Equities trade flat on disappointing macro-data

Indian equities markets traded on a flat note -- marginally in the red -- during the mid-afternoon trade session on Tuesday as disappointing macro-economic data, coupled with broadly negative Asian indices and profit booking, subdued investors' sentiments.

The wider 51-scrip Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) fell by 3.90 points or 0.04 per cent to 8,801.15 points.

The barometer 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the BSE, which opened at 28,386.12 points, traded at 28,349.31 points (at 1.50 p.m.) -- down 2.31 points, or 0.01 per cent, from the previous close at 28,351.62 points.

The Sensex has so far touched a high of 28,386.68 points and a low of 28,263.45 points during the intra-day trade.

The BSE market breadth was tilted in favour of the bears -- with 1,660 declines and 1,022 advances.

According to Dhruv Desai, Director and Chief Operating Officer of Tradebulls, the CNX Nifty traded with sideways sentiments due to profit booking.

"Banking, pharma, auto, oil-gas, textile, aviation and media-entertainment stocks traded with bearish sentiments," Desai said.

"While FMCG, cement and power sector stocks traded under selling pressure."

On Monday, the NSE Nifty rose by 11.50 points or 0.13 per cent to close at 8,805.05 points, and the BSE Sensex was up by 17.37 points, or 0.06 per cent, at 28,351.62 points.

--IANS

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