The Sensex and Nifty continue to trade in the closed range below the psychological levels of 20,000 and 6,000 respectively. The Sensex is trading up six poinst at 19,947 while the Nifty is flat at 5,992.
In the broader markets the situation is slighlt grim with both the smallcap and the midcap indices trading in the negative. The midcap index is down 0.1% while the smallcap index shed 0.4% as compared to the benchmark index which is trading in the positive, up 0.03%
On the Asian front, the markets continue to trade in the red. Nikkei dipped 1.7% after Japan's industrial output slowed to 1.9% in September and Hang Seng extended its losses and is trading down 0.9% at 22,988.
On the BSE sectoral indices, Consumer Durables extended gains, up 1% followed by Oil & Gas and FMCG gaining 0.9% and 0.6% respectively. Realty which opened as the biggest loser in the opening trades has moved up into the green at 0.1%. However, Auto and Metal indices continue to languish at the bottom of the chart.
ITC, Reliance Communications and market heavyweight RIL up 1.5% each are the top gainers on the Sensex followed by BHEL, Cipla and DLF adding 1% each.
Tata Motors, Hero Honda down 2% are the major losers in the Sensex- 30 stocks.HDFC losing 1.5%, Tata Steel, Bharti Airtel, Hindalco and HDFC Bank shedding nearly 1% each are the other significant losers.
Market breadth continues to be negative. Of the total 2944 stocks traded on the BSE, 1673 stocks have declined while 1194 have advanced.