Amid Volatility, Sensex Flat in Noon Trade


Mumbai: A benchmark index for Indian equities markets was flat in noon trade Friday amid volatile trade. Realty, power and metal stocks were among the major losers at this time. The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the BSE, which opened at 16,155.55 points was ruling flat at 16,149.22 points, almost unchanged from its previous close at 16,146.33 points. The 50-scrip S&P CNX Nifty of the National Stock Exchange was also trading lacklustre, 0.02 percent up at 4,840.4 points. Broader markets were also ruling in the red. The BSE midcap index was down 0.64 percent, while the BSE smallcap index was trading 0.48 percent lower. Auto, IT and telecom stocks were among the scrips that saw buying interest. At the BSE, the market breadth was negative with 1,039 stocks advancing, 1,423 scrips declining and 112 remaining unchanged. Among major gainers on the Sensex were M&M, Hero MotoCorp, Infosys and Tata Motors, while the losers included DLF, Tata Power, Jaiprakash Associates and NTPC. Asian markets were trading mixed Friday ahead of a speech by Federal Reserve chief Ben Bernanke, which traders hope, will see some hints on plans to kickstart the ailing US economy. The benchmark Japanese Nikkei closed 0.29 percent higher at 8,797.78 points, while the Hong Kong's Hang Seng was trading 0.14 percent up at 19,780.77 points. The Chinese Shanghai Composite index was down 0.48 percent at 2,602.66 points.
Source: IANS