AUG 8 FRIDAY

STOCKS END HIGHER AMID VOLATILITY

Shares closed higher on Thursday after a volatile sessionwith

traders taking profits at highs and investors lookingfor bargains

at lows.The Bombay Stock Exchange's 30 stock sensitive index ,or

sensex rose by 0.3 % to end at 15117.25.It opened weak as profit

taking continued from the closing hour of trade on Wednesday ,

taking the markets down to 14,992.97 before bargain hunters

took it to an intra day high of 15280.06.On the National Stock

Exchange the 50 stock S&P CNX Nifty closed flat at Rs 4523.85

.Automobile makers gained as traders bought on expectations that

vehicle sales are likely to receivea much needed boost with the

Indian festival seasonkicking off from September , typically the

time whensales are high.

Shares were also helped by hopes that falling crude prices may help

stall inflation , which may prompt the Central Bank to keep intrest

rates steady.

GAINERS OF THE DAY

Tata Motors rose 4. 1 % TO Rs 444.20

Mahindra rose 2.5 % to Rs 575.95

Maruti Suzuki closed 2.4 % higher to close at Rs 668.55

LOSERS OF THE DAY

Bharati Airtel fell 2.5 % to Rs 850.15

Reliance Communication declined 1.8 % to Rs 438.55

Idea Cellular closed 0.4 % lower at Rs 89.15