Sensex advances 30 points

Stocks were flat in a choppy trade during morning session with the benchmark BSE Sensex advancing by 30 points in absence of cues as financial markets across the world were closed for New Year holiday.

Buying was seen in realty, healthcare, consumer durables, industrials, capital goods, utilities, auto and power sectors.The 30-share BSE index was up 30.73 points, or 0.09 per cent, at 34,087.56 at 1050 hours.

The 50-share Nifty was also trading marginally higher by 4 points or 0.04 per cent at 10,534.70.

SunPharma rose the most among Sensex stocks gaining 1.85 per



cent, followed by M&M 0.93 per cent, ITC 0.87 per cent, BhartiAirtel 0.75 per cent and Tata Motors 0.74 per cent.

Maruti Suzuki, which posted 10 per cent rise in December sales, also rose by 0.14 per cent.

However, IT services major TCS fell by 1.09 per cent, while ICICI Bank, HDFC, Hindustan Unilever and Reliance Industries dropped up to 1 per cent, restricting Sensex gains.

Asian markets remained closed due to public holiday.

US stocks closed lower as selling pressure accelerated towards the close of the session.