Equities close flat ahead of macro-data release

Indian equities markets closed on a flat-to-positive note on Monday as positive global cues buoyed investors' sentiments.

However, caution prevailed ahead of the release of key macro-economic inflation data points -- the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and Wholesale Price Index (WPI) -- slated to be released on February 13 and 14.

Besides, a weak rupee and disappointing IIP (Index of Industrial Production) data released after the markets closed on Friday, kept investors' sentiments subdued.

While profit-booking capped gains, the key indices provisionally closed marginally in the green, as heavy selling pressure was witnessed in IT, Teck (technology, media and entertainment) and metal stocks.

The wider 51-scrip Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) rose by 11.50 points or 0.13 per cent to 8,805.05 points.

The barometer 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the BSE, which opened at 28,450.42 points, provisionally closed at 28,351.62 points (at 3.30 p.m.) -- up 17.37 points, or 0.06 per cent, from the previous close at 28,329.70 points.

The Sensex touched a high of 28,458.80 points and a low of 28,197.38 points during the intra-day trade.

The BSE market breadth was, however, tilted in favour of the bears -- with 1,782 declines and 1,084 advances.

On Friday last week, the NSE Nifty inched up by 15.15 points or 0.17 per cent to close at 8,793.55 points, and the BSE Sensex was up a miniscule 4.55 points, or 0.02 per cent, at 28,334.25 points.

--IANS

ppg/vt