Sensex ends flat amidst drop in inflation, firm global cues

Stocks: Despite tail-end buying amid easing of wholesale inflation to seven-month low and firm global cues, the S&P BSE benchmark Sensex continued to rule weak for the third week in a row.
The 30-share index slipped another 10 points to settle at 20,366.82 this week.
Persistent capital outflows from foreign funds mainly affected the market sentiment. Foreign institutional investors (FIIs) were net sellers of Rs 106.96 crore during the week, including the provisional figure of February 14.
Wholesale-based inflation eased to a seven-month low of 5.05 per cent in January from 6.16 per cent in December.
With industrial output in negative terrain and price rise under control, hopes rose that RBI will cut interest rates soon, said brokers.

Shares of power, metal, FMCG, healthcare and banking sectors declined on profit-booking, while consumer durable, IT and auto scrips firmed up on good buying enquiries.

The Sensex resumed higher at 20,429.16 and hovered in a range of 20,516.60 and 20,149.01 before ending at 20,366.82, showing a mere loss of 9.74 points, or 0.05 per cent.
The BSE benchmark index has tumbled by 766.74 points, or 3.63 per cent, in the last three weeks.
The NSE's 50-share benchmark Nifty moved down by 14.85 points, or 0.24 per cent, to settle at 6,048.35.
Small and midcap stocks witnessed volatility as the interim Railway Budget did not contain any big-ticket measure even as passenger fares and freight rates were left untouched.

Small and midcap indices declined by 0.78 per cent and 0.39 per cent, respectively.
Globally, stocks ended higher following upbeat trade data from China. An optimistic economic outlook from Federal Reserve chief Janet Yellen also whetted investors' risk appetite.