The benchmark index Nifty scaled a new all-time peak of 6,838 in intra-trade before succumbing to selling pressure and ending flat in a volatile trade today.
Profit-booking was seen in FMCG, IT, auto and metal counters, while upcoming expiry of F&O April contracts also affected market sentiments.
The market traded in a narrow range after opening in the green boosted by good FII inflows and higher global cues. It rallied further, propelling the 50-share index to hit fresh all-time peak of 6,838 on the back of buying in key energy, banking, pharma and infra shares.
Volatility struck during late hours ahead of expiry of derivative contracts of April series tomorrow, one-day before actual date on Thursday when the market will be closed for voting in Mumbai.
The National Stock Exchange's Nifty traded between a high of 6,838.00 and a low of 6,806.25, before closing at 6,815.35 points, down 2.30 points, or 0.03 per cent, over its last close.
Mining major Sesa Sterlite, which had gained in the last few sessions, fell by 3.97 per cent on profit-booking followed by Wipro 2.87 per cent and PNB 2.09 per cent.
State-run energy major BPCL surged 4.09 per cent and infra giant L&T gained 1.81 per cent.
Meanwhile, foreign institutional investors (FIIs) bought shares worth a net Rs 212.85 crore on yesterday, as per provisional data from the stock exchanges.
Other losers were Jindal Steel, IndusInd Bank, ACC, NTPC, Grasim, SBIN and M&M. Lupin, Gail, HDFC Bank, Coal India and ONGC were some of the key gainers.
Turnover in the cash segment rose to Rs 12,757.57 crore from Rs 12,740.10 crore yesterday. A total of 7,927.64 lakh shares changed hands in 61,40,952 trades, while market capitalisation stood at Rs 74,83,444 crore.
