NEW DELHI: Shares of Maruti Suzuki climbed nearly 3 per cent in Monday’s trade after the country's largest carmaker reported a 1.6 per cent increase in sales at 1,54,123 units in January. The number came in higher than 1.40-1.41 lakh units (including exports) anticipated by brokerages.

The company had sold 1,51,721 units in January last year, Maruti Suzuki India (MSI) said in a statement.

Dolat Capital had expected sales at 1,41,866 units, down 6.5 per cent YoY. Nirmal Bang Institutional Equities expected sales at 1,40,300 units, down 7.5 per cent.

At 11.15 am, the stock rose 2.87 per cent to hit a high of Rs 7,002 on BSE.

Domestic sales increased by 1.7 per cent at 1,44,499 units last month, as against 1,42,150 units in January 2018, it added.

Sales of mini cars comprising Alto and WagonR stood at 25,885 units as compared to 23,360 units in the same month last year, up 10.8 per cent.

Sales of compact segment, including models such as Swift, Celerio, Ignis, Baleno and Dzire, rose 11.6 per cent at 84,340 units as against 75,571 cars in January last year.

Mid-sized sedan Ciaz sold 835 units as compared to 2,934 units earlier.

However, sales of utility vehicles, including Vitara Brezza, S-Cross and Ertiga, declined 26.6 per cent at 16,460 units as compared to 22,430 in the year-ago month, MSI said.

Exports in January were up marginally at 9,624 units as against 9,571 units in the corresponding month last year, the company said.