By IANS,
Mumbai : A benchmark index for Indian equities Friday was quiet a little before noon after a choppy morning session. Other major Asian markets too were in the red.
The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 17,911.13 points, was ruling at 17,917.69 points, 8.23 points or 0.05 percent up from its previous close at 17,909.46 points.
At the National Stock Exchange (NSE), the broader 50-share S&P CNX Nifty was also flat at 5,384.15 points, up 0.1 percent from its previous close at 5,378.75 points.
Broader markets indices were quiet, with the BSE midcap index 0.4 percent up and the BSE smallcap index 0.77 percent higher.
IT, telecom and banking banking stocks were among the major gainers, while oil and gas stocks saw some selling.
The market breadth was positive, with 1,658 scrips advancing, compared to 1,041 stocks declining, and 97 remaining unchanged.
Other major Asian markets too were hit by selling pressure.
The Japanese Nikkei was ruling 2.89 percent lower at 9,405.94 points towards closing bell with traders booking profits.
The South Korean Kospi ended 0.73 percent down at 1,738.45 points.
Hong Kong’s Hang Seng was flat, while the Chinese Shanghai Composite index was trading 0.52 percent lower at 2,411.68 points.