Sensex ends flat after record highs

The BSE Sensex ended flat on Tuesday after hitting record highs for a second session as momentum waned ahead of the expiry of monthly derivative contracts and on expectations that current levels sufficiently price in fundamentals.

Investors booked profits in recent outperformers such as State Bank of India and Tata Motors, though gains in other sectors such as capital goods helped offset those losses.

Though foreign investors have underpinned sentiment, the pace of buying has slowed. Foreign institutional investors bought shares worth Rs 213 crore ($35.2 million) on Monday, having bought $67.6 million worth shares on Thursday.

Analysts warn markets could be headed for a period of range-bound trading. Derivative contracts will expire on Wednesday while markets will remain closed on Thursday as Mumbai heads to the polls in the ongoing general elections.

"There will be muted upside for the time being," said Deven Choksey, managing director, KR Choksey Securities.

"You may see action in individual stocks, which will find intermediate upmoves on rotation," he added.

The Sensex closed 0.03 per cent lower at 22,758.4, after gaining as much as 0.4 per cent to hit an all-time high of 22,853 earlier in the day.

The Nifty ended 0.03 per cent down at 6,815.35, having earlier advanced 0.3 per cent to hit a record high of 6,838.

Recent outperformers were hit by profit-taking. State Bank of India fell 1.1 per cent after having gained 36 per cent since the end of January to Monday's close on expectations the central bank would keep interest rates on hold.

Interest-rate sensitive auto makers also fell. Maruti Suzuki fell 0.6 per cent after gaining 25 per cent since the end of February till Monday's close.

However, capital goods stocks extended recent gains as dealers cited good buying by foreign investors.

Larsen and Toubro ended 1.8 per cent higher, adding to its 4.2 per cent gain on Monday, while Bharat Heavy Electricals rose 0.2 per cent.

Oil and gas stocks were among other gainers on the back of value buying, with heavyweights such as Reliance Industries (RELI.NS: Quote, Profile, Research) closing up 0.85 percent and Oil and Natural Gas Corp. (ONGC.NS: Quote, Profile, Research) ending 1.01 percent higher.

Among the laggards, Wipro Ltd (WIPR.NS: Quote, Profile, Research) lost 2.87 percent, adding to its 6.8 percent fall of Monday as the stock continued to remain under pressure after a weak IT services outlook.