Sensex trades flat in afternoon session, IT stocks rally

A benchmark index of Indian equities markets was trading flat up 58 points or 0.29 percent during afternoon trade Friday.

Good buying was observed in IT, auto and technology, media and entertainment (TECK) sectors, while banking index (bankex) and capital goods sectors took a plunge.

The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the S&P Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 20213.45 points, was trading at 20,186.70 points in the afternoon session, up 58.29 points or 0.29 percent from its previous day's close at 20,128.41 points.

The Sensex touched a high of 20,238.89 points and a low of 20,138.76 points in the trade so far.

The S&P BSE IT index surged by 214.50 points, auto index shot up by 172.99 points and TECK index increased by 102.37 points, while bankex plunged 184.92 points and capital goods plummeted 177.94 points.

The wider 50-scrip Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) was also trading flat at 3.80 points or 0.06 percent up at 6,041.85 points.