Sensex ends flat in volatile trade

MUMBAI, July 9: Indian equities markets traded on a highly volatile note on Thursday, with a key index fluctuating in a 236 point range before closing flat. It fell sharply towards the closing bell to end trade 11.69 points in the red. The 30-scrip benchmark index of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), the Sensex, which opened at 13,796.19 points, fell 11.69 points or 0.08 per cent to 13,757.46 points.

However, the Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) closed 0.05 per cent higher at 4,080.95 points. Broader market indices closed mixed, with the BSE midcap index ending 0.58 per cent up and the BSE smallcap index closing 0.14 per cent lower.

Of the 13 sectoral indices on the BSE, those for consumer durables, capital goods, and IT scrips ended in the red, while those for metal, healthcare and FMCG stocks gained the most. The market breadth was negative with 1,078 stocks advancing compared to 1,462 declining. Ninety-eight remained unchanged.

Gainers among the Sensex included Reliance Infra, up 2.45 per cent at Rs 1,101; Sun Pharma, up 2.39 per cent at Rs 1,169.60; TCS, up 2.25 per cent at Rs 388.60; and Sterlite, up 2.04 per cent at 557.20.

Among the losers were Tata Motors, down 3.15 per cent at Rs 272.30; ICICI Bank, down 2.77 per cent at Rs 636.45; DLF, down 2.02 per cent at Rs 278.70; and M&M, down 2.02 per cent at Rs 722.05.

Total traded turnover stood at Rs 73,861.17 crore on Thursday. This included Rs 15,935.64 crore from the NSE cash segment, Rs 53,047.24 crore from the NSE futures and options segment and Rs 4,878.29 crore from the BSE cash segment.

In other Asian markets, the Nikkei 225 Stock Average, a key index of the Tokyo stock exchange, closed 126.69 points down to end Thursday’s trade at 9,291.06 points. On the other hand, the Hang Seng, a primary index of the Hong Kong stock exchange, closed in the green, up 69.52 points at 17,790.59 points.

European markets were trading in the green with the FTSE 100, a key British index was up 29.14 points at 4,169.37 points, while its French peer CAC 40 was ruling 20.56 points higher at 3,030.27 points. Futures of key US market indices pointed to a stronger opening of the main indices on Thursday, with the Dow Jones futures ruling about 0.7 per cent higher, while the Standard and Poor’s index gained 0.9 per cent. The futures of technology heavy index Nasdaq was also trading 0.6 per cent up. (IANS)