Sensex, Nifty end flat; rupee gains(Second Lead)

The last session of 2018's trade ended on a flat note with the Sensex declining 8 points and the Nifty adding just 2 points to its previous close.

The indices however were in the green for the most part of Monday's trade session but were dragged by weakness in key stocks of sectors like realty, oil and gas and energy.

Earlier, domestic stocks, in line with global stocks, edged up after US President Donald Trump tweeted: "Just had a long and very good call with President Xi of China.

"Deal is moving along very well. If made, it will be very comprehensive, covering all subjects, areas and points of dispute. Big progress being made!" he added.

The S&P BSE Sensex settled 8.39 points or 0.02 per cent lower at 36,068.33 after touching an intra-day high of 36,285.46 and a low of 36,033.95.

The Nifty 50 ended at 10,862.55 up 2.65 points or 0.02 per cent.

The benchmark Brent Crude price was also flat at $54.10 per barrel ahead of the production cut by OPEC and other oil producers which will take affect from January 1.

"OPEC had earlier said that they consider the $50-60 per barrel range as stable. Now that Brent crude price slid below 50 earlier in December. We expect further production cut," Anuj Gupta of Angel Broking told IANS.

The Indian currency traded at 69.76 per dollar around closing bell. It had closed at Rs 69.94 last week.

--IANS

ravi/vm