Sensex marginally up in see-saw trade

Mumbai: Market benchmark BSE Sensex ended marginally higher after a see-saw trade on Tuesday, snapping its two-day falling streak on the back of gains in index major Reliance Industries, Larsen & Toubro and Bajaj Finance.

After swinging 378 points during the day, the 30-share index settled 10.25 points or 0.03 per cent higher at 38,730.82. The index hit an intra-day low of 38,435.87 and a high of 38,814.23.

The broader NSE Nifty, on the other hand, ended 2.70 points, or 0.02 per cent, lower at 11,555.90 in its third straight day of losses. During the day, the index hit a low of 11,461.00 and a high of 11,582.55.

"Lack of real growth in the economy while equity is at premium valuation is impacting the market. IT bellwethers slid ahead of earnings season as anxiety over global growth and trade disputes cast cloud over revenue estimate," Vinod Nair, the Head of Research, Geojit Financial Services, commented.

Among sectoral indices, the BSE consumer durables index was the worst performer, tanking 6.76 per cent, followed by IT, FMCG and teck indices, falling up to 0.98 per cent.

On the other hand, BSE realty, healthcare, energy, capital goods, oil and gas, power and industrials indices rose up to 2.81 per cent.

Broader BSE midcap and smallcap indices ended in the green, rising up to 0.63 per cent. Market breadth was negative as 1,263 scrips declined while 1,178 stocks advanced.

Total turnover on BSE was Rs 2,369.85 crore. On the currency front, the Indian rupee rebounded to trade flat at 68.64 against the US dollar.

Meanwhile, the global oil benchmark Brent crude futures were trading 0.39 per cent higher at $64.36 per barrel.