Mumbai, April 1 (IANS) A benchmark index of Indian equities markets Friday was ruling flat, having traded on a volatile note since opening. Broader markets were, however, in the green with realty, FMCG and power stocks among the gainers.
The 30-share sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 19,463.11 points, was ruling at 19,432.25 points, down 12.97 points or 0.07 percent from its previous close at 19,445.22 points.
The Sensex rose to an intra-day high of 19,562.55 points and fell to a low of 19,401.84 points.
At the National Stock Exchange (NSE), the broader 50-share S&P CNX Nifty was trading 0.2 percent lower at 5,822.05 points.
Broader markets were, however, in the positive. The BSE midcap index was trading 1.05 percent up, while the BSE smallcap was up 1.29 percent.
Realty, FMCG, and power stocks were gaining, while banking and IT stocks came under selling pressure.
Among major gainers on the Sensex, at this time of the day, were Reliance Communications, BHEL, Hero Honda and Hindalco, while the losers included NTPC, Wipro, SBI and Tata Power.
The market breadth was positive with 1,763 stocks advancing, 778 scrips on the decline and 82 remaining unchanged.
Most Asian markets, which rose in early trade, were a mixed bag towards end of trade.
The Japanese Nikkei average closed 0.48 percent lower at 9,708.39 points.
Hong Kong’s Hang Seng advanced 0.4 percent to trade at 23,621.63 points, while China’s Shanghai Composite was ruling 0.69 percent higher at 2,948.28 points.
