Indian equities close flat, global cues hamper sentiments (Second Lead)

Mumbai March 31 (IANS) Despite a strong rupee attracting funds into the domestic markets the upward movement of key Indian equity indices was hampered by negative global cues and they closed on a flat note on Friday.

Heavy selling pressure was witnessed in banking and IT stocks.

The wider 51-scrip Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) provisionally closed flat -- unchanged at 9 173.75 points from the previous day s close.

The barometer 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the BSE which opened at 29 633.91 points provisionally closed at 29 620.50 points (at 3.30 p.m.) -- down 26.92 points or 0.09 per cent from the previous close at 29 647.42 points.

The Sensex touched a high of 29 687.64 points and a low of 29 552.61 points during the intra-day trade.

However the BSE market breadth was bullish -- with 1 613 advances and 1 131 declines.

On Thursday the benchmark indices closed on a bullish note. The NSE Nifty was up 29.95 points or 0.33 per cent at 9 173.75 points while the Sensex closed at 29 647.42 points -- up 115.99 points or 0.39 per cent.

--IANS
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