Mumbai, Jan 4 (IANS) A benchmark index for Indian equities markets Wednesday snapped its two-day rise and closed moderately lower as traders took a breather after the rally in the previous session and anxiousness grew about the upcoming quarterly results season.

The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 15,967.49 points, closed at 15,882.64 points — 56.72 points or 0.36 percent down from its previous close at 15,939.36 points.

The Sensex gained over 421 points in Tuesday’s trade and nudged up.

The 50-scrip S&P; CNX Nifty of the National Stock Exchange also edged lower at 4,749.65 points, down 0.33 percent or 15.65 points from its previous close.

Broader markets also closed on a quiet note. The BSE 500 index closed 0.13 percent down from its previous close. The BSE midcap and small cap indices also ended flat.

PSU stocks were on the rise on reports that the cabinet was likely to allow state-run firms to buy back shares. Although the cabinet deferred its decision on the issue, it is likely to take it up at its next meeting.

Capital goods too rose, while auto and telecom scrips saw selling.

The market breadth was positive with 1,499 stocks advancing, compared to 1,200 on the decline. Another 135 remained unchanged.

Prominent gainers on the 30-scrip Sensex included Tata Motors, up 3.38 percent at Rs.200.45; BHEL, up 2.44 percent at Rs.254; ICICI Bank, up 2.43 percent at Rs.743; and ONGC, up 1.06 percent at Rs.265.95.

Auto stocks were among the major losers Wednesday. Bajaj Auto, M&M;, Hero Moto Corp all led the losing scrips on the benchmark. Blue chips like TCS lost 1.86 percent and closed at Rs.1,174.40 while RIL ended 1.06 percent down at Rs.716.

According to data available with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), foreign institutional investors bought stocks worth $61.18 million Wednesday.

Many of the Asian markets, which were closed, had their first full trading day in the New Year.

Taking cues from the positive overnight closing in Europe and US bourses, the Japanese Nikkei moved up 1.24 percent and closed at 8,560.11 points. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng saw some profit booking and closed 0.8 percent lower at 18,727.31 points.

The Chinese Shanghai Composite index was down 1.37 percent and ended at 2,169.39 points.

European markets were ruling subdued with some profit booking seen after the Tuesday rally.

Britain’s FTSE 100 was ruling flat at 5,701.93 points, while the German DAX was trading 0.52 percent lower at 6,134.3 points.

However, the French CAC 40 was ruling 0.65 percent lower at 3,224.4 points.