Sensex closes flat; Idea Cellular ends down 11%

Indian shares ended steady on Friday, skidding from a seven-month high hit earlier in the session, as gains in agriculture-related stocks and automakers were offset by a slump in Idea Cellular.

The broader National Stock Exchange (NSE) Nifty ended 0.02% higher at 8,220.80, but rose 0.76% this week to mark a second consecutive weekly gain.

The benchmark Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) Sensex ended unchanged at 26,843.03.

Both indexes had earlier hit their highest levels since late October.

Shares of Idea ended 11% down after Providence Equity Partners sold a 3.5% stake in the wireless provider.