Benchmark indices ended on a flat note for yet another trading session. After opening with positive gains, markets were gradually slipped throughout the day. Volatility and volumes both were diminishing.
Despite strong FII inflow, the NSE Nifty was unable to surge past the 5190 levels throughout the week which is the crucial resistance level for the index. FIIs bought stocks worth Rs44.48bn in the past three days on the other hand DIIs were net sellers to the tune of Rs6.9bn in the past three days.
Breath was weak on the BSE for the third straight day. Out of total 2927 stocks, 1810 declined against 1027 advances and 90 remained unchanged.
The BSE Sensex ended flat at 17,166 after touching a high of 17,245 and a low of 17,127. The NSE Nifty ended unchanged at 5,137.
In Asia, the Nikkei in Japan ended with gains, adding 0.8%, while Australia's S&P/ASX ended flat. Shanghai SE Composite ended flat and Hang Seng index in Hong Kong edged was unchanged.
In Europe, stocks were in positive terrain. The DAX in Germany was up 0.5%, the CAC 40 index in France was up 0.5% and the FTSE in the UK was up 0.4%.
Coming back to India, among the BSE sectoral indices, the Realty index was the top loser, losing 0.8%, followed by the Capital Goods index that was down 0.6% and the BSE Power index was down 0.5%. Even, the BSE Mid-Cap index was down 0.2% and BSE Small-Cap index was down 0.4%.
Among the gainers were BSE Metal index up 0.6% and BSE Oil & gas index up 0.4%.
Outside the frontline indices, the big gainers in the broader market were Fortis Health, Cairn, Ackruti City and Allahabad Bank. On the other hand, losers included Renuka Sugars, Balrampur Chini, M&M Fin and OBC.