Equity indices end flat on weak global cues, trade tensions

Amid volatility, the key Indian equity indices settled flat on Wednesday tracking weak global cues.

Globally, investor sentiments were weighed down by the ongoing trade tensions between the US and China, analysts said.

The US on Wednesday ramped up its trade war with China, listing $200 billion worth of additional products it plans to place under additional tariffs as soon as September.

According to market observers, heavy selling pressure was witnessed in metal, auto and banking stocks.

At 3.30 p.m., the broader Nifty50 of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) provisionally closed at 10,948.30 points -- up by just 1.05 points or 0.01 per cent -- from its previous close of 10,947.25 points.

The barometer 30-scrip Sensex on the BSE, which had opened at 36,299.26 points, closed at 36,265.93 points (3.30 p.m.) -- up by 26.31 points or 0.07 per cent -- from its previous session's close of 36,239.62 points.

The Sensex touched a high of 36,362.30 points and a low of 36,169.70 points during the intra-day trade. The BSE market breadth, however, was bearish with 1,558 declines against 1,063 advances.

The top gainers on the Sensex were Tata Consultancy Serices (TCS), Bajaj Auto, Hindustan Unilever, Infosys and Reliance Industries whereas Coal India, Vedanta, Tata Motors, Tata Steel and Tata Motors (DVR) were the losers.

On the NSE, TCS, Bharti Infratel and Bajaj Auto were the highest gainers while UPL, Coal India and Hindalco Industries lost the most.

--IANS

rrb/mag/sed