Markets end flat ahead of corporate results

 The key Indian equity indices closed flat today, as caution prevailed ahead of corporate results due later this month.
 
Markets started off the new year on a weak note after ending 2017 with their biggest annual gains in three years. 
 
Oil retailers such as Hindustan Petroleum, Indian Oil Corporation fell after crude prices strengthened, Reuters reported. 
 
Markets could be subdued because of upcoming domestic events like 2018 Budget and fourth quarter results, according to a Mint report.
 
Bharti Airtel, SBI, Maruti Suzuki were the top losers. The 30-scrip Sensitive Index (Sensex) closed unchanged at 33,812.26 while benchmark Nifty ended the day with thin fall of 0.06%. 
 
The Sensex touched a high of 33,964.14 points and a low of 33703.37 points in the trade.
 
Broadly positive Asian markets, along with value buying pushed the key Indian indices higher during the early morning session today.
 
Healthy buying support was seen in automobile, healthcare and metals stocks in the early trade, according to a IANS report citing market analysts.
 
At 9.25 am, the 30-scrip S&P BSE Sensex, which had closed at 33,812.75 points on Monday, traded higher at 33,872.19 points, up 0.18%.
 
At the National Stock Exchange (NSE), the broader 51-scrip Nifty quoted at 10,472.85 points, up 37.30 points or 0.36 per cent.
 
On Monday, profit booking coupled with low volumes and higher crude oil prices had depressed the key indices.
 
The S&P BSE Sensex had ended Monday`s trade at 33,812.75 points, or down 0.72%, while the NSE Nifty50 closed at 10,435.55 points, down 0.90%.