Sensex ends flat in a choppy session

MUMBAI - A benchmark index of Indian equities market closed almost flat in a choppy session Tuesday as gains in metal, healthcare and realty stocks offset losses in auto, banking and oil and gas scrips.

The 30-share sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 20,056.47 points, settled at 20,025.42 points, down 0.02 percent or 3.51 points from the previous close of 20,028.93 points.

The Sensex was largely range-bound, touching a high of 20,090.41 points and a low of 19,981.76 points in the intra-day.

At the National Stock Exchange, 50-share S&P CNX Nifty slipped below 6,000 points in a lackluster session. The Nifty closed 0.04 percent or 2.10 points down at 5,996 points.

At the broader market, the BSE midcap and smallcap indices also closed almost flat. The midcap index moved up 0.07 percent and the smallcap 0.33 percent.

Among the sectoral indices, the BSE oil and gas index slumped 0.74 percent, the auto index declined 0.35 percent and the Bankex slumped 0.21 percent.

However, the metal index advanced 0.16 percent. The realty and technology indices also closed in the positive terrain.