E-Paper
Sensex ends flat on Friday, near all-time high
The Sensex fell 1.74 points to 6,618.23 on profit-taking, after nearing its all-time high in opening trade.
Indian share prices closed flat on Friday in solid trade, especially in the bank and technology sectors, dealers said.
The Bombay Stock Exchange's 30-share benchmark Sensex index fell 1.74 points to 6,618.23.
Of the 30 Sensex stocks, 15 gained and 15 declined on trading volumes of Rs 25.91 billion, dealers said.
Trading activity was particularly strong in banking, pharmaceutical and technology stocks of midsized companies.
"The foreign trading activity continues to remain strong. Today, there was participation from both foreign and domestic funds," said dealer with ULJK Securities, Manoj Kakaiya.
Foreign funds have been net buyers in Indian stock to the tune of $803.8 million so far this year against $673.4 million in the same period last year, according to the Securities and Exchange Board of India.
Some Sensex heavyweights, particularly Reliance Industries and Infosys Technologies, fell on profit booking while others like software giant Wipro and pharmaceutical multinational Ranbaxy Laboratories gained on fresh buying.
Reliance Industries fell 0.88 per cent or Rs 4.75 at Rs 536.5 while Infosys Technologies fell 1.07 per cent or Rs 22.55 at Rs 2,080.75.
"The index came close to touching a new all-time record during early morning trade, with a day's high of 6,684. The momentum is likely to sustain and we could see a buoyant market early next week," said a dealer with brokerage Dalal and Broacha.
Wipro stock was a major gainer, closing 1.35 per cent up or Rs 9.4 at Rs 703.45.
