Equity indices trade flat on derivatives expiry day (Lead)

Mumbai Sep 28 (IANS) Despite broadly positive global cues key Indian equity indices traded on a flat note with marginal losses during the mid-afternoon session on Thursday.

Volatility was induced in the markets on the day of September derivatives expiry as investors booked profits in oil and gas consumer durables and banking stocks.

At 1 p.m. the wider 51-scrip Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) traded at 9 715.70 points -- down 20.05 points or 0.21 per cent.

The 30-scrip Sensitive Index of the BSE which opened at 31 216.36 points traded at 31 138.68 points -- down 21.13 points or 0.07 per cent.

The Sensex has so far touched a high of 31 283.92 points and a low of 31 081.83 points during intra-day trade.

"The BSE Sensex opened lower on Thursday against the previous session s closing. The broader NSE s Nifty too fell in the morning hours " Dhruv Desai Director and Chief Operating Officer of Tradebulls told IANS.

"Top gainers on the NSE were Dr. Reddy s Lab ACC and ITC while top losers were Asian Paints India Bulls Housing Finance and BPCL."

On Wednesday the benchmark indices tumbled for the seventh consecutive session and closed deep in the red as caution ahead of futures and options (F&O) expiry coupled with a weak rupee hampered investors risk-taking appetite.

The Sensex closed at 31 159.81 points -- down 439.95 points or 1.39 per cent while the Nifty fell by 135.75 points or 1.38 per cent to close at 9 735.75 points.

--IANS
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