Closing Bell: Sensex settles above 41,550, Nifty ends on positive note

Market benchmarks Sensex and Nifty closed mixed after a see-saw trade on Monday amid lack of domestic as well as global cues. After swinging over 260 points during the day, the 30-share BSE Sensex ended 17.14 points, or 0.04 per cent, lower at 41,558.

The broader NSE Nifty, however, closed 10.05 points, or 0.08 per cent, higher at 12,255.85. ICICI Bank was the top loser in the Sensex pack, shedding 0.99 per cent, followed by SBI, TCS, HUL, Asian Paints and Axis Bank.

On the other hand, Nestle India, Hero MotoCorp, Mahindra and Mahindra, Bharti Airtel and Tata Steel were among the gainers Analysts attributed this lacklustre trading pattern to absence of any major trigger points in the market.

In the previous session, the 30-share gauge ended 411.38 points, or 1 per cent, higher at 41,575.14. Similarly, the broader NSE Nifty closed 119.25 points, or 0.98 per cent, up at 12,245.80.

Meanwhile, on a net basis, foreign institutional investors bought equities worth Rs 81.37 crore, while domestic institutional investors purchased shares worth Rs 125.77 crore on Friday, data available with stock exchange showed.

According to experts, traders appeared keen on creating fresh positions post expiry of December series derivatives contracts. Globally, bourses in Shanghai and Hong Kong ended higher, while those in Tokyo and Seoul settled in the red. Stock exchanges in Europe started on a negative note.

On the currency front, the rupee was trading flat against the US dollar at 71.34 (intra-day). Brent futures, the global oil benchmark, advanced marginally to USD 66.94 per barrel.

(With inputs from PTI)