Markets trading marginally higher

Markets are trading marginally higher the noon deals. The Sensex is up 130 points at 17,326 and the Nifty is up 36 points at 5,265.

The Asian markets were trading in the red after data showing shrinking factory activity in China and the euro zone heightened concerns about a slowdown in the global economy. Nikkei was down 115 points at 10,011, Hang Seng shed 246 points to 20,665 and the Shanghai was down 25 points at 2,350 levels.

Back home, metal, consumer durables, auto and PSU stocks are among the worst hit in trades so far. While, FMCG, technology, realty and banking stocks are witnessing some buying.

The BSE FMCG index is the top sectoral gainer, up 1.25% or 554 points at 4,407. IT, Teck, realty and Banking indices are trading higher with marginal gains.

At the same time, the BSE Metal index is the top sectoral loser.  Down 1.4% or 156 points at 11,124 levels. Consumer Durables, Auto, PSU and Capital Goods indices are also trading lower by 0.5-1% each.

Bharti Airtel is the top gainer among the Sensex stocks, up 2.2% to Rs 331. HDFC Bank, ITC, Hindustan Unilever, TCS, Gail India, Infosys, Sun Pharma, BHEL and Reliance Industries are also trading higher by 0.7-2% each.

On the other hand, Maruti Suzuki is the top loser, down 3.2% to Rs 1,288. Hindalco, Bajaj Auto, Coal India, Sterlite Industries and Jindal Steel are also among the laggards.

The broader markets are also trading on a flat note, the BSE mid-cap index is down 3 points at 6,309 and the small-cap index is up 6 points at 6,605 levels.

The overall breadth is negative as 1,349 stocks are declining while 1,179 stocks are advancing.