Sensex closes flat, mid-to-small scrips outperform (Roundup)

MUMBAI - A benchmark index of the Indian equities markets closed flat Thursday having traded on a volatile note through the day even as broader indices rose, signifying buying interest in mid-to-small scrips.

The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) — which opened at 16,912.25 points — closed at 16,894.25 points, down 18.52 points or 0.11 percent from its previous close at 16,912.77 points.

It had been trading in a narrow 150-point band having fallen to a low of 16,826 points and risen to a high of 16,979.52 points.

At the National Stock Exchange (NSE), the broader 50-share S&P CNX Nifty too ended lame at 5,041.75 points, against the previous close at 5,042.05 points, a marginal dip of 0.3 points.

Broader market indices were shut in the green, with the BSE midcap index ruling 1.09 percent higher and the BSE small cap index up 0.88 percent up.

Among top gainers on the 30-scrip Sensex were HUL, up 1.63 percent at Rs.268.35; Hindalco, up 1.4 percent at Rs.145.05; TCS, up 1.29 percent at Rs.722.65; and Tata Steel, up 1.16 percent at Rs.564.

Among top losers were DLF, down 3.7 percent at Rs.365.35; L&T, down 1.33 percent at Rs.1,656.85; RIL, down 1.23 percent at Rs.1,034.05; and Maruti Suzuki, down 1.16 percent at Rs.1,552.35.

Data with markets watchdog Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) showed that foreign funds were net sellers Thursday, having sold scrips worth $29.85 million.

Negative sentiments pulled down benchmark indices at other major Asian markets.

The Hang Seng, a benchmark index of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, was ruling lower at 21,438.32 points, 0.8 percent or 173.42 points down.

The Kospi, the benchmark index of the Korean Stock Exchange, was down 0.59 percent or 9.74 points at 1,654.5 points.

In China, the Shanghai composite index was ruling 1.43 percent in the red at 3,208.55 points.

However, a key Japanese index, the Nikkei, was ruling 0.31 percent or 31.52 points up at 10,208.93 points.

European markets were ruling weak Thursday.

The FTSE 100 index, benchmark index of the London Stock Exchange, was ruling lower at 5,266.63 points — 53.63 points or 1.01 percent down.

The French index, CAC 40, was ruling at 3,845.6 points, down 0.78 percent, while its German peer, the DAX, was trading 0.77 percent lower at 5,802.26 points.