The Indian benchmark indices on Thursday ended on a subdued note after trading flat through the day – the BSE Sensex closed 27.05 points down at 33,573.22, and the National Stock Exchange’s Nifty ended 16.70 points lower at 10,423.80.

Among BSE sectoral indices, the healthcare index gained the most (2.48%), followed by consumer durable (1.26%). The metal (-0.56%), FMCG (-0.93%) and auto (-0.61%) indices saw the biggest losses.

The top five stocks on Nifty were Aurobindo Pharma (+3.77%), Lupin (+3.22%), Sun Pharma (+2.77%), Power Grid Corporation (+2.69%) and Dr Reddy’s Laboratories (+2.16%). Dr Reddy’s Laboratories, Lupin and Sun Pharma were also the top gainers on the BSE, formerly known as the Bombay Stock Exchange.

Meanwhile, Tech Mahindra, Hero MotoCorp and Bharti Infratel performed poorly on the NSE. Hero Motor Corp was the top loser on the Sensex, (-2.19%), followed by ITC (-1.52%) and ONGC (-1.16%).

The rupee advanced 10 paise to 64.49 against the US dollar before closing at Rs 64.82 at the end of trade.

Other Asian stock markets traded higher on Thursday, touching a 10-year high after the United States Federal Reserve expressed optimism about the economy, Reuters reported. Japan’s Nikkei index ended 0.5% up at 22,539.12 after reaching a high of 22,540.25, its best close since late June 1996.