Bouts of profit-booking at higher levels in banks and financials weighed, cutting down the early gains.
The Sensex traded at 24,639.66 at 1206 hours, up 32.67 points, or 0.13 per cent.
The NSE Nifty 50 was almost flat, up 5.90 points, or 0.08 per cent at 7,481.50 at 1206 hours.
Major gainers were BHEL (4.03 per cent), Cipla (3.08 per cent), ONGC (2.71 per cent), Tata Motors (2.57 per cent) and Dr Reddy's 2.41 per cent.
Meanwhile, foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) net bought shares worth Rs 911.98 crore yesterday, data showed.
Asian stocks were trading firm following overnight US gains after positive economic data.
