Real estate is in the doldrums again, thanks to rising interest rates, tighter lending norms and a volatile market.

The 30-share BSE index Sensex on Wednesday rose 169 points, recording gains for the seventh straight day, on steady FII inflows and firm global cues as falling crude oil prices eased concerns of inflation.

The scrip advanced 19.96 per cent to touch a high of Rs 100.05 in early trade on BSE. Similarly, the counter shot up 20.04 per cent to Rs 100.30 on NSE.

The Indian currency had depreciated by 16 paise to close at Rs 44.83/84 against the US currency in Monday's trade, on renewed dollar demand from banks and importers.

Extending the gains the sixth day, the 30-share index advanced further by177.66 points to 19,120.80 points, a level last seen on January 23.

The 30-share BSE benchmark index, which had gained 976 points in the last four trading sessions, shot up 127.50 points to end the day at 18,943.14 - a level last seen on Jan 25.

The rupee rose for the sixth straight session on Friday, rising by 8 paise to close at more than three- and-a-half-month high against the US currency on dollar selling by exporters and bullish equity markets.

All-round buying on expectation of strong economic growth and heavy capital inflow from funds into equity markets pushed up the Sensex to end the week at 18,815.64.

Software companies' stocks, led by Infosys Technologies, were the centre of brisk activity, pushing the IT index over by 4 per cent on BSE.

Are you closely watching the stock indices and waiting for some direction to emerge that would help you to decide when to take the next plunge or press the sell button?

The current stock market volatility has changed nothing for those who believe in the maxim that the bulls prevail over the bears in the long run.

Raj Bhatt, Vice-chairman and CEO, Elara Capital Plc, tells Rahul Oberoi what investors can expect post the Union Budget and which sectors are looking good.

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Of a population of over a billion, only 18 million are invested in equities and 10 cities contributed to over 80% of trading volume in 2010.

It isn't past performance alone that will help you decide when to part with your fund. There are a number of other factors at play.

The BSE Sensex was up for the second day in a row and closed at 18,206, up 218 points, led by blue-chips like ICICI, Infosys and RIL as investors continued to buy stocks at lower levels in the absence of any major negatives from the Middle East and Japan.

With instability on both domestic and global fronts, MONEY TODAY-Value Research Lifestage Model Fund Portfolios have suffered of late, but the future appears positive.

After opening the day on a tepid note, the state-run firm reversed its initial losses and ended the day higher by 3.93 per cent at Rs 359.75 on the BSE.

The Bombay Stock Exchange 30-share barometer resumed firm and remained in the positive terrain throughout the day to close at 17,988.30, a rise of 149.25 points or 0.84 per cent.

Tata Metaliks and Tata Sponge Iron on Monday surged by up to 17 per cent on the Bombay Stock Exchange on heavy buying even as the broader market remained weak.