Markets trade flat, Sensex up 5pts

The markets witnessed lacklustre trades for most part of the late-morning deals with the BSE Sensex at 17,104, down 5 points and the Nifty at 5,144, down 4 points. So far, the BSE benchmark index has touched a high of 17,191 and a low of 17,057

The broader markets are comparatively firm with the mid-cap and small-cap indices having gained nearly a per cent each.

Among the sectoral indices, BSE Capital Goods and Bankex indices are leading the gains, up a per cent each.

Usha Martin, Crompton Greaves, BEML, BHEL and L&T, up 1-3% each, are the major gainers from the Capital Goods stocks.

ICICI Bank, Bank of Baroda, SBI, Bank of India and Punjab National Bank, up 1-2% each, are the top gainers from the financials' space.

On the Sensex, Wipro, Coal India, ICICI Bank, BHEL and L&T, up 1-2% each, are the top gainers. The major losers among the stocks are Hero MotoCorp, Maruti Suzuki, Relaince Industries, Hindalco Industries and Hindustan Unilever, down 1-2% each.

Among individual stocks, Bajaj Hindusthan has spurted 8% to Rs 43 after the stock turned ex-rights today. The board of directors of the company fixed September 22, 2011 as record date for the purpose of deciding the shareholders who are eligible to apply for equity shares on rights basis in the proposed issue on rights basis to the existing shareholders of the company.

Coal India is trading higher by 2% at Rs 385, the largest gainer among the Sensex stocks, on reports that the environment ministry has agreed to discuss coal projects on a case-by-case basis.

The overall market breadth is positive as 1,495 stocks have advanced against 882 declining ones on the BSE.