Sensex closes flat, metal stocks up (Roundup)

After a rise of 30 percent in valuations for 2014, a benchmark index of Indian equities markets closed the first day of trade session in 2015 flat, marginally higher by 8.12 points or 0.03 percent as no major triggers affected investor sentiment Thursday.

Healthy buying was observed in metal, automobile and capital goods stocks, while selling was seen in fast moving consumer goods (FMCG), healthcare and power sectors.

The 30-scrip Sensitive Index (Sensex) of the S&P Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 27,485.77 points, closed at 27,507.54 points, up 8.12 points or 0.03 percent from the previous day's close at 27,499.42 points.

The Sensex touched a high of 27,545.61 points and a low of 27,395.34 points in the intra-day trade.

In 2014, the Indian markets emerged as one of the strongest performers amongst emerging economies last year with key index soaring almost 30 percent against nine percent in the previous year.

Last year also saw a record inflow of net investment by foreign funds pegged at $16.11 billion in equities. The data with the National Securities Depository Limited (NSDL) showed that the overall inflows in equities and debt market stood at $42.35 billion.

In Thursday's trade, the S&P BSE metal index gained 115.52 points, followed by automobile index which ended the day's trade up 72.69 points, and capital goods index which rose by 58.77 points.

However, FMCG index went down by 20.78 points, healthcare index was lower by 19.77 points, and power index slipped by 1.20 points.

The wider 50-scrip Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) too closed flat. It was marginally up by 1.30 points or 0.02 percent down at 8,284 points.

The major Sensex gainers were: Bharti Airtel, up 2.86 percent at Rs.362.95; Sesa Sterlite, up 2.34 percent at Rs.219.10; Tata Steel, up 1.30 percent at Rs.404.55; BHEL, up 1.17 percent at Rs.268.30; and ONGC, up 0.84 percent at Rs.344.05.

The losers were: NTPC, down 1.18 percent at Rs.142.40; Dr Reddy's Lab, down 1.03 percent at Rs.3,211.60; HDFC, down 1.02 percent at Rs.1,123.45; Coal India, down 0.90 percent at Rs.380.30; and ITC, down 0.37 percent at Rs.367.05.