Markets End On a Flat Note

The markets have started the new week on a sober note due to the discouraging set of cues on the Asian front and a bout of nervousness around the 20k levels. The Sensex, which had momentarily regained the 20k mark to hit a high of 20,006 in noon trades, gave way towards the close of trade to end marginally higher by 24 points at 19,888, while the Nifty shed one point at 5947. The midcap index also ended sideways at 7553, lower by 14 points and the small cap index ended at 9215, up 31 points. European stocks advanced, led by automakers, amid speculation that the economy will be strong enough to withstand the region’s sovereign-debt crisis. Asian shares declined and U.S. index futures fluctuated. Volkswagen AG rose 2.4 percent after saying it expects sales in China to grow 10 to 15 percent next year. Abertis Infraestructuras SA gained 3.4 percent as the Sunday Times said CVC Capital Partners Ltd. may bid for the Spanish highway operator. Airlines and retailers retreated as snow disrupted air travel and holiday shopping.