Markets end flat amid volatility; FMCG stocks gain

Indian benchmark equity indices settled on a flat note on Thursday amid a weak trend in global market. After hitting an intraday high of 56,112.39 amid volatility, Sensex ended at 55,949.10, up 4.89 points or 0.01%. The broader NSE Nifty closed at 16,636.90, up 2.25 points or 0.01%. Reliance Industries, closing over 1% higher, was the top Sensex gainer, followed by M&M, HCL Tech, Axis Bank, ICICI Bank and HUL. Bharti Airtel, Maruti, SBI, PowerGrid, NTPC and Tata Steel were among the laggards. Sectoral indices on the NSE closed mixed. Nifty Metal, falling over 1% was the top sectoral laggard, followed by Nifty Media, Nifty PSU Bank, Nifty Pharma and Nifty Auto. Nifty FMCG, Nifty Financial Services and Nifty Private Bank closed the session in the green. Overall, market breadth was positive as 1,733 advanced on the BSE while 1,451 declined and 138 remained unchanged.