The key equity indices traded with losses during the noon trade, as strong foreign portfolio investor (FPI) inflows and optimism over domestic growth were offset by caution ahead of the upcoming GDP data release.
The Nifty traded below the 24,800 level. Auto shares slipped after advancing for the past consecutive trading session.
At 12:40 hours, the 30-share benchmark was trading at 81339.21 down by -293.81 points or by -0.36 % and then NSE Nifty was at 24749.85 down by -83.75 points or by -0.34 %.
Sensex touched intraday high of 81698.21 and intraday low of 81286.45 The NSE Nifty touched intraday high of 24863.95 and intraday low of 24717.4
The top gainers of the BSE Sensex pack were Eternal Ltd. (Rs. 236.30,+3.50%), Larsen & Toubro Ltd. (Rs. 3668.45,+0.37%), Bajaj Finserv Ltd. (Rs. 2015.30,+0.22%), HDFC Bank Ltd. (Rs. 1930.20,+0.07%), among others.
The top losers of the BSE Sensex pack were NTPC Ltd. (Rs. 334.30,-1.47%), Tata Motors Ltd. (Rs. 714.35,-1.39%), IndusInd Bank Ltd. (Rs. 813.85,-1.25%), Infosys Ltd. (Rs. 1566.00,-1.22%), Tata Steel Ltd. (Rs. 161.15,-1.20%), among others.
CGS index was at 71093.72 up by 443.57 points or by 0.63%. Elgi Equipments Ltd. (Rs. 542.00,+8.58%), Suzlon Energy Ltd. (Rs. 70.86,+8.32%), Bharat Dynamics Ltd. (Rs. 2049.00,+3.89%), Cummins India Ltd. (Rs. 3265.00,+2.92%), SKF India Ltd. (Rs. 4690.60,+2.36%),.
Metal index was at 30833.93 down by -453.52 points or by -1.45%. Vedanta Ltd. (Rs. 437.05,-3.26%), NMDC Ltd. (Rs. 70.65,-2.26%), Hindalco Industries Ltd. (Rs. 636.00,-2.15%), Jindal Stainless Ltd. (Rs. 656.35,-1.93%), Hindustan Zinc Ltd. (Rs. 455.80,-1.92%),.
The Market breadth, indicating the overall strength of the market, was weak. On BSE out of total shares traded 4118 , shares advanced were 1740 while 2189 shares declined and 189 were unchanged.