Sensex, Nifty close almost flat; IT stocks weigh

Benchmark BSE Sensex and Nifty closed on a flat note after a volatile session on August 10 profit booking in IT and realty shares negated gains in metal and oil & gas stocks.

The 30-share BSE Sensex ended 35.78 points or 0.06% lower at 58,817.29, while the broader NSE Nifty inched 9.65 points or 0.06% higher at 17,534.75.

The market remained range-bound for the most part of the session as investors kept their exposure low due to weak global cues, traders said.

Bajaj Finance was the top loser in the Sensex pack, shedding 2.66%, followed by NTPC, HCL Tech, Wipro, Asian Paints, Ultra Cement and SBI.

On the other hand, Tata Steel, Bharti Airtel, ICICI Bank, L&T and IndusInd Bank were among the gainers.

Equity markets were closed on Tuesday on account of ‘Muharram’.

Elsewhere in Asia, bourses in Shanghai, Hong Kong, Tokyo and Seoul ended with significant losses.

Equities in Europe were trading with mild gains in mid-session deals.

Meanwhile, international oil benchmark Brent crude declined 1.05% to $95.30 per barrel.

Foreign institutional investors (FIIs) were net buyers in the Indian capital market as they purchased shares worth ₹1,449.70 crore on Monday, as per exchange data.

The rupee appreciated 15 paise to close at 79.48 (provisional) against the U.S. dollar on August 10.