Sensex still weak, broader markets in red
By IANSMonday, February 21, 2011
MUMBAI - A benchmark index for Indian equities markets Monday continued to rule flat, while broader markets saw greater selling.
The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 18,238.54 points, was ruling at 18,161.07 points, down 50.45 points or 0.28 percent from its previous close at 18,211.52 points.
The 50-scrip S&P CNX Nifty of the National Stock Exchange was trading 0.36 percent lower at 5,439.1 points.
Broader markets were also in the red, with the BSE midcap index down 0.73 percent and the BSE small cap index trading 0.64 percent lower.
Auto, realty and banking stocks were in the red, while energy and capital goods scrips saw some buys.
The market breadth was negative, with 958 stocks advancing compared to 1,631 scrips on the decline. A total of 90 stocks remained unchanged.
Among gainers on the 30-scrip Sensex were Wipro, Sterlite Industries, Reliance Infra and Jindal Steel, while the losers included Tata Motors, Hero Honda, DLF and Tata Power.
Asian markets were mixed, with traders wary of taking up new positions in the wake of prevailing tensions in the Middle East.
Hong Kong’s Hang Seng was ruling 0.22 percent down at 23,543.9 points, while the Japanese Nikkei rose a modest 0.14 percent to close at 10,857.53 points.
Chinese markets, however bucked the trend with a benchmark index, the Shanghai Composite index, rising 0.92 percent to rule at 2,926.13 points.
