Indian equity markets ended a volatile trading session little changed, after banking stocks managed to offset the biggest single-day fall in Reliance Industries Ltd. in over seven months.
The S&P BSE Sensex ended 0.4% higher at 39,757 while the NSE Nifty 50 index ended 10 points higher at 11,653.
The Nifty Bank index gained nearly 1,000 points in today's session, ending 4.1% higher at 24,892. All the constituents on the index, except IDFC First Bank, ended with gains. Four out of the top five Nifty gainers, were financial stocks. IndusInd Bank, ICICI Bank and Axis Bank gained 6% each while HDFC ended over 5% higher, post its second quarter earnings. The PSU Bank index also ended with gains of 3.4%.
The collective gains in banking stocks were able to offset the fall in Reliance Industries. The index heavyweight fell 8.7%, to end at its lowest level in three months.
Among other sectoral indices, I.T. and Pharma stocks were the top laggards. The Nifty I.T. index ended 0.9% lower while the Pharma index fell 0.6%.
Broader markets were mixed in today's session. The Nifty Midcap index managed to salvage gains of 0.4% while the Smallcap index ended 1.5% lower.
India Volatility Index ended off the session's high but 1.8% higher at 25.2.
1,126 stocks on the NSE ended with gains while 693 posted losses.