By IANS,
Mumbai : Indian equities markets were subdued around noon Thursday with a benchmark index trading flat and broader indices ruling lower.
The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 18,166.64 points, was ruling at 18,121.44 points — up 35.24 points or 0.19 percent from its previous close at 18,086.2 points.
The 50-scrip S&P CNX Nifty of the National Stock Exchange was ruling at 5,427.9 points, up 0.13 percent.
Broader markets were ruling dull with the BSE midcap index ruling 0.45 percent down and the BSE smallcap index down 0.24 percent.
Realty and capital goods stocks were among major losers at this time, while oil and gas and FMCG scrips were gaining.
The market breadth was tilted towards the negative with 1,030 stocks advancing, 1,391 on the decline and 129 unchanged.
Among gainers on the Sensex were M&M, TCS, RIL and Bajaj Auto, while losers included Reliance Communications, Hero Honda, Tata Power and DLF.
Asian markets were mixed Thursday as investors sentiments were subdued after news came out that the Japanese economy had contracted much more than expected in the first quarter of 2011.
The Nikkei of the Japanese stock exchange closed 0.43 percent lower at 9,620.82 points, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng was trading 0.5 percent up at 23,126.08 points.
The Shanghai Composite index of the Chinese markets was trading 0.29 percent down at 2,864.5 points.