Biggest gainers & losers of the day: Cement stocks rally, Hinduja Global tanks 20%

New Delhi: Bulls made a comeback on Dalal Street as the benchmark indices shrugged off the mid-day volatility to settle higher on Friday. However, the daily tally of Covid-19 cases has hit the 1 lakh mark, indicating a full-blown third wave.

The 30-share pack Sensex gained 142.81 points or 0.24 per cent to close at 59,744.65. Its broader peer Nifty50 added 66.80 points or 0.38 per cent to settle at 17,812.70. The broader markets outperformed as the BSE midcap smallcap indices added half a per cent each.

"Domestic indices erased early gains following weak cues from global peers as markets globally await the eurozone inflation rate and US payroll data due later today. Strong appetite for healthcare and consumer durable stocks aided the markets in closing flat with a positive bias," said Vinod Nair, Head of Research at Geojit Financial Services.

Alankit zoomed on the back of a strong technical set up and cement stocks were back in demand. Ramesh Damani picked stake in Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers. Hinduja Global plunged despite bonus and dividend announcements. GM Breweries disappointed with the December results.

Let's have a look at the biggest movers and shakers of Friday's session:

GAINERS
Alankit: The diversified commercial services player zoomed 18 per cent to Rs 18.35 on the back of a strong technical set-up on the daily charts. The traded volume of the counter jumped manifold compared to the two-week average.

Dollar Industries: The stock rallied 17 per cent to Rs 496 as the demand for its products is likely to increase following the surge in Covid-19 cases. Also, rating agency Acuite awarded a credit rating of 'AA' on the long-term facilities of the company.

Cement Stocks: Cement stocks remained in demand ahead of the Budget as traders anticipate mega announcements for infra space. India Cements rallied 15 per cent to Rs 239.90, whereas Gujarat Sidhee Cement added 11 per cent to Rs 48.8.

Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers: The defence PSU stocks surged 14 per cent to Rs 263.05 as the Dalal Street veteran Ramesh Damani picked up 12,51,156 equity shares or a 1.09 per cent stake in the company during December 2021 quarter.

Tata Steel Long Products: The metal player gained 13 per cent to settle at Rs 854.85 ahead of its board meeting scheduled on January 17 to consider and approve the audited financial results for the quarter and nine months period ended December 31, 2021.

LOSERS
Hinduja Global Solutions: Shares of Hinduja Global Solutions (HGS) were locked at the 20 per cent lower-circuit at Rs 2,855.5 on Friday, their worst intraday fall in 14 years. This was after the company announced a 1:1 bonus share and a third interim dividend for the financial year 2021-22, at Rs 150 per share.

Zee Learn: The Zee groups education player dropped 11 per cent to 17.55 after the company dismissed the reports of acquisition by leading EdTech startup Byju's. However, the counter rallied on Thursday over the euphoria.

GM Breweries: The breweries and distilleries player slumped 10 per cent to Rs 760.40 after the company recorded a 6.3 per cent fall in net profit to Rs 19.79 crore in Q3FY22 from Rs 21.11 crore in Q3FY21.

Asian Granito India: The smallcap tile shed 7 per cent to Rs 128.60 on the back of weak technical set-up on the daily charts. The traded volume of the counter jumped manifold compared to the two-week average.

Mirza International: The smallcap footwear maker declined 6 per cent to Rs 152.20 on the back of profit booking. The scrip has delivered a return of 200 per cent in the last six months and investors took some profit off the table.