The BSE Sensex, meanwhile, was up 26.56 points, or 0.15%, to 19,428.75.

On BSE, 2.12 lakh shares were traded on the counter today. The scrip had an average daily volume of 1.54 lakh shares in the past one quarter.

The shares of small-cap oil and gas exploration firm had hit a high of Rs 130 and a low of Rs 120.10 so far during the day. It had touched a 52-week high of Rs 151.40 on 13 July 2007 and a 52-week low of Rs 62.05 on 28 March 2007.

The scrip outperformed the market over the past one month till 6 November 2007, gaining 18.62% compared to the Sensex’s return of 9.16%. It, however, underperformed the market in the past one quarter, rising 19.49% compared to Sensex’s rise of 30.18%.

The share price had risen 12.15% from a recent low of Rs 109.05 on 30 October 2007 to Rs 122.30 on 6 November 2007.

The company’s current equity is Rs 78.32 crore, having a face value of Rs 10.

The current market price of Rs 125.60 discounts its Q2 September 2007 annualised EPS of Rs 3.81, by a PE multiple of 32.96.

The rights issue is in the ratio of two shares for every three held. The company announced the right issue price during market hours today, 7 November 2007.

Hindustan Oil Exploration Company (HOEC) reported a net profit of Rs 7.46 crore in Q2 September 2007 compared to a net loss of Rs 9.05 crore in Q2 September 2006. Sales rose 13% to Rs 29.11 crore in Q2 September 2007 over Q2 September 2006.