Sensex flat in morning trade

MUMBAI - A benchmark index of the Indian equities markets was ruling flat Thursday having managed to recoup its early losses.

At 10.51 a.m., the sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) — which opened at 16,912.25 points — was ruling at 16,931.7 points, up 18.93 points or 0.11 percent from its previous close at 16,912.77 points.

It had fallen more than 63 points during early trade with the Bharti Airtel scrip turning out to be a drag.

Around the same time, at the National Stock Exchange (NSE), the broader 50-share S&P CNX Nifty was at 5,047.85 points, against the previous close at 5,042.05 points, a gain of 0.12 percent or 5.8 points.

Broader market indices were in the green, with the BSE midcap index ruling 0.78 percent higher and the BSE small cap index up 1.19 percent up.

The market breadth was tilted towards the positive, with 1,548 stocks advancing, 632 scrips declining and 62 remaining unchanged.

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.