Markets close flat to negative in a choppy session

Mumbai: Benchmark stock indices Sensex and Nifty closed almost unchanged in a highly volatile trade on Friday as investors stayed on the sidelines ahead of key macroeconomic data announcements in post-market hours.

Halting its two-day rally, the 30-share BSE Sensex slipped by 13.71 points or 0.02 per cent to settle at 85,706.67. During the day, it hit a high of 85,969.89 and a low of 85,577.82, gyrating 392.07 points. The 50-share NSE Nifty skidded 12.60 points or 0.05 per cent to 26,202.95. The key indices had raced to record highs in intra-day trade on Thursday but ended almost flat due to profit-taking by investors in the second half of the session.

"Markets traded lacklustre on Friday and ended almost unchanged, taking a breather after hitting fresh record highs," Ajit Mishra, SVP, Research, Religare Broking Ltd, said. Fresh foreign fund outflows and largely muted global market trends kept the stock markets rangebound, analysts said.

Among Sensex firms, Power Grid, Eternal, Bharti Airtel, Axis Bank and Infosys were the biggest laggards. However, Mahindra & Mahindra, Sun Pharma, Kotak Mahindra Bank and State Bank of India were among the major gainers.