Stock market analyst Salil Sharma has maintained 'buy' rating on Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) stock with a short term target of Rs 562.

According to analyst, the interested investors can buy the stock with a strict stop loss of Rs 539.

The analyst added that the medium term target for the stock will be Rs 140.5.

The stock of the company, on Sep 14, closed at Rs 546.15 on the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE).

The share price has seen a 52-week high of Rs 552.90 and a low of Rs 298 on BSE.

Current EPS is -36.46.

As per reports, HPCL is making attempts for a forceful retail plan, which will hold the company in good position in the coming time.

Mr. S. Roy Choudhury, Company's CMD stated that HPCL is eyeing a market share of 30% by the next ten years (2010) from the existing 20% share.

Mr. Choudhury added that with global market zones swapping over to spry oils from the traditional pesticides, the company is eyeing to sell around 35,000 tons of spry oils by 2010 from 10,000 tons at this time.

Moreover, the company is concentrating on introducing novel products with the aim to boost its lubricants and specialty products market share to 20% from 15% presently by 2012.s