The Hindu Business Line : A time to gain, a time to lose

Euro 2004 on one side and work demands on the other, Dakshinamoorthy, Sridevi, Jogin and Khan still find time to power up their PCs to do a market gossip. Join in.

Jog: There is a season. Turn, turn, turn!

Sri: Hey, that's a Pete Seeger favourite of mine. A time to gain, a time to lose! Before Budget there could be some profits too.

Kay: After almost 4 weeks, market closed in positive territory on Friday. Should open firm today. Be ready for big buying in steel stocks.

Dax: Uncertainty over steel prices might go? I'm looking at SAIL and Tata Steel.

Jog: A time to plant, a time to reap. So, I'm trying out i-flex and Maruti. :-)

Kay: Still singing! Ongoing recovery may not take the index past historic Jan highs. That's one view.

Sri: Motorcycle numbers should be out by Thursday. Good numbers likely for Hero Honda.

Dax: Sri, you're talking of bikes? Centra may provide impetus to TVS, but at the expense of Victor.

Jog: Pharma stocks Divi, Dishman, Cipla and Ranbaxy fell over the last 10 days. More drubbing than due.

Sri: Kay, what do you say about raid on bureaucrats?

Kay: Means government means business. Market is positive. Some are hoping for a new VDIS.

Dax: Hutch's acquisition of Aircel in TN might keep Bharti's stock on a leash.

Jog: But the TRAI proposal on ADC charges might impact MTNL negatively.

Kay: Power is getting positive signals. Good for equipment makers too. TV-18's second rights offer. Any ideas, anybody?

Dax: Too soon in two years. May not be received well. Let's talk banks.

Sri: Last week, it was delivery-based buying in bank stocks. Union Bank, Canara Bank, OBC, PNB, SBI. Nobody is reacting to Reddy's London speech on convertibility!

Jog: That reminds me. Dr. Reddy's, Ranbaxy, Aurobindo may be top picks at lower levels. IPCA could be a dark horse buy candidate for the short-term.

Dax: I'm worried inflation would go up and cross 6 per cent, putting pressure on bank stocks.

Kay: Best way is to buy on Monday and sell by Friday.

Jog: Tata Tea is a long-term buy. Good results. Also India may soon send more chai to Pakistan! Nargis!

Sri: Budget bola? Sub-1000 hotel of Tata is exciting!

Watch Indian Hotels. Occupancy in 5-star properties is healthy even in slack season.

Jog: I think we should go there on a holiday after we make enough money in the markets. LOL

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Lee, with inputs from Vir, Ace, Jay and Nat.

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