Mumbai, Sep 3 (IANS) A benchmark index for Indian equities closed almost flat Friday in volatile but range-bound trade. Broader markets, however, continued to see robust buys.

The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 18,238.03 points, closed at 18,221.43 points, 16.88 points or 0.09 percent down from its previous close at 18,238.31 points.

At the National Stock Exchange (NSE), the broader 50-share S&P CNX Nifty shut shop 0.12 percent lower at 5,479.4 points.

Broader markets indices showed buying interest, with the BSE midcap ending 0.97 percent up and the BSE smallcap index 0.94 percent higher.

Metal, and energy stocks saw selling, while realty, auto and healthcare scrips were in favour.

The market breadth was positive with 1,661 scrips advancing, compared to 1,246 stocks declining and 143 remaining unchanged.

The major gainers on the Sensex were Hero Honda, up 2.14 percent at Rs.1,736.15; Bharti Airtel, up 1.6 percent at Rs.339.40; Reliance Infra, up 1.6 percent at Rs.1,030.45; and ONGC, up 1.17 percent at Rs.1,338.

Among the losers were Jindal Steel, down 2.1 percent at Rs.683.25; Jaiprakash Associates, down 1.53 percent at Rs.112.95; Hindalco Industries down 1.47 percent at Rs.170.40, and Sterlite Industries, down 1.28 percent at Rs.158.55.

Other Asian markets were in the green amid speculation that key US economic data to be released Friday would show an improvement.

The Japanese Nikkei closed 0.57 percent higher at 9,114.13 points.

Hong Kong's Hang Seng ended 0.49 percent up at 20,971.5 points. The Chinese Shanghai Composite index closed flat.

European markets were ruling in the green as they awaited US non-farm payroll data. The key economic indicator is expected to be better than last week.

At the closing bell here, the FTSE 100 was trading 0.39 percent higher at 5,392.18 points.

The German DAX was ruling 0.24 percent up at 6,098.55 points and the French CAC 40 0.52 percent higher at 3,650.18 points.