Markets remain dull, trading range-bound

Mumbai, Jan 19 (IANS) Trading at the Indian equities markets remained dull and operated in a tight range Monday, with a key index closing only 0.06 percent up over its previous close.

The sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened Monday at 9,381.78 points, against the previous close at 9,323.59, shut shop at 9,329.57 points, 0.06 percent or 5.98 points above its previous close.

The broader S&P CNX Nifty index of the National Stock Exchange also ended trade higher at 2,837.6, points, a rise of 0.32 percent over its previous close at 2,828.45.

Other market indices like the BSE midcap closed 0.55 percent higher, while BSE smallcap ended 1.13 percent up.

Of the 13 sectoral indices on the BSE, the BSE realty index gained the most, closing 2.17 percent over its previous close.

Markets were a mixed bag Friday with as many as 1,353 stocks advancing, 1,024 scrips declining, and 95 remaining unchanged.

Among major gainers were Jaiprakash Associates (up 4.69 percent to close at Rs.69.20), Sterlite Industries (up 4.02 percent at Rs.270.65) and public sector oil giant ONGC (up 3.45 percent at Rs.670.50).

Top losers Monday were Mahindra and Mahindra (down 4.58 percent to Rs.309.40), Grasim Industries (down 2.71 percent at Rs.1,245.35) and ICICI Bank (down 2.57 percent at Rs.413.05).

In other Asian markets, the Nikkei, a key index of the Tokyo Stock Exchange, closed 0.32 percent over its last close while the Hang Seng, a key index of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, rose 0.64 percent over its previous close.

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