Markets remain range-bound; HDFC top loser

BSE Power, Bankex, PSU, IT, Consumer Durables and Metal indices up 0.5-1%

Benchmark indices continue to maintain the range bound trend with Sensex and Nifty making swings between negative and positive trend.

By 11:40, the Sensex was down by 29 points at 20,865 mark and the Nifty dipped by 6 points at 6,200 levels.

Asian shares pulled back from a five-month high and the dollar stabilised after recent heavy losses as markets waited for U.S. jobs data that could shape expectations as to whether the Federal Reserve will start withdrawing stimulus this year.

Investors were expected to be reluctant to make aggressive bets after U.S. stocks ended little changed, partly on concerns that equities have become overpriced after the S&P 500 index's run to record highs last week.

MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan eased 0.3 percent, dropping from a five-month peak. Technical charts indicated it remained in "overbought" territory, suggesting there could be a further retreat.

Back home, the rupee weakened in trades due to month-end dollar demand from importers.

At 11:30am, the rupee was trading at Rs 61.76 compared with previous close of Rs 61.52 per dollar.

On the sectoral front, BSE Power, Bankex, PSU, IT, Consumer Durables and Metal indices have gained between 0.5-1%. However, BSE Oil & gas and FMCG indices are trading marginally lower.

The main gainers on the Sensex at this hour include Coal India, ICICI Bank, Tata Power, Wipro, GAIL, Tata Steel and NTPC.

IT stocks are in demand as the rupee hit almost one-week low against the dollar. TCS rose after the company won a multi-million, multi-year technology contract to manage Bombardier Transportation's newly commissioned German data centres. Wipro has advanced 1% ahead of its Q2 September 2013 results today.

On the losing side, HDFC, Hero Moto, Cipla, RIL and ITC have declined between 1-2%.

Among other shares, TVS Motor Company is continues at its upward march moving higher by 6% at Rs 52.25 on hopes of higher sales in festival season. The stock is currently trading at its highest level since February 2012 on the BSE.

Sintex Industries has soared 13% to Rs 36.45, extending its past three days rally on BSE, after reporting a better-than-expected earnings for the quarter ended September 2013 (Q2). The stock has rallied nearly 47% from intra-day low of Rs 24.85 touched on October 15, before the announcement of Q2 results.

The market breadth in BSE remains positive with 1,220 shares advancing and 790 shares declining.