Auto stocks hog limelight

New Delhi: Shares of Maruti Suzuki India (MSI) on Friday raced to a fresh life-time high before settling more than three per cent up after the auto major reported its highest-ever monthly wholesales in August on the back of robust sales in the SUV segment.

Among other auto stocks, TVS Motor Company jumped 2.48 per cent to close at Rs1,454.60. Eicher Motors rose 1.87 per cent to settle at Rs 3,399.85, Mahindra & Mahindra climbed 0.98 per cent to end at Rs1,591.50 and Ashok Leyland gained 0.24 per cent to finish at Rs184.15 on robust sales in August.

The stock of Maruti opened at Rs10,000 apiece on the BSE, then gained further ground to touch a fresh 52-week high of Rs10,390 apiece on the BSE and Rs10,397.95 each on the NSE. The stock closed 3.24 per cent up at Rs10,331.80 on BSE, while on NSE, it gained 3.16 per cent to end at Rs10,320.10 apiece. On the volume front, 77,000 shares were traded on the BSE, while 11.93 lakh shares were on the NSE, during the day. Following gains in Maruti Suzuki, BSE Auto Index settled 561.80 points or 1.58 per cent higher at 36,075.13 points on Friday.