Mumbai, March 12 (IANS) A benchmark index for Indian equities Friday closed flat, marking an end to a rather lacklustre trading week.

The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 17,176.02 points, shut shop at 17,169.48 points (provisional) -- almost unchanged from its previous close at 17,167.96 points.

At the National Stock Exchange (NSE), the broader 50-share S&P CNX Nifty closed at 5,138.8 points, against the previous close at 5,133.4 points.

Selling pressure was greater in broader markets with the BSE midcap index ending 0.32 percent lower and the BSE small cap index closing 0.51 percent down.