Markets continue to trade flat

Markets have been volatile today on soft cues from global indices. Investors are also not taking any strong positions ahead of the expiry on Thursday.

The Sensex after touching a low of 20,248 managed a smart recovery and touched a high of 20,345. However, it slipped once again into the red and is now trading marginally lower at 20,288 - down 14 points.

Nifty is down two points at 6,103.

The BSE small-cap index has, however, gained 0.7% at 10,905. Cambridge Solutions, K Sera Sera, Jai Balaji Industries and Delta Corporation are among the big gainers.

Among the sectoral indices, bankex is down 0.5% at 14,121. IT index is also in red. IndusInd Bank and TCS are among the two big losers in these sectors.

Among the Sensex stocks - metals are down. Hindalco has shed 1.5% at Rs 218. Sterlite has dropped 1% to Rs 170.

Bharti Airtel, SBI, ACC and ICICI Bank are down in trades.

On the other hand, Maruti Suzuki continues to be up 3% at Rs 1,555. ITC has gained 1.3% at Rs 172.

IT stocks- Wipro recevered from last week's loss and is now up 1.3% at Rs 436.

Mahindra & Mahindra, Reliance Infrastructure, Cipla, Jaiprakash Associates and Jindal Steel are among some of the other Sensex gainers.

BSE market breadth continues to be positive. Out of 2,816 stocks traded, 1,600 have advanced while 1,111 have declined.