Markets End The Day Flat, Software Stocks Gain

Benchmark indices ended the day flat, even as software stocks ended the day with good gains. Most of the markets across the globe were subdued with Europe trading lower and Asian markets ending the day mixed.

The Nifty closed the day higher by 15 points, while the Sensex was little changed. Among the Nifty gainers in trade were Wipro, HCL Tech, Bharti Airtel and Hero Motor Corp. Shares in Reliance Industries which had surged as much as 7 per cent on Thursday, following unconfirmed reports of a stake sale in its retail venture to Amazon ended the day flat.

Banking stocks were mixed with HDFC Bank and IndusInd Bank declining, while ICICI Bank and State Bank of India managed to buck the trend and ended the day higher.

Mannapuram Finance had an excellent day in trade today, with the stock jumping almost 6 per cent. The stock has now doubled since touching a 52-week low.

Shares in Strides Pharma ended the day sharply higher by almost 12 per cent. The stock was the second biggest gainer from the small cap space. Among the Nifty losers were Zee Entertainment, Power Grid and Coal India.

Meanwhile, the rupee ended the day lower at 73.53 per dollar against Thursday's close of 73.46.