Even the gains recorded by the midcap shares have been much higher than those of group A shares. Some of the scrips like VXL Instruments have gained more than 250 per cent since budget.

Although the scrip has shed some of its gains in line with the general market sentiment, it still trades 201 per cent higher than its pre-budget close of Rs 43.10. VXL Instruments touched its 52-week high level of Rs 152 on Thursday.

Almost 34scrips have sustained more than 50 per cent gains in the B1 group. But interestingly, unlike their group A counterparts, the investors' appetite doesn't seem to be restricted only to information technology, pharmaceutical or the fast moving consumer goods (FMCG stocks. TVS Electronics, which has been rising on expectation of company's foray into software, appears at 24th rank in terms of gains since budget. The scrip currently changes hands at Rs 58.8, 57 per cent higher than its pre-budget level.

Among the pharmaceutical shares, Morepan Laboratories has done well. The company has recently reported a 40 per cent rise in net profit to Rs 32 crore for fiscal 1999. The scrip is currently trading at Rs 274.8 as against its pre-budget level of Rs 146. Another front runner in the list is Paper Products, which has been moving up on reports of Van Leer acquiring a major stake in the company. The scrip, in less than 45 days, has more than doubled from Rs 60.75 to Rs 134.1. The scrip recently touched its 52 weekhigh of Rs 157.5. Two of liqour stocks have also appear in the list with gains of more than 60 per cent. Mc Dowell's has registered gains of more than 124 per cent while U B Limited is trading at a 63.33 per cent premium to its pre-budget level of Rs 28.5.