Individual stocks buzz even as indices take a breather

Even as benchmark indices take a breather after a spectacular rise, select stocks and sectors continue to buzz. Blue-chip shares such as Coal India, Maruti Suzuki and Titan Industries gained sharply on Thursday even as the benchmark indices ended flat. Reports about a possible break-up to allow higher foreign investor participation led to a nearly five per cent surge in Coal India. The country's leading car maker Maruti Suzuki gained after brokerage CLSA said the company's stock price could double in three years as the personal vehicle industry volume grows due to pent-up demand if the economy picks up. Real estate companies, including DLF and Unitech, added strong gains on hopes that the government will announce an ambitious plan of building 100 new cities. Meanwhile, the Sensex gained 76 points to close at 24,374, while the Nifty closed at a record high of 7,276, up 23 points.