<p>The BSE benchmark Sensex today ended flat as investors adopted a cautious approach ahead of IT bellwether Infosys's third quarter earnings, latest food inflation numbers and IIP data, which will be out tomorrow.<br /><br /></p>.<p>After surging over 350 points yesterday, the 30-share Sensex saw choppy trade today before settling at 16,175.86, a mere 10.77 points up from its previous close.<br /><br />Brokers said the market sentiment remained jittery a day before the beginning of earnings season, while some buying in fundamentally strong stocks cushioned every fall in markets.<br /><br />Market leader RIL rallied by 1.80 per cent, helping key index to end the day in the in positive terrain. Hindalco, Tata Steel, Sterlite, SBI, ICICI Bank too were in demand. However, selling pressure in IT stocks Infosys, TCS and Wipro overshadowed the gains.<br /><br />Analysts expected a rise in the net profit of Infosys in rupee terms, but are concerned over <br />the economic crisis in developed countries which contribute a major part of its revenue.<br /><br />Tier II stocks attracted heavy investment buying interest at lower levels from retail investors and as a result BSE Smallcap at 1.32 per cent and BSE-Midcap at 1.00 per cent outperformed the Sensex.<br /><br />Retailer companies like Pantloon, Shopper Stop, Trent, V2 Retails and Kouton Retails rallied after the government yesterday notified 100 per cent FDI in single brand companies. <br /><br />A hefty increase in foreign direct investment (FDI) to 56 per cent in November also kept the market tempo upbeat. The FDI inflows in November totalled USD 2.53 billion against USD 1.62 billion in the same month last year.<br /><br />Asian markets ended firm today on optimism that US economy is weathering Europe's sovereign-debt crisis. Key benchmark indices from China, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, South Korea and Taiwan ended up between 0.38 per cent and 2.69 per cent<br />European indices too were trading higher between 1.0 per cent and 2.0 per cent in their afternoon deals.<br /><br />Strong opening in the European markets further fuelled the rally during the afternoon session and Sensex extended its gains. Global rating agency Moody's upgraded India's short- term foreign currency rating from speculative to investment grade, improving the sentiments further," Goel added.<br /><br />Among the sectoral indices on BSE, realty spurted by 4.20 per cent, consumer goods by 3.56 per cent, Bankex by 3.17 per cent, Metal by 2.96 per cent, Auto 2.91 per cent and Oil&Gas 2.74 per cent.<br /><br />Buying was was seen in second-line stocks by retail investors for the second day. BSE-Smallcap and the BSE-Midcap indices concluded up by 2.63 pct and 2.24 pct respectively.<br /><br />The total market breadth on BSE was strong as 2,137 stocks closed in the green 671 that ended in the red. The total turnover shot up to Rs 2,555.43 crore from Rs 1,986.31 crore yesterday.</p>
<p>The BSE benchmark Sensex today ended flat as investors adopted a cautious approach ahead of IT bellwether Infosys's third quarter earnings, latest food inflation numbers and IIP data, which will be out tomorrow.<br /><br /></p>.<p>After surging over 350 points yesterday, the 30-share Sensex saw choppy trade today before settling at 16,175.86, a mere 10.77 points up from its previous close.<br /><br />Brokers said the market sentiment remained jittery a day before the beginning of earnings season, while some buying in fundamentally strong stocks cushioned every fall in markets.<br /><br />Market leader RIL rallied by 1.80 per cent, helping key index to end the day in the in positive terrain. Hindalco, Tata Steel, Sterlite, SBI, ICICI Bank too were in demand. However, selling pressure in IT stocks Infosys, TCS and Wipro overshadowed the gains.<br /><br />Analysts expected a rise in the net profit of Infosys in rupee terms, but are concerned over <br />the economic crisis in developed countries which contribute a major part of its revenue.<br /><br />Tier II stocks attracted heavy investment buying interest at lower levels from retail investors and as a result BSE Smallcap at 1.32 per cent and BSE-Midcap at 1.00 per cent outperformed the Sensex.<br /><br />Retailer companies like Pantloon, Shopper Stop, Trent, V2 Retails and Kouton Retails rallied after the government yesterday notified 100 per cent FDI in single brand companies. <br /><br />A hefty increase in foreign direct investment (FDI) to 56 per cent in November also kept the market tempo upbeat. The FDI inflows in November totalled USD 2.53 billion against USD 1.62 billion in the same month last year.<br /><br />Asian markets ended firm today on optimism that US economy is weathering Europe's sovereign-debt crisis. Key benchmark indices from China, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, South Korea and Taiwan ended up between 0.38 per cent and 2.69 per cent<br />European indices too were trading higher between 1.0 per cent and 2.0 per cent in their afternoon deals.<br /><br />Strong opening in the European markets further fuelled the rally during the afternoon session and Sensex extended its gains. Global rating agency Moody's upgraded India's short- term foreign currency rating from speculative to investment grade, improving the sentiments further," Goel added.<br /><br />Among the sectoral indices on BSE, realty spurted by 4.20 per cent, consumer goods by 3.56 per cent, Bankex by 3.17 per cent, Metal by 2.96 per cent, Auto 2.91 per cent and Oil&Gas 2.74 per cent.<br /><br />Buying was was seen in second-line stocks by retail investors for the second day. BSE-Smallcap and the BSE-Midcap indices concluded up by 2.63 pct and 2.24 pct respectively.<br /><br />The total market breadth on BSE was strong as 2,137 stocks closed in the green 671 that ended in the red. The total turnover shot up to Rs 2,555.43 crore from Rs 1,986.31 crore yesterday.</p>