Mumbai: Indian equities markets were subdued with a benchmark index caught in a volatile but tight trading range. Other Asian bourses too reported dull trading.

The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the BSE, which opened at 17,767.46 points, was ruling at 17,807.28 points, 34.44 points or 0.19 percent up from its previous close at 17,772.84 points.

The 50-scrip S&P CNX Nifty of the National Stock Exchange was trading at 5,398.15 points, down 7.95 points or 0.15 percent from its previous close.

Broader markets were also lacklustre, with the BSE 500 index trading 0.37 percent up. However, the BSE midcap index was up 0.65 percent while the BSE smallcap index gained 0.66 percent.

As per the 13 sectoral indices on BSE, realty, banking and auto stocks were on the rise, while power and healthcare scrips saw some selling.

Prominent gainers on the 30-scrip Sensex included SBI, L&T, ICICI Bank and Hindalco. The losers included Cipla, Tata Power and ONGC.

The market breadth was still positive with 1,426 stocks advancing, 1,303 on the decline and 109 unchanged.

Asian markets were mixed after global credit rating agency Moody's pulled down sovereign ratings of six European nations due to the region's weak economic outlook and uncertain attempts to implement reforms.

The Japanese Nikkei rose 0.59 percent to close at 9,052.07 points, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng was trading flat at 20,892.51 points.

The Chinese Shanghai Composite index, however, slipped and was trading 0.3 percent lower at 2,344.77 points.