Equities provisionally close flat on global cues

Indian equities markets on Friday provisionally closed on a flat note -- marginally in the red -- as negative global cues and heavy selling pressure witnessed in banking, automobile, and fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) stocks subdued investors' sentiments.

The wider 51-scrip Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) closed a tad lower by 2.20 points or 0.02 per cent, to 8,897.55 points.

The barometer 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the BSE, which opened at 28,827.50 points, provisionally closed at 28,832.45 points (at 3.30 p.m.) -- down 7.34 points or 0.03 per cent from the previous close at 28,839.79 points.

The Sensex touched a high of 28,860.13 points and a low of 28,716.21 points during the intra-day trade.

The BSE market breadth was slightly tilted in favour of the bears -- with 1,443 declines and 1,382 advances.

On Thursday, the benchmark indices were subdued as heavy selling pressure was witnessed in banking, healthcare, and oil and gas stocks.

The NSE Nifty slipped by 46.05 points or 0.51 per cent to close at 8,899.75 points, and the barometer BSE Sensex was down 144.70 points or 0.50 per cent at 28,839.79 points.

--IANS

ppg/dg