SEBI yesterday barred six market intermediaries from trading in securities for allegedly carrying out manipulations in various IPO issues and also slapped a penalty of Rs 36.09 crore.

"Roopalben N Panchal, Devangi Panchal, Dipak Jashvantlal Panchal, Hina Bhargav Panchal, Bhargav Ranchhodlal Panchal and Arjav Nareshbhai Panchal shall not buy, sell or deal in the securities...for three months," the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) said in its final order.

In case the amount are not received by SEBI within 45 days, these persons would be restrained from buying, selling or dealing in securities market for a further period of nine years.

Why Markets Down Today?

The domestic markets posted losses this week on account of turmoil in Middle East and North Africa, which disturbed the indices across the globe. Violence in Libya led to a sharp surge in crude oil prices to a 30-month high level, which spooked the investor sentiments. Worries over rising crude oil prices that it would impact the economic growth led to a massive sell-off across the globe. India imports its 80% crude need and rising crude oil prices will affect its import bill and widen foreign deficit. Growing fears that unrest in Libya could spread to other top oil producers in the region and cut more output led to panic among the investors.During the week, the Sensex and the Nifty breached their crucial levels of 18000 and 5400 respectively. The Sensex swung 988 points and the Nifty 294 points during the week. To close the week, the Sensex shut at 17701, lower by 511 points or 2.80%, while the Nifty settled at 5304, down by 155 points or 2.85%. The indices fell in three out of five sessions of this week.

News On Stocks:Woolmer

Woolite Mercantile Company announced that it has acquired 100,000 equity shares of Rs10 each of Prism Medical & Pharmacy (P), with a total investment of Rs10 lakh.Consequent upon, said acquisition the Prism Medical & Pharmacy (P), will become the subsidiary of the company with an equity stake of 90.91%.The company said Prism Medical & Pharmacy (P) is engaged in the business of retail pharmacy business

Markets may bounce back

The Indian markets were butchered in the previous session, drifting to multi-month low levels with highest ever volumes recorded in the history. Till now in this week, the Sensex and the Nifty slipped by 580 points (3.18%) and 196 points (3.59%) respectively.Going into today's trade, the domestic markets may bounce back at the start tracking positive Asian markets. Some relief after cooling of oil prices may lift the market sentiments.It will be an action-packed session as the Railway Budget and the Economic Survey will be presented to the Lower House today; this will keep the rail stocks in focus. Investors may remain on the sidelines ahead of the Rail Budget

Punj Lloyd

The shares of Punj Lloyd lost by 6%, hitting the 52-week low of Rs60.10, on continued concerns of political instability in Libya. Till now, over 34.12 lakh shares have traded on the BSE as against the two-week average volume of 27.70 lakh shares.According to reports, Punj Lloyd has large operations in Libya with around 1,800 employees. Punj Lloyd has 35% of its order backlog in the Republic of Libya, which is currently facing significant political upheaval, reports suggest. But, Punj Lloyd's Chairman, Atul Punj was quoted by the media as saying that the company's projects are in regions where there are few issues. The main problem is in Benghazi where Punj Lloyd does not have any project.