Sensex holds on to gains broader indices flat


Mumbai: A benchmark index for Indian equities markets Tuesday continued to hold on to to early gains but broader indices were flat with realty stocks on the decline. Asian cues, too, were weak. The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) which opened at 18,016.43 points, was ruling at 18,088.76 points, up 95.43 points or 0.53 percent from its previous close at 17,993.33 points. The 50-scrip S&P CNX Nifty of the National Stock Exchange was also trading in the green at 5,414.5 points, up 0.52 percent. Broader markets were flat nudged up with the BSE midcap index ruling 0.17 percent up and the BSE smallcap index 0.03 percent down. Realty, FMCG and metal stocks were among major losers at this time, while banking and capital goods scrips rose. The market breadth was negative with 1,204 stocks advancing, 1,301 on the decline and 114 unchanged. Among gainers on the Sensex were ICICI Bank, L&T, HDFC and Cipla, while major losers included DLF, Hindalco, NTPC and Hindustan Unilever. Asian markets were quiet Tuesday. The Nikkei of the Japanese stock exchange closed 0.17 percent up at 9,477.17 points, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng was ruling 0.06 percent up at 22,724.89 points. The Shanghai Composite index of the Chinese markets was trading weak at 2,769.88 points, 0.17 percent down.
Source: IANS