Indian shares closed almost unchanged on Wednesday as optimism about an improving global economy was offset by caution ahead of the start of the domestic corporate results season next week. The benchmark BSE index closed 0.06 percent lower at 33,793.38. The broader NSE index ended 0.01 percent higher at 10,443.20. The gains in riskier assets came as industry surveys from Germany and Canada showed quickening activity.
The MSCI's index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan rose 0.4 percent, having jumped 1.4 percent on Tuesday in its best performance since last March. Investors in India are awaiting corporate results, including from Tata Consultancy Services Ltd and Infosys Ltd that are scheduled next week, amid signs the economy is recovering after the withdrawal of high-denomination currency bills in late 2016 and the introduction of a national goods and services tax last year. Market heavyweight Reliance Industries Ltd contributed the most to index gains after it said on Tuesday it commissioned a refinery off-gas cracker at Jamnagar in Gujarat.