Sensex ends flat; consumer durables stocks fall (Roundup)

A benchmark index of Indian equities markets closed Thursday's trade flat as negative global cues and profit booking led to a volatile session.

Heavy volatility was observed in the 30-scrip Sensitive Index (Sensex) of the S&P Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), post-late afternoon (2.00 p.m.) when it gained 394.72 points and stood at 29,277.83 points.

The barometer index, however, soon lost 524.54 points to fall from an intra-day high of 29,277.83 points to an intra-day low of 28,753.29 points.

The S&P BSE Sensex, which opened at 28,912.38 points, closed the day's trade at 28,850.97 points, down 32.14 points or 0.11 percent from the previous day's close at 28,883.11 points.

"Volatility continues to be high, post the setback with no further rate cut, sensitive stocks and high beta stocks are losing the shine added in expectation to RBI meet," said Vinod Nair, head-fundamental research, Geojit BNP Paribas Financial Services.

"Added to this factor when earnings are being downgraded led by poor numbers in Q3FY15, we are seeing consolidation in banks and auto sector. The new development in Greece is not welcomed by ECB leading to underperformance in Europe market."

Healthy buying was observed in information technology (IT), technology, entertainment and media (TECK) and fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) stocks.

However, consumer durables, metal, healthcare, capital goods, automobile, oil and gas and bank scrips came under heavy selling pressure.

The S&P BSE IT index surged by 236.19 points, TECK index gained 82.50 points, and FMCG index moved up by 48.09 points.

The S&P BSE consumer durables index plunged by 240.40 points, metal index was lower by 198.79 points, healthcare index fell by 146.02 points.

Interest-sensitive sectors too came under selling pressure. Capital goods index declined by 143.24 points, automobile index decreased by 133.69 points and bank index slipped 102.06 points.

Oil and gas index was lower by 118.51 points.

The wider 50-scrip Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) also closed the day's trade flat. It was down 12 points or 0.14 percent up at 8,711.70 points.

The major Sensex gainers were Wipro, up 3.18 percent at Rs.637.30; Infoysy, up 2.41 percent at Rs.2,193.60; Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), up 1.51 percent at Rs.2,551.90; HDFC, up 1.28 percent at Rs.1,248.90; and Axis Bank, up 1.28 percent at Rs.566.45.

The losers were Tata Power, down 7.48 percent at Rs.83.45; Sesa Sterlite, down 4.06 percent at Rs.207.80; ONGC, down 3.38 percent at Rs.355.90; Hindalco Inds, down 2.80 percent at Rs.147.80; and BHEL, down 2.67 percent at Rs.277.50.