The Hindu Business Line : <i>Ho jayegi balle balle! </i>

On one side, equity traders are protesting against the new transaction tax, and on the other, debt markets is at a virtual halt. Yet, Khan, Dakshinamoorthy, Sridevi and Jogin gather enough strength for market gappa.

Jog: Will he, won't he? All eyes are on PC.

Dax: He's not Sinha to roll back the transaction tax.

Sri: Hi, everybody! If FM's clarification is favourable, market will go up.

Kay: That will be a short-term phenomenon. Yet, it is good to book profits.

Dax: Big daddy Infosys declares first quarter FY05 numbers on Tuesday.

Sri: If MphasiS' numbers are an index, Infy should report strong earnings. JMO.

Kay: Don't forget that Infy is a very closely watched stock. It will give direction for IT stocks. The numbers could also set the tone for what results we can expect from Wipro and Satyam.

Jog: Budget hangover is likely to persist when market opens today.

Sri: In the absence of any compelling triggers, stocks that are perceived to benefit from the Budget announcement are likely to remain in the news.

Dax: I'm watching Mahindra & Mahindra, Punjab Tractors. Ho jayegi, balle, balle!

Kay: Also, keep in mind Alfa Laval for dairy processing; Bharat Electronics for defence; and shipping stocks GE Shipping and Shipping Corporation.

Sri: You know what I got from ploughing data? VST Tillers! They make tractors, but P/E ratio is lower than M&M's. CMP (catch my point!)

Dax: Samtel Color stock is also good. Last week company came out with good results. Good for long-term investors. :-)

Jog: Textiles are in the spotlight after the FM gave many sops on Thursday.

Sri: Here's a list I spun off just now: Arvind Mills, Raymond, Vardhman Spinning and Mahaveer Spinning. A few stocks that could rule firm.

Kay: I'm worried about monsoon. There is negative news already trickling in about it being 10 per cent below normal.

Jog: Any further such news could dampen sentiment towards stocks such as Hindustan Lever and other FMCG players.

Sri: If clouds fail to rain, hunger will strangle the world, girded though by vast seas.

Kay: Never knew you were so wise, Sri!

Dax: That's a quote from Thirukkural. Give credit to Thiruvalluvar, not to Sri!

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Lee, with inputs from Vir and Nat.

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