Meanwhile, the S&P BSE Sensex was down 205.95 points or 0.57% at 36,077.30. The S&P BSE Small-Cap index declined 0.84%, underperforming the Sensex.

On the BSE, 1.22 lakh shares were traded on the counter so far as against average daily volumes of 1.48 lakh shares in the past one quarter. The stock had opened with an upward gap and remained locked at 10% level at Rs 67.30 so far during the day. The stock had hit a 52-week high of Rs 73.50 on 12 January 2018 and a 52-week low of Rs 30 on 11 August 2017.

The stock had underperformed the market over the past one month till 29 January 2018, sliding 0.57% compared with the Sensex's 6.54% rise. The stock had, however, outperformed the market over the past one quarter, advancing 50.55% as against the Sensex's 9.43% rise. The scrip had also outperformed the market over the past one year, surging 36% as against the Sensex's 30.13% rise.

The small-cap company has equity capital of Rs 41.70 crore. Face value per share is Rs 5.

Ester Industries has entered into agreement with Shaw Industries Group USA, a wholly owned subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway, Inc to supply circa 2,500 tonnes per year of its stain resistant Master batch MB-03. The total size of this single order is estimated to be around Rs 90 crore per year which is more than double the company's FY 2017 speciality polymer revenues which amounted to Rs 43 crore. The agreement is open ended with the first purchase order received and shipment slated to commence in February 2018.

Ester Industries reported net loss of Rs 0.66 crore in Q2 September 2017, lower than net loss of Rs 5.03 crore in Q2 September 2016. Net sales rose 21.2% to Rs 197.14 crore in Q2 September 2017 over Q2 September 2016.

Ester manufactures polyester films, specialty polymers and engineering plastic compounds.