Markets continue to trade listless

The markets continue to trade in the red after briefly breaking into the green territory. The Sensex is currently down 83 points at 18,354 and the Nifty shed 31 points at 5,478. In the broader markets, the smallcap and the midcap indices have pared some of its losses and is down 0.4% and 0.2% respectively. In comparison to the Sensex, the broader markets continue to outperform.

Oil & Gas index up 2% continues to to lead the sectoral chart followed by Realty which is trading flat.Capital Goods, Auto, Bankex and Power down 1% each continues to languish at the bottom of the chart.

RIL up 4.5% continues to be the top gainer on the Sensex followed by Reliance Communications, Sterlite, Wipro adding 1% - 2%

Hero Honda down nearly 3%, Mahindra & Mahindra, Maruti Suzuki, Tata Power and BHEL down 2% are the top losers on the Sensex.

Market breadth continues to be negative. 1356 stocks have declined while 1049  have advanced.