Market downplays reform push; Nifty ends roughly flat

The NSE-benchmark Nifty managed to end in green after recovering from an early move to the downside following fag-end buying support amid heightened global volatility.
The broader 50-share index fluctuated between a high of 8,268.25 and low of 8,220.55 before ending at 8,248.25, showing a small gain of 1.95 points, or 0.02 per cent.
Bearish overseas sentiment in the backdrop of sharp overnight fall in commodities amid political uncertainty in Greece mainly kept domestic investors at the sidelines despite government's efforts to push more economic reforms.
After a strong start to trade amid optimism over additional reform measures a day after the government recommended promulgation of an ordinance making significant changes in the Land Acquisition Act.

However, sluggish global cues and year-end profit taking left investors hesitant to take any big bets. Though the market avoided any sharp slide, but it didn't make much headway, either.
Meanwhile, Asian and emerging markets witnessed heavy selling spooked by renewed concerns over the political uncertainty in Greece as well as year-end selling.

Financials, Infra, Technology, Healthcare and Realty stocks were in keen demand. However, metal stocks fell the most after recent sharp move followed by energy and auto.
The big index movers included HDFC Bank, Infosys, Axis Bank, HDFC, SBI, L&T, ICICI Bank, Dr Reddys', TCS, NTPC, BHEL, Indusind Bank, Bank of Baroda, NMDC, TechM and Wipro.

Heromotoco, Tata Steel, Cairn, Jindalsteel, Reliance, Sesa Sterlite, ONGC, Coal India, Bajaj Auto and Asian Paints were among the key losers.
Turnover in the cash segment climbed to Rs 10,868.34 crore from Rs 10,571.70 crore yesterday. A total of 6,520.10 lakh shares changed hands in 54,04,695 trades. The market capitalisation stood at Rs 95,33,658 crore.