Sensex, Nifty stay afloat in volatile trade

Key stock indices Sensex and Nifty on Monday rode out sharp fluctuations, but closed flat, with realty, metal and power stocks saving the day for them.

Risk appetite took a back seat, reflecting mixed Asian shares on lingering concerns about American tax reforms, traders said.

The market struggled for direction as the 30-share Sensex resumed on a high, but soon slipped on profit-taking, before settling up 17.10 points, or 0.05%, at 33,359.90.

The index had risen 582.36 points in the last two sessions after Moody's Investors Service upgraded India's sovereign rating.

The NSE 50-share after moving between 10,309.85 and 10,261.50 on alternate bouts of selling and buying , finished at 10,298.75, with paltry gains of 15.15 points, or 0.15%.