Markets quiet in noon trade, FMCG, IT scrips gain

Equity markets were trading in a tight but volatile range today, with the Sensex managing to creep up into the green after a brief slip. Healthy buying interest was seen in FMCG and IT scrips.

Equity markets were trading in a tight but volatile range on Friday, with the Sensex managing to creep up into the green after a brief slip. Healthy buying interest was seen in FMCG and IT scrips.

HT Image

The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 17,257.72 points, was ruling at 17,252.36 points around 12 pm, up 55.89 points or 0.33% compared to its previous close at 17,196.47 points.

The Sensex had fallen by a huge 405 points Thursday as anxiety built up that high fuel prices and a fall in the rupee could result in greater economic uncertainty in the country leading to a selling spree in equities.

The 50-scrip S&P CNX Nifty of the National Stock Exchange also was trading with moderate gains at 5,247.5 points, up 19.05 points or 0.36% from its previous close.

Broader markets were quiet too with the BSE 500 index trading 0.19% up. The BSE midcap and small cap indices were flat.

Asian markets were in the red as concerns over a slowdown in China's economy weighed heavy on investors.

The Japanese Nikkei index closed 1.14% lower at 10,011.47 points.

Hong Kong's index fell 1.34 percent to 20,621.61 points, while the Chinese Shanghai Composite index was trading 0.79% lower at 2,357 points.