Mumbai, Dec 10 (IANS) A benchmark index of the Indian equities markets moved into the green around Thursday noon after opening in the negative.
At 12:20 p.m., the sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) that opened at 17,107 points was ruling at 17,155.85 points, up 30.63 points or 0.18 percent from Wednesday’s close at 17,125.22 points.

At the National Stock Exchange (NSE), the broader 50-share S&P CNX Nifty was at 5,125.05 points, against the previous close at 5,112 points, a gain of 13.05 points or 0.26 percent.

Broader market indices were in the green owing to buying activity in smaller scrips, with the BSE smallcap index 0.22 percent higher and the BSE midcap index up 0.81 percent.

The market breadth was tilted towards the positive, with 1,590 stocks advancing, 1,002 scrips declining and 87 remaining unchanged.

Other Asian markets were a mixed bag.

A key Japanese index, the Nikkei, closed 1.42 percent or 141.9 points down at 9,862.82 points as profit booking continued.

The Hang Seng, a benchmark index of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, too, was in the negative at 21,696.08 points, 0.21 percent or 45.68 points down.

However, in China, the Shanghai composite index was ruling 0.23 percent in the green at 3,246.98 points.

The Kospi, the benchmark index of the Korean Stock Exchange, too was ruling higher at 1,652.73 points, up 1.14 percent.