Mumbai, Oct 21 (IANS): Indian equities markets continued to trade on a dull note Friday afternoon with a benchmark index for Indian equities almost unchanged from its previous close. Consumer durables and capital goods stocks were among the primary gainers.

The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the BSE, which opened at 16,975.79 points, slipped shortly thereafter to rule at 16,931.9 points, down 4.99 points from its previous close at 16,936.89 points.

The 50-scrip S&P CNX Nifty of the National Stock Exchange was also trading lacklustre, 2.8 points down at 5,089.1 points.

Broader markets were also subdued with the BSE 500 index trading flat.

The market breadth at the BSE was negative with 1,223 stocks on the advance, 1,362 declining and 118 unchanged.

Among gainers on the Sensex was Martui Suzuki which rose 3.88 percent in morning trade after a 14-day-long strike was called off. Among other gainers were BHEL, Bajaj Auto and SBI.

Losers included Bharti Airtel, HDFC, Tata Steel and Tata Motors.

Asian markets were range-bound as investors chose to await the outcome of a weekend meeting between European leaders for signs of progress in resolving the zone's debt crisis.

The Japanese Nikkei Friday closed flat at 8,678.89 points, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng was trading 0.28 percent up at 18,034.31 points.

The Chinese Shanghai composite index was ruling 0.6 percent lower at 2,317.28 points.

European markets edged up on opening.