After going below par in early 1996, the scrip hovered around the Rs 2 level for the next three years. Before the recent spurt in the Tanu Leafin counter, the scrip was last traded in April 1998 at Re 1. In contrast to its average daily volumes of 100-200 shares, the recent spurt in the counter witnessed volumes as high as 19,000 shares.

A few weeks ago BSE had issues a notice asking investors to take a closer look at the fundamentals of all companies which have changed their names and added the software tag. The listincluded 22 companies who had changed their names which suggested their foray into the booming software business.

Most of these companies were enagaged in the business of leasing and hire purchase as well as merchant banking. With looming defaults and almost no business, their stocks had been langushing on the bourses. By changing their names, these companies are attempting to cash in on the ongoing craze for software scrips.

Century International Finance, GMS Industries, Chicago Futures & Finance and Synergy Credit Corp are some of the companies which have recently changed their name and added the software tag. Century International Finance changed its name to Cyberspace Infosys while GMS Inds is now GMS Computers and India Education Centre is now IEC Software. Chicago Software was earlier Chicago Futures had changed its name to Synergy Log-in Systems.