Equities close flat, IT stocks extend gains

Key Indian equity indices -- the BSE Sensex and NSE Nifty50 -- provisionally closed on a flat note on Friday as investors booked profits in banking, capital goods, FMCG and healthcare sectors.

According to market observers, healthy buying witnessed in IT, Teck (technology, media and entertainment) and oil and gas stocks trimmed some losses.

The 30-scrip Sensitive Index (Sensex) of the BSE, which slid into the red during the day's trade, provisionally closed with marginal gains.

At 3.30 p.m., the 30-scrip Sensitive Index (Sensex) of the BSE, which opened at 32,207.63 points, closed at 32,272.61 points -- up 30.68 points, or 0.10 per cent, from its previous close at 32,241.93 points.

It touched a high of 32,356.11 points and a low of 32,138.38 points in the intra-day trade.

However, the BSE market breadth was bearish -- with 1,467 declines and 1,101 advances.

On the other hand, the wider 51-scrip Nifty50 of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) inched down 1.20 points, or 0.01 per cent, to close the day at 10,085.40 points.

On Thursday, the benchmark indices closed on a flat note with healthy buying in healthcare and banking stocks.

The Nifty50 was up 7.30 points, or 0.07 per cent, to close at 10,086.60 points, while the Sensex closed at 32,241.93 points -- up 55.52 points, or 0.17 per cent.

--IANS

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