Software Gains, Carbon Black Loses

In this issue, the Barometer looks at how the industry indices behaved in 1997. Only 17 indices gained while 46 dropped over the previous year's close on December 24, 1996. Among the gainers are computer-software, auto-2&3 wheelers, tea, personal care and pharmaceutical-MNCs. The major losers are carbon black, white goods, plastics and electrical equipment.

Computer software industry index rose 196 per cent over last year's close. Infosys has gained Rs 756.40 to Rs 1175, Satyam rose Rs 129.25 to Rs 165.25 and Tata Infotech was up Rs 521.87 to Rs 664 (adjusted for bonus). Leading Edge was the biggest gainer rising Rs 266 to Rs 310.50.

Auto-2&3 wheelers also gained 86.92 per cent over the previous year. Hero Honda rose Rs 644 to Rs 889, Kinetic Honda was up Rs 52.50 to Rs 136 and LML picked up Rs 59.50 to Rs 96.50. Bajaj Auto gained Rs 30.37 to Rs 606 (adjusted for bonus). Tea was up with Tata Tea rising Rs 208.75 to Rs 403.50.

Personal care was up. Ponds gained Rs 583.35 to Rs 993 and Reckitt & Colman rose Rs 204.25 to Rs 389.75. Procter & Gamble was up Rs 184.46 to Rs 521.50. Pharmaceuticals-MNC also gained. Glaxo rose Rs 163 to Rs 413, Knoll Pharmaceu-ticals was up Rs 165 to Rs 610. SmithKline Beecham Pharma gained Rs 235.50 to Rs 515.50 .

Carbon black was the biggest loser, down 62.68 per cent. Cabot India lost Rs 120.25 to Rs 69 and Philips Carbon shed Rs 37.75 to Rs 18. In white goods, IFB lost Rs 33.40 to Rs 14.60, Whirlpool was down Rs 19.50 to Rs 22.50 and Videocon Appliances dropped Rs 11.75 to Rs 12.10.

Plastics lost value with Jain Irrigation losing Rs 31.55 to Rs 14.20 and Padmini Polymers dropping Rs 22.74 to Rs 20 (adjusted for bonus). Electrical equipment was also down. Bharat Bijlee lost Rs 968.50 to Rs 261.50 and Crompton Greaves drop-ped Rs 82.75 to Rs 27. Bhel gained Rs 139 to Rs 347.