Share Market Today: The two key equity benchmark indices, Sensex and Nifty, on Tuesday closed their session on a flat note. The BSE Sensex settled at 81,712, rising 14 points. On the other hand, the NSE Nifty50 closed just 7 points higher at 25,018.

  


Stock update


On the 30-share Sensex platform, Bajaj Finserv, Maruti, L&T, Bajaj Finance, Infosys, ICICI Bank emerged gainers. On the down side, Titan, JSW Steel, HUL, Tata Motors, NTPC, ITC were among the losers.


Among specific stocks, Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd's share price surged by up to 15 per cent on August 27 following the media company's announcement of an agreement to resolve all disputes with Sony concerning their merger termination. During afternoon trade, Zee shares reached an intraday high of Rs 154.9 before easing to Rs 147.7, still maintaining a 10 percent gain over the previous close.


About 1,865 shares advanced, 1,611 shares declined, and 70 shares were unchanged.


Among the broader indices, Nifty Smallcap 100 index outperformed others and ended with a gain of 1.05 per cent.


Sectoral update


Sectorally, Media and Financial Services were the leading gainers among sectors with a rally of up to 4.10 per cent, while FMCG, Metal, Auto, and Consumer Durables ended lower on Tuesday.


In the previous session on Monday, the BSE Sensex jumped 612 points to end at 81698, while the NSE Nifty50 closed at 25,010, rising 187 points.


"There are both headwinds and tailwinds for the market now. Headwinds are coming from the escalation of geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and Ukraine. Brent crude has shot up above $81. The strongest tailwind comes from the expected rate cuts by the Fed which will spill over to other central banks, including the RBI," said V K Vijayakumar, chief investment strategist, Geojit Financial Services.


Global update


In Asian markets, Tokyo and Hong Kong settled in the positive territory, while Seoul and Shanghai ended lower. European markets were trading higher in mid-session deals. The US markets ended mostly lower in the overnight trade on Monday.


Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) bought equities worth Rs 483.36 crore on Monday, according to exchange data.


Global oil benchmark Brent crude declined 0.84 per cent to $80.75 a barrel.


Rupee dips 5 paise


The rupee depreciated by 5 paise to close at 83.92 (provisional) against the American currency on Tuesday, on overnight jump in crude oil prices and a surge in commodity prices. However, positive domestic markets and a soft US dollar cushioned the downside, forex traders said.


At the interbank foreign exchange market, the local unit opened at 83.91 and touched an intra-day low of 83.95 against the US dollar.


The domestic currency finally settled at 83.92 (provisional), 5 paise lower from its previous close. On Monday, the Indian rupee settled for the day 3 paise higher at 83.87 against the American currency.