The Indian equity markets traded on a flat - to - negative note during the mid - afternoon trade session on Wednesday on the back of mixed global cues and heavy selling pressure in metal, healthcare and capital goods stocks.
Besides, a flat rupee, coupled with caution ahead of derivatives expiry, capped gains.
Around 1. 10 p. m. , the wider 51 - scrip Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) traded below its psychologically important 9, 400 - mark.
It fell by 27. 75 points or 0. 30 per cent to 9, 358. 40 points.
The 30 - scrip Sensitive Index (Sensex) of the BSE, which opened at 30, 446. 77 points, traded at 30, 301. 55 points (at 1. 10 p. m. ) - - down 63. 70 points or 0. 21 per cent from its previous close at 30, 365. 25 points.
The Sensex has so far touched a high of 30, 534. 15 points and a low of 30, 298. 28 points during intra - day trade.
The BSE market breadth was bearish - - with 1, 750 declines and 741 advances.
"Oil - gas and aviation sector stocks complemented the firmness of the equity markets.
Banking stocks traded with mixed sentiments on short covering, " Dhruv Desai, Director and Chief Operating Officer of Tradebulls, told IANS.
On Tuesday, the Nifty closed at 9, 386. 15 points - - down 52. 10 points or 0. 55 per cent, while the Sensex tanked over 200 points or 0. 67 per cent to close at 30, 365. 25 points.