Mumbai, Jan 4 (IANS) A key Indian equities index was ruling flat Monday afternoon, with heavyweight stock Reliance Industries (RIL) acting as a major drag on the index, though select auto stocks were on the rise along with broader indices.
At 1.32 p.m., the sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 17,473.45 points, was ruling at 17,523.89 points, up 59.08 points or 0.33 percent from its previous close at 17,464.81 points.

Around the same time, at the National Stock Exchange (NSE), the broader 50-share S&P CNX Nifty was at 5,221.1 points, against the previous close at 5,201.05 points, a gain of 0.39 percent.

Broader market indices were doing relatively better, with the BSE midcap index up 1.12 percent and the BSE small cap index ruling 1.49 percent higher.

The market breadth was positive, with as many as 2,094 stocks advancing, compared to 725 on the decline, while 68 remained unchanged.

Indian stock markets started trade at 9 a.m. Monday, as per the directive issued by the two prominent exchanges — BSE and NSE.

Among major gainers were Mahindra and Mahindra, up 4 percent at Rs.1,124; Tata Motors, up 3.42 percent at Rs.818.60; ACC, up 2.69 percent at Rs.894.90; and Jaiprakash Associates, up 2.38 percent at Rs.150.40.

Top losers included Reliance Industries, down 1.65 percent at Rs.1,071.45; NTPC, down 1.12 percent at Rs.233.05; Bharti Airtel, down 0.52 percent at Rs.327.10; and Hero Honda, down 0.49 percent at Rs.1,708.05.

Other Asian markets were a mixed bag.

A key Japanese index, the Nikkei, Monday closed 1.03 percent or 108.35 points down at 10,654.79 points.

The Kospi, the benchmark index of the Korean Stock Exchange, was up 0.79 percent at 1,696.14 points.

In China, the Shanghai composite index was ruling 1.02 percent lower at 3,243.76 points.

The Hang Seng, a benchmark index of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, was ruling lower at 21,808.26 points, 0.29 percent lower.