Markets remain flat

Markets are trading on a flat note in the noon deals. The Sensex is up 11 points at 17,443 and the 50 share- Nifty is at 5,276, up 7 points.

According to Shailesh Kadam, AVP, Institutional Derivatives, PINC, "Nifty is headed toward 5,400 level in coming days. However, Nifty can take some breather at current level but outlook remains positive."

Back to markets, Bharti Airtel is the top gainer among the Sensex stocks, up nearly 3% at Rs 397. Mahindra & Mahindra, Coal India, Sun Pharma, BHEL, Cipla, HUL, DLF and Infosys have also advanced 1-2% each in trades so far.

However, Hindalco, Tata Steel, Sterlite Industries, Jindal Steel, L&T, State Bank of India and Reliance Industries are among the losers.

BSE Realty index is the top sectoral gainer, up 1.3% to 1,768 levels. Healthcare index has also jumped 1% or 63 points to 6,367 levels. Healthcare sector stocks are in limelight in otherwise subdued market after a global rating agency Fitch said its outlook on India's pharmaceutical sector for 2012 remains stable, as earnings prospects are expected to remain.

Teck, Power, IT, Consumer Durables, and Auto indices have also advanced 0.2-0.8% each.

At the same time, metal, capital goods, oil & gas and banking stocks are reeling under the selling pressure.

Prestige Estates is the top gainer from the realty sector, up 11.6% at Rs 95 after the company delivered strong operating performance during the quarter ended December 2011.

Unitech has also advanced 2.8% to Rs 26. Anant Raj Industries, Sobha Developers, DLF, HDIL and Godrej Properties are also trading higher by -2.7% each.

The broader markets have advanced 1% each. The BSE mid-cap index is up 56 points at 6,025 levels and the small-cap index has gained 71 points to 6,680 levels.

The overall market breadth is positive as 1,502 stocks are advancing while 1,149 are declining.