Mumbai, Feb 5 (IANS): A benchmark index of Indian equities markets provisionally closed Thursday's trade flat as negative global cues and profit booking led to a volatile session.

Heavy volatility was observed in the 30-scrip Sensitive Index (Sensex) of the S&P Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), post late afternoon (2.00 p.m.) when it gained 394.72 points and stood at 29,277.83 points.

The barometer index, however, soon fell from intra-day high 29,277.83 points and lost 524.54 points. It stood at an intra-day low of 28,753.29 points.

The S&P BSE Sensex, which opened at 28,912.38 points, closed the day's trade at 28,850.97 points, down 32.14 points or 0.11 percent from the previous day's close at 28,883.11 points.

Healthy buying was observed in information technology (IT), technology, entertainment and media (TECK) and fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) stocks.

However, consumer durables, metal, healthcare, capital goods, automobile, oil and gas and bank scrips came under heavy selling pressure.

The S&P BSE IT index surged by 236.19 points, TECK index gained 82.50 points, and FMCG index moved up by 48.09 points.

The S&P BSE consumer durables index plunged by 240.40 points, metal index was lower by 198.79 points, healthcare index fell by 146.02 points.

Interest sensitive sectors too came under selling pressure. Capital goods index declined by 143.24 points, automobile index decreased by 133.69 points and bank index slipped 102.06 points.

Oil and gas index was lower by 118.51 points.

The wider 50-scrip Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) also closed the day's trade flat. It was down 12 points or 0.14 percent up at 8,711.70 points.