Indian equities opened weak today, (Dec 23), following disappointing worldwide shores prior to December F&O expiry.

Auto, consumer goods and metal stocks traded flat.

BSE Midcap and Smallcap index fell 0.35% and 0.20% respectively.

Asian stocks also dropped down as a smaller-than-forecast interest rate cut in China and an economic growth report in New Zealand fanned worries that a global recession is becoming deeper.

The 30 share index, Sensex gained 409.84 points in the week ended Dec 19, 2008, while the broad based NSE Nifty surged 156.15 points during the same period.

On Monday, the benchmark index Sensex started the week strongly following worldwide signals and saw volatility all through the day. Realty and metal sectors were the major performers.

Indian Markets opened flat on Thursday. NSE Nifty was down by 3 points at 2926. BSE Sensex was marginally up at 10.07 a.m. IST. Volatility may be higher in days to come and markets will depend largely on International cues.

Reliance Communications was trading strong. The stock was up by nearly 8.8%. At NSE Reliance Communications touched an intraday high of Rs 249.55 and a low of Rs 232 during the early trading session.

Among major gainers were ICICI Bank (up by 2.7%), Sterlite (up by 4%), Zee Entertainment (up by 3.5%) and HDFC Bank (up by 2%).

Major losers included Technology stocks, Wipro, TCS, Satyam, Siemens.

Indian Stock markets have opened strong on Wednesday. NSE Nifty was trading 44 points higher at 2828 while BSE Sensex was up by 136 points at 9298. Tata Communications was among major gainers in todays trade. The stock was trading up by 7% followed by Sterlite, SAIL, DLF and Reliance Communications.

Tata Steel gained further ground. The stock was trading Rs 7 higher at 203. Reliance Industries was also helping BSE Sensex. The stock was up by Rs 27.

Among other gainers were Grasim, Wipro, Reliance Infra, GAIL, ICICI Bank, ABB, Satyam Computers, NALCO, Unitech, Suzlon Energy, HCL Tech, Ranbaxy Labs, Cipla, NTPC and Reliance Petro.

Indian Stock markets gained further ground at 1 pm. The markets were trading lower an hour back as some selling was witnessed at higher levels. All sectors were trading higher today. While selling at higher levels has caused markets to slide, but some select counters are still holding strong.

NSE Nifty gained further and has managed to gain 91 points compared to previous close. BSE Sensex gained 303 points.

Reliance Infra was major gainer with stock trading Rs 34 higher at Rs 566. The stock touched an intraday high of Rs 571.7 on BSE. Other gainers included HDFC, Reliance Communications, SBI, ITC, NTPC, L&T, Sterlite and ONGC.

Jim Walker of Asianomics feels that India will outperform. However, Jim expects Indian GDP to remain in range 3-5%. Jim also expects that there may be further sell off in Indian markets. The valuations will become attractive and will offer decent returns.

Tata Power touched an intraday high of Rs 705. The stock however declined from day’s high and was trading at 695.