Mumbai, Dec 21 (IANS) After recovering from its intra-day low, a benchmark index of the Indian equities markets was trading weak Monday afternoon — ruling 45 points lower than its previous close.
At 1.30 p.m., the 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) — which opened at 16,724.84 points — was ruling at 16,674.41 points, down 45.42 points or 0.27 percent from its previous close at 16,719.83 points.

Around the same time, at the National Stock Exchange (NSE), the broader 50-stock S&P CNX Nifty was also in the red at 4,974.45 points, against the previous close at 4,987.7 points, a loss of 0.27 percent.

Broader market indices were, however, faring better with the BSE midcap index up 0.32 percent and the BSE small cap index ruling 0.67 percent higher.

The market breadth was tilted towards the positive, with 1,479 stocks advancing, 1,176 scrips declining and 92 remaining unchanged.

Among major gainers at this time were Wipro, up 1.8 percent at Rs.687.15; TCS, up 1.66 percent at Rs.739.15; RIL, up 0.94 percent at Rs.1,019.95; and ICICI Bank, up 0.76 percent at Rs.814.95.

Among prominent losers were Jaiprakash Associates, down 2.21 percent at Rs.144.05; M&M, down 2.03 percent at Rs.1,032.80; L&T, down 1.8 percent at Rs.1,619; and Hindalco, 1.78 percent down at Rs.140.35.

Trading at other Asian markets was mixed with the benchmark Japanese index, the Nikkei, closing 0.41 percent or 41.42 points up at 10,183.47 points backed by gains in technology stocks.

In China, the Shanghai composite index was similarly up 0.29 percent at 3,122.97 points.

However, the Hang Seng, a key index of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, was ruling lower at 20,976.13 points, 0.94 percent or 199.75 points down.

The Kospi, the benchmark index of the Korean Stock Exchange, was down 0.17 percent or 2.81 points at 1,644.23 points.