Sensex in a tight band, ticks up 33 points

Mumbai: The BSE Sensex moved in a tight range after opening in the green as it edged up 33 points amid buying in realty, power, and energy sectors as Asian cues remained firm.

Bouts of profit-booking at higher levels in banks and financials weighed, cutting down the early gains.

The Sensex traded at 24,639.66 at 1206 hours, up 32.67 points, or 0.13 percent.

The NSE Nifty 50 was almost flat, up 5.90 points, or 0.08 percent at 7,481.50 at 1206 hours.

Major gainers were BHEL (4.03 percent), Cipla (3.08 percent), ONGC (2.71 percent), Tata Motors (2.57 percent) and Dr Reddy's 2.41 per cent.Maruti lost heavily (down 1.74 per cent), followed by Adani Ports (1.12 percent), Sun Pharma (1.07 percent) and Axis Bank (1.02 percent).

Meanwhile, foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) net bought shares worth Rs 911.98 crore yesterday, data showed.

Asian stocks were trading firm following overnight US gains after positive economic data