Equity benchmark indices were trading flat; losses were led by HDFC Bank, Infosys and Maruti.

Benchmark indices were off their day’s highs in a range-bound trade led by a rally in metal stocks and gains across most sectors.

At 2:38 PM, the BSE Sensex was trading at 33,802, down 11 points, while the Nifty50 was ruling at 10,448, up 6 points.

The Nifty Metal Index, which was up 1.4%, led the gains in sectoral indices as higher global commodity prices improved outlook for the sector.

Barring the Nifty Pharma and Nifty Auto Index, all sectoral and thematic indices were 0.2-1.4%
higher.

Shares of Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories, which fell 2.9%, were the worst hit on Nifty50 on report that the US Food and Drug Administration has discussed the issue of repeated false or misleading statements made by Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories’s Duvvada unit staff with the company’s management.

The BSE Mid-cap and BSE Small-cap indices were up 0.37% and 0.75%, respectively.

Volatility index India VIX slipped 0.73%.

Adani Ports (+2.1%), ICICI Bank (+1.6%), Tech Mahindra (+1.63%), Hindalco (+1.2%) and Airtel (+1.2%) were the top gainers on Nifty50.

Volatility index India VIX slipped 0.73%.

Adani Ports (+2.1%), ICICI Bank (+1.6%), Tech Mahindra (+1.63%), Hindalco (+1.2%) and Airtel (+1.2%)
were the top gainers on Nifty50.

Dr. Reddy’s (-3%), Wipro (-1.9%), ONGC (-1.7%), Bajaj Auto (-1.6%) and Maruti (-1.2 %) were the top losers in today’s trade.

Out of 2,001 stocks traded on the NSE, 1,103 advanced, 583 declined and 315 remained unchanged today.

A total of 108 stocks registered a fresh 52-week high in trade today, while four stocks touched a new 52-week low on the NSE.

source: indiainfoline.com