By IANS,
Mumbai : A benchmark index for Indian equities markets Wednesday closed flat on a dull trading day, although broader markets managed moderate gains.
The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened almost flat at 18,273.06 points, closed at 18,283.3 points, up 0.05 percent or 9.5 points from the previous close at 18,273.8 points.
The benchmark Sensex touched an intra-day high of 18,358.84 points and slipped to a low of 18,216.12 points.
The 50-scrip S&P CNX Nifty of the National Stock Exchange shut shop at 5,481.7 points, almost unchanged from its previous close.
Broader markets, however, ended in the positive. The BSE midcap index closed 0.43 percent up and the BSE smallcap index ended 0.92 percent higher.
Selling was seen in healthcare, auto and some OSU stocks, while realty, metal and consumer durables generated some buying interest.
The market breadth was positive, with 1,688 stocks advancing compared to 1,104 scrips on the decline. A total of 171 stocks remained unchanged.
Among gainers on the 30-scrip Sensex were: Jaiprakash Associates, up 6.67 percent at Rs.90.30; Tata Steel, up 3.97 percent at Rs.641.05; Jindal Steel, up 3.28 percent at Rs.670.35; and Wipro, up 3.03 percent at Rs.437.15.
Losers on the benchmark index included HDFC, down 2.53 percent at Rs.629.55; Reliance Communications, down 1.72 percent at Rs.99.70; M&M, down 1.55 percent at Rs.657.15; and Hero Honda, down 1.41 percent at Rs.1,494.45.
Most other Asian markets closed in the green despite weak cues from Wall Street.
Hong Kong’s Hang Seng rose 1.12 percent to close at 23,156.97 points, while a benchmark of Chinese markets, Shanghai Composite index, ended 0.85 percent higher at 2,923.9 points.
The Japanese Nikkei moved up 0.57 percent to shut shop at 10,808.29 points.
European markets were ruling moderately higher with traders optimistic ahead of release of earnings reports by some blue chip companies.
Around mid-day, the French CAC 40 was trading 0.71 percent up at 4,139.33 points, while the UK’s FTSE was ruling 0.52 percent higher at 6,068.77 points.
The German DAX was ruling flat at 7,406.72 points.