Markets trading flat

Subdued trades marked the markets in the noon sessions, with the Sensex at 18,554 up 41 points, and the Nifty at 5,553 up 12 points.

Sensex gainers were led by Hero Honda at Rs 1,789 up 4%, followed by DLF at Rs 226 up 2% and Sterlite Industries at Rs 176.

On the losing front, NTPC shed more than 1% at Rs 178, while Maruti Suzuki at Rs 1,227 and Tata Power at Rs 1,235 were down 1% each.

The broader markets were firm, with the Mid-cap index at 6,904 up 0.5% and the Small-cap index at 8,413 up 0.6%.

Realty was the top sectoral gainer up 1.5%, followed by IT and Metal both up 1%.

Market breadth remained positive with 1,485 advances versus 1,044 declines.

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(Updated at 1135 hrs)

Following a negative run, the markets rebounded, and were trading in positive terrain. The Sensex was at 18,565 up 52 points, while the Nifty was at 5,554 up 13 points.

Hero Honda lead the gains on the Sensex at Rs 1,785 up 4%, followed by DLF at Rs 227 up 2% and Reliance Communciations at Rs 92 up 1%.

NTPC was the highest loser at Rs 178 down 1%, while ONGC at Rs 302 and Tata Power at Rs 1,240 were off 0.7% and 0.5% respectively.

The broader markets saw some movement, however, and the Mid-cap index at 6,909 and the Small-cap index at 8,414 were both up 0.6% each.

Realty conitnued to top the sectoral indices chart at 2,148 up nearly 2%, follwed by the Metal counter at 15,660 and the IT index at 6,097 both up 1%.

The oil & Gas index was the only sectoral index in the red at 9,755 down 0.4%.

With 1,441 advances and 925 eclines, the market breadth remained positive.