Maruti remains on top; Intel, UBI, HP gainers

Maruti retains leadership this month again. Intel, Union Bank of India and Hindustan Petroleum are top gainers on Cirrus 100. While BPL Ltd., Skoda and Pepsi tumble in ranking

The Cirrus Image Index, which ranks the Top 100 companies based on the coverage they receive (positive coverage minus negative coverage), saw Maruti continuing its uninterrupted reign at the top. The auto giant has continued to dominate the image game beating other worthies Unit Trust of India (at No 2) and Reliance Industries (at No. 3).

This month (August 23 to September 27), Intel, Union Bank of India and Hindustan Petroleum were the blue-eyed boys on Cirrus 100.

Intel was in the news for its various tie ups with IBM, Hughes Software, Andhra Pradesh government etc, the release of a new chip technology, its Q3 profits forecast, helping a computer project in Tibet and a slash in its chip prices. The company jumped 15 places on Cirrus 100 to No 43. The tremendous response to its Initial Public Offer and subsequent listing on the bourses helped Union Bank of India rise 13 places to No 81. With Hindustan Petroleum, the ongoing talks of divestment by the government and its refusal to divest stake in Mangalore Refineries (MRPL), helped it leap 12 places to reach No 28.

The biggest losers on Cirrus 100 turned out to be BPL Ltd and Skoda Auto (both slipped 10 ranks each to No 95 and No 98 respectively), followed by Pepsi Foods that fell 9 ranks to No. 54. While BPL fell on news of exiting its CTV business after suffering heavy losses, Skoda simply got less coverage in this period as opposed to the previous one. Pepsi's image took a hit when it was fined by the SC for an ad and also for defacing rock formations in Himachal Pradesh. Coke was also fined for defacing rocks, which reflected in its lower rank (down four places to No. 29).

This period saw Unit Trust of India jump seven places to reach the No 2 position. BSNL also entered the top 10 of Cirrus 100, at No 9. Seven new entrants viz. Toyota Kirloskar Motors, ICICI Prudential Life Insurance Company, LML, Sahara India Media, Nestle, SAIL and ESPN Star improved their ranks to make it to the Cirrus 100.

In the swell and ebb movement that happened on the Cirrus Index, few companies managed to hold on to their ranks. Among organizations that lost considerable footing were ICICI, Idea Cellular, Corporation Bank and Air Sahara.

Companies that gained ranks included Jet Airways, Nalco, Indian Hotels, IDBI Ltd, MTV India and Ford India among others.

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