Markets end flat

The Sensex ended at 17,088, lower by 31 points and the Nifty shut at 5,102, down 15 points (provisional closing).

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(Updated at 1500 pm)

The Sensex is now quoting at 17,091, down 27 points, and the Nifty is at 5,096, lower by 20 points.

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(Updated at 1432 pm)

The markets have succumbed to selling at higher levels after trading well above the previous close through most of the morning session. The Sensex is now quoting at 17,145, up 24 points, and the Nifty is virtually unchanged at 5,117. Banking and metal counters are exerting pessure on the indices.

ACC (stronger by Rs 34 or 4.2% at Rs 849), BHEL (higher by Rs 59 or 2.5% at Rs 2,423), Infosys (up Rs 60 or 2.4% at Rs 2,515) and M&M (up Rs 23 or 2.2% at Rs 1,053) are the leading gainers on the BSE. Grasim, Maruti and Sun Pharma are the other notable gainers.

Among the losers, Bharti Airtel has shed Rs 8 or 2.7% at Rs 322, Tata Power has weakened by Rs 9 or 0.7% at Rs 1,350 and HDFC Bank has lost Rs 11 or 0.6% at Rs 1,772.

The market breath is neutral. Out of 2,846 stocks traded on the BSE, there are 1,312 advancing stocks as against 1,448 declines.