Markets close flat ahead of key macro data release (Third Lead)

Indian equity markets provisionally ended Monday's trade flat as investors were anxious ahead of the release of key macro economic data and negative Chinese financial cues.

Initially, both the bellwether indices of the Indian equity markets opened on a firm note supported by hopes that the Goods and Services Tax (GST) bill will get passed in the winter session of parliament.

However, concerns over the weak Asian markets given the major fall in Chinese exchanges on Friday and a decline in country's industrial profits spooked investors here.

There were also concerns ahead of the release of the upcoming macro economic data like India's July-September GDP (gross domestic product) and eight core industries (ECI) numbers.

The barometer 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) provisionally closed flat during the day. It rose by 32 points or 0.12 percent.

The wider 50-scrip Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) ended marginally in the red. It ended lower by 1.60 points or 0.02 percent at 7,941.10 points.

The S&P BSE Sensex, which opened at 26,142.53 points, provisionally closed at 26,160.76 points (at 3.30 p.m.) -- 32.56 points or 0.12 percent up from the previous day's close at 26,128.20 points.

The Sensex touched a high of 26,231.06 points and a low of 26,089.13 points during the intra-day trade.