Volatile markets end marginally in green

Markets ended flat with a positive bias on Tuesday, amid a volatile trading session, as selling pressure in auto shares capped gains. The Sensex touched a high of 17,410 and a low of 17,212 in trades today and finally ended with 43 points gain at 17,316. Nifty added 18 points at 5,275.

In Asia, markets ended mostly in red with financial and energy shares weighing on investor sentiments. Investors took money off the table with the ongoing corporate earnings season failing to meet expectations. The Shanghai Composite Index lost 0.8 per cent while Hang Seng shed 1% to 20,888.

Foreign institutional investors (FIIs) bought shares worth a net Rs 160.87 crore on Monday.

Auto stocks witnessed selling pressure on concerns that the proposed excise hike in the Budget would dampen sales growth going forward. The index slipped 1.5% to 9,965. Auto stocks witnessed selling pressure on concerns that the proposed excise hike in the Budget would dampen sales growth going forward. The index slipped 1.5% to 9,965.

Tata Motors shed 4.2% to Rs 272. Bajaj Auto slipped 1.2% to Rs 1,690. Mahindra & Mahindra, Maruti Suzuki and Hero MotoCorp slipped marginally in trades as well.

"Hero Moto has been consolidating near its 200 Day EMA of 1930 for a while now and any substantail close below the same may lead to short term weakness. Bajaj Auto has supports near 1600 levels. Tata Motors is now consolidating post teting new life highs and therefore only a break above 297 can confirm a new move in the stock," said Ranak Merchant, Technical Analyst - Strategies, Sushil Financial Services.

Coal India, Hindalco, Bharti Airtel and Larsen & Toubro were the other major losers today - dropping 0.5 - 2% each.

Capital goods stocks pared gains on dissapointment from the Budget 2012. BSE capital goods index ended unchanged at 10,030.

Meanwhile, BSE realty index held on to gains on renewed buying interest. The index added 1.4% to 1,778. DLF surged 1.3% to Rs 195. Among other gainers were Sun Pharma, HDFC Bank, Jindal Steel and Cipla.

UB group stocks dipped on reports that Kingfisher may lose its flying prmit. Vijay Mallya has been asked by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation to present a clear picture of the cash-strapped private carrier. Kingfisher Airlines slumped 5.2% to Rs 19. United Breweries Holdings dropped 4.8% and United Spirits slipped 2.6%.

Meanwhile, Jet Airways (India) jumped 5% at Rs 338 in late afternoon deals after the country's largest airline on Monday after market hours said that as part of a strategic rebranding and restructuring exercise it will consolidate its low fare service proposition and enhance brand recall.

Reliance Capital Trustee Company, a subsidiary of Anil Dhirubhai Group's Reliance Capital has purchased 13 million shares of Mahindra Satyam for over Rs 87 crore. The stock ended up 2% at Rs 393.

Hindustan Motors has said that four promoter group firms have increased their stake in the company to 32.19 per cent by picking up an additional 6.82 per cent through preferential allotment. Shares of Hindustan Motors jumped 5% to Rs 11.08.