Markets trade in a tight range

The Sensex continues to trade in a close range of 50 points with the index paring some of its initial gains. The BSE benchmark index is up 25 points ta 18,321  while the Nifty is trading flat at 5,478.

In the broader markets, the smallcap up 0.5%  and the midcap indices gaining 0.2% too have shed some of its early gains but continues to ouperform the Sensex which is trading flat.

On the sectoral charts, Realty continues to lead with a 0.7% gain. Metal and Oil & gas adding 0.4% each are the other gainers. It down nearly 1% continues to languish at the bottom of the chart. COnsumer Durables, Bankex, Health Care and FMCG too are trading in the negative.

Reliance Infrastructure up 8%, HDFC, Sterlite, Hero Honda, Bharti Airtel, Reliance Communications gaining 1% -2% are the top gainers among the Sensex-30 stocks.

SBI, Infosys, Tat Power, ICICI Bank, ITC and Bajaj Auto down 1% each are the major losers on the Sensex.

The market breadth is positive. 1360  stocks have advanced while 1105  have declined.