Motilal Oswal has come out with its report on Auto Sector.

Indian equity benchmarks slipped again amid a choppy trade at 14:11 hours, led by profit booking in oil & gas, metal and technology (except TCS) companies' shares.

Steel Strips Wheels February wheel rim sales were at 8.42 lakh units versus 7.04 lakh units, YoY. Its February wheel rim exports were at 74,970 units versus 56,363 units, YoY, reports CNBC-TV18. It touched an intraday high of Rs 286 and an intraday low of Rs 265.25. At 13:56 hrs the share was quoting at Rs 276.60, up Rs 4.40, or 1.62%.

National Aluminium Company (NALCO) is planning stock split, bonus issue, reports CNBC-TV18. It touched a 52-week high of Rs 455. At 13:55 hrs the share was quoting at Rs 448.90, up Rs 21.55, or 5.04%.

Canaan Partners, a multi-billion dollar global venture capital firm, has announced the appointment of Rahul Khanna as a Managing Director of Canaan India.

Ashok Leyland February total sales were at 9,800 units versus 7,869 units, YoY. Its Feb exports were at 816 units versus 777 units, YoY, reports CNBC-TV18. It touched an intraday high of Rs 53.90 and an intraday low of Rs 50.85. At 13:46 hrs the share was quoting at Rs 53, up Rs 0.95, or 1.83%.

Hindustan Dorr-Oliver has got order worth Rs 128 crore, reports CNBC-TV18. It touched an intraday high of Rs 86.85 and an intraday low of Rs 80.35. At 13:45 hrs the share was quoting at Rs 86.65, up Rs 4.05, or 4.90%.

Essar Shipping Ports & Logistics touched an intraday high of Rs 81.25 and an intraday low of Rs 73.90. At 13:42 hrs the share was quoting at Rs 81.25, up Rs 7.35, or 9.95%. Gujarat High Court has approved demerger of Essar Shipping Ports & Logistics, reports CNBC-TV18.

Assam Companyhas acquired 70% stake in Colombian Oil & Gas Company, reports CNBC-TV18. It touched an intraday high of Rs 17.25 and an intraday low of Rs 15. At 13:39 hrs the share was quoting at Rs 16.90, up Rs 1.45, or 9.39%.

ARSS Infrastructure Projects has received a new work order from NTPC Ltd on March 1, 2011 for Rs 46.11 crore. It touched an intraday high of Rs 649.80 and an intraday low of Rs 597. At 13:38 hrs the share was quoting at Rs 632.95, up Rs 15.20, or 2.46%.

Banking stocks rally on buzz of cabinet approval to Banking Regulation Amendment Bill.

Dun & Bradstreet (D&B) has come out with its report on Union Budget 2011-12.

Trading in Bajaj Finserv shares was frozen at the upper end of the 20% intra-day circuit filter for want of sellers. Investors are betting that the company will benefit from Warren Buffet-owned Berkshire Hathaway’s tie-up with Bajaj Alliaz General Insurance—a subsidiary of Bajaj Finserv--for selling insurance products in India.

For over 50 years, one of the last great European collections of Chinese imperial ceramics has lain cloistered with an intensely private family in Switzerland, closed to the eyes of all but a handful of insiders.

Ireland know that they cannot bask too long in the glory of having pulled off the most successful run chase in World Cup history if they are to replicate their performance of four years ago.

Piramal Healthcare buyback offer has opened today and will close on March 24, reports CNBC-TV18. It touched an intraday high of Rs 469.75 and an intraday low of Rs 458. At 12:58 hrs the share was quoting at Rs 466, up Rs 6.70, or 1.46%.

Upbeat US economic news helped lift Asian stock markets on Thursday, while crude oil prices fell in choppy trade on reports of a possible peace deal for Libya.

Indian equity benchmarks showed a rebound in afternoon trade after the Libyan leader Gaddafi has accepted peace plan to end crisis in Libya. The Sensex has recovered more than 250 points from day's low to trade in green amid volatility at 12:45 hours.

Infrastructure Development Finance Company (IDFC) was the top loser on the Nifty. It touched an intraday high of Rs 151.95 and an intraday low of Rs 147.60. At 12:43 hrs the share was quoting at Rs 147.65, down Rs 5.85, or 3.81%.

Welspun Corp touched an intraday high of Rs 192 and an intraday low of Rs 184. At 12:44 hrs the share was quoting at Rs 184.50, down Rs 7.85, or 4.08%.

RBI Reference Rate for US $ and Euro

The value of mergers and acquisitions in the global mining industry surged last year as the race for resources accelerated, according to a report that ranked Canadian companies at the top of the M&A list.

Remain underweight on autos, says Prabhat Awasthi of Nomura Financial Advisory & Sec.

BMR Advisors has come out with its Budget Analysis for various sectors like Energy, Financial Services, Infrastructure & Real Estate, IT and ITeS and Education & Healthcare.

Aditya Birla Money is bullish on Andhra Bank and has recommended buy rating on the stock with a target of Rs 151 in its March 3, 2011 research report.