Bajaj Auto, Bharti Airtel and Aurobindo Pharma were the top gainers, while Infosys, SBI, Tech Mahindra and Bharti Infratel lost the most.

Oil prices were little changed on Thursday after falling in the previous two sessions as investors shied away from riskier assets amid volatile equity markets and the U.S. dollar gained, limiting overall interest in commodities.

Both global benchmark oil futures fell sharply on Wednesday after crude and gasoline inventories in the United States rose unexpectedly.

U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude for April delivery was up 8 cents at $61.72 a barrel by 0403 GMT after settling down 2.2 percent in the previous session.

10:05 am Market Check: Shares are currently trading flat, with the Nifty hovering around 10,500.

The Sensex is down 6.59 points or 0.02% at 34177.45, and the Nifty up 2.30 points or 0.02% at 10495.20. The market breadth is positive as 1160 shares advanced, against a decline of 736 shares, while 158 shares are unchanged.

PSU banks have come under selling pressure, along with IT and FMCG names.

Bajaj Auto, Bharti Airtel and Aurobindo Pharma were the top gainers, while Infosys, SBI, Tech Mahindra and Bharti Infratel lost the most.

9:45 am Auto sales reaction: Shares of tractor maker Escorts rose more than 2 percent in the early trade on Thursday as the company has posted strong volume growth in the month of February 2018.

The company’s agri machinery segment sales grow by 52.2 percent at 6462 tractors against 4247 tractors in February 2017.

Domestic sales for the month of February 2018 at 6295 tractors up by 53.4 percent as against 4104 tractors in February 2017. While on the export front, the company sold 167 tractors against 143 tractors, up by 16.8 percent.

9:30 am Buzzing Stock: Shares of Dilip Buildcon rose 3.7 percent in the early trade on Thursday as company declared lowest bidder by NHAI for 3 new projects.

The company has declared L-1 bidder by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) for three new hybrid annuity projects valued at Rs 5390 crore in the state of Karnataka and Jharkhand respectively.

The trading window for dealing in the securities of the company by its designated employees, directors and promoters is already closed till March 2, 2018, which shall continue to remain close till March 6, 2018.

9:15 am Market Opens: Equities have begun the day on a flat note, with the Nifty hovering around 10,500-mark.

source: moneycontrol.com