Mumbai, Feb 8 (IANS) A benchmark index for Indian equities closed flat on a volatile day of trade Monday, giving up late gains even as traders ignored the latest government growth estimates.

The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 15,931.34 points, shut shop at 15,935.61 points, up 19.96 points or 0.13 percent from its previous close at 15,915.65 points.

It had fallen over 263 points in the late morning session to 15,651.99 points.

At the National Stock Exchange (NSE), the broader 50-share S&P CNX Nifty closed at 4,760.4 points, against the previous close at 4,757.25 points, a gain of 0.07 percent or 3.15 points.

However, broader markets ended slightly lower with the BSE midcap index down 0.09 percent and the BSE small cap index ending 0.08 percent lower.

The advance estimates of the country's gross domestic product released by the Central Statistical Organisation (CSO) forecast a growth of 7.2 percent this fiscal, while pegging increase in services output at 9.9 percent and for manufacturing at 8.9 percent.

Of the 13 BSE sectoral indices, metal and auto stocks were under selling pressure, while buying interest was seen in consumer goods, telecom and banking scrips.

The market breadth was negative, with 1,329 stocks advancing, compared to 1,444 on the decline and 81 remaining unchanged.

Among top gainers on the Sensex were Bharti Airtel, up 2.7 percent at Rs.308.30; Reliance Communciations, up 2.21 percent at Rs.168.70; ONGC, up 1.82 percent at Rs.1,114.45; and Hindustan Unilever, up 1.75 percent at Rs.235.25.

Top losers included Tata Steel, down 4.46 percent at Rs.533.80; Hindalco, down 3.75 percent at Rs.136.10; Wipro, down 1.74 percent at Rs.636.60; and NTPC, down 1.29 percent at Rs.202.40.

According to data with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), foreign institutional investors were net sellers Monday having sold scrips worth $350.02 million.

Other Asian markets were in the red too.

The benchmark Japanese index, Nikkei, closed 1.05 percent lower at 9,951.82 points, and the Hang Seng of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange down 0.58 percent at 19,550.89 points.

The Chinese Shanghai composite index too closed marginally lower at 2,935.17 points, 0.14 percent down, while the Korean Kospi ended 0.91 percent lower at 1,552.79 points.

European markets were a mixed bag at the time of closing bell in Mumbai.

The FTSE 100, the benchmark index of the London Stock Exchange, was ruling 0.12 percent lower at 5,055.06 points, while the French CAC 40 index was down 0.27 percent at 3,573.35 points.

Its German peer DAX was also ruling lower at 5,450.61 points, down 0.3 percent.