Benchmark indices subdued, midcaps rise

India Gazette (IANS) Thursday 9th February, 2012

Benchmark indices at Indian equities markets were Thursday ruling dull a little before noon, but buying continued in mid-to-smaller sized scrips.

The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the BSE, which opened at 17,647.8 points, was ruling at 17,664.55 points, 42.77 points or 0.24 percent down from its previous close at 17,707.32 points.

The 50-scrip SP CNX Nifty of the National Stock Exchange was also trading subdued at 5,364.75 points, down 3.4 points or 0.06 percent from its previous close.

Broader markets were also lacklustre with the BSE 500 index trading flat. However, the BSE midcap index was up 0.72 percent while the BSE smallcap index gained 0.82 percent.

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

Prominent gainers on the 30-scrip Sensex included Bajaj Auto, Hero MotoCorp, HDFC Bank and NTPC, while among losers were Hindalco, ONGC, LT and RIL.

The market breadth was positive with 1,522 stocks advancing, 895 on the decline and 102 unchanged.

Asian markets were ruling dull as traders were disappointed after talks between Greece and its creditors remained inconclusive.

The Japanese Nikkei slipped 0.15 percent to rule at 9,001.83 points, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng was similarly flat at 21,001.65 points.

The Chinese Shanghai Composite index was ruling 0.34 percent higher at 2,355.46 points.