Meanwhile, the BSE Sensex was down 273.45 points, or 1.60%, at 16967.79, tracking weakness in global equities. On Wednesday, 21 May 2008, the US Federal Reserve cut its 2008 US economic growth forecast and signaled that mounting concerns over inflation would make further interest rate cuts unlikely, driving the three major US indexes down over 1.5%. Oil prices surged to a record high above $135 per barrel on Thursday, 22 May 2008, stoking fears of global inflation.

On BSE, 3.29 lakh shares were traded in the counter. The scrip had an average daily volume of 91,518 shares in the past one quarter.

The stock hit a high of Rs 300.50 and a low of Rs 267 so far during the day. The stock had a 52-week high of Rs 332 on 3 January 2008 and a 52-week low of Rs 154 on 22 January 2008.

The scrip had outperformed the market over the past one month till 21 May 2008, gaining 22.27% compared to the Sensex’s 2.74% gain. It had, however, underperformed the market in the past one quarter, rising 31.27% compared to Sensex’s 2.77% fall.

The mid-cap state-run shipping firm has an equity capital of Rs 282.30 crore. Face value per share is Rs 10.

The current price of Rs 294.35 discounts its Q4 March 2008 annualised EPS of Rs 25.05, by a PE multiple of 11.75.

As per reports, Shipping Corporation of India (SCI) will raise funds to buy 28 vessels, which will be delivered within the next three years. Most of the loans will be raised from the foreign market.

Earlier on 20 May 2008, the board of the company had approved issuing 1 bonus share for every 2 shares held.

The net profit of Shipping Corporation of India fell 22% to Rs 176.78 crore on 11.5% slide in sales to Rs 915.27 crore in Q4 March 2008 over Q4 March 2007.

Shipping Corporation of India (SCI), a state-run shipping company, operates and manages a fleet of line vessels, tankers, bulk carriers, passenger vessels and offshore vessels.