Sensex range bound, broader indices up

Sensex range bound, broader indices upMumbai, April 7 : A benchmark index for Indian equities markets Thursday continued to languish in the afternoon trade even as broader markets extended their gains.

The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 19,620.88 points, was ruling at 19,613.99 points -- almost unchanged from its previous close at 19,612.2 points.

The 50-scrip S&P CNX Nifty of the National Stock Exchange was trading 0.26 percent lower at 5,876.5 points.

Broader markets were in the green, with the BSE midcap index up 1.05 percent and the BSE small cap index trading 1.28 percent higher.

Realty, capital goods and banking stocks were among the major gainers. Among the losing sectors were telecom, IT and energy.

Among major gainers on the Sensex were HDFC, Hindalco, Tata Power and L&T, while the losers included NTPC, TCS, Bharti Airtel and Maruti Suzuki.

The market breadth was positive with 1,861 stocks advancing, 921 on the decline and 89 remaining unchanged.

Other Asian markets ended in a slump with with the effect of the Chinese rate hike lingering on the bourses and nervousness after the US Federal Reserve hinted that it may not extend the financial stimulus programme.

The Japanese Nikkei average closed 0.07 percent lower at 9,590.93 points, while the Shangahi composite index of the Chinese stock exchanges ended 0.22 percent up.

The Hang Seng of the Hong Kong stock exchange too ended dull at 24,259.62 points, down 0.1 percent.(IANS)