The Bombay Stock Exchange benchmark Sensex today closed almost unchanged as investors preferred to book profits at every rise even as global bourses firmed up.
Marketmen said concerns over earnings by corporate for the third quarter weighed heavily investors' minds even though over 100 companies that announced results so far have showed higher-than-expected growth in net profits.
After moving in a limited range in the absence of any clear direction, the BSE barometer closed at 9,329.57, a marginal rise of 5.98 points from its previous close.
The broader 50-share Nifty of the National Stock Exchange strengthened by 17.75 points to end at 2,846.20.
Asian Indices ended higher by about 0.32 per cent to 1.65 per cent while European markets were up by nearly 2.0 per cent in their early trade.
Marketmen said investors seemed cautious and preferred to book profits at existing levels despite firm global cues amid intense anticipation of Q3 numbers by Reliance Industries, the country's most valued private company, and Hindustan Unilever. Reliance Industries, which commands highest weightage in Sensex, is scheduled to announce its results this week.
The scandal-hit Satyam Computer improved by 4.0 per cent. Among Sensex stocks, Jaiprakash Associates gained 4.69 per cent, closely followed by Sterlite Ind at 4.02 per cent. ONGC at 3.45 per cent, Bharti Airtel at 2.23 per cent at Tata Steel 1.98 per cent at L&T 1.45 per cent were also among the prominent gainers.
Realty stocks, led by Unitech scored impressive gains pushing the sectoral index by another 2.17 per cent. Unitech which restructuring its debt closed up by 5.98 per cent at 31.90. PTI
