Benchmark indices trade flat; metal stocks lead decliners May 20, 2021 Benchmark indices were trading flat with narrow movement on Thursday, dragged by metals. At 1 pm, the BSE Sensex was near the day’s low (49,781.48) at 49,858.74, down 43.9 points or 0.09 per cent. It hit an intra-day high of 50,099.17. Nifty 50 was at 14,992.50, down 37.65 points or 0.25 per cent. It hit an intra-day high of 15,069.80 and a low of 14,960.50. Gaurav Garg, Head Of Research, CapitalVia Global Research Ltd, said, “In morning trades, Indian equity indexes continued their lacklustre performance ahead of the weekly expiration of index futures and option contracts.” “Traders remained cautious, with rating agency ICRA stating that the increase in headline figures of key economic indicators in April is attributable to the base effect and that the economy will see a hard time as consumer morale remains low. US market decline further, as Federal Reserve participants agreed that the US economy remained far from the central bank’s target. Asian markets were mostly trading in red following the global peers,” added Garg.