Rs 4.20, respectively. Market sources said, the rise in backwardation indicated delivery-based buying at these counters. "Although punters have gone short at the counters, the selling has been absorbed by genuine investors which has led to a shortage of the stock and, hence, the higher backwardation charges," explained a BSE broker.

During the initial stages of the badla session, Rhone Poulenc attracted backwardation charges of Rs 2. However, in the final countdown the stock attracted a carryforward charge of Rs 1.93(weighted average) based on its hawala price of Rs 725. Similarly, Tamilnadu Newsprint also attracted a backwardation charge of Rs 0.10. Interestingly, UTI Mastergain attracted a backwardation charge of Rs 0.05, with a negligible outstanding quantity of 200 shares. The weighted average badla charge was however pegged at Rs 0.01.

"The undertone of the market is strong. Tata group stocks are bound to be in the limelight during the next week," said BSE broker Neel Dalal. News of Tisco's cement division being sold to Lafarge for Rs 550 crore went down well with the market. Expectations of a complete turnaround by the year 2000 led to a sharp surge in the stock price at the kerb markets. Against its official close of Rs 97 on the BSE, the stock was traded at Rs 105 on the kerb on Saturday evening.

Among the infotech stocks, Infosys Technologies attracted a carryforward charge of Rs 7.10 (weighted average) with its outstanding quantity marked at a high of 44,500 shares on the BSE.

Pivotals continued towitness lacklustre trades at the carryforward session.