About Today's market

The key benchmark indices were trading higher in afternoon deals led by gains in metal, realty, oil & gas and IT stocks.
Volatility ruled the roost on the bourses with the Sensex recovering soon after hitting intraday low in early afternoon trade. The Sensex was up 0.5 per cent to 8,472. The Nifty gained 1 per cent to trade at 2,648.

The severe global economic crisis, a slowdown in the domestic economy, a weak rupee and sustained selling by foreign funds, however, weighed on the investor sentiment.
Key benchmark indices opened firm tracking recovery in Asian stocks but soon slipped into the red for a brief period before regaining positive zone. The market weakened again in morning trade before cutting losses. It later moved between positive and negative zone. The market weakened again with Sensex hitting intraday low in early afternoon trade. The market soon cut loss. It later moved between positive and negative zone.

There has been heavy selling by foreign funds this year. FII outflow in February 2009 totaled Rs 2707 crore. FII outflow in calendar year 2009 totaled Rs 7418.80 crore (till 2 March 2009).

Asian stocks staged an intraday rebound today, 4 March 2009. China's Shanghai Composite index was up 6.21% after the latest data showed the pace of contraction in the manufacturing sector eased in February 2009.