Mumbai, Feb 29 (IANS) A benchmark index for Indian markets Wednesday was ruling in the green, but slipped after managing to cross the 18,000 level.
The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 17,919.93 points, was ruling at 17,925.28 points around noon, 194.16 points or 1.1 percent up from its previous close at 17,731.12 points.
The Sensex rose to an intra-day high of 18,001.35 in early trade.
The 50-scrip S&P CNX Nifty of the National Stock Exchange was also trading higher at 5,431.55 points, up 56.05 points or 1.04 percent from its previous close.
Broader markets were also in the green, with the BSE 500 index trading 1.04 percent higher. The BSE midcap index was up 1.13 percent while the BSE smallcap index was ruling 0.95 percent higher.
Among the sectoral indices on the BSE, energy, PSU, realty and consumer durables were among major gainers. All 13 indices were in the green.
Prominent gainers on the 30-scrip Sensex included ONGC, RIL, Bajaj Auto and ONGC. L&T and HDFC Bank were among the losers.
The market breadth was positive, with 1,623 stocks advancing, 926 on the decline and 95 unchanged.
Asian markets were trading subdued.
The Japanese Nikkei closed flat at 9,723.24 points, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng was ruling 0.17 percent higher at 21,604.34 points.
The Chinese Shanghai Composite index was ruling 0.73 percent down at 2,433.85 points.
