Sensex ekes out 42-pt gain, breaks 2-day losing streak; US inflation keeps investors cautious

NEW DELHI: Domestic equity benchmarks ended a volatile session on a flat note on Friday as rising inflation in the US kept investors away from making any bold bets. A selloff in auto and metal shares weighed on the indices.

Blue-chip indices swung between gains and losses as gains in consumer and capital goods scrips were countered by losses in metal and auto shares. Most of the activity was confined close to the flatline.

The 30-share pack Sensex climbed 41.75 points or 0.09 per cent to close at 48,732.55. Its broader peer NSE Nifty dropped 18.70 points or 0.13 per cent to settle at 14,677.80.

“Owing to a decline in food prices, April’s retail inflation eased to 4.29 per cent while industrial production for March registered growth of 22.4 per cent supported by a lower base. Global markets traded with optimism on comments from Fed officials that they are not much concerned about long-term inflation," said Vinod Nair, Head of Research at Geojit Financial Services.

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• Asian Paints top Nifty50 gainer, up 8%
• Nxtdigital surges 12% as company's board approves rights issue
• HCC and KEC international shine as JV bags Chennai metro order