By IANS,
Mumbai : A benchmark index of Indian equities markets Friday closed flat, bringing an end to a range-bound trading session. Broader markets, however, ended with handsome gains helped by rising realty and metal stocks.
The 30-share sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 19,463.11 points, closed at 19,420.39 points, down 24.83 points or 0.13 percent from its previous close at 19,445.22 points.
The Sensex rose to an intra-day high of 19,562.55 points and fell to a low of 19,382.35 points.
At the National Stock Exchange (NSE), the broader 50-share S&P CNX Nifty closed 0.13 percent lower at 5,826.05 points.
However, broader markets ended in the green, with the BSE midcap index closing 1.59 percent up and the BSE smallcap ending 2.23 percent higher.
Realty, metal and power stocks were gaining, while banking and IT stocks came under selling pressure.
The market breadth was positive with 2,178 stocks advancing, 682 scrips on the decline and 96 remaining unchanged.
Among the major gainers on the Sensex were Reliance Communications, up 3.67 percent at Rs.111.65; BHEL, up 3.03 percent at Rs.2,113.85; Hindalco, up 2.42 percent at Rs.213.70; and M&M, up 1.65 percent at Rs.710.10.
The losers included: NTPC, down 2.12 percent at Rs.188.90; SBI, down 1.75 percent at Rs.2,719.50; RIL, down 1.19 percent at Rs.1,035.30; and Tata Power, down 1.04 percent at Rs.1,316.50.
Most Asian markets, which rose in early trade, were a mixed bag towards end of trade.
The Japanese Nikkei average closed 0.48 percent lower at 9,708.39 points.
Hong Kong’s Hang Seng advanced 0.4 percent to trade at 23,621.63 points, while China’s Shanghai Composite was ruling 0.69 percent higher at 2,948.28 points.
European stocks were trading higher, led by banking stocks after Ireland announced restructuring of its banking sector. The Irish government said it will inject about Euro 24 billion into some Ireland-based banks and take control of them to ensure their survival.
Around mid-day, the French CAC 40 was trading 0.74 percent higher at 4,018.64 points, while Britain’s FTSE was ruling 0.86 percent up at 5,959.33 points.
The German DAX was ruling 1.18 percent up at 7,124.07 points.