Mumbai, Mar 23 (IANS): Indian equities markets were trading in a tight but volatile range Friday, with a benchmark index managing to creep up into the green after a brief slip. Healthy buying interest was seen in FMCG and IT scrips.

The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 17,257.72 points, was ruling at 17,252.36 points around 12 p.m., up 55.89 points or 0.33 percent compared to its previous close at 17,196.47 points.

The Sensex had fallen by a huge 405 points Thursday as anxiety built up that high fuel prices and a fall in the rupee could result in greater economic uncertainty in the country leading to a selling spree in equities.

The 50-scrip S&P CNX Nifty of the National Stock Exchange also was trading with moderate gains at 5,247.5 points, up 19.05 points or 0.36 percent from its previous close.

Broader markets were quiet too with the BSE 500 index trading 0.19 percent up. The BSE midcap and small cap indices were flat.

The market breadth was mixed with 1,187 stocks advancing, 1,251 on the decline and 120 remaining unchanged.

Asian markets were in the red as concerns over a slowdown in China's economy weighed heavy on investors.

The Japanese Nikkei index closed 1.14 percent lower at 10,011.47 points.

Hong Kong's index fell 1.34 percent to 20,621.61 points, while the Chinese Shanghai Composite index was trading 0.79 percent lower at 2,357 points.