Mumbai, Sep 13 (IANS): Indian equities markets Tuesday gave up their intra-day gains to close flat on a rather volatile trading day. Negative cues from European markets over the possibility of a debt default by Greece also impacted trader sentiments.
The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 16,618.17 points, closed at 16,467.44 points, down 34.3 points or 0.21 percent from its previous close at 16,501.74 points.
It rose over 264 points to touch a high of 16,766.19 points but later fell sharply.
The 50-scrip S&P CNX Nifty of the National Stock Exchange also closed on a dull note at 4,940.95 points, down 0.12 percent.
Broader markets too saw their initial gains being eroded. The BSE midcap, smallcap and BSE 100, all closed on a flat note. Auto, healthcare and consumer durable stocks came under selling pressure, while IT and telecom scrips rose.
The market breadth was mixed with 1,397 stocks were seen advancing, compared to 1,395 on the decline and 136 remaining unchanged.
According to data available with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), foreign institutional investors sold stocks worth $165.96 million.
Major gainers on the Sensex included DLF, up 1.82 percent at Rs.198.95; Bajaj Auto, up 1.74 percent at Rs.528.60; Infosys, up 1.21 percent at Rs.2,22.40; and Tata Steel, up 0.81 percent at Rs.458.55.
Prominent losers were Tata Motors, down 4.61 percent at Rs.139.65; SBI, down 1.56 percent at Rs.1,840.05; Bharti Airtel, down 1.23 percent at Rs.381.25; and ONGC, down 1.17 percent at Rs.258.
Asian markets were a mixed bag with Japan's Nikkei closing 0.95 percent up at 8,616.55 points, while the Chinese Shanghai composite index ended 1.06 percent lower.
Markets in Hong Kong were closed on account of a holiday.
European bourses hit a two-year low as traders worried over an imminent Greece default amid no concrete plan emerging from the political leadership in the Euro zone.
Britain's FTSE was down 0.46 percent at 5,106.27 points, the German DAX was trading flat at 5,076.99 points, while the French CAC 40 shed 1.14 percent at 2,822.17 points.