Mumbai: The Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) has decided against allowing the two national stock exchanges to launch commodity trading platforms in the near term, said three people familiar with the development.

Both the National Stock Exchange of India Ltd (NSE) and BSE Ltd had sought permission to launch commodity trading on their exchanges after Sebi began regulating the commodity markets last year.

The BSE Sensex and NSE Nifty closed flat on Friday after ICICI Bank Q4 results disappointed markets amid weak global cues. The BSE Sensex closed 3.52 points up at 25,606.62, while NSE Nifty closed 2.55 points up at 7,849.80.

“Benchmark indices toed the flat line for most of the day, before succumbing to selling pressure. Both the Sensex and the Nifty hit a two week low in trade today on the heels of negative global cues. Global markets traded lower after a lack of further stimulus action by the Bank of Japan (BOJ) disappointed market participants.

Domestic equity indices BSE Sensex and NSE Nifty swung between gains and losses on Wednesday as investors stayed cautious ahead of US FOMC meet outcome due today and F&O expiry on Thursday. Later, Sensex closed 56.82 points up at 26,064.12, while Nifty settled 17.25 points up at 7,979.90.

In the 50-share index, Adani Ports, Bharti Airtel, ONGC, Bharti Infratel and GAIL gained between 2.65 per cent and 5.38 per cent. On the other hand, ICICI Bank, Axis Bank, State Bank of India (SBI), UltraTech Cement and Tata Power slid between 1.80 per cent and 3.45 per cent.

The benchmark BSE Sensex tanked about 130 points in early trade on continued selling by participants, tracking losses in Asian shares.

Caution ahead of expiry of April contracts in the derivatives segment on Thursday also influenced sentiment.

The benchmark BSE Sensex and NSE Nifty plunged 159.21 points and 44.25 points on Monday on account of selling pressure in energy, metal, oil and gas sectors amid lower Asian cues. Sensex closed 0.62 per cent down at 25,678.93, while Nifty 50 index settled 0.56 per cent down at 7,855.05. Investors remained cautious ahead of the central bank meetings in the US and Japan this week for future policy moves. Depreciation in Indian rupee too dampened sentiments.

The BSE Sensex and NSE Nifty ended the choppy trade on a flat note on Friday with marginal losses on account of weak cues from global markets. Sensex closed 42.24 points down at 25,838.14, while Nifty settled 12.75 points down at 7,899.30.

In the 50-share index, State Bank of India (SBI), Maruti Suzuki, Bank of Baroda, NTPC and Axis Bank gained between 1.45 per cent and 3.05 per cent. On the other hand, HUL, Asian Paints, HDFC, Sun Pharma and Kotak Mahindra Bank slid between 1.20 per cent and 2.28 per cent.

Maruti Suzuki India has moved higher by 3.5% to Rs 3,833 on the BSE in otherwise range bound market tracking the weakness in the Japanese yen.

A weaker yen would improve Maruti's margins by reducing the costs of importing auto parts from Japan.

Market benchmark Sensex recaptured the crucial 26,000-mark by climbing over 219 points in early trade today as investors engaged in widening their bets amid firm global cues.

The 30-share barometer advanced by 219.02 points or 0.85 per cent to 26,063.20. The gauge gained 1,170.34 points in the previous five sessions.

Continuing its climb for the fifth straight session, the benchmark Sensex surged over 137 points in early trade on Wednesday as investors built more bets amid increased foreign fund inflows.

The 30-share barometer rose 137.47 points, or 0.53%, to 25,953.83. The gauge had gained 1,142.52 points in the previous four sessions on positive macroeconomic data, forecast of an above-normal monsoon and Infosys' upbeat revenue guidance.

Infosys, UltraTech Cement, Petronet LNG, Finolex Industries and TVS Motor Company are among 12 stocks from the Nifty500 index hit their respective lifetime high price on the National Stock Exchange (NSE) in intra-day today.

Atul, Bajaj Finance, Can Fin Homes, Kajaria Ceramics, Kansai Nerolac, Manpasand Beverages and Minda Corp are others from the index touching lifetime highs.

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