Indian markets trade dull in noon

Mumbai, Feb 7 (IANS) Indian equities markets were ruling dull Tuesday as traders took a breather after straight weeks of rallying. A benchmark index was trading 47 points up around noon.

The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the BSE, which opened at 17,813.74 points and was ruling at 17,754.4 points, 47.09 points or 0.27 percent up from its previous close at 17,707.31 points.

The 50-scrip S&P CNX Nifty of the National Stock Exchange was also trading lacklustre at 5,375.05 points, up 13.4 points or 0.25 percent from its previous close.

Broader markets were dull, with the BSE 500 index trading 0.17 percent up from its previous close. The BSE midcap index was up 0.07 percent while the BSE smallcap index gained 0.35 percent.

Oil and gas, consumer durables and banking stocks were on the rise, while power and realty scrips saw selling.

Prominent gainers on the 30-scrip Sensex included Jindal Steel, RIL, Hero MotoCorp and ICICI Bank while losers included Bharti Airtel, Hindustan Unilever, Gail and NTPC.

The market breadth was mixed with 1,299 stocks advancing, 1,284 on the decline and 117 unchanged.

Asian markets too were ruling subdued, with investors wary of a debt default by Greece because its policymakers are seen to be divided over the strict conditions attached to a financial bailout.

The Japanese Nikkei fell 0.13 percent to rule at 8,917.52 points, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng slipped at 20,694.6 points.

The Chinese Shanghai Composite index was ruling 2.02 percent down at 2,284.07 points.