Markets flat; L&T, Maruti up nearly 2%

Losses in TCS, HUL and HDFC weigh on the indices

Markets have turned flat with a negative bias with the Sensex down three points at 20,373 and the Nifty was unchanged at 6,062 in noon deals. Gains in names like L&T, Reliance Industries and Tata Motors were capped by the losses in TCS, HUL and HDFC.

In the broader markets, the midcap index was up 0.3% and the smallcap index added nearly 0.5%, both outperforming the BSE benchmark index which was down 0.02%.

On the sectoral front, IT, Teck, FMCG, Metal and Bankex indices were down 0.1-0.7%.

European markets too opened marginally higher with CAC, DAX and FTSE adding on 0.1-0.3% gains.

Consumer Durables and Realty indices gained nearly 2% each and were the top sectoral gains along with Health Care, Oil & Gas and Capital Goods up 0.7-0.9%.

HUL, TCS, Bharti Airtel, Gail India, HDFC and Sesa Sterlite down 1-2% were the major draggers in noon deals.

HDFC Bank, Mahindra & Mahindra, Tata Steel, NTPC and Axis Bank down 0.3-0.5% were the other notable losers.

Among the gainers were Sun Pharma, Maruti Suzuki, Tata Motors, Dr Reddys Lab, ONGC, Cipla, RIL, L&T and Hindalco up 1-2%.

The market breadth was positive on the BSE. 1,261 stocks advanced while 1,101 stocks declined.

Global Markets

Most Asian markets made guarded gains on Monday, encouraged that Wall Street was able to weather a seemingly disappointing U.S. jobs report, though there was more than enough event risk ahead to keep investors cautious.

Crucially, the new head of the Federal Reserve, Janet Yellen, delivers her first testimony to the House on Tuesday and the Senate on Thursday, and markets will be hoping for reassurance that policy will stay loose for a long time to come.

Japan's Nikkei led the way with a rise of 1.3% to 14,668, and away from last week's trough at 13,995.

MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan inched up 0.3%, while Shanghai added 1.7%.