Equity indices trade with marginal gains

Tracking broadly positive global cues, key Indian equity indices traded in the green -- with marginal gains -- during the mid-afternoon session on Wednesday.

The gains were led by healthy buying in consumer durables, capital goods, auto and healthcare stocks on the BSE market breadth.

According to market observers, investors traded with caution ahead of GDP data announcement and derivatives expiry on November 30 (Thursday).

Around 1 p.m., the wider Nifty50 of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) traded higher by 10.60 points or 0.10 per cent at 10,380.85 points.

The barometer 30-scrip Sensitive Index (Sensex) of the BSE, which opened at 33,664.27 points, traded at 33,659.92 points -- up 41.33 points or 0.12 per cent -- from Tuesday's close.

The Sensex touched a high of 33,690.92 points and a low of 33,612.34 during intra-day trade.

The BSE market breadth was bullish -- 1,426 advances and 1,109 declines.

"Indian shares opened little changed Wednesday on positive global cues and traded in a narrow range ahead of the F&O (futures and options) derivatives expiry due tomorrow," Dhruv Desai, Director and Chief Operating Officer of Tradebulls, told IANS.

"Coal India, Dr Reddy's, NTPC, Cipla, ONGC led gains, while HDFC, Axis Bank, Bharti Airtel, Adani Ports led the decline among the 50-share Nifty constituents," he added.

On Tuesday, the key indices succumbed to heavy selling pressure and closed in the negative territory after trading on a volatile note during the entire day.

The NSE Nifty50 fell by 29.30 points or 0.28 per cent to 10,370.25 points, while the BSE Sensex closed at 33,618.59 points -- down 105.85 points or 0.31 per cent.

--IANS

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