The Budget announced in late February has given a definite direction to the stock markets, at least for the short term. The markets have taken kindly to the Budget, and are in a strong uptrend. Indeed, market sentiments have improved drastically from the pre-Budget days. Several stocks have benefited from the Budget proposals and are riding the wave of optimism.

The biggest gainer post-budget is Ferro Alloys Corporation Ltd, which has surged 75%. It closed at Rs11.14 on 25 February 2010 and was at Rs19.51on 5 March 2010. With the 2% hike in Central excise duty, steel prices are set to rise further, which will boost the revenues of Ferro Alloys Corp.

Sulzer India was trading at Rs785.50 on the day before the Budget. It rose to Rs1243.65 on 5^th March, registering a phenomenal rise of 58% in one week. The manufacturer of mass transfer devices has gained on account of its delisting plans. Its parent company, Sulzer, which currently holds 80% stake in its Indian arm, wants to acquire the remaining 20% at
Rs870 per share.

The excise hike has also benefitted Lloyds Steel Industries Ltd and Surana Industries Ltd, which have gained 29% and 24% respectively.

Narmada Gelatines Ltd has witnessed a rise of 40% while ADF Foods has surged 28% over this period.

Software and IT services companies Tricom India Ltd and Zenith Infotech Ltd have witnessed a 27% gain each post-Budget. Shares of Tricom India, a non-voice business outsourcing company, surged on the anticipation of bagging multi-year contracts. Deutsche International Trust Corporation picked up 0.348 million equity shares of the company last week.

Mukand Engineers Ltd and Petron Engineering Construction Ltd have gained 27% and 26% respectively. Amrutanjan Health Care Ltd has jumped 25% from Rs560.35 to Rs699.95.

On the other hand, some stocks have lost out after the Budget announcement. Kernex Microsystems (India) Ltd and Kalindee Rail Nirman (Engineers) Ltd have taken a negative view of the lacklustre Railway Budget. While Kernex Microsystems has lost 17% post-Budget, Kalindee has fallen 10%.

Steel products manufacturer Zenith Birla (India) Ltd and telecom solutions provider ADC India Communications Ltd (formerly KRONE Communications) have slipped 14% and 12% respectively.

Shree Ashtavinayak Cine Vision Ltd and Delton Cables Ltd have fallen 11% each. Amongst the other losers are STI India Ltd (-9%), Gemini Communication Ltd (-9%), Indian Acrylics Ltd (-8%) and AI Champdany Industries Ltd (-8%).

Between 25 February and 5 March 2010, each BSE index (BSE 100, BSE 200, BSE 500 and BSE Sensex) has registered a gain of 5%. The Sensex has risen from 16,254 to 16,994. The average gain in the Moneylife sample of companies is 6%.  
— Moneylife Digital Team