Equities close flat; auto, metal stocks up

Key Indian equity indices -- the NSE Nifty50 and the BSE Sensex -- provisionally closed on a flat note on Thursday with healthy buying in automobile, metal and capital goods stocks.

The wider 51-scrip Nifty50 of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) rose by 18.70 points, or 0.19 per cent, to provisionally close (at 3.30 p.m.) at 9,934.90 points.

The 30-scrip Sensitive Index (Sensex) of the BSE, which opened at 31,738.74 points, closed at 31,662.74 points -- fractionally up 0.77 points, from its previous close at 31,661.97 points.

The Sensex touched a high of 31,814.96 points and a low of 31,620.44 points during intra-day trade.

The BSE market breadth was slightly bullish with 1,404 advances and 1,171 declines.

On Wednesday, the benchmark indices were pulled lower by negative global cues, coupled with heavy selling pressure in index heavyweights like Sun Pharma and ITC and substantial outflow of foreign funds.

The Nifty50 fell by 36 points, or 0.36 per cent, to close at 9,916.20 points, while the Sensex closed at 31,661.97 points -- down 147.58 points, or 0.46 per cent.

--IANS

ppg/vt