Stock Market: Sensex, Nifty Close Flat Tracking Volatility In Second Half. ITC, SBI Top Drag

Stock update: On the 30-share Sensex platform, ITC, SBI, Bajaj Finance, NTPC, PowerGrid, ICICI Bank were among the prime losers

The two key equity benchmarks, Sensex and Nifty, on Tuesday ended flat amid mixed global markets. The domestic indices erased early gains tracking volatility in the second half of trade.

The BSE Sensex closed at 61,761, down 3 points. On the other hand, the NSE Nifty settled at 18,266, up 1.5 per cent.

On the 30-share Sensex platform, ITC, SBI, Bajaj Finance, NTPC, PowerGrid, ICICI Bank were among the prime losers. On the flip side, IndusInd Bank, Axis Bank, TCS, M&M, Tata Motors, Asian Paints emerged winners.

Among stocks, Mankind Pharma extended gains after a stellar debut and zoomed 30 per cent over the issue price to its intra-day high.

The broader markets, meanwhile, outperformed gains in the benchmark. The BSE Midcap and Smallcap indices rose up to 0.6 per cent versus 0.3 per cent gain in the in BSE Sensex.

Sectorwise, Nifty Auto and Metals indices led gains, rising 0.8 per cent each. PSU Bank index, meanwhile, dipped 1 per cent. 

In the previous session on Monday, the BSE Sensex ended at 61,764, up 710 points. On the other hand, the NSE Nifty50 climbed 195 points to 18,264.

In Asian markets, Seoul, Shanghai, and Hong Kong ended lower, while Tokyo settled in the green. European markets were trading in the negative territory. The US markets had ended on a mixed note on Monday.

Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) were net buyers on Monday as they bought equities worth Rs 2,123.76 crore, according to exchange data.

Global oil benchmark Brent crude dipped 0.88 per cent to $76.33 per barrel.

Meanwhile, the rupee fell 27 paise to close at 82.05 (provisional) against the US currency on Tuesday, weighed down by a strong greenback against major rivals overseas and a muted trend in domestic equities.

At the interbank foreign exchange, the domestic unit opened at 81.84 against the dollar and slipped below the 82 levels to close at 82.05 (provisional), down 27 paise from its previous close.

During the day, the rupee witnessed a high of 81.83 and a low of 82.15 against the greenback. On Monday, the rupee settled at 81.78 against the dollar.