Mumbai, Dec 6 (IANS): The Indian equity markets on Tuesday closed on a flat note as profit booking was witnessed after the key indices made substantial gains on hopes of an easing of the monetary policy.

The wider 51-scrip Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) inched up by 14.40 points or 0.18 per cent to 8,143.15 points.

The barometer 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the BSE, which opened at 26,403.62 points, provisionally closed at 26,392.76 points (at 3.30 p.m.) -- up 43.66 points or 0.17 per cent from the previous close at 26,349.10 points. 

The Sensex touched a high of 26,502.43 points and a low of 26,356.02 points during the intra-day trade.

The BSE market breadth was tilted in favour of the bulls -- with 1,513 advances and 1,108 declines.

On Friday, the equity markets closed on a higher note, as investors' sentiments were buoyed on hopes of an easing of the monetary policy and positive global cues.

The barometer index was up 118.44 points or 0.45 per cent, while the NSE Nifty rose by 41.95 points or 0.52 per cent.