MUMBAI: The benchmark Sensex managed to keep its early losses in check as it traded around 9 points lower amid a buying spell in key heavyweights in realty and industrials.
At the same time, caution prevailed following overnightweak macroeconomic data, which showed the combined output of eight core industries, with a total weight of 38 per cent of the Index of Industrial Production (IIP), fell 1.3 per cent in November.
Banking and financials saw some profit-booking while broader mid-cap and small-cap indices lent support.
The Sensex resumed lower at 26,101.50 before quoting at 26,108.29 at 1144 hours, down 9.25 points, or 0.04 per cent. The 50-share Nifty too was marginally down by 5.80 points, or 0.07 per cent, at 7,950.10 at 1144 hours.
Tata Steel fell the most (1.02 per cent), followed by Sun Pharma and GAIL.
Foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) net bought shares worth Rs 1,123.41 crore yesterday, provisional data showed. Overseas, Asia was trading mixed. US stocks closed lower yesterday as it traded lighter than usual ahead of the New Year's Day holiday.