Amidst volatility, the equity markets ended just above the flat line. Domestic indices kick started the day sluggish with mixed cues from Asian markets. However as the day progressed volatility creeped in as indices swung to highs and lows. Higher opening by European markets did help domestic indices. The markets seem to now clearly await the monetary policy review due next week. Market breadth was positive. On BSE, 1,407 shares rose and 1,294 shares fell.
The BSE Sensex touched an intraday high of 16,944 and a low of 16,793 before it ended 0.1% or 17 points higher at 16,880. Mid cap stocks declined for the day while the small cap stocks moved in tandem with the large cap stocks. The BSE Mid-cap index fell by 0.2% while the BSE Small-cap index grew by 0.1%. Similarly the S&P CNX Nifty gained 0.1% or mere 5 points to close at 5,121 points.
It was a mixed performance on the BSE sectoral space. The top gainer was the BSE Capital Goods index which surged by 1.6% with the index heavyweight growing by 2.6%.Among the other key gainers were the defensive duo, BSE FMCG and BSE Healthcare indices which each grew by 1.1% and 0.5% respectively. On the other hand, after a rally yesterday, the interest rate sensitive stocks fell. The BSE Realty, BSE Auto and BSE Bankex indices which fell by 1.5%, 1.5% and 0.1% respectively.
Among the BSE - 30 stocks, 18 stocks declined while the others gained. Maruti, Sterlite Ind, NTPC, Tata Motors and Tata Power were among the top five losers which each fell by 3.4%, 2.2%, 2.2%, 2.1% and 1.8% respectively. On the contrary, the top five gainers were HUL, ONGC, L&T, Sun Pharma and Jindal Steel which grew by 3%, 2.8%, 2.6%, 2.1% and 1.7% respectively.
As per the data released by SEBI, foreign institutional investors (FIIs) were net buyers in equity to the tune of Rs 24 crores. Similarly, they were net buyers in debt segment to the tune of Rs 892 crores.
