Meanwhile, the BSE Sensex was up 258.04 points or 2.89% to 9,308.52.

On BSE, 1.15 lakh shares were traded in the counter. The stock had an average daily volume of 82.158 shares in the past one quarter.

The stock hit a high of Rs 469.90 and a low of Rs 427.10 so far during the day. The stock hit a 52-week high of Rs 945 on 26 May 2008 and a 52-week low of Rs 294.65 on 2 December 2008.

The stock had outperformed the market over the past one month till 15 January 2009, rising 7.24% as compared to the Sensex's decline of 7.99%. It had however underperformed the market in the past one quarter, falling 17.08% as compared to the Sensex's decline of 16.3%.

The company's current equity is Rs 144.68 crore. Face value per share is Rs 10.

The current price of Rs 461.90 discounts the company's Q3 December 2008 annualized EPS of Rs 51.12 by a PE multiple of 9.03.

The company's EBITDA (earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization) margin stood at 14.5% in Q3 December 2008, higher than 13.6% in Q2 September 2008, Bajaj Auto said at the time of announcing Q3 December 2008 results during trading hours today, 16 January 2009.

The company said the improvement in EBITDA margin on a sequential basis was due improving product mix, extremely lean cost structure and continued growth in both 2 and 3 wheeler exports. The EBITDA margin was slightly lower from 14.7% in Q3 December 2007.

The company plans to introduce 6 new motorcycle models over the next few months. It also intends to introduce new 3-wheeler models. The company said it will benefit in the coming months from softening raw material prices.

The company's net profit fell 23.01% to Rs 164.27 crore on 15.84% fall in total income to Rs 2,140.98 crore in Q3 December 2008 over Q3 December 2007.

High interest rates and sluggish consumer spending have dented demand for automobiles in India.

Bajaj Auto is engaged in manufacturing two and three wheeler vehicles.