Meanwhile, the BSE Sensex was down 84 points, or 0.46%, to 17,994.50.

The HDFC counter saw massive volumes on NSE, with 15.28 crore shares, or 10.37% equity, exchanging hands so far.

On BSE, 24.33 lakh shares were traded in the counter as against an average daily volume of 5.27 lakh shares in the past one quarter.

The stock hit a high of Rs 685.80 and a low of Rs 665.30 so far during the day. The stock had hit a 52-week low of Rs 600.85 on 19 December 2011. The stock had hit a 52-week high of Rs 736.45 on 25 April 2011.

The stock had underperformed the market over the past one month until 23 February 2012, gaining 0.65% compared with the Sensex's 7.92% rise. The scrip had also underperformed the market in past one quarter, rising 12.12% as against 15.15% rise in the Sensex.

India's largest dedicated housing finance firm by total income has equity capital of Rs 294.98 crore. Face value per share is Rs 2.

As per market buzz, US-based Citigroup Inc has raised $1.95 billion by selling its entire stake in HDFC at Rs 657.50 a share. Fund houses like Aberdeen and JP Morgan were among the key participants in the block deal, reports suggested.

Citigroup Inc reportedly sold stake in HDFC as part of the US bank's efforts to shore up its capital base.

HDFC's net profit rose 10.14% to Rs 981.25 crore on 34.67% increase in total income to Rs 4472.51 crore in Q3 December 2011 over Q3 December 2010.

As on 31 December 2011, HDFC's loan book stood at Rs 1,32,208 crore, up 21.24% against Rs 1,09,051 crore as on 31 December 2010. This is after considering the loans sold during the preceding 12 months amounting to Rs 4221 crore to HDFC Bank.