Mumbai March 15 (IANS) Indian equity markets traded on a flat note during the mid-afternoon session on Wednesday as heavy selling pressure was witnessed in IT and Teck (technology media and entertainment) stocks.
Besides investors sentiments were subdued on the back of disappointing macro-economic data released on Tuesday.
Official data showed that the annual rate of inflation based on wholesale prices -- Wholesale Price Index (WPI) -- rose to 6.55 per cent in February and the annual retail inflation (Consumer Price Index) rose to 3.65 per cent.
In addition caution prevailed ahead of the outcome of the US Federal Open Market Committee s meet later in the evening.
The wider 51-scrip Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) was up by 4.35 points or 0.05 per cent at 9 091.35 points
On the other hand the BSE Sensex which opened at 29452.86 points traded at 29 430.48 points (at 12.40 p.m.) -- down 12.15 points or 0.04 per cent from the previous close at 29 442.63 points.
The Sensex has so far touched a high of 29 500.08 points and a low of 29 402.52 points during the intra-day trade.
In contrast the BSE market breadth was tilted in favour of bulls -- with 1 374 advances and 1 161 declines.
According to Dhruv Desai Director and Chief Operating Officer of Tradebulls IT sector stocks faced resistance at higher levels due to profit booking and traded with bearish sentiments.
Banking pharma auto oil-gas media-entertainment and FMCG sector stocks traded with sideways to firm sentiments while textile aviation and telecom sector stocks traded with firm sentiments due to continue buying support Desai said.
On Tuesday the benchmark indices touched new 52-week-high levels following crucial state election results declared on March 11.
The NSE Nifty gained 152.45 points or 1.71 per cent to close at 9 087 points after touching a new high of 9 120.6 points.
Similarly the BSE Sensex closed at 29 442.63 points -- up 496.40 points or 1.71 per cent after touching a 52-week high of 29 561.93 points.
--IANS
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Equities trade flat, IT stocks face selling pressure (Lead)
