Mumbai, Sep 19 (IANS): A benchmark index of Indian equities markets closed flat in volatile trade Friday as capital goods, oil and gas and automobile stocks fell.

Bearish sentiments took hold of the investors a day after the market gained 480.92 points or 1.81 percent as the US Fed said it will maintain interest rates to near zero for a "considerable time" even after its bond-buying programme ends.

Sectoral indices such as capital goods, oil and gas, automobiles, metal and realty sustained losses, while healthy gains were observed in information technology (IT), technology, entertainment and media (TECK) and healthcare stocks.

The 30-scrip Sensitive Index (Sensex) of the S&P Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 27,139.39 points, closed trade at 27,090.42 points (provisionally), down 21.79 or 0.08 percent from the previous day's close at 27,112.21 points.

The Sensex touched a high of 27,247.17 points and a low of 27,047.68 points in intra-trade.

“Markets are in a consolidation mode with benchmarks remaining almost flat during the week. However, markets have sustained at near all-time highs, which reflects the strength of the market," said Dipen Shah, head - private client group research, Kotak Securities.

"There was relief on the US Fed not giving any indications of an early increase in interest rates. On the other hand, the moderation on WPI also improved sentiments a bit."

The S&P BSE capital goods index lost 290.91 points, oil and gas index was down by 136.45 points, automobile index fell 127.76 points, metal index was down by 60.70 points and realty index fell 14.44 points.

However, IT index gained 144.57 points, TECK index rose by 66.10 points and healthcare index moved up by 45.36 points.

The wider 50-scrip Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) also closed flat. It was up 6.70 points or 0.08 percent at 8,121.45 points.

Major Sensex gainers included Tata Consultancy Service (TCS), up 2.71 percent at Rs.2,708.05; Maruti Suzuki, up 1.29 percent at Rs.3,084.95; Cipla, up 1.22 percent at Rs.627.80; HDFC, up 1.08 percent at Rs.1,065.30; and Wipro, up 0.98 percent at Rs.586.65.

Major Sensex losers included Larsen and Toubro, down 2.51 percent at Rs.1,535.30; ONGC, down 2.26 percent at Rs.405; State Bank of India (SBI), down 1.92 percent at Rs.2,568.50; Hindustan Unilever, down at 1.73 percent at Rs.737.55; and Hero MotoCorp, down 1.57 percent at Rs.2,951.05.

In Asian markets, Japan's Nikkei gained 1.58 percent and China's Shanghai Composite gained 0.58 percent. Hong Kong's Hang Seng closed 0.57 percent higher.

In Europe, London's FTSE 100 increased by 0.57 percent, Germany's DAX Index was up 0.31 percent. However, France's CAC 40 was lower by 0.16 percent.