Sensex, Nifty flat ahead of derivatives expiry; bank stocks fall

Benchmark stock market indices opened flat on Thursday ahead of the expiry of monthly derivatives contracts.

Indian shares were little changed on Thursday as banking stocks that fell ahead of the expiry of monthly derivatives contracts were countered by a jump of more than 1% in heavyweight Reliance Industries. By 9:18 am, the blue-chip NSE Nifty 50 index was 0.07% lower at 16,622.25 and the benchmark S&P BSE Sensex slipped 0.11% to 55,886.4.