Benchmark indices were trading flat on Thursday following Asian markets, which shrugged off comments from US President Donald Trump about a shutdown of his government if the US Congress fails to fund a Mexico border wall.

9:45 am Stake sale: Share price of Mcleod Russel rose 2.5 percent intraday as the company is going to sell its loss making unit.

The company has decided to dispose of its Bhatpara Tea Estate, a loss making unit of the Company in Dooars, subject to necessary approval/s. On August 23, 2017 the company has entered into an agreement for sale with Voom Food Industries of Siliguri, West Bengal.

Investors are also keeping a close eye on a central banking conference in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, which begins on Thursday, where Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen and European Central Bank President Mario Draghi are both due to speak

Back home, Infosys continued to be in spotlight after investors urged Nandan Nilekani to return to the board of directors. Sebi is also going to conduct a fresh probe into corporate governance complaints against Infosys in connection with the Panaya acquisition.

Publich sector banks were also in focus after the Cabinet on Wednesday approved a framework to speed up mergers of public sector banks, the first of which could take place by March. The mergers will not involve any cash but only share swaps. The government also said there would be no job losses after any of the mergers.

source: business-standard.com