New Delhi, Feb 23 (IANS) A benchmark index of Indian equities ended Tuesday tamely, rising barely 49 points from its previous close.
The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 16,213.14 points, closed at 16,286.32 points, up 49.27 points or 0.3 percent from its previous close.

At the National Stock Exchange (NSE), the broader 50-share S&P CNX Nifty shut shop at 4,870.05 points, against the previous close at 4,856.4 points, a gain of 0.28 percent or 13.65 points.

Broader markets came under selling pressure with the BSE midcap index closing 0.59 percent down and the BSE small cap index 0.92 percent lower.

Realty, metals and healthcare stocks gained the most, while auto, consumer durables, and energy scrips came under selling pressure.

The market breadth was negative, with 889 stocks advancing, compared to 1,924 on the decline and 94 remaining unchanged.

Among the gainers on the 30-scrip Sensex were Sun Pharma, up 2.37 percent at Rs.1,571.95; DLF, up 1.67 percent at Rs.289.85; ICICI Bank, up 1.64 percent at Rs.845.35; and Sterlite Industries, up 1.58 percent at Rs.758.75.

Top losers included Maruti Suzuki, down 3.24 percent at Rs.1,336.85; Reliance Infra, down 1.32 percent at Rs.975.45; Mahindra and Mahindra, down 1.25 percent at Rs.980.45; and Hero Honda, down 0.87 percent at Rs.1,691.55.

According to data available with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), foreign institutional investors were net buyers Tuesday, having bought scrips worth $8.59 million.

Most other Asian markets closed on a subdued note too.

The benchmark Japanese index, Nikkei, lost 0.47 percent to close at 10,352.1 points, while the South Korean Kospi closed in the red, moving down 0.11 percent to 1,628.9 points.

The Chinese Shanghai composite index ended 0.69 percent down at 2,982.57 points. However, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng ended 1.21 percent higher at 20,623 points.

European markets were trading on a weak note.

Around closing bell here, the FTSE 100, the benchmark index of the London Stock Exchange, was ruling 0.18 percent lower at 5,342.17 points, while its German peer DAX was trading at 5,637.29 points, down 0.9 percent.

The French CAC 40 index was also ruling lower at 3,733.18 points, down 0.63 percent.