Indian shares ended little changed on the first trading day of 2015 as gains in telecom stocks such as Bharti Airtel on news of spectrum pricing were offset by profit-taking in some bluechips. Trading volume was low as most investors were away for New Year holidays.The benchmark BSE index gained 0.03 percent to 27,507.54, while the broader NSE index ended 0.02 percent higher at 8,284.
Telecom stocks rose after the industry regulator on Wednesday put the 3G spectrum base rate at a 19 percent discount to 2010 auction prices. Bharti Airtel closed up 2.9 percent, while Idea Cellular gained 3.6 percent. However, some bluechips such as NTPC fell 1.1 percent on profit taking. The stock gained 3.4 percent in the three sessions till Wednesday.
Overseas investors, who invested $16.1 million in Indian shares in 2014, continue their buying spree. They bought Indian shares worth 4.8 billion rupees ($75.86 million) on Wednesday, according to provisional exchange data. "Indian markets have outperformed its Asian and global peers. Our market remains the hot investment option. And, this growth is expected to continue as cyclical, rate-sensitive and investment-oriented stocks find flavour with investors," said Kamlesh Rao, CEO of Kotak Securities.
Bluechips fell. Housing Development Finance Corp fell 0.8 percent, while NTPC Ltd dropped 0.7 percent. However, reform-related stocks, especially state-run industrial and financial stocks, gained. Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd gained 0.8 percent, while State Bank of India added 0.6 percent.
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