Sensex closes flat, auto stocks down

A benchmark index of Indian equities markets ended Monday's trade flat-- only 12.93 points or 0.05 percent up (provisional) - after touching a record high of 27,969.82 points in the early morning trade session.

In the early morning trade session the benchmark index had surpassed its previous high of 27,894.32 points hit Friday. Subsequently it lost its gains and traded in the red.

Healthy buying was observed in banks, healthcare, realty and capital goods while selling pressure was sustained in auto, consumer durables and oil and gas stocks.

The 30-scrip Sensitive Index (Sensex) of the S&P Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 27,943.04 points, closed trade at 27,878.76 points (provisional), up 12.93 points or 0.05 percent from the previous day's close at 27,865.83 points.

The Sensex touched a high of 27,969.82 points and a low of 27,785.40 points in the trade so far.

The S&P bank index gained 111.22 points, healthcare index was up 61.85 points, followed by realty sector which was higher by 52.88 points and capital goods index which increased by 52.44 points.

However, auto index dropped by 162.36 points, followed by consumer durables index which was down 148.99 points and oil and gas index which lost 12.52 points.

The wider 50-scrip Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) closed trade in the positive territory. It gained 4.75 points or 0.06 percent up at 8,326.95 points.